This week in GPS is a weekly link roundup of (mostly) GPS related odds and ends, from GPS Tracklog and other places around the Web. To get a few of the biggest stories as they break, follow me on Twitter. This week’s lead image, from Digital Globe’s top 20 satellite images of 2013, shows a cool optical illusion; via Wired Science.
Holiday deals
The deals are going away fast, but here’s a couple to check out:
- SATURDAY ONLY! 5″ Garmin nüvi 2595LMT for $114.99
- Garmin GPSMAP 62s for $199.95 when you use the coupon code 7JXX-TYEV-XNJB
More current deals:
More from GPS Tracklog
More posts from the past week:
Garmin
- Southwest Trails map goes from 19K to 34K miles of trails
- Interesting regional public lands (AR, LA, MS, OK, TX) map from Hunting GPS Maps
- Software updates this past week: Garmin Approach S4, Express, fenix/D2/tactix, Rino 6xx and this beta…
- Garmin fenix/D2/tactix beta update brings smartwatch functionality
- DC Rainmaker discusses it; of particular interest…
So what about Android support? In talking today with the Fenix team, it’s not on the immediate radar. The challenge is that today on Android there really isn’t the same simplicity to implement that there is on iOS7. They noted they’d have to basically go model to model to get it working, even with the improvements made on Android KitKat 4.4, it lacks the ability to push notifications over Bluetooth Smart uniformly across all devices (handset).
TomTom
- TomTom introduces MySports mobile app for TomTom GPS watches
- DC Rainmaker discusses it
Drones
- The implications of Amazon’s drones
- UPS researching its own delivery drones to compete with Amazon’s Prime Air
- Cheap Drones Are Transforming The Ancient Art Of Mapmaking
- Navy Launches UAV from Submerged Submarine…
DIY
- Build Your Own GPS Car Tracking System
- GPS-Driven Speedometer
GPS in the news
- Fire Dept. implements GPS system to change traffic signals, improve response times
- NAVIGATE jacket brings GPS to life with LED lights and haptic feedback
GPS tracking
- Realtor uses GPS to track disappearing signs
- Mexico: Stolen truck with radioactive material had inactive GPS locator
- GPS leads police to $100,000 worth of stolen property
- Wisconsin center hopes GPS can help track healed birds
- Investigators used GPS, FBI aircraft to track suspect in Dunkin Donuts robberies
- Probably not GPS-based: Tracking system helped save Venice man’s life
The business of GPS
- Discussion: Will Garmin end up as the only player in the handheld market?
- Apple rolls out iBeacon, a GPS for inside retail stores
- Nike to launch new smartwatch in 1H14
- Garmin formally announces expansion plans in Salem
- LightSquared Runs Hill’s Gauntlet Over GPS Issues
- Google to set compliance standards for Android-based in-car platforms, affecting Garmin and Mitac…
Under the compliance standards, the roll-out of Android-based PND devices by related suppliers will be subject to Google’s strict verification process…but since most PND suppliers are not member companies of the Open Mobile Alliance (OMA), their products are unable to secure verification from Google, or are unable to comprehensively support all Google applications.
Satellites and such
- Galileo’s First Two FOC Satellites Endure Simulated Space Tests
Going mobile
- Geocaching Intro app updated
- 20 Mobile Apps for A Better Driving Experience
- Scout adds new features and holiday icons for iOS
- Their Windows Phone 8 app gets a big update too
Just geo
- Near Real-Time Satellite Images of Earth
- The 50 Most Violent Cities in the World
- Journey to the North Pole
- National Geographic shares rich map content with the world via Google Maps Engine
- Bing Maps Preview showcases new mapping experience ‘built from the ground up’ for Windows 8.1
- “Imagery should be released freely and as quickly as possible after natural disaster occurs”
More from the North Pole
- Google Santa Tracker
- NORAD and Microsoft team on a touch-friendly Santa Claus web tracker
All the news that doesn’t fit
- Men’s and Women’s Brains are Different; Men Have a Knack for Spatial
- Volvo to conduct large-scale autonomous car tests by 2017
- Comedy: Perhaps Magellan is not the best explorer to name a GPS after
- Via DC Rainmaker…
Updated GPS reviews
I’ve updated these review and resource pages with the following links:
- DeLorme inReach SE – I’ve added this video playlist from Jim Cyr
About Rich Owings