GPS Technology Reviews for news, guides and reviews of GPS hardware, software and services including Handheld GPS, Outdoor GPS, GPS PDA, GPS Phones and Auto GPS Navigators

Nokia introduced its new Nokia N810 Internet Tablet at the recent Web 2.0 2007 Summit and already it has been named as one of Wired’s Top Ten Gadgets of the Year. The unit embraces the concept of a Internet connected GPS navigation device which will allow instant access to current maps, user-updating of maps, access to current points of interest (POI) databases and online location based services. Connected personal navigation devices (PND) such as the N810 are going to provide the platform for far more accurate demographic targeting of POI in the future.

The Nokia N810 Internet Tablet is a powerful ultra mobile communication (VOIP) and software utilities platform driven by a Texas Instruments OMAP 2420 processor running at the same fast 400MHz as its Samsung rival. For an ultra portable device, the Nokia N810 has an attractively large and useful 4.13 inch WVGA (800 x 480 pixels) color touch screen display. Other hardware features include a SiRF Star III GPS receiver, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, twin speakers, microphone and VGA camera.
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Technorati Tags: Nokia N810 Internet Tablet, Top Ten Gadgets, GPS navigation

The Maestro 4200 models all have a large 4.3″ wide-format touch screen displayed navigation menus which allow destinations to be entered by text or selection of a POI (point of interest). Both 2D and 3D map views are available for onscreen navigation directions. The Magellan has the helpful split screen functionality which allows you to see a zoom in of an upcoming turn. Routes can be calculated for numerous priorities including fastest time, shortest distance, or particular road selection. There is an SD card dock for backing up personal data or loading new maps.

QuickSpell

All Magellan Maestro 4200 models have the handy QuickSpell feature which is like auto-complete on mobile phones for speeding up text entry. One improvement on the mobile phone auto-complete is the use of the map database to gray out letters that would not spell a valid city name. (read more..)

Technorati Tags: Maestro 4200, Magellan Maestro 4250, QuickSpell

The Maestro 3200 models all have a 3.5in touch screen displayed navigation menus which allow destinations to be entered by text or selection of a POI (point of interest). Both 2D and 3D map views are available for onscreen navigation directions. The Magellan has the helpful split screen functionality which allows you to see a zoom in of an upcoming turn. Routes can be calculated for numerous priorities including fastest time, shortest distance, or particular road selection.

Magellan Maestro QuickSpell

All Magellan Maestro 3200 models have the handy QuickSpell feature which is like auto-complete on mobile phones for speeding up text entry. One improvement on the mobile phone auto-complete is the use of the map database to gray out letters that would not spell a valid city name. (read more..)

Technorati Tags: 3.5in touch screen, QuickSpell

The Garmin Nuvi 600 series has 6 models sharing most features. Standout features for the three Nuvi models being reviewed and the entire Nuvi 600 series include:

• A large 4.3 inch TFT widescreen,
• mp3 player,
• audio book player,
• picture viewer,
• world travel clock, currency & measurement converter, calculator,
• Garmin Lock (anti-theft),
• preloaded maps for immediate use - solid state internal memory,
• SD card adapter for storing and loading new maps, music and image files.

The difference between the Garmin Nuvi 600 models is in some cases only the maps that have been pre-loaded. Out of the three models being reviewed, the Nuvi 600 and 610 both come with regional maps only. The Garmin Nuvi 610 distinguishes itself by being the only one of the three to have Bluetooth for hands-free cell phone calls. The Nuvi 650 is the only model with text-to-speech capability for reading text such as street names.
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Technorati Tags: Garmin Nuvi, mp3 player, audio book player, picture viewer, Garmin Lock, Nuvi 600, Garmin Nuvi 610, Bluetooth, Nuvi 650, text-to-speech

The predicted ramping up of location based services depends on the proliferation of GPS enablement - particularly mobile handsets such as cell phones and PDAs. This proliferation process will receive a boost from the rollout of mobile handset platforms based on CellGuide’s new CGX5900 ultra-miniature GPS co-processor designed specifically for mass-market mobile devices.

Cost Breakthrough

The ACLYS GPS receiver chip has a claimed 70% cost reduction compared to conventional dedicated GPS receiver chip products. Cost reduction comes from the lack of duplication of computing power of the host CPU and reduced signal processing requirements from unique algorithms.
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Technorati Tags: GPS enablement, CGX5900 ultra-miniature GPS co-processor, ACLYS GPS receiver chip

At the recent Feel the Next StageCEATEC Japan exhibition 2007 Pioneer introduced their prototype Image Recognition Car Navigation System. The prototype integrates a GPS navigation system with a camera and advanced image recognition software that analyzes the view of the road ahead. The intention of the prototype is to develop a system which provides superior, intelligent navigation advice, warnings and even alternate scenic route suggestions. The prototype system shows a video image of the road ahead combined with navigation information.

Apparently all sorts of information can be extracted from the video feed including distance to the vehicle ahead, closing speed and position in one’s lane. While it’s possible to see the safety aspects, it does make one cringe at the prospect of a back seat driver right up in front with you.

Technorati Tags: Image Recognition Car Navigation System, intelligent navigation advice

Both the Triton 400 and 500 are portable handheld GPS receivers designed to meet the needs of outdoor enthusiasts such as backpackers, geocachers, hunters and fishermen. They are lightweight and a convenient size to fit into a pants or jacket pocket. The Triton range is also rugged enough to withstand some of the all too common accidental impacts while traversing rough terrain. For rain and immersion protection the Tritons are waterproof and rated to IPX-7 which is for 1m depth for 30 minutes.

For ease of use in the field, both the Magellan Triton 400 and 500 have 2.2 inch (5.9 cm) QVGA color touch screens, Other features include an electronic compass and an SD card slot for loading map updates and memory expansion. The Magellan Triton 500 also comes with an altimeter. In a first, both Tritons are compatible with downloadable National Geographic maps.
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Technorati Tags: Triton 400, portable handheld GPS receivers, geocachers, rain and immersion protection, IPX-7