Archived news extracts about GPS and GSM 2004Here is our GPS/GSM News archive for 2004. Note that we only started in February. Search Tip: using "Ctrl" + "F"This page is too big to simply scroll down in the hope to find a particular word. Press and hold the "Ctrl" button and press the “F” button. In the small pop-up window type the word or phrase you are looking for. Press “Enter” and you will find the first occurrence of the word you are looking for. Every time you hit “Enter” you will find the next occurrence of the word.
Here you will find the Actual and Archived GPS-Wireless News pages: December 31, 2004. SanDisk has announced 256 MB, the highest capacity yet for a small TransFlash memory module that will help meet the demands of new feature phones for greater storage of digital music, video, digital photos and GPS navigation software. Unveiled by SanDisk in February, the TransFlash module is about one-fourth the size of a standard SD card, but it can be inserted into an adapter and used in SD-enabled devices. Sandisk says it is the world’s smallest removable flash memory module, measuring 15 x 11 x 1 millimeters (or roughly the size of a fingernail). December 29, 2004. RF Code, Inc., a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of Auto-ID data management software and active RFID technologies announced that it is making available a powerful set of tools for enterprises that are building RFID networks. To serve the demand for enterprise management solutions in light of RFID mandates in commercial and defense markets, RF Code will supply a new developer's kit for the TAVIS(TM) Data Router in limited quantities to both integrators and end users. Launched in June 2004, RF Code's TAVIS Data Router is a self-contained device that enables the delivery of cost-effective, real-time Auto-ID solutions, eliminates many of the complexities of RFID integration and reduces the investment in network hardware. It features an embedded version of the company's award-winning TAVIS data management software and can manage multiple RFID readers from a variety of the industry's leading vendors. The TAVIS Data Router is a key component to a complete Auto-ID installation, which may incorporate a full spectrum of technologies beyond passive EPC tags in the retail supply chain. The TAVIS-powered software platform enables developers to collect, consolidate and manage data from passive RFID as well as bar code, active RFID, Real-Time Locating Systems (RTLS), mesh networks, remote sensors, and GPS systems. December 28, 2004. EPCglobal Inc. reports that it has ratified its royalty-free UHF Generation 2 candidate specification. This action formally establishes the UHF Generation 2 air interface protocol as an EPCglobal standard for radio frequency identification (RFID) applications. UHF Generation 2 will allow developers to create better performing RFID solutions to meet the needs of suppliers, manufacturers, and end-users. Industrial users also will be able to drive further EPC-related implementations with standards-based equipment. EPCglobal’s ratification follows successful testing of prototypes from several technology providers, which shows that UHF Generation 2 can meet the EPCglobal community’s end-user requirements. The organization adds that ratification also demonstrates that intellectual property presented on a licensed basis during the standards development process was not necessary to the standard. Commercially available products are expected the first half of 2005. December 27, 2004. Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. announced it has become a principal member of the WiMAX Forum. This confirms Samsung's commitment to WiMAX that promotes and certifies the compatibility and interoperability of broadband wireless products based on the IEEE 802.16 standards. By joining the WiMAX Forum, Samsung Electronics has the opportunity to promote and contribute to the WiMAX Forum in expanding its scope into the mobile broadband wireless by bringing its expertise and capabilities in mobility and advanced wireless broadband technology to WiMAX. Samsung Electronics has significantly contributed to the IEEE 802.16 standards and the Korean WiBro (Wireless Broadband) initiative. Samsung has been developing IEEE 802.16e based products for the commercialization in Korea by the first half of 2006 and for the delivery of WiMAX Forum Certified products to the global market. December 23, 2004. Atlanta-based Discrete Wireless, Inc. announced that the Company has launched it’s new MARCUS® 6 GPS Fleet Management Application for commercial use for new and existing customers. The new MARCUS® 6 application, which is web-hosted, combines a feature set that is based upon a compilation of feedback and suggestions from existing Discrete Wireless business customers. The new MARCUS® 6 GPS Fleet Management Application has the most comprehensive suite of features and tools in the industry. New components include point to point routing with driving directions, dispatch and messaging, automated report delivery and vehicle maintenance. Enhanced features include new mapping, a user-defined location radius, route playback, new reports and additional real-time alerts. December 23, 2004. Iris Corporation Bhd has launched Vision Palm, a handheld computer designed by Italian firm Cydid Italia SRL that could help the visually-impaired and perhaps even replace guide dogs. The handheld PC is equipped with a GPS (global positioning system) receiver and a detachable microcamera. It comes bundled with facial and textual recognition software, and also an elementary form of "people recognition and obstacle detection," Cydid claimed. “It uses existing technologies like GPS and converts text data to voice. It will help the visually-impaired move better by using the power of a microprocessor, camera and computer," said Iris managing director Datuk Tan Say Jim. “The camera stores maps and images. It will tell the person where to go and is able to identify a person,” he told reporters earlier this week. December 22, 2004. Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems provider SmartCode has integrated cellular data capabilities into one of its UHF readers. The additional capabilities, says SmartCode, means that the reader can be deployed even where there is no LAN connectivity to link it to a corporate network. The new reader can operate worldwide at 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz and 1.9 GHz and on GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) and CDMA-1X voice and data cellular networks. GRPS operates on GSM cellular systems, which have been deployed worldwide; the data transmission rate over a GPRS network ranges from 9.6 to 155 kilobits per second. CDMA-1X systems, which offer a peak data rate of 153 kbps, are prominent primarily in the U.S. and South Korea. Data services from wireless carriers generally charge at a rate based on the kilobytes of data transmitted, and SmartCode maintains that its readers can be added to corporate wireless accounts. December 21, 2004. Satelinx International Inc., a global provider of satellite vehicle tracking, announced that the company has signed a distribution agreement with Ultracar, one of Montreal's prominent auto modification companies, which caters to high end vehicle owners. Under the terms of the distribution agreement, Ultracar will sell and install the units and expects to distribute a minimum of 400 tracking units in 2005 representing sales of $200,000 USD in the first year and yearly recurring revenues of $78,000 USD. Once all technical training is completed, Ultracar will become the second Premium Installation facility in Canada. December 21, 2004. Trimble announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire privately held Pacific Crest Corporation of Santa Clara, Calif., in a cash transaction. Pacific Crest is a leading supplier of wireless data communication systems for positioning and environmental monitoring applications. Pacific Crest’s high-quality radio modems provide the necessary data link to increase GPS accuracy. Applications that can take advantage of wireless communications for precision performance include Real-time Kinematic (RTK) surveying and construction machine control for earthmoving operations. Trimble expects the Pacific Crest acquisition to further enhance its wireless data communications capabilities in the Engineering and Construction (E&C) business segment. December 21, 2004. Nokia has introduced a one-touch system that will allow workers outside the office to connect to their back-office systems. The Nokia Field Force Solution consists of the Nokia Local Interactions Server and client software, based on J2EE technology, which work with the company's mobile RFID. By simply touching RFID tags on objects, such as meters or other pieces of equipment, field service personnel using one of three RFID-enabled phones from Nokia can initiate a real-time information exchange. Data is sent either as a text message or via GPRS from the handset via the Local Interactions Server platform to enterprise back-end systems, which manage work scheduling, task management and other database information services. December 21, 2004. IntelliTrack Inc. announces the release of its new RFID Slap & Ship software package. IntelliTrack RFID Slap & Ship is a turn-key RFID compliance solution that will allow enterprises to immediately conform to current and emerging RFID standards. With this simple to implement and easy to use application, a warehouse can immediately begin shipping cases and pallets that are correctly labeled with EPC compliant SGTIN and SSCC SmartLabels. Key features of the system include the ability to generate EPC compliant Global Trade Identification Numbers (GTIN), easy integration with existing pack, ship and put away processes, and RFID tag validation to insure that any defective tags are caught prior to shipment. As orders are built, case and pallet serial numbers are associated and stored in the system to preserve a record of what product was selected for an order and how it was shipped. Throughout the system the user has the ability to associate transactions with existing orders and customers, giving RFID Slap & Ship the ability to product Advance Shipping Notification (ASN) documents and integrate with ERP and accounting systems. December 21, 2004. Laser-Scan announced that starting in 2005 they will extend their support for all Ordnance Survey Great Britain (OS) customers migrating to OS MasterMap. In November 2001 Ordnance Survey launched the definitive digital map of Great Britain called OS MasterMap. It is an intelligent digital map designed for use with geographical information systems and databases. It depicts the real-world digitally and presents this comprehensive, advanced information as themes in a series of layers, each layer carrying millions of features. Each feature has its own unique identifier or TOID® - a 16-digit reference number that can be shared with other users across different applications and systems. This allows easy data association and greater accuracy, focusing on real-world objects on the map. Laser-Scan software tools and solutions were originally used to manage the data quality assurance aspects of the OS LandLine® to OS MasterMap re-engineering exercise. The same topology engine that was used to process the original 440million features is now available in an Oracle spatial environment through Laser-Scan’s Radius Topology product. Additionally, the original topology engine is being used to help build the Integrated Transport Network (ITN) layer for OS MasterMap. December 21, 2004. GfK MACON's digital maps of Taiwan have been updated to reflect the latest 2004 status. For the first time ever the 365 3-digit postcode areas are now available. Moreover the map set includes the administrative boundaries of 25 counties and 369 districts. All areas have been completely attributed in Chinese as well as the phonetic transliteration Hanyu Pinyin. Additional topographic maps such as city points, urbanized areas, rivers and lakes, motorways and national highways, railway lines, airports and elevation complete the map set. December 20, 2004. Intermap Technologies announced a contour dataset derived from and designed to complement its family of NEXTMap Britain digital elevation models. Already the most accurate nationwide height survey of Britain, the contour dataset will be of particular interest to engineers and planners who need to be able to present projects in hard copy format and visualise the shape of the terrain over large areas without obscuring underlying mapping. Contours are essentially a 2D representation of 3D data, so in a plan view it is very easy to see what is happening with the terrain. Engineers using CAD systems may well find NEXTMap Britain contours easier to use than 3D gridded data. For hard copy maps and presentations, contours are still the most effective way of displaying the rise and fall of the land. Whilst the latest 3D software allows terrain data to be combined with aerial photography to provide a real-world viewing experience, contours still have a valuable part to play. Derived from the NEXTMap Britain DTM (Digital Terrain Model) and already in use by a number of local authorities, the contours are resolved at 5-metre intervals and quality assured using various techniques and other datasets such as aerial photography to ensure the highest accuracy. The underlying NEXTMap Britain data is accurate enough to produce a more accurate 2-metre interval contour dataset, which may become available should there be sufficient demand in the future. December 20, 2004. Xybernaut Corporation announced it has been granted two new patents for leaving and retrieving messages and data of all types at specific locations -- such as coordinate waypoints -- within a commercial mobile radio service (CMRS) provider network or other networks. The patent, called "Way Point" (coordinate location), describes the technology for directing messages or information to a specific location or a pre-determined distance surrounding a location. The information, which could be personalized for individuals or organizations, could be any type of information, including voice messages, audio, video, animation, Web sites, documents, text or e-mail. Xybernaut Way Point patents are recognized in numerous countries and cover a wide variety of potential business and consumer applications. Examples of business applications would be direct marketing, one-to-one marketing, field force automation, asset management and electronic commerce. Consumer applications might be emergency response; locating a missing person; notifying drivers of dangers before they approach an accident scene or road hazard; notifying consumers of discounts near a retail outlet; tracking military troop movement, or notifying travelers of the location of a favorite type of restaurant. December 20, 2004. Cobra Electronics announced its 2005 microTALK GMRS/FRS two-way radio product line with extended ranges on all models, including its top-of-the-line model, the PR 4700 WX, which will feature a 12-mile range. Building upon its award-winning heritage of intuitively designed and solid performing products, Cobra's 2005 line has also been enhanced with an extended communication range of up to 4, 8 and 10 miles. As the first and only two-way radio on the market with 22 channels and 38 privacy codes, as well as 83 DCS codes which will allow a total of 2,662 privacy combinations, the PR 4700 WX offers users unparalleled privacy code options. The 4, 8, and 10-mile range two-way radios will include 22 channels with 38 privacy codes for a total of 836 privacy combinations. December 20, 2004. MapInfo Corporation, a leading global provider of location intelligence solutions, announced that its next generation E9-1-1 solution is the first submission to successfully complete Future Path Plan Compliance Review by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). This Internet Protocol (IP)-based E9-1-1 solution was developed by MapInfo in conjunction with SIPquest, GeoComm and others, and has been awarded a "Conditionally Compliant" rating by NENA. According to NENA, the system will be eligible to receive a fully "Compliant" rating upon the successful production of operations and maintenance documentation through a pilot program. December 19, 2004. EPCglobal Inc. gave industry executives involved in radio frequency identification projects a much anticipated holiday gift Thursday evening when the nonprofit organization chartered to drive standards for RFID technology reported its 15 member board has approved the EPCglobal UHF Generation 2 specification. The decision marks a milestone for the industry group that chaired the standard based on consensus from more than 60 technology companies and government agencies worldwide. The UHF Gen 2 standard will provide the platform on which future products for passive RFID technology are built. “The process was tough, but it forced many productive discussions and in the end everyone wanted a converged standard that users know is interoperable,” says Mike Meranda, president of EPCglobal U.S. December 18, 2004. A world record was set at the research laboratories of the Siemens Communications Group. For the first time, data were transferred in real time via mobile communication at a speed of one gigabit per second (Gbit/s). By comparison: WLAN networks presently offer the fastest wireless links to mobile devices at speeds of around 50 MBit/s. In order to achieve its record-setting high speed, Siemens combined an "intelligent antenna system" consisting of three transmitting and four receiving antennas with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). Researchers consider these technologies, which are especially efficient at using the frequency band, to be highly promising modules for the mobile communication generation beyond W-CDMA. December 17, 2004. ACR Electronics, Inc., the world leader in safety and survival technologies, has announced it has received FCC approvals for the TerraFix 406 GPS, its newest generation Personal Locator Beacon targeted to provide outdoor enthusiasts with the smallest and most functional PLB available in the world. ACR has developed two models -- the TerraFix 406 GPS I and the TerraFix 406 GPS I/O. Both versions are being shipped and will soon be available through retail outlets throughout North America. Both of ACR's new TerraFix 406 models will provide users with the ability to broadcast critical GPS coordinates, providing Search and Rescue crews with exact latitude and longitude, thereby increasing emergency response speed by pinpointing positioning within 100 meters (110 yards). December 17, 2004. Northport Systems, Inc., a leader in GPS mapping software and innovative GPS applications, announced that it has released FUGAWI Map of America, a new software program that brings all of the topographic maps of the continental United States to the home computer in one easy-to-use package, at an unbeatable price. The comprehensive application provides map viewing, printing and stunning 3D views, as well as GPS support. FUGAWI Map of America is also the only map software to come complete with pocket versions for both Palm OS and Pocket PC handheld devices. With official United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps incorporated, the new software is ideal for any household as a handy U.S. map reference, or for activities such as holiday and travel planning, hiking, mountain biking, mountain climbing, fishing, hunting, off road vehicle travel and motor-home traveling, as well as a host of educational and professional uses. December 17, 2004. Opera Software announced the BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless)-based Casio W21CA mobile phone with the Opera browser has shipped and is now available in Tokyo stores. This is the first phone deployed since Opera's agreement with KDDI in August, fulfilling their promise to deliver Opera's Web browser to KDDI's 3G network in Japan. The Casio W21CA, shipped today, makes Opera the first full Web browser active on the Japanese 3G network. KDDI is the second largest mobile operator in Japan with over seven million BREW phones shipped as of the end of November 2004. KDDI is providing next generation services and has chosen Opera to fulfill the promise of 3G capabilities. December 16, 2004. Sarantel, the leading global innovator in the design and manufacture of proprietary miniature antennas for portable and wireless devices, has been chosen by Alltigo to provide its GeoHelix Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna in a new Assisted-GPS (A-GPS) enabled asset management tagging solution. The Alltigo LT100 allows businesses to monitor and track assets by using GPS to identify the location of the tag and mobile network infrastructure to forward that location information to a wireless device or location-enabled enterprise system. The Sarantel antenna was selected because of its superior GPS reception, which boosts performance and enables the LT100 to deliver highly accurate location positioning. Most existing asset management solutions suffer from traditional GPS limitations whereby the satellite signal can be detected only if there is a clear view to the sky. This means that businesses are unable to consistently identify the location of its staff, vehicles or assets. The LT100 addresses this issue with an embedded A-GPS system supported by unique AAGPS (Adaptive Assisted GPS) functionality and the Sarantel antenna, enabling it to locate its position from inside buildings, urban canyons or even under heavy foliage. Besides obtaining the device's current location, the user is able to obtain previous locations from a history log, effectively tracking the continuous movement of assets. A Java application, Location Tag Monitor, is used to monitor and track the location tags. December 16, 2004. ROAMING MESSENGER announced that process control products and services firm, Caltrol, Inc., has deployed the ROAMING MESSENGER product to extend customer service and workflow processes to its mobile employees. Caltrol's first use of the ROAMING MESSENGER technology is to provide time-critical, roaming, self escalating notification of critical customer service issues during non-business hours. The assurance of delivery, timeliness, and accurate routing of these notifications to the appropriate service technician is critical to providing Caltrol's customers with excellent customer service and meeting Caltrol's service level agreement (SLA) commitments to its customers. Caltrol's multitude of sales engineers and service technicians can now be contacted via ROAMING MESSENGER technology on any of their wired or wireless devices, no matter where they are. In order for service technicians to be contacted in the minimal amount of time, ROAMING MESSENGER notifications attempt to reach the technician by roaming through their various personal devices, such as cell phone, PDA, wireless laptop and wired computers to deliver critical information regarding Caltrol's client service requests. December 16, 2004. Agility Healthcare Solutions has released AgileTrac 2.0, its Web-based, radio frequency identification-enabled equipment management system that can be applied to other healthcare facility needs, including patient tracking and surgical-instrument management. Agility's AgileTrac 2.0 is the only equipment management solution in the healthcare industry that integrates comprehensive functionality into handheld RFID readers. AgileTrac 2.0 introduces the addition of tools to manage daily rental equipment not owned by the healthcare facility or managed by Agility, an enhanced Web front-end for better system usability and navigation, and a full e-mail alert system to allow healthcare facilities to respond more effectively to corporate governance including mandates for operational visibility. December 16, 2004. Yahoo! Inc., a leading global Internet company, today announced the launch of a service that lets consumers view live local traffic information on their online maps and driving directions. Yahoo! is the first online site to provide speed conditions and dynamic traffic information nationwide. The new mapping feature will initially be integrated in Yahoo! Search, Yahoo! Local, and Yahoo! Maps -- and is available to consumers at http://maps.yahoo.com. In the coming months, Yahoo! will continue to develop additional enhancements that increase the functionality and power of its mapping and traffic technology to deliver on its vision of delivering the best local search experience online. Online map usage has grown 60 percent during the last two years (Nielsen NetRatings, October 2004), and products are becoming more advanced with technology like Yahoo!'s innovative SmartView service. In line with this increase in consumer demand online, the new Yahoo! traffic solution provides users with the best way to reach their destinations by incorporating reliable information for over 70 metropolitan areas in the U.S. December 16, 2004. TruePosition Inc., a leading provider of location-based technologies and solutions, announced an agreement to provide its Finder wireless location system to WestLink Communications. TruePosition's solution will help the Kansas-based wireless carrier affordably meet the Federal Communications Commission's E-911 Phase II mandate as well as enable WestLink's network for future location-based services (LBS). Deployment of TruePosition's solution throughout WestLink's GSM network is scheduled to begin in early 2005. WestLink's wireless footprint covers more than 5,000 square miles in their predominately rural market. Location- enabling such a network both for the purposes of consumer safety and for LBS presented the carrier with significant challenges. December 16, 2004. Motorola, Inc. announced that it has reached an agreement with Nextel Communications Inc. to extend its iDEN infrastructure and iDEN subscriber supply agreements for a period of three years from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007. Terms of the existing iDEN infrastructure supply agreement that are being extended includes those relating to base station equipment, core network equipment, plus software and hardware maintenance and support services necessary to expand, upgrade and support Nextel's nationwide iDEN based network. The extension of the iDEN subscriber supply agreement includes pricing and other terms relating to current and proposed new handset models for Nextel, including handset models to be marketed under Nextel's youth- lifestyle brand, Boost Mobile. December 16, 2004. Mobile GPS Online, a mobile GPS products and services firm located in Ottawa, Canada, announced the release of GPSTrack Standard Version 4.0.0. GPSTrack is a powerful yet low-cost vehicle tracking and management system. GPSTrack version 4.0.0 is a combination of the GPSTrackP software for GPS passive tracking and GPSTrackRT software for real time tracking. It has all functions and features of GPSTrackP and GPSTrackRT. With the combination, fleet managers will have more power and flexibility to manage and track their vehicles on sites. For different tracking purpose, GPSTrack can be configured to use different GPS trackers for real time tracking and also GPS data loggers for passive tracking. For real time tracking GPSTrack version 4.0.0 supports the TrimTrac™ Locator and eTrac 2120 GSM/GPRS GPS Tracker. TrimTrac is an easy to use, portable, very cost-effective GPS tracking unit from Trimble. eTrac 2120 is a powerful GPS tracking devices based on GSM/GPRS network. December 15, 2004. WaveSat this week began shipping a chip it claims is the first to comply fully with the IEEE 802.16-2004 wireless broadband standard, commonly known as WiMax. The DM256 chip is now shipping in sample quantities and is expected to be available in volume in January, according to Francois Draper, vice president of sales and marketing at WaveSat. The chip will become a component of systems costing around $250 to $300 that should begin shipping in the second quarter of next year, he said. In its first incarnation, defined by the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard, WiMax is intended as a fixed wireless broadband technology for homes and businesses, capable of delivering speeds comparable to current wired broadband. A later version expected in 2007, based on the emerging IEEE 802.16e specification, will allow for mobile broadband services. December 15, 2004. Satelinx International Inc., a global provider of satellite vehicle tracking, announced that AXA Insurance has formally approved the Satelinx Vehicle Tracking device and are now starting to recommend it to their automobile insurance customers. "The idea behind an insurance company such as AXA recommending to its customers to install our device in their vehicle is very simple. Vehicles equipped with Satelinx are not only very difficult to steal, but in the event the vehicle is stolen, we can track and recover it in real-time, even performing a remote shut-down of the engine." Said Sam Grinfeld, President, Satelinx International Inc. "Customers opting for this complete vehicle security system also benefit since they can receive premium discount that can be as high as 35%." Further added Mr. Grinfled. December 15, 2004. Sprint and Nextel announced their intention to merge, forming a network embracing 35.4 million subscribers and reducing Americans' national mobile network options to four: Cingular, Verizon, Sprint Nextel ("Sprextel") and T-Mobile. After completing the merger in late 2005, the two companies would spin off Sprint's local phone service to become all mobile, all the time. By pairing up with Sprint, Nextel finds a way out of its current technology dead-end. Nextel phones run on iDEN (Integrated Digital Enhanced Network), which has no clear upgrade path to the high-speed data services, the likely future path for mobile phone companies. Nextel's been testing out Flarion's Flash-OFDM (a 10-word acronym) high-speed data system in North Carolina, but up until now the company said it wouldn't open up any kind of national high-speed network until the end of 2006 at the earliest - a full year behind Sprint, Verizon and Cingular. December 15, 2004. GeoLogic Solutions, the industry's first company to offer a mobile communications and tracking system that combines satellite and terrestrial networks into a single intelligent solution, announced that Kansas City-based TransAm Trucking will equip its fleet of nearly 1,000 trucks with the company's MobileMax Multi-Mode communications system. A GeoLogic Solutions customer for nearly ten years, (with the Pro2000 mobile communications system, a predecessor of MobileMax), TransAm felt it was time to re-evaluate the entire mobile communications market since so many changes had been made in the wireless industry in the past decade. After a very thorough evaluation process, the MobileMax solution was selected as the communications system best suited for TransAm. The primary decision was based on the system's multi-mode functionality--the ability to automatically switch between satellite and terrestrial services. December 15, 2004. Pharos Science & Applications, Inc., a leading manufacturer of GPS navigation products and provider of location-based services, has introduced the EZ-Road Pocket GPS Navigator -- a low-cost, portable, touch-screen vehicle navigation device for consumers and mobile professionals. "EZ-Road goes everywhere you do, helping you navigate streets and highways anywhere in the US with confidence. It's so thin and light, you can slip the 4.2-ounce EZ-Road in your pocket, purse or briefcase. Once in your car, just place the EZ-Road on its windshield or dashboard mount and go," states Pharos' Vice President of Sales Robert Serafini. Using GPS satellites and digital street maps, EZ-Road pinpoints the driver's location. Drivers can program destinations by address, intersection, favorites or from a large Points-of-Interest library (POIs include public, government and commercial venues ranging from hotels, gas stations and restaurants to ATMs, hospitals, airports and more), and then set a route allowing EZ-Road to guide them to their destination. December 14, 2004. Airespace, Inc., the leader in intelligent WLAN systems, announced that it is working with Microsoft's Network Access Protection technologies to further enterprise wireless security. With Network Access Protection, network administrators can easily enforce enterprise-wide policies that control how and when users access a corporate network. By integrating this capability into Airespace's award-winning WLAN system, enterprises will have a complete solution for wireless protection, covering everything from authentication and encryption to client integrity checking and application-based network control. December 14, 2004. AeroScout, Inc., a pioneer in the field of Enterprise Visibility Solutions, announced the AeroScout Visibility System (AVS), an integrated suite of hardware and software products based around the company's new AeroScout Engine 3.0. AVS is the industry's most flexible and complete solution for Wi-Fi-based visibility of assets and people, and the only solution to enable three different location types as well as telemetry functionality, to fit all user application needs. AVS is a flexible set of hardware and software products that utilize standard Wi-Fi networks to accurately locate and identify assets or people in indoor and outdoor environments. At the foundation of the system lies the new AeroScout Engine 3.0, the core server-based software that provides location and telemetry processing based on data collected over standard wireless radio frequencies. With the release of version 3.0, the AeroScout Engine has added innovative, new and improved features that bring unparalleled capabilities to users. December 14, 2004. NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital map data for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, has been selected by SIRIUS Satellite Radio, a premium satellite radio provider known for delivering compelling commercial-free music and sports programming to cars and homes across the country, as the traffic data provider for the SIRIUS traffic service. SIRIUS' new service will provide consumers with regularly updated traffic information, such as accidents, scheduled road closings, traffic flow data or other traffic-related incidents to help them select the best available route. Traffic information will be integrated into new in-car navigation systems combining route guidance and mapping with traffic. December 14, 2004. More than a year has passed since terrestrial digital broadcasting services began a new TV era in Japan, with the services spreading to rural prefectures. During a recent demonstration of the service's potential during an emergency, the voice of an announcer sounded from a mobile phone in a shirt pocket. "This is a news bulletin. There was a strong earthquake in the Kanto region." The phone's liquid crystal screen automatically changed to a TV screen, and information appeared on the lower part. KDDI Corp. and Hitachi Ltd. have gotten together to develop this type of phone. The terminal is equipped with a global positioning system. "Linked with GPS, (broadcasters) can also automatically send information about the nearest shelter," said Tatsuo Shibata, deputy director of the media technology development department at KDDI. The developers want terrestrial digital broadcasting and mobile phone technology combined to send evacuation orders and disaster information during large-scale disasters. December 14, 2004. Nextel Communications Inc. and Yahoo! Inc., a leading global Internet company, announced a new relationship to offer Yahoo! Mobile Internet -- a suite of Yahoo! products and services, including e-mail, instant messaging, games and news content -- on Nextel handheld devices. The availability of core Yahoo! services will allow Nextel customers to take advantage of Yahoo!'s wireless messaging capabilities to stay connected and informed while on the go anywhere on Nextel's nationwide network. December 14, 2004. Cornice Inc., an innovator in compact, high-capacity storage, announced that Samsung Electronics has selected the 1.5-gigabyte Cornice Storage Element for its new SPH-V5400 mobile phone. As the first mobile phone with an embedded storage solution, Samsung's SPH-V5400 represents an entirely new class of mobile phone technology capable of storing hundreds of MP3 files and thousands of images, as well as downloading video content. The Samsung agreement marks the fourth time Cornice has partnered with a world-class consumer electronics manufacturer to deliver industry-first products with storage capabilities that set new standards for capacity, function and value. Prior to mobile phones, the Cornice Storage Element was embedded in the first "pocketable" MP3, USB and GPS products ever introduced. December 14, 2004. MTI MicroFuel Cells Inc. announced that an industrial product powered by a micro fuel cell has started shipping. MTI's fuel cell is being used in a portable radio frequency identification (RFID) reader manufactured by Intermec Technologies Corp. of Everett, Wash. Fewer than a thousand units will be shipped, but MTI officials called it a landmark as companies race to create a fuel cell that could eventually be used in consumer products like laptops and cell phones. MTI's fuel cells rely on a tiny flow of methanol to generate electricity. Fuel cells being developed by MTI and other companies are supposed to last around five times longer than standard batteries. December 14, 2004. Nextel Communications Inc. and Research In Motion (RIM) have announced the BlackBerry 7520 Wireless Handheld. The BlackBerry 7520 features Bluetooth technology for hands-free, wireless communications using Bluetooth-enabled headsets and car kits. It also incorporates GPS technology with E911 support. The BlackBerry 7520 provides mobile office, enabling phone, Direct Connect, email and data applications in a single integrated device. The new model also features an enhanced attachment viewing that allows users to view and store JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG and TIFF files and save images directly from attachments. It also comes with an increased memory, now with 32 MB flash memory plus 4 MB SRAM to provide a bigger storage for data and applications. When used on Nextel's network the new Blackberry 7520 integrates with Direct Connect, the push-to-talk service offered by Nextel. The GPS is designed to help police, fire and rescue to determine device location in the event of an emergency (E9111 support). December 14, 2004. Research In Motion (RIM) is working with members of the BlackBerry ISV Alliance Program to enable location-enhanced applications for the BlackBerry platform. With the addition of GPS support to the BlackBerry platform, various ISVs have begun to create mobile applications for BlackBerry that leverage navigation, location and tracking information. "The addition of location-based services to the BlackBerry wireless platform is extending the value of BlackBerry to a broader range of applications and opening new opportunities with corporate and government customers," said Mark Guibert, Vice President, Corporate Marketing at Research In Motion. "We are pleased to report that application development efforts are already underway in areas such as supply chain and delivery management, field service automation, continuity planning and navigation services." December 13, 2004. Ubisense, a developer of tracking systems that use ultra-wideband (UWB) RFID technology to create indoor, real-time location positioning systems, has received certification from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Since its founding in 2002, the company has been developing its UWB technology and its products are being used, under a pre-marketing agreement that does not require FCC certification, for research projects at 20 research institutions around the world. Now that the company has gained FCC certification by proving that its UWB products function within the appropriate band and work in the manner in which they are intended, Ubisense can sell its products in the U.S. Unlike conventional RFID systems, which operate on single bands of the radio spectrum, UWB transmits a signal over multiple bands of frequencies simultaneously, from 3.1 GHz to 10.6 GHz. UWB signals are also transmitted for a much shorter duration than those used in conventional RFID. UWB tags consume less power than conventional RF tags and can operate across a broad area of the radio spectrum. UWB can be used in close proximity to other RF signals without causing or suffering from interference because of the differences in signal types and radio spectrum used. December 13, 2004. Staccato Communications Inc. says it has successfully demonstrated the first single-chip, all-CMOS ultra wideband radio that complies with the Multiband-OFDM Alliance's physical-layer specifications. Scheduled to sample by the end of the first quarter, the chip comprises an RF front end with base band processing. According to the company, it has been shown to operate at the full 480-Mbit/second MBOA-specified data rate. December 13, 2004. Pulse~LINK, Inc. announced that it has achieved the highest data rates ever transmitted and received for Ultra Wideband (UWB) wireless communications, demonstrating 667 Mbps of throughput after forward error correction. The new high-speed chipset architecture, capable of surpassing one Gigabit, presents CE manufacturers with DVI, HDMI and 1394b cable replacement opportunities for interconnectivity of high-end multimedia devices and wireless streaming of HDTV. December 13, 2004. NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, is now offering detailed coverage for all of France. With the completion of a full detailed coverage map of France, NAVTEQ has achieved the milestone of driven verification of the country's roadways. The full detailed map of France is currently available to NAVTEQ's business customers for integration into consumer applications. NAVTEQ's full detailed coverage map of France now includes: December 13, 2004. As the Federal Communications Commission prepares to hammer another nail in the coffin of AT&T's efforts to compete in local-landline telephony markets, the long-distance company has begun to reveal the fruits of its R&D deal with Intel. The companies are focusing on WiMAX for much of their cooperative efforts. AT&T is assisting Intel to develop the semiconductor firm's Roseville family of WiMAX chips scheduled for release next year. As AT&T has retreated from consumer landline-telephone markets, it has increasingly directed its attention to voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and WiMAX, the wireless wide-area technology. Intel has already made known its determination to remain in the vanguard of the emerging WiMAX technology, and AT&T is looking at WiMAX as an end-run around the former Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) that are beginning to raise the rates they charge AT&T and other long-distance companies, including MCI, to connect to their local networks. December 13, 2004. Blue Marble Geographics announces the release of a new version of the world’s most recognized coordinate conversion software, the Geographic Calculator 6.2. Blue Marble has been writing GIS software tools and solutions for over 11 years. The calculator is used world wide by thousands of basic to advanced GIS analysts at universities, oil and gas companies, civil engineering, surveying, technology, enterprise GIS groups, and military organizations. Version 6.2 is available free to customers with active annual support agreements. December 13, 2004. Atmel Corporation and Thales navigation business have signed a technology agreement, under which the two companies will partner in the development and marketing of state-of-the-art global positioning system (GPS) chipsets, sub-systems and associated software. Under the agreement Atmel will sell a GPS chipset solution currently used in the Magellan(R) eXplorist recreational GPS handheld from Thales which was jointly developed by Atmel and Thales. The two companies expect that the combination of Thales’ GPS expertise and Atmel’s manufacturing acumen will allow them to offer superior GPS chipset solutions at ultra-competitive prices. Atmel expects to offer a variety of GPS chipsets by mid 2005. December 10, 2004. National mapping agency, Ordnance Survey recently offered utility companies the chance to see how Global Positioning Systems (GPS) could benefit them at a special demonstration in London. Among those attending were representatives from Thames Water, Southern Water, South East Water and BT. They worked with surveyors to see how the advanced data collection technology could pinpoint a specific location within just a few centimeters, providing a valuable tool for managing and positioning assets. The benefits of this shovel-width accuracy are clear - with improved efficiencies in asset capture and maintenance, work can be carried out more effectively and costs can be reduced. Ordnance Survey realizes the business need for such precision. A civilian using GPS will normally accept an accuracy of around 10 meters. This can be increased through a technique called Differential GPS (DGPS), whereby extra information is sent to the user's GPS receiver to cancel out most of the error sources. Traditionally, a user would establish their own GPS base station infrastructure to carry out this task, adding time and cost to the operation. However, Ordnance Survey links together a network of 55 permanent GPS base stations covering most of England, to provide a 'regional' model of corrections for this entire area. The system works by sending raw GPS data from the network in real-time to Ordnance Survey head office in Southampton where the correction model is generated. The user dials into this server using a mobile phone, relaying their approximate position. The server then returns the GPS correction tailored to their location, enabling the more precise positioning expected from Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS, a three-dimensional 1-2 cm location. December 10, 2004. CareGroup Healthcare System has skipped a step involved in implementing most radio frequency identification-based tracking applications. The Boston-based provider organization didn't install new receivers to catch signals from RFID sensors used with its tracking application from Framingham, Mass.-based PanGo Networks Inc. Instead, it's tracking the sensors via the access points in its existing Wi-Fi network. "We're tracking RFID tags over wireless network technology we already have in the building to save on capital," explains John Halamka, M.D., CIO. December 10, 2004. A hybrid technology approach is going to be needed to enable mobile phone location to work everywhere and be accurate, according to speakers at the European Emergency Number Association 112 conference. Assisted-GPS (A-GPS) satellite-based location technology is considered by all to be the basic technology which will then be combined with another technology to provide the required accuracy in both urban and rural environments. December 10, 2004. Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand products, has announced a new member of the v Maicovicon, Panasonic's next-generation image sensor family for mobile devices. By successfully reducing the individual pixel size to 2.2-micron square, the smallest in the industry to date, the new sensor is capable of arranging 3 megapixels on a single chip with a 1/3.2-inch optical format (image diagonal of 5.6 mm). With this new addition, the v Maicovicon family now offers three types of image sensors including a diagonal 5.6 mm (Type 1/3.2) 2-megapixel and diagonal 4.5 mm (Type 1/4) 1.3-megapixel image sensors. This latest sensor enables to make mobile phones smaller and thinner with improved picture quality and less power consumption. Stores now offer printout services for camera-phone pictures and there is real demand for better picture quality. Achieving a greater pixel count means the new 3-megapixel sensor reproduces clearer images that can be enlarged without compromising picture quality. December 10, 2004. WiFi Wireless, Inc. announced that they had contracted with AValon RF, Inc. to design and produce its first generation wireless terrestrial "last mile" mobile UHF, narrow band, high data rate, 802.22 based solution for it's global communication network. WiFi Wireless' network, through its proprietary IP, will offer the following advantages: December 9, 2004. nex-G Systems Pte Ltd, a global provider of carrier class, wireless broadband solutions, introduces its WiMAX platform Horizon, based on the IEEE 802.16-2004 standards, incorporating early 802.16e mobility features. The nex-G WiMAX portfolio includes cost-effective, carrier class, outdoor subscriber units, base stations and backhaul solutions, designed to meet the needs of today's and tomorrow's wireless broadband applications. The Horizon Base Station, with up to 16 sectors, is a resilient, telco-class solution capable of supporting simultaneous connection for up to 16,000 subscribers. December 9, 2004. TOPCON has announced a combination of GPS and laser technology that will provide machine control accuracy to within a few millimeters - allowing a single system to control all aspects of an earthmoving project from initial excavation down to final finishing. Known as “Millimeter-GPS”, the new laser technology provides an enhancement in the vertical measuring precision of real-time kinematics (RTK) GPS. It will be released in Australia in Q4 of 2004. The new technology, known as LazerZone, can be combined with any Topcon RTK GPS+ system to generate a vertical accuracy to within a few millimeters, compared with the centimeter vertical accuracy of conventional RTK GPS. December 9, 2004. MobiMate announces the release of the all new and improved WorldMate(R) Professional Edition 2005 for Palm, Pocket PC and Desktop platforms, which offers travelers and corporate travel planners enhanced itinerary and trip management capabilities, cross-platform synchronization and pre-planning and en-route travel itinerary updating features. WorldMate users with Palm and Pocket PC devices are now able to collaborate with the all new Desktop version and receive over-the-air (OTA) updates whenever a change is made to an itinerary. WorldMate's Desktop Companion also enables users to send these saved itineraries from WorldMate to anyone on the Web via email as WMI file attachments. December 8, 2004. Netistix Technologies Corp., a Kanata, Ont.-based startup, has a fleet management system called FleetPulse that doesn't track vehicle location. Instead, it uses Wi-Fi access points to collect information to help maintain and manage vehicles. FleetPulse can report on how fast a vehicle is driven, how sharply it brakes and accelerates, how much it idles and how much fuel it uses, says John Woronczuk, the company's vice-president of marketing and sales. It can also measure emissions, and it ties into the vehicle's on-board diagnostic system, which is the thing that activates warning lights. Behind those lights is a long list of diagnostic codes, which mechanics read with a computerized sensor to find out what's wrong when the warning light comes on. Netistix's device plugs into the connector for this system and reports those codes to a central system, which makes them accessible through a Web browser. Not only does FleetPulse report the error code if the warning light comes on, Woronczuk says, but it also reports "pending codes," or problems not yet severe enough to trigger the warning light. December 8, 2004. AeroScout, Inc., a pioneer in the field of Enterprise Visibility Solutions, announced the AeroScout Visibility System (AVS), an integrated suite of hardware and software products based around the company's new AeroScout Engine 3.0. AVS is the industry's most flexible and complete solution for Wi-Fi-based visibility of assets and people, and the only solution to enable three different location types as well as telemetry functionality, to fit all user application needs. AVS is a flexible set of hardware and software products that utilize standard Wi-Fi networks to accurately locate and identify assets or people in indoor and outdoor environments. At the foundation of the system lies the new AeroScout Engine 3.0, the core server-based software that provides location and telemetry processing based on data collected over standard wireless radio frequencies. December 8, 2004. German software vendor Derdack has released XMS Access Manager, an innovative and brand-new product allowing mobile operators to open their SMSC and MMSC infrastructure to third party business. Mobile messaging services are a very promising and essential revenue source for mobile operators. Leveraging third party SMS and MMS services is playing an increasingly important role. By opening their SMSCs and MMSCs to third parties, mobile operators can now look forward to a broader range of customer-orientated applications, value-added services and a shorter time-to-market for revenue. With XMS Access Manager mobile operators significantly increase the attractiveness of their SMS and MMS services and messaging revenues. XMS Access Manager runs as a gateway and shield between the SMSC or MMSC of the mobile operator and any third party business. It both manages all third party access and message traffic and combines performance, scability, reliability and convenient system management. Furthermore, the software provides a rich set of convenient messaging APIs. XMS Acess Manager is a compact but comprehensive off-the-shelf solution for leveraging the innovative potential of third party application developers and content providers. December 8, 2004. Tourists and business people visiting New Zealand or in fact anyone with PDA's or Smartphones now have easy access to a wide range of interactive maps developed by New Zealand's premier geospatial solution provider, GeoSmart Limited. These maps will display on both Palm and Pocket PC platforms loaded with the popular HandMap application. HandMap transforms a PDA into a full-featured atlas with searchable street information as well as a lot of details such as parks, rivers, and other landmarks in addition to emergency locations such as hospitals. You can zoom in for more detail, or pan out for the bigger picture. GPS plug in software is available which when combined with compatible GPS hardware provides a 'You are here' solution and you can also set a destination which will prompt HandMap to point you in the right direction. December 7, 2004. AVL Global, Inc. announced that the Company reached an agreement with EVA, Enhanced Vehicle Applications LLC to provide existing customers with ongoing support and to work collectively on a mutually beneficial product development strategy. As of December 1st, 2004 EVA began supporting current non-GSM customers by acquiring existing servers, back-office, mapping engine, and tracking applications developed by AVL. Under the agreement AVL will assist EVA with customized back-office and website upgrades for its North American customer base, while exclusively allocating internal resources to the international GSM market. December 6, 2004. Trimble introduced a new embedded Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for timing applications, the Resolution(TM) T receiver. With major advancements in performance, ease of integration, and software flexibility, the Resolution T receiver enables system integrators to add precise GPS or Universal Time Coordinate (UTC) time and synchronization to many products where cost or size had previously been a limitation. Precise timing and synchronization is vital to today's wireless infrastructure, efficiently controlling the flow of network information data to maximize the use of bandwidth. Backed by Trimble's more than 20 years of experience, innovation, and long-term commitment to the market, the Resolution T provides a low-cost, easy to use, highly accurate and reliable GPS timing source for the telecommunications, broadcast synchronization, power transmission and wireless industries. December 6, 2004. From developing new and productive ways to utilize office space to locating patients, medical staff and equipment in hospitals to managing innovative lighting for stage shows, Ubisense Smart Space uses patented and patent pending technology to create an ultrawideband-based network inside a building capable of locating a person or object in three dimensions to within 6 inches in real-time. The devices comprising the platform today received certification from the Federal Communications Commission to operate in the United States. While traditional radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is becoming the standard for managing product manufacturing and the distribution supply chain of low cost items, Ubisense Smart Space takes location-based technologies to a new level, enabling automation of a space -- and everything in it. December 6, 2004. Air-Trak, Inc., a developer of the Cloudberry GPS tracking and communication system, announced that Vertrax has chosen Cloudberry as a foundation for its SmartTrax(TM) mobile resource management solution for the retail petroleum industry. Vertrax of New Haven, Conn., develops industry-specific solutions that integrate wireless communications, the Internet, GPS-location software, and end-user mapping and routing applications for effective management of mobile resources. Building vertical applications with Cloudberry's GPS tracking and communication system helps Vertrax to address the specific needs of the retail petroleum market, which includes monitoring the delivery of heating oil and propane gas. Cloudberry is a full-featured GPS tracking and communication system that supports both cellular and satellite networks. This guarantees an all-digital wireless network with 100% coverage, while minimizing airtime costs by using the lowest cost service available. Due to Cloudberry's open, XML-based Application Program Interface (API), data gathered from the field can be easily integrated into a back-end system for customized reporting. December 5, 2004. Freeance Direct will allow linking of industry standard databases that contain street addresses or coordinate locations and map these records directly to an ArcIMS service. No longer will organizations have to process, and reprocess GIS data layers when integrating database records into ArcIMS. Also, by removing the requirement for large, static GIS layers, the Web mapping application will maintain faster response times and its data will not become outdated. The introduction of Freeance Direct brings the power of direct database mapping to ArcIMS. This new extension for Freeance opens the possibilities of creating Web mapping sites that have dynamic map layers created on-the-fly from industry standard external database records such as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Access, FoxPro, My SQL and others. Freeance Direct allows users to collect field data with handheld GPS receivers or GPS enabled cell phones and post these records directly to their ArcIMS site. Geographic coordinates are automatically converted by Freeance Direct to the proper ArcIMS GIS layer and coordinate system. This allows end-users to easily search these databases and physically map the results. Now, emergency management applications, that accept lat/long coordinates from GPS field readings, can map lat/long coordinates on-the-fly without compiling shape files. Users will be able to show storm damage, evacuation details, and utility outage points automatically. December 5, 2004. mmO2 and Lucent Technologies announced plans to deploy one of the world's first super-fast, converged fixed-mobile networks for mmO2's subsidiary, Manx Telecom, on the Isle of Man. The commercial third-generation (3G) UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) network -- which will incorporate super-fast HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access) technology as well as Lucent's IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) solution -- will enable Manx Telecom to provide both wireless and wireline customers with "blended" mobile high-speed data, multimedia, and VoIP services. This HSDPA-enabled network will initially offer data speeds of 3.6 Megabits per second (Mbps) - a limitation of initial mobile device implementations - and ultimately will support data speeds of up to 14.4 Mbps. Lucent's IMS, a converged Internet Protocol-based core network solution that is part of Lucent's Accelerate(TM) Next-Generation Communications Solutions portfolio, will enable Manx Telecom to provide its customers with a wide array of compelling, multimedia services that can be delivered over both mobile and fixed networks.
December 3, 2004. Auckland-based company Sandtracker claims to have produced a low-silicon chip that can be manufactured for around 6 cents. Many industry analysts believe that 5 cents is an appropriate economic price point that will drive wide-scale deployment of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. Sandtracker says it has five companies "seriously trialling" its cheaper tags. One of these is sports-event software firm Codenz which is putting the tags on the running bibs of athletes to count and order them across finishing lines. Another is reported to be using RFID for more traditional crate and container management and security applications. RFIDs are thumbnail-sized microchips that are expected one day to replace traditional barcodes. RFIDs have no power source of their own. Rather the tag draws its power from an RFID reader when it comes in close proximity. Then the RFID tag broadcasts information about itself (or the product it is attached to) - i.e. where it's been, where it's going, and other information. December 2, 2004. Syniverse Technologies, a leading provider of mission-critical technology services to wireless telecommunication companies worldwide, and GPSTracks announced the launch of GlobalPetFinder to provide pet owners with the ability to remotely monitor their pets' location. As one of the world's only patented global positioning system (GPS) pet locater devices, GlobalPetFinder utilizes Syniverse's Mobile Device Control Services (Mobile DCS) to send an SMS identifying the pet's location directly to a mobile device such as a GSM mobile phone, pager or PDA. GlobalPetFinder allows the pet's owner to set safe boundaries within which the pet can roam and notifies the owner if the pet wanders outside of the boundary. The GlobalPetFinder device is worn as a collar, operates on three rechargeable AAA batteries and alerts the owner when the batteries are low. December 2, 2004. Ultradata Systems, Inc. announced it has completed development of its handheld voice recognition Road Genie Audio Navigation System, with first production units available in February. "This low-cost, easy-to-use highway travel product provides real benefits in price and simplicity," said Monte Ross, CEO of Ultradata. "It's quite easy to use. For example, when in the FOOD category, you just say 'McDonalds' and it responds, 'McDonalds, four miles, exit 165, east one mile.' It provides customized verbal directions at your request, it's simple to use, and it will retail for substantially less than $100." The handheld Road Genie will respond to voice input and provide voice output giving data on directions and driving time to services and towns across the continental U.S. It has over 80,000 services near highways and over 100,000 pre-programmed city to city directions that can be called up as needed by the user. December 2, 2004. Digital Angel Corporation, an advanced technology company in the field of rapid and accurate identification, location tracking and condition monitoring of high-value assets, announced that it had received an order from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the Company’s proprietary RFID (radiofrequency identification) traceability system to help the government’s ongoing effort to eradicate Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in captive cervids. December 2, 2004. WebTech Wireless, a leading fleet Telematics products and service provider, has agreed to acquire all of GlobeTrac's existing location-based and Telematics business in Europe. GlobeTrac Inc., was a provider of location-based and fleet Telematics services throughout Europe and now intends to seek new business opportunities. Europe's multi-billion dollar market represents a huge growth opportunity for WebTech. The London office offers business and technical services to the UK and Ireland. Opening an office in Milan has greatly enhanced WebTech's solution offering and market penetration on the European continent. GlobeTrac, which was a WebTech distributor, ceased all operations in Europe as of November 1st, 2004. This agreement allows WebTech to immediately provide monthly services using its web portal in eight languages to all existing and future European customers. December 1, 2004. Werner Enterprises, Inc., one of the nation's largest truckload transportation companies, will host a ceremony on Thursday, December 2, 2004 at which it will become the only trucking company in the United States to be granted an exemption from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) agency to utilize its Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to record drivers' hours-of-service (HOS). Werner Enterprises' drivers are allowed to document their hours-of-service using a GPS-based paperless logging system as a replacement for paper logs. The two-year exemption is a milestone for Werner Enterprises and the trucking industry. After six years of pilot-testing and monitoring Werner's use of this GPS technology application since June 1998, the FMCSA approved the exemption that no longer requires Werner drivers to prepare handwritten paper records of drive and work time. Based on this experience, FMCSA stated its belief that the exemption achieves a level of safety equivalent to, or greater than, that provided by using the current paper log system. December 1, 2004. MapInfo announced the launch of MapInfo Gazetteer Management System (GMS) to facilitate the creation, maintenance and enterprise-wide sharing of Local Land and Property (LLPG) and Local Street (LSG) Gazetteers. Developed by MapInfo specifically for the UK BS7666 market, following extensive consultation with BS7666 users and experts, MapInfo GMS is the successor to MapInfo’s successful BS7666 Toolbox. While retaining the look and feel of the BS7666 Toolbox, MapInfo GMS is delivered through much more robust and interoperable technology, providing local authorities with the opportunity to realize the requirement for a single, central gazetteer. MapInfo GMS will provide a BS7666 compliant gazetteer, which other applications can access without restriction, putting live gazetteer data at the centre of corporate spatial data management. MapInfo GMS is a highly configurable system, which allows local LLPG custodians both to interpret BS7666 in their own way and to implement a potentially unlimited number of business rules that are specific to their local needs. MapInfo GMS scales from a single desktop to an entire organization, delivering true multi-user read and write access of spatial and non-spatial data to many users concurrently. December 1, 2004. Cingular Wireless, the nation's largest wireless provider, announced plans to begin deploying the nation's fastest high-speed mobile wireless data network based on international standards. The third generation network will offer average data speeds between 400-700 kilobits per second (Kbps), and bursts to several megabits per second on capable devices. Cingular, a joint venture of SBC Communications Inc. and BellSouth Corp., will be building 3G UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) with HSDPA (High Speed Downlink Packet Access) networks in a number of major urban and suburban markets beginning in 2005. Cingular's recent acquisition of AT&T Wireless provided the company with the spectrum necessary to build the 3G networks. Cingular, which pioneered the development of GSM at both 850 and 1900 MHz, intends to make the high-speed network available to not only its regional and rural roaming partners but also enable regional and rural carriers to deploy UMTS services on their networks as well. December 1, 2004. Globalstar, the world's most widely used handheld satellite phone and a provider of satellite voice and data services to business, announced that it will offer simplex, or one-way, data services to customers using its European gateway located in France. Combined with the current simplex data coverage offered by the Globalstar gateway in Turkey, this expanded coverage will more than double the area currently served by the company's simplex data service to include all of Europe, the North Atlantic, and North Africa. This new service enhancement is the result of a hardware upgrade to the European ground station, or gateway, which is operated by Globalstar to provide satellite customers access to ground-based public telephone and data networks. Globalstar simplex data service has already been available in the U.S. and Canada since 2003, and in the Middle East and parts of Europe since earlier this year. December 1, 2004. Trimble introduced an extension to its popular AgGPS EZ-Guide Plus light bar guidance system that allows EZ-Guide Plus customers the choice of upgrading to the new Trimble AgGPS EZ-Steer system for assisted steering or the field proven AgGPS Autopilot system for automated steering. With the introduction of the EZ-Guide Plus upgrades to the EZ-Steer or Autopilot system, Trimble now offers the broadest range of GPS-based guidance and equipment automation solutions available in the agriculture market today. The 2005 product line offers a range of price points as well as features and performance to offer farmers more options to meet their specific needs. Now farmers can upgrade their EZ-Guide light bar system to a complete range of equipment automation options to potentially empower their entire fleet with assisted or automated steering. December 1, 2004. RaySat's new EagleRay satellite antenna system will soon bring broadband via satellite to high-speed passenger trains. With RaySat's EagleRay 5.5 inch high antenna, train passengers will be able to take advantage of two-way satellite always-on capability, such as sending and receiving e-mail and browsing the Internet over their laptop computers and PDAs while traveling by high-speed trains. November 30, 2004. Tripod Data Systems (TDS) introduced the TDS TerraGuide navigation package. TDS TerraGuide is a full-featured navigation package that displays digital topographic maps and nautical charts, and allows users to determine their location, plan their route and plot waypoints. The software includes elevation data to display 3-D terrain views, and its QuickChart map engine lets users quickly pan and zoom on maps. The TDS Recon rugged handheld computer, a GPS CompactFlash card, an Extended CF-Cap, and full-color 1:250,000-scale maps for the 48 states in the contiguous United States are included in the TDS TerraGuide package. USGS topo maps for individual states with Landsat satellite images are available separately. The TDS TerraGuide navigation package offers productivity enhancements to mobile computing professionals in forestry, environmental, military and search-and-rescue fields, as well as users in outdoor recreation. Users can plan their route, track their position and review their progress for hiking, boating, snowmobiling and other pursuits. Instead of carrying around fragile paper maps, users can carry multiple map layers and details, plus real-time GPS data -- in a rugged computer designed for tough outdoor environments. And with the Recon, users have all the capabilities of a Windows Mobile device in the palm of their hand. November 30, 2004. AirTight Networks announced the availability of SpectraGuard 2.0, the first Wi-Fi firewall to accurately, reliably and automatically protect enterprise networks from wireless security threats. AirTight recently changed its name from Wibhu Technologies, and announced that it received $10.25 million in venture funding to support its sales and marketing efforts. Its patent-pending technology is the first to accurately and reliably detect and protect against Wi-Fi security threats, including rogue access points (APs), misconfigured APs, client mis-association (clients connecting to a neighbor's Wi-Fi network), and ad-hoc networks (clients connecting to other clients on the network to create an unsecured Wi-Fi bridge). With SpectraGuard, enterprise users have the same level of network security that currently exists in wired networks. November 30, 2004. Wireless Valley Communications, a leading RF software company with widely used products for the efficient deployment, monitoring and ongoing operation of any wireless network, announced its strategic intent to extend its spectrum of wireless support through the development of innovative products for emerging RF technologies such as WiMax, ZigBee and RFID. With several emerging RF-based technologies expected to gain traction over the next several years, Wireless Valley intends to bring the same proven value of design and simulation, measurement and management to meet the future needs of their customers. West Technology Research Solutions predicts that ZigBee chip shipments will grow from 19 million in 2006 to 123 million in 2009 and, according to Yankee Group, RFID spending, including readers, tags and services, will reach US$4 billion by 2008. November 30, 2004. South Korean fixed-line telephone carrier KT Corp. and mobile-phone operator SK Telecom Co. joined Hanaroteleocm Inc. in the licensing race for the upcoming portable Internet business. KT, the former state telecom monopoly which owns 94.2 percent of the local fixed-line market and 51 percent of the broadband Internet service market, submitted a draft plan for the portable Internet business to the Ministry of Information and Communication yesterday, saying it plans for commercial launch in April 2006. SK Telecom, the largest mobile-phone operator with a 51.4 percent market share, said it will submit its application to the ministry today. Hanarotelecom, the No. 2 fixed-line and broadband Internet operator, applied for the licenses Monday. The portable Internet, dubbed WiBro (wireless broadband), is designed to offer better mobility than wireless LAN services and faster connection than third-generation mobile-phone services. Portable Internet operators will be required to deliver an Internet connection to receiver devices moving up to 70 kilometers per hour. November 30, 2004. EKAHAU, INC. announced that it has created an application software suite for Wi-Fi location tracking, to be used in combination with Ekahau Positioning Engine and Wi-Fi tags. Named as Ekahau RTLS (Real Time Location System), the combined system offers a turn-key enterprise solution for real-time personnel and asset tracking over standard Wi-Fi network. With Ekahau RTLS, the precise real-time location of Wi-Fi based mobile devices, such as wireless laptops, PDAs and Wi-Fi tags can be pinpointed within the Wi-Fi coverage area, for the use of various people and asset tracking applications. The new Application Suite consists of three end-customer applications, Ekahau Finder, Ekahau Tracker and Ekahau Logger. Ekahau Finder will be first to ship in January 2005. The Application Suite answers the most common application needs in real-time tracking. The Ekahau Finder is a straightforward tool for asking the location of tracked devices from a web browser or PDA, Ekahau Tracker provides a real-time view of the locations of the devices and Ekahau Logger is used for viewing historical locations of people and assets and analyzing traffic flows. November 30, 2004. Sarantel, the leading innovator in the design and manufacture of proprietary miniature antennas for portable and wireless devices, has been chosen by Laipac Technology to supply its GeoHelix Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna in a new portable tracking device. The Laipac S-911 Personal Locator combines state-of-the-art technology with high-performance GPS capability, in response to the demand for increased personal safety devices. The S-911 is ideal for parents who wish to track children's location and outdoor adventurers and hikers who require an extra layer of personal security. It utilizes the Sarantel GPS antenna to ensure consistently good reception even in the most harsh and inhospitable environments. The S-911 is a portable locator device and has three levels of emergency reporting. Firstly, it can be used as an emergency mobile phone with speed dialing for two-way voice communication. Secondly, it has the ability to silently call 911 for assistance using a personalized voice recording to report location and time and send SMS messages to a control centre. Lastly it has an alarm button that connects users to a call centre, which has the ability to pinpoint the user and take immediate action. The S-911 also has a unique geofence feature, which can be used to report to authority or control centre when the person is out of a pre-defined area. November 29, 2004. Webraska Mobile Technologies, the pioneering provider of GPS, voice-enabled wireless navigation applications and location-based services (LBS) solutions, is pleased to announce that Sensis, the leading Australian local advertising and commercial search business, has selected Webraska's SmartZone Call Centre Framework to power the location-based services included in its recently launched premium voice service Sensis 1234. Launched 20 June, 2004, Sensis 1234 brings together Telstra Call Connect (12456) and the Yellow Pages Connect service (12451), into a single operator-assisted service. Sensis 1234 operators now also have access to the extensive Whereis mapping database to provide callers with directions and proximity searches, giving live spoken turn-by-turn instructions or delivering the information via short message service (SMS). Sensis' Whereis service is powered by Webraska's SmartZone Geospatial Platform and the extendable guidance call centre features within the SmartZone Call Centre Framework. November 29, 2004. Thuraya Satellite Telecommunications of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced the launch of a new maritime satellite telephone service. The new service will include voice, data, fax and Internet. Thuraya will offer uninterrupted satellite services across its entire coverage area which includes the Red Sea, the Mediterranean, Gulf waters, the North, Baltic, Caspian and Black Seas and parts of the Indian and Atlantic oceans. November 29, 2004. Air-Trak, Inc., a developer of location, tracking and messaging systems, announced that Custom Air Trucking has implemented Air-Trak's Cloudberry mobile resource management system to increase route efficiency and improve customer service. A provider of same-day pick up and delivery service for freight forwarders, Custom Air routes drivers and deliveries using Cloudberry software and GPS-enabled cell phones. Cloudberry is a powerful GPS tracking and communications system that displays real-time location of vehicles on detailed maps. By locating drivers and communicating in real-time, Custom Air is able to handle more transactions per driver per day, increasing efficiency by 25 percent without additional hiring. November 29, 2004. GPS Industries Inc., a leading innovator of Wi-Fi wireless and GPS-enabled multimedia communications and management solutions for resorts, sporting events and residential communities, announced that it has acquired three key patents for Global Positioning System (GPS)-based golf applications in North America. North America is the world's largest golf market with more than 20,000 courses. The acquisition of the North American patents wins the Company control of the most essential set of patents for all major markets in the worldwide golf marketplace, estimated at $38 billion. GPSI had previously acquired the Differential GPS (DGPS) patents for golf and other industries in 13 other countries, including 11 European nations, Australia and Japan. The three acquired North American patents include the well-recognized '093 patent and cover a broad application of DGPS and GPS technology to enable a number of key golf course applications, such as the precise, real-time measurement of the distance of the ball to the pin. The coverage includes both golf course and personal GPS golf systems and extends to any device developed for other purposes, such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), when using GPS on a golf course. November 29, 2004. Guidepoint, a stolen vehicle recovery, driver safety and convenience system sold at new-car dealers nationwide, has begun shipping units with a new in-vehicle switch that lets drivers access help with the touch of a button. Called the Guidepoint Access Panel, the switch allows consumers to arm/disarm the system's Security Fence and to send an instant OnCall alert to Guidepoint's response center. Designed to be mounted on the dashboard, the panel features easy-to-understand graphics of a fence and phone, and a brilliant blue warning light to show system status and serve as theft deterrent. November 26, 2004. James Associates has released MacTopos USA 1.0, a new mapping break-through that allows an entire state on one DVD. Teamed up with their popular MacGPS Pro software, MacTopos USA provides the ultimate digital topographic mapping solution. For most states, one DVD contains the entire state in three crystal-clear map scales: 1:24K, 1:100K, and 1:250K. New technology allows the same sharp detailed maps as the original Digital Raster Graphics maps from the USGS, except they are compressed to save space without losing resolution. Any or all of these detailed images can be stored using less room on a hard drive. They can also be used in real-time directly from one DVD with no need to switch or store additional disks while traveling. November 25, 2004. UK telecoms regulator Ofcom is to push ahead with plans to open the country's wireless spectrum. But the free-for-all being predicted in some sections of the press looks like taking some time to emerge. The proposal clears the way for a host of currently hamstrung wireless technologies to establish themselves, and potentially opens the door to hosts of new service providers and services. The Spectrum Framework Review says Ofcom will "over time, apply [a] market-led approach to over 70% of the radio spectrum (currently 0%)." The UK's five mobile network operators will be breathing a sigh of relief after spending some GBP22.5 billion to acquire spectrum for 3G services. Ofcom promised to "introduce trading and liberalization in a phased way, intervening where necessary to make sure that these initiatives do not result in excessive harmful interference for other users." November 25, 2004. Ekahau, Inc. announced that it will be collaborating with ORACLE CORPORATION JAPAN in providing Wi-Fi Location Based Services (LBS) and Real Time Locating System (RTLS) solutions for the Asian market. Oracle Location Based Services Framework will be using the Ekahau Positioning Engine software and Ekahau T101 Wi-Fi Tags and passive RFID tags for as the platform for Wi-Fi based location tracking. With Ekahau's solution the precise real-time location of Wi-Fi based mobile devices, such as wireless laptops, PDAs and Wi-Fi tags can be pinpointed within the Wi-Fi coverage area, for the use of various people and asset tracking applications. A rapid adoption of Wi-Fi networks in several industry verticals has created a natural platform for Ekahau's innovative location tracking technology. Several industry segments, such as healthcare, manufacturing and process industry are looking at real-time location tracking solutions as the next new technology to improve the internal workflow and manufacturing process, resource and inventory management. Unlike competing technologies that are relying on a costly location antenna infrastructure, Ekahau's solution works over existing Wi-Fi networks by using any brand of 802.11a/b/g access points. November 24, 2004. Smartphones will become essential business tools next year and wireless e-mail will become so important that employees will eventually be evaluated on how well they use the technology, market research firm Gartner predicted Wednesday. Specifically, the firm predicted that more smartphones, which can be used for cellular voice and data and to manage personal information, will be shipped in 2006 than PDAs. PDAs will continue to play a role in the enterprise for use with mobilized applications, according to Gartner, but smartphones will be the device that most mobile users will use from day to day, according to the report. The study said that it expected 20 million smartphones to ship in 2006 compared to about 13 million PDAs. November 23, 2004. The National Internet Development Agency of Korea (NIDA) said on November 14 it had developed an integrated code search system that can search radio frequency identification (RFID) information ubiquitous around the world with diversified standards. The NIDA said its new integrated RFID code search system, dubbed 'Multiplex Directory System (MDS)', can read any RFID code information used by other countries, including the United States and Japan. The agency plans to launch its pilot service in Korea in this month. November 23, 2004. Intermap Technologies has announced a new flying programme beginning in the spring of 2005 that will extend its NEXTMap Britain 3D landscape map across the whole of the UK. This will mean that for the first time England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man will be covered by a single up-to-date landscape survey of unprecedented accuracy. Also announced is a re-fly program that will update existing areas covering the main centers of population including London and the Thames Valley, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield. Advancements in Intermap’s technology will result in the enhancement of the original elevation dataset collected for NEXTMap Britain, predicted to deliver an even higher accuracy for specialist applications at a price point not matched by other survey methods. November 23, 2004. Aligo Inc., a global leader in mobile software solutions, is using ESRI's ArcWeb Services for WorkTrack, a hosted solution for managing the time and productivity of mobile employees. WorkTrack combines proven, leading edge mobile software with global positioning system (GPS)-enabled mobile phones and ArcWeb Services to offer businesses real-time centralized view and control of their distributed workforces, resulting in cost savings, increased worker productivity, and improved job log accuracy through an easy-to-use mobile attendance and job reporting system. ArcWeb Services are hosted Web services that include map data and on-demand geospatial capabilities needed to add addresses, points of interest, dynamic maps, and routing directions to location-based applications. Because data storage, maintenance, and updates are handled by ESRI, ArcWeb Services eliminate the overhead of purchasing and maintaining large spatial databases and software. November 23, 2004. Xora, Inc., a leading provider of Mobile Workforce Management solutions, announced the availability of its second-generation Xora GPS TimeTrack service, a hosted software application that runs on GPS-enabled phones. Xora GPS TimeTrack already is being used by more than 20,000 mobile workers across the country every day to locate and manage field employees. Managers of field-service organizations report that the Xora service helps them to keep track of mobile workers' activities and billable hours, often resulting in significant time and cost savings for the companies. November 23, 2004. Precision Midwest, the premier Trimble dealer in the Midwest proudly announces the launch of a regional Global Positioning System (GPS) Network in Chicago. Covering 1,800 square miles, this GPS network is one of the largest privately funded networks in North America. Using technology developed by Trimble, the network will supply real-time GPS data to private surveying and mapping professionals for a variety of applications including surveying, field inventory and construction. Using Trimble’s Virtual Reference Station Technology (VRS), Precision Midwest’s system enables surveyors to accomplish their work faster and more accurately while minimizing crew costs. A surveyor can now walk onto the worksite and start surveying by himself with none of the setup previously required for GPS RTK base stations. The 9-station network utilizes high-speed internet connections, wireless Bluetooth and cellular technology to provide Real Time Kinematic (RTK) centimeter-level accuracy. Surveyors are no longer required to set up a base station for their RTK work. The VRS provides corrections through cell phone technology thereby eliminating security concerns, extra manpower, radios and other hardware needed to set up a traditional RTK base on a job site. The technology is scalable which allows the network to grow as needs and coverage areas increase. November 23, 2004. XINK Laboratories Ltd. of Ottawa, Canada will launch its new line of InstaCure silver and carbon conductive flexographic printing inks at the Printed Electronics 2004 Conference in New Orleans on December 7. These new advanced polymeric formulations are targeted toward manufacturers and converters producing RFID tagged smart packaging for use in supply-chain and pharmaceutical counterfeit protection, as mandated by Wal-Mart and, most recently, by the FDA. XINK InstaCure formulations allow printing of RFID antennas and complex electronic circuitry, including flexible paper sensors (package security), sensor grids (pharmaceutical packaging monitors), keypads (disposable electronic paper diaries) and backplane components (flexible displays). The current line of XINK InstaCure formulations includes a solvent-free high-conductive silver ink, and a "tunable" resistor ink. XINK's formulations can be applied in a single pass on standard printing presses, require no heat curing, and can be printed on a range of heat-seal paper boards used in pharmaceutical packaging as well as other flexible substrates which would not withstand high temperature heat curing. November 23, 2004. GoCar Rentals, Inc., the company that has developed the first-ever GPS-guided storytelling car, announced that its GoCar has been named by Time as one of the "Coolest Inventions of the Year" for 2004. GoCar Rentals is a revolutionary tour company that provides visitors with the most exhilarating and unique way to see a city. GoCar Rentals' Daytona yellow three-wheeler GoCar features a GPS-driven audio guide that takes driver and passenger on a zippy tour of the city's famous landmarks providing clear directions and explaining city lore along the way. Unlike traditional GPS systems, this "personal tour guide for two" is packed with personality and a friendly human voice that will tell you stories of the landmarks as you near them, with the special insight of a San Francisco native. November 22, 2004. Spectrum Signal Processing (USA) Inc., a subsidiary of Spectrum Signal Processing Inc., announced a contract with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) to jointly develop a suite of multi-purpose software-defined radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogators. The interrogators, or readers, are being developed for multiple funded programs addressing military logistics, homeland security and commercial transportation applications. The readers are designed to track military assets in both hostile and non-hostile environments and to monitor the location and physical integrity of intermodal cargo containers. November 22, 2004. German self-adhesive label specialist Herma has joined the internationally active RFID working group Licon Logistics as a new member. The move taps into the growing alliance between packaging providers created by the need by many retailers to use RFID. Licon was initiated in 2003 by Siemens Business Services and the logistics specialists Kühne + Nagel. Its other members now include the Fraunhofer Institute and Lufthansa Systems. Licon has set itself the goal of carrying out national and international projects within a working network in order, amongst other things, to establish the international RFID standards that will ensure the secure worldwide flow of goods in future by using the new technology. November 22, 2004. The Nokia THR880i hand portable radio, the world's first TETRA radio with integrated GPS, active high-resolution TFT display and XHTML color browser, has started shipping. Following its launch in September 2004, Nokia began deliveries of the radio in the beginning of November. The Warwickshire Police in the UK was among the first to receive the Nokia THR880i radios, supplied by Nokia's Value Added Reseller Magdalene Telecom, for use in the O2 Airwave network. Warwickshire's decision to choose the Nokia terminal was made following an extensive evaluation process. During user trials, testers were particularly impressed by its ease of use, fitness for purpose and ruggedness. The terminal was also considered to be technically innovative and to incorporate important future-proofing elements. November 22, 2004. Motorola announced the addition of two new TETRA (TErrestrial Trunked RAdio) Terminals to its wide portfolio, the MTP850, the shortest TETRA portable on the market, and the MTM800 mobile radio. Offering a suite of new features aimed at the growing migration to integrated voice and data applications, such as simultaneous voice and data, USB connectivity for programming and, a first for TETRA radios, the ability to support true multi slot IP packet data for faster data transfer, the radios are innovatively designed to help Motorola's customers use TETRA technology to its full potential. November 20, 2004. Where are my buddies? From today, the answer to this burning question is delivered by the MOBILOCO Buddy Alert for all the customers of E-Plus, too. The Buddy Alert is signaling via mobile, if friends are nearby. Everytime, everywhere, quick and simple: while shopping in the afternoon, clubbing in the evening or at big events. MOBILOCO Buddy Alert can be used with all mobile phones simply through text messaging. Up to 4 friends can be simultaneously located with just one text message. After subscription and mutual agreement to the localization, just send one SMS with the Keyword „Where“ followed by the names of the friends to the shortcode 72812. The highlight: Buddy Alert operates across the German mobile networks of Vodafone, E-Plus and O2 with a technical reach of more than 35 million mobile users. November 19, 2004. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that SurgiChip, a revolutionary radio frequency identification (RFID) solution that uses RFID printer/encoders and labels from Zebra Technologies, has been cleared for marketing. The system embeds and prints information on a RFID "smart" label that travels with the patient into surgery to help prevent errors. Viewed as another vital safeguard to prevent wrong-site, wrong-patient and wrong-procedure medical errors, the SurgiChip can be programmed and used in many types of surgical procedures. It was invented by Dr. Bruce Waxman, an orthopedic surgeon and founder of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.-based SurgiChip Inc., and developed by AMT Systems Inc, a leading healthcare applications integrator based in Cheshire, Conn. November 18, 2004. VDS Technologies has released AspMap 3.0, a high-performance, Internet mapping component for embedding spatial data display and analysis capabilities in ASP and ASP.NET applications and services. AspMap adds interactive maps to your web site, dynamically generating maps such as: streets and highways, parcel maps, point-to-point routes and aerial photography. AspMap can create images in any standard image file format, or even send a bit-stream directly to the browser. Whether you have a local government web site, a real estate web site or a vehicle tracking web site, or you provide location-based services, AspMap can give you the functionality you need to turn the occasional visitor to your site into a regular user. November 18, 2004. The European Commission is funding a new Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) project aimed at developing satellite positioning systems that work via professional wireless networks. The project, LIAISON, will provide police forces, fire fighters, local authorities and other professional services with satellite positioning solutions compatible with all wireless telecom technologies including GSM/GPRS/UMTS and WLAN and Tetra. These solutions will allow users to send and receive positioning information using a mobile phone or any other mobile device, even in areas not generally well covered by the GPS system, such as confined spaces, urban canyons, buildings and dense forests. November 18, 2004. Philips Semiconductors is negotiating potential deals with several domestic handset makers to co-develop mobile phones that support near-field communication (NFC), a new technology that adds diverse applications to handsets. "We are talking with several Chinese mobile phone makers, including Bird, the promotion of NFC-enabled handsets in China," said Peter Baumgartner, senior vice-president and general manager of Philips Semiconductors' Mobile and Personal, global market segment. "If the growth momentum of the NFC-related market continues, Chinese handset makers will likely become NFC users next year," he said. Developed jointly by Philips and Sony, the new technology enables the exchange of information between different electronic facilities that are several centimeters apart. Several major global handset makers, including Nokia, are using the technology in some of their products. November 18, 2004. Sun Microsystems Inc., the inventor and leading advocate of Java technology, announced that it has posted its next version of Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) to the developer community for early review and developer involvement. Available as part of a new project launched this week on java.net, this marks the first time Sun has made source and binary code bundles for a J2SE release available while it is still under active development. This move will provide an unprecedented opportunity for developers worldwide to participate in the innovation of the Java platform. November 17, 2004. Motorola announced an agreement with QUALCOMM Incorporated to offer its VIAMOTO Location-Based Service (LBS) solution via the BREW distribution system, part of the BREW solution. VIAMOTO is an award-winning software suite of distributed client/server location software that transforms cell phones and other in-vehicle wireless devices into portable navigation systems and local information guides. Wireless CDMA operators utilizing the BREW solution will soon have the option of offering their subscribers a proven navigation solution that allows them to travel with confidence and ease. Next to email, Location-Based Services -- specifically directions and navigational information -- are the top applications that consumers want to have on their cell phones. According to The Yankee Group, one-third of all U.S. wireless users are interested in receiving location-based information such as driving directions. And In-Stat/MDR |