A lengthy and detailed interview with Mike Dobosn of TeleMapics has been posted at Search Engine Land, where the map data insider hypothesizes about Google Map’s data sources. What’s really fascinating though, is the peek inside the business of collecting and verifying map data. I may have to print this one out and read it several times. If you have any serious interest in the subject, this one is well worth your time. Here are a few tidbits:
On the collection of “anonymized” cell phone data:
“Yes, I know that it is collected anonymously, but if that track starts out at the same house each day and returns to the same house each night, doesn’t it suggest where you live? For that reason, at least one of the major PND companies, whose users have agreed to tracking, shaves the first two minutes and the last two minutes off of every path. Does everyone follow this standard? I don’t know, but everyone should be interested in how the DNA of their GPS traces are “neutered” by the companies using them. Further, the four minutes of data thrown away probably contains really useful information about local streets, but so it goes.”
There are a lot of new map makers out there now that Garmin has opened the door to 
Regulations recently adopted by the California Air Resources Board will require automakers to reduce the amount of solar energy entering vehicles by 45% by 2014 and 60% by 2016. The problem is, the technology used to do this will utilize reflective metal oxide particles embedded in windshields, effectively blocking GPS signals. Stay tuned; I’m sure we’ll be hearing more about this one.
The 
has a 4.3” screen, Bluetooth for hands-free cell phone use, lane guidance, 3D landmarks and AAA TourBook. It comes with preloaded maps of the U.S. and Canada, 
Owners of the Garmin Colorado, Dakota and Oregon series got a nice surprise 
Garmin has added support for custom raster imagery to the Colorado, Dakota and Oregon product lines. This will allow you to add aerial photos, USGS topo maps, etc. to your device. You’ll need the latest beta firmware for the units (betas have not been posted for all units yet), but the process is laid out in 
The 
has a 4.7 inch touchscreen, voice commands, Bluetooth for hands-free cell phone use, lane guidance, 3D landmarks and AAA TourBook. In other words, it’s loaded.
Hmm, that screen sure does look familiar. For years I’ve been recommending Garmin units for those who want drop dead simple, and TomToms for folks that want the ability to customize and tweak menus galore. 
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