GPS and map news briefs from the past week:
Garmin
- Make your own custom vehicle icons for you nuvi.
- Win a nuvi 350.
- Garmin has posted a mobile buyer’s guide to help you figure out which of their products work with your cell phone.
TomTom
- TomTom has extended their deal on new maps.
- TomTom RIDER 2 is on the way, perhaps as early as next month.
- How to clear your route in your TomTom so you can listen to your iPod without interruption.
Other GPS hardware
- The PSP GPS is coming to the U.S. Via Digg.
- A Forerunner competitor.
GPS software, maps, data, etc.
- There may be some Mac software here that I haven’t covered before. Via.
- Garmin has posted firmware updates for the nuvi 350 and 660, StreetPilot c340, c530 and c550, GPSMAP 60Cx, 60CSx, 76Cx, and 76CSx, and the Quest 2.
- XM NavTraffic expands to six new markets — Fresno, CA: Jacksonville, FL; Montreal, QB; Salt Lake City, UT; Toronto, ON; and
Vancouver, BC. In addition, Portland, OR gets expanded coverage with
traffic flow data. - SureShot GPS has added 5,000 new golf courses to their coverage. Here is more about GPS for golf.
- TeleAtlas has expanded their South American coverage.
- FreeGeoTools has an interesting post on the USGS seamless data distribution system.
- I’ve added Wikiloc.com to my GPS data search engine.
- Sprenzy reviews MotionBased.
GPS in the news
- Garmin has become part of an international incident.
- The FAA wants GPS for pilots navigating runways.
- San Francisco gets GPS-enabled electric trolleys.
Geocaching
- Geocaching.com makes "site of the week" at PCMag.com.Via Digg. If you’re an auto-only GPS user, and are interested in this fun game, check out our GPS for geocaching post.
- Another geocaching bomb scare.
Cell phones and GPS
- Garmin has added more features to Garmin Mobile.
- AAA info is coming to multiple cell phone carriers.
- InfoSpace local search is now available for free on certain BlackBerry phones.
- AT&T is partnering with TeleNav on a GPS-based workforce management solution.
Virtual globes
- Congress investigates Google Earth’s posting of pre-Katrina imagery.
- View classified ads in Google Earth.
- Google Earth gets an imagery update, as does Virtual Earth.
- Get monthly details on Google Earth imagery updates via their newsletter.
Updated GPS reviews
- Garmin Edge 305 review – I’ve linked to Singletracks.com’s Edge 305 review.
- Garmin Forerunner 201 review – Singletracks.com has also posted a Forerunner review, from a cyclist’s perspective.
- Garmin GPSMAP 60 review – I’ve linked to a review posted by Spare Weekend.
- Garmin StreetPilot c580 review – Finally, I’ve linked to the first consumer review of the c580, at GPSNow, and the first one at Amazon
as well.
All the news that doesn’t fit
- Here’s a free kids audiobook for your nuvi.
- This is a great writeup on why it took so long to figure out longitude, and what the ultimate solution was. We’re talking way pre-GPS here. Via Digg.
- NAVTEQ has announced the winners of their Global LBS Challenge.
- The Map Room posts about Strange Maps.
- Here’s an article on location-based games.
- Teaching kids geography with GPS.
About Rich Owings
That’s great to hear that TomTom is extending their special map promotion until April 15! I’m seriously concidering getting the ONE. A buddy of mine has one and loves it. It’s easy to use and accurate. Thanks for the updates!