Archive for the ‘GPS’ Category

Now you can get GolfLogix GPS Rangefinder for your Blackberry!

Sunday, August 16th, 2009

golfgpsThe recent announcement of GolfLogix sent pros and beginners of the sport rushing with their Blackberry. It’s a wish-come-true for many who have always wanted an advanced GPS distance and stat-tracking application on their smart phones. Now, golfers can get GolfLogix into their Blackberry Curve free of charge.
For those who can’t help but raise their brows over the news, there’s still something good. Downloading GolfLogix to your Blackberry Curve means you can enjoy a one-day guest membership. With this, you get instant distances to all angles of the greens, along with layups and major hazards in 24,000 proficiently mapped golf ranges from all continents!
Aside from the long distance information, access to GolfLogix patented scoring and statistics system, and the tracking of fairways hit, distances of each club and greens in regulations, can also be done. The convenient knowing of distance measurements comes easy on the large readable screen. Finally, the ultimate golf GPS rangefinder all enthusiasts only wished about a few months back is now at hand, the device that becomes the golfer’s instant caddie. In no time, you get to the level of professionals and experts with a “golf guru” in every round.
GolfLogix is the first in the golf GPS handheld industry to offer such application on Blackberry, and it awaits approval for the same availability for Apple’s iPhone 3G and 3G-S. In almost ten decades since its birth to this market, GolfLogix continue to pursue GPS solutions aimed at improving an individual golfer’s performances. In 2003, it was granted a US patent for its GPS and internet round-tracking system, giving golfers greater, clearer perspective of their game and performance within or outside of the greens.
GolfLogix can be downloaded on the following GPS-powered Blackberry Curve models: 8310, 8330, 8350i, 8800, 8820, 8830 and 8900.
For more information, go to worldgolf.com

More details can be found also at golfbusinesswire.com

Mobile hits releases version 3.2 and gets Google Maps enhancement.

Saturday, August 15th, 2009

google mapA new version of Google’s mapping software has been recently released into version 3.2, with added compatibility for layers-info like that in the desktop version. This came after consumers sought the easier and more useful means of interacting with geographic content like traffic, public transit, Wikipedia and local search results.
Google Maps for both Symbian Series 60 phones and Windows Mobile allow users to plot themselves and their friends and business on a map, and has the capability to layer on transit lines and a multitude of points of interest.
Latitude friend locations also come with the Version 3.2, along with the ability to combine multiple layers to show tube maps and geo-tagged Wikipedia contents. The user’s own content saved on My Maps in desktop version can now be saved as a layer in the new mobile content. Google’s unification of the functionality of both mobile and desktop versions of its mapping software proved to be a wise move that puts users at an advantage.
The new layers option of Google Maps for 3.2 can be accessed by pressing the “2” key or by selecting “menu” and “layers”. Aside from the traffic and transit features, there are handfuls of points marked as red waypoints representing applicable locations. For many users in the United States and China, users benefits more as Google Map’s newer version allows browsing of popular searches like restaurants.
While more improvements are still under way, and some more being called for by consumers, Google continues to pursue in perfecting its 3.2 features. Users continue to clamor that they be allowed to save new maps and direction routes into their My Maps. The importance of interaction with their transit lines direct from the map is also called for as going through the directions menu seem a hassle.
More information on Google Maps for Mobile 3.2 can be found at pocket-lint.com

Related details are also available at cnet.com

CoPilot launches best ever sat nav for Android

Wednesday, August 12th, 2009

travroute_copilot_7_gpsFinally, a turn-by-turn GPS navigation software for Android! Gone is the time where despite being loaded with GPS and Google maps, you still look for the most suitable GPS software on the Google phone operating system. CoPilot Live has been launched to do away with those old-fashioned sat-nav features and applications.
The first ever turn-by-turn satellite navigation applications for Android phones, it boasts of an advanced GPS navigations guidance, easier scrolling menus, those helpful maps and safety camera alerts. The satnav functions for your Androids has just jumped from basic to super special as you have lane indicators display and all other best features of all satnavs combined.
The CoPilot Live is greatly helpful with its voice-active turn-by-turn guide throughs that won’t overload your brain. It also provides real time travel infos fast and has 3D mapping, making sat-nav even more lovable! Of course, it still has the traditional but very helpful features which you find in Windows Mobile, Android and Symbian. But the big difference – to your great advantage – is the touchscreen feature controls which allows you to go through menus and find locations on maps. The digital street maps, by the way, are all kept on the phone memory so they are quick and so fast to load.
Apart from those great features, there are additional services with the CoPilot as well. Like using the phone’s network connection for real-time traffic alerts and information, five days advance weather forecats and a new location sharing service called CoPilot LiveLink. It’s just like any other satnav, except it has the best features ever, and it’s on your T-Mobile, or HTC Magic, or whatever is most suitable for your Android handset.
What’s more, there’s the online features like location sharing which can be shared to your friends and family. Never has satnavs been bringing you closer to the world while on your own!

Find out more about the featured article from these resources:
T3.com

Morror

Homing pigeons are the original sat-navs!

Tuesday, August 11th, 2009

SNN0517A_124638aIt has been an aged-old mystery why pigeons always find their way home. Even if at times they head off to the wrong directions at the start of the flight, they still manage to return to where they took off, puzzling cultures and scientists all over the world for a very long time.
Researchers at the University of Auckland recently announced that the mystery has now been solved, saying homing pigeons follows magnetic fields around the earth for routes of their flight, and doing the same to find their way home.
Pushing further that the homing pigeons are probably the first satellite navigators, the Auckland scientists said the pigeons have a unique global positioning technology built into their system. The results of the research further state that such ability of the homing pigeons is like an orientation of map-and-compass where a pigeon first figure out its surrounding then fly off and find guide to take themselves home.
Furthermore, it has been published that homing pigeons’ beaks have magnetic particles that act like a compass, providing the birds with an accurate sense of direction. Not only that, the beak reacts to the earth’s external magnetic fields with such high sensitivity and specific manner so they always get the locations right.
Another mystery the researchers have answers for is the question of pigeons flying off in the wrong directions. It showed that the birds are doing this not as a random act but as a helpful method of knowing the magnetic fields and its contour lines,
The researchers also surmise that such proven theory is not limited to homing pigeons alone, but most likely with other birds and some animals which are influenced by the magnetic fields of our planet.

Find out more about the featured article from these resources:
Telegraph
sciencecentric.com

Out now! A monitor that could detect GPS interferences and jams

Monday, August 10th, 2009

chronosChronos Technology recently introduced the handheld gadget in the UK to help GPS users detect recurring and heavy GPS satellite power, and even GPS signal and interference on the satellite navigation L1 channel. Called the CTL 3500 GPS Interference Monitor, the device has the capability to point out both deliberate and accidental interferences that jams GPS signals.

The Lydbrook based Chronos Technology also announced that intentional electronic warfare attacks could be indicated in the CTL 3500 gadget. With its filtering and detection technology systems, the device could also detect accidental obstruction and calculated meddling to GPS sensor signals.

Relatively cheaper and no doubt handy, this battery operated device employs precise and advanced low noise signal amplification with SAW filters and logarithmic detection. With this, unwanted signals like waveform or modulation scheme, the filtering and detection techniques could monitor any jams within the scope of the GPS L1 band. The CTL 3500 GPS Interference Monitor also has the capability to indicate levels on the cadenced vibrator and the 5 LEDs.

The gadget could be fully operational and function as support for engineers that will conduct checking of GPS antenna installations. It can also test installations of building rooftops for interference from other sources and the nearby GPS antennas, as well as classify whether GPS jams are being accidentally rebroadcasted from substandard, corroded cable or dysfunctional connector or antenna banding.

This good news from Chronos Technology Limited came at a time where there had been loads of feedback regarding the need to install monitors for GPS jams and interferences, regardless of the nature of such obstruction in signals, consistent with their production of GNSS components and accessories for applications such as positioning, navigation and communications industries, the British company launched this product recently, and aims for the military and the large public to employ its advantages.

Chronos remain the top specialist provider and system integrator of various technical solutions for synchronization, time of day and remote monitoring applications.
You can find out more about Chronos Technology Ltd. at mae.pennnet.com

To learn more about other Chronos products, click here. optoiq.com

Puffins get sat-navs to determine population decline

Saturday, August 8th, 2009

fluffin puffinWhat could be more alarming than seeing over 35,000 drop of the Puffins’ numbers in just five years! Now with the latest satellite navigation technology, these birds from the Isle of May and Farne Islands off the Northumberland Coast can now render information regarding their decrease.
Very little has been known about the birds’ reaction to climate change, pollution controls and how their natural cycle of life. But with the new sat-nav systems to be fitted to around 30 puffins, any retrieved information from the GPS data on the birds should give many clues and answers. The tags are similar to tom-tom devices for vehicles and it stores back-data and then retrieves the tag.
Apart from the usual GPS tags, the birds will also be fitted with time-depth recorders for their diving patterns and reactions to sea temperatures. Scientists are also hoping to get a view of the puffins’ feeding grounds and other areas where they are exposed to get any indication of its effect on the untimely deaths of the birds. The sat-nav will also collect data particularly on the sand eels which are the puffins’ main food source, and how the eels’ migration to the cooler waters has been a huge detriment to the new diet of the birds. Also, the system will look into why the puffins are not returning to the islands for breeding and to nest, and if indeed their winter activities are largely to question about their fast disappearance.
The sat-nav will cover all aspects of how puffins float, swim and dive for food, and return to land during their nesting season, and data retrieved will be processed at the Newcastle University. Scientists are hoping they will soon have the answers and provide the public with the latest developments of the Puffins population decline.
Find out more about the featured article from these resources:
Telegraph

Teletext

Grand Take-off for a new worldwide GPS tracker.

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

1501378-1999733Now 30% smaller and much lighter than the original unit at 5.2 ounce, SPOT LLC introduced its Satellite GPS messenger and everyone rushed to get the handy device. Already, 120,000 units have been sold in March this year, just a few weeks after the SPOT gadget was launched.
The hand-held personal tracking and emergency device now comes with an additional custom messaging tagged with a GPS position. From any point in the globe, text messages can be sent through the SPOT Satellite GPS messenger through the Globalstar Comms satellite. This feature has proven great with its older version which has reportedly helped in over 250 rescues conducted after custom messages were trafficked from its user to the emergency services. The SOS button and calls to home are equally helpful and a great relief for over 10 million people worldwide, thanks to the gadget’s features.
SPOT’s new device have become even more attractive to outdoor enthusiasts for its practical, handy and advanced technological features. Hikers, climbers, boaters, pilots and even travelers and remote workers have employed the applications of SPOT Satellite GPS messenger during emergencies and need for assistance from remote places. More importantly, the same gadget can be used to call home just to give the family the peace of mind while a loved one is out climbing some peaks or braving the stormy seas.
With the release of Satellite GPS messenger, SPOT is seen to stay a leader for long in the personal satellite messaging and emergency communications. The state-of-the-art GPS chipset has the ability to provide enhanced reliability and excellent performance. The newer version also comes with GPS acquisition light, protective covers over vital buttons, dedicated GPS tracking button, among others.
The marketing arms of SPOT, LLC stated with pride that they merely responded to their followers’ suggestions to increase the features and utility of the second generation Satellite GPS Messenger. The added features, it was said, demonstrates their commitment to providing advancements in their products to further render roadside assistance for its customers.
To find out more, click here rin.org.uk

More information may also be found here Spot Press Room

Smartphones battle standalone GPS in the nav market.

Wednesday, August 5th, 2009

apple-tomtom-iphoneThere is an ensuing battle between smartphones and the traditional GPS devices, and within each, the manufacturers keep trying to outdo each other in sales despite the global economic slump. While the smartphone has been considered the Swiss knife of the digital generation, the GPS remains the fastest provider of information a user needs.
It has been noted that iPhone users’ number is surprisingly twice that of smartphone holders when employing the satnav turn-by-turn directions. Last year, even high-end phones like Blackberry now come with features like spacious-touch sensitive screens, improved audio capacity and intuitive designs on the menu.
GPS units from TomTom, Magellan and Garmin saw a recent sharp decline compared to the past year, along with their stocks. Even with GPS being known to render results faster when it comes to searches, there is a noted preference to smartphones still. As GPS don’t eat battery that much, and there are no call interruptions compared to smartphones, a dwindle in sales is strongly foreseen. Of course, other than faster service, the GPS as a stand-alone device will always have followers, especially because they only pay a one-time fee rather than subscription.
On the other hand, this year smartphones now equipped with GPS are seeing a better future compared to personal navigation devices. More and more navigation applications, along with better connectivity and real-time traffic updates are gaining an even farther edge for smartphones. Many tech-savvy users also conclude that GPS capabilities of their phones are sufficient, and their system is handy and easy to use.
The manufacturers of GPS are moving quick and sure in developing new applications, combining the benefits of a smartphone and the plus factors of a navigational device. The target is to integrate two systems in one, making the gadget a greater convenience to users.
More information and details regarding smartphones and satnavs are available at NY Times

Smartphone battles standalone GPS in the nav market.

NetBook expands as your sat-nav on the road

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

dell-mini-inspiron-9-frontDell will soon launch additional option of slick, chic Dell Mini 10 Netbook! As you want your netbook to be everything as a mobile companion, Dell had its Mini 10 built-in with GPS and location-sensing features out of the box! Truly, this new gadget of a netbook just became your sat-nav on the road!

As most Dell netbooks are, the Mini 10 is small but powerful and fun packed together inside its slimmer look. In the coming weeks, Dell Wireless 700 location solution can be purchased for Windows XP Dell Mini 10 netbooks. It already combines both location-sensing advantages in both hardware and software.

As for its hardware, this new Dell baby comes with an internet GPS car with wi-fi positioning. Even when you’re inside a building, at home or in the car, you can still pinpoint yourself. For its software aspect, the Mini 10 has a copilor navigation, giving you turn-by-turn guides and directions while you’re driving your car. Its location-sensing plugins have been pre-installed with both Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox, giving you the most accurate and easiest local search on supported sites, like Flickr, Brightkite and Loopt.

The Dell Wireless 700 option couldn’t come at a better time. Enough of being disconnected or getting lost once in your own city. With Dell’s latest additions, we’re sure to be connected always with its advanced wireless option, and its GPS features will sure make navigation skills like that of a pro!

Take note, however, that you can keep your current satnav for a while. This is because the Dell Wireless 700 option for the Dell Mini 10 is available only in the US for now. But UK release should not be that far, considering the residents being quick to grab new, reliable and durable stuff. So look out for developments because Dell will sure find UK on the map very soon.

You can learn more about this latest Dell netbooks at Mirror
More information is available at
Trusted Reviews

Joint Replacements method now uses SatNav Science

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

D91A86382A5AE6266533BC566BEF366B.0Satnavs aren’t limited alone to guiding motorists through roads and streets. The Orthopilot is a testament that makers of the devices are pursuing satnavs practicability in medicine and human health concerns, particularly to surgeons who perform knee replacements. In UK alone, close to 60,000 people need knee replacement each year.

The Orthopilot is a technological gadget now employed by doctors performing joint surgeries such as knees and hips replacement that employs GPS technology. Developed in the United Kingdom, the Orthopilot helps surgeons align artificial knee joints, making the traditional method close to being a thing of the past.

While regular knee operations are more of guess-work and requires extensive experience, the new technology guides the surgeons in crucial operations in surgery such as joints alignment. When a joint replacement is out of line even by the smallest millimeter, the surgery is bound to be a failure in the future years. This is because the miscalculation on the alignment will put a load on the artificial knee and the bone itself, subjecting the area and bones involved to heavy stress and wear.

Also, the low 80% success rate of regular knee replacement procedure is quite an alarming number, and the repeat operations are also high, which is even ringing more alarm bells.

But what used to be done with the naked eye, the surgeons can now do so more effectively with the Orthopilot. With over 95% reported success rates, surgeons are saved the taxing effort of perfecting every single operation the old way. With the help of computer guides, surgeons can now perform transplants and operations on joints with remarkable accuracy.

The Orthopilot works by providing from its software the maps of alignment and anatomy of the knee and other joints. The information is sent to the surgeon so that in performing the implant, exact orientations required are met. Hence, repeat operations are cut drastically and health risks are avoided.

More helpful information on satnavs for surgeries can be yours. Just click on Sky News
Sky
Details on the same can also be found at Yahoo News