Archive for December, 2008

tracking football with GPS

Dec 31, 2008 , ,

gps-football
A team of researchers and students at Carnegie Mellon University are working on a project that focuses on developing new technologies that can assist referees in making calls during specific game situations in football.

Their current studies involve tracking a football using a GPS receiver chip – just like the ones in your vehicle – listening to satellites that are about 20,000KM up in the air. Their goal is to accurately determine a football’s 3D position in real time.

They literally place a whole circuit board, battery, and the receiver (Ublox Antrais LEA-4T, SiRF Star III) into a football.

And if you’ve ever used a GPS navigation system you’ll immediately think how this is possible considering these receivers can’t even figure out what side of the freeway you’re on at times; forget helping a referee when inches matter.

Well they made some improvements by switching from built-in patch antennas to helical antennas but their resolution is still around 30 feet. Oh, and their ball weighs 3.5 ounces over what NFL currently allows.

They’re also developing gloves with touch sensors that can wirelessly transmit data to a computer.


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Samsung S8300

Dec 30, 2008 , ,




Samsung S8300 is a new touch screen slider phone that is expected to hit the stores this upcoming March – but we’re not sure which part of the world just yet. It has a 2.8″ WQVGA AMODEL display and the body is constructed from a “duralumin”.

S8300 looks like a really slim and sexy device measuring only 12.8mm thin, carrying an 8MP digital camera with auto focus and the ability to support HSDPA networks for download speeds of up to 7.2Mbps.

What else? Embedded GPS receiver of course. In addition you can use bluetooth, listen to FM radio, get traffic updates with RDS.

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Haicom HI-602DT real time GPS tracking

Dec 29, 2008 , , ,

real-time-gps-tracking
If you’re planning to keep an eye on whereabouts of someone or something that moves you’re going to need a real time GPS tracking system. Today we’re talking about Haicom HI-602DT It contains the usual GPS module, but also the GSM module ( a SIM card slot) to transmit its location back to the base. HI-602DT is slightly different from the others in this respect. When it comes to transmitting its position back to the tracker it does not use text messages – it uses the GSM dial tone transmission solution.

gps-tracking-decoderTherefore – they claim – you can use any SIM card you want without any monthly fees, or extra messaging costs; other than the actual calls made by the tracking system. The downside however is that you’re going to have to attach this decoder to your phone; just like seen in this picture to the right.

HI-602DT uses the most unique DTMF technology via GSM voice channel to send back the real time GPS location data directly to another phone. The user can track any moving object live on the map without Internet access and a call center in between (Tracking is free of charge with no need to pay any monthly subscription to a service)…. HI-602 continuously sends back real time location data. This facilitates route tracking on local GPS or Google maps. You can actually watch the vehicle movements live on a map similar to a car navigation system….

…User can insert any local GSM SIM card (or pre-paid SIM card, etc.) making it only necessary to pay a phone call charge when tracking is in use. Also, by setting up three priority call back telephone numbers inside HI-602DT, user can press the SOS button and the tracker will immediately send a SMS with GPS location to the preset numbers.

It is different, but it is a solution for live GPS tracking. It gives you the freedom to use any SIM card you want and leave out the middleman (other than your own cell phone network provider). It can last up to 5 days without a recharge and comes with all sort of accessories to assemble in a vehicle.

Other features that you can enable with a few optional accessories include:

  • two way voice communications
  • ability to use a panic button to make a call from the tracker side
  • ability to disconnect fuel and battery of a vehicle from any phone when installed in a car
  • vibration sensor to automatically dial back when the movement occurs

If you’re worried about such tracking devices may we also suggest a GPS jammer ;)

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Mobinnova ICE does GPS

Dec 29, 2008 ,

mobinnova-ice
Sony Ericsson’s new partner Mobinnova has revealed a new Windows Mobile smartphone called Mobinnova ICE.

It has a 3″ touch screen which can provide tactile feedback and has two touch sensitive controls named mobiToday and mobiShift.

We have no idea if or when this will be available in the U.S. bu here are the features:

  • GSM850/900/1800/1900MHz; WCDMA/HSPA 900/1900/2100MHz HSDPA 7.2Mbps; HSUPA 2 Mbps
  • 3″ WQVGA flat TFT-LCD touch-sensitive screen
  • User Interface mobiToday, mobiFeel and mobiShift controls
  • 3MP autofocus camera with dedicated shutter control. 2nd camera for video calling
  • 256MB ROM / 128MB RAM. microSD expansion slot with SDCH support
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g
  • Built in FM Radio with RDS/RBDS function
  • Built in GPS/AGPS
  • Qualcomm MSM7201ATM (528MHz)
  • Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 professional
  • 1080mAh rechargeable Lithium-Polymer battery

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better digital compass for your navigation system

Dec 28, 2008 ,

memsicMEMSIC is a U.S. based company that manufactures CMOS Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) IC products. Their latest is called MMC212xM which is a Dual-axis Magnetic Sensor. Such chips are used for applications that involve any kind of electronic compass, GPS navigation, position sensing, etc…

MMC212xM promises to enhance digital compass functionality that will enable a host of new location-based services (LBS) in GPS enabled mobile phones and personal navigation devices.

This new family of magnetic sensors from MEMSIC comes with Intelligent Heading Correction (IHC) algorithms, which automatically calibrates the device, compensates for the extraneous magnetic interference, and therefore provides higher accuracy.

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unlock GPS on Verizon HTC Touch Pro

Dec 27, 2008 , , , ,

htc-touch-pro
If you’re a Verizon customer and own a HTC Touch Pro you’re going to enjoy this one. We’ve got some information on how to unlock the GPS capabilities of this device. We already talked about Verizon unlocking the GPS themselves but there’s no reason to wait for them now, is there?

You can find all the detailed instructions here at ppcgeeks which goes something like this:

1. download lllboredlll_VZW_GPS_Fix_v2.cab AND PPST1.46.cab and put on your storage card or any folder on your device
2. install PPST1.46.cab
3. use gsfinder,total commander or File Explorer to navigate to \windows\ppst.exe

4. click on ppst.exe and go thru the prompts
5. reset your device as needed
6. NOW install lllboredlll_VZW_GPS_Fix_v2.cab
7. use gsfinder,total commander or File Explorer to navigate to \windows\ppst.exe
8. reset your device as needed
9. Dial *228 option 1
(the above step is the steps I did, option 2 also works but I needed to prove it takes a full update without rewriting data)
10. reset your device
11. Install HTC GPS Tool if needed

12. I would suggest a soft reset… do what you want on this one
13. Open up HTC GPS Tool. Set Chip to Q 7500 and mode to Cold Start (left soft key for those who dont know) then set baud to 4800 and open port.

Of course as usual, if you give this a try come back here and leave a comment for others…

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GPS embedded HKC Pearl runs Android

Dec 26, 2008 , ,

hkc-pearl-android
We have another GPS powered device to add to our next generation Android phones list. This is from China and it is called HKC Pearl.

We don’t know if it would ever make it here to U.S., but we have some of the specs for you to drool over:
touch screen interface

  • 2.8″ display
  • 2MP camera
  • integrated GPS
  • microSD card slot
  • Bluetooth
  • 624MHz processor
  • WiFi

It not only does Android but also WinMo 6.1…

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XRoad G-Map for iPhone

Dec 26, 2008 , , , , ,

xroad-gps-iphone
The XRoad G-Map we talked about has finally hit the App store so now iPhone 3G users can have a GPS navigation software. Sold for $20 at the App Store, this application requires no internet connection to download maps, directions, etc… (and to comply with Apple they’re really not providing turn by turn directions)

All the maps for XRoad G-Map are stored locally so you’re going to have to say good bye to more than 900MB on your device for either west coast or the east coast to use this. Even then you may be a little frustrated to hear that coverage is flimsy. And then there’s also the bad reviews. Currently it has 2 stars. So you be the judge.

Screenshots look pretty cool though.

From their site:

  • G-Map U.S. East will be available in end of December, 2008
  • G-map for Europe will be available within Q1 2009.

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    telenav on Blackberry Storm

    Dec 24, 2008 , ,

    telenav-blackberry-storm
    You know Blackberry Storm right? And you know about Telenav. Now you can merge those two awesome products and turn your Blackberry Storm into a GPS navigation system. Currently they’re running a free 30 day trial which is a good way to see if you like their application.

    It costs $10 per month but it may be worth it since you’ll end up with a product that has more features than the higher end standalone GPS navigation systems which cost more than $500.

    With Telenav Navigator on your Storm you’ll have traffic updates, ability to enter destination address online, or with a voice call to a toll free number (probably TellMe which talked about here.), and even a Wi-Fi hotspot finder.

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    next generation android phones

    Dec 23, 2008 , , , , , , ,




    A lot of rumors are popping up around the internets about the new Android powered phones – all of which are of course GPS enabled. We’re happy to hear about these rumors as we would happily vote for T-Mobile’s G1 as the ‘fugliest’ high end phone if there was such a competition.

    OK, here is the latest from the Android world:

    Garmin: According to some sources Garmin’s highly anticipated nuviphone will keep its modified Linux OS but come second half of 2009 we can expect to see a few Android powered Garmin phones. If you remember Garmin earlier this month became a member of ‘open handset alliance’ which is the group behind the Android platform.

    …We do have an Android-based phone under development; however, we are not releasing any additional information about that product at this time…

    GPS? Of course. It is Garmin after all.

    Sony Ericsson: Not much yet except this image of a concept device. See above. However there are some news about Sony Ericsson readying Android phones for summer of 2009. Considering Sony Ericsson also joined OHA this may have some truth to it.

    HTC: The manufacturer of the original T-Mobile G1, HTC, is rumored to be working on G2, again for T-Mobile. It is said the new G2 will feature a full touch screen interface, have a trackball at the bottom, and be released as early as April.

    Samsung: We just talked about the rumors about Samsung working on an Android phone. To summarize their new Android handset will resemble both Omnia and Instinct and will be available second quarter of 2009.

    That’s all we’ve heard of so far. If you know of any other next-gen android phones do let us know.

    UPDATE:
    HKC: HKC Pearl is a new one.

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