Waypoints is a weekly link roundup of (mostly) GPS related odds and ends. To get many of these items as they break, follow me on Twitter.
GPS in the news
- Blind man to use GPS to hike Appalachian Trail; via @gatorguy2
- Another new episode of "My GPS made me do it!"
- GPS helps NYC bust taxi driver
- Buy tires, get a free GPS
- Probably not the last GPS stalker case we’ll see
Just geo
- Chilean quake may have shifted Earth’s axis
- A 6 second video almost guaranteed to make the geographically aware LOL
- Maps of island from Lost; via The Map Room
- The world’s longest tunnels; via Twelve Mile Circle
- Geocoded Art – explore the greatest paintings of the world; via @googlemaps
- Trying to solve a murder with Google Earth
Handheld / Sports GPS
- Delorme Earthmate PN-60W
release date slips to June 10; via @gpsreview
- Anyone in / near New Jersey with a newer Garmin should check out this amazing raster map, done in style of USGS topo
- A new topo map of Maine hits the GPS File Depot
- This might be a good setup for boaters with touchscreen smartphones
- MapSource beta 6.16.0.2 has a long list of improvements
- Sony to ship GPS for bicycles
- EveryTrail gets video
Auto GPS
- @gatorguy2 reviews the Motorola Motonav TN765t
- The official Mio Moov V780 web page; still no word on a US release
- iGO Primo to use historical traffic data
Mobile
- iPhone app lets you take pic of paper map & georeference with 2 points; three would be better but I’d love to try this with a map posted at a trailhead
- AndroidTapp reviews Waze for Android
- TomTom iPhone 1.3 to include Google Local search (and HD Traffic in Europe); here’s a preview
- Destinator 9 North America for iPhone now available; via @gatorguy2
- Droid Forums now has a geocaching section; via @TheBadCop
- Apple bans augmented reality app
- A video demo of the Sygic Aura 3-D iPhone nav app
The business of GPS
- Here’s one way mobile app providers will make money in a world of free navigation – Navigon gets paid by the carrier AND offers upgrades to consumers
- AT&T introduces 3G + GPS LaptopConnect devices
- Ashtech (formerly Magellan Professional) rolls out a new version of MobileMapper
- NAVTEQ offers an easy way to update Fiat, Lancia and Alfa Romeo navigation systems
Miscellany
- Are poor navigation skills genetic?
- Microsoft to use Navizon for geolocation; I didn’t know Navizon was paying truckers and cabbies to snoop out WiFi hotspots and cell towers
- All Points Blog on the Platial shut down
- Nonprofit GIS guide released; via @openstreetmap
- PLB false alarm mystery solved
- Indoor positioning using TV signals – just don’t expect this technology to be widely used anytime soon
- Max Trescott Aviation reviews the Garmin Aera 560
GPS reviews
I’ve updated these review and resource pages with the following links:
- Garmin Forerunner 405 – Sir Jog A Lot reviews this popular fitness unit
- Garmin nuvi 760 – Aaron West reviews this oldie but goodie
About Rich Owings
I’ve been collecting WiFi hotspot location data for Navizon for two years now, using an old PocketPC and a Holux bluetooth GPSr. I make about $15/mo every 6 weeks with basically no effort, just run the software and GPSr while I’m out and about. There are some people, who are probably those taxi drivers and truckers you mention, who collect crazy amounts of data. One user has already collected enough data this month (only 6 days in) to make about $120. At that pace, this user will make about $600 this month.
Oops, my comment should have read “$15 every 6 weeks.” I used to make $15/mo, but as areas become better mapped, you collect less new data, which means you get paid less.
Thanks Marty. It’s good to hear from someone who has experience with the program.
Don’t try out the Mapsource Beta just yet if you use custom mapsets, like Northwest Trails. This version seems to break them.
Yes, I’m seeing quite a few complaints at http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=243355
Does the nuvifone A50 find itself if lost? Rather could one send it a signal to report its location? 2. May I set pre-load multiple stops and have it select the most effective path to traverse to visit them all? Is this what is known as whey-points? 3 Do you think I will be able to set up this model to auto upload the tagged videos without any prompting from the user after he starts the taping?
1. There are Android apps for this.
2. Probably. Not sure how they have this set up. Yes, waypoints are destinations.
3. There are Android apps for this.
Is it true that there is trouble in paradise in the partnership between Asus and Garmin? Is this going to set back the A50?
Haven’t heard that. Spill the beans!
Barring such issues, carrier resistance may be the biggest limiting factor to getting the A50 in the US.
Geocoded Art is going mobile!
See story at Maps Mania:
http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/2010/05/geocoded-art-on-your-mobile-phone.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter