BlackLine Launches New GPS Tracking

BlackLine GPS Inc. of Calgary is planning to capitalize on the growing imperative to know the exact location of your things and people.

This $400 box lets you sit at a computer screen and track the location and motion of your vehicles, be they driven by your teenager, elderly parent or employee.It can even be hidden away in the trunk, even where it can't "see" the GPS satellites.

According to the BlackLine co-founder, Brendon Cook,

"The state of GPS technology has progressed sufficiently far that it no longer requires a line of sight from the antenna to each satellite, which was the case three or four years ago."

Although, his company doesn't take credit for the progress in GPS, he pointed that it puts "a lot of care" into its antenna design to maximize overall performance. BlackLine earns ongoing revenue by selling "tracking credits," which can cost anywhere from five to 30 cents, depending on volume.

Perhaps BlackLine's biggest coup is working with Waterloo-based Research in Motion, maker of the almost-indispensable, and often GPS-enabled BlackBerry.

An interview with BlackLine GPS co-founder Patrick Rousseau is currently featured on the BlackBerry Cool (www.blackberrycool.com) website. In it, he predicts that GPS will become as standard a feature as cameras on mobile devices.

BlackLine's contribution to the BlackBerry world is a new product called Blip, which facilitates what Cook calls GPS publishing. "There's a feature that allows you, from the address book on the BlackBerry, to send invitations for people to interact."

If they accept, you'll be able to see each other's location. "Then, right from within Blip, I can call or send you a message."

Who is interested? Companies such as Birks and Mayors Inc., the Atlanta-based international jewelry company that Cook says was interested in using the application to track executives travelling aboard. He adds the Western Canadian distributor of Red Bull energy drinks also plans to use Blip to track its GPS Snitch-equipped vehicles.

BlackLine currently doesn't make money from Blip, but it's looking at a deal with a wireless carrier or a direct subscription model.

The company certainly has competitors in this space. German mobile software developer Shape Services has a competing product called GPSed that works with the latest BlackBerry models, as well as other phones that can be connected to an external GPS via Bluetooth.

IQ Routes GO 930T, New GPS Released by TomTom

A new navigation device has been released by TomTom , and the company claims that the "IQ Routes" technology is based on real average speeds measured on roads, rather than static maximum speeds per road type. This means the device can determine route by considering all possible routes, and then selecting the one that takes the least amount of time.

According to the company, the device  gives drivers a more realistic view and enhanced visual instructions about their surroundings, keeping them informed about the situation ahead.

The GO 930T has a  4.3-inches touch-screen and   preinstalled with the latest navigation features, including Map Share technology, RDS-TMC Traffic Receiver, Enhanced Positioning Technology (EPT), and Voice address input. Other features include 4 GB of internal flash memory, an inbuilt FM transmitter, Bluetooth, safety camera, and a "Help Me" menu for emergency services and roadside assistance.

Not only this, the device also comes pre-installed with seamless maps of 35 countries in Western and Eastern Europe, the US, Canada, and Russia. It is expected to be available in the UK and the Republic of Ireland at the end of April 2008.

Garmin Adds MSN Direct to the nüvi 7-Series

One of the latest addition to the Garmin's CES nüvi series is the 780 and with its new features user can easily distinguished it from the wide-screen 760.

One interesting feature that came with the 780 series is the next generation MSN Direct services.

This enables the phone to perform just like the 880 where users can access real-time traffic, fuel prices, weather reports, enhanced movie listings, local events and news and stocks. Three months of MSN Direct is included in the services.

Users can re-subscribe for $49.95/year or a one-time charge of $129.95 and the retail price of a new system is about $799.99.

Four New GPS Products Released by Garmin

Garmin, has announced at CeBit, new low-priced GPS navigation devices including the nuvi 255, 255W, 205 and 205W -- under the n vi 200 series. The nuvi 200 series models are available with 4.3-inches or 3.5-inches screens with new shaded elevation mapping display. They feature improved mapping and routing features, faster satellite acquisition, navigation by photos, FM traffic updates, and dynamic content from MSN Direct

 Each of the four devices offers faster satellite acquisition with Garmin's new HotFixtm feature, and navigation by photos using the Garmin Connect Photos Web site.

These models also include a "Where am I" feature that provides a single tap interface to your current location, nearest address and intersection as well as the closest hospitals, police stations, and gas stations.

The series features a fast 333 MHz processor for enhanced map drawing and routing capabilities, while a HotFix feature automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information --and can use that information to quickly calculate a position without waiting for data collection from the satellites.

 

The nuvi 255 and 255W for North America, Australia, and New Zealand announce street names in voice prompts, advising you to, for example, "turn right on Archer Street" rather than just saying "Turn right in 500 feet". Meanwhile, the nuvi 205 and 205W will offer mapping choices such as the contiguous US, Canada, or regions of Europe.

 

Each of the four products are upgradable to  either TMC (Traffic Message Channel) live traffic or MSN Direct with the purchase of an optional receiver. MSN Direct service is available for $49.95 per year or a one-time charge of $129.95. Both 255 models support text to speech, while both of the wide-screen models (205W and 255W) let you choose either an ABC or QWERTY keyboard system.

Determined to make the products available by June, Garmin had already named the price it will offer each, the 205 will go for $199, 205W for $249, 255 for  and the 255W for $349.

In another development, Garmin also showcased its nuvi 900T during the occasion. The nuvi 900T is the first portable GPS device that combines navigation with mobile TV. However, the device, which is being co-branded with the Italian wireless carrier 3 Italia, will only be available in Italy . TV content is provided by La3 TV, the mobile Digital TV provider of 3 Italia.

Although the pricing for the nuvi 900T was not stated, the company promised that the device will be made available to the public by July.

 

Marbella Releases its NAV-8800

The Taiwan Company, Marbella has released a new product into the GPS market. This new GPS navigation system is called NAV-8800.

The NAV-8800 features a relatively big screen of 4" with a super sensitive SiRF Star III GPS receiver. The device also has a multimedia feature offering various entertainment features such as photo album, a MP3 player, and a movie player. But the most exciting of it all is the built-in 2 megapixel digital camera.

NAV-8800 also provides an AV-in interface. You can enjoy watching digital TV with the optional DVB-T box too. There's also the support for rear view cameras. As at the moment pricing details and availability date have not yet been revealed.

The New GPS Tracking System

The Chinese Leader International has launched a new GPS tracker fitted with a GSM antenna which enables this device to function as a mobile device.

It has been designed in a way that allows it to function as a dual band mobile phone with a regular keypad as well as a special keypad dedicated to emergency calls alone. Another interesting feature is the SOS button which automatically sends coordinates to the 'guardian' number.

Although, the device is designed to work using SMS messaging, the microphone can be activated to transmit voice data in case of emergency.

For those who might be interested in picking the device, the specs are given below:

·         GSM 900/1800Mhz or 850/1900Mhz

·         20 channels uNAV GPS module

·         Embedded GSM antenna

·         Embedded GPS patch antenna

·         High sensitivity micro phone

·         Standard cell phone keypads

·         Independent redefined alarm keys and SOS key

·         128×32 PSTN display

New Alltel Wireless’ LBS Package Available Nationwide

Subscribers to Alltel Wireless now have access to GPS applications outside their home network domain with the new package introduced by the company. The package called LBS (Location Based Services) is a nationwide roaming that gives access to Alltel Wireless Users to make use of their GPS capable handsets while away from their home network area.

The users will be able to utilize any GPS capable features with any operators the company has agreement with all over US and this includes over 45 major metro areas that were previously inoperable before for  this network enhancement. Standard roaming charges apply, making it easy to access the services needed, wherever and whenever needed without paying any additional charges other tan the one they are used to.

While speaking on the offer, the director of multimedia content for Alltel Wireless, Kristi Crum said in a statement that "Through LBS Nationwide Roaming, our customers are able to use a GPS application when it matters most, especially when they are in unfamiliar territory. LBS Nationwide Roaming is another example of Alltel recognizing the needs of its customers and delivering a solution."

The LBS Nationwide Roaming will also benefit businesses with mobile workforces, as Alltel's TimecardGPS application will now work coast-to-coast. The application enables users to track an employee's location, record shift time and capture job or work order information from LBS-enabled wireless phones.

Just as other services Alltel has been offering are of benefit to its customers, the company believes that this new services will be of equal advantage. The company currently offers an impressive suite of GPS applications including TeleNav GPS Navigator and Alltel Navigation, providing vital navigation tools directly on customer handsets.

Alltel Wireless offers features including "My Circle" which gives customers the freedom to choose who they call for free – any 5, 10 or 20 numbers on any network; Anytime Plan Changes which gives customers the flexibility to change their rate plan any time, without extending their contract; and Celltop, its exclusive and patent-pending technology which provides customers an easier way to access, manage and organize a wide range of information already available on their phones

In addition, Alltel's WHERE application helps direct customers to desired points of interest including gas stations, shops, restaurants, hotels, parks, golf courses, ATMs, hospitals and schools.  Other services offered include Axcess Family Finder, a service that enables parents to determine the location of their child's Axcess Family Finder-capable phone from the Web or their mobile phone.

adNav Rolls Out Boomerang

Boommerang is the name it is called and it is the newest product released by adNav. The service is adNav's supported GPS navigation system and it is already servicing few locations which incluude New York City.

With a view to extending the service to other locations they considered strategically important, the company has partnered with DoubleTrees, Omni Hotels and a few others.

The service which is available on adNav' website has a device that is an ad-supported mobile concierge system with built-in GPS navigation that targets hotels, airlines and car rental agencies for business.

The company believes that by partnering with others it will boost their service thereby attracting more customers to their service and for instance when a traveller arrives at one of AdNav's partner hotel or other locations; they are offered the Boomerang for only a few bucks per day.

Among the numerous offer of the services are: connectivity to the web through WiFi and cellular networks, voice-guided GPS navigation and of course the Boomerang itself

Viliv Showcases X5 AIO

Viliv, the portable media layer manufacturer, recently displayed their new product- the X5 AIO which is expected to be available for sale in the market later this month.

The device features a WVGA (800×480) LCD screen, and runs on a Au1250 processor at 700MHz. It will come in two versions, a 30GB and a 60GB one. It supports many multimedia formats and with its DMB receiver it can also play digitally broadcast TV channels.

Unlike other Viliv's GPS navigation devices, the X5 AIO has the GPS GPS antenna embedded as opposed to flip-out style.

In addition, the X5 AIO has a mini USB port, a USB host and users can be connected to the internet if they have a Wi-Max card.

Eclipse AVN2210p Embedded in Yaris SR

The European Yaris SR is getting a new setup and that involves the new Eclipse AVN2210p with a detachable TomTom portable navigation system inclusive. AVN2210p may be the solution for those Prius owners who are going mad because they can't control the GPS navigation system while driving.

This setup makes it possible for users to use the 3.5″ touch screen as an interface for the car stereo and when docked into its place the TomTom charges its battery so they need no to worry about unsightly cables.

Among the great features included in the design are: a double-DIN sized audio unit that has a USB port, bluetooth, offers satellite radio capability, and with an extra attachment that ltet its users to control their iPod.

Another interesting thing about the device is that users who are moving out of Europe to US can still make use of these features by simply picking another of such for about $500 on Amazon or pay $600 if interested in the blue backlight.

Korean Cowon Launches a Product

N3 is the latest GPS navigation system product launched by the Korean Cowon and it comes with a functionality that integrates real time traffic information service TPEG among other interesting functions.

With a touch screen of 7" which almost covers the whole face of the device, Cowon N3 has 6 interface-buttons on the right hand side of the device.

The Korean Cowon N3 is a multi-purpose device which not only makes door to door navigation possible but also has a DMB receiver that enables its users to watch digitally broadcast channels while they are on the move.

In addition, it serves as multimedia player that recognizes many formats and it runs on a 600MHz AU1250 processor.

The Korean Cowen N3 is priced at $550.

The New LN 845 fro LG

At the CES 2008, LG displayed their new LN series and it is no other one than the LN845 which is the newest "baby" in the company's LN series.

The LN845 features include a very sharp 4.3" screen, a battery life of 5 hours, and a Bluetooth phone that makes handsfree calls to be possible.

For those who have seen the company's LN855, the LN845 differs from the LN855 in that it does not have TMC receiver for updates on traffic.

As at the moment, the pricing has not yet been released but from all indications the product will soon hit the market.

Dreevo-Dual Function GPS Launched

Dreevo is the latest GPS navigation system that is quite unique in the GPS market. It is designed in such powerful way that enables it to perform a dual function, being able to deliver messaging content and tracking at the same time.

The ability to perform this dual function lies in the GSM/GPRS module that is embedded in the phone and such two way connected devices are becoming the next standard in GPS navigation. Take for example the Dash which is coming out at the end of next month or nuvi 780 which uses MSN Direct network, or Magellan's Maestro 5340 which has unknown availability date.

The makers of the device said that it is ready for several features that include vehicle tracking, connection to real time speed camera warnings, and the very powerful messaging that will be routed via push mail. Other features are the ability to obtain traffic information, and at the same time to use the device as a regular mobile phone.

At the moment sales and pricing are not yet mentioned.

Computer 2000 Signs Distribution Agreement with Garmin

Planning to drive a significant growth in the GPS market, Computer 2000 has entered into a sub distribution agreement with Garmin and with this agreement the former will be primarily focusing on the new Garmin Mobile XT but will be offering the full range of Garmin's market-leading mobile and automotive GPS devices, giving resellers addressing the corporate, SME and consumer markets, improved access to Gamin's solutions and Computer 2000's advanced logistics and financial services.

Speaking on the agreement, the General Manager of PC Systems business unit at Computer 2000, Mark Glasspool, said that "Garmin is one of the biggest and most successful players in satellite navigation and GPS technology and we are delighted to be working with the company to develop its UK sales. The GPS market is a massive opportunity, both for Computer 2000 and its B2B and retailer and web-store customers.

"While there is a clear opportunity in the consumer market, we also see significant potential in the small business and corporate sectors, where there is a very real need for accurate mapping and positioning devices." Computer 2000 plans to make significant investments in marketing activities to support partner efforts to drive sales in the GPS market.

"Computer 2000 is fully committed to developing a strong, long-term presence in the European GPS market", says Glasspool. "We will be actively supporting resellers and retailers in their efforts to raise customer awareness and drive their sales. We have some very exciting plans and we are looking forward to working with Garmin and our other partners to develop and execute on those plans."

In a similar remark, the UK sales Manager for Garmin, Tim Spurling offered that "The agreement with Computer 2000 will make our Mobile XT and in car GPS range more readily available to the wider community of retailers in the UK. It gives our partners access to a reliable, efficient and well-resourced source of Garmin GPS and satellite navigation solutions. We will be working with Computer 2000 to ensure that our customers can maximize their opportunities and their sales potential in this rapidly-growing market."

Computer 2000 is already planning to embark on concerted sales and marketing campaign in order to race awareness of the wider availability of the Garmin range amongst resellers and the benefits of working with Computer 2000 to secure supplies of the latest cutting-edge GPS technologies over the next couple of months.

GPS Thief Arrested by Police

A Lawrence man who police believe has been involved in the thefts of GPS units has been arrested by Andover police.

Morales Thursday, the suspect, was caught by the police after an employee at Woodard & Curran Engineering reported a GPS unit had been stolen from his car at 11:15 a.m. While it was parked at the New England Business Center off River Road,

Minutes before the theft, a co-worker saw a man lurking around the car, which then sped off in a brownish Toyota Camry. That co-worker was not only able to provide a description of the car to police, but a license plate number and a description of Morales, police said.

Lawrence police spotted the car in the driveway of 169 Willow St. in the city about an hour later. According to court documents, Morales was found on the second floor of the home, hiding in the closet. He was arrested, and police said they found the stolen GPS unit and burglary tools in the car.

Andover has been "plagued with numerous motor vehicle breaks in the past months," Andover police Sgt. William Ouellette, one of the arresting officers, wrote in his report.

"That vehicle has been seen in the area of a number of GPS thefts," Hashem said. "He's suspected of being involved in at least some of them." The thefts have happened all over town, Hashem said, and GPS units have been the favorite target. The navigational devices cost anywhere from $200 to $700 and are most often sold after they're stolen.

According to court documents, Morales is suspected in several vehicle breaks in Methuen as well.

Police said Morales wasn't even using his own car to steal the devices. The car belonged to his girlfriend, Emily Santiago, who "seemed surprised that Samuel was under suspicion and said she had no problem with police checking her vehicle," according to court documents.

Inside the car, police said they found a GPS unit and suction cup dash mount, a GPS bag, two socket wrenches wrapped together with duct tape and mesh material, a hammer and a small pry bar. They also found a radar detector.

A total of 54 cars in Andover have been broken into since Jan. 1, and the navigational devices were stolen from nearly all of them. But since Samuel Morales, 33, of 938 Essex St, was arrested Thursday, not a single car break or theft of a GPS unit has been reported in town, police said.They had been averaging more than one break-in a day, Andover police Lt. James Hashem said."We're not saying he's involved in all of them, but since this arrest on Thursday, we've not had one (break-in)," Hashem said.

Morales was charged with breaking and entering in the daytime, possession of burglary tools and malicious destruction of property. He was arraigned in Lawrence District Court Friday and remains held on $10,000 surety bail. He is scheduled to be in court for a pretrial hearing on March 18.

Alarming Rate of Missing GPS

The benefits derived from such services as offered by the GPS systems have made the device to be so desirable to own. And with lots of people given the portable navigation devices this last December so is the fact that many thieves are now getting their hands on these gadgets.

The rate at which these devices are stolen is becoming very alarming.    Police officials in Buffalo Niagara and across the country are reporting a spike in car break-ins where GPS receivers and other electronic devices were stolen. With more and more of the GPS units popping up on the windshields of area vehicles, it's no surprise that they are popular with thieves and have become object of attraction.

These devices are relatively inexpensive and can be bought with just few hundred dollars each, so also is the fact that thieves can easily steal, resell or even reuse them. Even if owners take down the device and hide it in the car, thieves have learned to look inside the car for the GPS unit if the bracket is left in the windshield.

You might possibly have one or two experiences to share with us, how does it feel knowing that your GPS device is missing? What sorts of experience have you with your missing GPS?

CTA to Expand GPS Bus-Tracking

In order to have all bus routes out of a garage totally equipped with the necessary hardware, the CTA has concluded arrangement to expand the GPS bus-tracking system.

Although, they have not yet finalized the sequence this will take, they have mapped out plans which involves the gradual expansion of the GPS tracking system with one bus garage at a time which they are hopeful will start this spring and staff is currently determining which bus garage would go first, and the subsequent sequencing of bringing other garages online with the system.

According to a statement made available by CTA spokesman, Noelle Gaffney, where he categorically stated that "The sequence is tied to fleet management issues. We are replacing older buses (16-17 years old) with new buses and obviously don't want to go to the expense of installing the tracker technology on buses that are soon to be retired."

He continued by saying that "In order to implement at a garage, all the buses at that garage have to have the system." They have already installed GPS ob the buses and are planning to install additional communications equipment such as modem and router.

This expansion has been noted as a good development bearing in mind the fact that CTA has been testing the bus tracker system since August 2006 o the No. 20 Madison bus line.

New Contract Deal for Comtech from US Army

Comtech Mobile Datacom Corp., a subsidiary of Comtech Telecommunication Corp's Maryland-based, has recently won a contract deal under its movement-tracking system (MTS) contract with the U.S. Army totaling $6.7 million.

The contract involves the supply of MTS systems that feature Comtech's Model MT-2012 mobile satellite transceivers integrated with both ruggedized and control station computers, miscellaneous hardware, installation kits, program management, and technical support services, according to the company.

Comtech Mobile Datacom Corp., a Germantown, Maryland-based company, is engaged in the provision of satellite-based packet data communication systems and location and messaging services.

Comtech's Model MT-2012 Transceiver features Savi Technology's ISO-compliant EchoPoint RFID Reader, as well as secure GPS capabilities. The orders are in support of ongoing MTS program activities in the United States and abroad.

GotchaGPS Surveillance Acquired by ISM International

By completing the licensing agreement with GotchaGPS Surveillance Systems, ISM International has the full right to the former's properties as expressed in the agreement. This was announced on Thursday by ISM.

With the acquisition, ISM International Inc. has exclusive rights to distribute, use, and sell GotchaGPS products to American, Canadian, and International markets. GotchaGPS uses a combination of GPS and GSM technology to locate and control vehicles any time via the Internet or access reporting and alert functions by email, cell phone, or pager. All these have now become the properties of ISM.

In addition, ISM revealed that it has several large contracts pending to offer GotchaGPS. It is looking to the homeland security/counter-terrorism market; the company said it is developing its newly minted GotchaGPS division to supply the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with new proprietary technologies developed by a special technical division of ISM, according to ISM.

The company also said that Bill Calligan, chief scientist of of ISM's Special Technical Development Division, is involved with ISM Technical Solutions for commercial, military and government products. He will work closely to enhance the company's Homeland Security surveillance programs.

EP May Take over Galileo

That the Galileo program is now receiving so much attention from the EP is perhaps a sign that it is finally about to become real — by spending large additional sums of real money.

The European Parliament (EP) has finally decided to enter the administration arena of Galileo having rounded up a 3.4 billion-euro allocation for Galileo to achieve full operational capability (FOC) by 2013, and it intends to remain on the scene to ensure that that amount of money, and no more, is spent en route.

"The European Parliament and the European Council have made it very clear," the European Commission's (EC's) Director of GNSS Unit Paul Verhoef told the Munich Satellite Navigation Summit plenary session. The EP's Committee on Transport and Tourism recently voted to disband the GNSS Supervisory Authority (GSA) and install its own watchdog body, the GNSS Oversight Committee. It has also made clear that, while the European Space Agency (ESA) will continue as the procurement agent for the Galileo program, it must adapt its usual practices to EU standards for Galileo purposes, and not continue with its own standard operating procedures.

However, whether or not the GSA will indeed go away remains a subject for discussion between the EP and the EC. The Commission wants it to continue, but even if it does not, "We need the expertise of GSA staff" in whatever guise or form, according to Verhoef.

The European Member of Parliament who is responsible, the "rapporteur," for Galileo, Etelka Barsi-Pataky, told the Summit plenary audience she sees three problem areas in Galileo's ongoing development: financing, governance, and procurement. "These are sensitive questions between the European Parliament and the European Council," she stated, signaling new tension between the elected body of the European Union and the entity it has created to administer and execute its policies. "I think we need better and stronger political control and oversight. The European Parliament is not happy with so many agencies."

When questioned directly whether she personally supported decommissioning the GSA, Barsi-Pataky demurred, having previously said only that the committee's vote was "nearly unanimous."  She did state that, "As rapporteur, my responsibility is to bring the program forward, and if it turns out that it is best for the program to keep the GSA, then I will support keeping it. If we keep the GSA, we have to give it a different task and different responsibilities. The GSA as it is today is not the best solution for Galileo. It has to be modified, or it could be that another body will take its place. The EP committee and the EC are in discussions. In three or four weeks, we will find a real solution that will promote the program." 

Clearly, the Galileo program is about to move decisively forward. Not as clear is whose hands will actually be at the wheel. Barsi-Pataky concluded emphatically, "We need to start the program now, with strong control."

Radio Shack’s Profits Rebound sharply in 2007

Despite sales suffered, due to weakness in its Sprint wireless and flat panel TV businesses, Radio Shack has recorded strong earnings in 2007. The company attributed their success to lower expenses, improved inventory management and a more effective promotional.

The net income for the full year ended Dec. 31 was up 222.6 percent to $236.8 million, while net sales were down 10.6 percent to $4.3 billion. The company attributed the sales decline to an 8.2 percent drop in same store sales and, to a lesser extent, a diminished store count compared to 2006. For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 net income rose nearly 20 percent to $101 million while net sales were down 6.6 percent to $1.4 billion. RadioShack attributed the earnings increase to improved gross margin, lower overhead and reduced interest expense, and attributed the sales decline to a 6.7 percent drop in same store sales.

Expressing his happiness about the progress recorded by his company, Julian Day, the company's chairman/CEO said I am delighted to announce that our team here at RadioShack once again produced strong improvement in our operating profit for the fourth quarter and for the year as a whole. It is a testament to the hard work and devotion of everyone concerned, that this result was achieved against a background of difficult and uncertain economic conditions."

For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31 net income rose nearly 20 percent to $101 million while net sales were down 6.6 percent to $1.4 billion. RadioShack attributed the earnings increase to improved gross margin, lower overhead and reduced interest expense, and attributed the sales decline to a 6.7 percent drop in same store sales.

Comps were impacted by lower sales in postpaid wireless, particularly Sprint; flat panel TV; and satellite radio, the company said, but were partially offset by strong sales within the GPS , video gaming, media storage and pre-paid wireless categories.

Fourth quarter operating income was up 11.2 percent to $165.2 million, driven by lower operating expenses, which were partially offset by fewer gross profit dollars. RadioShack cut fourth quarter expenses by $40 million versus the prior year by cutting jobs at headquarters and through more efficient labor scheduling at the store level. The decline in gross profit dollars was due to the decrease in same store sales, partially offset by a 90-basis point improvement in gross margin rate, the company said. The gross margin gains were driven by improved inventory management and more effective promotional activities, but were partially offset by an unfavorable merchandise sales mix, due to the strong performance of the low-margin GPS , media storage and video gaming categories.

Also, in a conference call with analysts earlier this morning, CFO James Gooch said that RadioShack's Sprint postpaid wireless and accessories business accounted for 80 percent of the company's fourth quarter sales decline, while flat panel TV represented 20 percent of the shortfall. By contrast, GPS showed "strong triple-digit growth" and media storage enjoyed "strong double-digit growth."