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Satellite Navigation
EU launches free EGNOS satnav system
By Darren Quick
20:49 October 5, 2009 PDT
The European Commission has announced the official start of operations of the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS), a satellite based augmentation system (SBAS) that improves the accuracy of the current US Global Positioning System (GPS) and Russian GLONASS system signals from about ten meters to two meters. Like the U.S. GPS, the EGNOS Open Service is accessible free of charge to any user equipped with a GPS/SBAS compatible receiver within the EGNOS coverage area, which includes most European states and has the built-in capability to be extended to other regions, such as North Africa and EU neighboring countries. Most receivers sold today in Europe meet that requirement. Read More
Homer Simpson tells you where to go
By Darren Quick
21:10 June 23, 2009 PDT
While the Knight Rider GPS by Mio lets drivers live out their boyhood fantasies, it may also bring on a slight superiority complex thanks to the refined tones of William Daniels. TomTom users won’t have that problem now that iconic cartoon everyman Homer Simpson is onboard to guide them to the nearest bar or donut shop. Read More
The search for the best ideas in satellite navigation
By Mike Hanlon
16:13 April 30, 2009 PDT
The Sixth European Satellite Competition is an annual search for the best application ideas for satellite navigation. In recent years, the winning innovations have included a rescue system for persons who have fallen overboard at sea; a mobile, GPS-supported social network; a mobile phone-based guidance system that aids more economical driving; a remote monitoring system for recovering heart patients; a Web 2.0 platform that delivers location-based videos in real time; and a flood prediction system. It's not quite American Idol for entrepreneurs, but there are many similarities. Apart from the monetary prize, success in the competition paves the way to market for your talents, with significant partners. Entries open May 1. Read More
Nextar adds to SNAP GPS line
By Darren Quick
01:56 October 30, 2008 PDT
Nextar has added two new models to its SNAP line of GPS systems. Joining the 3.5" SNAP3, the 5” SNAP5 and 7” SNAP7 both feature touch-screen displays, built-in stereo speakers, Nextar’s magnetic docking station, text-to-speech (English) technology and both are only 0.7” thick. All models come with a 2GB SD card offering maps of the entire US and all of Canada. Read More
Paris round-up: Nissan's compact future
By Darren Quick
23:44 October 26, 2008 PDT
In addition to the futuristic Nuvu concept car premiered in Paris, Nissan also provided a taste of what's in store for the more immediate future with the new Pixo - a five-door, four-seater that boasts very low fuel consumption and emissions - a revised version of the Note compact car and the introduction of an all-new combined satellite nav and infotainment system known as Nissan Connect. Read More
Knight Rider GPS by Mio lets you K.I.T.T. out your car
By Darren Quick
23:16 July 10, 2008 PDT
Always wanted to live out a “Hoff” fantasy - no, not drunkenly try to eat a hamburger, but rather driving around with the dulcet tones of K.I.T.T. riding shotgun? Well now thanks to the portable GPS navigation device maker Mio you can become a lone crusader and take a shadowy flight into the world of a man who does not exist. The Knight Rider GPS by Mio includes exclusive voice guidance and turn-by-turn directions featuring the original voice of K.I.T.T., William Daniels as well as a Knight Industries-approved LED display. Read More
TRAX Series portable car navigation systems offer 360 degree, 3D view
By Darren Quick
19:37 May 26, 2008 PDT
May 27, 2008 Uniden's new TRAX Series GPS units feature 360 Degree 3D "Landmark Technology" which shows key landmarks in 3D from any angle including a ‘fly around’ 360 degree mode. In major metropolitan areas elevated city maps, contours and rises on the road are also represented in 3D from any angle. The TRAX Series also include Text to Speech with Spoken Street Names and, as with Uniden’s previous releases, some models also include integrated Bluetooth capabilities to deliver hands-free mobile phone communication via the unit. The high definition, LCD touch screens are non-reflective for easier viewing and there is also an automatic day/night mode. Read More
TomTom unveils new car navigation products
By Darren Quick
04:16 May 5, 2008 PDT
May 5, 2008 Portable navigation solutions provider TomTom has announced their latest car navigation products – the TomTom ONE and TomTom XL which supersede the current TomTom ONE 3RD EDITION and TomTom ONE XL ranges. The new TomTom ONE comes with a 3.5 inch touch screen LCD, while the TomTom XL boasts a 4.3 inch widescreen LCD, for those who prefer a larger display. The new devices also come with a revised audio system and a completely redesigned body, including a folding mount. This new windshield mount, known as the EasyPort mount, can be left on the device and folded flat after use. The complete unit, including the mount, is then small enough to fit into a shirt pocket, bag or pocket when the driver leaves the vehicle. Read More
A satellite-navigated history lesson
18:26 December 6, 2007 PST
December 7, 2007 Sick of leafing through travel guides planning your next tour? Now you can be informed about hundreds of historical sites without leaving the comfort of your car. Inspired by hand-held audio guides, the RoadTour SatNav application marries GPS functionality with a lesson in history, alerting drivers to places of historical interest as they motor through the countryside. Read More
Peugeot upgrades its in-dash audio/visual/navigation system
By Loz Blain
21:30 November 26, 2007 PST
November 27, 2007 Peugeot has announced an upgrade to its audio/visual/navigation system. The RT4 Multimedia system, launching shortly on selected 207 models throughout the UK, features a road-proof 30GB hard drive for up to 180 hours of MP3 music tracks, pictures and videos, as well as full color satellite navigation with mapping covering Western Europe and the TMC traffic information system. Happily, it's also significantly cheaper than its predecessor. Read More
Volvo cleans-up in car portable satellite navigation
16:48 November 21, 2007 PST
November 22, 2007 In an effort to introduce portable satellite navigation without the clutter of wires or the use of unsightly suction cups, Volvo has developed a new mounting bracket for Garmin’s latest satellite navigation unit that can be fitted to all new Volvo cars. Read More
50th anniversary of Sputnik satellite launch
06:34 October 4, 2007 PDT
October 4, 2007 Today marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Sputnik satellite. Even half a century on, the impact of the October 4th 1957 launch that saw the Soviet Union’s satellite became the first to be put into orbit still resonates as a momentous achievement in the history of human endeavor. Considered the first real blow in the "Space race" between the USSR and the USA, the launch provided the springboard for an exciting period of space exploration carried out by the two countries. Read More
Magellan releases next-generation GPS navigation systems
By Loz Blain
00:51 September 6, 2007 PDT
September 6, 2007 In-car GPS navigation systems are marvellous pieces of technology, going far beyond the simple but fundamentally useful ability to give accurate directions to a destination. Magellan’s latest release units are designed to guide you safely around backed-up traffic and accident sites, tell you where the nearest coffee shop is, and even act as a Bluetooth hands-free kit for your mobile phone. Read More
Google Local Search now available in BMW navigation systems
By Loz Blain
07:44 September 4, 2007 PDT
September 4, 2007 BMW has announced it’s enriching its ConnectedDrive in-car navigation system with a direct hookup to Google's Local Search. The console on your Beemer will soon be a virtual Yellow Pages that lets you search for businesses, restaurants and places of interest, then select one and have it automatically entered into your GPS nav system as a destination. Read More
windykites1
- November 24, 2009 @ 19:38 UTC
