Waypoints — January 8th, 2012

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

Garmin

• Garmin admits HD traffic reception issues?
• Looks like the nuLink! 1695 is now the LIVE 1695; via Boyd
• Anybody else running into this issue on a nuvi 2xx5 model?
• MSN Direct switched off on schedule, some Garmin navigators affected
• Garmin details their new GTU 10 tracker features
• Garmin nüvi survives luggage rack ride, found in time for the holidays
• How to Load Garmin Lifetime Map Updates to a Data Card Using a Mac
• Can’t wait to see some maps made with LIDAR data
• Garmin Learning Center Training Videos
• Ontario Trails Project Map
• Brick that nuvi? This tool may help 
• Garmin founder donates $12.5 million; gets University of Tennessee engineering building named after him
• NAVTEQ Map Powers Garmin Devices In Romania

TomTom FAIL

• Really TomTom? One registered device per email account?  
• TomTom has a distribution problem with LIVE services renewal cards of all things

Updates

• ExpertGPS v 4.38 and 4.39
• New software updates: Garmin Forerunner 610, Lifetime Updater and nuvi 30/40/50, 12xx, 13xx, 14xx, 22xx, 23xx; Magellan Content Manager for Mac

Satellite news

• Excellent read: GNSS Is Threatened by Rising Levels of Radio Interference
• Galileo fueling the European economy in 2012? Via @GPSGIS_Eric
• Russia’s Glonass satnav system targets Latin America, India (but it doesn’t really explain it); via @GPSGIS_Eric

LightSquared death watch

• Sprint Grants LightSquared 30-Day Reprieve On FCC Clearance; via @GPSGIS_Eric
• But then they put their investment on hold
• LightSquared gets a new CFO
• 2012 Defense Spending Act May Kill Any Chance of LightSquared Launch
• Watchdog Reveals LightSquared’s Fall from Favor in Washington

GPS tracking

• GPS-tracked California wolf caught on film by unmanned trail cam
• GPS beacon helped sea rescuers
• ChicagoShovels Web Site Gives Lowdown on Snow
• Not to be outdone, New Yorkers to Get Real-Time Snow Plow Information
• No Warrant Needed for GPS Monitoring, Judge Rules
• Cutting off GPS bracelets

Going mobile

• Waze Hits 10 Million Users Mark
• NNG Releases Navgate Drive with Pioneer AppRadio Integration
• And they’ve started shipping their iPhone car cradle

Just geo

• Syria says Google Earth street names changed to support revolution; via @ogleearth (and I’m sure we’ll hear more from Stefan on this)
• OpenStreetMap: A Year of Edits 2011
• The Greatest Paper Map of the United States You’ll Ever See; via @andrewmatranga  
• US counties with less than one person per square mile

All the news that doesn’t fit

• No wonder the Garminfone failed: Asus engineers didn’t know that metal blocks GPS signals!?
• A UK Sat-Nav Problem Summit
• GPS receivers made for eyeglass cases?
• Microsoft Receives Patent for “Safe” Walking Directions – wants to take you through safe neighborhoods

GPS deals

Here are the bargains we’re currently tracking at our GPS deals site:

• Garmin heart-rate monitor for $23
• Garmin Oregon 550 with camera for $339.95
• Garmin nuvi 2350LMT for $149 with free shipping
• Garmin eTrex 30 for $249.99 with free shipping
• 2012 5” Garmin nuvi 2555LT for $164.99 shipped
• Garmin dezl 560LMT truck/RV GPS for $349.99 shipped

Updated GPS reviews

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

Garmin Forerunner 610 – I’ve linked to this personal wiki