GPS information

NAVTEQ and STMicroelectronics have teamed up to take automotive GPS to the next level. By combining ST’s GPS technology with NAVTEQ’s ADAS road geometry, topology, and information like speed limits or lane numbers, the company has created a low-cost, credit card-sized module called a Map and Positioning Engine (MPE). Installed in a vehicle’s Controller Area Network bus or other electronic control system, the MPE can predict useful information such as the optimal speed to negotiate a curve, best gear to take on a slope, and even be integrated into other vehicle systems so, for instance, the headlights can automatically turn to point in the direction of the curve before it starts. The MPE module can be used by developers to create all kinds of applications that enhance safety, vehicular useability and driver awareness, completely independent of the in-car navigation system.

via gpsdaily

Magellan Maestro, the new line of GPS Systems by Magellan that will include three models, the Maestro 4000, 4040 and 4050 is now official. Although the product information are not live yet on Magellan’s site they issued a press release announcing them with suggested retail prices of $399.99, $499.99 and $699.99 respectively and an expected shipping date of April 1st for the 4000 and 4040 while the Maestro 4050 should start shipping in North America sometime this May. You can Read the press release below:
Magellan, creators of the Hertz® NeverLost® and a leading global innovator of outdoor and vehicle navigation solutions, announced today the introduction of the Maestro series of three new portable vehicle navigation devices offering drivers the best design and navigation experience available. As a result of a partnership with AAA, (American Automobile Association), the new Magellan Maestro 4000, Maestro 4040 and Maestro 4050 are the only car navigation solutions to offer the North American public access to integrated AAA TourBook® travel information and member roadside assistance details. In addition, the Maestro 4050 is the first portable vehicle navigation device to offer drivers the convenience of voice command capabilities. The new Maestro series offers enhanced functions and features — from a newly designed user interface and a 4.3” WQVGA touch screen for better ease of use and visibility, to Bluetooth hands-free calling capabilities to minimize driver distractions and real-time traffic services to help drivers reach their destination faster — so every driver will find a solution that best meets their navigation needs.

To provide customers with the best portable navigation experience, Magellan’s latest generation of turn-by-turn, voice-prompted portable vehicle navigation devices are newly designed inside and out to usher in a thin, sleek style with a 4.3” WQVGA full-color, anti-glare touch screen plus refined functionality that’s destined to set a new standard. The Maestro 4000, 4040 and 4050 offer the most simplified, intuitive user interface designed to require minimal key strokes. The clutter-free menu and map screens feature stylish icons and map graphics that are clear, crisp and easy for drivers to see in all lighting, with Menu icons that are prioritized so drivers have faster access to the features they use most.

Offering customers the benefit of Magellan’s superior navigation expertise combined with AAA’s premium content and services is another significant step toward further differentiating Magellan navigation devices and increasing the company’s future success in the fast-growing GPS market.

“The success of personal navigation solutions will continue to grow in 2007, but companies must focus on adding new functionality and valuable content to avoid market commoditization,” says Thilo Koslowski, Vice President and Lead Automotive Analyst at Gartner. “Successful navigation solutions in the future must provide a flawless navigation experience and at the same time offer compelling content and services that provide daily relevance to users.”

“The Magellan Maestro devices are more than reliable tools for drivers, they are the portable car navigation solutions that drivers really want,” said Christian Bubenheim, vice president of product marketing for Magellan. “We’re building on superior utility with a new design and appeal that extends to broader markets. The Maestro series is fast, easy and intuitive. And thanks to the AAA partnership, the Maestro series also makes trip planning and traveling easier, less stressful and possibly more affordable, while also providing unique AAA member benefits.”

AAA TourBook® Travel Information, Roadside Assistance Details, Show Your Card & Save® Locations and More

Drivers gain access to North America’s most trusted source for trip planning information through searchable AAA TourBook® listings, including AAA Diamond Rated Restaurants and Accommodations, Show Your Card & Save® Locations for member discounts, Approved Auto Repair Facilities, Attractions, Events, Campgrounds, Cities and AAA Branch Office locations. The Maestro series also provides AAA member roadside assistance details that show your exact location and provides the AAA member toll-free help number. Bluetooth-enabled Maestro devices will connect the driver’s Bluetooth-enabled cell phone directly to AAA for immediate help when AAA members need it most.

Maestro 4050 – First Voice-Command GPS, Real-Time Traffic, Bluetooth, Advanced Voice Routing and AAA TourBook® Travel Information

Available only in North America this May at US $699.99, the Maestro 4050 delivers the newest advancements in voice recognition capabilities so drivers can control the device and route to their destination using voice commands. It also provides real-time traffic alerts, Bluetooth hands-free phone calling capabilities and advanced voiced routing directions via Magellan’s SayWhere™ text-to-speech function, which audibly announces street names so drivers can be confident in preparing for upcoming maneuvers.

The Maestro 4050 includes a free three-month trial subscription for real-time traffic services with the included Magellan TrafficKit™, the first completely integrated, portable real-time traffic solution with a no-fuss, wire-free design for neat and easy installation. The receiver attaches as a cradle with a simple click to help drivers avoid traffic delays with incident alerts and rerouting.

Ready to use out of the box, the Maestro 4050 is preloaded with full coverage maps of the 50 United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. It also contains AAA TourBook® travel information and member roadside assistance details plus a database of millions of additional points of interest (POI) like ATMs, gas stations and more to help drivers find what they need wherever they are, even in unfamiliar areas. The Maestro 4050’s Bluetooth capabilities make it possible for drivers to be connected to a business from the POI listings with a hands-free phone call once the POI is selected.

Maestro 4040 – Combines AAA TourBook® Travel Information, Bluetooth, Text-to-Speech and Upgrade Options

Available in North America April 1st at just $499.99 US, the Magellan Maestro 4040 features Bluetooth hands-free phone calling functionality with advanced SayWhere™ text-to-speech voiced routing directions. The Maestro 4040 also provides preloaded maps of the 50 United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, AAA TourBook® travel information and member roadside assistance details, plus an expanded POI database containing millions of business and service listings. Upgrade options will allow drivers to add real-time traffic services.

The Maestro 4000 – AAA TourBook® Travel Information, Roadside Assistance Details and More

Available April 1st in North America at US $399.99, the Maestro 4000 provides voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions with preloaded maps of the 48 contiguous United States, AAA TourBook® travel information and member roadside assistance details, plus an additional database of nearly two million points of interest.

All new Maestro 4000 series models feature:

* SiRF Star III GPS chips for fast position fix and reliable satellite acquisition
* Integrated antenna and battery for added portability and cord-free operation in or away from the car
* SmartDetour™ feature to help drivers route around freeway traffic
* QuickSpell® for fast data entry by reducing keystrokes as it checks spelling
* Searchable points of interest (POI) database for finding and routing to businesses and services like gas stations, ATMs, hotels, restaurants, airports and more. Listings include a phone number, address and the travel distance.
* Exit POIs conveniently list gas stations, lodging and restaurants at exits so drivers can plan stops in advance.
* Trip Planning provides multi-destination routing when drivers need to make several stops – up to 20 destinations

Each of the new Maestro products ship with a windshield mount and cradle, a cigarette lighter adapter, protective pouch, A/C power adapter, USB data cable and an adhesive disk for dash mounting. For additional accessories, including cases, pouches and additional mounting options, visit www.magellanGPS.com.

batteries and notebook components

Another new GPS System by TomTom has leaked through the FCC. This Time it’s the TomTom Go 715 after the TomTom DUO and the TomTom ONE XL. Like it’s predecessor the TomTom GO 710 it sports Bluetooth functionality for hands free calling but what appears to be a new feature is that it has a SIM card slot that will allow users to make calls and send text messages for the 715 itself. By looking at the manual it appears that the 715 is an upgrade mainly targeted at the business market with software that allows the user to receive and manage orders and to communicate with his office about the status of the orders. I guess we will have to wait until the CeBIT to see if these new model will be a replacement of the 710 or just an addition model targeting mostly the business part of the market.

I was pretty psyched back in August when the Google Gears Geolocation API was launched, at the time aimed at Windows Mobile browsers, enabling a location-fix so contextually relevant information could be delivered to you. The first release could either use your mobile’s GPS or cell tower triangulation to find your location, and was further enhanced last month with Search with My Location providing locally relevant search results without having to manually input your whereabouts.

Things just got a helluva lot more exciting though. The Geolocation API has been further advanced so it can find your location within 200 meters in desktop browsers, with Wi-Fi location so you can also implement on your laptop. It works with all of the major desktop browsers including Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox and in the near future Opera. Google says that once Firefox 3.1 is released it’ll have the API built-in, which makes me wonder if Firefox has decided to use the Geolocation API from Google as their back-end location provider.

This doesn’t make sense to me though, as the Firefox 3.1 beta 1 just released, doesn’t even have Mozilla’s Geode functionality built-in. The company isn’t even sure if it will build location awareness into 3.1 or just provide support for W3C’s Geolocation API specifications via add-on’s.

Even if it’s not built-in directly, there’ll be a plug-in, something that’ll be required for all browsers except Chrome and Android.

For privacy reasons, the Gears Location API server doesn’t record your location, but if you allow third-party sites to access that data (and you can opt-on or out everytime) than they likely will. So be careful is privacy is a concern for you.

It’s interesting though that Geode finds my location to within a few meters. If you look at my location as determined by Geode on Google’s satellite map view you’ll actually see the roof of the apartment building I live in. Users that have tested the new Google Geolocation API have commonly said that it regularly misses them by 24-25 miles which can be useless when trying to deliver local or contextually relevant content.