Archive for the ‘gps navigation’ Category

new GPS module from Fastrax promises less battery drain and quicker satellite fix

Feb 3, 2012

Fastrax just introduced the Fastrax IT530, an ultra-low power and super-sensitive OEM GPS module. As far as specs this tiny location finding unit has sensitivity of -148 dBm in acquisition, -165 dBm in navigation, and power consumption of 35 mW at 3.3 V. It measures and weighs pretty much nothing with dimensions of 9.6 x 9.6 x 1.85 mm and a weight of 0.4 g.

… new power-saving AlwaysLocate mode prolongs battery life by intelligently controlling receiver power modes and maintaining location information. Depending on the environment and motion, the module adaptively adjusts its navigation activity to balance positioning accuracy, fix rate and power consumption (typically between 2-8mW). In addition, the Embedded Assist System (EASY) reduces warm-start TTFF by up to 90% with assisting ephemeris data stored internally for up to three days. The additional server-assisted EPO file transfer extends the external A-GPS service to up to 14 days….

Fastrax IT530 even includes an embedded jammer remover to work ever changing smartphone designs filled with electromagnetic interference (EMI) sources.

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Suunto AMBIT GPS watch

Feb 3, 2012 , ,

Suunto just recently announced the launch of the AMBIT, a GPS watch for Explorers. Why Ambit? Their press release says *AMBIT: As in Ambition. Synonyms: edge, reach, scope or range. OK, whatever, moving on. What you get with this GPS watch is a GPS navigation system, barometer, altimeter, 3D compass, and more. It has a 50 hour battery life – but that’s kind of hard to believe. It probably depends on how often you use the GPS features. Other features of Suunto AMBIT include advanced heart rate monitoring, and some basics such as speed, pace, etc. It is water resistant up to 100 meters too!!! It will be available next month in March!

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Supreme Court says warrentless GPS tracking is against 4th amendment

Jan 30, 2012 ,


Supreme Court decided earlier this month that police officers violated the Fourth Amendment which protects citizens against unreasonable search and seizure. The law enforcement attached a GPS tracking device to a suspect’s vehicle and tracked it for a month without a warrant. Even though the ruling was unanimous the reasoning was split in two.

  • some of the justices said it was a violation of reasonable expectation of privacy when the GPS device was physically attached to the vehicle
  • other justices said a person has a reasonable expectations that the details of his movements over a month period should be private

What this ruling doesn’t touch is the tracking of your location by cell towers or other means which doesn’t involve any physical intervention.

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FujiFilm FinePix F770EXR with GPS

Jan 26, 2012 ,


Fujifilm just recently introduced the FinePix F770EXR which will be available in March 2012 for $380. The most outstanding feature for us is of course the GPS capabilities of this camera. In addition F770EXR features 16MP EXR-CMOS, 20x optical zoom, 1.5 seconds start up time, and 1 second between shots.

As far as the GPS features, FujiFilm FinePix F770EXR has a route log, where the camera creates a map showing where you’ve been and photo navigation which shows the distance and direction to the place a certain photo was taken. You can record and edit your favorite places in the camera, and even tell you what nearby landmarks are and their distance.

Some other specs:

  • 3.0-inch LCD with 460,000 dots and Monitor Sunlight mode
  • Full 1080p HD movie
  • ISO 100 – 12800
  • RAW file capture (FinePix F770EXR only)
  • Film simulation modes
  • Macro focusing down to 5 cm
  • Optical image stabilization
  • Motion Panorama 360 mode

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TomTom to power Samsung’s Wave 3 Bada Maps

Jan 25, 2012 , , ,


TomTom made a deal with Samsung where TomTom maps will power Samsung Wave3. With this agreement Samsung Wave 3 Bada gets:

  • Map coverage for 200+ countries which equals to 35 million kilometers roads
  • Points of interests on these maps
  • 3D City Maps and 3D Landmarks
  • Traffic updates
  • Speed Cameras alerts

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Alpine INE-Z928HD and INE-S920HD

Jan 24, 2012 ,


Alpine Electronics introduced the biggest after market in-dash GPS/audio/video system available called Alpine INE-Z928HD with a 8″ screen and a $1500 price tag. It also announced Alpine INE-S920HD with a 6.1″ screen which is going to cost $1000.

Here are some of the highlights INE-Z928HD and INE-S920HD

  • free lifetime NAVTEQ Traffic RDS (Z928HD)
  • HD Radio receiver built-in
  • Works with Pandora internet radio for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry
  • Bluetooh audio streaming
  • Rear USB port

Alpine is also making an effort to integrate these products into your dash seamlessly with the new Perfect F.I.T kits which are listed here.

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BMW does something more useful with that map data

Jan 23, 2012


The new ActiveHybrid 3 series will feature a system that can predict the best time to charge its batteries. Since the navigation map data includes hill profiles, and the car knows the direction you’re headed this means fuel efficiency.

Say you’re about to go uphill for a while and then descend back down hill. Your car will let you use more of your battery instead of precious fossil fuel while climbing knowing it can recharge on the way down. Pretty sweet eh?

ActiveHybrid 3 will go on sale this fall. Expect to get about 37mpg on the highway before navigation enhancements are accounted for…

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TomTom GPS navigation line-up for 2012

Jan 23, 2012 ,


TomTom earlier this month introduced three new lines to their products. These are TomTom START, TomTom VIA, and TomTom GO LIVE.

Here’s the summary really:

TomTom START: Pretty basic, budget devices that get the job done.

  • Lifetime traffic and map updates
  • Speaks street names
  • Fuel prices

TomTom VIA: Have more money to spend? Get this. Add these features to above

  • bluetooth hands free calling
  • voice recognition
  • better graphics
  • slim design and TomTom’s famous mount

TomTom GO LIVE: Connected high-end product. Add these features:

  • HD Traffic
  • Live services
  • Capacitive touch screen
  • Travel apps

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Telenav Scout ready for you iPhone

Jan 19, 2012 , ,


TeleNav Scout is a new GPS navigation system that works across the web, your phone, and in-dash systems in your car.

  • available free on iPhone
  • provides real-time commute times to work or home
  • real-time traffic during daily commutes

Scout.me is the web interface to your navigation solution with Telenav which lets your start planning your trip in front of a computer. There’s also Scout for cars and the first to integrate this system will be Ford.

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Magellan RoadMate 5190T GPS navigation system for commercial truckers

Jan 18, 2012 , , ,


Not too long ago we talked about the Magellan RoadMate RV9145. Now we have yet another GPS navigation system for truckers and other big vehicle drivers. This one is called Magellan RoadMate 5190T and is designed for commercial drivers.

Here are some of the features:

  • customized routing based on the vehicle height, weight, width, length and HAZMAT restrictions
  • multi-destination routing
  • free lifetime traffic
  • tracking log to record hours of service, mileage
  • Bluetooth connectivity
  • loud built-in speakers
  • A/V inputs for back-up camera or others

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