If you’re looking for an inexpensive GPS unit with a good looking interface, that’s easy to use, and is loud enough to be heard, then you’ll want to take a look at our most recent review of the Harman Kardon Guide+Play GPS-310.
Harman Kardon? Play? “What,” you ask? Yes, the brand known for its awesome audio products has taken a dive into the navigation market and added a digital audio player to the mix. I was a bit skeptical when I first saw it at a demo put on by the audio chaps, but I must say after 40 plus hours of use for this review, my skepticism is gone. Read the review and see why.
(PS: We love, love, LOVE, the mount. Silly how something so low-tech made us so warm and fuzzy!)
The Mobile Survival Kit Micro packs an impressive 1700mAh of power so you can charge it from any convenient USB port and in turn power your device up to 2.5 times longer. Measuring in at a mere 88 x 50 x 14.5mm, the Mobile Survival Kit Micro comes complete with a USB to Mini USB cable as well as a retractable cable with adaptors enabling you to charge and recharge your Nokia, Micro USB, PSP, Samsung, iPod or Sony Ericsson device anywhere. And because the Mobile Survival Kit Micro outputs to a standard USB port, it will charge anything that can be charged from USB (you can use your normal cable).
For the travellers among us, Proporta also include their Car Power Supply with USB Socket and AC Travel Charger (with USB Socket) for use in Europe, USA, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and elsewhere, as well as a handy little drawstring bag to keep it all in.
Proporta appreciate how frustrating it is to be caught short without power. Whether you’re stuck in traffic and your GPS gives out, half way through a gym session and find yourself iPod-less or there are leaves on the line and you’re about to miss a dinner reservation – Proporta have the ideal solution to suit your everyday power requirements.
To see what other accessories and solutions Proporta can offer you and your device, visit www.proporta.com/power
P.S. The Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver works with all the popular mapping software currently available and is capable of connecting simultaneously to up to 51 satellite channels. Ideal for anyone on the road.
GPS software manufacturer Northport Systems, Inc., has launched Fugawi Touratel, a new cell phone-based outdoor navigation software and interactive web site, today for use in the United States.
Designed to enhance outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting and more, Fugawi Touratel provides exceptional map detail on a wide variety of mobile phone handsets as well as the complimentary touratel.com website.
A first in GPS software solutions for the outdoor recreation market, Fugawi Touratel is a Web 2.0-based cell phone navigation software product that delivers high-resolution US Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps, air photos and urban photos to a wide variety of cell phone models within the USA. In addition, users receive a host of other useful third-party location based applications, such as detailed streets maps of the USA, all for one low monthly fee. Fugawi Touratel is currently compatible with many models from Motorola, Samsung, Sanyo and LG, on the Sprint, Alltel and Boost networks with more networks and cell phone models to be added shortly. Because Fugawi Touratel utilizes the cellular network-derived “Assisted GPS” location, the supported phones do not require a specific-use internal or Bluetooth connected GPS. Also, due to its unique Web 2.0 architecture, the user does not need to download and install client software – the entire Fugawi Touratel application works through the internet connection. Users will benefit from added map content and ongoing product development instantaneously, without the need to download updates or apply patches.
“We are pleased to offer USGS topographic maps to the public at no charge though our new web resource, touratel.com,” said Robin Martel, president of Northport Systems. “Our Fugawi Touratel Web 2.0 backend also allows us to address tremendous consumer demand for mobile navigation technology by delivering outdoor GPS applications to a much wider variety of existing phones which could not previously be used for navigation.”
The touratel.com website is a free service enabling users to view and print copies of high quality maps. The site contains all of the USGS topographic maps for the USA, including Hawaii and Alaska, at all available scales, including 1:24,000, 1:100,000 and 1:250,000. Also available through the intuitive tab-based interface are high quality air photos and Google™ maps so the user can review their area of interest utilizing several different map sources. Users can zoom in to any part of the USA and print paper copies to take with them. From the website, users can also check the compatibility of their specific cell phone and, if they wish, sign up and immediately start navigating with the USGS topographic maps on their handset.
“Our Touratel web services have been designed from the ground up to allow for rapid development of richer feature sets and growth into new applications and markets”, continues Martel. “We will add new map content and additional services in early 2008.”
Availability
For more information on Fugawi Touratel, or to learn more about Northport Systems and its entire product line, please contact (416) 920-9300, or visit www.touratel.com. A regularly updated list of compatible carriers and handsets can also be found on the new
touratel.com website.
Previewed at the IFA consumer electronics show in August 2007, Mio Technology, top three vendor in Europe of portable navigation devices (PND), announces the availability of its high-end 3D mapping devices – the C620 and C620t. The new Mio 2008 mapping software includes around one thousand 3D landmarks, as well as digital elevation mapping to depict the local landscape – providing the motorist with a true 3D view of the road ahead.
The Mio C620 and C620t feature the very latest Tele Atlas maps (2007.7) as well as Mio’s split-screen interface in this 4.3″ wide screen device. The split-screen function introduced in the C320 and C520/C520t allows the user to view local points of interest and critical journey information, such as the next three turns and time or distance to destination alongside the full map. The C620 and C620t provide the ultimate in sat-nav functionality and features, up and running in seconds with fast, accurate positioning from SiRFstarIII GPS technology.
The new range offers integrated Traffic Message Channel (TMC) reports as well as free out-of-the-box speed camera alerts. As with previous products, Mio users are able to download speed camera database updates for free for one year from the moment of registration, add their own camera locations and share them with other Mio users over the internet.
Features:
Mapping
* Intuitive map display with 3D landmarks and digital elevation models
- Better orientation and faster recognition of map location
- Road levels are displayed in 3D view
* Easy to use interface
- Split screen for info, POI, TMC, Route, MP3 and phone book
- Play/stop MP3 while navigation
- One click to pick up incoming calls or dial out
- Easy navigation to Photo Viewer
* Enhanced signpost display
* Enhanced POIs along route
* TMC along route display
Device
* 4.3″ navigation screen : large and easy to read
* Hands-free calling with built-in Bluetooth® wireless technology and microphone
* Speed camera warnings out-of-the box with free updates
* Fast, accurate positioning from SiRFstarIII GPS technology
* All-in-one cradle : power and TMC (TMC only for C620t)
* Entertainment on the go: Integrated MP3 player and photo-viewer to enjoy your favourite songs and precious photos all on one device.
*Note: Speed camera availability is variable from country to country depending on the local law. Consumers receive one year of speed camera location updates for free upon registration.
Alltel Wireless, America’s largest network, providing coverage across the nation, today announced the availability of TimecardGPS, an application that enables users to track an employee’s location, record shift time and capture job or work order information from LBS-enabled wireless phones.
The TimecardGPS application, available for $12.49 per handset per month, allows business professionals to increase productivity by using their wireless device to perform a variety of important tasks, including:
Tracking – Enables supervisors to request field workers’ locations, track movement and set up “smart fences” to determine employee location
Team Clock-in and Out – Allows a supervisor to clock-in and clock-out employees as well as capture individual task information on a single wireless device
Real-time job tracking – Sends real-time job information from field workers to employers, complete with tasks, subtasks and editable fields
Customized reports – Supplies electronic reports with payroll, job costing and productivity information
Web log-in – Provides real-time access to field workers’ positions, timesheet and job information via the Internet
“In today’s fast-paced business environment, there is a need for supervisors to have rapid access to information regarding their field employees and their progress,” said David Maddox, director of advanced data solutions for Alltel Wireless. “The TimecardGPS application provides a supervisor instant information on an employee’s exact location and job completion data.”
For more information on TimecardGPS, please visit www.alltelsolutions.com/timecardgps.
Do you remember the Freedom Keychain GPS SiRF III Receiver that Proporta released back in September? Well, they’re back with one that weighs 8 grams less and has a connectivity level that’ll knock your socks off. Introducing the Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver.
It comes with the latest of GPS technology. Works from your pocket, handbag or briefcase, and is compatible with all the mapping software currently available.
Using state-of-the-art Bluetooth Technology, making it ideal for connecting to your notebook, PDA or mobile phone, the Freedom Keychain GPS 2000 Receiver also comes with a USB charger cable and car charger cable, giving you the advantage of being able to charge from home or in the car.
Now, you’re probably thinking that this little piece of GPS equipment is very similar to its predecessor, the Freedom Keychain GPS SiRF III Receiver, well here’s where they differ. The GPS 2000 Receiver is capable of connecting simultaneously to up to 51 satellite channels as opposed to 20, and has a solid working time of ten hours. Phew.
If you are interested in how small it really is (yes, size does matter), the dimensions are right here: 46mm (1.81in) x 32mm (1.26in) x 14.7mm (0.58in), literally weighing 22 grams. Amazing right?
Don’t get lost, get wise – visit www.proporta.com and grab yourself one of these little stars.
We just finished our review of the Navman N40i and you’ll probably want to take a look at what we found in our 100 plus hours of testing. We’ve reviewed many other Navman units in the past and we found some surprises on this one. Lighter and sleeker than the previous models and even a bountiful amount of POI’s in the database. But…well, just read the review and you’ll see.
Navicore, one of the leading European providers of GPS navigation software for mobile phones and devices recently declared that Navicore Personal will be made available for the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, also recently released by Nokia. New upgrades to the GPS navigation system includes maps of North America, Australia, the Middle East, and South Africa, though I don’t personally know anybody planning trips to places such as the Middle East.
There are many benefits that come from the partnership between Navicore and Nokia, including the latest and greatest features of navigational software, internet enhanced navigation, and high resolution wide-screen display. The portable internet access enables consumers on the go to have access to a variety of internet services directly on the Nokia N800 tablet, along with clear voice guidance. The new system is designed specifically for connected mobile devices that is not only convenient for road trips and bike rides, but also an awesome pocket guide to the thousands of points of interest located in your area. Find restaurants, hotels, gas stations, and local hot-spots in your vicinity using this GPS system. Once the software is installed on your mobile device, it is free of charge. the maps and everything you need is stored on a memory card and no network operator is required.
“With its impressive widescreen display and extremely fast mobile Internet connectivity, the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet is the ideal platform for consumer friendly GPS navigation. By combining the award-winning Navicore Personal with the innovative Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, we can offer a superior navigation user experience that further extends fun and functionality, as well as control and confidence for the mobile lifestyle,” said Juha Murtopuro, CEO of Navicore.
Maps for this GPS navigation system are provided by TeleAtlas and provide highly accurate street maps with rich digital content. The current Navicore Personal 2007 version is available now at http://shop.navicoretech.com. The 2007 version for the N800 Tablet will be available next month through selected outlet stores and at www.nokia.com.
Travel Safety Group has just announced that they have dished out $10 million to Benefon for its new GPS technology. The Twig mobile navigation device will support the new Travel Safety GEOS System that provides a wide selection of travel safety and security devices. The new security devices include warnings that notify the user of potential health threats or life threats in the particular area they are in. For example, the GEOS system will notify travelers if they are about to enter a hostile area of a foreign city or a not so friendly part of a foreign country. Also included is hostage survival training and corporate services, such as medical and political evacuation plans. TSG and their new GEOS system provide unsurpassed security around the globe for worldwide travelers.
Benefon’s mobile phones will support the new GEOS system within the US. The TWIG Discovery and the new TWIG GPS Locator also have the GEOS system compatibility which delivers it’s travel safety and security to world wide travelers, all with extreme accuracy. In fact, Benefon’s technology is so accurate, it can pinpoint a travelers location to within 15 feet anywhere on the globe. If that person ever gets into a tight spot, all they have to do is press the emergency button and it will send a distress signal (along with GPS coordinates) to the control center in Houston, Texas. (Seriously.) The digital maps of the Global Security Monitoring System will pinpoint the person’s location. These people don’t quit, they are there ready to respond 24/7, 365 days a year. Talk about service!
Another neat feature is that if you have the right code, you can see where your employee or family member is from your personal computer. Peter Chlubek, Chairman of TSG stated that, “With our travelers now able to be equipped with a GPS phone that is registered with our patented GEOS System, we can ensure that our members receive all information that is relevant to wherever they may be on the planet. Our GEOS Command and Control Center, through our Global Emergency Monitoring system, can notify up to one million members per hour. We call it our GEM. It’s an immensely powerful tool in providing proactive emergency information that helps keep our members safe”.
For more information on this new product visit www.geosalliance.com and www.benefon.com.
Franson Technology has launched GpsGate.com, a GPS mapping portal designed to enable people to share their locations from their Windows laptop or Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC device with anyone they have personally approved to “spot” them online.
GpsGate.com offers a great new way for a group of friends or colleagues to synchronize their lives for work or fun. Anyone that belongs to the same group can share their current location with the others in their group, which makes it easy to coordinate plans to meet for coffee in the morning, go shopping over lunch hour, attend client meetings in the afternoon or get together for drinks in the evening.
By logging in to GpsGate.com, users will be able to see their buddies moving in real-time on a map. To share their position with others in their group, they simply need to install GpsGate software on their Windows laptop or Windows Mobile Pocket PC. This software will enable them to share their GPS signal so that it can be received by fellow group members.
GpsGate.com also offers a Google Earth plug-in so that friends’ locations can be spotted on a satellite image rather than a map.
“Our aim for GpsGate.com is to provide a central portal for broadcasting your location for a specific group of friends or work colleagues, and for you to be able to ’spot’ them as well,” said Johan Franson, president of Franson Technology. “GpsGate is more than just a fun way to keep track of the people in your life-it offers very practical solutions for both work and personal purposes. In the near-term, our plans are to enable users to integrate parts of GpsGate.com to their own homepages so they can broadcast a sailing boat competition, for example, or allow friends and family to track you on your family trip.”
The company also plans to add business tools to GpsGate.com, such as the ability to track delivery trucks or field service technicians.
The GpsGate software for Windows or Windows Mobile Pocket PC is US$29.95.
Access to GpsGate.com is free.