Waypoints – March 3, 2007

Odds and ends from the past week…

GPS in the news

• GPS Tracklog to Switzerland: Buy your military at least one GPS unit. Via Digg.
• How long till GPS receivers pick up on the local vernacular?
• 1.5 million GPS units for the visually impaired in Turkey?

GPS hardware

• Yes, we know…people are interested in an iPod with GPS capabilities.
• A few tips on choosing a GPS for motorcycles. Via Digg.
• Wired Magazine likes the Garmin Forerunner 305.
• Looks like Garmin is going to diversify its chipset supplier network. This follows a similar move by TomTom to Global locate. SiRF is definitely getting some competition.

GPS data, maps, software, firmware, etc.

• I’ve added WikiWalki to my GPS data search engine.
• I’ve also updated my custom POI resource page, adding how to put multiple POI files on your Garmin GPS.
• Ed Parsons on Google search being extended to KML files. Too bad it’s not that easy to search for GPX files. Maybe GPS manufacturers should embrace KML as a standard.
• Yet another guide to geocoding photos.
• TeleAtlas speculates, among other things, on maps that you can edit yourself.
• NAVTEQ releases their digital map of Thailand.
• Garmin has posted new firmware updates for the Edge 205 and 305 and the zumo 500 and 550. Thanks to Allory.
• TIGER data will be released in shapefile format in the future.

GPS and cell phones

• MapQuest is the number one website for mobile devices.
• PC Magazine reviews Verizon’s VZ Navigator. Via GPS Lodge.
• A brief review of the BlackBerry 8800′s GPS system. Via Digg.
• A cross country trip using Windows Mobile 6 and Live Search.

Miscellany

• Canadians petition for up to date topo maps. Anybody want to tackle that in the U.S.? Please.
• Robert Lipe (of GPSBabel) has a page of FAQ’s at Geocaching.com, some of which will interest non-geocachers.
• Google Maps creation tools, chapter 11.
• In addition to my normal review updates, covered below, I’ve also updated a number of reviews to include links to Garmin x-series and Magellan eXplorist FAQs.

Updated GPS reviews

• Garmin zumo 550 review – CNet has posted a review and 29 photos of the zumo 550, giving it a rating of 8.3 out of a possible 10..
• Garmin Quest and Quest 2 reviews – Here’s a Quest FAQ page.
• Garmin StreetPilot c550 review – Laptop Magazine has given this unit a 4.5 out of 5 star review.
• TomTom GO 910 review – A satisfied consumer loves his TomToM GO 910.