TomTom iPhone App 1.4

TomTom’s new iPhone app is now out at version 1.4. Most notably the new version includes support for the new Apple iOS 4 and adds a host of new features. Most notably on iPhones that support multitasking the new app allows seamlessly taking and placing calls without leaving voice prompts behind. Continue–> TomTom iPhone App 1.4

Navigon Shows Off Multitasking iPhone App

Now that the multitasking version of Apple’s iOS is almost here, Navigon has released details surrounding an upcoming version of their Mobile Navigator iPhone app which will of course support multitasking. While you could previously accept a call and then with a couple of taps jump back into navigation, the process is much more seamless with multitasking support. Check out the video after the jump for a demo. Continue–> Navigon Shows Off Multitasking iPhone App

Dash now Done

While it was nearly a year and a half ago when Dash announced they were no longer going to build their infamous Dash Express, they have continued to provide service and limited support for the product. Today we have learned that too will end on June 30. Continue–> Dash now Done

MythBusters Test Right Turn Efficiency

I’m a sucker for science, testing, and of course the MythBusters. On last night’s episode they tested the “right turn myth”– basically the way they framed the myth was to determine if it is more efficient to make three right turns rather than to make one left turn. Having discussed this issue several times in the past I was curious to see how they performed the test, their results, and to see if I would agree with their overall process. Continue–> MythBusters Test Right Turn Efficiency

Magellan Jumps on Lifetime Map Highway

Following TomTom and Garmin, Magellan is now offering new GPS models that include map updates. A few different flavors are available, for example the RoadMate 3045-LM offers lifetime map updates included while the RoadMate 3045-MU offers a single free map update. Continue–> Magellan Jumps on Lifetime Map Highway

GPS With No Map Updates?

A paragraph from this press release caught my eye.

Unlike other GPS units, [this GPS] has the ability to update maps on-line by connecting the unit to a PC using the mini USB cable provided. Through this configuration, the user is able to download maps and map updates

Continue–> GPS With No Map Updates?

Assisted GPS, A-GPS

With the proliferation of smartphones, iPhones, and iPad devices with GPS capabilities, many people are asking about Assisted GPS, also known as A-GPS. Does it use the “regular” GPS satellites? Is it as good as GPS? Since it is “assisted” is it better than GPS? Continue–> Assisted GPS, A-GPS

Reported GPS Thefts by State, Mapped

Recently in our forums a member came across statistics from the FBI NCIC (National Crime Information Center) showing reported GPS thefts by state. The data covers just about the past two years and there are a couple of important points about the data. First, they only looked at GPS devices where the reported value was over $500– certainly not most of the GPS market. Second, it might not be safe to assume each state reports data with the same frequency. For example Hawaii reported zero. However I still thought it would be worthwhile to map out the number of reported GPS thefts by state, per capita. We expect states with larger populations to have a larger number of total thefts, but how does that map look when population is taken out out of the equation? Continue–> Reported GPS Thefts by State, Mapped

Snap To Roads

Street navigation devices often give the illusion of having an accuracy far greater than what is true. They do this through what we call a “snap to” feature. What we mean by this is that the GPS will listen into the satellites, figure out where it thinks you are, and compare that to the internal database of roads. If it calculates that you are “pretty close” to a road, even if it doesn’t think you are directly on it, the GPS will still draw you as if you are exactly on the road. Continue–> Snap To Roads

Navigon Simplifies Product Names

While Navigon is no longer selling PNDs in North America it is still worthy of noting they are taking steps to simplify how they name their product models. All kinds of companies across various segments of consumer electronics have struggled with product name strategies and it is good to see Navigon make efforts to simplify model names. Continue–> Navigon Simplifies Product Names