GPS obsessed

In talking with uLocate Communication’s Dan Gilmartin a couple of weeks back, we were aware of a partnership with Sprint somewhere down the line.  Now the details are official and when Sprint rolls out its WiMAX mobile broadband network, dubbed XOHM, in Baltimore next month, uLocate’s WHERE platform and friend-finding application Buddy Beacon will form the backbone of what Sprint calls a “largely location-centric experience”.

With the new XOHM service, Sprint aims to jump on the growing popularity of location-based services and provide a “geobrowsing effect” that incorporates location context into the mobile browsing experience.  Not only will XOHM apply to cellular devices, but any mobile device connected to the WiMAX network, including automotive PND’s, laptops, portable media players, and even digital cameras.

Perhaps the most impressive part of XOHM is its openness.  Sprint will make the XOHM API’s available to 3rd parties so they can create their own location apps on the XOHM network, improving its usability.

While uLocate is Sprint’s primary partner in the XOHM rollout, they aren’t the only name of note. Yelp, Eventful, Topix, Navteq, AccuWeather, Google, Openwave Systems, and Autodesk will add their own location context to the new service.  Look for XOHM to rollout in both Chicago and Washington, DC in the fourth quarter.

uLocate

Yelp

via arstechnica

There has been a ton of Google Android-related news lately as we move closer to the anticipated release of T-Mobile’s Dream/G1 phone.  Given our time constraints, we figured we’d try to boil it all down in this one post.  So here goes.

First of all, though Bluetooth and a repurposed Google Talk were API’s available in early Android SDK’s, they were mysteriously missing from the recent 0.9 SDK.  Of course that means they won’t be available as API’s in the final 1.0 release, but why?  The repurposed Google Talk, known as GTalkService, was removed mainly for security reasons and as with any two-way service there shouldn’t be any need to go into depth about what those security reasons are.  As for Bluetooth, the 1.0 release won’t include an API, but handsets and the version itself will include support for it.    Why?  The team simply ran out of time to complete it but they do intend to include it in later versions of Android.

Okay, now on to the newly announced Android Market.  Similar to the iTunes App store, but at the same time completely different, the Android Market is an “open content distribution system that will help end users find, purchase, download and install various types of content on their Android-powered devices”.  Google leverages their search capabilities to help users looking for apps to find them on an open service hosted by Google and rates applications with a YouTube-like rating system.  So, rather than the closed, proprietary system Apple uses, Google will use a supply-and-demand-oriented approach, hence Android Market.  The first Android handsets will feature a beta version of the service and guaranteed support for free apps, but Google is still making some decisions surrounding deployment of paid apps, but they too will be supported soon after launch.

It only made sense to announce the winners of the inaugural Android Developer Challenge in conjunction with the Android Market announcement.  7 judges picked apart the 50 apps chosen as finalists and awarded 10 teams $275, 000 and $100, 000 to a second group of 10 teams.  Not surprisingly, location seemed to be the dominant theme among the top 20 big money winners.  We won’t highlight every app at the moment, because we want to contact some of the winners and do comprehensive reviews of their apps and the teams’ plans for the future, but head over to the Android site and you’ll see a gallery of all the winners.

Android looks to be covered for the time being, but what about T-Mobile’s highly anticipated Android-driven Dream/G1 handset?  Just look to Engadget for the best first-hand info.  Acting on a tip, the team discovered what look to be potential photos of the HTC-manufacturered Android phone on a Taiwanese forum.  The pics below are branded with the T-Mobile insignia and seem to show a finished product, albeit an ugly one, but the real question is: are they real?

When trying to judge whether or not these leaked pics are for real, it helps to know that the form factor displayed is supported by some sketches of the handset released by the FCC and discovered by the AndroidGuys.

It’s tough to see, but on the right side of the picture is the scale measurements for drawing.  Applying them suggests that the Dream has a height of 115 mm, width of 55 mm (both in line with FCC specs) and an approximate thickness of 16.35 mm.

Other specs we’ve managed to find, all rumored of course, include:

• 528Mhz Qualcomm 7201 processor
• Data kit for USB connectivity in the box
• 128MB Internal RAM
• 256MB Internal ROM
• 1GB MicroSD card
• Dedicated camera button; 3.1MP camera (no flash) 2048 x 1536
• Video playback files – H.264, streaming, 3GPP, MPEG4, and Codec 3GP and a Dedicated YouTube Player

So now it’s just a waiting game to see if the rumored September 17 T-mobile pre-order date pans out.

Related Points Of Interest

• August 18, 2008 — HTC Dream Passes FCC, Coming To T-Mobile Mid November Running On Android? (And…Android 0.9 SDK Released!)
• August 13, 2008 — HTC Dream, aka G1, aka Android Phone Coming To T-Mobile September 17?
• March 2, 2009 — Orange cuts Vodafone’s grass, brings first Android handset to France March 5
• September 23, 2008 — GPS-Sportin’ T-Mobile G1 Officially Unveiled, Pre-Order Yours Now
• September 16, 2008 — HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1 Launch Party September 23!

Sony’s NV-U94T PND is the company’s flagship addition to its Nav-U line and is accompanied by the NV-U84, NV-U74T, and NV-U44 models. The NV-U94T succeeds the NV-U83T with faster routing and PositionPlus, a technology that uses accelerometers and for some reason, a barometer, to find your position when the satellite signal is lost. In the NV-U94T’s cradle is a RDS-TMC real-time traffic receiver, allowing real-time traffic updates on the PND’s large 4.8-inch widescreen display. Other features of the Nav-U flagship model include a database of more than 5 million POIs, increased use of branding icons to improve on-screen navigation, MP3 and non-DRM AAC audio playback, MPEG-4 video playback, JPEG playback using a Memory Stick Duo card, Bluetooth, and a design that’s 30% thinner than the NV-U83T.

The NV-U74T features a 4.3-inch screen features a built-in RDS-TMC traffic receiver, but loses both audio and video playback. The NV-U84 keeps the large 4.8-inch screen, but loses some top-end specs such as Bluetooth, PositionPlus, and real-time traffic updates. Finally, the NV-U44, also known as the runt of the litter, is nothing more than an entry-level device sporting only a 3.5-inch screen and none of the high-end features of the other models. It does however add wine red and silver color options to the gunmetal gray standard color of the other models.

Available in September, the NV-U94T, NV-U74T, NV-U84, and NV-U44 will be priced at $400, $350, $300, and $250 respectively.

via crave

MiTAC and TeleAtlas have been tight since 2005 and the successful partnership looks like it will coninue.  MiTAC, the parent of the Mio and Navman PND brands will extend its relationship with TeleAtlas for another three years.  Essentially, and I’ll state the obvious here, all Mio and Navman PND’s released in the next three years will feature TeleAtlas mapping products.

The agreement gives MiTAC full use of TeleAtlas’ 74 countries of mapping data, TeleAtlas 3D Landmarks, TeleAtlas Digital Elevation Model, TeleAtlas Safety Cameras, and a database of 30 million POIs.

Tele Atlas

Mio Technology

MiTAC Extends Relationship with Tele Atlas to Provide Digital Maps and Location-Based Content for Mio and Navman Products

MiTAC brands to leverage Tele Atlas’ global digital map data and range of enhancement products throughout Asia, Europe and North America

‘S-HERTOGENBOSCH, Netherlands & TAIPEI, Taiwan -(Business Wire)- Aug. 28, 2008 Tele Atlas, a leading global provider of digital maps and dynamic content for navigation and location based solutions, and MiTAC International Corp. (TSE: 2315), announced today that MiTAC navigation solution subsidiaries Mio and Navman have extended their agreements to use Tele Atlas digital maps and content for each brand’s complete range of personal navigation devices and products. The agreement covers a three year period and marks an extension of the companies’ current partnerships, which began in 2005.

“We are excited to continue working with MiTAC’s Mio and Navman brands to deliver enhanced navigation solutions to consumers around the world,” said Bill Henry, CEO, Tele Atlas. “The combination of incorporating community feedback into our map update process and our new products enables Tele Atlas to provide MiTAC with the best digital maps and the innovative capabilities to create a rewarding customer navigation experience.”

“Our navigation brands Mio and Navman offer consumers a user-friendly, content-rich navigation experience. As we further expand globally, the digital maps we will leverage based on Tele Atlas’ comprehensive data collection processes – including new, qualified community content, will be pivotal to our initiatives,” said Billy Ho, President, MiTAC International Corp. “Tele Atlas’ commitment to our business and our partnership has remained constant over the years through dedicated support on marketing and retail channel initiatives, as well as on technical fronts. We are pleased to extend this relationship.”

Through the agreement, Mio and Navman products will be able to leverage Tele Atlas’ full line of digital map content and products, including navigable map data for 74 countries, Tele Atlas(R) 3D Landmarks, Tele Atlas(R) Digital Elevation Model, Tele Atlas Safety Cameras, content for nearly 30 millions of points of interest (POIs) and additional map content products, through 2011.

Long a pathfinder in the mobile-oriented LBS industry, Wayfinder is moving into the world of location-based gaming with the advent of a forum where developers can come together and create location-aware experiences using Wayfinder technology.

Symbian fans will be able to get their hands on the new Nokia 6650 sometime in the near future, as the successor to the N75 is headed to AT&T’s 3G network.  It has a couple of separate display-a 2.2-inch QVGA primary display and a smaller 160 x 128 pixel secondary display.  Packing GPS (AT&T Navigator), a 2 megapixel camera, push-to-talk support, the Nokia 6650 supports HSDPA 850/1900 as well as quad-band EDGE.

via engadget mobile

Promotional materials for the HTC Touch Diamond have started leaking out at Sprint stores, supporting the new September 2 release date rumor.  We thought you might like to take a look at the full user manual, courtesy of 6700Yuma at the PPCGeeks forum.  Check it out!

Garmin has moved beyond its nuvi 700 series and into the 7 x 5 series.  With four new models-nuvi 755T, 765T, 775T and 785T-Garmin’s nuvi 7 x 5 series brings several new features to the mix.  First and foremost is lane assist which notifies you what lane you need to be in by placing an arrow on the PND’s display.  This is particularly useful in unfamiliar cities.  Lane assist also brings road sign details to your screen as well as 3D transparent views of buildings in some locations in order to help you get your bearings, so to speak.  Other features common to all three models include faster map-drawing and routing, smoother screen zooming and Garmin’s HotFix which calculates and stores satellite information to improve acquisition times.

The nuvi 755T, nuvi 765T, and nuvi 775T also come with an included traffic receiver so that provides lifetime traffic alerts from Navteq sans subscription fees.  Features unique to each device include Bluetooth for the 765T, full North American and European maps for the 775T, and MSN Direct for the 785T.  Check out the release after the jump.

Read-nuvi 755T
Read-nuvi 765T
Read-nuvi 775T
Read-nuvi 785T

Garmin(R) Introduces nuvi(R) 7×5 Series with Lane Assist, Giving Drivers a Clear Picture of the Road Ahead

OLATHE, Kan. -(Business Wire)- Aug. 27, 2008 Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the next evolution of the nuvi 700 series, adding state-of-the-art technology to this popular line of advanced navigators. With lane assist, the nuvi 7×5 series provides drivers with a clear illustration of what lies ahead on their route.

“Garmin’s nuvi 7×5 series uses lane assist to make navigation clearer and easier than ever before,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “The lane assist view takes the guesswork out of driving through a busy intersection or an unfamiliar city. Drivers will no longer have to speculate which turn lane to be in, or what lane leads to which exit – that’s nuvi’s job.”

This new and improved series gives clear guidance on a 4.3″ touchscreen that details upcoming maneuvers and specific driving directions, including road sign detail and arrows indicating the proper lane for navigation. In some areas, a 3-D transparent view of buildings appears, giving drivers a more realistic depiction of their location. The nuvi 7×5 series also features accelerated map-drawing and routing capabilities, and makes screen zooming even smoother than before. For faster satellite prediction, nuvi 7×5 has Garmin’s HotFix(TM) feature which automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information.

The nuvi 755T, 765T and 775T will come standard with a traffic receiver that provides lifetime traffic alerts in coverage areas from NAVTEQ Traffic. The cost of the traffic receiver is included with the purchase of these devices – no subscription fee is required. The nuvi 765T adds Bluetooth(R) wireless technology for hands-free calling and supports a powerful advanced audio amplifier for a stereo Bluetooth connection. For transatlantic travel, nuvi 775T adds mapping of North America and Europe. The nuvi 785T features an MSN Direct receiver with trial subscription that includes updated information about traffic conditions, fuel prices, weather reports, movie listings, headline news, stock quotes and local events. For more information on MSN Direct services and coverage areas, visit http://garmin.msndirect.com. To give motorists the highest degree of awareness, this series of advanced navigators also displays speed limits for major roadways.

In addition, each nuvi 7×5 also comes standard with the popular “Where Am I?” feature, enabling drivers to look up their exact location including nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations at any time. Drivers can also associate their favorite images with saved locations using Garmin’s own unique Web site – Garmin Connect Photos – where users can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google’s Panoramio photo sharing community.

For information about pricing and availability, go to http://www.garmin.com and http://www.garmin.blogs.com. Lifetime traffic alerts extend for the useful life of the nuvi unit or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier.

Garmin’s nuvi 2 x 5 series has expanded in the form of three new models-the nuvi 265T, nuvi 265WT, and nuvi 275T.  All of the new models are enhanced with hands-free Bluetooth calling and lifetime Navteq Traffic alerts, plus they automatically calculate your timezone, use Garmin’s HotFix satellite acquisition technology, and display speed limits for all roadways.  Also ubiquitous across the new nuvi 2 x 5 models is voice-guide turn-by-turn directions but screen sizes come in 3.5-inch and 4.3-inch variations.  The nuvi 265T and nuvi 265WT both come with preloaded North American maps, while the 275T adds on European maps for transatlantic travellers.

Read-nuvi 265T
Read-nuvi 265WT
Read-nuvi 275T

Garmin(R) Expands Affordable nuvi(R) 2×5 Series, Offering Hands-Free Calling and Lifetime Traffic Alerts

OLATHE, Kan. -(Business Wire)- Aug. 27, 2008 Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the next evolution of the popular nuvi 2×5 series, adding top-of-the-line features to this family of affordable navigators. The nuvi 265T, 265WT and 275T enhance upon their 2×5-series predecessors with Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling and provide free traffic alerts.

“Many customers want a simple-to-use, low-cost personal navigator, but find themselves in need of premium add-ons along the way,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales. “These devices add two of the most popular premium features – traffic alerts and hands-free calling – to an affordable, yet powerful navigator.”

In addition to features offered by other members of the nuvi 2×5 family, these new navigators boast lifetime traffic alerts from NAVTEQ Traffic that allow drivers to steer clear of traffic accidents, road closures and construction. These devices come standard with a traffic receiver that will provide alerts in the coverage areas, and no subscription fee is required. Thanks to Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, these nuvis make it possible for drivers to make and receive calls using the unit’s built-in microphone and speaker. For states which prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving, the Bluetooth hands-free option is ideal. With the patented auto time zone feature, these nuvis will automatically adjust your time zone while navigating. All nuvis in the 2×5 series include Garmin’s new HotFix(TM) feature which automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information for fast satellite reception. For the ultimate in awareness, these compact nuvis will also display the speed limit for major roadways.

The nuvi 265T and 265WT will be available with preloaded comprehensive coverage of North America. For transatlantic travel, the nuvi 275T comes standard with mapping for North America and Europe. These nuvis are available in vibrant 4.3″ or 3.5″ screens that display shaded digital elevation mapping. All models will announce street names in their voice prompts, advising drivers to “Turn right on Elm Street,” rather than “Turn right in 500 feet.”

Using Garmin’s unique Web site – Garmin Connect Photos – users can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google’s Panoramio photo sharing community and download them to the nuvi, for a photo-rich navigation guide. With Garmin’s “Where Am I?” feature, nuvi is always aware of a driver’s surroundings. At any time, drivers can look up their exact location including nearest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, nearest address and intersection.

For information about pricing and availability, go to http://www.garmin.com and http://www.garmin.blogs.com. Lifetime traffic alerts extend for the useful life of the nuvi unit or as long as Garmin receives traffic data from its traffic supplier.

Just a couple of weeks after Frontdoor.com introduced an iPhone application that utilizes the smartphone’s GPS capabilities to locate New York-based real estate listings, Trulia has launched their own.  Trulia’s new app covers all of the United States however, but tailors the listing to a user’s specific location.  It’s convenient and free, and displays all kinds of information such as price, square footage, number of bedrooms, and pictures for each listing.  From each listing, it’s only one more tap of the touchscreen to either call or email the property’s agent.

While Trulia’s new app may be useful for sellers’ agents, it definitely has the potential to be a disadvantage to buyers’ agents by effectively ‘cutting out the middle man’.  But it all depends on its popularity.  Judging by the 5000 downloads of the Frontdoor app in its first two weeks, Trulia will probably do okay.  And it’s not going to be limited to the iPhone either.  Trulia apps are coming for the Blackberry and BlackJack mobile phones and Dash Navigation’s Dash Express.  Additionally, it will be programmed for various operating systems and devices made by Nokia and Sony Ericcson down the line.

via businessweek

Trulia