Uniden MapTrax GPS

Uniden, a manufacturer of wireless consumer electronics, today announced its entrance into the Global Positioning System (GPS) market. I'm a huge fan of Uniden's line of phone products, as evidenced by my Uniden 'Vonage' phone review and my Uniden TRU-8885-2 review. Now Uniden will debut a new line of portable GPS navigation products, Uniden MapTrax, beginning in Fall 2006. One "claim to fame" is that the Uniden MapTrax Product Line will offer the largest GPS LCD screen in the industry - a whopping 7 inches.

“With more than 40 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry and a solid understanding of consumers’ needs, Uniden’s debut into the GPS arena is a natural next step for our growing company and its brand,” said Larry Johannes, senior director of marketing for Uniden.

Uniden’s new GPS series will be characterized by compact designs, large displays and cutting-edge technology. New innovative features offered by Uniden include Bluetooth capabilities, text-to-speech navigation and pin point positioning accuracy down to three meters. Powered by NAVTEQ navigation software, all the Uniden models feature TFT digital color LCD screens that automatically adjust between night and daylight viewable settings in accordance with the time of day. The daylight viewable setting minimizes glare while the night-view setting offers a bright, easy-to-read display. In addition to excellent picture quality, Uniden’s portable GPS systems are all equipped with intuitive user-interfaces with EZ touch screens, a pre-loaded map of North America, two gigabytes of map memory, a windshield mount for easy use in the car, voice prompt and the fastest available processors for real-time accuracy. 

It will feature up to 14 million points-of-interest in its new models. Uniden’s portable GPS series is a full-featured product line with display sizes ranging from 3.5-inches to 7-inches, allowing Uniden to offer the largest GPS LCD screen in the industry at seven inches. Several models within the series will feature user-friendly designs that provide an accurate navigation experience, such as external turn signals, text-to-speech navigation and WAAS mapping accuracy.

In addition, one of the models in Uniden’s portable GPS navigation line-up will offer Bluetooth compatibility. This allows the GPS system to synchronize with any Bluetooth-enabled cell phone to permit caller ID on the GPS display, providing a central location for all in-vehicle communications. Uniden’s expertise in Bluetooth technology, proven by the successful introduction of two Bluetooth-enabled cordless phones, is illustrated in the intuitive engineering and exceptional functionality of this model. 

“Uniden is proud to honor its commitment in the consumer electronics industry with the introduction of this revolutionary new line of portable GPS navigation systems,” said Rich Tosi, President of Uniden America Corp.  “Our rich history and extensive brand recognition in this industry has given Uniden the insight and the opportunity to expand into this new, growing  category and we are pleased to offer these new GPS products to consumers.”  

In addition to the 2006 products, Uniden plans to introduce at least two additional new models to the GPS series in 2007.

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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on September 6th, 2006 with no comments.
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New TomTom One GPS

TomTom One is a new portable GPS navigation unit launched for the North American market, that fits in your shirt pocket, making it easily transportable from car-to-car and to take on business and vacation trips. The TomTom ONE utilizes the Version 5 Navigator software, not TomTom Navigator 6, which apparently is exclusive to the Treo smartphones at the moment.  The one also features Bluetooth support for TomTom's PLUS Services.


I'm a huge fan of TomTom products. I've used TomTom Navigator 5 on a PocketPC for quite some time and they have one of the slickest looking interfaces of any GPS product.

TomTom ONE combines a color touch-screen, lightweight (only 5.6 ounces) and slim design (3.8 inches x 3.2 inches x 1.0 inch) with TomTom’s popular GPS software. At just $499, this is price-point that is lower than most portable GPS solutions. 

In addition, users will have access to all TomTom PLUS services including real-time traffic and weather reports and updates on road conditions. Users can also take advantage of TomTom HOME, the software package that efficiently manages content between one’s PC or MAC and TomTom device. Via TomTom HOME users can easily plan routes, download voices and install maps to keep their TomTom up to date anytime. The only thing I wish TomTom's GPS software did better was a "pedestrian mode" for hiking, walking cities, and topographical information.


TomTom One with a cellphone and keys to demonstrate scale

The new TomTom ONE provides is essentially an entry-level option to TomTom’s comprehensive product offering, which now includes:

· TomTom GO 910: pre-installed maps of the US, Canada and Europe; optimized screen size, text-to-speech technology, hands-free calling via Bluetooth-enabled phones, and a 20GB hard drive enabling drivers to play music and view image
· TomTom GO 510: pre-installed maps of the US and Canada on an SD card, optimized screen size, and hands-free calling via Bluetooth-enabled phones
· TomTom ONE: TomTom’s newest entry level all-in-one portable navigation device
· TomTom RIDER: the portable all-in-one navigation solution designed specifically for motorcycles and scooters
· TomTom NAVIGATOR: navigation software for PDAs

The ONE is similar to the TomTom GO product, but differs in a few ways. First, the TomTom ONE uses the newer SiRFStarIII GPS chipset which is more sensitive than the earlier chipset used in the TomTom GO. Second, the ONE is much thinner and less bulky than the TomTom GO. The TomTom ONE has a smaller internal battery than the GO, thus the GO units offer about 5 hrs of battery life vs. 2 hrs on the TomTom ONE. For me, that's not a big deal, since in most cases the TomTom ONE will be connected to the car's accessory power outlet. Similar to the TomTom GO, the TomTom ONE has full support for .ov2 format POI's (points of interest) including safety cameras, speed traps, etc.

The bottom of the ONE features all the connectivity and memory options, including an SD card slot, Mini-USB, reset button, and the power connection. Interestingly enough there is a headphone port. I suppose that might be useful if you are blasting music and want to be sure to hear the navigation instructions. Though I know of no one that drives with headphones on. Actually you could connect the headphone jack to some car stereos and have the navigation instructions piped into your car speakers.

Specs:
Processor:      380MHz ARM920T
Screen:     3.5" 320x240 colour TFT LCD
Memory:     32mb RAM
Battery:     Internal Li-Ion
Memory Card:     SD including software and maps
GPS Receiver:     Built-In SiRFStarIII
Sound:     Internal loud speaker
Power Supply :     Cigarette lighter socket (included) or Universal Mains Adapter (optional accessory)
PC Connection:     Via mini-USB cable

The TomTom ONE is a better choice than the TomTom GO 300 if you plan on taking the GPS unit with you wherever you go, since it fits right in your pocket. They run the exact same navigation software, so they are equivalent there. The TomTom GO's screen is slightly larger, but not by much. Price-wise the TomTom ONE is cheaper. So, the TomTom ONE is more portable, same features, and less money - sounds like a no-brainer to me.

The new TomTom ONE will be available at major retailers across the United States starting in late August 2006.

See Also:
TomTom Supports MapQuest
TomTom Tracks other GPS users
TomTom Maps Update

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Tags: car navigation, gps, navigator, poi, speed traps, tomtom, tomtom one
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on August 17th, 2006 with no comments.
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Palm GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition for Treo phones

Palm Treo smartphone users and GPS enthusiasts rejoice! Palm today announced the Palm GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition, featuring the new TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 software, which is one of the most popular GPS navigation software packages. With the new GPS Navigator installed on your Treo smartphone, you can get voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions to find your destination, including millions of points of interest, including gas stations, restaurants, parks, airports and more. TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 is available today exclusively for Palm's GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition. Sweet! TomTom 6 is a long awaited upgrade from the popular TomTom 5 Navigator software. Although, I'm not sure how or why Treo users will "exclusively" get TomTom 6 when there are many other PDA and smartphone models with users clamoring for TomTom 6. Perhaps this news today just means that Treo users are "first" and therefore currently "exclusive". Well, TomTom corporate must really love Treo users to give them some lovin' first!

Palm's new Bluetooth enabled SiRFstarIII GPS receiver seamlessly pairs with the Palm Treo 650, Treo 700w and Treo 700p smartphones. Palm went the extra mile by preloading a 1GB memory card with maps.  Just pop the memory card into your Treo smartphone and pair the Bluetooth GPS receiver and voila' you can instantly access highway and street-level maps covering the United States and Canada. No desktop syncing or downloading of maps is required.

Palm's GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition will run your $299, and it includes a Bluetooth enabled SiRFstarIII GPS receiver, TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 software featuring the latest Tele Atlas maps, a 1GB memory card with preloaded maps of the continental United States and Canada, a vehicle device cradle with windshield mount and a charging system. You can buy this Treo bundle at the Palm online store, however, I just checked their site and it doesn't look like they updated the store yet.

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Tags: gps, palm, tomtom navigator 6, treo 650, treo 700p, treo 700w
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on August 15th, 2006 with no comments.
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How About a Camera with GPS?

Sony no baloney.

Sony has a GPS add-on (GPS-CS1) for its digital cameras that records the location and time data every 15 seconds. The time on the device can be matched with the timestamp on the photo, and the exact location of the picture is added to the JPEG file's meta data, which will allow users to search photos by location!

Now how about that!

Check out Macworld for more.

Here's some more from the Sony press release:

The 12-channel GPS unit is 3-½ inches long, weighs two ounces and is sold with a carabineer to easily attach to a backpack or a belt loop. To arrange pictures geographically, import the logged data from the GPS device, using the supplied USB cable, and then download the digital images to a computer. The supplied GPS Image Tracker software synchronizes the images on your digital camera with the latitude, longitude and time readings from the GPS-CS1 device.

Once synchronized, photos can become virtual push pins on an online map by activating the Picture Motion Browser software bundled with the latest Sony cameras and camcorders released after July.

MSRP: $150

www.sonystyle.com or Sony Style retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail) and  authorized dealers nationwide.

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Tags: digital camera, gps, gps-cs1, sony, sony style
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on August 14th, 2006 with no comments.
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Who’s Number 1 in GPS?

It may be flying a bit under the proverbial radar when it comes to the land of gadgets, but gadgets with GPS navigation technology built-in are expected to become an 88 million market in 2010, according to research firm Strategy Analytics.

In case you didn't know, Garmin is the market leader in this space, but Sony has already jumped into the fray and Royal Philips Electronics and others have product launches in the works.

This from the CEA SmartBrief newsletter, which pulled the story from the Star Tribune (Minneapolis-St. Paul)/Associated Press.

 

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Tags: associated press, cea smartbrief, garmin, gps, royal philips electronics, sony, star tribune
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on July 31st, 2006 with no comments.
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I’d like a pizza with pepperoni and a sprinkle of VoIP and some GPS too

Recently, I received an email from a pizza delivery solutions provider seeking my assistance in an interesting application that involves VoIP, GPS coordinates, Bluetooth, and of course pizza. This is not the first time I have linked pizza with VoIP. No siree bob! In fact, my Vonage VoIP line resulted in me getting a cold pizza. Almost sued Vonage over my damn cold pizza too.

I know what you're thinking. What kind of VoIP application does a pizza delivery company need, right? Well, the best way to explain the application that ties VoIP, pizza, Bluetooth, and GPS together is to include the request they sent to me.

We sell software services to pizza chains.  Our system tracks drivers as they drive around town.  Since we know where they are and where they are going, when they are about 4 minutes from the customers’ door, we want our computer to initiate a telephone call to the customer to say the driver will arrive momentarily.  We imagine some kind of a softphone application running on the PC connected to a VoIP access point to the phone system.  Our software already has the .wav files prepared to “speak” to the customers.

Any suggestions on how to configure this or who we should be talking to that might sell the necessary hardware software?  Is open source stuff available?

PS  Our system is written in C#, so is pretty flexible.

Pizza Pilot recently announced the completion of a multi-store test in Boston-area Domino's Pizza Franchises.  Pizza Pilot was successful in reducing labor, mileage theft and lost drivers.  New tools for measuring each driver's "Smart Hustle" factor as well as data mining techniques to identify and prioritize target customers with Platinum, Gold or Silver service levels were also introduced.

Pizza Pilot is a software-based product that works with any POS-including Pulse and TMS/National Systems.  In combination with Bluetooth and GPS-enabled cell phones, it tracks the location of each delivery driver every 60 seconds.  Pizza Pilot mapping software determines the optimal dispatching and automatically assigns orders to drivers-allowing managers to focus on inside operations.

Due to its ability to track each driver's progress on their way to each destination, Pizza Pilot can determine the moment actual deliveries are made and to update drivers' estimated return times as they return to the shop-making subsequent dispatches more accurate.  Maps or on-board navigation is also available which reduce lost drivers, while real-time tracking identifies and discourages unauthorized stops.

I'm most impressed with the fact that they want to call you when the pizza is 4 minutes away. Imagine that -- a pizza company that is courteous enough to call you when they are about to arrive. How many times have you been told the pizza will take 30 minutes only to see 90 minutes roll by; then when you call to check on your pizza they simply tell you the pizza guy is on the way. Really they have no idea where he is and they're simply patronizing you. Well, with this pizza delivery company, they track all their vehicles so they can tell you exactly where the vehicle is and on top of that they plan to call you using an automated dialer using a VoIP line.

Now if that isn't a hot application for VoIP, I don't know what is. Mmmm. hot pizza... Ahhhh. GPS & Bluetooth gadgetry... Ooooo... VoIP coolness... Ahhhhh...  All I need now is some cold beer & ESPN -- and I'll be in heaven. Maybe I'll launch SightSpeed 5.0 and watch some ESPN from work.

I suggested to Pizza Pilot that there is C# code out there to initiate SIP calls and they he may want to consider looking at Asterisk, the open-source IP-PBX. I also referred him to Erik Lagerway and Ward Mundy over @Nerd Vittles, an Asterisk blog. Erik suggested that since he was using C#, that something in Microsoft LCS might do the trick - or paid kits like those offered by Counterpath. Ward Mundy said he could code something for him and asked for more details on the size and scope of the project.

I'll keep you posted if the pizza/GPS/Bluetooth/VoIP application ever goes live. GPS VoIP pizza delivery just might be coming to a neighborhood near you!

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Tags: asterisk, bluetooth, c#, gps, open source, pizza, sip, voip
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on July 25th, 2006 with no comments.
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Google Maps adds Traffic Info to mobile phones

Google announced an update to Google Maps for mobile that will enable consumers in the U.S. to view detailed information on traffic conditions in more than 30 major metropolitan areas, as well as partial information in other area from a mobile device. Google also announced that users now have the ability to customize the content that appears on the mobile version of their Personalized Homepage.

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Tags: google, gps, maps, mobile phone, traffic
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on July 25th, 2006 with no comments.
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TomTom tracks other TomTom GPS users

TomTom unveiled a "buddy list" GPS tracking system. Too bad it doesn't encorporate my P2P GPS traffic monitoring idea, which uses a peer-to-peer network of GPS users to track traffic patterns and alert you if there is traffic jam and automatically re-route. This TomTom GPS news simply says you can track other users, IM each other, exchange POIs. In any event, check out the news from Stuff:

TomTomÂ’s just unveiled a bunch of new and updated features for its iconic GO sat-navs, including an intriguing friend-tracking mode.

Called TomTom Buddies, the feature lets you track your mates wherever you go – and in return, they get to track you too.

All you do is invite other TomTom users – you’ll have to shun your Garmin and Navman chums - to be your authorised ‘buddy’. The idea is that the Buddies service will be like an exclusive club through which you can send each other text messages and locations you think are interesting.

If you feel like being a loner for a bit you can select the privacy option which lets you hide your location.

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Tags: TomTom, GPS, tracking, buddy list
Related Tags: tomtom, TomTom, users, track, traffic

Written by randy@strategypluscommunications.com on March 9th, 2006 with no comments.
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Chitter Chatter GPS tracking phone for kids

Hop-on, Inc. today launched a GPS tracking phone for children that kids wear like a wristwatch. Called the Chitter Chatter phone, they claim it is the worldÂ’s smallest GSM / Enhanced Location-Based-Services(LBS) Locator Phone. The Chitter Chatter phone will cost less than $50 and it will simply use the Internet or any phone with SMS capabilities to quickly identify the location of the device within 300+ feet, in approximately 1 minute.

The ChitterChatter Phone allows kids to stay in touch with close family and friends, or send their location by pressing the one-touch star button, while letting parents manage costs. The phone also features a speaker function. Dick Tracy would be proud!

Specifications:
Bands: Tri-band 850 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
Speed Dial: Mom, Dad, Home, 911 & 5 Additional Numbers; 7 Total
ChatTrack: Press the “Track Me” button to send the address of your location to Mom & Dad’s cell phones via SMS message.
Phone Book: PIN-Protected with up to 7 numbers
Call Block: Optionally rejects calls from numbers not in Phone Book
Polyphonic Ring Tones: Included
Location-Based Positioning System
Speaker Phone
Talk Time: Up to 2 hours
Standby Time: Up to 100 hours
Indicator Lights: Yellow, Red, Blue & Green

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Written by tkeating@tmcnet.com on January 5th, 2006 with comments disabled.
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GPS for Nokia Symbian phones

Destinator Technologies, a provider of personalized navigation software, announced today at the annual Consumer Electronics Show, the general availability of Destinator SP (Smart Phone), GPS-based navigation software for Symbian Smartphones, such as the popular Nokia 6600 series phones, in North America. It is compatible with Nokia models 3260, 6260, 6600, 6630, 6670, 6680 and 6681.

I should point out that Destinator SP has already been available for Windows Mobile phones and that they did already have a version of Destinator SP running on Nokia phones - but only with European maps. I’ve used Destinator’s GPS software before. In fact, Destinator 3.0 was my primary GPS running on an iPaq PocketPC until the serial connector on the iPaq started getting flaky. Too many drops into the footwell or dashboard while taking fast lateral-G turns in my vehicles I suppose. I actually just got a GPS replacement - a Garmin 2720 for Christmas. Been meaning to review it actually. In any event, some of the Destinator SP features include:

• Onboard navigation (no server connection necessary)
• Navteq mapping
• 2D and 3D views
• Day and night views
• Calculation of the fastest, shortest, or simplest route
• Motorcycle, Bicycle and Pedestrian modes (for freeway avoidance)
• Visual guidance active during telephone conversations
• "Home" button for one-click directions home
• Transmission and reception of SMS messages with addresses and destinations
• Road segment avoidance

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Written by tkeating@tmcnet.com on January 4th, 2006 with comments disabled.
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WiFi and GPS to solve e911 issue

A few companies are leveraging both WiFi and GPS to pinpoint a location during an emergency, such as an e911 emergency phone call. How does WiFi wireless help pinpoint a location, you ask? Simple, it uses a similar concept to GPS - it uses a known set of WiFi Access Point (AP) fixed locations and triangulation of signal strength of several APs to determine a location. I should point out that Russell Shaw has been harping on using GPS to solve the e911 dilemma, especially on mobile phones, which IMO is only a partial solution at best. Try getting a GPS signal during a bad snow storm. I got lost in a snowstorm and my GPS couldn’t get a lock.

And of course, GPS doesn’t work indoors at all, so that’s where WiFi comes into play to fill that void. Using WiFi APs to triangulate a position requires that the APs stay in a fixed static location and that the AP database contain hundreds or even thousands of APs over a wide area in order to work. It’s obviously best suited for high-density AP environments such as metro areas. The nice thing about WiFi triangulation is that this doesn’t require that you logon to the AP, which may or may not be WEP/WPA encrypted, or even need to ’see’ the IP packets. Instead it simply uses the AP’s signal strength and mathematical formulas to determine location. In fact, any company that builds a database of APs doesn’t even need to notify the access point owner since they are simply looking at the wireless signal itself and not the private data.

A few years ago, a company called Ekahau exhibited at a TMC tradeshow called Planet PDA and demonstrated this WiFi triangulation technology on the tradeshow floor to map out each of the tradeshow’s exhibit booths. You could walk around with a PocketPC and their software and it would show you a graphical map depicting exactly where you were on the trade show floor. I sure could have used this technology at this year’s CES, which will be monstrous. Ah damn, I forgot I won’t be able to make it to my favorite show.

In any event, Skyhook today announced that it has inked an agreement with Tele Atlas, a leading global geographic content provider (GPS data - they compete with NAVTECH), aimed at delivering next generation location-based services (LBS). The companies will work together to provide a combined street navigation, geo-coding and location database. The two companies will jointly target the E911, local search, fleet management, personal navigation and telecommunications markets. Existing LBS applications can enhance their offerings by improving their position accuracy in downtown and mixed mode environments.

Here’s the announcement they made today. I also have a conference call with them later today, so I’ll blog any more insights that I learn.

Tele Atlas, a leading global geographic content provider, and Skyhook Wireless, provider of the industry’s first Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS), announced today an agreement aimed at delivering next generation location-aware solutions.

The companies will work together to provide application developers with a single source for location-aware geographic content. The agreement will not only expand the addressable market for location-aware applications to any Wi-Fi enabled laptop, PDA or mobile phone, but will also enhance the location coverage available in environments where traditional location technologies fail.

Signals from GPS satellites are often interrupted or disappear completely in complex environments such as urban canyons or mixed indoor/outdoor environments. The software-based WPS from Skyhook Wireless overcomes these shortcomings by leveraging a database of known Wi-Fi access points to accurately calculate location. Unlike GPS, WPS does not require single purpose hardware, and supplements GPS to provide additional reliability, compatibility and coverage for location-aware solutions.

"One of the biggest challenges to the mass adoption of location-based services has been the lack of a seamless integration between geographic data and reliable location determination" said J. Gerry Purdy, Ph.D. principal analyst for Cupertino based the wireless analyst group MobileTrax."The partnership between Tele Atlas and Skyhook Wireless is a step in the right direction for the development of pervasive location-based services."

Combined with highly accurate, up-to-date Tele Atlas geographic data, Wi-Fi enabled devices will be able to consistently position users attempting to find location information or points of interest (POIs) where no adequate GPS signals exist. They can also quickly guide emergency service workers trying to find the location of an individual using a Wi-Fi enabled device, even if that device is well inside a building.

"The ability to easily pinpoint a specific location on a map - whether indoors or out - is imperative for the fast developing location-based services (LBS) applications market," said Michael Shean, co-founder and vice president of business development, Skyhook Wireless."Tele Atlas has a superior process for ensuring its maps and other geographic content are highly accurate and completely up-to-date, as well as a long heritage of serving the very complex emergency services market. They are also the ideal partner, with the best database, for the emerging location application market."

"Skyhook’s WPS technology breaks traditional barriers in metropolitan markets, and will deliver a significant advancement to our partners," said Mike Gerling, chief operating officer, Tele Atlas, the Americas. "The combination of Skyhook’s WPS solutions and Tele Atlas street navigation and geocoding data means mobile consumers of all stripes and emergency services personnel can, without interruption, locate any place, product, or person."

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Written by randy@strategypluscommunications.com on January 3rd, 2006 with comments disabled.
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Garmin Wins Dutch Lawsuit Brought by TomTom

Garmin has today received a decision of the District Court in The Hague, Netherlands denying the preliminary injunction sought by TomTom International B.V. in preliminary relief proceedings alleging infringement by Garmin of a European registered design owned by TomTom. The court also ordered TomTom to pay Garmin's 37,000 euros to cover attorney fees for defending the preliminary relief proceedings. I own a Garmin 2720 myself, but have used TomTom in the past and like both products. I prefer the accuracy of Garmin since they use the NAVTEQ map database where as TomTom uses Tele Atlas. But TomTom has a slick interface and gets high marks for usability. The GPS market must be heating up for lawsuits to be flying between these two competitors. Can't we all just get a long?

"We are pleased with the Dutch court's recognition that TomTom's infringement allegations lack merit," said Andrew Etkind, Garmin's General Counsel. "This baseless lawsuit was filed by TomTom after Garmin took legal action against TomTom in the United States to stop TomTom's pervasive infringement of Garmin's intellectual property rights."

Garmin's lawsuit against TomTom for infringement of five Garmin patents is proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin and the trial is scheduled for February 2007. Garmin has also recently filed a lawsuit against TomTom in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas for infringement of a sixth Garmin patent. After the Wisconsin lawsuit was filed, TomTom, which does not hold any U.S. patents for technology it developed itself, purchased three U.S. patents from Horizon Navigation, Inc. and then asserted these patents in a counterclaim in the Wisconsin lawsuit.

Garmin has also filed a lawsuit against TomTom in the Netherlands seeking a declaration of non-infringement of the European registered design that was asserted by TomTom in the preliminary relief proceedings. In addition, Garmin has filed a lawsuit against TomTom in the United Kingdom to invalidate a UK patent owned by TomTom.

Garmin currently owns 285 U.S. patents and 3 European registered designs and has 165 patent applications pending. Garmin was recently selected as an inaugural constituent of the Ocean Tomo 300 Patent Index based on the value of Garmin's patent portfolio.

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Tags: garmin, garmin 2720, tomtom
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on January 1st, 1970 with no comments.
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GPS for truckers

I've received multiple requests from my loyal blog readers for help in finding a GPS solution that works well for truckers. The problem with standard GPS solutions is that they were designed with regular vehicles in mind and not 18-wheelers or other large vehicles, including my beloved Garmin StreetPilot 2720. 18-wheelers often cannot go down certain roads or on certain highways due to restrictions, such as low underpasses. Using a standard GPS solution the mapping software typically doesn't allow you specify that you are driving a large truck. I checked the settings for my motley of GPS software/hardware solutions I have including Destinator 3, TomTom 5, Garmin StreetPilot 2720, and an old version of CoPilot. None of them had the ability to set your vehicle type to a large truck or to avoid roads that are restricted to truckers. They had some avoidance options such as avoid toll roads, but that was it.

So I set about to see if I could find a good GPS solution for truckers. One solution I found is from CoPilot called CoPilot CPT9US-BT Truck Laptop 9 Bluetooth. It uses the National Network Routing based on the federal government-designated highway system for oversized vehicles. In addition, this GPS software supports expanded HazMat routing options including General, Explosives, Inhalants and Radioactives. Though if a trucker driver is transporting radioactive materials and doesn't know which road to take, then we all have bigger problems.

In any event, CoPilot CPT9US-BT Truck Laptop 9 also has a 53' Trailer Routing feature that incorporates state governments' legal road designations for 53' trailers. One nice bonus feature for truckers is "Lane Change Warnings alerts" that warn you of upcoming left exits, ensuring that you have plenty of time to safely get to the proper side of the highway.

There is another model called the CoPilot CPT9US-USB CoPilot Truck Laptop 9 USB which uses a wired GPS connection over USB, but if you're going to buy this product, may as well go with the wireless Bluetooth model.

Another interesting product is from TourSolver. Truckers often have complicated routes often cross-country and spanning multiple stops. TourSolver Version 4 is a fleet-management software, which they claim significantly reduces logistical costs and operates more efficiently overall. Essentially, the software is a route-optimization solution. Major savings and benefits include reducing driving distance and the number of resources used and making better use of working time while considerably improving customer service.
 
Magellan Ingenierie expanded TourSolver's functionality to industries with more complicated routing problems. This version includes a new, activity-focused approach ideally suited to maintenance, service, and after-sales service staff. This addition can manage long site visits spanning several days, and the automatic incorporation of overnight stays away from home based on the distance of the work sites.

Early on, the software incorporated legal driving time requirements for road transportation companies. Transport and logistics professionals will appreciate the new enhancements such as "Delivery Pick-Up" for managing delivery and collection activities as part of the same route; and "Multiple Depot Management, making it possible to distinguish between a company's address, the sites of its various warehouses and possibly the home addresses of the drivers. TourSolver can also handle even the most complex journey scenarios and automatically takes account of the closest warehouses for each trip. Choice of road travel options include the use of main roads as a priority, the avoidance of toll roads, and more.

TourSolver 4 also has an updated the route calculation engine. This new technology guarantees better use of the computer's memory, and allows the possibility to optimize routes over larger areas, covering the entirety of North America.

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Tags: garmin, gps, navigation, route planner, tomtom, toursolver, truckers
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on January 1st, 1970 with no comments.
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MapQuest Navigator for Sprint and Nextel BlackBerry devices

MapQuest Navigator is now Available on Sprint and Nextel BlackBerry devices. In addition, MapQuest Mobile v2.5 now enables Finding Places, Customized and Multi-Point Routing Options, Canadian Coverage and more.

MapQuest yesterday announced MapQuest Mobile v2.5, offering a range of new features, including access to MapQuest's 15 million points of interest, multipoint routing, walking directions, customized routing options, and coverage in Canada. MapQuest Mobile, the #1 revenue generating downloadable application in the US1, is available in the US through 12 wireless carriers, and on 250 mobile phones.

In addition, MapQuest Navigator -- the GPS-enabled application featuring text and audio turn-by-turn directions -- is now available from Sprint (NYSE:S) on Sprint and Nextel BlackBerry devices. The downloadable application features an in-car navigation-like system with a moving, full color map display while letting consumers receive phone calls. MapQuest Navigator for BlackBerry devices is available for a 90-day free trial download at www.mapquest.com/mobile on the Get it Now link.2 Supported models include: the 8703e and 7130e powered by Sprint, and the 7520 and 7100i powered by Nextel.

"We're focused on offering mobile solutions to help consumers find places while they are on the go," said Alan Beiagi, Director of Wireless for MapQuest. "Enhancing our product offerings for mobile phone users and expanding our MapQuest Mobile coverage to Canada provides convenient and compelling solutions for subscribers to get to their destinations."

Among the new features of MapQuest Mobile v2.5:

Finding Places
- Users can access the more than 15 million of Points Of Interest from the MapQuest.com database, including restaurants, hotels, gas stations and theaters.
- Subscribers can search for a specific business or place by category, name or location, and click-to-call that business directly from the MapQuest Mobile application.

Navigate
- Multipoint Routing lets users select multiple destinations to get a complete set of directions from point A to B to C, etc.
- Pedestrian Navigation provides directions and maps for walking routes.
- Reverse Directions lets users get directions back to the point of origin. Advanced Routing lets users choose the fastest or shortest routes, or those that avoid toll roads and highways.

Get Maps and Driving Directions
- Directions can include advanced routing options (shortest time, shortest distance, avoid tolls, avoid highways, walking), and multi-stop routing. All maps, routes, multi-routes and places sent from Mapquest.com will be stored in a “Sent from Web” list.
- Users can easily access their most recent locations and multi-routes, and they can save locations and multi-routes to a Favorites folder.
- Users can store a favorite Businesses or Place in a “Favorites” list.

Canada
- Maps, directions and point of interest information is offered for all Canadian territories.

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Tags: MapQuest Navigator, GPS, MapQuest Mobile v2.5, Sprint, NEXTEL, Blackberry, 8703e, 7130e, 7520, 7100i
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on January 1st, 1970 with no comments.
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Jack Bauer now must contend with GPS and GSM jammers

Agent Jack Bauer CTU (Counter Terrorist Unit) of FOX's 24 fame relies on his trusty GPS-enabled mobile phone to get him where he needs to go, as well as call in Curis Manning from tactical for backup or even airstrikes to specific GPS coordinates. Jack also relies heavily on GPS tracking devices to monitor the location of the bad guys.

But things just got a bit harrier for Jack.  DetectNu, a Holland-based company has come up with a GPS and GSM jammer that you simply plug into your car's cigarette lighter. It will block any planted GPS tracker in your vehicle from transmitting location data back to CTU (or Jack's phone).

It also shuts down GSM mobile phone devices. Hopefully, Jack has a triband mobile phone so he switch to CDMA or perish the thought - analog. But even if the bad guys jam Jack's GPS phone or GPS tracking devices, don't worry, Jack always gets his man (or woman) - even if does take him 24 hours to do it!

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Tags: 24, Curtis Manning, FOX, GPS, GSM, Jack Bauer, jammer, mobile phone
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on January 1st, 1970 with no comments.
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TomTom Go 910 GPS units infected with viruses

News reports from TomTom's own website reveal that some TomTom GO 910 GPS units were infected with a virus. The models affected were produced in one week in the last quarter of 2006 with software version 6.51. They claim the virus is qualified as low risk and does not affect the navigation performance of the TomTom GO 910 in any way. However, reports have surfaced of drivers being re-routed from Lowes to Home Depot, Burger King to McDonalds, and from Target to Walmart. You think I'm kidding? Ok, maybe I am.  

But don't think for a second the virus writers and spammers looking to make a buck won't find a way to make revenue from infecting GPS devices, Apple iPods, mobile phones, etc. Their ilk know no bounds...

If you're interested in the TomTom GO 910 GPS (which is still a great GPS unit), you can pick one up on Amazon pretty cheaply.

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Tags: Burger King, GPS, Home Depot, McDonalds, Target, TomTom Go 910, virus, Walmart
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Written by VoIP & Gadgets Blog on January 1st, 1970 with no comments.
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