Sunday, March 18, 2012

The future of auto GPS, part two – embracing the smartphone

Yesteday we looked at safety technologies that might be integrated into auto GPS. Today, we’ll look at another option for GPS manufacturers that is somewhat safety related – how we interact with smartphones while driving.

read more

The future of auto GPS, part one – Safety

Today and tomorrow, we’ll take a look at a couple of different directions personal navigation device (PND) manufacturers might take in the near future. One possibility is to add some safety-oriented technology.

read more

REI spring GPS sale includes Garmin 62s, eTrex 30, Forerunner 610, MOTOACTV and more

Okay folks, if you missed the EMS deals last week, here comes the other big handheld sale of the spring. We look forward to REI’s anniversary sale every year; this time they have two of the newest Garmin handhelds on sale through May 28. And while they didn’t show up in the sales flyer, and we can’t guarantee the end date, they’ve got some other great deals as well. Here are all the details: read more

DeLorme inReach for iOS hits the market

UPDATE: I should have noted that this new version of the inReach will work with either iOS or Android devices.

UPDATE 2: I’ve added DeLorme’s news release to the end of this post.

This one is for you iPhone-toting, off-trail wilderness freaks. Been feeling left out when it comes to two-way satellite communicators? Dying to tweet or post to Facebook from the middle of nowhere? Well for better or worse, now you can, for it looks like word has travelled from Cupertino to Yarmouth, and DeLorme can finally sell their inReach for iOS devices. read more

Waypoints — May 20th, 2012

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

New 7″ Magellan RV models announced and shipping

Seven-inch screens must be working for Magellan since they continue to roll out new ones. Today’s announcement focuses on models for RVs, with four three new RoadMates all pre-loaded with the Good Sam Trailer Life Directory and Good Sam discount locations (I’m not counting the Pro 9165-T as new, since it’s been around awhile). An A/V input is offered for a DVD player or backup camera, and the screen will automatically switch to the latter when you put your gargantuan home away from home into reverse.

read more

Getting mileage reports from your Garmin nuvi

Need to keep track of your mileage? There may be a built-in solution already in your nuvi. Garmin’s ecoRoute app automatically creates a mileage report that can be viewed on the screen or downloaded from the nuvi as a .csv file. The only trick is you have to select a destination; if you’re just driving around with your nuvi on, the mileage won’t be recorded. read more

Waypoints — May 12th, 2012

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

 GPS Deals

This first one is so good, I had to lead with this category. Hurry, because it ends tomorrow if they don’t take it down sooner. And they often sell out. Anyway, here are some bargains we’re currently tracking at our GPS deals site:

read more

Don’t miss this Garmin handheld sale

UPDATE: The sale is over; hope you got one if you wanted it!

Wow, these are incredible prices on all your favorite Garmin handhelds, including the entire new eTrex line, all three Montanas, the Oregon 450 and the GPSMAP 62s and 62st. Don’t delay; this one could go away. I’ve got all the details on our GPS Deals site. You won’t see prices this good on many of these units until November brings us Black Friday. read more

UPDATED: Six-inch TomTom VIA 1605TM heading to US

UPDATED: It’s official; news release below.

There were a few items showing up on the Web this morning about a six-inch START 60 that just hit the market in Europe, and while we often have to wait many months to see new TomToms on this side of the pond, a 6″ TomTom VIA 1605TM has shown up on Amazon.

read more