Samsung Mango Uses Glonass To Improve Positioning Accuracy

Just yesterday we were talking about Qualcomm’s ‘dual satellite’ receivers that worked both with GPS and GLONASS satellites. Today we hear that Samsung now has an High Fidelity Position app which improves satellite positioning on Windows Mango devices. One of the things this app does is to give the user the option to “Use Sensor Aiding” which will use data coming from the gyro sensor and the electronic compass. The second thing is the option to turn on GLONASS capability in which case it will start listening for Russian satellites for a position fix.

I guess you don’t have to wait until next year to get your hands on some GLONASS power.

Brought to you by your GPS navigation site NaviGadget.

Tomtom Go Live 1535m Is Really Connected

TomTom just announced a social media enabled GPS navigation device called TomTom Go Live 1535M. This is possibly one of the most connected standalone GPS device out there so far. Take the Twitter app for example which lets the driver to tweet their location with ETA (estimated time of arrival) for his/her followers. The connected services – which are provided through AT&T are free for the first year and include Google Local Search, weather forecasts, Yelp, TripAdvisor, and also Expedia. After the first year the connected services will cost $60/year. Speaking of pricing, the device itself will set you back $250 when it comes out in October.

Some other features and hardware specs for the TomTom Go Live 1535M include the 5″ touchscreen display, bluetooth hands free calling, text-to-speech, voice recognition, land guidance, lifetime map updates, and the TomTom HD traffic.

Source site NaviGadget.

Qstarz Gps Sports Recorder (bt-q1300st) And Qsports Software Review

OVERVIEW:
If you are an endurance workout junkie, this is the perfect tool for you. Lightweight, easy to use, with multi-functional software, the QStarz GPS Sports Recorder and its associated QSports program allow you to track your routes and your progress throughout your training regimen. The GPS unit itself is compact and simple, but the software provides the user with a gold-mine of information related to health, fitness progress, and workout details.

GPS UNIT:
The data logger itself is straight-forward to use. The included instructions describe what each light means, but the take-home message is that pressing and holding the main button will achieve any functionality that you need. The only drawback to this design that I encountered had to do with the brightness of the indicator lights. In the glaring sunlight, it was sometimes tough to see if the GPS was in fact tracking, data logger was active, etc. Simply shading the unit alleviates the issue.

When you first download and install the Qsports software, you must plug your data logger into the computer using the USB cable included with the unit. Leave the unit plugged in for the specified amount of time (included in software instructions) to charge the battery for use. Once the software recognizes the data logger, the first thing you should do is configure the GPS unit using the button highlighted below.

At this point, determine what activity that you’ll be using the GPS device to track. Runners, hikers, and cyclists will all want slightly different settings, and these will even vary by athlete. You can use the default settings to require the GPS to log a data point at specific time intervals, or customize to your liking. As I used this to track running routes in Phoenix’s South Mountain park trails, I selected the running setting. The default ‘running’ setting logs every 5 seconds, which works perfectly for most runners. Since South Mountain trails can be sinewy and full of switch-backs, I changed the setting to log every 3 seconds to achieve even finer “accuracy” of my routes. Make sure to play around with the options and become familiar with all setting to determine which might best for your workout. There’s really no “wrong answer” here.

Also, be sure to set your User Profile at the bottom with height, weight, and age, which assists the tools under the Health Management tab.

After configuration, the GPS is ready to take into the field. I used the arm-band that came with the device; a “standard” runners’ armband. Even in the mid-90s dry, desert weather that I encountered, the band was quite comfortable. Before starting on my runs, I’d make sure the GPS signal indicator was recording my position, along with the data logger. I never waited more than five (5) minutes for a signal lock, allowing me plenty of time to stretch and prepare my gear without having to wait for the GPS to achieve a signal.

Keep in mind that this GPS has no interface that displays real-time data. Some runners prefer having the GPS devices which show speed, location, etc. on the fly. If you prefer having constant updates during your workout, I suggest wearing a watch in addition to the GPS data logger. Personally, I’m a runner that prefers to minimize electronic gadgetry, particularly on trail runs. Too often, I would find myself looking at my watch and other instruments while working out, instead of paying attention to how my body reacts during workouts. For this reason, the GPS suited me perfectly. This is strictly personal preference, though.

Battery life never became an issue on my runs. Some of my longer trails runs would range between 90 and 120 minutes. So long as I charged the battery before each long run, I could track the entire workout without issue.

The GPS data logger does include Bluetooth functionality, but I did not interact with this functionality, as I do not own any Bluetooth devices. I guess that means I’m behind the times in some regards…

Finally, regarding the GPS’ accuracy, I found the positional accuracy to be comparable to a Garmin unit. Certainly for the purposes of tracking a workout, the accuracy of data on the QSports software’s Google Maps interface was impressive.

QSPORTS SOFTWARE

This feature is truly where the strength of this purchase lies. After returning home, I could plug my GPS back into the computer and view my workout across the Google Maps interface, and view the vital statistics (the software comes with the Google Maps map, satellite, and terrain views). Downloading your track from the device to the software requires plugging the USB cord back into the data logger and choosing the “Import Wizard” function in the QSports software interface. Once the track is uploaded, each data point logged in the field will show two attributes of interest at the time (choose from speed, altitude, distance, time acceleration, total ascent, and SRTM elevation). **Note SRTM refers to shuttle-collected elevation data, which will produce slightly different elevation values in some locations**

The three basic tabs (Summary, Graph, and Play) comprise the ‘Activities View’ window. Summary tab shows the basics: total time, moving time, distance, moving speed, elevation gain, and calories burned. The subfields of Time, Distance, Speed, and Elevation offer more detail. The graph tab offers up the information at each logged data point, as described above. The Play tab is a playback of your total route, with each logged data point serving as a point of reference (see below). This allowed me to see places in my runs where I slowed or accelerated.

Above is example of data accuracy taken outside my office in Phoenix, AZ. I was standing precisely there when I activated the data logger

The Statistics tab lets you track all workouts in monthly, weekly, or daily increments to see spikes or dips in your training time, which is handy to compare against recommended training plans.

The plethora of data and statistics available to the runner, cyclist, hiker, or any endurance athlete makes this a useful training tool. Short-term and long-term workout analysis are available to those using the QSports software. I would highly recommend the QStarz GPS Sports Recorder (BT-Q1300ST) and QSports software for any and all endurance athletes.

Source NaviGadget

Tomtom Go Live 800

TomTom – one of the few names in Europe for standalone GPS navigation systems – just announced their connected Go Live 800 series. So far the series consist of Go Live 820 which has a 4.3″ screen and the Go Live 825 with 5″ screen.

The new Go Live 800 series offer bluetooth connectivity for safety so you can go handsfree, and even voice command recognition. As far as connected services you’ve got weather forecasts, local search, speed camera database warnings, and HD Traffic of course.

The price isn’t too bad. For Go Live 825 look into spending about £230. Price for Go Live 820 hasn’t been announced yet. They should hit the market sometime around September this year.

Brought to you by your TomTom Go Live 800

Garmin Nulink 2390

Garmin nuLink 2390 just made it through FCC regulations meaning it should be hitting store shelves relatively soon. The device features a 4.3″ screen and has various connectivity options. It has been approved for couple of frequencies (namely 850 and 1900 Mhz) which means you can get data services and do things like Google Local search, see other Garmin controlled Live services, get traffic updates, etc. etc.

It can also connect to your phone using bluetooth, and can turn voice into commands.

The new nuLink 2390 already has an availability date for Europe but not for U.S. yet.

Posted site NaviGadget.

Garmin nuLink 2390

Google Introduces Google Tv

On the second day of the I/O developer conference Google unveiled Google TV, internet-enabled platform that will be available as early as this fall on devices offered by Sony and Logitech.

While Sony will be selling HDTVs and Bluray players with GTV capabalities, Logitech will offer devices that will be connected to existing hardware. No pricing was revealed, but all three devices will be available at BestBuy. In addition Google TV will be integrated with Dish Network.

Along with all the cool features viewers will be able to use a special remote control and browse for upcoming TV shows, view more information online, schedule for future DVR recording or watch previous episodes on Hulu or Amazon. In addition a translation service will be available to translate LIVE TV captions in any language.

Another applouded feature is the ability to use your Android phone as a remote or speak to your device the search queries displayed on the screen.

The devices from Sony and Logitech will use a specialized version of the popular Atom processor which will be optimized for TV viewing. The integrated browser is Chrome and initialy the operating system will be powered by Android 2.1 later on to be updated to the newly introduced Android 2.2.

Most Android apps should work with the service and the source code and APIs will be released in early 2011.

New Glonass/gps Receiver From Skytraq

SkyTraq from Taiwan just came out with S4554 GNS-LP, a new low power GLONASS and GPS receiver. This new chip can track 88 satellites at once and has a 29 second cold start TTFF (time to first fix). Once locked in it can work with signals at -159dBm, and -145dBm when cold starting.

S4554GNS-LP is quite flexible; it supports GPS-only, GLONASS-only, and GLONASS + GPS modes. It embeds a dedicated search engine which is capable of performing 10 million time-frequency hypothesis testing per second. It can operate in temperature ranges from -40 to +85 C… via

Brought to you by your GPS navigation site

Sony Hx9v Gets Gps

Sony just made official the new 16.2MP Cyber-shot digital still camera called Sony HX9V. DSC-HX9V offers a high-performance G Lens with 16x optical zoom with 24mm wide angle. The camera allows for creating 3D content either in 3D Sweep Panorama mode or the 3D Still Image mode. In this mode, the camera takes two consecutive shots in different focus positions to calculate the depths, and then it creates left-eye and right-eye images to produce a 3D effect.

But better than the fake 3D feature Sony HX9V offers GPS/Compass which should become useful on your travel and holidays. The embedded GPS receiver along with the e-compass will capture your location and even shooting direction and lets you view them overlayed onto a map from your PC.

The HX9V replaces the HX5V which we mentioned in our best GPS digital camera article (getting an update soon).

HX9V will be available in April but you can preorder starting in February. DSC-HX9V will cost $350.

Brought to you by your GPS navigation site

Into The Blue

From elementary school on, children and adults alike display a fascination with paper airplanes. There’s something about the ability to build a flying machine with nothing more than two hands and a piece of paper that ignites the imagination, leading to some really fantastic creations. While most people limit their paper plane construction to simple projects constructed during idle moments, some take the hobby much further. One of the most daring paper plane projects is set to launch this summer in the United Kingdom. The aircraft will be carried aloft by a weather balloon with a GPS tracking unit attached and then released remotely, with the intention of setting the record for the longest paper plane flight in history.

The GPS tracking device carried by the Vulture 1, as the plane has been dubbed, will send signals every couple of minutes to a computer, allowing viewers to watch the plane’s progress and also to locate it once it has reached the ground. Dedicated plane watchers can follow the flight in real time via their computers as the GPS unit sends each signal rather than waiting for a complete report at the end of the flight.

The masterminds of the project have already given their GPS tracking unit its first test run by carrying it in a vehicle through some remote parts of the country, with outstanding results. Despite traveling through various terrains, the GPS tracking unit continued to transmit and produced an accurate log of its travels. The technology works by sending a signal from the transmitter to a computer and then plotting the unit’s location at each transmission on a map. As launch day approaches, fans of the project can expect a progress map that reports location at each transmission accurately within a few feet.

While most of us will never send a paper plane launching into the sky with a GPS tracking unit attached, still, almost everyone can benefit from the technology that will be carried by the plane. GPS tracking devices can assist in care for the elderly, keep children safe, protect your vehicle, monitor criminals on parole, and keep an eye on the family pet. They provide a measure of safety and peace of mind that can’t be achieved any other way, since they provide another pair of eyes to watch out for the people and things you care about most when you can’t be there.

Into the Blue is a post from: GPS Obsessed

Performance Of Duty With Gps Tracking

Day and night, police officers defend the public against threats to order, safety, and decency. Knowing that an officer routinely patrols your neighborhood or the streets around your workplace provides a sense of well-being and an assurance that someone watches and follows up on any suspicious activity taking place. But what if that officer sat in his car all night instead of monitoring his assigned route? What if he reported that he performed his duty, but in fact did not? And what if the body of your loved one went unnoticed and unreported because that police officer failed in the performance of his duty?

That’s exactly what happened to a family in Cleveland. When suspicions were aroused that two officers were not doing the work they reported, their superiors took a look at records from a GPS tracking device installed on their car. The device showed that not only did the officers remain stationary for most of their shift, but also that their response to a report of a body proved unsatisfactory. Their assessment of a woman’s body as a deer left a family without information for longer than necessary.

While most police cars have a GPS tracking device installed, not only departments use the information gained from those devices effectively. With the information received from the device, someone can monitor not only the location but also the speed and direction of each car on the road and can determine whether a car sits idle for too long or does not complete its assigned route. With this knowledge, department personnel can keep officers accountable to their superiors and to the taxpayers for performing the duties expected of them to keep citizens safe.

Many companies install a GPS tracking device in each fleet vehicle so that they can monitor their employees’ movements throughout the day as well as determine whether they operate vehicles efficiently. Idle time, speed and routes can all be monitored by the GPS tracking device and can make a difference in fuel consumption. Smart driving can save a company thousands of dollars each year in fuel costs over less efficient vehicle operation.

While most employees on the police force and in other job situations are honest workers, the few bad apples make GPS tracking a good idea for all employers. Even one mistake like the one made by the Cleveland police officers is cause for concern on the part of superiors and citizens. With GPS tracking, managers can make sure repeat incidents don’t occur and that employees are performing the jobs expected of them.

Performance of Duty with GPS Tracking is a post from: GPS Obsessed

Gps On The Job

By James Neely/Guest Author

The word construction brings to mind hard hats, heavy equipment, and long hours spent on the job site as each new project takes shape. While these stereotypes are accurate, building contractors also deal with employee time management, theft protection, and other administrative duties in order to keep the job site functioning smoothly. In the past, some of these issues could be difficult to control, but now more and more construction site managers are turning to GPS tracking devices to solve problems at work.

Theft prevention is one of the primary uses for GPS tracking among construction companies. By equipping vehicles and expensive materials with GPS tracking devices, managers can keep an eye on the valuable equipment housed on the job site. Thieves target construction equipment because they can make a lot of money quickly on each sale. They also steal materials such as wire or metal that has inherent value. One police department in Idaho used a bait technique in which they put a GPS tracker in a roll of wire, left it on a construction site, and waited for thieves to pick it up. When they did, the officers were able to apprehend them almost immediately. Equipping each vehicle and piece of equipment with a GPS tracking device can prove to be a wise decision since it enables police to recover stolen items much more quickly.

Another way that GPS tracking can aid managers on construction sites and at other businesses is by keeping track of employees’ whereabouts in order to determine accurate time clock punches. State and federal regulations demand that accurate records be kept of hours worked, meaning that employers must have a reliable way to determine in and out punches for breaks, lunch hours, and for beginning and ending the day. Software programs allow employees to clock in via smartphone once they reach the job site, but some employers have encountered problems with employees clocking in before they leave home and logging travel time on the clock. To remedy this problem, companies can use GPS tracking technology to determine where the employee is when he clocks in or out, making accurate record keeping much more feasible.

Many companies have already discovered that GPS vehicle tracking devices can save them money by monitoring fuel usage, fleet vehicle routes, and employee time usage. By creatively applying GPS technology to other areas of the workday, they can continue to save thousands of dollars each year and operate their businesses more efficiently.

GPS On the Job is a post from: GPS Obsessed

Gps On The Job

By James Neely/Guest Author

The word construction brings to mind hard hats, heavy equipment, and long hours spent on the job site as each new project takes shape. While these stereotypes are accurate, building contractors also deal with employee time management, theft protection, and other administrative duties in order to keep the job site functioning smoothly. In the past, some of these issues could be difficult to control, but now more and more construction site managers are turning to GPS tracking devices to solve problems at work.

Theft prevention is one of the primary uses for GPS tracking among construction companies. By equipping vehicles and expensive materials with GPS tracking devices, managers can keep an eye on the valuable equipment housed on the job site. Thieves target construction equipment because they can make a lot of money quickly on each sale. They also steal materials such as wire or metal that has inherent value. One police department in Idaho used a bait technique in which they put a GPS tracker in a roll of wire, left it on a construction site, and waited for thieves to pick it up. When they did, the officers were able to apprehend them almost immediately. Equipping each vehicle and piece of equipment with a GPS tracking device can prove to be a wise decision since it enables police to recover stolen items much more quickly.

Another way that GPS tracking can aid managers on construction sites and at other businesses is by keeping track of employees’ whereabouts in order to determine accurate time clock punches. State and federal regulations demand that accurate records be kept of hours worked, meaning that employers must have a reliable way to determine in and out punches for breaks, lunch hours, and for beginning and ending the day. Software programs allow employees to clock in via smartphone once they reach the job site, but some employers have encountered problems with employees clocking in before they leave home and logging travel time on the clock. To remedy this problem, companies can use GPS tracking technology to determine where the employee is when he clocks in or out, making accurate record keeping much more feasible.

Many companies have already discovered that GPS vehicle tracking devices can save them money by monitoring fuel usage, fleet vehicle routes, and employee time usage. By creatively applying GPS technology to other areas of the workday, they can continue to save thousands of dollars each year and operate their businesses more efficiently.

GPS On the Job is a post from: GPS Obsessed