Posts Tagged ‘gps technology’

Portable GPS meets style with the Navman S100

Thursday, January 15th, 2009

navman

So exactly what happens when GPS meets style?  You get the Navman S100, perhaps one of the most stylish portable GPS to date.  The navigational device measures at 13.5 mm thick with a 4.3 inch widescreen.

s100-headerbg-608x408
Another cool feature of the Navman S100, is like other devices, it seems to be taking tips from the iPhone when it comes to screen interaction.  Instead of the user jamming his or her finger repeatedly into the screen, a tap and slide motion can be used to navigate between menu options. This is called Glide Touch from the Pioneering ‘Spirit’ software. You can call it whatever you want, but if you could combine the iPhone and a portable GPS the result would be the Navman s100.

8991-spiritlfhimapcopy

The “Super-flat” widescreen is an indication of a device that is loaded with gps technology.  The Navman s100 has some cool features including Pedestrian mode, geo tagged photos, 3d junction views and land marks, economical routing, MP3 player, and a safety camera.

Via: Navman

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in GPS Reviews | No Comments »

3 GPS Features You Shouldn’t Live Without

Friday, January 2nd, 2009

multiple-gps-in-the-one-car1

Sometimes we buy a GPS system or device and the next day something newer comes out and we could hit ourselves for the lack of research we did which resulted in us purchasing yesterday’s gadget.  However, its 2009 and there are some features that your GPS should have, features that make them worth your money.

Feature 1: Your GPS Should Talk Back and Listen.
Yesterday’s GPS systems talked to you by saying “Hello”, “Turn Left”, and “Destination is to the right”.  However, if you GPS system does not ask you where you want to go and then wait for your answer, then it’s not the best of the best.  Speech-recognition is an important factor to hands free driving and it has to be good.  Some GPS devices do incorporate speech recognition,  but it can be a frustrating experience.  However, today’s speech-recognition has evolved and there are some good options out there.

Feature 2: Your GPS Device Should Stop You From Getting A Ticket
I’ve gotten one recently, and I’m sure you know someone else that has too…the dreaded in the mail ticket because of a red light camera. Sometimes, you forget to yield before turning right on red, however the camera seems to never forget to take your picture.  Today, some GPS devices will give you a warning if you are near a red light camera and that will give you plenty of time to slow down and avoid a ticket.

Feature 3: Your GPS Should Help You Avoid Traffic In Real Time
This is an important feature and an expensive one if you don’t do your homework.  Some GPS devices have real time traffic features already incorporated into the device, however, with some it’s not workable until you buy a receiver which could cost over $200.  Also, most real time traffic features require a subscription fee which can be more affordable, typically $60 to $70 per year. Also, another word of caution, if you don’t want to pay the annual fee you could get real time traffic reporting with advertising flashing across the screen.  That’s a turn off for me; I mean, who would want to be stuck in traffic and forced to watch advertising?

Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in Articles | No Comments »

Wi-Fi and Automative GPS, a Match Made in Heaven

Monday, December 29th, 2008

trafficalert_withmap_2d_270pxRecently a GPS System by AT&T helped the police in St Martin Parish find Charles Lodrigue, a 29 year old who got disorientated when his car struck a utility pole and got lost in the woods. (Source: KATC.com).

It’s a simple story of how important a GPS chip in a cell phone helped save someone’s life.  But exactly how do the authorities locate you in an emergency using your GPS system?  It’s not as simple as it sounds, and surprisingly the technology is fairly new.

We all know about Onstar by GM, a two way communicator that allows you to basically get roadside assistance anywhere and anytime with a push of a button. Combine that technology with a GPS system and you have Dash Express, the first car navigation device that can send data back to a server.  The key phrase here is “send data back to a server”. GPS systems didn’t used to do this until very recently; all they could do was receive data from one end because communicating a location to a tracking center requires more money and a separate service.

In the past GPS tracking systems, cell phones with GPS chips, and personal navigation systems existed, but none of these services and technologies were put into one because customers just cared about getting from the house to the cheapest gas station, or finding that new theatre. However, thanks to crime and theft, consumers now want more when it comes to their GPS systems.

The Dash Express, “the only internet connected automotive GPS”  finally gave consumers an option by incorporating Wi-Fi and a cellular modem into a GPS system.  However, due to privacy issues and other concerns, we still can’t directly tell where a GPS device is.. but the technology is getting closer and help is still on the way.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in GPS News | 1 Comment »