Navx

GPS for iPhone:this is real !

There have been many rumors for getting GPS functionality on the iPhone, some of them are fake, some of them with embedded A-GPS.

But this time we know that it's real because partfoundry designed a real GPS receiver chip that can send the data to Google Maps to get driving and directions and possibly allow for other location based services.

The code for the application will be open source allowing users and the chip will be shipping on february 2008.

See the video :

technorati tags: GPS iPhone navigation apple

Nokia LD-4W Bluetooth GPS Receiver

Nokia LD-4W has been officially released ! If you haven't met yet, you eventually will see that it's a Bluetooth GPS receiver whiwh allows GPS navigation on Bluetooth-enabled smart phones. It weighs 31 grams and lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge. LD-4W is available all around the world for about 125€. More info, here.

technorati tags: Nokia LD-4W Bluetooth GPS Receiver

Transfer Google Maps data to your GARMIN

Takitwithme is a new service which allows you to transfer Google Maps data and KML files directly to Garmin devices, or download them as GPX files -using the recently announced Garmin Communicator API. You just have to copy a my Maps URL into the form and click ‘Load My Maps’ to get started. 

technorati tags: Garmin TakeItWithMe Google My Maps Garmin Communicator API

INRIX announces updated traffic speed data

Inrix, the traffic flow information provider has announced the latest release of its Nationwide Average Speeds (NAS) data. NAS is designed to improve the accuracy of fastest route calculations for navigation application providers and device manufacturers. GPS receivers calculate travel time on the basis of the posted speed limit. This sort of historical speed data can discern patterns associated with time of day, day of the week, holidays, etc. The new data set will be available next month.

So if you have a TMC traffic receiver, you could benefit from this very soon. According to GPS Lodge, INRIX is bundling data with TeleAtlas, and NAVTEQ is also acquiring historical average speed data.

Read more from the press release, here.

technorati tags: Inrix TeleAtlas Navteq TMC traffic receiver

TeleNav version 5.2 on your mobile phone

TeleNav announced today the 5.2 version of their cell-phone based GPS navigation product, TeleNav. We have already known TeleNav version 5, allowing your cell phone to turn into a fully functioning GPS device with voice guidance. Now the 5.2 version has different updates like traffic, pedestrian mode and a new user interface, designed by the industrial design firm Frog Design. Interesting GPS-related features are also included : The ability to send your current location to other TeleNav users,  to share addresses of favorite businesses (restaurants, hotels or movie theaters)and to send information on local gas stations with the cheapest prices for that day. Find more info on the company's homepage , and the press release.

technorati tags: GPS TeleNav navigation

Mappy Mini

The French Mappy is about to launch its second GPS after Mappy Iti ? This new product is called Mappy Mini but it hasn't been officially announced yet. According to Fnac, “Mappy Mini” should be equipped with a 300 MHz processor, 64 Mo memory and a 3,5 inches touch screen. Not a spectacular product but  can allow Mappy to be present in GPS market..We don't know yet if Mappy Mini will be released or not. More info here, on Mobinaute.

technorati tags: Mappy GPS Fnac 

Flickr

Flickr has about 20 millions geo-tagged photos in its database, meaning millions of tags attached to millions of GPS coordinates. That's a lot, and there is certainly a way to build useful services on top of that.

For instance, Geocodr is a mash-up using Flickr's API to identify the possible location of  anything. Type "Eiffel tower" in the entry box, and you get the exact location of the famous French monument. Type "Celine Dion",  and you get Las Vegas.

But Yahoo! is taking it seriously with it's prototype : Zurfer. It's a mobile location-based photo browser. With Zurfer, you will access your Flickr pictures and browse the entire database of pictures taken around your current location. You therefore access user-generated geolocalized content from your phone.

Psst ! Here I am, 2 miles west of your position

We have already talked about Garmin Rino here, and  today it's on New York Times : Any satellite mapping system can tell you where you are. But a Garmin Rino can also tell other Rino users where you are ! Click here to read the article.

technorati tags: Garmin Rino New York Times

Social jogging, thanks to GPS

You prefer jogging with a partner than jogging alone -but you can't  find someone nearby who runs at the same place ? Jogging Over Distance just might be the answer to your prayers. The system makes it possible to jog with the perfect partner even if the person lives in another city. How ? By using mobile phone and GPS technology to transform a phone conversation into a 3D audio experience : While you run, you can hear your partner's voice coming from the front, to the side, or behind, depending on how fast or slow he or she is running.

Technical details ?

• As the person runs, the GPS data is collected and transmitted wirelessly to the miniature computer, which the jogger wears in a close-fitting backpack.
• An algorithm on the computer determines how fast each person is running in relation to his or her partner and calculates a sound position. It uses the value of the sound position to change the audio each jogger hears.
• As one jogger speaks, the partner hears the voice as coming from the front (if the partner is jogging faster), from the side (if they're running at the same pace), or from behind (if they're moving slower).

Cool isn't it, the social jogging ?  Hearing other people as you're exercising is a very good motivation:  Wireless technology means you never have to run alone again :-)

technorati tags: jogging GPS wireless 

GPS HUD Speed Meter

GPS HUD Site Meter is not a product released yesterday but we talk about it for people who haven't heard about this new technology in consumer electronics market : It's actually a GPS based system which projects your speed and direction on your windshield so you don’t have look down to read your dashboard. This Bluetooth-enabled device which also enables handsfree communications with your BT-equipped cellphone is manufactured by a company called GlobalTop  and it costs about 75€).
Click here to see the live pics, here for details.

technorati tags: Speed Metter consumer electronics market GPS

How to handle with all these new My Maps mashups ?

We have already talked about the new feature of Google Maps called My Maps, here. The release of this mashup which allows users to easily create a Google Maps mashup was a huge event for Google Maps mashup ecosystem. Since the number of new mashups has increased, here is a new site which is helping to create a way to add, find and vote on the best new My Maps mashups. So check what maps mashups have the most number of votes on Ongopongo.com. If you've created a Google My Map, you can also add it to this site.

And what's the way for My Maps to be embedded into a blog or website ? A new site called mymapsplus.com : you can get the embeddable code for websites and put your maps into any blog or website. And the cool thing is, when you generate the code you can opt to share your map with other users and let mymapsplus link to your page where you embed the map. Have fun ! (You can see googlemapsmania for more info)

ps. A picture we like on mymapsplus.com :-)

technorati tags: Google Maps My Maps mashup blog

Nokia N95 pics

We have already talked about Nokia N95, here.   It's an all-in-one multimedia computer with integrated GPS functionality, including maps for more than 100 countries, enabling users to explore the world, find specific routes or locate services such as restaurants and hotels and covering more than 15 million points of interest. Gizmodo has some nice and GPS related pics. Have a look here :

technorati tags: Nokia N95 GPS Mobile Phone

Nokia N95 in Europe

Nokia N95 is finally going to hit the European market ! Introduced last year, the N95 is an all-in-one multimedia computer with integrated GPS functionality, a 5 megapixel camera and support for high-speed mobile networks. The Maps application includes maps for more than 100 countries, enabling users to explore the world, find specific routes or locate services such as restaurants and hotels and covering more than 15 million points of interest. It's also possible to purchase additional features, such as city guides and voice guided navigation. Interested ? The N95 will be available for 799 €. Click here for more info.

technorati tags: Nokia N95 smartphone GPS mobile

GPS + SIM card: first products released

It's been a year or so that we expect the market to move in the direction of communicating GPS. The first official product is the TomTom 715. It is basically a 710 with a GPRS modem and a Data SIM card included.  TomTom targets professionals in need of a fleet management solution: tracking a sales force or delivery trucks.

The TomTom 715 costs 649€ and comes with a Vodafone subscription: 19,90€/month for Germany only, 27€/month for West Europe and 37€/month for Europe. The subscription includes the TomTom Work Webfleet software, allowing you to track your people, send them information and have them report on deliveries, late arrival, etc.

TomTom is not the only company launching a communicating device: Garmin is planning to launch its own solution in a month, combined with its GPS Buddy software for fleet management.

Ok... this is just the beginning. We should soon see solutions addressing the mass market, with cheap subscriptions and cool community apps.

GPSPrevent G200

GPSPrevent (a french company) released a GPS integrated radar detector device, the G200.  The G200 warns drivers about fixed and mobile radars, also danger zones for France and Europe. It tells you the distance  as well as the type of the radar based on its frequency. You can choose a female or male voice for vocal alarms :  The update of the radars is free and unlimited. The G200 will cost 130€.  More info here and here.

technorati tags: GPS navigation radar detector GPSPrevent

You can download Nokia Maps free "Smart2go" service

Nokia announced that they will make their mapping and navigation solution (Smart2go) available for free download from this saturday ! Smart2go is a freeware for your mobile phone for downloading maps and street plans, and also for saving your favourite spots to share them with your friends.

There will also be a companion PC application that allows you to install maps of specific areas to your phone: Maploader. This mean it will not be necessary to download maps over the air. You will be able to take the maps that you want with you. You can just select the region you want, download the maps, transfer them onto your memory card or mobile device and start exploring the world!

It's a really great news that the smart2go software is free. Well done Nokia! More info here, and here. But is it such a great news for companies selling off-board navigation applications, such as Jentro ? We are eager to discuss that with them at 3GSM next week.

technorati tags: Nokia Maploader Smart2go navigation

A GPS I-Pod ?

Here is the article : Research analyst Jesse Totora said to International Business Times that the next generation i-Pods will include GPS ! The addition of GPS functionality should position the iPod as the central hub for all digital content (music, movies, GPS) in automobiles ! The article goes on to say Internet capability seems to be a possibility too. Estimations and rumors besides, we have to wait and see : Can Apple have a significant market share with GPS or not ? What do you think I-pod fans ?

Source : GPSTracklog

Free GPS Navigation Software for mobile phone

LocatioNet Systems has launched amAze, a new free mobile mapping, navigation and local search solution for regular mass-market mobile phones. AmAze is a free GPS application that provides any regular, Java-enabled mobile phone with navigation information in Central and Western Europe and North America. Interested ? All features here. You can also log into the site to register and obtain a free copy of this mobile software or just see a demo of the application. It's an interesting first step, isn't it ?

Grab your Garmin, take on the world

Who is the first GPS manufacturer to advertise during the SuperBowl ? On February 4th, it will be Garmin who will air a 30-second commercial ! The buzz has already begun, everyone is talking about Super Bowl commercials.  Isn't it great for the popularity of GPS devices ? You can read more detail here and watch the crazy music video too, which will inspire the ad :

TomTom News

1° TomTom launched the free QuickGPSfix service for all TomTom ONE users ! This free service enables users to get an immediate connection between their TomTom and the GPS satellites: even if the GPS signal is weak, the position of the TomTom One is automatically "fixed" with QuickGPSfix. Users just need to install the QuickGPSfix by connecting their TomTom ONE to a computer running TomTom HOME  (TomTom’s free software application) and let QuickGPSfix predict the location of GPS satellites for seven days.  TomTom’s QuickGPSfix is compatible with TomTom GO 910, 710, 510 and now, with the entire TomTom ONE range.  More info here.

2° TomTom has admitted that "a small number" of  TomTom Go 910 were infected with a virus ! The models affected were produced in one week in the last quarter of 2006 with software version 6.51. The virus is qualified as "low risk" and does not affect the navigation performance of the TomTom GO 910; it just shows that a good GPS device can attract the attention of hackers :-) You can click here to learn how to detect the virus and what to do when it's found ! For more information, see the article of Cnet.

Seek and share local information with Dismoiou

Gilles Barbier, ex-Managing Director of the leading French traffic data provider V-Trafic (a subsidiary of TDF), is launching a new community mashup 2.0, called Dismoiou. Based on Google Maps, Dismoiou is a geolocalized data platform allowing users to seek and share local information.  It's a good news: it means geolocalization is taking up rapidly in France :-) For more information, have a look here. You'll have to wait until the end of February for Dismoiou.

New Peugeot RT4 Telematics System

After the audio/multimedia/navigation RT3 system, Peugeot is now launching the new RT4 Multi Media system. The new RT4 system, like the current RT3, is a «4 in 1» device: it combines multiple audio and multimedia functions, a hands-free GSM phone, services such as local emergency call and a GPS navigation system.The main innovation of the new RT4 system  is the integration of an automotive specification computer hard disk with a capacity of 30 Gigabytes. (A Hard disk ? Yes, for the first time in a french car !) There is also a complete mapping of all 30 countries in Europe ( Navteq) stored on the hard disk, a Jukebox with a capacity to store up to 180 hours of music from audio CD’s or MP3 CD’s  and improved reception of both the radio and traffic information. There is maybe just one thing which misses in this interesting system :  BlueTooth ! For more information, see caraudiovideo and peugeot forum (fr) or easier motoring (eng).

Voice commands on your GPS

"Take me home, please" : by the end of this year, you will be able to use voice commands when dealing with your GPS ! According to PcWorld, "VoiceBox's voice technology will be incorporated in standard-size GPS products and car radios from manufacturers yet to be announced." VoiceBox recognizes natural language queries, in order to improve voice-controlled Radio and GPS (more details in InfoWorld's article). We have already seen the AVIC-Z1 of Pioneer (althougth the company doesn't want to present it as a GPS unit -the reason here), we are already informed about its interesting feature of voice recognition. So I guess it won't take too long to see this feature integrated into other manufacturers' devices too. Wouldn't it be great to speak with your GPS unit? Well, it's now possible, see PcWorld video if you don't believe me.

Navx sur RTL !

NAVX était l'invité d'Auto-Radio Express sur RTL, à propos de la personnalisation des GPS.

Si vous avez raté l'émission du 26 décembre enregistrée par Guillaume Coche, voici un extrait pour connaitre le choix des internautes, les voix des stars qu'ils préfèrent et les solutions Navx. Cliquez pour écouter !

Chacun sa route, chacun son chemin

Ce n'est pas la première fois que le GPS s'invite sur une émission à la radio. Navx vous en avait déjà parlé (ici ). Mais comme c'est la période des fêtes, Le Figaro a fait une article sur les cadeaux vedettes de Noël. Il parait que ce sont les GPS qui sont les produits les plus prises de cette fin d'année- déjà un million a été vendu en 2006 ! Alors,  France Inter a fait une émission à son tour à propos le cadeau préféré des français, Cartier libre conseille de se laisser guider par la voix douce de la navigatrice, mais attention, certaines destinations seront très prisées en 2007 :-)

Google bouge

Le 18 décembre a été un jour d'annonce pour Google .Voici 3 news intéressantes :

1. Accord entre Google et la NASA :  Le Space Act Agreement doit permettre à ces 2 mastodontes de travailler ensemble sur des problèmes techniques liés à la gestion des données à grande échelle et informatiques". Le but de Google ? Utiliser les informations importantes de la NASA disponibles sur Internet : Météorologie en temps réel, visualisation des cartes 3D de Mars et de la Lune et observations depuis la station spatiale internationale ! Plus de détails ici, et là.

2. Google a acquis une partie des actifs de Endoxon, une société suisse qui développe des solutions de cartographie aérienne et d’intégration des données dans les services Internet et Mobiles. Le but de cette acquisition ? Accroître les possibilités d'analyse de Google pour améliorer les fonctionnalités de Google Earth et Google Maps ! Ceux qui ont connu Endoxon à travers maps.search.ch reconnaisse le côté innovateur de cette société. Essayez pour voir la ressemblance avec Google Earth ! Pour plus d'infos, cliquez ici et la.

3. D'après une article publiée par The Guardian, Google et Orange travailleront ensemble pour le développement d'un téléphone portable ! Le grand avantage de ce Google Phone (avec le logo d'Orange dessus) c'est qu'il pourrait contenir un écran similaire à celui de l’iPod Apple et pourrait contenir un certain nombre de produits et services Google destinés aux mobiles comme Gmail, maps pour mobile, Google SMS...Remarque : il n'y a pas encore d'annonce officiel, on doit attendre pour voir s'il s'agit d'une spéculation ou pas !

Info ou Intox ?

Le leader du marché de la navigation GPS TomTom pourrait changer de fournisseur de puces GPS : la société néerlandaise pourrait ne plus utiliser les puces de Sirf (Sirf Star III) pour ses futurs GPS, en choissant un autre constructeur américain pour se fournir les puces satellites : Global Locate, société qui produit les puces des GPS de HP. 

Meme s'il n'y a pas de précision sur cette information, les marchés financiers ont réagi en vitesse: l'action de SiRF avait déjà baissé de près de 10%.

En tout cas, c'est logique de ne pas vouloir rester trop lier au même fournisseur. En ce qui concerne son fournisseur de cartographie, TomTom avait déjà choisit de diversifier en équipant quelques uns de ces Produits avec Navteq.

Les GPS sur France INFO

Le GPS s'est invité sur  France Info le 14 Décembre ?

Il a monopolisé la chronique d'Info Route : le sujet était ce petit gadget "nouveau compagnon de la route" qui est rapidement devenu indispensable à l’automobiliste et qui a connu un énorme succès avec plus d'un million d’exemplaires vendus en 2006 !

Pour l'anecdocte, GaultMillau 2007 sur TomTom, c'est déjà en magasin et en exclusivité chez Navx :  ici.

Pour ceux qui ont raté l'émission, cliquez pour écouter :

Téléchargement info_route_14.12.2006.mp3

Navx cité dans le Herald Tribune et dans le New-York Times

Lien vers les articles

• Herald Tribune
• New-York Times

Articles complets en téléchargement :

• Herald_Tribune
• New-York_Times

Conférence de Presse FNMS

Retrouvez en image la conférence de Presse FNMS pour le lancement du service de recherche de parking avec disponibilité en temps réel.

Christian Tarpin (pour la FNMS et Setec ITS)
Julien Brault de SFR (Portail Vodafone Live!)
Jean Cherbonnier de Navx
Alexandre Nepveu de Orange (Portail Orange World)

Couverture Presse (au 6/10/2006)

• Mobinaute (le 3/10/2006),
• 01Net 
• vnunet,
• France Matin (4/10/2006)
• Le Parisien (6/10/2006) : Téléchargement le_parisien_page_8.pdf

Ci-joint à nouveau la video du service Parkx présenté par Navx :

Navx dévoile son service de recherche de Parking disponible temps réel

A l'occasion du Mondial Automobile 2006, Navx dévoilera mardi 3 Octobre son service de recherche de parc de stationnement disponible en temps réel à proximité de l'adresse de destination.  Ce système, réalisé en partenariat avec la Fédération Nationale des Métiers du Stationnement (FNMS) et avec l’aide du Syndicat des Transports d’Ile de France (STIF), sera alimenté en temps réel par les gestionnaires de parcs de stationnement.

Le service ParkX est une première mondiale. Il est largement grand public en étant compatible à ce jour avec l'ensemble des navigateurs GPS de la marque TOMTOM, ce qui représente déjà un parc installé de plus d'un million d'appareils en France.

Ce service sera tout d'abord testé à grande échelle par des utilisateurs "beta". Il sera ouvert plus largement courant 2007.

Le service Parkx est le premier d'un longue liste de services temps réel "Navx", à destination des PND, qui seront mis en service dans les prochains mois.

Communiqué de Presse Officiel : Téléchargement cp_fnms_navx.pd

 

Le GPS s'invite au 20h de PPDA

Cela se passe à Berlin à l'occasion de l'ouverture du Consumer Electronic Trade Show IFA 2006. Un hall entier sera dédié à la géolocalisation.

Biensur, Navx y sera dès lundi prochain.

Veuillez éteindre votre GPS !

Si vous vous souvenez de la note que nous avions publiée à propos du Forerunner 305 (ici), nous y montrions la trace GPS d'un atterrissage sur Roissy. Or... avait-on le droit d'utiliser un GPS dans l'avion ?

La réponse semble être oui: nous volions sur Easyjet, et cette compagnie fait partie d'une liste de companies réputées considérer qu'un GPS émet trop peu de radio-fréquences pour interférer avec les systèmes électroniques à bord. La liste est-elle vraiment officielle ? On notera en tout cas qu'Air France n'est pas citée, au contraire de ses partenaires Skyteam (Delta, Continental, Alitalia).

Navx cité par Treonauts

Navx est cité par Treonauts.

Treonauts est le premier site mondial dédié aux utilisateurs de smartphone Treo.

Sony intègre le GPS dans ses PSP

De nouveaux équipements vont bientôt intéger un chip GPS et permettront l'apparition et l'usage de nouveaux services : on pense biensur à l'appareil photo numérique, au pulsomètre de course à pied, à la console de jeu portable, au téléphone mobile...

Nous vous proposons un petit zoom sur la console de jeu portable.

Sony vient d'anonncer la sortie pour Septembre prochain d'un récepteur GPS (Module PSP-290) qui se connectera sur la prise mini USB de sa fameuse PSP.  On s'image à une vague de nouveau service, qui d'ailleurs commence déjà à déferler.

Sony vient juste de confirmer le lancement de guides citadins interactifs "Planet PSP" en partenariat avec Lonely Planet. A l'ouverture à l'automne, 6 villes seront disponibles : Amsterdam, Barcelone, Londres, Paris, Prague et Rome. Au programme, des plans, guides, bon plans, adresses, video, images, propositions d'itinéraires.

C'est donc un nouveau "device" qui rentre de plein pied dans le monde de la géolocalisation.