Archive for the ‘GPS’ Category
In an interesting turn of events, a case brought to court in California over a $190 speeding ticket was recently appealed. Not much of a story until you explain the fact that it was appealed due entirely to the fact that his GPS unit logged exactly how fast he was going.
Shaun Malone, the recipient of the $190 ticket, lost the initial case brought up against him, where a police officer clocked him going 62MPH in a 45MPH zone. But after a specialist took the stand during the appeal to not only explain that an email was sent to Shaun’s parents whenever he exceeded 70MPH and also kept a log of his general speed. The specialist confirmed that these devices were accurate to within 1MPH, so with this information, the judge ruled in Shaun’s favor to throw out the original conviction.
In October the final verdict of the case will be decided and the potential for GPS devices to hold a higher sway over radar guns may be a far reaching one.
Source: Gizmodo
GPS devices are great, but one of the biggest issues that people seem to run into is where to place them. You want maximum visibility of the road and of the GPS unit so that you can avoid that person on their bike yet still make that sharp right hand turn. So where’s the best place to put it?
Apparently, in your mirror.
The DS400GB SmartMirror is a really neat addition to any car. Loaded with Navigon Mobile Navigator 6.5, a 4 inch touch screen, integrated speakers, bluetooth, and an SD card reader, you’ll be good to go. If you’re car has rear-view cameras, it also has two inputs for those as well.
The DS400GB SmartMirror launches August 1st for $799.
Clarion has just introduced the latest addition to their line-up, the MiND (Mobile Internet and Navigation Device). This UMPC looks more like a basic GPS device and unfortunately the specs don’t offer much more than that, with built in bluetooth, wifi, and a custom linux operating system. The price tag on this little purple wonder is rather surprising at $700 when many of the tasks it can handle could be done on other less expensive devices, link a modified Eee PC for example.
Is it easier to use a GPS or call a friend when it comes to getting directions? With the new Garmin ‘Nuvifone’ GPS it doesn’t matter. The Nuvifone allows you to get GPS directions as well as make calls, send text and instant messages, take pictures, and search online for information such as local restaurants and gas prices. The idea to integrate cell phone technology with a GPS system has been in the works for a while, and Garmin is one of the first to debut their conception. This new device is pending release in the fall of 2008, along with several other manufacturers hoping to release similar products.
Here’s a great gadget that will help any golfers game. The uPro is a GPS that helps golfers determine how far away the hole is and can map out any fairway, hazard, and golf course. If that wasn’t good enough it also has the ability to show aerial views of the course that you’re on. This useful and stylish gadget will be debuting at the 2008 PGA Show that is being held in Orlando on January 16-19. (more…)
Uniden has been making top end radar detectors for years and only recently came into the GPS market. Offering up a few MapTrax GPS unit’s which really have not competed in the market. So it only makes sense for them to combine their slow moving GPS brand with their years of experience in the radar detector game. Uniden announced they will be unveiling 6 new MapTrax GPS units ast this year’s CES, offering 3.5 and4.3 inch displays with NAVTEQ maps and 2gb of memory. Uniden says that only four will have integrated Bluetooth, but all of them will have an integrated radar detector.
Those of you who have pets love them and would hate to see anything happen to them. Sometimes pets have a tendency to run off to discover the world and we have a hard time trying to find them – which is why Zoombak is making things easier for us by releasing their new GPS tracking system for pets. The Zoombak locator is the first Assisted GPS that can be bought from the major retailers starting in 2008. (more…)
Harmon/Becker has another GPS, the BE 7977 which has recently received an FCC approval and should soon hit the US market. It seems to be a clone of their 7927 although with a larger widescreen display. The BE 7977 (manufactured by Mitac) has all the basic GPS features, bluetooth, DS/MMC card reader, optional external antenna and an on-board music player. Its not much to look at, but it should do its job. NO word on retail price as of yet.