Navigon on Android

Navigon on Android

Navigon will be announcing their GPS navigation system software for the Android platform in August - Navigon MobileNavigator 7.

A 30 day trial version will be available for free which will even include speed limit warnings, and POIs along the way. There will also be a pedestrian version of the GPS navigation system included in this trial version.

You may find a restaurant through the recommendations of the social network Skobbler, and can also save rating and even send them directly to the communication tool Twitter.

Navigon MobileNavigator 7 for Android will be completely over the air. The maps are stored on a server and routes are also calculated by the server and then downloaded to your device. Of course you’re strongly advised to have a high speed data service on your phone before anything else.

This will be the first time for Navigon to offer such GPS navigation platform over the air. Navigon will be competing with the U.S. publisher ALK which already sells its navigation software CoPilot Live 8 for Android smartphones. Navigon MobileNavigator for Android goes on sale in August for 69 € with regional maps and for 99 € for the complete European version…

(Via NaviGadget.)

TerreStar completes testing of satellite phone system

TerreStar completes testing of satellite phone system

There used to be a time when satellite phones came attached to briefcases (much like the first cellphones, in fact). More recently, sat-phones have grown small enough to carry in a pocket, but still came with chunky waistlines and awkward antennas. TerreStar is looking to change all that with their TerreStar satellite phone service and TerreStar hybrid cellphone. Following the launch of their TS-1 satellite earlier this month, TerreStar has just completed testing a pair of slim(ish) ‘TerreStar Satellite/Terrestrial’ smartphones in an end-to-end test call routed through the company’s TS-1 communications satellite orbiting Earth.

The successful completion of the TS-1 satellite and the TerreStar Satellite/Terrestrial brings us one step closer to realizing the dream of carrying a fully-functional satellite phone in the tightest of pants pockets. And, with the ability to work over traditional cellular networks (TerreStar is partnered with AT&T (NYSE: T)), the TerreStar sat-phone system promises to make the best use of pricey satellite minutes.

We’d like to get our hands on the 0.8-inch thick Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional smartphone - made by Elektrobit - and its 2.6-inch touchscreen, 3-megapixel camera, WiFi, 3G (HSPA) and GPS receiver. Alas, we’ll have to wait for more information from TerreStar. The company plans to bring their service online by the end of the year. We’ll probably know more soon.

[Via: WindowsForDevices]

(Via IntoMobile.)

Things to consider when buying a GPS System Equipment

There are three different satellite navigation systems used around the world.
The most common is the US Global Positioning System (GPS) or NAVSTAR witch uses uses 24 satellites. In fist place originated by the US military, GPS is now widely used for civilian purposes, for example GPS are used by cars
Galileo was launched in Europe in 2005 and was considered a rival system to NAVSTAR system. And there is also a Russian system called GLONASS.


When searching for sat nav deals you need to take in account the following things:

- Decide the purpose of use of the GPS and how often you intend to use the equipment (driving around city streets, hiking mountains or touring the Virgin Islands in your yacht? Each intended use has its unique needs, whether it's street maps and directions, topographical and altitude information or extra battery power);
- You need to decide how much you want and have to spend (budget)
- Decide what kind of maps you'll need (general, what-state-am- I-in maps, or precise city-driving directions?); And of course 2D and 3D maps. Newer models comes with 3D maps already.
- Choose a system that offers updates of the point-of-interest data (Most GPS systems include locations of airports and other transportation services, ATMs and banks, restaurants, hotels and a host of other sites); Pay attention also on the fact that a lot of units come with this POIS and maps already installed on the GPS and some units requires a download and install procedure.
- You need to decide with brand you are going to buy: Garmin, Mio, Magellan, Alpine, tom tom sat nav, Pionner, Cobra, etc....
- Turn by turn directions, and vocal as well as graphical directions (Some systems uses a map and monitor that include arrows that show you the direction of a turn and also indicate where your car is on the map in relation to the destination);
- Look for features such as audible alerts that warn you of upcoming intersections or turns, and scrolling maps to track your progress;
- Select a system that features multiple ways of getting to your destination (by address, by intersection, by a personal address book or via a location selected directly from the map);
- The screen type and size (most of the units now are 4.3 inch and touchscreen but there is a lot of GPS units that still comes with 3.5 inch touchscreen).

http://www.satnav-expert.co.uk/ is a great website that will help you to choose and compare cheap Sat Nav Deals.


By GPS World

Solara Field Tracker 2100 GPS With Satellite Text Messaging

Solara Field Tracker 2100 GPS With Satellite Text Messaging

By Andrew Liszewski

Looking for a GPS device that can take a licking and keep on tick… err, tracking a satellite signal? Well look no further than the pocket-unfriendly Solara Field Tracker 2100. The electronics and durable housing allow it to operate in a temperature range of -40C to +65C, and that includes the color LCD display which has been tested to -42C. If dropped in water less than 2 meters in depth you’ve got about an hour to remove it before any damage will occur, and it should keep functioning fine up to altitudes of 40,000 feet.

Best of all though, the FT 2100 connects to the Iridium satellite network allowing you to send and receive text messages, custom or pre-defined, no matter where you are on Earth. Sure, it’s only got enough storage to keep the last 10 messages received, but something tells me if I was trapped on a mountain I’d happily overlook that limitation. $880 plus $29.99/month with a 3-year contract for text messaging privileges.

(Via OhGizmo!.)

Navman M-Nav 750 GPS/Dispatch/Messaging Unit

Navman M-Nav 750 GPS/Dispatch/Messaging Unit

Navman just recently announced M-Nav 750, a GPS dispatch and messaging device. M-Nav 750 enables drivers to receive dispatch instructions, view maps to their next stop, and send messages back to the main office. M-Nav 750 looks just like a regular GPS navigation system and on the vehicle dashboard or windshield. Relevant maps and turn-by-turn directions are displayed automatically when the driver accepts a job.

Some hardware specs of the M-Nav 750 include SirfStarIII GPS, RoHS/WEE compliance, and operating temperatures from -10C to +60C.

The device is available for lease so it doesn’t require much capital investment. The service is $18 per device, depending on unit volume.

(Via NaviGadget.)

samsung highlight does GPS navigation

samsung highlight does GPS navigation

T-Mobile and Samsung just recently announced the T-Mobile Highlight - a pretty sleek phone with GPS navigation capabilities.

That’s not all though - one of the smallest 3G touchscreen devices on the market - the Highlight T749 offers high speed connection (HSDPA) , 3MP camera, bluetooth, and a microSD card slot.

For only $150 - after a 2 year contract and a $50 mail in rebate - you can browse the internets with a full HTML browser on T-Mo’s 3G network and use the pre-installed GPS navigation software from TeleNav.

(Via NaviGadget.)

slim GPS navigation system GPS-C3250

slim GPS navigation system GPS-C3250

GPS-C3250 is one of the thinnest GPS navigation systems out there. It measures only 13mm - a close second to iPhone 3GS which is only 12.3mm thin. Why are we comparing this to the iPhone? Pay attention to the icons. Does it remind of you another brand?

Other than its slim form factor there’s really nothing else going on with this device. It has all the features of a low end GPS device except the relatively bigger screen measuring 5″, and the FM transmitter.

GPS-C3250 can support various multimedia formats - even eBooks - and you can pick one up for $130.

via

(Via NaviGadget.)