NaviGadget

navizon on iPhone

Feb 27, 2008 gps navigation, phones 1 Comment

As you know Navizon is as close as you can get to a GPS navigation system on iPhone. Earlier this month they released their second version of the software. Navizon 2.0 does what the previous version did but with a few more features and some cosmetic changes.

It displays a semi-transparent slider bar on top of the map which lets you choose if you want to update your position continuously or whether you want to see your buddies or not.

Another nice feature is that Navizon 2.0 can run in the background while you do other things with your toy:

This means that you can now display the location of your loved ones in real-time with the Buddy Finder and use our exciting new feature called the Navizon Alerts, which will let you receive an email each time you or one of your buddies enters a geographic area.

In case you still do not know about Navizon; it simulates a GPS by triangulating via cell tower or Wi-Fi access points. However Wi-Fi positioning only available with the full version which is free to try but costs a one time fee of $25.

See the video here:

GPS for iPhone; this time it is real

Dec 17, 2007 gps navigation, phones 5 Comments

People at partfoundry were able to design a GPS module for the iPhone, ready to be shipped in February for only $89. However you’ll need one of those jail broken (hacked in order to allow 3rd party applications) iPhones.

There’ve been many rumors for getting GPS functionality on the iPhone, some of them fake, some don’t even require GPS, and some with embedded A-GPS.

The one we have today uses a real GPS receiver chip and can send this data to Google Maps to get driving and directions and possibly allow for other location based services. The code for the application will be open source allowing users to improve the code to benefit the whole community.

There’s also a video of the prototype on Youtube:

via

iPhone GPS from Tomtom

Dec 13, 2007 gps navigation, phones, tomtom 5 Comments

It is all rumors at this point but apparently Dutch GPS navigation system manufacturer TomTom is developing an add-on module for the iPhone. We’ve had many thoughts on getting GPS on iPhone and this one seems to be the closest as far as a real navigation system (unlike the GPS-free version through Navizon or Google Maps soon available on iPhone).

Further rumors suggest this GPS module will be unveiled at MacWorld 2008 next month and the actual product will have maps of the continental U.S. instead of Netherlands and will also work on an actual vehicle dashboard unlike a wooden table as seen in the slightly fake picture.

However, what makes this rumor slightly credible is that TomTom already offers the software to bring GPS navigation to PDA and other mobile devices (TomTom NAVIGATOR 6) and Apple may choose them over other brands because of their experience in the field… via

UPDATE: Now we know this wasn’t real.

Navizon Lite offers GPS-free positioning, works on iPhone

Dec 11, 2007 gps navigation, phones, software 1 Comment

Navizon just released a new version of Navizon GPS called Navizon Lite. This Lite version is free and will let users approximate their position using the surrounding cell towers with about 1 mile accuracy.
Navizon Lite is very similar to what Google Maps introduced last week which positioned users on Google Maps without the need for a GPS receiver. The big difference is that Navizon Lite works on iPhone’s but Google’s “My Location” does not (at least for now). It also is compatible with Windows Mobile, Symbian/Nokia, Blackberry and all laptops.

Navizon also offers a paid service for $25 (one time only) which also adds WiFi positioning to the package bringing accuracy to as much as 10 – 30 meters. Both versions will let you get your directions to your next
destination and see where your friends are located on a map with the Buddy Finder.

using Navizon for GPS on iPhone

Sep 19, 2007 gps navigation, phones, software 10 Comments

Well there you have it. No rumors, no having to wait till next year, no bluetooth connection required – and you have yourself a GPS service for your iPhone thanks to Navizon. However it is not free like Gizmodo thinks it is. It is only free for two weeks, after which you’ll have to pay a one time $25 fee. You can read about this on Navizon’s site.

Navizon works by triangulating signals from Wi-Fi access points and cellular towers as well as using data based on a collaborative database updated by users who have a GPS device. This ways other members of the community can simulate a virtual GPS on their phone. iPhone in this case.

Early reports suggest the service can not locate your exact position but get as close as few hundred feet which should be good enough for getting directions.

We’d like other iPhone users to try this out and let us know what they think. To install Navizon on your iPhone visit iBrickr or Installer.app.

Navizon Plants a Virtual GPS Chip Into Every Laptop

Oct 10, 2006 gps navigation, misc news, software Leave a comment

Navizon is a software-only wireless positioning system that triangulates signals broadcasted from Wi-Fi access points and Cellular towers to help the users find their way in most major metropolitan areas worldwide. Developed by Mexens Technology today they announced two new versions of the Navizon API: one for the Web and for Mobile devices.

Starting today, businesses with an online presence can use the power of the Navizon positioning system in their own web based applications. By triangulating the signals from surrounding Wi-Fi access points, the Navizon Web API will identify the exact location of the end user in order to provide him or her with a targeted location based content.

This virtual GPS device can be used in many ways: * Brick and mortar chains can indicate their closest point of presence in a snap (for example, the closest Starbucks or closest Apple store) * Travelers will be able to locate themselves on their laptops and find their way to their next destination * Security and payment processing companies will be able to use this technology as an extra layer of protection against fraud

Software developers will also be able to use the Navizon positioning engine in their own mobile application, making it “location aware,” even on standard devices that are not equipped with a GPS device. This can be done thanks to the Wi-Fi and Cellular positioning engines included in the Navizon API.

In addition, the reward system has been ported to the API so that applications that are running on devices equipped with GPS devices can find a new source of revenues if they include the Navizon API.

Positioning system without GPS signal

Feb 24, 2006 gps navigation, software 3 Comments

A company called Navizon is developing a software-only positioning system that relies on wi-fi and phone positioning plus it shares the GPS data from other Navizon customers who own a GPS device! They recently came up with a version that is compatible with Windows Smartphones. Here is how it works from their own site:

When GPS signals are available Navizon uses this information to build an accurate map of the WiFi and Cellular “Landscape” around a user (it determines the exact Latitude/Longitude of Wireless Access Points and Cellular Towers within a city, neighborhood or territory) and then stores this positioning information locally on your device. While Navizon is building this “Wireless Map”, you can still access and operate your favorite Pocket PC GPS applications (as you would normally) since GPS Positioning Mode is totally transparent to your device and its GPS applications!

GPS POSITIONING MODE is popular for active GPS users… but Navizon “kicks it up a notch” for you GPS geeks and gadget fans by extending and enhancing the functionality of your devices — and your entire GPS user experience. Since it “works where GPS doesn’t”, especially when “line of sight” is obscured or blocked in dense cities, urban canyons, indoors, underground, etc.
Navizon is the ultimate Pocket PC companion to have when GPS signals or devices aren’t available.

Because Navizon users ALWAYS have access to accurate positioning information in urban areas they can navigate almost anywhere using a WiFi or Cellular Pocket PC and the Navizon Wireless Positioning System (Software Only GPS). When GPS devices or GPS signals aren’t present, Navizon automatically engages to deliver accurate Positioning Data to your Pocket PC applications & maps — which are totally oblivious to the absence of GPS!