Go in Style with the V7 NAV740

The V7 NAV740 will get you where you need to go in style especially this festive period where everywhere is busy with activities and being featured pack it gives you some terrific sense of direction!
With a vibrant, high-resolution display, 4.3-inch LCD touchscreen, ultra-fast 400, MHz CPU an integrated GPS antenna, and even room for MP3s, videos, and a personal image viewer, this compact genius can keep you entertained and on the right track.
The Text-To-Speech feature speaks the name of the streets. Instead of "Turn right in 400 feet", the NAV740 will say "Turn right in 400 feet on Privet Drive." Text-to-Speech functionality is available only in English with standard turn-by-turn instructions available in up to twenty languages! 64MB of on board memory and room for another 2GB on the SD card mean plenty of space for maps and more.
It utilizes WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) technology to achieve an error margin of 3 meters or less.Share information, update database maps, and add programs using this receiver's USB computer connection.
What's more, the  NAV740 uses the highly popular SiRFstar III GPS receiver, and comes packaged with an SD card that includes premium maps of the USA (all 50 states) and over eleven million Points of Interest.
The typical cost for this nav device is $315.

Airborne Systems announces successful completion of parachute test

Airborne Systems, a world leader in parachute design and manufacturing, announced today they successfully completed a test drop deploying 40,000 lbs. of payload under a single ram-air parachute, surpassing the previous payload record of 33,000 lbs. set in September. The new precision guided cargo delivery system called the GigaFly landed fully autonomously at a gentle 14 feet per second rate-of-descent approximately 100 meters from the intended point of impact.
GigaFly is part of a new generation of GPS guided parachutes that are changing military re-supply. The gliding characteristics of ram-air parachutes allow these new systems to land a significant distance, up to 22 kilometers away, and at altitudes as high as 25,000 feet from their point of release. Using its specially designed on board GPS guidance unit and software, GigaFly can guide itself to a designated point on the ground.
Traditional cargo delivery systems require aircrews to fly at 2,500 feet or lower to be accurate, which is within the range of small arms fire. This increased capability allows distances that keep the deploying aircraft and crew safe, while the accuracy reduces the vulnerability of the ground troops receiving the supplies. All Airborne Systems' JPADS platforms use common hardware and software architecture to ensure maximum interoperability and minimum training and logistics burden in theater. "During the week we successfully flew the entire family of systems with payloads ranging from 200 lbs to 40,000 lbs," said JC Berland, Airborne Systems' Chief Technology Officer. "The speed at which this technology is maturing is simply breathtaking."

Boeing Promises Additional Improved Capabilities to OCS

In anticipation of GPS IIF satellites, Boeing has revealed that it is ready to add improved capabilities to its technology for the U.S. Air Force's Operational Control Segment (OCS) satellite ground-control system for the GPS. This became necessary when the company realized that the new technology will allow the system to operate the Boeing-built GPS IIF satellites in addition to the current on-orbit GPS fleet, and provide advanced encryption and data-protection capabilities.
"This is the first step in enabling the advancements that the GPS IIF satellite brings to the GPS constellation," said Craig Cooning, vice president and general manager of Boeing Space and Intelligence Systems. "The flexible design of the OCS system enables it to accommodate technology improvements as they become available." The OCS system, also known as the Architecture Evolution Plan, is a distributed-server-based system designed to improve operations, increase efficiency, and provide a foundation for new capabilities.

Analyst Group Reveal Drop in Price of PND

A group of analyst has predicted that despite the rise in the shipment of the PND, the price will continue to drop. This was revealed by market research firm Berg Insight. Shipments will continue to rise, but prices will continue to drop, putting pressure on the bottom line for manufacturers.
According to a statement credited to André Malm, senior analyst a Berg Insight "The personal navigation market has enjoyed phenomenal success in the recent years. Since 2004 the market has grown from more or less zero units to approximately 37 million this year. Adoption is still increasing and many innovations are still to be made but from now on there will no longer be easy profits for anyone in this industry." PNDs have flourished in an environment with little competition during the last four years. Being less expensive and easier to obtain than in-dash systems, and much easier to use than mobile handsets, PNDs have been the navigation product of choice for global consumers.
However, there will be a significant cannibalisation of the PND market by low-cost in-vehicle solutions and wireless handsets in the coming years. He further stated that "The Internet can take the navigation industry forward. Live maps and traffic information can potentially change how people drive their cars. By aggregating all relevant data at one place in the vehicle, the navigation industry can contribute to make driving more safe, economic and environmentally friendly."

FAA Begins to Roll out Automatic Dependent Surveillance - Broadcast

After years of development and testing, the Federal Aviation
Administration announced on Monday that it plans to begin deploying a
nationwide air traffic control system that tracks aircraft by
satellite rather than radar.

Urged by an executive order issued by President Bush last week, the
switch from testing to roll out of the new technology marks the first
step in the agency's ambitious program to overhaul the nation's air
traffic control system. FAA claims the Automatic Dependent
Surveillance-Broadcast system reduces the risk of mid-air collisions
and weather-related accidents by giving pilots in the sky access to
the same satellite and weather information that air traffic
controllers view from their seats in towers.

"The next generation of air travel has arrived," said FAA acting
Administrator Robert Sturgell in a release sent out on Monday. "ADS-B
is the backbone of future air traffic control."

FAA has deployed the surveillance-broadcast technology in some parts
of Alaska to provide better air traffic control coverage there and
reduce accidents. But now, the agency plans to begin its ambitious
effort to rollout the system nationwide, starting with installing 11
surveillance-broadcast ground stations in Florida. FAA chose that area
because of its unpredictable weather patterns and because it can
provide coverage to the Gulf of Mexico, where, in some parts, radar
coverage is not available.

"Today's decision is the green light for nationwide deployment of
ADS-B," said FAA spokesman Paul Takemoto. "This is the first step in
making NextGen a reality."

FAA plans to deploy all ground stations by 2013. By then, the agency
will provide satellite coverage in all areas where radar exists -- and
in some places where no coverage is available, including the Gulf of
Mexico and Alaska, Takemoto said.

The project is part of a larger program called NextGen, FAA's
ambitious plan to replace by 2020 all of the nation's existing
radar-based air traffic control system with a satellite-based system.
The agency estimates the cost of the program to be about $20 billion.
"NextGen is real, and as of today NextGen is now," Sturgell said.

The Garmin Forerunner 205

The release of this device is a major achievement from a design and
technology perspective. This isn't just marketing-speak; the
Forerunner 205 is the most accurate, most reliable wrist-mounted
performance and GPS tracking tool we've ever tested.
The 205's design is a radical departure from Garmin's previous
generation of wrist mounted GPS devices, which reached a pinnacle with
the Garmin Forerunner 301. While the 301 delivered accurate heart rate
monitoring, good performance tracking, and decent GPS reception, it
didn't quite deliver in the design department. The form factor was
bulky and wearing it wasn't much different than duct taping a
full-sized GPS device to your wrist.
The big news about the Forerunner 205 is that it features an
integrated, high-sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS receiver.It means that
the 205's ability to both track, and maintain a lock on, your position
is better than anything before it.
The 205 is first and foremost a training tool, and its ability to
organize a ton of data types into a user experience that is intuitive
and simple is no small feat. Whiz-bang technology aside, if you can't
use it and make it a natural part of your exercise routine, it's
worthless. When it comes to these factors -- and here's the take home
message on the 205 -- this device is successful where many other
devices fail.
Garmin has been outfitting their devices with USB connectivity for
some time now -- a welcome move for those who struggled with serial
port connections in the days of yore. Thanks to USB, the 205
integrates seamlessly with the Training Center software and we quickly
had workout history uploaded and stored on the PC (Sadly, Training
Center is not Mac-compatible).

Garmin Forerunner 101

The Forerunner 101 stores lap histories for up to two years to provide
an archive of workout performance over time. Users can retrieve lap
data for previous workouts by date, week, month, or over a specific
time interval.
For business travelers who want to train on the road, the Forerunner
101 also doubles as a navigator. Users can mark their hotel as a
specific location, see their current position on the plotter display,
and follow an electronic breadcrumb trail back to their starting
point. Working out with the Forerunner 101 means you're never alone in
your personal training, because the unit provides a Virtual Partner.
This unique feature allows you to set your training goal by
configuring your Virtual Partner's pace and workout distance. You'll
get a graphic perspective of your performance by viewing your pace in
relation to your Virtual Partner's pace, so you can always see at a
glance if you're keeping up or falling behind. Retrace your steps to a
starting point or reverse your normal route for routine variation.
Amount of calories burned can be tracked and calculated over the
course of a workout. Automatically records up to 5000 laps by day or
week; stores approximately two years of data Performance data can be
automatically archived and calculated to provide an accurate record.
Automated stopwatch provides AutoLap and AutoPause features. Lap timer
indicates when a certain speed is reached or when you've fallen below
a pre-set level. Pace whistle sounds alert when you begin traveling
slower or faster than your desired pace. Distance whistle sounds when
you reach a specified duration or distance in your workout Display -
1.44W x. 92H, LCD 100 x 64 pixels; Case - Waterproof to IEC 60529 IPX7
standards; Temperature range - -4 to 140 degrees F.

Garmin Releases Latest Forerunner

The Garmin Forerunner 301 is the next exciting addition to the Forerunner lineup. Take your workouts to the next level with all the great GPS features found in the Forerunner 201, plus the added capability of a continuous heart rate monitor. Knowing your heart rate while exercising lets you measure your exercise intensity and performance, giving you a powerful training tool.
The Forerunner 301 training profiles can be customized for running, cycling, and other sports. For those interested in losing weight, improving fitness, reaching peak athletic performance, or just improving health to reduce heart-related problems, the Forerunner 301 delivers.The easy-to-use, two-piece system consists of the wrist unit and a digital heart rate transmitter that you wear around your chest. The transmitter is coded that so there is no interference from other heart rate monitor users nearby. The 301 unit continuously monitors heart rate, speed, distance, pace, and calories burned. A heart rate zone chart, included with the manual, helps you target specific heart rate zones for optimal training. The unit's built-in alerts help you maintain those heart rate zones.
For those who don't want to fuss with the charts, there's an AutoLearn feature that allows the unit to learn your maximum heart rate and set zones accordingly. Pace, time, distance, interval workout, and advanced custom workout alerts are also included. Meanwhile, the AutoPause feature pauses and resumes the training timer based on a specified speed. Finally, the AutoLap feature records lap data when you reach a specified distance. Don't worry about running out of room for your lap data; the unit boasts a 5,000-lap memory.

Like the Forerunner 201, the 301 also doubles as a basic navigator.You can mark your starting point as a specific location, see your current position on the plotter display, and follow an electronic breadcrumb trail back to your starting point. The built-in GPS receiver provides highly accurate data, and there's no calibration required. Just turn it on and go. The unit's USB data port means that connecting the unit to your computer is easier than ever. The USB connection offers fast and reliable data transmission to any USB-equipped PC. And because analyzing workout data is an important tool in reaching one's fitness goals, the 301 comes with Garmin Training Center software, which allows you to download workout data to your PC for detailed analysis. View data for each workout, including your heart rate, time, distance, speed, path traveled, and altitude. You can also track data for multiple sports and multiple users, and you can overlay workout data onto a map. The unit is compatible with MotionBased and TrainingPeaks, which are popular third-party training software packages.
With up to 14 hours of battery life, the 301's rechargeable lithium-ion battery is designed for extended use. It's also rugged and waterproof for up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. The unit ships with a 1-year warranty.

The Lightweight Garmin Forerunner 201

Combining powerful performance-tracking features with a GPS receiver, the Garmin Forerunner 201 offers runners and hikers a unique way to track their exercise regimens and goals.

Measuring 3.3 by 1.7 by 0.7 inches the device is really light enough (less than 3 ounces) that it felt comfortable and transparent. The large display--with equally large, easy-to-read characters--helps you avoid having to squint at the readout. Just a quick glance at your numbers and you'll maintain your training concentration. The six rubber buttons on the front of the chassis are easy to access (unless you're wearing bulky gloves).

The Forerunner 201 is packed with workout-enhancing features that make your training that much easier. You can set alarms that sound when you reach a certain distance or time or when you exceed a certain pace. Start a new lap automatically after a preset distance with Auto Lap. Using Auto Pause, the 201 stops the timer automatically when you slow down or stop during your workout.

Another interesting feature is the Virtual Partner mode, which enables you to set goals for a workout which will then be completed by a digital character displayed on the Forerunner's screen. You can then see how far off the time, pace, or distance you are of your virtual training buddy's; your digital character even stops when you do.

As an added benefit, you can analyse and store data from your workouts using free Garmin Training Center software, which lets you analyse data with interactive graphs that chart your pace, time and distance. Overlay your run on a map so you can pinpoint specific areas and see how elevation and other factors affect your performance. Or, upload your workout data to MotionBased.com, Garmin's web-based application that provides in-depth analysis of your workouts, online mapping and route sharing that will take your training to the next level.

Garmin's nüvi 265T at a Glance

Packed with features at a price that fits any budget, nüvi 265T takes you there with preloaded maps and turn-by-turn directions that call out streets by name. It adds lifetime traffic and hands-free calling to the popular nüvi 255, simplifying life on the go. Like the rest of the nüvi 205-series, this portable navigator is priced right and ultra-easy to use

nüvi 265T comes preloaded with street maps for Europe . Simply touch the colour screen, key in your destination and nüvi takes you there with turn-by-turn spoken directions, announcing the road and place names as you approach for greater on confidence on unfamiliar or busy streets.

The 265T has smooth moving maps and digital elevation detail, showing shaded contours for a better understanding of your surrounding terrain. In addition, nüvi 265T accepts custom points of interest such as named businesses and traffic blackspots, with proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs as you approach. With HotFix satellite prediction technology, Garmin calculates your position faster to get you there quicker.

Redefine your sightseeing with photo navigation and get there in a snap! To plan trips to landmarks and attractions simply and easily before you set off, choose and save location-tagged photographs from Google Panoramio on your nüvi in a wish-list of places to visit. Then, at your leisure, select a photo destination for turn-by-turn directions straight to the scene.

Other built-in travel tools include a JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, a currency and measurement converter, calculator and more.

The Nuvi 265T lists for $300, but you can find it for about $275 online. That's a reasonable price for a full-featured GPS--especially when you factor in the lifetime traffic service.

Check out the GPSMAP 76

Garmin's full-featured GPSMAP 76 puts all your information in the palm of your hand, mapping your movements off-road or on--and even afloat. Plus, its extensive features, PC connectivity, and extensive add-on map options make it powerful enough for practically any need.

The GPSMAP 76 is designed to provide precise GPS positioning using correction data obtained from the Wide Area Augmentation System. This unit features a built-in quad helix antenna for superior reception and can provide position accuracy to less than three meters when receiving WAAS corrections.

The GPSMAP 76 has an internal memory capacity of eight megabytes. In addition, it comes with a built-in basemap of cities, coastlines, lakes, rivers, interstates, and interstate exit information and a database of nautical navaids.

This unit has eight megabytes of internal user memory for storing optional MapSource - detailed maps, including marine cartography. This memory is preloaded from the factory with worldwide cities (populations greater than 200, 000) and nautical navigation aids such as lights, buoys, sound signals and day beacons.

 The GPSMAP 76 is also preloaded with tide data for the United States.An extra-large display measuring 1.6"W x 2.2"H gives users a clear view of information, while a waterproof case means the GPSMAP 76 will keep working well even if it has been submerged in water. Even more amazing, this unit will actually float if accidentally dropped in the water.

The Garmin GPSMap 76Cx

The Garmin GPSMap 76Cx is an update of the popular Garmin GPSMap 76C, which has been well loved by mariners and landlubbers alike.

Aimed squarely at boaters and marine users, the Garmin GPSMap 76Cx is packed with features that seasoned mariners crave. The 7.6-ounce 76Cx now features an insanely accurate, high-sensitivity GPS receiver by SiRF that tracks your position even in tree cover and canyons.

Plus, you get a bright, sunlight-readable color TFT display and an included a 128 MB microSD card for storage of optional map detail. Simply put, this powerful unit is ready to take you anywhere on the water. Landlubbers will find much to like about this unit, too, as it packs great GPS mapping capabilities into a compact device

The 76Cx has the new SiRFSTARIII chipset, which has been garnering accolades for its fast acquisition time and awesome coverage under canopy, in urban canyons and even indoors! The other significant upgrade is that the 76Cx no longer utilizes the built in memory for MapSource maps, but loads them to a microSD card slot instead (the unit comes with a 128 MB card).

This means you have unlimited map storage capability, plus you can use some of the newer MapSource software like City Select Mexico. Stepping up to the 76CSx adds a barometric altimeter and electronic compass.

Garmin Showcases its Garmin nuvi 275T

Garmin has released a new product called the Garmin nuvi 275T which is an improved version of its 200 series. This device sports a sleek, slim design. Its rechargeable lithium-ion battery makes it convenient for navigation by car or foot, for up to 5 hours.

The Garmin nuvi 275T 3.5inch colour screen makes it easy to navigate, simply enter a destination or postcode, and the Garmin nuvi 275T will take you there with 2D or 3D maps and turn-by-turn voice directions. In addition, Garmin nuvi 275T accepts custom points of interest (POIs), such as school zones and speed cameras and lets you set proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs. Garmin nuvi 275T is preloaded with City Navigator NT street maps for United Kingdom , Eastern and Western Europe and North America , including points of interest (POIs) database with hotels, restaurants, petrol, ATMs and more.

The Garmin nuvi 275T includes many travel tools including JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, currency converter, measurement converter, calculator and more. The Garmin nuvi 275T also comes with Garmin Lock, an anti-theft feature.

Plug-in SD cards let you add optional features to enhance your travel experience including language translation and detailed Garmin Travel Guides. Garmin nuvi Travel Guides provide you with helpful and thorough reviews and recommendations for restaurants, hotels, shopping, nightlife, sporting events and tourist attractions. Garmin Travel Guides are available for various countries on a selection of SD cards.

It has been designed to be plugged and played, and as such can be transferred from vehicle to vehicle with ease. The Garmin nuvi 275T is powered with the 12-volt vehicle power adaptor and attaches to your vehicles windscreen via the Garmin nuvi 275T suction cup bracket. Alternatively with the dashboard disk you can mount the suction cup bracket on your dashboard instead, all three accessories are supplied with the Garmin nuvi 275T

 

Garmin eTrex Venture GPS system Now Available

Garmin's eTrex Venture GPS receiver offers a host of track- and path-related programs and is surprisingly easy to use. Its size and design make it comfortable to use one-handed, and its automatic tracking feature and ability to download maps from optional CD-ROMs make it an excellent navigation tool.
The device dimension includes a width of 2", a depth of 1.2" and a height of 4.4 with a weight of just 5.30z. The included LCD display has a size of 2.1" and the resolution of the display is 288 x 160 pixels, text was very easy to read--highlights are discernible and menu bars and clickable objects are well defined. The unit also has an excellent backlight, which illuminates the whole screen with a white light, giving excellent contrast and viewing capability at night.
The Venture's interface is split into five different pages, each providing different functions. The main menu page gives you access to your saved routes and tracks, as well as setup for using WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation Service) reception, unit measurement, time, and display. These are all quickly rotated through with the click of the Page button on the right-hand side of the unit.
The map page displays the base map included with the Venture, and for outdoor excursions it provides all the basics you'll need. It automatically tracks your movements and you can save individual tracks for later viewing. The map is zoomable from 500 miles to 20 feet depending on your preferences. You can place waypoints and places of interest on the map and name and change the icons of each to create your own personalized maps. If you decide you want to go somewhere, press the Find button and you'll get quick access to waypoints, your favorites list, and nearby cities.
The Venture features 1 MB of memory for downloading points-of-interest data--including lodging, business services, banks, and more--from optional CD-ROMs via the included PC cable. Unfortunately, for more detailed mapping you'll need to look to the Garmin eTrex Legend or Vista, both of which have larger memory capacities and the ability to download detailed maps.
Reception was, of course, best outside on a clear day, but the Venture retained most of its functionality under limited cover like small buildings or thick trees.
All in all, the Garmin eTrex Venture is a nifty little GPS tool and is ready to roll for your outdoor adventure.

Garmin Introduces Garmin Geko 101 GPS System

Geko 101 is among the smallest and lightest WAAS-enabled GPS navigators — inexpensive, with simple, intuitive operation. It offers basic GPS navigation functionality that's accurate and easy to use. With its sun-yellow case, the economical Geko 101 is perfect for navigational novices.
Designed with the user in mind, this Garmin GPS unit weighs a light 3.1 ounces with batteries and measures a pocket-size 1.9 by 0.96 by 3.9 inches (W by D by H). The Geko 101 is waterproof to IPX7 standards, meaning it can be submerged down to one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, and is rugged enough to endure the most trying use. And the Geko 101 provides that most critical of benefits--peace of mind.
Garmin's exclusive TracBack feature allows you to return along a traveled path or route without marking any waypoints. The GPS unit will store a tracklog or "electronic breadcrumb trail" as you travel. When you are ready to return to where you started, the GPS unit will look at the hundreds or thousands of tracklog points, take the 30 most significant, and turn them into a route to lead you back to your starting point.
Using the PanTrack feature, you can move the pointer and pan a track in either direction, then select a location along the track to start a TracBack or GoTo or to mark a waypoint.
The source that supplies power for the functioning of the unit is 2 AAA batteries which has a battery life of 12 long hours. Thus you will not have to bother when you are traveling long.

Enjoy Garmin GPS 48 GPS System

Garmin has released what some people regarded as one of the best handheld GPS receivers in the UK market for marine. This device defines a new standard in marine handheld navigation by taking the most popular marine handheld GPS receiver ever produced - the GPS 45 - and incorporating several product enhancements.
Garmin GPS 48 GPS system comes with dimensions 5.1 x 3.1 x 15.6cm (W x D x H) and it weighs 269 g. The trip computer can tell you about Average speed, maximum speed, trip time and trip distance with the built-in display. The monochrome LCD display has the resolution 100 x 64 pixels with illumination.
The GPS 48 features a 12 parallel channel receiver for fast satellite acquisition and tight satellite lock, along with a marine database that graphically displays city locations and nautical navaids on the moving map. User-selectable waypoint symbols, proximity waypoint alarms, and Garmin's innovative TracBack and Ezinit features round out this new leader in marine handheld GPS technology.
These features, combined with Garmin's user-friendly operating system, rugged water-resistant case, data protecting backup lithium battery, and 24-hour battery life set a new standard in marine handheld GPS navigation.

Medion GoPal S2310 Now Available

German navigation maker Medion has introduced new GPS system for the Europe community. Called the Medion Gopal S2310 Europe GPS System this model use the new version 3.0 of the GoPal navigation software. The updated software uses maps from nantec, and available in the editions; Medium Edition, Advanced Edition and Premium Edition.
GoPal S2310 has a 3.5″ screen and has a sporty outdoors form factor characterized by its round design all in roundnesses and antishock plastics. It has a tracking mode to record its course and export to Google Earth in order to visualize them.
Effective storage is made with 2 GB built in memory. MiniSD Card Slot promotes expansion of memory. High quality reception is provided with the built in yet powerful aerial. Centrality Atlas II CPU is integrated in the device that supports a frequency of 276 MHz. Unhindered connectivity is offered with USB, Bluetooth. Bluetooth Wireless Technology is the PC interface supported in this unit.
GoPal S2310 will be sold for 299€.

Medion Releases its Latest, MEDION GoPal P5430

Medion has stormed the market with yet another breath taking product branded the MEDION GoPal P5430. One of the positive points of the new GoPal is the large screen at 5-inches, a bit bigger than the majority. Another good detail is the unusual inclusion of a finger print sensor for security reasons, a feature that can usually be seen on laptops.
There's Navteq map data with a choice of arrow-based, 2D or 3D intelligent visual guidance, with a further split screen option, all the POI features you'd expect and a lane advisor. The device also has an integrated FM transmitter, Bluetooth hook-up for your phone, MP3 player, photo viewer, travel guide and - somewhat randomly - a Sudoku game.
Technical specifications of the P5430 include a SiRF Titan 600Mhz processor, 3GB of storage capacity, voice control, and Traffic Master to escape traffic.It is available from November 30 in England for the price of £175.

Qigi I6 Phones Unveilled

Qigi is a new handset that comes directly from China and can offer quite a set of features, starting with the different operating systems - Windows Mobile 6.1 or Android - and a lot more. The 2 different models are named i6 Win for Windows, and i6 Goal for Andriod. The fast, 624-MHz CPU slim bar-type phone has a touch-screen, business card scanning and GPS functionality. The i6-Goal also provides mobile Web access that includes Gmail(TM), YouTube(TM) and Gtalk(TM). .
Although the Qigi i6 has no 3G, the mobile device offers integrated GPS, a Marvell Monohans processor at 624MHz, and a 2-megapixel camera. Additional features include a 2.8-inch LCD touchscreen with 65k colors, bluetooth, WiFi, and the more than usual microSD memory card sloy. As at the time of this review, no the details about distribution, selling and availabilty offered.

QStarz Unveils New GPS Data Logger / Bluetooth GPS Receiver

QStarz have announced what they are calling the world's most powerful Bluetooth- enabled GPS data-logger. The BT-Q1000X uses the latest MTK II high-sensitivity chipset with 66-channel tracking for sub-15s position acquisition, internal memory to log up to 200,000 waypoints and the ability to connect to a smartphone or laptop as a wired or wireless GPS receiver.
QSTARZ is taking its familiarity with GPS receivers and integrating a data logger to form the newfangled Qstarz BT-Q1000X. This two-faced device doubles as a Bluetooth GPS receiver to navigate your course and allows you to "record your routes" in order to plot points on Google Earth and disseminate the map to your envious pals.
The Qstarz Q-1000X is ideal for use in trucks, taxis and all kinds of vehicle management and fleet control. It is ideally suited for Fleet Managers, geo caching, geotracking, geo locating, geo tagging, datalogging etc.
Moreover, you can use the Qstarz BT Q1000X device to more accurately tag where your travel photos were snapped along the way, and if you're in the fleet management biz, this tool can keep your motorists from straying too far off the beaten path. Designed to last a whopping 32-hours without a recharge, the Qstarz BT-Q1000X can make your next journey a whole lot more memorable.
For now, no details about pricing or when it will hit the store is available.

Russia's RoverPC Launches Pro G7 Smartphone

Russia's RoverPC recently released a business-oriented smartphone, named RoverPC Pro G7.
This smartphone incorporates a 2.8-inch, 640×480 touchscreen complemented by a scroll wheel to aid with navigation. Processing power comes from a 624MHz CPU and 128MB of RAM that run Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional as with many smartphones these days.
This smartphone also comes equipped with AVTOSPUTNIK for easily tracking your movement. There is also an alarm on the Pro G7 that notifies you of traffic cameras or DPS offices using GPRS.Like a lot of phones in today's market, the RoverPC Pro G7 has a built-in motion sensor that will rotate orientation for better viewing pictures or surfing the Internet.Curiously, an HTML browser, email client, organizer and PC syncing are listed as options as well, along with an FM radio tuner and GPS capabilities. Bluetooth 2.0 support will allow wireless headsets to communicate with the G7.
The quad-band GSM device can connect to the Internet over 3G data networks or hotspots thanks to its built-in Wi-Fi module. Built-in memory is fixed at 256MB but expandable via a microSDHC card slot.The Pro G7 has VGE-output, a .3-megapixel forward-facing camera, 3-megapixel standard camera and FM radio tuner.
You can also get live traffic updates through a service called Yandex-stoppers. Otherwise, the handset has a speakerphone and support polyphonic ringtones, in addition to acting as an MP3 player. The handset is due to ship in December in Russia, with an equivalent price tag of about $616.

Mio Announces first GPS Handset

All is now set at Mio technology to storm the GPS market come first quater of next year with its first GPS-enabled handset that is Windows Mobile-based 3.5G GPS compliant.

The company revealed that the device which comes with a built-in 3.2-megapixel auto-focus camera will be powered by 3.5G chipsets from Qualcomm and will also come with Mitac self-developed touch user interface, the Spirit.

The launch of Mio's 3.5G GPS handset will probably run ahead of the planned launch of the Nuvifone handset by rival vendor Garmin slated in the first half of next year, according to estimates of market sources.

In another related development, the company is also warming up to launch a GPS-enabled MID (mobile Internet device) product by the end of the first quarter of 2009. Although no details is yet available about this device, it has been gathered that from a reliable source tha the MID will have a 7- or 8-inch TFT-LCD display, support 3G technology and run on Windows CE OS (operating system).

Mio Technology is the brand product subsidiary of Mitac International.

Technical Problems Inhibit Installation of GPS on 100 VTCOS buses

As a result of some technical problems detected in the system installed in two of the buses, the plan to install GPS systems in about 100 Vallabhipur Transportation Cooperative Society (VTCOS) Pvt Ltd buses under the Global Positioning System (GPS) experienced a set back.

As stated by the Vadora manager who revealed that the companyt has planned to to put each and every bus under the GPS. The pilot project has already been initiated on two buses running between Tarsali and Station. "But apparently there is some technical problem. The positioning of these buses is not giving correct data to the headquarter. We will not be able to install the system in the remaining buses unless the technical snag is fixed," he offered.

"Our major concern is following the time schedule because that is one area where any bus operator is most likely to get complains from the commuters. We would like each and every bus on the road to reach at different stoppages at the scheduled time. Once the GPS is installed, we would be able to know which bus is located where at what time," Rana said.

On the other hand, commuters feel that such an upgraded bus service will be a lot more than what they expect from the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC).

Also a government employee, Jayanti Panchal has said that "I have been travelling from Kothi to Gokul Nagar for almost a decade now. Considering the pathetic bus services the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation used to offer, the services we are getting now are beyond our expectation. If VTCOS is successful in connecting each bus with GPS and improve the time schedule, it will be like a dream come true for daily commuters like me."

School Distric Officials Advocate for Installation of GPS in School Bus

In an effort to

to ensure efficiencies in areas such as route times and fuel costs, and for the safety of Marion County children as well as to take advantage of the technology, the School officials have been pushing the need for placing the GPS devices on bus.This, they argued will ensure total safety of students thereby given the parents rest of mind while the students are on the road either on their way to school or returning home.

The transportation department with the officials are happy about what the technology can do to improve effieciency. Alreadu they have estimated the initial cost to be at $377,000 for 450 buses. But, due to streamlining routes this year, officials now only need to install the devices on 360 buses that deliver about 26,000 students to and from school.

According to Tommy Crosby, the School District's executive director of support services "It will be less than the original estimate. We believe this will pay for itself in a year and a half." After nine months of debate, which included tabling the issue on two separate occasions, the School Board unanimously voted last week for the contract with Synovia Inc. Also Sue Mosley, School Board vice-chairwoman said on Monday that "I do believe in doing this for the safety of the children, as well as the cost savings in the long run, but I just feel like the timing is bad."

Officials have worked diligently to cope with the cuts. Crosby believes the GPS system is cost-effective. It will allow for real-time tracking, and he hopes to reduce route times by 12 minutes per day. Though that may not sound like a lot, the end result of the reduction would mean a savings of at least $150,000 in bus driver salaries. And that is a conservative estimate, Crosby said. If 360 bus routes were cut by 12 minutes each day, each driver will reduce their time by one hour per week or 36 hours throughout the school year.

Trimble Announces GPS Handheld Devices

Trimble(R) Juno(TM) SB and Juno SC handhelds are the latest GPS enabled handheld devices announced by the company. These wireless gadgets come with great features that include wireless LAN and Bluetooth connectivity, a 3 Mega pixel camera, a 533 MHz processor, 128 MB of onboard memory, a Micro SD/SDHC memory card slot, an all-day battery and a 3.5 inch display.
The two devices can achieve GPS positioning accuracy post processed or in real-time with Satellite Based Augmentation Systems such as the U.S. Wide Area Augmentation System, European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System, and Japan's Multi-Functional Satellite Augmentation System.
The company says that applications such as natural resources and mobile enterprise, where positional accuracy is less important, and high productivity is essential, the Juno series handheld is ideal. Incorporating a high-sensitivity GPS receiver with 2 to 5 meter position accuracy, it is specifically designed to maximize yield of positions in hostile environments, such as under forest canopy and up against buildings.

"The Juno series handhelds are the ideal solution for GIS-enabled organizations that require high productivity from their mobile field workforce," said Peter Large, general manager of Trimble's Mapping and GIS Division.
 
The Juno SC handheld includes a 3.5G High-Speed Downlink Packet Access broadband cellular modem, as well as data transmission capabilities which helps field workers access e-mail and download large files and maps without making a trip to the office.

Nokia Rolls-Out Latest Smart phone – The N97

Nokia on Tuesday launched the N97, the manufacturer's first smartphone to feature both a touchscreen and a slide-out full Qwerty keyboard. After the Nokia 5800, the N97 is the company's second-ever touchscreen mobile phone. The Nokia N97 offers you functions obtainable from a personal computer. This handheld computer is packed with great features that make work easy wherever you find yourself. The device, with its 16:9 ratio, 3.5 inches wide, tilting widescreen and heavy social-networking slant, is clearly targeted at the high-end consumer market. However, the N97's employment of Symbian Series 60 v.5, along with the physical keyboard and the fact corporate clients such as Mail for Exchange can work on it, should also make it usable in a business context.
With its full keyboard in QWERTY format and appearance, the N97 could be seen to be an unofficial, consumerised entry into Nokia's more business-oriented Communicator series — the last iteration of which came out in 2007 in the form of the E 90. As with very recent handsets such as the T-Mobile G1 Android phone, the N97 includes both assisted GPS (A-GPS) and a built-in compass, enabling what Nokia calls "social location". This effectively means social networks can tell where their N97-toting users are and in which direction they are heading. Widgets for social networks such as Facebook and MySpace are built into the handset. "From the desktop to the laptop and now to your pocket, the Nokia N97 is the most powerful, multi-sensory mobile computer in existence," Jonas Geust, Nokia's vice president for N-series handsets, said in a statement on Tuesday.

FAA Says LPV-based approaches have surpassed ILS-based

The FAA has announced that LPV (localizer performance with vertical navigation) approaches now outnumber ILS approaches at airports around the United States, and the agency has committed to publishing 500 such approaches each year until all qualified runways are served. The 1,333 LPV approaches now in service at 833 airports are made possible by satellite-based GPS WAAS technology, which increases GPS accuracy and provides vertical guidance at low altitudes.
AOPA has been a leader in lobbying the FAA to transition to satellite-based navigation ever since Phil Boyer became president of the association, nearly 18 years ago. And since the 1990s, AOPA has urged the FAA to create a system that would give pilots the equivalent of an ILS at every airport, something WAAS is now making a reality."We've pushed hard for this, and our members are now seeing the fruits of those efforts as LPV approaches become available at many general aviation airports," said Boyer. "Already, more than 35,000 aircraft are equipped for WAAS, and as more LPV approaches come online, we will see even more GA aircraft equip."

Research Firms Says Shippments of GPS Overtake PND

Based on its latest research, Canalys estimates that global shipments of PNDs (Portable Navigation Devices) in Q3 2008 rose 14% year-on-year, from 7.7 million to 8.8 million units, with North America and Asia Pacific still seeing good volume growth, of 49% and 25% respectively. But shipments in EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) were down 6% in the same period. Meanwhile, shipments of smart phones with built-in GPS soared in EMEA, rising from 4.7 million last quarter to 10.4 million in Q3.
According to Canalys VP and principal analyst, Chris Jones, "Today, the volume of turn-by-turn navigation solution licenses being shipped and activated for smart phones in EMEA is around 11% of the GPS smart phone total. But with GPS being built into the majority of smartphones, and users increasingly being given maps on their phone by default, and multiple reasons to use them, the threat to PND vendors is rising quickly. The PND may give a better in-car user experience today, but smart phone vendors are learning and releasing new devices and software all the time. Nokia is already the third largest provider of mobile navigation solutions across all platforms in EMEA, behind TomTom and only narrowly behind Garmin." The new edition of Canalys' smart phone and mobile navigation trends report is now available. It investigates the key global market trends, looks at regional differences and the performance of the leading hardware and software vendors, emerging technologies, user behaviour and other factors to deliver a broad picture of the state of the market and its direction. This unique work, now in its seventh successful year, is specifically designed to help companies formulate their strategies in this fast changing environment.

Sony Displays its NV-U44 as the entry-level Model in the Sony NAV-U

The Sony NV-U44 features text-to-speech, which is a great feature to have in an entry-level model. The dual view with lane guidance is invaluable in cities with complex highway systems. an elegant 3.5" touch-screen display (measured diagonally) that comes with pre-loaded maps covering the entire United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, you'll enjoy portable navigation right out of the box.
Equipped with Gesture Command, you can take control via simple,on-screen finger movements. The 3.5-inch screen is easy to view in daylight and has a sharpish resolution of 320x240. While the screen's antiglare coating prevents all but the greasiest fingerprints from showing up, the glossy bezel picks up fingerprints and smudges easily.Equipped with Gesture Command, you can take control via simple, on-screen finger movements. In addition, this GPS device has Dual view which displays dynamic route information and a clearer view of what'sahead at the next turn.
The NV-U44 is available in black, red and silver. Dual view capability displays dynamic route information, in addition to the conventional map view, to provide an even clearer view of what's at the next turn or in a highway merge scenario, which junction to take. It also comes with a TTS that helps eliminate second-guessing when making a turn; the device references street names when providing directions to help keep you on track. It is currently available for a retail price of $249.

AeroScout Unveils New tracking Product

AeroScout, Inc., the leading provider of Unified Asset Visibility for improving operational efficiency and quality, announced a new solution that combines GPS with Wi-Fi. The innovative solution enables accurate asset tracking and management in very large outdoor environments, and has been selected by the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) to help improve productivity and operations at a 110 million square-foot outdoor facility at the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona.
The new GPS and Wi-Fi solution builds on AeroScout's Unified Asset Visibility (UAV) offerings and strategy of combining multiple data sources and technologies into one Wi-Fi-based system. The solution includes mobile, battery-powered tags that use both GPS to determine location in any outdoor environment and standard Wi-Fi to transport asset location and other valuable information to the customer's network. The GPS and Wi-Fi combination delivers a cost-effective solution for the 309th AMARG, in part by leveraging its existing Wi-Fi access points and network.
The solution will leverage the facility's existing Wi-Fi network and42 a ccess points with high gain antennas, which are also used for data communication. Using AeroScout's MobileView 4.0 software, staff will be able to easily search for, locate and manage essential equipment. Because AeroScout's RFID solutions have been developed and proven to handle tens of thousands of tagged items, the 309th AMARG will be able to meet both its current and future needs. AeroScout's scalable solution will help the 309th AMARG improve staff productivity andoperations, while taking advantage of its Wi-Fi infrastructure and GPS to keep total costs low.

New GLONASS Satellites Now Launched

The Russian Space Agency (Roskosmos) has announced that it has successfully launched another three new GLONASS satellites into slots GLONASS 724, in orbital slot 18, and 725, in slot 21, on October 17 and October 27, respectively; the IGS began tracking GLONASS 726, in orbital slot 22, on November 6. If they are all successfully placed into operation, there will be 16 fully functioning satellites — 17 if one includes 722, although it is broadcasting an L1 signal only. The IGLOS tracking network now consists of about 48 worldwide tracking stations with dual-frequency receivers. These data are integrated into the IGS Global Data Center archives. BKG and ESA in Germany and the Mission Control Center in Russia continue to compute precise orbits for all the satellites. These individual orbits are combined by the IGLOS Analysis Coordinator to produce combined orbits for each GLONASS satellite. Plans to launch three more GLONASS satellites late next month by the Russians is on the way.