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.
The future of auto GPS, part one – Safety
May 22, 2012 By 2 Comments
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.
DeLorme inReach for iOS hits the market
May 18, 2012 By Leave a Comment
UPDATE 4: The new inReach for smartphones is now available at Amazon
UPDATE 3: The DeLorme inReach 2-Way Satellite Communicator for Apple iOS and Android is now shipping from REI.com.
UPDATE 2: I’ve added DeLorme’s news release to the end of this post.
UPDATE: I should have noted that this new version of the inReach will work with either iOS or Android devices.
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
New 7″ Magellan RV models announced and shipping
May 15, 2012 By Leave a Comment
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.
Getting mileage reports from your Garmin nuvi
May 14, 2012 By 2 Comments
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
UPDATED: Six-inch TomTom VIA 1605TM heading to US
May 9, 2012 By 8 Comments
UPDATE: It’s official.
UPDATE 2: Read my hands on review of the TomTom VIA 1605TM.
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
Magellan eXplorist line gets USGS topos via National Geographic
May 8, 2012 By 5 Comments
UPDATE: Here’s my hands on review of National Geographic topo maps for Magellan receivers.
Magellan has extended their ongoing partnership with National Geographic, bringing USGS raster topo imagery to the eXplorist line. Just like Garmin’s BirdsEye Topo, this will be a subscription option running $29.99 per year. read more
Chopper-bound Garmin zumo 340 and 350 clear FCC
May 8, 2012 By 4 Comments
Hitting the open road on your Harley this spring? There may be a GPS in your future. The Garmin zumo 340 and 350 have cleared the FCC, so we expect an official announcement in the near future, possibly even later today. Those low model numbers are especially welcome, since many folks are scared off by the 500 and 600 series price tags. These will be the first lower-end motorcycle-friendly units that Garmin has introduced in two years, since the zumo 220. Also noteworthy, these are the first models to drop the nuvi-like flat-form factor in favor of the more Rubenesque shape found on the zumo 550.
Garmin adds LiveTrack feature to Fit app
May 7, 2012 By 7 Comments
Garmin has just announced a new LiveTrack feature for their Fit smartphone app, that allows you to share your location by email, Facebook or Twitter. At an in-app purchase price of $19.99 a year or $1.99 per month, I think they are going to sell a lot of these. There are enough runners and road bikers with anxious spouses that I think it will be a big hit.
New Magellans bring Landmark Guidance
May 7, 2012 By 8 Comments
UPDATED with availability info below.
UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the Magellan RoadMate 5230T-LM with Landmark Guidance.
Big news today from Magellan, which (AFAIK) becomes the first GPS manufacturer in the US to deliver what they are calling “Landmark Guidance.” They define it this way, saying it:
…gives drivers an easier way to navigate to their destinations. Instead of presenting the driver only with street names that may be hard to locate and read, the Magellan RoadMate GPS tells drivers to turn at familiar landmarks such as gas stations, banks, stores or other large, easily-seen places.
