GPS safety cell phone

GPS safety cell phone

A company called Clayton Communications just came out with a GPS safety cell phone called ActiveONE. It is a very small GPS device with basic cell phone features and the ability to speed dial four people when you feel you’re in danger.

Active ONE also has a center SOS button which will immediately connect to a US-based 24/7 personal assistance call center. They claim this is better than calling 911 since the personnel already knows who is calling and may already know what kind of assistance you may need - in addition to your location of course.

One other neat feature is to let other family members figure out your location by calling the same call center.

It is mostly designed for the elderly who may have Alzheimer’s or some sort of dementia issues - but there’s no reason for others not to use it. If you’re giving to a very young kid - you better turn off the built-in fall detector though.

Check out their pricing and rates here.

(Via NaviGadget.)

new Garmin GPSmap chartplotters

new Garmin GPSmap chartplotters

We’ve talked about Garmin’s GPSmap series here on Navigadget but just today they came out with a bunch of new models including this one pictured above - the GPSmap 7215.

Their new series of chartplotters are the GPSmap 6000 and GPSmap 7000 which include the new Garmin G Motion technology that promises to smooth map panning, and zooming with super fast updates. Unlike most other devices out there when it comes to marine GPS devices it is sometimes really important to have a really really dim backlight - and all the new models in these series boast a display that can dim down to 0.5 nits.

The new models are:

• GPSMAP 7015: touchscreen, 15″, basemap only


• GPSMAP 7215: touchscreen, 15″, U.S. coastal charts and more


• GPSMAP 7012: touchscreen, 12″, basemap only


• GPSMAP 7212: touchscreen, 12″, U.S. coastal charts and more


• GPSMAP 6012: soft key interface, 12″, basemap only


• GPSMAP 6212: soft key interface, 12″, U.S. coastal charts and more


• GPSMAP 6008: soft key interface, 8″, basemap only


• GPSMAP 6208: soft key interface, 8″, U.S. coastal charts and more

Youll have to wait until February 2010 to get one of these MFD chartplotters. Expect to pay more than $3000…

(Via NaviGadget.)

sygic GPS navigation now on Nokia Maemo

sygic GPS navigation now on Nokia Maemo

Sygic just announced that their GPS application (which works on iPhones and other devices) now also works on Nokia Maemo phones. The GPS application will be ready for sale from Sygic website before next year. Sygic offers turn-by-turn voice guided directons on Nokia Maemo 5 OS devices in the following countries: Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia, USA, Canada, Mexico, USA, all of Europe, Russia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates,

Sygic already works on iPhone, Symbian, Android and Windows Mobile, incl. Windows Mobile 6.5.

(Via NaviGadget.)

come in for drug test now

come in for drug test now

We really hope you never have to wear this criminal offender GPS tracking device. But if you do get to wear one this could be one of the messages you receive: ‘come in for drug test now’. Developed by PTM this is a two-piece tracking system designed exclusively for tracking criminal offenders. Called SMART MTD, this little device utilizes multiple wireless carriers for data communication with the

option of a land line backup.

With this GPS tracking device the officers can choose from four levels of supervision, have two way communication with the offender, get 1minute to 15 seconds updates, real time texting, and more.

It has a battery that lasts 2 days, and can charge in only four hours, the autonomous GPS on board works independently from wireless carriers, and it can store up to 5 days of tracking data.

(Via NaviGadget.)

Pioneer suing Garmin over three navigation patents

Pioneer suing Garmin over three navigation patents

Pioneer's GPS products don't make huge waves in the Stateside navigation market, but it's actually got some fairly broad patents on route guidance and mapping, and apparently Garmin's infringing them. That's at least the story Pioneer's telling to the US International Trade Commission, where it's filed a complaint against Garmin and asked for a ban on sales of GPS products that infringe the patents. Obviously that would shake things up in a big way, but we clearly don't have the whole story here -- Pioneer and Garmin have apparently been negotiating for some time, and the two companies are currently fighting it out in the German court system as well. We'll see how this one shakes out -- stay tuned.

(Via Engadget.)

iPod touch gets GPS navigation for first time

iPod touch gets GPS navigation for first time

One of the big reasons many users of the first generation iPhone upgraded to the iPhone 3G and then the 3GS was to get GPS capability. The problem for those that use the first generation iPhone or the iPod touch is that the devices lack a GPS receiver.

A new software and hardware system has been unveiled called G-Fi with Navmii software that allows turn-by-turn navigation on the iPod touch and the original iPhone. The hardware portion is called the G-Fi and is a device that acts sort of like a router and can support up to 200 Apple devices in range.

The hardware device is a onetime charge item selling for $99. The required Navmii software is available for $39.99. There are no monthly fees with the system and both pieces are available now.

(Via SlipperyBrick.com.)

Mio Hammer V700

Mio Hammer V700

Mio Technology has developed a new GPS navigation system called Mio Hammer V700. It will be available starting on the 12th of this month and comes with the longest windshield mount we’ve ever seen so you won’t have to stretch too far.

Mio Hammer V700 has a 7″ screen, a stylish high quality black frame that only measures 16mm thick.

The giant 7″ display can provide 800x480 pixel resolution with 16:9 aspect ratio and can play various multimedia content such as audio and video. It has a GPS receiver that can track 64 satellites at once and can get traffic updates with the TPEG receiver.

4GB version will cost 329,000KRW ($285), and the 12GB version (4GB + 8GB external) will go for 359,000 KRW($310). Yeah, sorry. We don’t think this is coming to U.S. anytime soon.

(Via NaviGadget.)

Navigon updates US iPhone navigation app, live traffic updates are a go

Navigon updates US iPhone navigation app, live traffic updates are a go

A little later than previously alluded to, but Navigon's finally rolling out live traffic update to its MobileNavigator iPhone app. Same prices as mentioned before, it'll regularly be $24.99, but for the next four weeks, it's only gonna ring up at $19.99 for lifetime use, no monthly fees. Not that TomTom needed anything else to think about, of course. Full presser after the break.

Continue reading Navigon updates US iPhone navigation app, live traffic updates are a go

(Via Engadget.)

Evolution Mappy AP7

Evolution Mappy AP7

South Koreans love adding fancy GUIs to their portable media players. This one you see is quite new on the market and it is called Evolution Mappy AP7. It does a lot for its size. It is a digital TV player, movie player, audio player, FM radio, and of course a GPS navigation system. It is capable of receiving live traffic data via TPEG, and it can render amazing 3D graphics of your environment while driving.

It runs on a SiRF Prima processor at 600Mhz, supports SD cards, and even USB memory sticks. The OS in the back is WinCE which uses some of the 256MB RAM. We don’t know how much Evolution Mappy AP7 costs but it is only available for South Korea anyways…

(Via NaviGadget.)

Garmin EcoRoutes ESP

Garmin EcoRoutes ESP

By next year Garmin nuvi’s will be able to get diagnostic data from your vehicle with the EcoRoutes ESP module. This module will be a small unit that can fit somewhere behind your dashboard if necessary and talk to your nuvi via Bluetooth so you don’t have to worry about too much wiring.

The ESP module connects to and is powered by your vehicle’s OBD-II diagnostics port.

The new nuvi’s will have the software to let you customize which gauges you want to see and even set alerts for each one. Things you can keep track of are things like check engine light, real-time fuel economy, emissions, intake air temperature, coolant temperature, RPM, throttle position, and more… via

(Via NaviGadget.)

Garmins between $100 and $120 for Black Friday

Garmins between $100 and $120 for Black Friday

Garmin is expected to have a few models specially designed for the American Black Friday madness. These GPS navigation systems will cost somewhere between $100 and $120 according to Twice. Also according to Cliff Pemble who is the president and COO of Garmin the sales of nuviphone were ‘slow’ so a TV ad campaign was just launched. Reporting on the Android based nuviphone - he said it is slated for 2010.

Garmin doesn’t sound like they are too concerned about this new generation of competitors coming from GPS enabled smart phones. These new navigation apps still require a costly data plan and usually a higher end phone.

(Via NaviGadget.)

LG SB210 for golfers

LG SB210 for golfers

LG SB210 is the name of the new GPS enabled phone designed for golfers. LG SB210 is a touchscreen device announced in South Korea that comes with maps for 280 golf courses.

Nicknamed Cyon, the device also includes a G-sensor, compass, and software for counting calories so your experience on the golf course can be perfect.

Here are some more features of LG SB210:

• 3″ touch screen


• GPS


• 3MP camera


• 242MB memory


• microSD card slot


• 1000 mAh battery

For about $539 you can show off the LG SB210 to your golfing buddies. South Korea only…

(Via NaviGadget.)

Magellan SE4

Magellan SE4

We’re not used to this naming convention from Magellan. Their newest model that showed up on Best Buy’s website is called Magellan SE4.

Magellan SE4 is a GPS navigation system with a 4.3″ screen, preloaded with Navteq maps that includes 48 contiguous states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico, text-to-speech, 6 million points of interests, and multidestination routing.

How much? $180.

(Via NaviGadget.)

PhotoTrackr Mini DPL900

PhotoTrackr Mini DPL900

If you’re into goetagging you’ll remember that more than a year ago we mentioned Gisteq’s PhotoTrackr. Just last week they announced a new version of the device called PhotoTrackr Mini DPL900.

The new one is smaller, cheaper, and more compatible. It doesn’t really ‘hook up’ to your camera - you just sync the clock on your camera and then take the PhotoTrackr with you. PhotoTrackr Mini DPL900 can last up to 17 hours in continuous mode and it can track 65 satellites at once. The GPS chipset is from Skytraq which can provide tracking with signals as weak as -160dBm.

It can store up to 250000 records in its tiny 2MB storage space and the software that comes with it works with PCs and Macs.

It costs $69 and will start shipping in November.

(Via Prweb.)

Navteq’s new 3D intersections

Navteq’s new 3D intersections

One of the biggest digital map makers - Navteq - now has most complex freeway intersections rendered in 3D, and is ready to sell the new feature to manufacturers of GPS navigation systems.

The 3D world they have created comes pretty close to what the driver would see out the windshield including complete road signs, over passes, and other things.

The idea is to help the drivers out as much as possible specially at unfamiliar stacks of roads where the lane you’re on becomes very important.

In the U.S. they have 3D’ed 2000 of these intersections, and a total of 8000 around the world.

Currently no GPS navigation system has access to this data yet but we’re sure they’re trying to rush this out the door as they now need to compete with Google Navigation

(Via NaviGadget.)

CartoGoo

CartoGoo

CartoGoo is a brand new GPS surveying and map creation tool. It is designed for certain industries such as archaeology, environmental, architecture, utilities, and forestry. CartoGoo lets you record your data graphically while you’re at the site, letting you double check your work right there and then. It gives you the ability to work in 3D, and make use of powerful Google Earth.

Some of the features of CartoGoo include:

• Hand held GPS


• Easy to use and intuitive


• Google Earth interface


• Import/Export KML files


• GPS calibration


• GIS data collection (Points, Lines, Polygons)


• Multiple survey methods


• Construction methods


• Multiple data overlays (DXF, DWG…)


• Coordinate conversion to local system

(Via NaviGadget.)

Garmin's new aera series gets you there by air or by land

Garmin's new aera series gets you there by air or by land

Pilots looking for the hardest-core portable nav unit available tend to flock to Garmin's GPSMAP 696 these days, but there's a problem: the big, bulky tablet doesn't do much good once you're wheels-down and you've got to find your way to the hotel. Enter the new aera series, which you can sorta think of as 'nuvi for pilots' with 4.3-inch touchscreens, user-friendly prompts, and dedicated car modes across the board that'll keep casual observers from realizing that your little buddy doubles as a $2,000 beast capable of safely guiding you cross-country at flight level 250. The 696 is still being regarded as Garmin's premier aviation portable, while the four aera models -- the 500, 510, 550, and 560 -- are called 'entry or mid-level' with prices ranging from $799 to $1,999 and should finally sunset the aging lower-end GPSMAP models that look like they're straight out of Garmin's GPS III days. The 510 and 560 throw in XM WX weather support while the 550 and 560 feature Garmin's SafeTaxi interactive airport diagrams, integrated AOPA Airport Directory, and high-end car features pulled from the nuvi line like lane assist and speed limit data. All four models are technically launching on the 5th, but appear to be in stock with online retailers now if you're in a rush.

(Via Engadget.)