Waypoints – December 3, 2011

Waypoints is a weekly link roundup of (mostly) GPS related odds and ends. To get some of these stories as they break, follow me on Twitter.

GPS deals

Here are some new holiday deals posted in the last week; the first one is pretty amazing!

• Garmin nuvi 1490T for $89.99 with free shipping
• NEW: Garmin nüvi 2300LM for $119.99 shipped
• 5″ TomTom VIA 1535TM for $114.99 shipped
• Garmin nuvi 2360LMT for $174.99 shipped
• Garmin nuvi 1350LMT for $112.98 shipped
• TomTom XXL 540TM for $99.99 shipped
• Garmin nuvi 3790LMT for $289.99 shipped
• Garmin nuvi 2455LT for $149.99 with free shipping
• Garmin Approach S1 golf GPS for $199.95
• For the full list of current bargains, head on over to our GPS deals site

GPS in the news

• Damned if you do; damned if you don’t: Woman who pulled over to use GPS robbed
• The new due diligence: Check your location on Google, NAVTEQ and TeleAtlas before choosing the location for your business
• Nice article on GPS-guided airdrops
• Poll: Most U.S. drivers distracted
• GPS reveals location of woman trapped in car in swollen creek
• This article contains some broad and questionable statements: When Should I Update My GPS?

Satellites and satellite imagery

• Iran missile base post-explosion imagery, now hi-res in Google Earth
• Google Earth, Foreign Wars, And The Future Of Satellite Imagery
• Did you know the iPhone 4S uses GLONASS? Via Ben S
• GLONASS-M Satellite 746 Launched Successfully
• GLONASS constellation update
• Interesting overview of overview of GLONASS
• Galileo IOV Satellites Reach Operating Orbits

Updates

• Software updates: Garmin ANT Agent, Edge 200, eTrex 10, Montana (beta) and Training Center; Magellan eXplorist 310
• Garmin Montana FW 3.66 Beta discussion
• ExpertGPS v 4.36

GPS tracking

• GPS-tracked wolf becomes celebrity in Oregon 
• GPS tracking nabs professional shopping cart thief
• Some Connecticut state employees may soon get GPS trackers

TomTom

• TomTom launches GO 2050 World in Malaysia, with maps of Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe, North America and South Africa
• A TomTom staffer confirms that the PRO 7150 Truck can access RDS/TMC traffic without a WebFleet subscription
• There’s a December 7 webinar on TomTom Traffic Portfolio

Going mobile

• Trapster 4.5 for iOS adds NAVTEQ maps, speed limits and current speed – Nice!
• German Startup Unveils Android Outdoor GPS, Smartphone & Walkie Talkie Device
• Google Maps unveils indoor maps
• And here is a gallery of screenshots
• GPS Business News expects this to lead to consolidation among the indoor location companies
• TomTom Places POI search app now available for Android (in parts of Europe)
• A Distracting Augmented Reality Navigation App
• INRIX Traffic 3.5 for iOS released
• TripAdvisor Uses OpenStreetMap for On-Board City Guides
• By 2016: $400M market for health, fitness apps
• Using the iPad for local and foreign trips; via Allory

The business of GPS

• I’m sure there’s a joke in here somewhere: Rand McNally’s RV GPS to be Featured in Equine Motorcoach
• Wonder how SPOT pulled this off: SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger Added To Compulsory Fire Service Safety Kit in Spain
• NAVTEQ Provides Map Coverage for Over 90% of Argentina Population

Just geo

• Seamless Topographic USGS maps for Google Earth
• New Free Elevation Dataset named Global Multi-resolution Terrain Elevation Data 2010 (GMTED2010)
• West Virginia to get their first national park? Via Meanderthals
• Man hopes to hike all National Trails
• A Himalayan Highway on the Frozen Zanskar River
• NORAD Tracks Santa goes live for 2011
• Moonbows, Moon Dogs, and Moon Pillars: Lunar Optical Illusions
• Open Street Map hits the 500,000 contributor mark
• Geotagged QR codes; via Mapperz 

All the news that doesn’t fit

• Hands on with the DeLorme inReach; and here is part two
• Villager paints huge sign on his home to stop the speeders; love the pic! Via @TomTom
• FAA: Drones could patrol in U.S.
• Geocaching challenge = art
• New or updated maps for Garmin receivers: NY Snowmobile Trails, WV ATV Trails 
• Documents show FCC warned about LightSquared; via @GPSGIS_Eric

Updated GPS reviews

I’ve updated these review and resource pages with the following links:

• Garmin eTrex 30 – Sam Penrod reviews this new model for GPSInformation.info
• Garmin nuvi 50 – CNET reviews Garmin’s new 5” entry-level offering
• Geomate.jr – The Neat Things in Life reviews this geocaching unit