Insta GPS

Lockheed Martin Corp recently delivered the 8th and final satellite in the modernized Global Positioning System Block IIR, or GPS IIR-M, production program to the Air Force. The final spacecraft, designated Block IIR-M, was modernized to augment operations and navigation signal performance for military and civilian GPS users throughout the world.

Presently, there are 3 IIR-M spacecrafts on-orbit, in addition to twelve original Block IIR satellites within the overall 30-spacecraft GPS constellation. The company stated the GPS constellation makes available critical situational alertness and precision weapon guidance for the military. The global system is also claimed to give support to a large array of civil, scientific and commercial functions, from air traffic control to the Internet, with precision location and timing information.

Founded on the navigation user range error, which gauges GPS accurateness, the Block IIR satellites allow accurately outfitted users to find out precise time and velocity and global latitude, longitude and altitude to within one meter, noted by the company.

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World’s largest mobile handset maker, Nokia has started shipping its Nokia N series N95 with in-built global positioning system (GPS) capabilities in Europe and Asia.

The N95 mobile phone is a slider phone with 5 megapixel and 30 frames per-second video. It comes with 2.6 inch TFT inch display with 240 x 320 pixel screen resolution and an MP3 music player and a MicroSD card slot. The N95 not only works on high-speed downlink packet access (HSPDA) networks but also wireless LANs, EDGE and WCDMA networks. It is based on Nokia S60 software and the Symbian OS. It has Bluetooth with A2DP, which allows users to leverage wireless stereo headsets as well.

It allows users to record and playback VGA video at 30 fps with digital image stabilization. There’s also a TV out and support for MP3, AAC, M4A, and WMA audio files.

It includes the new Nokia Web Browser with Mini Map for an improved Internet experience. It has an in-built GPS, which allows users to find out directions and search nearby hotels and other service. It comes with about 150 maps for cities worldwide, and city guides and audio tours are sold separately. It also includes RealNetworks Inc.’s RealPlayer and Nokia’s PC Suite software for posting to blogs and to the Flickr.com photo site. The Finnish-phone company, Nokia is shipping the N 95 in Europe and Asia at US$732.

Via: Computer World

CeBIT 2007 seems to offer lot more new GPS navigation systems this season. So far there have been many GPS devices rolled out by different companies with their unique sports or specs. Every time I discuss about a new GPS device that could be from the familiar or unfamiliar company.

So, today also I have got DOTN-430 from SmartNavi, I am sure you must be familiar with this company. The latest DOTN-430 from SmartNavi too have glaring features to attract you, like it consists of a wide 4.3″ TFT LCD touch screen that is claimed to give support to 260K colors and a SiRF Star III GPS receiver.

DOTN-430 sprints on a 300MHz Samsung processor with 64MB RAM, and is capable of giving support upto 1GB in flash ROM. Apart from all that, the additional features of DOTN-430 include support for TMC receiver and hands free bluetooth kit. DOTN-430 also does your media, videos, music, and images. Nothing can be said of its ever availability to Europe or North America, and even no info about its price, but as and when it comes I will let you know.

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NPX’s swGPS technology is not only aimed at making photo location tagging simpler, but the company also makes Mango’s 380 handheld navigation module robust and powerful, by purporting to give enhanced performance and accuratness with software location processing, doing away with the conventional GPS baseband processing chip.

Otherwise, the Magic 380 seems to be rather conventional, with a Samsung touchscreen, stereo audio and an alternate external RDS/TMC unit for real-time traffic and data services. Apparently the swGPS technology let the module to be slimmer than the normal device, however I could not find anything about the dimensions to confirm that, and even there was no word on price or availability either, however Mango was demonstrating this off at the recent CeBIT 2007, so, I don’t think that it will take long time to come on the road.

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Sprint and TeleNav recently came up with some new data plans for TeleNav’s GPS navigation services. By the end of April, you will be provided with unlimited navigation for free, if you’re on Sprint’s $25 “Ultimate” data plan. So, users of Sprint’s $20 Sprint TV data plan can make a call to Sprint to switch to a $20 navigation-based plan now why they are not matching had not been clarified. So, $15 Sprint Vision plan users will have to pay $2.99/day for their GPS nav.

Separately, TeleNav on Sprint phones will from be integrated with traffic-dodging abilities: in the top 50 metro areas in the United States, your phone will let you know at what time you are going to bump into a traffic jam and put forward optional routes around it. That’s rather neat. To make a download and make use of the latest TeleNav, you must be consisted with a GPS-enabled CDMA Sprint phone. Most higher-end models will go with the service, however you can check at TeleNav’s site.

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MyGuide recently demonstrated a brand new GPS navigation system at the recent CeBIT 2007. The latest system known as Splash S with its slim body claims to attract you more, besides boasting of resisting certain environmental factors like shocks, hot, or cold. The product is to be delivered with MyGuide Outdoor navigation software, which can be used but for any streets close by.

MyGuide Splash, built-in with bluetooth interface on board is also claimed to be capable of integrating with your bluetooth-based phone or even get connected to the Internet with the help of your data service. Apart from that the bluetooth is also able to be integrated with an audio device to send voice to a helmet.

Let’s find out its main feature:

(1) 3.5 TFT LCD touch screen at 240×320 pixels resolution (QVGA)
(2) MyGuide Navigator 7 software, a personalized version of iGO 8
(3) Integrated RDS/TMC traffic information receiver
(4) Integrated GPS receiver chip from Centrality
(5) Centrality Atlas II processor at 300 MHz
(6) Music and video player, image viewer
(7) SD/MMC port (supports up to 2 GB)
(8) Hands free Bluetooth Kit
(9) 1000 mAh Li-Ion battery
(10) Bluetooth dial-up network
(11) Stereo Bluetooth Profile
(12) Windows CE.net 5.0
(13) Thickness: 1.1 cm
(14) 1 or 2 GB ROM
(15) 64 MB RAM

There is no detail about its price or the availability, but as and when it comes, I will let you know.

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A leading wireless location services supplier known as AnyTrack Inc, recently came up with the latest AnyTrack GPS-100, a devoted personal GPS tracking device, which is claimed to make use of a grouping of GPS satellites and CDMA networks to compute its location, indoors or outdoors, all through the United States, thereafter it relays its position to AnyTrack’s safe and sound website.

The AnyTrack GPS-100 has been developed to give support to consumers & businesses swiftly and simply locate people and assets by making use of real-time info. Both the unit and wireless tracking service can be availed at anytrack.com, as there is no need of any installation, and the device is touted to have just 2.65 ounces weight.

Where ever you are no matter the latest AnyTrack GPS-100 is to be used virtually anywhere. Besides, you can clip AnyTrack GPS-100 on a belt, tuck AnyTrack GPS-100 in a purse or pocket, or toss AnyTrack GPS-100 in the glove compartment. Also you are able to log onto AnyTrack’s safe and sound website at whatever time to find the device.

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Designer of one of the world’s tiniest and extra low power (GPS) Global Positioning System chips and GPS software, u-Nav Microelectronics recently came up with the deliverance of its new high sensitivity product known as Orion RX2. Orion RX2, in tandem with u-Nav’s 0.18u TSMC CMOS single-die implementation, makes available 20-channel GPS performance achieving industry leading sensitivity levels of -160dBm.

Whilst RX2 has augmented tracking performance, this latest software is also claimed to make available assistance for 2G receiver dynamics as well as has been optimized for navigation and ground track performance under cruel urban canyon conditions.

The new technology has specifically been brought about to aim at the requirements of the personal navigation device market. RX2 has been field tested all through the cities on a global base in tunnels and multi-level highways whilst keeping up strong performance.

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Honda Access Europe N.V has signed a definitive agreement with Garmin, the leading supplier of navigation devices. With this agreement, Garmin will make available compact navigation devices to Honda Access Europe N.V. To be availed for 6 different Honda models of vehicle such as the Honda Civic (3 door and 5 door), Honda Accord Sedan, Honda Accord Tourer and Honda CR-V. The customised units is a custom product with sports, which have specifically been brought about to complement Honda vehicles.

The unit is consisted with a preloaded Honda database thus drivers are all the time allowed to track their nearest dealership and includes a custom dash board attachment with a built-in power supply. There is a distinctive rise for every vehicle dashboard, which stands for no discernible wiring and while the navigation device is detached, a matching cap disjointedly conceals the mount.

The design has been founded on the well-known Garmin nuvi 360, which is integrated with slim- line, handheld casing with European mapping, Bluetooth wireless capabilities as well as a wealth of additional sports. Additionally the customised unit is consisted with a MP3 player, audio book player and picture viewer.

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AT&T Inc. recently came up with the launch of a fully-hosted, on-demand and all-in-one GPS-enabled workforce-management solution for business customers, TeleNav Track from TeleNav, Inc, a reasonably-priced enterprise-grade application for companies of all sizes and is integrated with various sports, like GPS-based location- tracking, wireless time sheets, mileage-tracking, alerts and comprehensive location-reporting to get field data.

A first-class version of TeleNav Track can also be availed with traits like wireless forms, dispatching, barcode- scanning assistance plus voice and on-screen turn-by-turn GPS directions. At first, TeleNav Track can be availed on the latest BlackBerry 8800 & HP iPAQ hw6920 Mobile Communicator, both of which are consisted with built-in GPS. TeleNav Track also boasts of providing enterprise organizations the alternative of complete addition with back-office systems via Web services application programming interface (API) and other connectors.

Jeff Bradley, vice president of AT&T Wireless Business Data Services said,

In today’s competitive marketplace, companies with employees in the field need tools that will assist them in maximizing the productivity of their mobile workforces. TeleNav Track from AT&T is a powerful, yet economical and easy-to-use, wireless location-based services (LBS) solution with a wide range of capabilities that help our customers operate more efficiently, eliminate paperwork and provide a higher level of service to their clients.

Dr. H.P. Jin, TeleNav president, CEO and co-founder said,

TeleNav Track is an easy-to-use GPS solution that organizations of all sizes and in all industries can take advantage of to improve operations. We have developed TeleNav Track to meet the needs of all types of businesses and to leverage wireless technology that organizations already depend on for excellence in communications. Now, AT&T business and government wireless customers have the ability to maximize their mobile services even further.

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