A bill has been pushed by one staunch lawmaker to ban hand-held cellphones and prohibit text messaging when driving. Supported for its wisdom and effort to eliminate road accidents related to text messaging, the bill took effect on March 2008.
Now comes another wise bill calling to prohibit manual operation of GPS devices. Under such law, drivers will only be allowed to employ voice-activated systems to program devices while operated vehicle is in motion. If such law is passed, it would be the first of its kind in the United States.
Jersey City Democrat L. Harvey Smith introduced the bill on June 8, 2009 which states that only a voice activated GPS may be programmed while driving a car. Further, the bill proposes that violators will get a $100 fine for anyone caught text messaging or using a hand-held mobile phone while driving a car or any other vehicle.
Among the benefits included for the proposed bill would be that it will eliminate the hazards of manual GPS programming from behind the wheel. Even with GPS manuals clearly stating to avoid programming while driving, many remain stubborn and taking their chances at doing so.
The effort of Congressman Smith to combat distracted driving comes with a lot of opposition, saying manual GPS operations as similar to eating, changing DVD or CD, combing one’s hair or putting make up or a tie on while driving.
Still, many perceive a GPS device a distracting device like a satellite radio box with dozens of stations that streams all scores of the major league baseball on such tiny screen. Point is, not one lawmaker is proposing a ban on manual operations of a satellite radio.
While there is much wisdom in the proposed law, many perceive that common sense is what needs to be applied regarding their GPS system of choice.
More informative details could be read at Fox News You could also click Daily Records for more information.
Archive for the ‘Smartphones’ Category
On the road safety along with being on track, the new law for drivers.
Friday, August 7th, 2009In-Car GPS Systems outsmarted by today’s Smartphones.
Tuesday, August 4th, 2009
For many years, portable navigation devices have been most used for its efficiency and practicality. These stand-alone devices render maps, turn-by-turn directions, real-time traffic updates, among other advanced features. Users are thankful for the GPS in their automobiles for they have rendered driving in familiar and new locations a breeze.
Then here comes the smartphone, blasting its way to being the most sought-after gadget. As the camera, camcorder and web browser are all rolled powerfully into just one handy device, smartphone has quickly displaced the traditional GPS. More so that it also comes with a music player and laptop features zooming its way to being the most preferred gadget by most.
Most smartphones produced by leading manufacturers like Nokia, TomTom and Garmin, are developed smartly with touch-sensitive screens, improved audio and intuitive menus. Now, pressing GPS even lower, smartphones now have the most advanced navigation applications, and are always connected for purposes of showing real-time traffic updates, directions and contacts in the phone’s address book. Even with noticeable shortcomings over the GPS, there is a fast increase still of smartphone purchases.
Everybody likes everything to be within reach, and smartphones have it all. Everyone cannot live without their mobile phones, and because satnavs are already integrated into the device, the more people find it indispensable.
It’s really no surprise now why GPS companies are scrambling to expand to the smartphone market. But still, their moves are a bit too late, with shipments of portable navigation devices seeing a continued fall since the third quarter of 2008 to date. On the other hand, sales and shipments of smartphones with integrated GPS doubled for the same period and have already hit 10.4 million to date. GPS manufacturers seemed to have also conceded, saying the volume of their PNDs being shipped and activated for smartphones have surpassed 11% of the total GPS smartphone total. They see the GPS built-in to smartphones move as the major reason for PNDs continuing dwindle in users.
For more infromation, click here PC World
More related details can be found here as well. rin.org.uk
Tomtom gets a bite at apple
Sunday, July 26th, 2009
It’s good news for all of who have waited really long for the iPhone apps from TomTom. We’ve been loyal, anticipating and eager to get those turn-by-turn voice GPS from the same company we’ve purchased other reliable products from. Now the wait is over! AppleInsider just made a statement that TomTom will hit the app store later this summer!
The other thing we’ve learned is that the TomTom iPhone car kit is more super than the old iPhone version as it has its own GPS system. The manufacturer has guaranteed the new product’s edges are so far ahead, starting with its dedicated speaker. Now we can look forward to getting iPhone easier to understand and comprehend amid the noisy traffic.
Also, the new TomTom device has various maps inside to provide more updated maps and changes in routes you need to take. Download of regular updates should come much easier now as it doesn’t have to use 3G network.
On the other hand, it’s CoPilot Live that has won the tight race for first-to-launch among companies dedicated to GPS and satellite navigation systems for Android phones. Yes, it still has our all-time favorite satnav functions in the Android phones, like the GOS navi-guide, lane indicators included. We will still get as well those reality sign post information and turn-by-turn voice directions, of course.
With CoPilot Live’s release, we’re over-eager for those enhanced GPS navigation guidance and flickable scrolling menus – the ease of our drive comes into hand! Also, the CoPilot has those safety camera alerts and helpful maps at touchscreen recognition.
Of course, we get more than that as well. CoPilot Live also lets us use online features like location sharing. Didn’t you wish for this so you can see your friends on-screen and share your location with them? Well, you got it!
Price for this gadgets vary so check it at i4u.
Navigon MobileNavigator and iPhone, a formidable duo.
Friday, July 24th, 2009
Navigon has again won yet another race to being the best choice among navigation gadgets. With the MobileNavigator App for iPhone recently released and now available at Apple’s AppStore, Navigon has again edged by miles its competitors.
Since the release of the iPhone 3.0 software, all other companies have stated their support for the updated platform that opens new possibilities, and Navigon just made its support concrete and comfy for a multitude of iPhone users.
The MobileNavigator is the first turn-by-turn navigation application in Europe with price pegged at £54.99. The device features, among others, landscape and portrait support, the much amusing and helpful Reality View Pro and that special function where users can auto-resume following a phone call. The latest addition to Navigon’s showcase of products also has 2D and 3D display features.
Many users and loyal Navigon followers are thankful for the auto-resume ability of the gadget. This is because iPhones are not made for multi-tasking. Hence, when one takes a call, a running application should be exited from whenever calls are being made or taken. But with the auto-resume feature, MobileNavigator will sure be the most preferred in the market.
The device also comes with Real Road sign pro, the Lane Assistant Pro, and the Speed Assistant which are remarkable guides to driving like a pro – and safely! The MobileNavigator also has the day and night mode among its key features where the driving and riding public can gain easier access whatever time of day they want to. Users can also get the options of displaying points of POIs along their routes.
Many Navigon device users are also eager for latest developments from the manufacturer after hearing that a free, lite version will be released soon, and will come without the active route guidance.
More information about the MobileNavigator and Navigon products are available at Pocket GPS Worldand
Into Mobile