Insta GPS

Earlier there was PogoDrive to drive users crazy with its glaring sports and specs, now here is Pogo Alert to keep the users alert in advance. Of course the latest forward-thinking handheld GPS-based radar detection system from Origin Technologies not only uses one of the most extensive speed camera databases to alert users in advance, but it is also integrated with a highly sensitive infrared laser detector that boasts of providing the full-fledged security against mobile laser based speed traps and safety camera vans.

And yes, the most important thing about Pogo Alert is that the built-in sensitive infrared with it is detachable thus making it possible that if ever the law says no to use them it can be taken off as a result making the users capable of only fall back on GPS satellites and the database. The complete color LCD display measures 1.8″ across and the device itself measures 40 x 60 x 50 mm. Just with the meager cost of £250 inc VAT, the avant-garde Pogo Alert is included with USB2 update lead, dash mount, users guide windscreen mount and a software CD.

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Taiwan-based D-Net International Corp has announced the availability of a bar-type GSM 900/1800MHz, GPRS Class 10 cell phone called the DS607, which sports MPEG-4 and MP3 players, in addition to consisting of a 1.3MP VGA CMOS camera.

Not only this, the latest DS607 is also consisted with a 1.66in 262,000-color 128×160-pixel TFT LCD, and a micro Secure Digital (SD) card slot.

Measured 121.5×36.5×24.5mm without any antenna, the latest DS607 is touted to provide 2hr to 4hr talk time and 90hr to 150hr standby time, as well being built-in with calculator, calendar, reminder, alarm clock and games. The DS807 gives support to WAP1.2, SMS and MMS.

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Leading worldwide in satellite navigation test equipment, Spirent Communications recently launched its GSS7900 GPS/Galileo Simulation System, which boasts of enabling the testing of state-of-the-art multi-system GNSS receivers by giving support to the free-to-use signals from both GPS & Galileo systems. The GSS7900 brings about the RF environment to typify, optimize and authenticate GNSS receivers under exact, controlled and repeatable conditions in the laboratory.

Peter Boulton, technology director at Spirent’s Wireless and Positioning division said,

We pride ourselves on our signal fidelity and the comprehensive capabilities of our test systems.’ ‘Spirent’s innovative approach to correctly modelling the wideband ionospheric dispersion across the Galileo E5 frequencies is one example of this. Our Galileo simulators are currently undergoing formal verification with our official Galileo programme customers.

This latest dual-constellation simulator has been taken from Spirent’s ‘industry standard’ GSS7700 GPS simulator and the GSS7800 Galileo simulator that Spirent brought about in 2006 to give support to the test requirements of the Galileo Ground Mission Segment and Test User Segment programmes. Integrating the latest GSS7900, these test systems, take advantage of Spirent’s flexible and feature-packed SimGEN for Windows software application. SimGEN allows ultra-modern flexibility and has power over simulated parameters and is brought about to make possible a large range of test configurations and results analysis.

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Swiss-based u-blox, the leading manufacture of pioneering GPS receiver technology, is very shortly going to showcase a new AssistNow, u-blox’ end-to-end A-GPS solutions at the 2007 CeBIT trade show in Hanover, Germany. The to be launched end-to-end A-GPS solutions boasts of enhancing receiver performance, allowing instantaneous positioning anywhere, at anytime.

Besides, the forthcoming AssistNow services boasts of making the long waiting times generally related to standard GPS acquisition performance a thing of the past, even in hard signal conditions. The recently launched AssistNow Offline offers assistance data valid for up to 14 days, stored in the GPS receiver, whereby the receiver is allowed to calculate a position instantaneously but for getting to connected to a mobile network at start-up to make a download of the data, as is the case with typical A-GPS services.

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Just two weeks ago RIM (Research In Motion) had rolled out its BlackBerry 8800, but stumbling upon a few details of its next-up model that was leaked recently, it seems that it wants to keep itself busy. Yes, this time too the same company is all set to come up with its latest device known as Daytona that boasts of sporting multimedia tools such as a 2 megapixel camera with flash and a zoom sport controlled by a trackball. Yes, BlackBerry 8300 too has GPS!

Besides the camera and its controls, the BlackBerry 8300 also purportedly boasts of an enhanced speaker and media management software. It’s obvious that RIM is pushing hard to make sure that they should have a device that vies well against more featured-packed smartphone offerings.

Here RIM does sound good to rise above only being competitive though, by integrating built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. Though there is no official acknowledgment by RIM so far, however the leak points to a launch in May/June on the Vodafone network in Europe.

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Not willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a stand-alone navigation system? Or not willing to handle additional wires and batteries in your car? Don’t worry, here we have VZ Navigator from Verizon that claims to get you rid of all that is not wanted by you. Yes, all that you need to have is just a compatible phone, a data plan and obviously a place to go. The service is available at just $3 per day, or if you want to avail unlimited use you will have to pay $10 per month.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 by the review at pcmag.com, the Verizon VZ Navigator service (cell phone-based navigation) differs from that utilized by a dedicated GPS device sitting on your dashboard. First, it makes use of triangulation from cell towers to set your position, not a satellite fix, which means that trusts in your cellular service.

As I told you above if you want to make more out of this service, you must have a phone integrating with a complete QWERTY keyboard and large screen. Moreover if we talk about its pros and cons: the pros are its price, text-to-speech feature, and at all times up-to-date maps and POI database, while the cons are its lack of traffic info, 3D rendering, and no doubt it relies on cell phone coverage to locate position. Given below is a listing of the compatible phones that are needed to have to avail this service, check them out and use the service.

(1) Motorola V325, V325i, MOTOKRZR K1m, RAZR V3c w/LBS, RAZR V3m
(2) Samsung SCH-a930, SCH-a870, SCH-a990, SCH-u740
(3) LG VX5300, VX8300, Chocolate, VX8600, enV, the V
(4) VZW G’zOne Type-V
(5) Kyocera K323
(6) Nokia 6315i

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A Germany-based leading developer of navigation software solutions well known as Navigon AG recently announced to showcase its two own-brand GPS (global positioning system) handheld navigation devices (PNDs) at 2007 CeBIT, which is going to take place in Hannover, Germany, from March 15-21.

While Taiwan-based OEM manufacturer Mitac will show off its two latest models. Navigon has been in collaboration with Taiwan based hardware manufacturers to make its navigation software available to second-tier and smaller brand PNDs plus purveyors of GPS handsets.

As maintained by the sources, the world’s largest GPS PND brand, TomTom has also been expanding its own-brand marketing into GPS handsets and escalating self-supply of navigation software, not just by fetching rising demands on Navigon but as well lessening business opportunities for the company, which is supposed to be the main reason behind Navigon’s debuting into hardware.

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ALK Technologies has come up with version 10 of CoPilot Live for laptops & ultra mobile computers. This updated GPS navigation system, besides sporting a brilliant 3D map display, also boasts of providing spoken turn-by-turn directions to any address in U.S or Canada.

The ultra-modern version10 of CoPilot Live is integrated with major map data updates like more than 6 million latest points of interest (POIs), including points data from ALK and InfoUSA. Not only there is also the addition of quite a few new user-suggested functions, combining the capability of steering clear of an entire road all the way through a state.

The integrated map data has been updated for new roads, addresses and ZIP codes, integrating a few 750,000 miles of updated roads, over 60,000 miles of new roads and more than 100 million addresses. The unit is also combined with over 7 million miles of roadway all in all.

Besides the updated CoPilot Live | Laptop 10 is also consisted with sophisticated text to speech technology, which brags to voice full road names. The software is also based on real-time traffic countrywide and makes toll road alerts available.

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MiTAC recently announced to have signed a definitive agreement with Brunswick Corporation to acquire their Brunswick New Technologies (BNT) handheld navigation device business, well known as Navman. With the acquisition of BNT’s handheld navigation business, MiTAC will be consolidated as a primary player in the PND industry. Under the umbrella of MiTAC, the operations of the Navman brand will be kept free from its own Mio DigiWalker brand.

Billy Ho, MiTAC International Corporation president, said,

MiTAC and Navman are quite complementary in terms of their occupation and marketing channels in different markets.” “The acquisition brings together two companies with established competencies in the development of PNDs and will enhance MiTAC’s ability to bring innovative and cutting-edge portable navigation solutions to the marketplace.

Integrating BNT’s extensive experience in the growth of user-friendly PNDs and its recognized worldwide sales and distribution networks with MiTAC’s strengths in manufacturing and R&D, the acquisition is claimed to bring about a strategic joint venture that sets off the strengths of both companies.

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Here it comes again, yes this time too I have TomTom to talk about, within a short span of time I have discussed three next-up GPS by TomTom and it is going to rock the world of GPS. So, here comes the TomTom Go 715 after the TomTom DUO and the TomTom ONE XL.

With the leaked sports and specs of the latest Go 715 through the FCC, it is learnt that similar to its predecessor the TomTom GO 710, it is also going to come with Bluetooth functionality for hands free calling but what seems to be a new sport in the latest unit is that it is consisted of a SIM card slot that boasts of enabling users to give calls and send text messages for the 715 itself.

While going via the written manual I got to know that Go 715 is an upgrade, which has primarily been targeted at the business market with built-in software that boasts of enabling the user to receive and manage orders and to exchange words with his/her office of the status of the orders. No info of the price so far, but as and when it will come, I will let you know...keep reading.

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