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Garmin Bluechart Mobile app screenshot from iPad
The Garmin BlueChart Mobile iOS app is now available for download from the App Store. This new app will allow your iPhone / iPad to function as a chartplotter using Garmin BlueChart maps. The app is free, while charts are available as an in-app purchase. read more
Sportablet running on an Android tablet
Sportablet is an Android app that allows you to connect many Garmin devices to Android tablets. Primarily intended for fitness buffs, it gives access to stats, allows you to post to Garmin Connect or Facebook and more. While it’s not designed for Garmin handhelds, it does appear to work with many of their more recent introductions. There is also a smartphone version – the Uploader for Garmin. read more
Apple unveiled the iPad mini today, and the cellular versions come with GPS + GLONASS. But at 7.9″, that is going to be one huge navigator.
As a general rule I don’t like Multi-caches. These are the class of geocaches that have you visiting a number of locations, collecting clues along the way which you then pump into a final formula to give you the location of the actual cache. I must stress that my dislike is entirely personal. Why go for a three mile walk to find one geocache when that same walk could be made as a circular series of 5 – 10 caches? It always seems like a waste of space and time to me. read more
Last week I posted about how 911 can’t even locate your mobile phone in many parts of the US, so most folks shouldn’t expect to be able to text 911 anytime soon, but that will change early next year for some Verizon customers. There isn’t a firm schedule for nationwide implementation of this next generation 911 capability, but imagine the impact it will ultimately have on backcountry search and rescue (SAR). After all, text messages can often be successfully delivered where coverage is too weak to place a voice call. read more
I was researching another post this morning when I came across some interesting information on the ability of 911 services to determine the location of mobile phones. Phase II Enhanced 911 allows location info to be passed along from mobile phones when you dial 911, and while all but eight states have implemented this in 80% or more of their counties, the clickable map above shows it to have still been pretty spotty as of a year ago. Less than half of the states have fully implemented this standard. read more
Ah, something nice to wake up to this morning. The TomTom Android app is now live in Google Play, with versions available for a wide range of countries and regions including the US, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Southeast Asia and Southern Africa.
UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the Garmin fenix.
Look what just showed up in the app store. That’s right, Garmin has rolled out BaseCamp Mobile for their new fenix backcountry sportswatch. At present it is for iOS only, although I have been told they are looking into an Android version. The app works on the iPhone 4S, iPhone 5, iPod touch (5th generation), iPad (3rd generation), and iPad Wi-Fi + 4G, and requires iOS 5.1 or later.
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The Internet has been buzzing for the past 24 hours, filled with complaints about Apple’s new Maps app in iOS 6. Back in June, Apple revealed the app, letting folks know that free turn-by-turn navigation was coming to iOS and that they were dropping Google Maps. The problem is that Google has been mapping the world since 2005 and has a seven year lead on local search, fixing errors, etc.
Telenav has announced Scout for Android this morning, a free navigation app that offers turn by turn routing, local search, traffic, voice recognition, and automatic rerouting for free. read more
