Waypoints – December 23, 2006

I’m not sure this edition of Waypoints would have made it, had my flight not got canceled in the Denver goes down, everyone goes down game of airport dominoes earlier this week. I actually thought this would be a light week for GPS news too, but as you can see, that wasn’t the case.

Updated GPS reviews

• Garmin nuvi 660 review – As noted earlier this week, I’ve done a thorough updating of my own nuvi 660 review, adding quite a few screenshots and additional details.
• Garmin zumo 550 review – I’ve added a link from Chet showing how to get to the compass screen. That should make some off-roaders happy.
• Magellan RoadMate 2200T review – GPS Magazine has posted their typically thorough review.
• TomTom GO 910 review – JusTech’n has posted their review of the TomTom GO 910.

GPS hardware, software, firmware and maps

• Garmin has posted a new version of their WebUpdater software, along with firmware updates for the Edge 205 and Edge 305. Meanwhile, Magellan has posted firmware updates for the RoadMate 3000T/3050T and the RoadMate 6000T. Via Allory.
• Garmin Mobile XT / GPS 10x is now shipping.
• Share your stand alone GPS navigation system with your GPS-enabled cell phone or PDA. Just take out the SD card!
• Microsoft and Ford are going to partner on multi-function GPS units.
• Here’s a rant
  about cheap consumer electronics construction. I have to say though,
  I’ve had pretty good luck with ruggedized GPS units, especially
  considering the abuse I put them through. Via Digg.
• Here is a GPS-enabled PSP game, reminiscent of geocaching. Via Digg.
• The Garmin Forerunner 305 makes the top ten picks of 2006 list at TheFinalSprint.com.
• Here is a comparison of some solar-powered GPS receivers. Via Digg.

GPS in the news

• Does using a GPS reduce your intelligence?
• GPS trackable clothing anyone?
• GPS Tracking Systems highlights the success of GPS asset tracking.
• GPS devices that have some sort of transmit function, unlike stand-alone GPS receivers, can bring with them some security concerns.
• Solar flares last week knocked out communication with GPS satellites for up to two hours.
• The world is becoming so dependent upon GPS that we need a backup system.
• Here’s an in-depth look at WAAS. Via Digg.
• Third-generation GPS improvements continue.
• GPS-enabled taxis are coming to the Big Apple.
• Blind Turin residents will be guided by GPS.
• Live on or near the North Carolina coast? Two day-long GPS marine navigation workshops are coming up.

TomTom

• TomTom announced their interest in using Global Locate as a chip supplier, in addition to SiRF, prompting SiRF to file suit against Global Locate.
• TomTom wins one lawsuit brought by Garmin.
• Try out TomTom’s text-to-speech capabilities. Via Digg.

Mio

• GpsPasSion has added a Mio GPS message board. I’ve added this to my post listing over 50 GPS message boards.
• Mio has released a map fix for a DC area detour bug.

NAVTEQ and TeleAtlas

• TeleAtlas expands into Russia.
• NAVTEQ has sold the navigation software portion of their business to Navigon.
• A vote of confidence in NAVTEQ by the U.S. military.
• NAVTEQ has announced the release of detailed map coverage for Norway and Sweden.

Google and its competitors

• Maybe the folks at Google Earth should be using NAVTEQ maps.
• Google and NASA form a partnership.
• Details on a Google Earth data update.
• And a Google Maps data update.
• Google Maps adds street maps for Singapore and HongKong, and quite a bit of data for India.
• Google Earth friendly vector marine charts.
• Virtual Earth has all of Italy in high-resolution.
• Yahoo is integrating Yahoo Maps and email.