Mio GPS learns some sweet new tricks

The Mio DigiWalker C720t is a touchscreen handheld GPS that will show you a map of where you are on its respectable 4.3 inch widescreen — providing you're somewhere in North America. It does everything a good GPS should, coming with text-to-speech directions, trip planning and real-time traffic updates. Sounds pretty complete for a device you can slip into your pocket, right? Well, that's just where it starts.

While most people associate driving with GPS devices, the Mio 720t really shines when you take it with you everywhere. Click through to find out how.

The 720t's built-in digital camera is a little on the weak side, but the team at Mio really knows how to get plenty of mileage out of a humble two megapixel sensor. Each photo you take is tagged by the unit so it knows where it was taken. For example, say you enjoyed eating at a certain restaurant. Don't bother writing down the address, just snap a picture of it. Getting back is as easy as tapping on the photo later. At a meeting? Take a picture of a business card and the 720t will scan the information on it and create a contact entry for you. While it won't replace your digital camera, it might just do away with your organizer.

The DigiWalker C720t couples entertainment with navigation like other Mio units have in the past, so it's able to play your music and movies. It has 2 GB of onboard memory as well as an SD card slot to add some more. All of the menus are designed with familiarity in mind — from the music player to GPS navigation. That's crucial for a GPS device because not only can they be confusing for new users, but oftentimes its important to be able do to what you need to in a snap, like when you're driving.

The DigiWalker C720t left a great first impression. It's nice to see that Mio is able to build upon their solid line of GPS portables while incorporating plenty of forward thinking. The 720t is available now and sells for around $600. — Kevin Hall

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Broadcom single-chip GPS solution

Broadcom has just announced a new single-chip GPS solution for mobile devices that will be manufactured using the affordable 90nm CMOS process, bringing to the table superior receiver technology as well as tracking sensitivity. This receiver will full utilize the Global Locate architecture that is capable of measuring even the faintest GPS signals (as low as -162 dBm) despite being trapped inside infamous urban canyons. Power consumption is also extremely frugal, sipping no more than 15mW when navigating with one second map updates. Hope to see these new chips make an appearance in future GPS-capable devices soon.

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Samsung SGH-i550 S60 GPS phone announced

Samsung’s finally gotten around to announcing the Samsung SGH-i550 S60-based GPS phone. We first spotted this trackball-sporting S60 smartphone back at IFA 2007, and it’s just now getting its time in the spotlight.

The Samsung i550 will be rocking the S60 3.1 UI. And, as expected, Samsung is telling us that the i550 will be bringing along tri-band GSM, HSDPA, 3.2 megapixel camera, and integrated GPS. Oh, and don’t forget that nifty little trackball, a la the BlackBerry Pearl.

Word has it that the Samsung SGH-i550 will be launched in November, so keep holding your breath. Pricing details are unavailable at the moment, but you can be sure that we’ll let you know as soon as we do.

[Via: Unwired View]

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Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Samsung shows off SGH-i550 GPS phone at IFA 2007
• Samsung announces i550 with 3.2 megapixel camera - takes cues from Sony Ericsson
• Samsung SGH-i780 (Blackjack2) is the new undisputed champion of Windows Mobile Smartphones
• Samsung SGH-i560 GPS Symbian slider heading to Vodafone
• Another Symbian S60 smartphone from Samsung, SGH-i400

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Nextar 4XB GPS

The 4XB GPS is the tip of the spear in Nextar’s line of products, but it has features that I would qualify as mid-range in today’s GPS world. For example, I don’t see real-time traffic information in the feature list.

• 4.3” touch screen


• 1GB of built-in memory


• Bluetooth (hands-free)


• 2 million points of interest (POI)


• Text To Speech (TTS)


• Around $399
  

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New Nokia Internet Tablet gets GPS

It is all but confirmed - the upcoming Nokia Internet Tablet will come with GPS connectivity, as confirmed by the FCC pages and test results. In fact, a request for the standard 45 day confidentiality agreement was filed during the second week of this month, hence it would be pretty safe to conclude that this device will be rolled out before the Nokia World event on December 4th. Here's to Nokia engineers fixing issues that plagued the Maemo platform such as full speed playback of YouTube, a less maligned interface and the inclusion of a keyboard.

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Confirmed: Next Nokia Internet Tablet to have GPS

Thoughtfix spotted “LJPRX-44″ on the FCC pages and the test results show that the next internet tablet will have GPS enabled! A request for the standard 45 day confidentiality agreement was filed during the second week of September so it is safe to say we should be seeing this device hopefully before Nokia World on December 4th. Here is hoping they fix issues in the Maemo platform such as full speed playback of youtube, an easier interface and the addition of a keyboard.

[Direct link to the FCC filing]

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• Next Nokia Internet Tablet will launch in 2008 and have WiMAX
• Nokia N800 Internet Tablet
• TI announces new GPS chip
• There will be a Nokia internet tablet with WiMAX and we've known about it for months
• Nokia 870/880 Internet Tablet!?

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ViaMichelin X-930 Portable GPS system

Just in case your internal compass is all but ruined, there is always the ViaMichelin X-930 Portable Navigation GPS system that comes complete with pre-loaded maps of the US and Canada. The ViaMichelin X-930 features voice as well as text turn-by-turn driving directions, making it all but impossible to get lost (unless the maps have not been updated, of course). Apparently, the street level maps are comprehensive enough to get even the most clueless person to their destination safe and sound. At the very least, you no longer have to depend on backseat drivers who do nothing but drive you up the wall with criticism and wrong directions.

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Acer P700 GPS Series With New ALK CoPilot 7

Acer has introduced their newest product, the P700 GPS series. In addition to the P600 and V200, the P700 will feature a 4.3 inch LCD screen, larger than the other two models, and will also come packed with the newest ALK CoPilot 7 software. The new software adds a Pin Lock feature, acting much like a cellphone, making the interface able to be locked with a PIN code. All maps will be offered by Navtech and will feature the up-to-date versions from the fourth quarter of 2006.

The P700 series will initially have two products. The P710 ($280), which will come with a 512MB SD card for regional maps and the P730 ($350) that has a 2GB SD card for maps including all of Europe, while also supporting RDS-TMC traffic info.

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Samsung i780 GPS phone

Samsung i780
- built in GPS
- Windows Mobile 6
- full QWERTY keyboard
- microSD support
- A2DP
- 3.2 mega pixel camera
- USB 2
- push email/MSN
- measures 115.9�61.3�13.8 mm
- 2.55 inch QVGA 65K color screen
- GSM850/900/1800/1900MHz
- GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA/HSDPA

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Tracking Zebras with GPS and mobile technology

Again, it’s nice to see mobile tech being used in the new innovative ways. Just a month ago, we posted how the technology is used for tracking the owls. Now, we have U.S. researches using social networking software along with mobile technology and GPS to track Zebras. The idea is to follow the interaction between the animals, especially in danger situations when for instance lions are near a herd. In addition, researches believe that this kind of approach could help ecologists devise new techniques to protect endangered species… Read the full article on ZDNet Blogs.

[Via: textually.org]

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Mio launches the C320 GPS

Mio, which continues to gain market-share in the U.S, is announcing the availability of the Mio C320 GPS at Radio Shack stores.

The C320 is a good-looking device that has a 4.3” display, voice directions and tons of points of interests (POI). The software takes advantage of the widescreen by displaying additional information on the right side. Aggressively priced at $299, this device is going raise the bar for that market segment. Come back to this site for a full review (soon).

More Mio GPS stories

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TomTom: Helping you navigate the world? and that GPS in your hand

GPS handhelds are improving almost as fast as wandering souls are snapping them up — market-research firm IDC projects 6.5 million personal navigation devices will be sold this year in the U.S., three times as many as last year. Among TomTom's latest models is the GO920, available around Thanksgiving for $700. Beyond just giving you voice turn-by-turn directions, the GO920 will verbally prompt you through the menus (though the woman demo'ing the unit for me the other night had trouble with physical menu drilling), potentially be a great feature for anyone who finds GPSes hard to navigate (i.e. everybody). It also has speech recognition, listening for your answers and responings to any spoken addresses you're looking to get to — letting you keep your eyes on the road instead of on the 4.3-inch touchscreen.

Also noteworthy: TomTom's MapShare feature, which lets users submit corrections and additions to maps and points of interest (POI). In addition to the usual 2D map view, you get a 3D birds-eye viewing with a growing number of buildings and landmarks added by both users and TeleAtlas. — Stewart Wolpin

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Magellan?s Triton line does GPS for off-roaders

Magellan's new rugged Triton line of handheld GPS navigators, ranging in price from $130 to $500, is designed for Daniel Boone types. All six models (the Triton 1500 is shown above) are compatible with National Geographic's TOPO! software packages ($100 each) that supply full topographical maps so you can see which hill you're on and how far away the next hill is so you don't end up like the Donner Party. If you do end up in dire straits, Magellan also has a deal with AAA for roadside assistance — assuming you can find a road. — Stewart Wolpin

Via Magellan

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ASUS R3 GPS UMPC

- built in GPS
- 4.8 inch 1024x600 resolution
- webcam
- fingerprint scanner
- expected to ship next year

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Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS

Just in case the cellphone that you pick up does not come with any sort of GPS functionality, fret not. There is the Freedom Keychain GPS from Proporta that is touted to be the most compact and neatest GPS receiver available in the world. It is powered by the vaunted SiRFStar III GPS chipset and handles up to 20 satellite channels at a time up to a stretch of 10 hours. The Freedom Keychain can be hooked up to phones or PDAs via Bluetooth and is compatible with all major mapping software found today. The Proporta Freedom Keychain GPS retails for $130, so make sure when you keep better track of the set of keys attached to it lest $130 disappears along with it.

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AT&T: BlackBerry 8820 GPS is fully functional, not crippled

That’s right. The one thing we all feared with the launch of the RIM-made BlackBerry 8820 was that AT&T would have crippled the GPS module to work only with the pay-service, TeleNav. Rumors were circling the various internets regarding such GPS-crippling - and the prospect of having to pay to use a feature that was built-in drew a lot of flack.

It looks like AT&T has confirmed that the now-available BlackBerry 8820 will be packed with not only WiFi, but a fully functional GPS unit. That means all you CrackBerry fans can get your GPS navigation fix (pun intended) without having to pay “the man.”

So, if you’ve been waiting for more information on the BB 8820’s GPS feature before taking the plunge,� consider yourself informed. Go out and snatch up that BlackBerry 8820 from AT&T today for $299.99 (with 2-year contract and rebates, of course)- and let us know how much you� like having WiFi and GPS at your fingertips.

[Via: Boy Genius Report]

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Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• AT&T crippling their BlackBerry 8820 with limited GPS functionality?
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• BlackBerry 8820 coming to Spain

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GPS location data on your iPhone - kinda, sorta

Why wait for the next-gen iPhone to get your GPS fix? With Navizon’s new natively-installed iPhone application, Navizon, your iPhone can serve up location-data right through your Google Maps app.

The iPhone doesn’t have a GPS module, you say? Well, Navizon uses WiFi hotspot information and Cellular triangulation to get a fix on your position. It’s not the most accurate way to get location data, but if you’re completely lost and have no idea where you are, just fire up your car’s navigation system look at street signs ask somebody hit up the Navizon application on your iPhone.

The Navizon app will pinpoint (we use the term loosely here) your location on your Google Maps screen. But, don’t be surprised if you can’t get a location-fix because of a lack of known WiFi or Cellular signals. Navizon is a pay service - about $25 for the software (but you get a free 15-day trial when you register on Navizon’s webpage).

Check it out. As much as it might sound as if we don’t like the less-than-accurate service, it’s actually pretty cool - we just don’t like having to pay for third-party software that could quite easily be broken with the next iPhone update. Where can you find Navizon? Through Installer.app, of course.

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Related Articles at IntoMobile:

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• Sprint GPS/Data Bundle - Finally
• Blue Sky Positioning announces their GPS enabled SIM card
• AT&T / Cingular improving EDGE speeds for Apple iPhone launch!

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Companies in the GPS (Global Positioning System) Space Locating Profits

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Companies in the GPS

(Global Positioning System) space are on the move and pinpointing profits. Fueled by a combination of retail consumer demand and increased usage in business and government sectors, GPS units are flying off the shelves and the companies that make them are finding profits. GPS technology is forging its way in an absolutely gigantic and un-penetrated end market including basic car GPS, the portable GPS, marine GPS, recreational devices, avionics navigation; site survey, engineering and construction; mobile location services for wireless devices; and others.

Wireless Fund (Nasdaq: WIREX) for the Period Ended August 31, 2007

Garmin LTD (Nasdaq: GRMN) designs, develops, manufactures and markets a diverse family of hand-held, portable and fixed-mount, GPS-enabled devices. As of August 31, 2007 Garmin represented the largest individual security held by Wireless Fund at 8.51% of net assets.

Trimble Navigation LTD (Nasdaq: TRMB) provides solutions for professionals in engineering, construction, surveying, agriculture, fleet management and field service utilizing global positioning system (GPS) technology. Trimble recently reported revenue growth of 34% in the second quarter of 2007. As of August 31, 2007 Trimble represented 4.70% of the net assets of Wireless Fund.

Radio & TV Broadcasting & Communications Equipment is another sector that may benefit from new technologies in the GPS space. As the general public embraces GPS technologies there will be a push to include GPS into consumer technology products. Nokia, Motorola, and other handset makers are already incorporating GPS & mapping functionalities into their phones. Nokia (NYSE: NOK) represented 5.06% of net assets of Wireless Fund at August 31, 2007.

Wireless Fund is available from many of the major mutual fund supermarkets. More information on the wireless revolution can be found at http://www.wireless-fund.com.

Investors should consider the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of the Fund carefully before investing. The Fund's prospectus contains this and other information about the Fund and is available at http://www.wireless-fund.com or upon request by calling 1-800-590-0898. Please obtain and carefully read the prospectus before investing.

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Proporta launches 30 gram Bluetooth GPS keychain

Filed under the “holy cow technology is making things smaller” category we have the Freedom Keychain GPS SiRF III Receiver. As the name suggest it has a SiRF III chip inside and is literally meant to be attached to your keys. A 450 mAh battery is set to power this puppy for up to 10 hours at a time and it includes a car and USB charger. At $130 it is a little pricey, but then again the ability to GPS enable any mobile phone you may already have with a receiver that is attached to your keys is quite convenient. In 3 years we’re going to have a hard time not finding a device with GPS, for now we will just have to stick with products like this.

[Product page at Proporta]

[Via: All About Symbian]

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AT&T to start selling BlackBerry 8820 GPS WiFi Phone for $299

It looks like Research In Motion’s GPS and WiFi-toting BlackBerry 8820 is finally making it’s debut on AT&T’s nationwide network (well, Amazon’s offering notwithstanding) - a bit behind our expected schedule. With a $299 price-tag, AT&T will begin offering users the chance to get in on the GPS and WiFi goodness that is RIM’s BlackBery 8820.

Sorry, BlackBerry 8800 owners, but with today’s announcement, your RIM handheld is now something us industry-folk like to call “obsolete.” It’s a shame, we know - but that’s how it goes with mobile phones. One day you’re on top of the world, the next your last week’s news.

The BlackBerry 8820 will be rocking the 8800’s business-centric camera-less exterior, EDGE, PTT (push-to-talk) functionality, microSD card slot, WiFi a/b/g, and of course the integrated GPS module. The question remains, will AT&T be crippling the GPS functionality on the 8820?

[Via: MobileBurn]

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Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• AT&T crippling their BlackBerry 8820 with limited GPS functionality?
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Samsung SGH-i560 GPS Symbian slider heading to Vodafone

I just don’t get Samsung why they keep hiding their Symbian smartphones from us. The Korean giant is currently selling its smartphones in selected non-western countries (Russia) and through Vodafone. I guess the Big Red insists on exclusivity, but still we wouldn’t mind seeing some of the Samsung Symbian smartphones available OUTSIDE Vodafone’s offering.

Anyway, the new Samsung Symbian S60 based smartphone (pictured above) is called i560, has a slider form factor and will be available somewhere in the fourth quarter this year for about 415 EUR. In terms of specs, the upcoming device will among other things come with the built-in GPS receiver, 3.2 MP camera with 16x digital zoom, 2.4″ QVGA screen, HSDPA connectivity, Bluetooth, and the microSD expansion slot. All in all, very solid smartphone is heading to Vodafone — stay tuned for more details…

[Via: Unwired View]

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Exclusive Dash Express GPS Hands-On

We got our hands on the new Dash Express GPS Navigation system that was shown yesterday on Dash’s official blog. Look at our Dash Express photo gallery too see it from every angle. A few details can still change, but this is very representative of the final product.

Some context:
The Dash is a GPS Navigation device that is always connected, thanks to its CDMA (the tech used by Sprint and Verizon networks) and WiFi connection. Dash has partnered with Jasper wireless to move the data over CDMA. Because it’s always connected, it can pull information in real-time (traffic, weather, gas prices…). Users can also send routes planned on their PC over-the-air (At last! Others are working on it too).

This GPS is a two-way communication device that also sends data. For example, Dash (the company) plans to analyze anonymous GPS coordinates from all devices in service to get better real-time traffic information and better historical statistics. As the customer base grows, the information will be more and more accurate.

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Asus R300 and R700 GPS systems

Asus enters the GPS navigation system fray by releasing the R300 and R700 systems. While both share plenty of similarities aesthetically, the R300 has a smaller display compared to the R700's 4.3" screen. Shared features include an integrated GPS navigation system, media player functions, and support for AAC, MP3, WMA, and MPEG 4 file formats. On the memory front, you get 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, and a microSD memory card slot for expansion options, all powered by a 400MHz Samsung processor. Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity allows you to retrieve SMS messages, while a RDS-TMC receiver displays traffic data in GPS mode to let you arrive at your destination soonest possible. The R300, however, misses out on this capability. Both the R300 and R700 will be available in Europe this November at a yet undisclosed price.

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Innovator MW-705 BT GPS Watch

The Innovator MW-705 Multifunctional BT GPS Watch from Mainnav is pretty comprehensive where features are concerned - it boasts an OLED display, a heart rate sensor, a thermometer, a speed and distance meter, and the ability to let you stay on track with the integrated SiRFStar III GPS chipset. Measuring a mere 69mm x 55mm x 23.5mm, this multifunctional watch weighs 75 grams and boasts an optional Bluetooth 2.0 connection (maximum range of 10 meters) that allows users to transmit GPS signals to other compatible devices (such as PDAs and smartphones) for navigation purposes. Don't worry about being caught in the rain with this as it has been certified waterproof. Looks pretty bulky to me, but you don't really expect a svelte watch with all those features crammed in, do you?

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VBO Dayton GPS System with DVB-T TV

A new GPS navigation system from European company VBO Dayton will include a DVB-T receiver, to receive over-the-air television channels. DVB-T is a broadcasting technology widely used in Asia and Europe. The PN 4000 has a 4.3” screen and the PN 6000 has a 5.3" one – both use a widescreen format. Sorry North American folks – DVB-T is not yet widely used around here, although there are many trial with DVB-H. For European folks, this system could be nice for road-trippers who would have a GPS and a TVin the same device.

Other features include an SD slot for videos, music, and photos, etc. If you want to use it as a hands-free cell phone device, you can also add-on a Bluetooth module.

buy and download music online

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GeoVision 350 GPS Navigator

The GeoVision 350 GPS Navigator from Prestigio targets the Eastern Europe market, coming with pre-installed detailed maps of Western and Eastern Europe in addition to Russia. Users will benefit from millions of points of interests such as hotels, restaurants, gas stations, tourist attractions, and the all important ATM. You can choose from 30 menu languages as well as precise voice commands in 26 languages. Other features include a 3.5" touchscreen display, an SD memory card slot, 1GB of internal memory, integrated speakers, and a SiRFStar III GPS chipset. Depending on which map pack you want installed, you can fork out anything from $249 (Russian and Eastern Europe packages) to $285 (Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia) and $299 (Western Europe). Sounds like a great deal for travelers who intend to cross the entire continent.

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Garmin and TomTom to launch their own GPS-enabled phones this year?

It’s a fact that mobile phones with built-in GPS receivers will sooner or later kill the pure personal navigation devices. After all, who would want a device which only does a single task in the era of convergence. That being said, the latest rumor we have involves two navigation giants, Garmin and TomTom, which are apparently working to bring their own GPS-enabled phone to the market in the not-that-distant future. The rumor goes further, suggesting that this might happen till the year’s end, as the two companies have already enlisted the help of Inventec Appliances, Quanta Computer and Compal Communications to produce them. Now we have to wait to see how will this affect the market. HTC, Nokia and Samsung are already shipping the GPS-enabled devices and other handset makers are jumping-in pretty quickly with their offerings…

[Via: Unwired View]

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Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Garmin and Tomtom to make phones?
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• Nokia navigates the Middle East market with first ever Arabic GPS system for mobile devices from Navicore

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TomTom intros embedded GPS system

While the entire GPS world grovels at TomTom's feet, it is interesting to note that integrated GPS systems are not part of the products offered by this highly revered company in the world of navigation systems. However, TomTom has changed that 'weak' point with their co-operation with Toyota, where the autoobile manufacturer will now install TomTom units directly into the dashboard of the new Yaris. According to the images shown above, this new TomTom addition fits snugly into where the vehicle entertainment is supposed to be. Navigation is possible via touchscreen or the Yaris' radio controls, and you can even remove it when you need a portable GPS system in unfamiliar territory. No idea on how much this new GPS navigation system will cost though, but you could expect a high level of quality from previous TomTom experiences.

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Route66 MAXI GPS navigation system

Route66's new GPS navigation system is known as the MAXI and targets the European market with support for 14 languages as well as maps for the entire Western and Northern Europe. Features are definitely something not lacking on the MAXI, including high definition maps, an integrated TMC traffic receiver, lane assist, and an MP3 player. In addition you get free safety camera alerts and map updates until the end of next year. Should you opt for the wireless car kit, you can even carry out handsfree conversations while concentrating on the road. Auto-charge as well as auto-switch day and night sensor completes the list of features. Interested parties will be able to pick up the Route66 MAXI for €300.

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ThinkNavi UZ GPS navigation device

The ThinkNavi UZ GPS navigation device targets the European market with different strategies, including the 'Pick-up Service' which is actually a fixing service by post that features long distance coverage within a short period of time. TMC Pro is offered free of charge, enabling drivers to obtain real-time traffic information while they're on the go. The 3.5" screen size looks set to remain as the standard in mainstream European markets, although I think one would have to squint more often than not when viewing information shown. MP3 and video file playback completes the list of features. No idea on how much the ThinkNavi UZ costs though.

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Navigon/Porsche P9611 GPS system

The Navigon/Porsche Design's Mobile Navigation P'9611 GPS device oozes with class, featuring an extremely sleek design that one often associates with the supercar manufacturer. Each P'9611 device comes with a pre-installed SD memory card, an USB cable, a car holder, and a car charging cable. Other features include an MP3 player, a 4.3" wide touchscreen display, Bluetooth connectivity so that you can keep both hands on the wheel while entertaining your friend over the phone, and a selected Point of Interest destination. An Intel PXA270 520MHz processor runs at the heart of things, aided by 64MB RAM and 64MB ROM. It also comes with a u-blox Antaris 4 SuperSense 3rd generation GPS receiver to keep you on track always. No idea on how much the P'9611 costs nor when will it be available though.

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Panasonic Strada CN-GP50N GPS system

Panasonic has unveiled the Strada CN-GP50N GPS navigation system which will finally make its mark on European shores shortly after the Japan and American launch. What can you expect from the Strada CN-GP50N? How about a 5" widescreen touch sensitive LCD display for starters, followed up by support for 21 languages, Bluetooth connectivity, a JPEG image viewer, and an SD memory card slot? I must say that the vast amount of languages packed inside this makes it superb for driving around in Europe where there is a healthy potpourri of languages. The Panasonic Strada CN-GP50N GPS navigation system will be available in Europe from October onwards, retailing for €400.

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GPS Tracking Devices - Teens Vs Parents, Law Enforcement Vs Invasion Of Privacy

GPS tracking devices have a multitude of uses, the majority of them are mostly beneficial. However, GPS devices sometimes involve privacy issues that can, at times, lead to controversy.

Fleet Vehicles and GPS Tracking Devices

You'll find that there are many companies both large and small that use GPS tracking devices to follow the location of their vehicles. The majority of trucking companies have the capability to tell you where all of their vehicles are at any given point in time. In a similar manner, taxi companies as well as repair companies have the capability to monitor their trucks location so that they can dispatch them in a more efficient manner.

However, there are people that believe this gives the companies who choose to use GPS tracking devices more information than is needed about their drivers. For instance, trucking companies have the capability to know how much time a trucker has spent on the road, when and for what period of time he stops for sleep or meals and if he has taken any unscheduled side trips.

Dispatchers at these companies may be privy to personal information that is none of their business, such as a driver having lunch each day at the same place, and it is not his residence. Some individuals are of the opinion that this constitutes an invasion of personal privacy.

Teens and GPS Tracking Devices

There are some parents who use GPS tracking devices to know the location of their teens. They may download GPS tracking software technology to the mobile phones of their teens, or they may place a GPS tracking device somewhere in their car. The teenagers may or may not be aware that their parents are monitoring them.

There is likely quite a few teens who believe that this is and invasion of their privacy.

GPS Tracking Devices and Surveillance

Does the thought run through your mind if your spouse having an affair? Curious to find out what your brother-in-law is up to? If you place a hidden GPS tracking device on their vehicle, you will at least know where they are going in their car. You may have to come to your own conclusions as to what they are actually doing there.

There are many people who would agree that this would be an invasion of privacy and quite a few would be offended if they either knew or suspected you were tracking them. Things get a little more involved when police use GPS tracking devices.

GPS tracking devices have been used by police to successfully solve crimes. An example of the conflict between serving justice and invasion of privacy; say the police put a GPS tracking device on the car of a person they suspect of being a murderer. They successfully track the the murderer as he unknowingly leads them to the victims grave. Is this an invasion of privacy? Should law enforcement officials be allowed to use GPS tracking devices this way?

If, for instance, the police need to obtain a search warrant from a judge to use a GPS tracking device, should a private citizen be able to use this technology without a warrant? Should the average private citizen even be allowed to use GPS tracking device technology at all? At times the right to privacy and the right to information are in conflict, this is one of those time.

All technology has moral and ethical implications that we as individuals and society as a whole has to grapple with. The right to privacy is the ethical dilemma we are forced to deal with when we use GPS tracking device technology.

Autor: Korbin Newlyn

Listen to Korbin Newlyn as he shares his insights as an expert author and an avid writer in the field of electronics. If you would like to learn more go to GPS Receivers and at GPS Tracking advice.

Added: September 5, 2007
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/

Rogers Wireless adds GPS-equipped BlackBerry Curve 8310

I keep writing about the reasons to blame Canada, and now we have one more reason for doing so. Rogers Wireless just added the new RIM’s baby — GPS receiver equipped BlackBerry Curve 8310 — to its offering and is already selling it for $299.99 CAD with a three-year term agreement after the BlackBerry voice instant rebate on select price plans.

Anyhow, both Canadian business persons and individuals can benefit from the quad-band BlackBerry 8310. The enhanced media capability introduced with the Curve will certainly appeal to both sexes, as well as to both casual and advanced users. Add 2 MP camera, RIM’s standard push-email capability and the full QWERTY keyboard on top of that, and voila… you have a winning device. No 3G, though.

[Via: Boy Genius Report]

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Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• RIM and Vodafone release BlackBerry Curve 8310 with GPS in Germany
• Rogers to carry BlackBerry Curve in Canada
• Rogers Wireless adds Red BlackBerry Pearl
• BlackBerry 8820 coming to UK via Orange
• AT&T and RIM releases the Curve

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Sony unleashes Nav-u GPS

Sony has just unveiled the Nav-u GPS range of devices in Europe that boasts Bluetooth connectivity, enabling you to carry out your conversations while keeping both hands on the wheel in order to avoid any unwanted accidents (that said, who wants accidents in the first place anyway?). Other features include a 4.8" display, live traffic information, and a respectable amount of European maps. The NV-U73T and NV-U53 nav-u personal navigation devices miss out on Bluetooth though, while most of the other specifications remain the same as the Bluetooth-enabled NV-U93T and NV-U83T. The "Gesture Command" is unique as you can simply scribble symbols on the screen that will then be translated to directions home or to a different destination. All four models will arrive in Europe this November, with prices ranging from from 249 to 379 Euros.

Portable GPS Navigator

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Binatone Carrera X350 GPS system

The Binatone Carrera X350 personal navigation system was recently unveiled at the IFA 2007 event in Berlin, sporting a rather slim profile that makes it perfect for use in vehicles as well as pedestrians. Each purchase comes with UK safety camera warnings and has the capability to perform a full UK 7 digit postcode search. Features include a 3.5" color display, 3D map rendering for those who can't decipher 2D maps, and an SD memory card slot for expansion options. It is currently up for grabs for £130 in Europe with no word on whether it will make it's way across the Atlantic.

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www.ubergizmo.com

Samsung i550 Symbian GPS phone

Now this is an interesting phone from Samsung.

- built GPS
- Symbian S60
- 3.2 mega pixel camera
- microSD support
- 128 MB RAM
- 2.6 inch screen
- measures 115�53�13.8mm
- 3.5 mm jack

If it also had TV out and a 5 mega pixel camera then it can compete with the Nokia N95. I also think that the phone looks great, especially in black (it is also available in silver).

Pics from enet

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G66 touch GPS device

GlobalTop has just unveiled the extremely slim Bluetooth GPS receiver known as the G66 touch GPS. This unique device can slip into any shirt pocket comfortably, measuring a mere 0.68cm in thickness with the length and width standing at 7.85cm x 4.97cm respectively. At 30 grams each, your shirt pocket won't sag in an unsightly manner to betray your suave, businessman-like looks. The G66 comes with a trio of LED indicators - red for power/battery charging, blue for Bluetooth connectivity, and green for GPS satellite lock. No idea on how much it costs, but it ought to be some time before it hits store shelves Stateside.

www.ubergizmo.com

Samsung shows off SGH-i550 GPS phone at IFA 2007

What does that new Samsung SGH-i550 GPS phone look like in person? Well, thanks to the handy camera skills of Unwired View, we bring you live shots of the Samsung i550 from IFA 2007.

Quick little rehash before we get to the goods. The Samsung SGH-i550 is a Symbian S60-powered smartphone with 3.6Mbps HSDPA, 3.2 megapixel camera with flash, 2.6 inch display, FM radio, microSD card slot, and of course that integrated GPS module.

Oh, and there’s one aspect of this phone that we missed earlier - there’s a BlackBerry Pearl-esque trackball in place of the d-pad. The trackball reportedly works very well on this phone and makes navigation fast and easy.. There isn’t too much else we could ask for in a smartphone - maybe just a QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen. Otherwise, this thing is a definite thumbs-up for Symbian fans.

Now, on to the good stuff:

Keep reading for more live pics.

Nokia N95, Samsung i620, Samsung i550 (left to right)

Samsung i550, Nokia N95 (top to bottom)

[Via: Unwired View]

Pictures thanks to Unwired View

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Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• Samsung announces i550 with 3.2 megapixel camera - takes cues from Sony Ericsson
• Samsung SGH-F330 shiny, sliding, musicphone beauty unveiled at IFA 2007
• Samsung SGH-i570 Symbian smartphone pictures and details leaked!
• Samsung SGH-707SCII cleared by the FCC
• Samsung's new YouTube Phone - SGH-L760

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Chinese Linux-powered phone with a GPS

It’s quite impressive to watch Chinese handset makers advancing so fast — I guess that’s one of the reasons Nokia and other leading phone brands keep investing in services.

Anyway, this is the first China-made device we’re featuring which doesn’t only sports a GPS receiver, but also runs on top of Linux OS. But there more in this candybar, which measures 110X52X16.5 mm and weighs only 85 grams. Above all, it’s notable to emphasize a decent (nothing too fancy) and unique design (or at least I’m not aware of any similar device), large 2.8″ QVGA 16 million colors touchscreen, 1.3 MP camera which can take both photos and videos (QVGA quality), Bluetooth, DivX-enabled media player, as well as the standard microSD memory slot. Add the price in the equation — which according to my belief will not surpass $300 — and you have a winner, right?

[Via: Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]

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Related Articles at IntoMobile:

• The cheapest GPS phone that you'll never ever get to use
• First Linux phone with GPS navigation
• Leady K3288 - Chinese Communicator?
• Longcheer G300 GPS phone coming to China in April
• Keomo Solar Nemerix 16 Bluetooth GPS receiver

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A Chinese phone with both Linux and GPS

Linux and GPS...I think this is the first I have seen in a Chinese phone. The phone has a simple design...nothing too fancy or colorful which makes it look a bit nice. Here are the specs.

- built in GPS
- 2.8 inch QVGA 16 million colors touchscreen
- Linux OS
- supports DIVX movies
- 1.3 mega pixel camera with QVGA video recording
- microSD support
- bluetooth
- measures 110X52X16.5 mm
- weighs 85 grams

The dimensions are quite average but it is super light. The phone has nice features.





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