Latest news extracts about GPS and wireless technologiesWhy GPS and GSM news brought together?What do they have in common? The only common factor is that both use HF radio signals for their operation. But there is more. Already today GPS is getting incorporated in GSMs(Europe), cell phones(USA) and mobile phones(UK) and this development is accelerating in a great pace. In only a couple of years (almost) all GSMs will have a GPS receiver incorporated. And not the poor performing GPS receivers as we know them now from our handheld devices. No, the GSM/GPS combinations must be able to locate themselves under the most difficult circumstances i.e. indoors, in parking garages, in urban canyons, in large buildings etc. The market for these GPS receivers is so huge, compared to the market for handheld GPS receivers (a factor 200 or so), that every manufacturer will put all on all to make this a success. We already knew the Global Locate A-GPS chip-set with over 20,000 hardware correlators integrated. This means that the hardware does a lot of the computational work. Acquires satellites with signals below -158dBm at a 100 times lower power consumption. Time-to-first-fix as low as 250 msec. In the mean time Global Locate has been taken over by Broadcom. And SiRF sells its third generation SiRFStarIII chipset with the equivalent of more than 200,000 correlators. Weak GPS signals (up to -159dBm) can be processed and with that indoor GPS exists already. The SiRFSoft GPS architecture is portable to the market leading platforms such as Intel XScale and OMAPI. This means that the system can be incorporated in GSMs, cell phones, Smartphones, PDAs and other wireless handheld devices. End September 2006 u-blox AG announced the u-blox 5 family of GPS and Galileo-ready single chips and chipsets featuring an acquisition performance of under 1 second. The new chips also feature SuperSense -160 dBm acquisition and tracking sensitivity, power needs of less than 50 mW and a footprint smaller than 100 mm2, making u-blox 5 receivers ideal for PDAs, personal navigation devices, cameras, cell phones, media players and other battery-operated portable devices. u-blox 5's ultra-fast acquisition time is due to its 50-channel architecture with over 1 million correlators and separate acquisition and tracking engines, capable of massively parallel searches. Hundreds of millions of people will permanently carry a high performance GPS receiver with them, wherever they go. GPS and GSM go together. Notice to our readersFrom November 2004 on we added more news-extracts about other wireless technologies like Wi-Fi, RFID, NFC, WiMAX, Flash-OFDM, UWB and ZigBee, as we believe that these are complementary technologies and could interest many of our readers. 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. And now the news-extractsNews extracts will be kept here for 5-6 months. At the beginning of every new month we will add one month of extracts to the most recent Archive page. Here you will find the Archived GPS-Wireless News pages: June 15, 2009.-- Vehiclepath, a San Diego-based leader in Mobile Resource Management (MRM) announced the launch of the BAT50 GPS battery powered asset tracking device. The BAT50 GPS battery powered asset tracking device is designed for any mobile asset, like crates, generators, containers and trailers. It does not require a power source and will send its location once a day or once a week depending on its service plan. "The launch of the BAT50 is another state of the art product that continues the expansion of our asset tracking group of products and gives companies a new way for tracking mobile assets that previously couldn't be tracked," said Mark Wells, President of Vehiclepath. "Vehiclepath now has three great asset tracking products for companies to choose from, depending upon their needs." The BAT50 is a fully integrated asset tracking unit. It is battery operated and doesn't require external antennas. The BAT50 is also water and dust resistant and is the perfect GPS asset tracking unit for any mobile asset that may be prone to outdoor elements. June 10, 2009.-- Inilex, an industry-leading developer of telemetry products and services, today launched a machine-to-machine (M2M) software service offering an integrated solution to the challenges faced by developers of M2M solutions. Inilex's new Software as a Service (SaaS), Apprize, enables developers to quickly and cost-effectively deploy any type of M2M application using any device, any protocol, over any communications network. The M2M industry is projected to grow exponentially in the coming years, from approximately $16 billion in 2008 to more than $57 billion by 2014, according to Strategy Analytics. Apprize will help accelerate this growth by offering a limitless M2M software solution that can be implemented across a variety of industries such as telemedicine, energy management, environmental, security and more. "It takes between four and six supply-chain partners to develop and manage just one M2M solution," said Vice President of Yankee Group's Enterprise and SMB Research, Steve Hilton. "Having these multiple partners is not only costly, but also time-consuming. Enterprises that consolidate this process significantly with cloud-based solutions will save time and money by reducing development and deployment for partners on the back-end." In addition, Apprize's flexibility allows developers the ability to add different devices and networks with no limitations. Apprize also can integrate outdated legacy devices that are still an essential part of an M2M solution with newer or modern applications. "We have found that customers can pay up to half a million dollars to develop and maintain M2M solutions," said Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Inilex, Scott Ferguson. "Apprize will reduce these high development costs and lengthy development timelines by more than 50 percent. We are making M2M solutions available and affordable for companies across the board." June 2, 2009.-- Mio was honored at Asia's most influential global IT event again this year, by receiving a Best Choice Award from COMPUTEX TAIPEI 2009 for its Explora K75 GPS Phone. The Explora K75 was recognized for its unique combination of the best-in-class GPS sensitivity and breakthrough Mio Spirit Mobile navigation software, offering an intuitive user interface, clear map view and the faster searching of POI's. The Best Choice Award of Computex Taipei provides the benchmark for Taiwans most outstanding ICT products. In this year's competition, there were around 400 products from 170 contestants registered for the competition. Samuel Wang, President of Mio Technology said: "The Explora K75 is the first mobile phone from Mio that is implemented with Mio Spirit navigation software. The perfect combination of professional navigation technology, communication features, and entertainment capabilities offers a premium experience and a smart choice for smart consumers." The Windows Mobile 6.1 K75 combines the latest in GPS technologies and navigation software, to provide turn-by-turn navigation and a database full of points-of-interest. The K75 also comes with the latest in wireless technologies including WIFI, GSM Quad band, 3.5G data connection and Bluetooth. Other features include a 3.5" touch screen, Office Mobile, 3.0 megapixel camera and multimedia player to provide users with everything they need to be truly productive and mobile. The slim form factor plus innovative hardware and software combine to make the K75 a truly unique GPS phone. "The Mio Explora K75 GPS phone is a leap forward in smartphone engineering," said Justine Liu, Global Marcom Director of Mio Technology. "Mio has developed several award-winning GPS phones over the past few years, including Mio Leap K1 and Explora G50, and the winning of Best Choice Award of Computex Taipei highlights our endeavors to integrate cutting-edge navigation solution into popular consumer products, providing more smart choices for consumers." May 18, 2009.-- Vehiclepath, a San Diego-based leader in Mobile Resource Management (MRM), announced the launch of the AT272-LP GPS asset tracking device. The AT272-LP GPS asset tracking device is designed for mobile assets, like construction equipment, that are likely to remain in the same location for several months. "The AT272-LP is another breakthrough product that expands our asset tracking group of products and gives companies another option for tracking their mobile assets," said Mark Wells, President of Vehiclepath. "The recently released AT262 and the new AT272-LP provide construction companies two products to choose from, depending upon their needs." The AT272-LP is a low power device designed to greatly reduce the draw on an assets' power system. It includes a backup battery and alerts the customer if it becomes disconnected. The AT262 includes outputs for Starter Disable for customers requiring the need to remotely disable the starter. Both asset tracking units alert a customer if the asset moves outside of a 1 mile radius, facilitating quick recovery. May 15, 2009.-- Lowrance announced its full-featured, touch-screen handheld GPS, the Safari. Offering enhanced situational awareness to outdoor enthusiasts, the Safari combines advanced mapping capabilities with a trip computer, electronic compass and barometric altimeter into a powerful handheld GPS system. A touch-screen display and simple, intuitive keypad make it easy to enter data and access information. The Safari is preloaded with a sophisticated base map and supports both plug-and-play micro SD cards and downloadable maps offering complete versatility to aid any outdoor adventure. Fully functional right out of the box, the Safari is an all-purpose outdoor handheld GPS. The device includes a large color transflective touch-screen for easy viewing and enhanced functionality. It incorporates a high-performance processor and high-speed memory for quick map redraw and panning; a trip computer that records trails, trip times and distance; pre-loaded mapping content with detailed hill shading, topographic contours, primary and secondary roads and key Points of Interest (POI); and an unlock option for full-featured turn-by-turn navigation. The handheld also offers multimedia resources including MP3/voice notes as well as a picture and video player. The Safari can be customized to meet individual needs; accepting many public domain files and community-based content such as GPX trails and general outdoor POIs. "The Safari handheld GPS is designed for outdoor enthusiasts who want the ultimate versatility," said Jens-Thomas Pietralla, president and CEO of Navico. "With its high performance navigation, large full-color touch screen, tremendous expansion capabilities and access to community content, the Safari is well-suited for hiking, mountain biking, hunting, backpacking and geocaching, as well as cycling, snowmobiling, off-roading, paddlesports and skiing or simply for lovers of them all." The Safari GPS handheld has a compact, sleek housing that incorporates rubberized armoring that protects the unit and provides a comfortable grip. Its user interface is optimized for ease-of-use featuring both touch screen and keypad functionality. The device measures 5.1-inch high x 2.3-inch wide x 1.1-inch deep (130mm x 60mm x 31mm) and weighs a scant 5.8 ounces (165 grams) without two AA batteries. The GPS handheld includes a high-resolution 2.7-inch color touch screen display, marine-grade speaker, headphone jack, microphone, mini-USB power port, USB-to-mini USB cable and a reinforced attachment loop. A micro SD card slot allows up to 32GB of user-specific storage for mapping, picture, video and MP3 audio files. The Safari, like all Endura handheld GPS products, is protected by a one-year limited warranty. The Lowrance Safari GPS has an MSRP of $384.99 U.S. and will be available for purchase in May 2009 through authorized Lowrance dealers and distributors. For more information on the Safari, the complete Endura line and compatible mapping products, visit www.lowrance.com/Endura, or call 1.800.324.1356 in the USA or 1.800.661.3983 in Canada. May 11, 2009.-- BlueSky Positioning, a provider of A-GPS technology for the SIM card industry, has announced its partnership with global geo-coded landmark data provider Gecko Landmarks. The deal will provide mobile phone operators with the ability to offer advanced Location Based Services (LBSs) on A-GPS SIMs to customers with handsets that do not integrate GPS capabilities. BlueSky Positioning's technology, A-GPS SIM, said to be the world's first Assisted-GPS module for SIM cards, is claimed to locate the handset quickly, accurately and securely. Risto Savolainen, Bluesky Positioning's CEO, commented, "Our partnership with Gecko Landmarks is an important strategic milestone to allow us to bring value-added LBS applications and services, using A-GPS SIM technology, to ordinary mobile and smart phone users. Gecko Landmarks' unique geo-coded point of interest and landmark data covers every country in the world and together with A-GPS SIM it can support a variety of applications such as tracking, finding friends or places of interest and games - wherever you are." Gecko Landmarks' new and highly innovative global landmark data application is the culmination of several years of intense R&D work. Landmarks help users to locate their friends or points of interest using practical and easy to understand landmark identification. The landmark data is constantly updated and includes well-known local landmarks such as hotels, hospitals, shopping malls, restaurants, schools, major intersections and churches. Pasi Riipinen, CEO of Gecko Landmarks, added, "While maps are useful, they're designed to be spread out across a table and not squashed digitally onto cellphones. Inside a small screen they're cumbersome and out of place, which is why carefully selected landmarks are easier to understand. Globally speaking, most people don't navigate using maps, but rather use locally known landmarks instead. Additionally, using landmark instead of traditional mapping techniques is far more accessible, as it is a common geographical language understood across the world." BlueSky Positioning enabled Gecko Landmarks tracking will be available for A-GPS SIMs in the second half of 2009. April 30, 2009.-- BrickHouse Security announced at the ASIS NYC Security Expo "The Executrac" Mobile GPS Tracking software for Smart Phones; a powerful, invisible application that turns any BlackBerry into a covert GPS Tracker with an emergency panic button. The application is so covert that it can be deployed wirelessly in seconds to thousands of company owned BlackBerrys unbeknown to the user. Employers now have the power to closely monitor employee productivity and security anywhere in the world. The Executrac provides a safety net for international travelers with no additional hardware or training. Many of our corporate customers fear they are not getting their money's worth from field employees who may be on a golf course when they should be working, or worse Most employees are issued company BlackBerrys, and with an invisible installation employers can turn these company BlackBerrys into GPS Trackers... with or without the employees knowledge. "Journalists and executives who travel to dangerous areas, often fear kidnapping or other violent crimes. The only chance a remote traveler has is a panic button to secretly send a emergency signal with their exact GPS location to the people they trust to send help," explains Todd Morris, CEO BrickHouse Security. "The Executrac provides a safety net for international travelers with no additional hardware or training." Remote Employees Take Advantage Of Freedom Costing Companies Billions"Companies fear that remote employees such as field reps are stealing time from employers," explained Mr. Morris. "Many of our corporate customers fear they are not getting their money's worth from field employees who may be on a golf course when they should be working, or worse" This unproductive time costs companies over $795 billion each year. With "The Executrac" Mobile GPS Tracking software, companies can monitor the precise location of all their field employees from any web browser. Mr. Morris concluded, "Most employees are issued company BlackBerrys, and with an invisible installation employers can turn these company BlackBerrys into GPS Trackers... with or without the employees knowledge." With a fast download or "push installation," employers can deploy "The Executrac" Mobile GPS Tracker to thousands of company BlackBerrys completely wirelessly and without any intervention by the user. "The Executrac" Mobile GPS Tracker software runs invisibly in the background and does not change or affect the phone's voice or e-mail functionality. Accurate within 5-15 meters, this mobile GPS Tracking software starts tracking withing 9 seconds of being turned on and stays covert to the user by using less than 15% of the BlackBerry's battery over a 24 hour period. The web-based platform features an integrated Google Earth functionality, making it easy for employers to track employees online no matter where they are in the world. Features:
April 27, 2009.-- Ekahau Inc., a leading provider of Wi-Fi-based Real Time Location Systems (RTLS), announced that its Wi-Fi location tracking software is being integrated into GPS receivers designed by NavSync Ltd., a division of The Connor-Winfield Corp. With this innovative combination of wireless technologies, these new tags vastly expand the ability to track the location of assets and inventory in any environment - from inside a building or across a campus environment to anywhere around the world. "Being able to track the location of assets and inventory both indoors and in complex or large outdoor environments with a single device over Wi-Fi is a game-changing innovation," said Tuomo Rutanen, vice president of Business Development at Ekahau. "We are excited to be working with NavSync to bring to market a solution that will significantly enhance the usefulness of location tracking applications in a wide variety of industries - such as container yards, logistics depots and open pit mining operations - where Wi-Fi can be leveraged for connectivity and GPS satellite visibility is available." The Wi-Fi-enabled GPS tag combines NavSync's NavTrac high performance GPS module with Ekahau's location protocol. Ekahau location protocol is available free of charge as part of the Located by Ekahau program, which enables adding positioning to Wi-Fi-compliant devices. In order to begin tracking those devices, users need to deploy Ekahau Positioning Engine (EPE) server software, which can be installed centrally or remotely to support several customer sites over IP networks from a single server location. NavSync's NavTrac is a fourth-generation design that has gone through extensive testing and Wi-Fi/GPS integration, and has been proven in a wide variety of applications. NavTrac's powerful GPS solution delivers low signal strength GPS tracking data for outdoor and other GPS coverage areas, while the Ekahau Positioning Engine and its patented algorithms are used to calculate the precise real-time location in indoor environments or campus settings where GPS visibility may be limited. Unlike other proprietary solutions, Ekahau's technology enables location tracking over any existing standard Wi-Fi network, without the need for additional hardware or network infrastructure. The Ekahau-enabled NavTrac Wi-Fi GPS tag is the first solution available in the market that will operate with GPS satellites and any brand or version of standard Wi-Fi network, to deliver a real-time tracking solution that can be quickly deployed and requires little or no upfront infrastructure costs. Location information from the tags can be seamlessly integrated into a variety of enterprise applications using National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) GPS standard protocols, as well as Ekahau's HTTP/XML application programming interface. "The new Ekahau-enabled NavTrac Wi-Fi GPS receivers provide precise tracking capabilities in tough environments, such as urban canyons and complex indoor areas, while transporting information over any Wi-Fi network infrastructure," Dave Jahr, director of Business Development for NavSync. "The unique combination of NavSync's GPS and Ekahau's Wi-Fi technologies in a single product makes the NavTrac and Ekahau RTLS an indispensable solution for all current and future wireless tracking applications." The Ekahau-enabled NavTrac Wi-Fi-enabled GPS receivers will be available from NavSync and Ekahau in the third quarter 2009. April 21, 2009.-- Globalstar, Inc., the world's largest provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, governments and individuals, announced that leading Simplex data integrator Axonn LLC has launched SMARTONE, the Satellite Managed Asset Ready Tracker. SMARTONE is Axonn's newest global asset tracking solution that utilizes the highly reliable Globalstar Simplex data network and enables customers to track the location of their mobile assets virtually anywhere. The SMARTONE device transmits real-time GPS location, alarm inputs and engine run-time data over the Globalstar constellation of low earth-orbiting (LEO) satellites. The small size (6.5" x 3.25" x 1") and design allows it to be easily installed and field managed without the need for harnesses, antennas, or external power. The device is powered by AA size lithium batteries providing up to three years of battery life. Axonn's current asset management products are used on a variety of mobile assets such as cargo containers, trailers and railcars, construction and service vehicles as well as fixed assets like field equipment, generators, pipelines, and propane and fuel storage tanks. The Globalstar Simplex data offering is a low cost, one-way satellite data service that permits customers to use satellite modems and integrated back office management solutions to track mobile assets, such as vehicles, trailers, cargo containers and maritime vessels, using GPS or other location-based technologies. The Simplex data network also provides a platform for personal tracking and messaging solutions for commercial and recreational customers using products such as the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger(tm). Simplex data service can be used for a wide variety of industrial and security applications to monitor and send information from fixed assets, such as environmental measuring instruments, utility meters, or report the state of various mobile sensor devices and their locations. April 20, 2009.-- NavStar Technologies, Inc, a GPS navigation company focused on vehicle, asset, and personal tracking, announced it has signed a Development and Manufacturing Agreement with Telepet USA, Inc. to develop products and services to be sold into the 35B pet market in the US. Telepet is owned by Salco Enterprises, an industry leader in the pet identification market. Salco products are currently sold in the US at 23,000 retail stores and veterinary offices and at PetTags.com. The Development and Manufacturing Agreement will combine NavStar's product development, GPS experience and manufacturing expertise with Telepet's existing sales and distribution network, which has been established over the past 22 years. The Pet Tracking Device will notify the owner when their pet has exceeded a predetermined boundary. Once it is determined that the pet is lost, the GPS device on the pet's collar will display on a map the exact location of their missing pet. The multi-year agreement is exclusive and can be expanded to countries outside the US. "The 30 days it took both companies to move this relationship from LOI to a Development and Manufacturing Agreement is a good indication of the value we place on this opportunity. NavStar has a chance to generate both hardware and service revenue from this agreement while leveraging our GPS knowledge and engineering capabilities in a new market segment," said N. Douglas Pritt, Chairman & CEO, NavStar Technologies, Inc. "The fact that Telepet has a distribution network already in place will allow us to get to market quickly and capitalize on this new GPS/tracking market." "Telepet has been studying this pet tracking market segment for four years and we believe that the NavStar team is absolutely the best partner we could find to help us executive our business plan. We want this product in all 23,000 of our existing retail stores and veterinary offices before the end of this year. With NavStar's knowledge of GPS and with battery and circuitry miniaturization we can reach price points that make this product very attractive for the 75 million dog owners in the US," said Stephen J. Greenberg, CEO & President, Salco Enterprises. April 20, 2009.-- Manitowoc Cranes, a division of The Manitowoc Company, a leading global crane manufacturer, and ORBCOMM, a leading global satellite data communications company focused on machine-to-machine communications, announced a partnership to provide CraneSTAR, an asset management system that helps owners monitor crane fleets nearly anywhere in the world. Scott Blair, director of global telematics at Manitowoc, says that CraneSTAR will help crane owners get better productivity and profitability from their cranes."CraneSTAR gives customers timely information on their crane fleet, no matter where they or their cranes, are in the world," he said. "It is the most comprehensive asset management system our industry has ever seen. At present no other OEM in our business is able to offer fleet managers this level of information to help them plan lift scheduling or maintenance schedules. " CraneSTAR processing capabilities come from a Manitowoc-engineered telematics control unit which monitors major crane functions and provides operational data taken from the crane's proprietary CANbus network. Once gathered, the data is transmitted via GSM or satellite network to a secure database linked to a Web server, which can be accessed by a Web-connected computer or handheld device. Manitowoc will offer CraneSTAR as standard equipment on most current production models and it will be phased into production in the coming months. One major CraneSTAR benefit for customers is that the system will help reduce ownership cost and improve profitability by helping to monitor critical operating data, assisting in recognizing maintenance trends and routine maintenance schedules, and making more efficient business decisions. ORBCOMM provides the satellite communications portion of the CraneSTAR system. ORBCOMM's network of low Earth orbit satellites provides cost-effective tracking, monitoring and messaging capabilities around the world.Marc Eisenberg, chief executive officer of ORBCOMM, says his company is committed to helping fleet owners manage their assets more effectively. "Tracking equipment hours, location and performance is a major step toward improving equipment utilization," he said. "ORBCOMM's involvement with CraneSTAR helps crane owners leverage their assets and become more productive and profitable in the field." April 17, 2009.-- WebTech Wireless Inc., a leading provider of location-based and fleet telematics services, introduces the WT7000 Series Locator as the latest addition to the company's well-proven line of in-vehicle, GPS location and telematics monitoring devices. The WT7000 Locator includes features, such as greater memory and data processing capabilities, applicable to a wide variety of fleet applications, however, the addition of an accelerometer is a feature aimed squarely at the automotive and vehicle insurance market, where location and telematics data used for vehicle usage modelling has the potential to revolutionize that industry. The key differentiators of the WT7000 from previous models and competitors' offerings include:
The enhanced data processing capabilities of the WT7000 and Bluetooth functionality give all fleet operators a highly flexible, expandable platform and enhanced integration with other mobile devices. For auto insurance companies, the embedded accelerometer provides the potential to base premiums on driver behaviour and usage patterns, which permits highly accurate premiums and claims modelling according to actual risk. Consumers benefit from potentially lower premiums and claims costs as well as the technology's ability to encourage better, safer driving. An additional benefit is the ability for drivers and companies to monitor and lower their CO2 and contaminant emissions. Ian Povey, WebTech Wireless' Director of Product Marketing, commented, "This latest addition to our Locator series is another step in the evolution of a highly successful product platform, which demonstrates that WebTech Wireless remains at the forefront of the industry with innovative technology that even has the potential to change the business models of our customers." "One of the most exciting features of the WT7000 is the embedded accelerometer, which opens the door to a wide range of automotive applications, the full implications of which are only just being realized," said Edward Kulperger, WebTech Wireless' Sr. Director of Personal Automotive & OEM, adding, "Insurance companies are recognizing that our technology is leading the market, and we're conducting pilots with a number of major auto insurers to develop and apply this technology even further." The WT7000 is available in two models, the WT7000 and WT7000E (Extended), and integrates seamlessly with WebTech Wireless' feature-rich Quadrant operating system. It is available now directly from WebTech Wireless or through one of its many global resellers and distributors. This newest product complements WebTech Wireless' comprehensive product line, providing yet another solution for industries that depend on efficient mobile resource management of equipment and people. April 16, 2009.-- DAILY RFID has released a RFID vehicle tracking system with high identification accuracy, designed to track and manage vehicles in parking areas or gated communities. This RFID vehicle tracking system allows for accurate vehicle tracking as well as easy in-and-out access for drivers. The new RFID vehicle tracking system comprises passive UHF RFID tags attached to the windshields of vehicles, and UHF readers DL910 installed on fixed overhead or roadside structures identifying cars in motion. With this RFID vehicle tracking system, car information can be automatically gathered to enable vehicle management to be more efficient and safe. As a part of this RFID vehicle tracking system, DAILY's RFID windshield tag is excellent for real time vehicle tracking. And with a read range of up to 15 feet, DAILY's windshield tag has a unique ID cater for the secure operation of this RFID vehicle tracking system. RFID reader DL910 ,which has a long read range up to 15m and fast reading speed, is ideal for the RFID vehicle tracking system. Automotives can be real-time tracked and data of vehicles can be written at long distance. With this RFID vehicle tracking system, parking areas or gated communities can manage their cars efficiently without human intervention and with low deployment and operation cost. April 14, 2009.-- As in-car navigation and GPS mobile phones become more widespread, Racelogic's new GPS simulator, LabSat, released this week, is set to transform the way manufacturers test and develop navigation devices.With its ability to record and replay real-world data, the new product answers the demand for efficient and accurate testing of the increasing numbers of professional and consumer GPS featured products in the market. One of the problems with conventional GPS simulation until now has been the inability to reproduce real world conditions accurately. The need to understand the effects of phenomena such as multipath reflections, atmospheric effects, and dropouts on devices has therefore meant that products must be taken out into the field and laboriously tested. Because conditions are always changing, there is little consistency between tests. The capacity of LabSat to record and replay real-world data means that common conditions can be repeatedly reproduced on the bench, cutting development times as manufacturers no longer need to undertake multiple, often unreliable physical tests in the field. Using a computer with a USB 2.0 connection, it records raw signals from a GPS antenna directly to hard disk, with no limitations on the number of satellites being tracked or the length of the recording. When the data is replayed, the GPS engine under test will re-create all the movement and satellite reception encountered, including all original multipath, satellite obstructions and atmospheric effects. Alternatively, for data without artefacts, it can simulate dynamic scenarios anywhere in the world using the optional Signal Architect software. External modules allow additional signals to be recorded, such as inertial, serial or CAN data, and replayed at the same time, perfectly synchronised with GPS. Incorporating all these features into a product the size of a paperback book, LabSat is highly portable. For use out of the box, it comes bundled with a 250 GB USB drive with pre-loaded recordings included. And with prices starting from GBP5,950, LabSat is a worthy competitor to larger, more expensive systems. For more info, go to http://www.labsat.co.ukRacelogic design and manufacture innovative electronic systems for the automotive and GPS industries. Based in the UK, they have developed GPS data-loggers, Video-overlay systems, and GPS Simulators since 1992. April 6, 2009.-- GPS Insight, a leading supplier of GPS tracking hardware and software solutions for commercial and municipal fleet vehicles, announces it has launched the next generation of user defined alerts. These next-generation options go beyond the typical fleet management functionality and help customers precisely react to unexpected situations with their fleet, as well as notify drivers of the violation in real time via SMS text message or email to their phone. A combination of speeding, idling, long stop, landmark visit, and odd-hours/weekend usage may now be used to custom tailor an exact alert for customers. Practical uses of these new alerts include:
The first GPS Insight customer to use these alerts reduced total idling from 42% to 27% within two months, saving 40,000 gallons of fuel and achieving tremendous ROI. This 2-month case study was documented in August here: http://blog.gpsinsight.com/?p=325. GPS Insight has now released this capability for the benefit all of their customers. These enhanced alerts are in addition to vehicle maintenance reminders and engine diagnostic trouble codes which continue to function as they have in the past. April 2, 2009.-- LiveViewGPS has released NavTrac RTV10, a revolutionary device that combines powerful GPS navigation with critical tracking and communications tools. NavTrac RTV10 looks like a standard GPS on-dash system, but it provides a host of innovative functions that transcend conventional GPS devices and make it essential for a wide range of businesses. In addition to robust navigation features such as turn-by-turn directions and detailed map views, NavTrac RTV10 enables live device tracking so that owners can track the device from a simple web site interface. With this functionality, fleet managers for small and large companies alike can account for all vehicle locations at any time, from anywhere in the world. Moreover, NavTrac RTV10 also offers two-way messaging. As a result, managers can use the web interface to communicate with drivers regardless of the vehicle's location. "The benefits of NavTrac RTV10 are extensive and powerful," notes George Karonis, LiveViewGPS' CEO. "Now, businesses can know exactly where their vehicles are and can immediately send their drivers messages and receive communications back. The potential here is limitless - NavTrac RTV10 addresses everything from security for missing or stolen vehicles to instant communication to help lost drivers to simplified central management for constantly changing delivery routes," he added. April 1, 2009.-- Infineon Technologies, SkyTerra, and TerreStar Networks jointly announced the world's first multi-standard mobile platform based on Infineon's innovative software-defined-radio (SDR) technology. SkyTerra and TerreStar are both developing next-generation integrated satellite-terrestrial communications networks. This groundbreaking technology will enable ubiquitous mobile communications coverage from anywhere in North America using mass-market devices costing about the same as terrestrial cellular-only devices. SDR-enabled satellite-terrestrial handsets will operate with multiple cellular and satellite-based communications technologies including GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA and GMR1-2G/3G. To enable satellite connectivity in the SDR platform, Infineon will integrate GMR1-3G technology furnished by Hughes Network Systems, a market leader for mobile satellite solutions. March 24, 2009.-- Globalstar, Inc., the world's largest provider of mobile satellite voice and data services to businesses, governments and individuals, today announced that Globalstar Independent Gateway Operator (IGO) Globalstar de Mexico has launched a multi-mode satellite asset tracking product. The new multi-mode hybrid tracking technology wireless device, or HTT, is capable of providing GPS-based asset tracking location coordinates and alert monitoring information from virtually anywhere. HTT provides customers with the coverage needed to effectively manage the location of their mobile assets such as tractor trailers, heavy construction vehicles, and maritime shipping containers. HTT transmits remote tracking data using either Globalstar's high quality satellite Simplex data network or terrestrial-based GSM/GPRS wireless network. HTT can also be integrated with a variety of pre-existing web-based backoffice and fleet management tools so customers can visually track their mobile assets using web-based mapping tools such as Google Earth. "Through the collaborative efforts of Globalstar's world-wide service providers, our customers have an effective and affordable solution to manage and track the location of their mobile assets virtually anywhere," said Marty Neilsen, Vice President, New Business Ventures for Globalstar, Inc. Mr. Neilsen added, "Using input from other Globalstar IGOs, Globalstar de Mexico designed its HTT device to be easily integrated with current web based mapping capability. HTT demonstrates how Globalstar partners can collaborate, design and deliver a user-friendly solution to a growing international machine-to-machine marketplace." "Companies' products and supplies travel throughout the globe, often times with complex logistics, to reach their worldwide markets. It became crucial that those companies have the ability to pinpoint the location of their products and materials in real-time at the lowest cost possible and with the most effectiveness for their logistics departments. That is the mission of the HTT and of Globalstar de Mexico," said Eduardo Pacheco, C.E.O. of Globalstar de Mexico. "The HTT allows our customers to enjoy the pricing and coverage advantages offered by each wireless technology," added Mr. Pacheco. Globalstar's Simplex data offering is a high quality, highly reliable one-way satellite data service that permits customers to use Simplex data solutions such as HTT and integrated back office management solutions to manage personnel and mobile assets using GPS or other location-based software. Simplex data service can also be used for a wide variety of industrial and geo-fencing or security applications to monitor and send information from fixed assets, such as environmental measuring instruments, utility meters, or report the state of various mobile sensor devices and their locations. March 18, 2009.-- Navman Wireless North America today announced an upgrade to its OnlineAVL2 vehicle tracking and logistics system that aids managers of larger service fleets in cutting costs and increasing productivity. The software now offers Executive Summary reports that consolidate key performance indicators for multiple vehicle groups and/or an entire fleet on a single screen, enabling fleet managers and executive-level personnel to quickly identify opportunities for improvement. The new report provides total hours, total travel time, total distance, stop time, total hour idle and total number of idles for groups of vehicles (eg Sales & Service, Distribution, Delivery) or the overall fleet for any time frame specified by the user (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.), as well as averages for each metric across all fleets. This yields a snapshot of overall operations as well as performance differences among vehicle groups. The data can be used to monitor idle times to support fuel reduction initiatives, pinpoint productivity problems caused by excessive stops, guide mileage policy changes based on distances driven, and impose other cost, fuel and vehicle usage controls. Reports can be configured to run automatically on a designated schedule and emailed to specific users. OnlineAVL2's new Executive Summary reporting feature is included with new product purchases at no extra charge and provided as a free upgrade to current customers, either on request or during the next scheduled automatic software update. "Uncovering the inefficiencies in a larger fleet can be difficult if you only have operations reports presented by vehicle. Managers need to see the data from both the bottom up and the top down. Many vehicle tracking systems lack that ability," said Renaat Ver Eecke, Vice President, Navman Wireless North America. "Our new Executive Summary report makes it possible to see the worst-performing vehicles or groups of vehicles in even the biggest fleets at a glance. It's an essential tool if you have a lot of vehicles on the road." This latest upgrade to OnlineAVL2 extends the system's ability to help fleet managers reduce expenses, increase fleet productivity and improve customer service. The combination of the OnlineAVL2 desktop application and the companion Qube vehicle-mounted satellite tracking device delivers advanced features such as wide area mapping down to the street level, the ability to identify individual drivers, polygonal geofence functionality for defining driver territories, robust two-way messaging options, and the market's most comprehensive real-time and historical vehicle/driver activity reporting. March 16, 2009.-- 3DVU, the leading global provider of 3D Aerial Photography Navigation, release Way2Go, the personal web-to-mobile route planner of real-time turn-by-turn GPS mobile navigation. Way2Go lets users plan and preview their routes on their PC and navigate with it on their mobile phones in a full 3D virtual simulated world. As an onboard solution users are free from Cellular Network Connection and Mobile Operator Fees. Way2Go's service provides free PC and mobile viewers, allowing people to plan their journey at home or office on their PC or notebook, preview it in an amazing 3D view and synchronizes it with their mobile phone, giving access to 3D picture routes and favorite destinations while on the move. Way2Go lets users share their planned routes to friends, family and colleagues to navigate for free. Way2Go is now available for over two hundred million mobile users with Symbian S60 devices including Nokia's popular phones and hundreds of Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone like Samsung, HTC, and Motorola. Way2Go's multi-language navigation, provides coverage of the entire USA, UK, Germany, Netherlands, France and Czech Republic with continuous imagery for smooth maneuverability, change of zoom level and perspective angel in full 3D unlike other websites and mobile navigation solutions. "The market is quickly responding to our release of Way2Go, recognizing the need and possibilities of an economical web-to-mobile route planner and rich media navigation." noted Isaac Levanon 3DVU Chairman and CEO. "We expect Way2Go to create an enormous viral spread with it's free route share to family, friends and colleagues and easy to use downloadable routes" added Levanon. Consumers can buy Way2Go from http://www.w2g.navi2go.com for a $4.99 monthly service providing up to 15 routes with maximum distance of 5,000 km. Way2Go will soon be sold on application shops such as Handmark, Handango, PocketGear, Mobile2Day, Handster as well as major mobile operator shops such as Sprint, Alltel and Verizon. Way2Go presents many fist ever features and breakthrough patented technology:
March 10, 2009.-- toolsfactory software announced the release of rubiTrack 1.5, an update to its GPS enabled activity tracking software for the Mac. Utilizing latest Mac UI technologies, rubiTrack lets you display, analyze and organize your runs, bike rides, walks, hikes, skiing tours and all other outdoor activities. rubiTrack reads tracks from GPS enabled fitness devices like the Garmin Forerunner, Garmin Edge, AMOD GPS Trackers and Nike+iPod as well as the iPhone 3G utilizing rubiTrack for iPhone. rubiTrack also imports activities stored in GPX, TCX and other file formats. Activities are easily accessible through dynamic activity groups which automatically categorize by activity type, location, route, date, distance and workout duration. rubiTrack 1.5 adds support for power data and charts and brings full indoor activity support. This release also adds a new time-driven diagram mode. rubiTrack comes with visual chart and track features that let you analyze workouts quickly yet thoroughly. You can select areas in the track and view instant statistics. You can set custom markers, measure from any point on the track or split you select using the mouse. rubiTrack for iPhone records tracks, manages a recorder history and syncs with rubiTrack for the Mac directly over Wi-Fi. Main Features:
New in this Update:
Minimum Requirements:
rubiTrack is fully localized in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish. March 9, 2009.-- With the AarLogic GPS 3T, the electronics manufacturer Round Solutions presents a micro GPS receiver that can be combined with further components in the briefest time to create a full-fledged navigation system. The antenna is already soldered onto the small circuit board, which is only 12 x 2 mm, making wiring unnecessary. The square,10-mm wide and approximately 4-mm high antenna is positioned at a 90-degree angle from the circuit board. This array lets the user watch the display as usual, for example when using a GPS Smartphone, while the antenna points to the sky. The actual reception module contains an antenna amplifier as well as filters for GSM bursts in addition to the time-tested SiRF-III chipset with display of the coordinates in NMEA-0183-V3 protocol. According to Harald Naumann, Technical Director at Round Solutions, the AarLogic GPS 3T is preferentially suitable for the structure of small and efficient positioning systems, but also for custom-made Smartphones. "The micro GPS receiver can be installed piggyback directly onto the circuit board of the device. It is switched on by simply using an on/off pin, " explains Naumann; the time to market could be shortened dramatically with the 3T. "In addition, the power consumption at a nominal 31 mA is very small at a 3.3 V supply voltage, which makes the integration of our receiver still more attractive." says Naumann. For the visualization of the geo data received with AarLogic components, a free test server is available under www.track4free.com according to Naumann. Furthermore, developers receive access to the largest community worldwide for machine2machine communication, reachable at www.roundsolutions.com/forum. March 9, 2009.-- ESCORT Radar, maker of the world's best radar and laser detectors, announced the release of the all new ESCORT SmartMirror. The ESCORT SmartMirror is a complete rearview mirror with integrated GPS navigation powered by Navigon. The SmartMirror enables drivers to maintain a clutter-free windshield and keeps drivers' attention on the road and up to date on directions. "We know that ESCORT owners, as early adopters, look to ESCORT to keep them at the forefront of cutting edge technology," said Tim Coomer, VP of Marketing and Product Development. "The ESCORT SmartMirror allows our customers to maintain focus on their driving, where it should be, yet still offers them the most advanced navigation technology available" he added. The new ESCORT SmartMirror provides all the features and advances of GPS navigation without the clutter and hassle of suction cups, mounting brackets and wires. More than a complete solution, the SmartMirror replaces the existing OEM rearview mirror, and once installed, the SmartMirror also works as a GPS navigation system that gives the driver real time direction and traffic information. Navigating with the ESCORT SmartMirror is truly a new experience. Drivers will appreciate the Reality View feature from Navigon Mobile, which displays street level views of all major intersections, points of interest and interstate entrances and exits. This advanced feature displays a preview of what is ahead as if the driver were already there - with the Reality View feature, drivers see and interact intuitively as if they were standing right on the spot. Reality View means that there is no more guessing about what the display map lines and symbols mean - instead, displayed on screen is an actual representation of the real world location. And all directions, street names and points of interest are spoken with text-to-speech - audible callouts always let you know exactly where you are and what's ahead! The SmartMirror keeps you focused on driving. Bluetooth equipped, the ESCORT SmartMirror allows your calls (compatible phones) to appear on the display and to be answered hands free without physically accessing your cell phone. And the SmartMirror gives you the option upon arriving at your destination, to transfer your call from the SmartMirror back to your cell phone for uninterrupted conversation - from mobile to land with one push of a button. Or if you're in the middle of a call as you enter your car, simply press the display and your call is now hands free, handled by the SmartMirror. The SmartMirror is also compatible with an optional back up camera. With the back up camera installed, the screen automatically changes to show the driver what is directly behind them. Now drivers don't have to worry about blindly backing into obstacles. The new ESCORT SmartMirror with integrated GPS Navigation, comes with the following feature set:
The new ESCORT SmartMirror is now available and can be seen at EscortSmartMirror.com - or, can be ordered directly by calling 1.800.433.3487. March 9, 2009.-- Tracking Solutions Corp. has teamed with Garmin International, Inc. to develop the next generation of logistics solutions, with an innovative system that integrates global positioning systems (GPS) tracking technology with navigation technology. "This development enables companies to follow the location and movement of objects in real time. Now clients can monitor their fleet and workforce, change routes depending on traffic or weather conditions, and manage delivery times more efficiently," said Juan Carlos Olano, President/CEO of Tracking Solutions Corp., during the announcement of the partnership today. "By combining a Garmin Personal Navigation Device (PND) with Tracking Solutions' GPS Advantage, companies with large fleets can increase their productivity and reduce overall cost," said Roger Jollis, Garmin's director of OEM and mobile marketing. "We are pleased that Tracking Solutions Corp. has chosen Garmin as their GPS of choice for customers, and we look forward to working with them in the future." This system works through Tracking Solutions' starship product, GPS Advantage. One of its most attractive features is the possibility of alerting dispatchers when a vehicle moves out of its service area and generating notifications - like short messaging alerts and e-mails. Users can also get routes and driving directions throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. The result is accurate, on-time deliveries; satisfied, productive drivers; reduced fuel consumption and improved customer service, which help curb operation costs and increase return on investment. For details on Tracking Solutions Corp. products, visit http://www.trackingsolutionsonline.com. February 23, 2009.-- Atmel Corporation and TazTag, announced that the two companies are collaborating to bring to market all-in-one contactless solutions to store and protect personal data. As a first step in their collaboration, TazTag is using the Atmel AT98SC016CU turnkey security module in TazCard, the first NFC electronic wallet. "The choice of an Atmel's security module became obvious when we decided to secure our nomad contactless smart object," said Eric Fouchard, CEO of TazTag. "The cooperation between a fingerprint sensor and the AT98SC016CU safely protects the access to personal data and the applications in the TazCard." "Our AT98SC turnkey security solutions are the right choice when it comes to securing portable compact devices with energy constraints," stated Olivier Debelleix, Atmel's Marketing Manager for Embedded Security. "We are excited to bring our security expertise to this original and modern communicating application." The TazCard is a new multi-purpose highly secured NFC device in a slim credit card format (only 6 mm in thickness). This personal safe with a large touch screen, a fingerprint sensor and various communication interfaces (NFC, USB, ZigBee allows a wide range of security applications such as access control, ticketing, couponing and payment. If required, a complete Java Software Development Kit makes possible the easy addition of further customized applications. Atmel is a leading provider of secure microcontrollers for smart card applications for telecoms, banking and government markets. With over 25 years of solid experience in designing secure microcontrollers, Atmel's products have been granted many of the highest security certifications in the industry including Common Criteria EAL4+/EAL5+, FIPS 140-2, ZKA and EMVCo. Thanks to its AT98SC family of secure turnkey solutions, Atmel offers fast and easy integration of security in any system. There is no required complex program development or heavy ROM masking, nor specific expertise in security. This means accelerated product time-to-market for customers, thereby offering significant advance over competition. February 17, 2009.-- Numerex Corp. and Savi, a Lockheed Martin company, announced their technology partnership to co-develop what would be the first asset and shipment monitoring device that combines Global Satellite Positioning, active Radio Frequency Identification and Satellite Communications. The hybrid ST-694 GlobalTag is being developed to provide continuous monitoring and precise location information of assets most anywhere and anytime for defense, public sector and commercial customers. The ST-694 will provide a new cost-effective solution to a growing market demanding new capabilities for both spot-level and ongoing in-transit visibility of their shipments and mobile supply chain assets, such as transport vehicles, container shipments or large and valuable equipment. The solution leverages Numerex's strength as a leading provider of full-service, highly secure M2M (Machine-to-Machine) network services and solutions and Savi's premier capabilities in providing a full range of integrated Automatic Identification Technology (AIT) product solutions for supply chain visibility, management and security. "Savi provides a leading-edge technology behind the world's largest RFID network in place today," said Mike Marett, chief operating officer, Numerex Corp. "We believe that this powerful combination of expertise and automated technologies will advance supply chain monitoring and management capabilities from origin to final destination, resulting in higher levels of value for our customers." "We decided to partner with Numerex on this innovative solution because of the company's success in deploying reliable satellite technologies in the emergency management industry," said David Shannon, Savi Technology's senior vice president of Product Management, Marketing and Strategy. "Our collaboration will benefit any government agency, department, or supply chain professional in need of a truly transparent, integrated tracking solution than can span across existing RFID networks and into areas where traditional active RFID infrastructure is not practical. This will deliver improved, seamless visibility throughout the supply chain regardless of physical location." The satellite-based global RFID device will be designed to provide tracking information in the harshest environmental conditions, be scalable, flexible, and deliver real-time visibility to those who need it, on a near global basis. The partners will work together to ensure that the ST-694 GlobalTag becomes HERO (Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance) certified, and based on the ISO 18000-7 standard for active RFID, which will help promote interoperability with compatible networks and devices. Savi has provided the active RFID products for the U.S. DoD's In-Transit Visibility network, which is the world's largest RFID network that tracks about 35,000 conveyances daily across more than 4,000 locations and 40 countries. Asset owners, chemical, retail, defense, transportation companies, rail, suppliers faced with customer RFID mandates, ocean ports and terminal operators, exporters, importers and logistics service providers benefit from Savi's real-time solutions. Numerex's satellite products support firefighting, hurricane relief operations, and other situations that benefit from an immediate highest ground perspective. Utilizing satellite technologies for emergency management organizations in need of general field logistics capabilities, Numerex delivers tracking solutions tailored to various industries from cargo tracking to defense logistics. February 16, 2009.-- Rx Networks Inc., announced that it has worked with Infineon to optimize its GPStream solutions to work with Infineon's GPS chipset technology. GPStream Mobile Suite reduces GPS start up times of mobile devices and improves GPS reception under marginal signal conditions. GPStream Mobile Suite is a set of A-GPS solutions supporting: compliance with mobile operator standards; operation over virtually any network connection independent of the mobile operator if needed; and an autonomous operating mode that works outside of network coverage. "Our next generation GPS solution XPOSYS is mainly optimized for cellular phones with navigation features. This requires a very fast Time-To-First-Fix (TTFF) even under bad signal conditions to deliver the best user experience. Rx Networks' GPStream technology definitely delivers the required user experience," says Horst Pratsch, Vice President Marketing for Mobile Phone Platforms for the Wireless Solutions Division at Infineon. "The sensitivity of our chipset has been increased from -160dBm to -165dBm, thus shifted to a new level in positioning. The reduced GPS start up time, enabled by Rx Networks' technology is another important step for us to offer best in class A-GPS solutions." "In addition to fast time to first fix, small form factor, and low power consumption, Infineon's new XPOSYS platform has impressive receiver sensitivity especially during assisted cold start," said Guylain Roy-MacHabee, President and CEO of Rx Networks. "This improves GPS availability and the user experience in challenging environments like urban canyons." By combining the extended ephemeris components of GPStream Mobile Suite, namely GPStream PGPS and GPStream SAGPS with Infineon's own SUPL 1.0 client, customers using Infineon's GPS technology in new mobile handsets and Mobile Internet Devices now benefit from the most powerful and flexible portfolio of A-GPS assistance options. The mobile client assistance solutions include:
Rx Networks also provides optional data services, including:SUPL LE (Light Edition): A SUPL 1.0 data service hosted by Rx Networks over its existing carrier-grade, 99.999% service infrastructure. The service supports SET initiated requests for assistance and targets small enterprises or acts as an alternative service for operators that have not deployed their own SUPL server yet. February 12, 2009.-- Rx Networks Inc., a leading Assisted-GPS (A-GPS) technology and global services company, announced the availability of its GPStream Secure User Plane 1.0 Light Edition (SUPL 1.0 LE) data service. The solution enables any SUPL 1.0 A-GPS compliant device to receive real-time GPS assistance and rapidly determine its position even under weak signal conditions. The GPStream SUPL LE service provides cost effective and fast GPS Time-To-First-Fix performance for mobile handset manufacturers, Location-Based Services providers and enterprise customers. Since SUPL LE access is enabled at manufacturing or initial deployment time, the mobile consumer can enjoy a high performance GPS experience right "out of the box." "GPStream SUPL LE is a lightweight service designed to simply respond to a terminal's request for assistance and does away with network initiated features typically found in full-blown SUPL implementations in carrier networks," said Dave Cayer, Vice President Marketing of Rx Networks. "This means that mobile terminals vendors and service providers can always deliver fast GPS start ups with the highest quality user experience even if mobile operators have not deployed a SUPL service or if their business requires operation across multiple operator networks." Rx Networks supports flexible business models and GPStream SUPL LE service can be licensed on a usage or a lifetime subscription basis. For customers seeking an end-to-end SUPL solution, Rx Networks also provides a proven SUPL 1.0 mobile client compatible with most mobile operating systems as part of its GPStream Mobile Suite GPS acceleration solutions. February 11, 2009.-- With the ability to record, replay, and simulate GPS RF data, Racelogic's new LabSat looks set to revolutionize GPS device test and development. Initially developed to provide an in-house solution for testing and calibrating Racelogic's VBOX products, it was soon realised that LabSat had far more potential. The influx of professional and consumer GPS products in the electronics and automotive markets has led to a demand for efficient and accurate validation through GPS simulators. However, one of the problems with GPS simulation until now has been the inability to accurately reproduce real world conditions. The need to understand the effects of phenomena such as multipath reflections, atmospheric effects, and drop-outs on GPS devices has therefore meant that products must be taken out into the field and laboriously tested. Because conditions are always changing, there is little consistency between tests. The capacity of LabSat to record and replay real world data means that common conditions can be faithfully reproduced on the test bench, time after time. Connecting to your PC via USB 2.0, LabSat records raw signals from a GPS antenna directly to hard disk, with no limitations on the number of satellites being tracked or the length of the recording. When the data is replayed, your GPS engine will faithfully re-create the movement and satellite reception encountered during the test, including all original multipath, satellite obstructions and atmospheric effects. Alternatively, if you want data without artefacts, anywhere in the world, then you can simulate dynamic scenarios using the optional included LabSat Signal Architect software. In addition, optional IMU modules allow you to record data from inertial sensors and replay them at the same time, perfectly synchronized with GPS. With all these features incorporated into one box, LabSat is highly portable. For ease of use, it comes bundled with a 250 GB USB drive with pre-loaded recordings included. And with prices starting from £5,950, LabSat represents a very powerful competitor to larger, more expensive systems. February 10, 2009.-- SiRF Technology Holdings, Inc., based in San Jose, California, and CSR plc, formerly Cambridge Silicon Radio, headquartered in Cambridge, UK, will merge in a stock-for-stock transaction to create a new company, which will automatically assume a competitive/leading position in global connectivity and location markets. The companies expect the transaction to close in the second quarter of 2009. "Financially, strategically and commercially, this is a compelling transaction," stated Joep van Beurden, CEO of CSR - and analysts would almost universally agree. SiRF has been under the financial microscope since troubles surfaced in Q1 2008, and speculation about an acquisition had been rife.Further, SiRF has been locked in a patent battle with Broadcom, the latter involved through its July 2007 acquisition of Global Locate. CSR has made its mark in the Bluetooth connectivity sector, combining multiple connectivity technologies, while SiRF has long pioneered GPS location with multifunction system-on-chip (SoC) location platforms for consumer handhelds and cell phones. In January 2007, CSR purchased GNSS software receiver innovator NordNav. For the moment, Qualcomm CDMA sits on the sidelines, but a significant and long-going market battle continues between (now) the big three in the mass market OEM GPS chip sector: Broadcom, Qualcomm, CSR - with Sony and Panasonic also quietly going about their business, primarily making GPS chips for their own brand devices, but certainly in a position to supply others, if they are not doing so already. Based on CSR's and SiRF's results for fiscal year 2008, on a pro forma basis, the combined companies would have had sales of approximately $927 million. The combination will create the single largest pure play provider of integrated connectivity and location platforms and will be one of the top 10 fabless semiconductor companies in the world, according to a joint statement by the two. Customers of the combined company include four of the top five handset manufacturers, the top five personal navigation device makers, the top two auto-telematics suppliers, and other leading auto and consumer electronics providers. CSR and SiRF will have design and customer support centers around the world. Under the terms of the agreement, SiRF stockholders will receive 0.741 of a CSR share for each share of SiRF common stock they own. Based on the closing stock price for CSR on February 9, this consideration would be equivalent to $2.06 of CSR stock for each SiRF share, representing total consideration of $136 million. This represents a premium to SiRF stockholders of approximately 91% over SiRF's closing stock price on February 9. On closing of the transaction, SiRF stockholders are expected to own approximately 27% and CSR shareholders are expected to own approximately 73% of the combined company. The transaction is expected to be tax-free for SiRF stockholders. SiRF, listed on the NASDAQ exchange, generated revenues of $232 million in 2008, and had gross assets of $195 million as of December 27, 2008.CSR is listed on the London Stock Exchange. CSR's customers include industry leaders such as Audi, Ford, LG, Motorola, NEC, Nokia, Panasonic, RIM, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TomTo,m and Toshiba. CSR has its headquarters and offices in Cambridge, UK, and offices in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, India, France, Denmark, Sweden, and both Dallas and Detroit in the USA. February 9, 2009.-- Broadcom Corporation, a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, extends its leading combination (combo) chip portfolio with a highly integrated global positioning system (GPS), Bluetooth and FM radio solution that delivers location based services (LBS) and advanced multimedia in a single-chip design. This sophisticated connectivity processor significantly reduces the host and application processing required by competing combo solutions, enabling greater adoption in mass market handsets. The Broadcom BCM2075 combo chip integrates four radios (Bluetooth, GPS and FM receive and transmit), and in conjunction with its unique InConcert collaborative co-existence technology, allows these radios to operate simultaneously, and with minimal interference, providing a compelling user experience. Broadcom will demonstrate this new combo chip solution at next week's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. "The success of our combo chips highlights the individual strengths of our Bluetooth, GPS and FM connectivity technologies and advanced combo architectures that enable these leading solutions to work well together on the same silicon die," said Robert A. Rango, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Broadcom's Wireless Connectivity Group. "Our new BCM2075 combo chip will help drive the key handset applications that network operators and consumers are looking to adopt, making location based services and advanced multimedia available on a wider range of mid-range mobile phones." iSuppli market research expects GPS to grow significantly as a handset feature by 2012, to over 543 million units, with Bluetooth achieving more than 1.2 billion units and FM radio appearing in 901 million units in that same timeframe. By providing market proven implementations of all these technologies on a single combo device that saves power and size, Broadcom seeks to help drive these adoption rates in next generation handset products. Technology Details The BCM2075 is a cost effective solution for portable devices, such as mobile handsets, portable media players (PMPs) and personal navigation devices (PNDs), that wish to integrate Bluetooth, GPS and FM transceiver functionality and is backwards compatible with Broadcom's BCM2049 combo chip announced in October 2008. It includes an ARM Cortex-M3 processor that provides low power consumption for optimum connectivity operation and effective multimedia processing resulting in longer handset battery life. Supported by Broadcom's World Wide Reference Network (WWRN) for accurate indoor and outdoor positioning, the BCM2075 enables advanced LBS, regardless of user location. The Bluetooth core is architected for high functionality and low power requirements, and is fully compliant with version 2.1 and enhanced data rate (EDR) technology. It features SmartAudio voice enhancement technology, which significantly improves the audio quality and the range of headset connections and includes Broadcom's unique packet loss concealment (PLC) and wide-band speech technologies that compensate for lost data packets while delivering clearer digital voice communications. In conjunction with Broadcom's BTE-Mobile, Windows Mobile, and Android software stacks, the BCM2075 supports multiple simultaneous Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (AADP) streams, enabling music sharing between multiple stereo Bluetooth headsets, creating a wireless networked music environment. Additionally, the BCM2075 contains on-chip processing for the most popular multimedia codecs including MP3, ADC and AAC/AAC+ that allows the host to offload 90% of this processing to the BCM2075, further increasing battery life. The BCM2075 includes all the FM receiver features required for an advanced FM radio product including high receiver sensitivity with a 3dB improvement over previous Broadcom products, station information enhancements through intelligent Radio Data Service (RDS) and Radio Broadcast Data Service (RBDS) processing, and superior tuning and station search functions for worldwide frequency bands from 65 to 108MHz. The combo chip's feature-rich FM transmitter supports programmable output power and a sophisticated algorithm that recommends the best transmit frequency for the user to broadcast to his or her car radio or home FM receiver. The FM transceiver supports both small form factor FM antennas that can be integrated within the handset or traditional external headset wires. The GPS core of the BCM2075 uses a host-based integration architecture that splits the processing duties between the BCM2075 and the host CPU system and provides the lowest power GPS available, delivering 50% better power performance when compared with today's leading solutions on the market. Benefiting from almost 10 years of internal software development, Broadcom's GPS technology enables the fastest time-to-first-fix (TTFF) and provides integrated support for other positioning technologies (such as Wi-Fi(R) positioning), and a robust and proven user experience. February 6, 2009.-- Aerotel Medical Systems, a world leading manufacturer of modular, mobile and home-based telemedicine and telecare solutions and GEBOA SA, a leading distributor of interactive easy to use reliable, and innovative mobile solutions and services for security, location and communication, have launched Aerotel's GeoSKeeper personal safety and location system in Switzerland under the brand name AlarmTouch GPS. AlarmTouch GPS is a GPS-based personal telecare safety device, intended for seniors, children and lone workers. AlarmTouch GPS is distributed in Switzerland by GEBOA and is available in phone outlets and through some response centers across the country. The companies plan to introduce the products in France as well as in other markets in Europe. "AlarmTouch GPS is taking Personal Emergency Response Systems (PERS) and social alarm systems, to the next level," said Ofer Atzmon, vice president for business development at Aerotel Medical Systems, "it can activate a warning signal or initiate a voice call in case of need, identifying the caller's location and enabling him or her to get immediate assistance." He added, "Our long-term cooperation with GEBOA has been most successful and we are very excited with the successful launch of our personal safety solutions in Switzerland." "AlarmTouch and AlarmTouch GPS are innovative products suited for replacing the standard fixed systems installed in Switzerland, allowing mobility and localization of seniors people," said Dr. Georges Bongi, CEO of GEBOA. "We are very enthusiastic to work with Aerotel which is bringing such second-to-none solutions on the market at a very attractive price/performance point." AlarmTouch Wireless Personal Safety and Tracking Solutions include: AlarmTouch - wearable personal safety phone. AlarmTouch (which is sold under the brand name SKeeper outside of Switzerland) is a wearable emergency alarm and cellular communicator device, SKeeper enables elderly people, children or lone workers to be in close contacts with their relatives or caregivers and get immediate help in case of need from a tele-assistance center with 24X7 human responses. It enables two-way voice calls and text messages with an advanced alerting system for enhanced personal security. The product is fully programmable over the air via a user-friendly Web-based interface. AlarmTouch GPS - personal safety phone with GPS location. AlarmTouch GPS (which is sold under the brand name GeoSKeeper outside of Switzerland) Is a new addition to Aerotel's successful SKeeper family, offering a new level of safety using its embedded quad-band GSM/GPRS module, built-in speakerphone and active GPS receiver. With its geofencing feature, the device enables accurate location of users in need. When the wearer wanders outside a specified zone (e.g. neighborhood or school area), the system can send a short message (SMS) alert to a monitoring center and/or to a relative or caregiver. February 4, 2009.-- AtlasCT is announcing the release of its new Navigation API, the most advanced navigation API for easy development of Java ME navigation and location based mobile applications. AtlasCT will present the new Navigation API at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, 16-19 February.Atlas Navigation API offers simple yet very powerful tools for adding full turn-by-turn GPS navigation capability to any mobile application on a wide range of mobile devices, in zero efforts and no GIS skills. Some of the basic features of the Navigation API are:
All of these features are provided on top of the basic capabilities Atlas Mobile API, including:
AtlasCT's Navigation API is the platform for City Cruiser, semifinalist of the 2008 NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge in the category of Navigation application, for the Asia-Pacific region. The Mobile API is compatible with Java ME (J2ME) mobile phones and Smartphones on 2G-3.5G and has a long track record of success running on Nokia, Samsung, Sony-Ericsson, Motorola, LG and more devices. Find out more about Atlas Navigation API as well as other APIs at the company's website www.atlasct.com. Check out the mobile portal http://abmaps.mobi/ and download reLive!, which is based on Atlas Mobile API. February 3, 2009.-- An innovative emergency alarm watch with GPS tracking and an integrated mobile phone has been launched by satellite tracking firm Masternaut Three X. Designed as a discreet personal protection solution, the robust and waterproof LoKate wrist watch incorporates a miniature mobile phone and GPS receiver with a panic button allowing mobile workers to alert help discreetly if in danger. Using the in-built tracker linked to the Internet, the alarm location is immediately pinpointed on Microsoft Virtual Earth maps or aerial photography by a dedicated control centre that monitors the user around the clock, seven days a week. The control centre can then alert the emergency services or another member of staff that assistance is required. Additional reassurance is provided as the watch doubles as a mobile phone offering voice communication. LoKate runs over the established Masternaut vehicle and mobile asset satellite tracking service with voice and data communications handled by a standard GSM/GPRS network. The innovative watch is ideal for all types of lone worker situation, including field engineers, social workers, drivers, sales personnel, estate agents and property surveyors, and security services. The wrist watch allows them to keep in touch with HQ at the touch of a button. Wearers can be tracked in real-time using any Internet browser enabling office-based managers and support personnel to monitor field-based colleagues. Other lone worker options offered by Masternaut Three X include a user-friendly, fixed-mount in-cab system. The in-cab fixed solution connects to a Masternaut Three X Mobile Communications Unit. When pressed, an alert is transmitted which can then be forwarded to a nominated SMS number or e-mail address with a predefined message. The company also offers centrally controlled remote monitoring alerting fleet controllers to unusual activity such as theft or hijack and the automatic notification of entry into barred areas that may be unsafe or unauthorized. "The importance of ensuring that lone workers are safe cannot be underestimated. Companies have a duty of care to field-based personnel and, with mobile working become increasingly important to many sectors, solutions like LoKate provide security and confidence to lone workers particularly as these are monitored and can provide immediate assistance," said Martin Port, MD, Masternaut Three X. January 29, 2009.-- iGolf, a division of L1 Technologies, continues to break barriers in the GPS industry, and announced an expansion of its partnership with Bushnell Outdoor Products. In December, iGolf announced two new additions to its golf GPS product line. These innovative products utilize today's most advanced GPS technology to provide critical information necessary for golfers of all abilities to improve their games. This month, Bushnell Outdoor Products, the leading manufacturer of electronic measuring devices on the PGA Tour, is excited to announce that it will expand its partnership with iGolf in order to provide the most comprehensive line of GPS products in the golf market. In 2008, Bushnell released the Yardage Pro, their first handheld golf GPS device. The Yardage Pro is "Powered by iGolf", allowing users access to the largest and most accurate GPS course database in the industry at iGolf.com. For 2009, under the expanded partnership, Bushnell has acquired the rights to iGolf's line of handheld golf GPS devices. The popular iGolf Neo handheld GPS will be re-branded and marketed under the Bushnell brand name. Two new premium devices will be launched as the Bushnell Yardage Pro XG and XGC. The Yardage Pro XG features a high-contrast LCD screen, stores up to 20 GPS course files and has custom maps which provide the distance to any point on the green. Additionally, the unit allows golfers to keep score and track their statistics. The Yardage Pro XGC utilizes custom color maps which provide distances to any point on the hole, including landing areas, hazards, and greens. The compact lightweight design of both units allows golfers to slip either device comfortably into their pocket or golf bag. Both units are equipped with the latest advancements in GPS technology, including Sirf Star III GPS receivers and long life rechargeable lithium ion batteries. Like the Bushnell Yardage Pro, each of the new devices will be "Powered by iGolf", providing users with access to iGolf's cutting edge GPS technology solutions. With a membership to iGolf.com, users can download pre-mapped course data and information from a database of over 20,000 courses for storage on their computers and Bushnell GPS devices. iGolf's technical expertise and dedication to course mapping ensures that all golfers purchasing Bushnell GPS devices can be confident in receiving the most accurate and up-to-date GPS technology and course files in the golfing industry. L1 Technologies, the parent company of iGolf, and Bushnell Outdoor Products are pleased to expand a successful partnership which will continue to provide consumers with access to state-of-the-art GPS products at affordable prices. iGolf's technical expertise, coupled with Bushnell's brand equity and distribution strength, make this a perfect alliance between two industry leaders. January 29, 2009.-- Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc. (RMT) is releasing its newest tracking application for GPS-enabled cell phones. "Anyone with a Blackberry or Windows Mobile device can track their cell phone from any computer through web-based tracking software," says Brad Borst, President of the company. The technology used for this purpose is a full-featured, tracking software called NavIQ Mobile. Global in range, NavIQ Mobile allows the user to have access to a wide range of features. The tracking software is available in over 56 countries in Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. With the introduction of the NavIQ Mobile technology, the safety and security benefits to the individual user are significant. Cell phones are now GPS-enabled so that emergency call centers are more accurately able to detect a person's position in the same way that they can trace calls made from land lines. In 2003, the Federal Communications Commission passed a directive which required all cell phones manufactured after 2005 to be GPS capable. Enhanced 911 or E911 mandates that all new cell phones support location identification technology. When you dial 911 from your cell phone, for example, the public safety answering point or PSAP, can pinpoint your exact location within a few meters. The launch of NavIQ Mobile now offers a more advanced technology which provides more information, such as, address, speed, heading, longitude, latitude, date, time, and a history of everywhere it has been. RMT's state of the art NavIQ Mobile software application provides live tracking, fast maps, custom map data, and full color graphics. NavIQ Mobile also boasts such comprehensive tools as animated pans, 3D perspective zooms, and fly-over routing. Rocky Mountain Tracking, Inc. is undoubtedly the leader in GPS tracking applications, offering all of these features in a way that is truly unsurpassed in the tracking industry. Obviously, the ramifications for both business and personal use are enormous given the wide ranging scope of this newest level of technology. GPS-enabled cell phones allow business owners to not only keep a watchful eye over their employees, but also to track their entire fleet of vehicles used by their mobile workforce. The personal safety advantages of cell phone tracking are just as impressive. Cell phones have become an essential part of the everyday routine and they are a vital tool that could actually save your life. Parents will also find this technology as an added bonus when it comes to keeping tabs on their teens in a non obtrusive, yet convenient way. A primary advantage with the roll-out of NavIQ Mobile is the elimination of purchasing additional tracking hardware. Even if you do not currently have one of RMT's other GPS tracking devices, NavIQ Mobile offers tracking of your existing cell phone as an attractive and affordable option. January 28, 2009.-- Navman Wireless, a global leader in GPS-based fleet tracking and management solutions, announced it is expanding the presence of Microsoft Virtual Earth as its global mapping and location information platform for its flagship OnlineAVL2 fleet tracking solution. Microsoft Virtual Earth currently supplies the mapping and location information needs of the 100,000 -- and growing -- Navman Wireless users across the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Australia, making Navman Wireless one of the largest Microsoft Virtual Earth partners in the fleet management and tracking industry. "Microsoft Virtual Earth is strategically aligned with the needs of enterprise users, which is why we not only adopted Virtual Earth as our primary mapping and location information platform, but also are aggressively promoting it to our customers," said TJ Chung, chief executive officer of Navman Wireless. "Microsoft Virtual Earth adds enhanced mapping and navigation capabilities to OnlineAVL2, including the ability to display satellite imagery and the latest street-level information, establish specific landmarks and customer destinations, optimize driving directions and much more. This relationship allows Navman Wireless OnlineAVL2 platform to take advantage of the enormous resources Microsoft is dedicating to the Virtual Earth mapping platform." "As a Navman Wireless technology partner, Microsoft is pleased that OnlineAVL2 integrates Microsoft technologies for both global imaging as well as in its underlying platform," said Chris Sampson, director of Virtual Earth Sales and Operations. "The integration provides an enhanced experience for Navman Wireless customers, with multiple mapping features to track their vehicles including 3D imagery and point-by-point directions." Microsoft Virtual Earth is an industry-leading product that provides precise views of the world through bird's eye view and panning, photorealistic 3D capability and other features. Its frequent map updates and end-user customizability provide significant value to OnlineAVL2, one of the industry's most popular fleet tracking applications. OnlineAVL2 with Microsoft Virtual Earth capability gives the operator accurate positioning of vehicles according to their GPS locations and a much clearer picture of their locations in relation to surrounding roads and structures. Users can zoom in on vehicles displayed on photographic images, using pop-up boxes, while viewing their locations within a broader geographical area via a traditional vector map in the corner of the same screen. "The current economy demands that companies maximize the efficiency of their mobile workforce," said Renaat ver Eecke, VP and GM, North America Wireless Business. "Microsoft Virtual Earth, as a powerful enhanced capability for OnlineAVL2, allows dispatchers and supervisors to better manage routes, vehicles and field personnel." Navman Wireless estimates that nearly 20% of its total installed base of OnlineAVL2 users have already added Microsoft Virtual Earth, with the number of users increasing. The company also expects to expand its availability of Microsoft Virtual Earth to other world regions in the near future. January 12, 2009.-- u-blox, developer of advanced GPS location and tracking technologies for commercial and consumer applications, has been selected to supply XACT Technology LLC with high-performance GPS receiver modules for its new line of portable personal tracking devices called XACT|TRAX. Introduced this week at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the innovative XACT|TRAX personal tracker provides users with up-to-the-minute information on the location of loved ones, pets, vehicles and other assets - wherever they may be. Follow-on products in the XACT|TRAX line will include tracking solutions for laptop computers, giving users both navigation capability and a means of recovery if the computer is lost or stolen. "XACT's ability to create an easy and affordable tracking device meets a very large market need. By incorporating our unique positioning and location technology, the XACT|TRAX operates with the highest degree of certainty and speed," noted Nikolaos Papadopoulos, President of u-blox America. "The powerful, 50-channel u-blox 5 positioning engine will allow XACT's tracking devices to determine precise location, anywhere in the world, giving users unparalleled location awareness and peace of mind." The u-blox 5 positioning engine incorporates a variety of features to speed up the time needed to acquire satellite signals and calculate position location. Additionally, the receiver has been engineered to operate in weak signal environments, such as urban canyons and parking structures. The result is the fastest first fix and the ability to perform effectively in the most challenging signal environments. "XACT Technology is in the business of providing consumers with the very best in electronics and technology," says Anthony Antolino, Senior Vice President of XACT Technology. "When it comes to locating people's most prized possessions, we made sure to build our personal tracking devices with the most advanced and reliable GPS positioning component. The u-blox GPS solution gives us the accuracy, dependability and robustness necessary to be sure our products work everywhere our customers need them to." January 6, 2009.-- The NCC, a leading manufacturer of consumer electrical devices, plans to demonstrate their new line of officially-licensed Goodyear-branded GPS navigation units at the upcoming CES convention in Las Vegas, Jan 8-12. Focus will be on the soon to be released GY500X that will make its debut at the convention. The new and exclusive unit for those with a Commercial Driver's License, the GY500X, will be targeted specifically at the trucking industry and drivers of other commercial vehicles, such as commercial vans, trailers, and large RVs & motor homes. More than just a GPS with commercial routes, the unit, which is the first of its kind in the industry, has been designed from the ground up to appeal to the specific needs of the trucker. Current GPS systems do not address the needs of this niche market. The GY500X is the complete portable package for drivers of commercial vehicles, and we're proud to have developed this product with Navevo, the leader in this space. British navigation software developer Navevo, which recently won the Frost and Sullivan 2008 UK Telematics Product Innovation Award, developed the software to be used in the new GY500X system. The software, "ProNav" featuring NAVTEQ Transport, was designed specifically with the trucking industry in mind. It provides dynamic routing and navigation capabilities, using driver-set parameters such as:
Given these parameters, the unit can access a comprehensive database of legal/physical restrictions and pertinent points of interest to provide a dynamic, targeted route that highlights weigh stations, avoids restricted roads, and even directs the driver to the nearest diesel gas location. The GY500X also features multiple vehicle profiles, to allow a single unit to be shared easily among multiple trucks or vans in a fleet. It offers a heavy duty windshield mount, a large 4.3" widescreen LCD and booming 3-watt speaker, to allow voice directions to be heard even in a noisy cabin. The unit also includes built-in USA and Canada NAVTEQ maps, and a 25ft external antenna to allow for alternative mounting options. "The new GY500X unit will deliver the portable navigation solution that many CDL drivers are looking for," says Barry Rosenstock, VP of Operations for the NCC. "Current GPS systems do not address the needs of this niche market. The GY500X is the complete portable package for drivers of commercial vehicles, and we're proud to have developed this product with Navevo, the leader in this space." The consumer models to be demoed at CES, including the affordably priced GY130 & GY135 and mid-range GY145, utilize many industry-leading features, including INSTANT Rerouting, which utilizes a constant, proactive analysis of all possible routes within a one mile radius to instantly calculate new directions when a user changes their route. This feature, which is exclusive to Goodyear GPS products, prevents the system from having to "recalculate" when a turn is missed. "Today's GPS systems realize when you miss a turn, but then make you wait while a progress bar shows 'rerouting' or 'recalculating,'" said Rosenstock "In the meantime, you could miss your next turn and not even know it. Our system doesn't do recalculations. When you miss a turn, it's already prepared with an alternate route, without missing a beat - or an exit." The NCC's consumer GPS units were recently released to the market and will have demonstration units available at CES. The NCC will also be demonstrating prototypes of their high-end consumer models, the GY340 and GY440. In addition to all features on the entry-level models, both high-end units feature:
In addition, the Goodyear GY440 flagship GPS will utilize voice recognition to allow for a complete hands-free experience. Drivers can enter a destination or choose a point of interest by merely speaking aloud to the GPS. The GY440 also features MSN Direct service from Microsoft, for live traffic information, local weather, nearby gas prices, and even movie times and local news. The GY440 comes with the MSN receiver and 12 months of free MSN Direct service. January 5, 2009.-- PROCON, Inc. the leader in mobileresource management solutions for the automotive finance industry announced the launch of its latest GPS device named The CUBE. Thisrevolutionary new GPS device is the smallest GPS tracking device in theindustry and sports a rugged automotive grade housing that is extremelydurable and heat resistant, and installation of this new device is much easierthan its predecessor. PROCON will be distributing this new device through itssubprime automotive finance brand GoldStar GPS. "This is a cutting edge product far superior to everything else in theindustry," said Kyle Fjelstad Vice President of product development forPROCON. "We expect tremendous sales volume with this product. The CUBEwill change the way the subprime finance automotive industry thinks about GPStracking devices. The compact design allows stealth installation, yetmaintains a significant amount of space at the circuit board level to assuresuperior GPS performance. The custom hypersensitive GPS antenna is designed toovercome the sensitivity issues common in attempts by others to make smallcredit card size devices. " This device, combined with PROCON's already robustline up of products and offerings, further distinguishes PROCON as the clearleader in the MRM marketplace. copyright © GPS-practice-and-fun.com All Rights Reserved |