Geotate, a geo-software company, has announced a new instant response, low power, Geotagging GPS technology ideal for digital cameras, camera equipped cell phones and other mobile geotagging devices. The key to success for Capture and Process technology is the separation of capturing a short sample of the GPS satellite signal (less than 0.2s) and the later position calculation which uses remote servers through a web-based service to access necessary GPS data. Worldwide trials have revealed good accuracy (< 10m), with a good fix location established in 96% of cases.

The attractive combination of low power consumption, speed of action and separation of fix calculation (lower onboard processor demands) should see geotagging functionality penetrate deeper into the digital camera market and further boost location based services demand. Consumers will appreciate the lack of processing delay while a position fix is calculated. The five-fold increase in GPS enabled consumer devices by 2011 already predicted by IMS research will not doubt be exceeded.

Geotate Capture and Process Technology Demonstration

Custom Search

After sales support should be an important consideration for consumers especially in purchasing electronic devices such as GPS navigators. The problem is assessing what the service might be like before purchase. TomTom obviously understand this and have recently achieved recognition for call center operation customer satisfaction excellence under the J.D. Power and Associates Certified Call Center Program. As the first portable navigation device manufacturer to achieve certification, TomTom is clearly committed to providing their customers with a positive call center experience, according to Jonathan Brookner the call center certification program director at J.D. Power and Associates.
(read more..)

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.

Custom Search

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

At the recent Symbian Smartphone Show, London, UK, Samsung Electronics announced two new GPSenabled smart phones – the SGH-i550 and SGH-i560. The GPS navigation functionality will include turn-by-turn voice guidance and will have a pedestrian mode. A navigation trackball located above the keypad should prove useful with GPS applications.

The i550 has a Symbian v9.2 operating system and is based on S60 (edition 3, feature pack 1) providing a platform to integrate applications from the vast Symbian S60 applications library.
(read more..)

Technorati Tags: Symbian Smartphone, Samsung Electronics, GPS, navigation trackball

Custom Idea’s new GeoPic II will geotag images taken with Nikon digital SLR cameras including the Nikon D200/D300/D2HS/D2X/D2XS/D3 and also the Fuji S5 Pro. The GeoPic II clips to the camera hotshoe and connects through the accessory socket. The unit is based upon a high performance SiRF III GPS chipset which has fast acquisition times and high sensitivity for operation in weak GPS signal areas such as built up city centers. Custom Idea have a patent pending on the low-power technology driving the GeoPic II which they claim allows you to take around three times as many photos than similar products before the battery is exhausted.

As part of its low power management capabilities the GeoPic II has three intelligent modes of operation:

• Continuous - GPS data is continually sent to the camera;
• Low Power - GPS data is only sent to the camera when you are about to take a picture;
• Freeze - the GPS location is frozen in a buffer so the GeoPic II has almost no impact on the camera’s battery life.

Custom Search

Technorati Tags: GeoPic II, Nikon digital SLR cameras, Fuji S5 Pro, Custom Idea

From the partial quote in this post’s title by tiKiyoshi Hamai, North American sales director in Mio’s 710t press release you can tell that the company believes it is something unique in the consumer GPS market. While it is an impressive piece of technology convergence it has at least one other rival in the recently reviewed Navman S90i S Series car GPS navigator.

The Mio 710t has a very similar specification to the recently reviewed Mio 710 car and portable GPS device. Extra or superior features include:
(read more..)

Technorati Tags: GPS market, Mio 710t

The US Army has selected Airbourne Systems 10 k (10,000 lb) DragonFly Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System (JPADS) following on from its recent selection of the FireFly 2K (2,000 lb) JPADS platform. Utilizing a precision guided parachute delivery system based on a GPS receiver The DragonFly system allows the Army to stand off dangerous areas and still deliver their cargo right on target.

Airbourne Systems has a number of precision cargo delivery systems of differing weights and sizes all utilizing the same guidance platform. The new parachute system will replace the US Army’s aging, non-steerable parachutes in use since the 1950’s. GPS Technology Review’s has a more detailed article on precision GPS guided parachute delivery systems.

Airbourne Systems had other recent success being selected to provide Recovery Systems for Space Exploration Technologies Corp’s (SpaceX) Falcon 9/Dragon launch systems.

Custom Search

Technorati Tags: Airbourne Systems, DragonFly Joint Precision Aerial Delivery System, JPADS

Nokia have just announced an upgrade to their EISA award winning, pinnacle of convergence the N95 smartphone.

Upgrade highlights include:

• Enormous jump in built-in memory from 160 MB to 8Gb (up to 20 hours of video or 6000 songs)
• Larger 2.8 inch QVGA display to replace 2.6″ QVGA (240 x 320 pixels)

Custom Search

Technorati Tags: N95 smartphone, 2.8 inch QVGA display

Nokia’s N95 GPS enabled cell phone has won a 2007/2008 EISA (European Imaging and Sound Association) award for the European Media Phone category. The award was made by EISA’s convergence panel which would be expected as the Nokia N95 is a convergence of technology and features including; GPS navigation, Google Earth, 5 Megapixel camera, MPEG4 video capture, HSDPA data access, web browser, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared port, USB interface, microSD slot, multiple audio format playback (MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC+/WMA/M4A) and more.

To quote EISA “It’s no mere mobile phone and no mere status symbol. Pick up a Nokia N95 and you hold in your hands a state-of-the-art communication tool – the ideal way to remain permanently in touch and on track with the world that surrounds you.”

You may wish to read GPS Technology Reviews recent detailed review of the Nokia N95 GPS enabled mobile phone.

Custom Search

Technorati Tags: Nokia’s N95 GPS enabled cell phone, GPS navigation, Google Earth, 5 Megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers have become a part of rocket launcher navigation systems since when the shuttles were designed. The latest navigational system designs have caught up with the Endeavour during its recent complete overhaul. The overhaul lasted 1,665 days during which some 194 safety modifications, including safety upgrades already added to shuttles Discovery and Atlantis, were carried out.

The Endeavour’s new GPS has been integrated completely into the shuttle’s navigation system. The new system has reduced the number of different navigation aids on the shuttle and reduced or eliminated the need for ground radar and other kinds of satellite tracking. As the shuttle is flown by computer (several actually) the navigation systems correct functioning is essential.

The new GPS system has replaced a 1950s era tactical air navigation technology providing a far more accurate technological solution.

Custom Search