Waypoints - March 9, 2008

Waypoints is a collection of GPS news shorts, announcements, random musings, etc., from the past week.

CeBIT news

I've given quite a bit of space this past week to announcements from the Hanover, Germany, Consumer Electronics show. Here are a few additional notes:

• CompeGPS plans to bring the TwoNav Aventura, a hybrid trail/auto navigation device, to the U.S.
• In my post on the Garmin nuvi 900T, I overlooked the fact that it has lifetime traffic. Perhaps this feature will make it to other Garmin models.
• Commentary on the safety aspects of Garmin adding TV to the 900T.
• A gallery of the Navigon 8110 and 2100 max.
• Meanwhile, GPS Business News thinks Black Friday consumers won't pony up for Navigon's FreshMaps.
• Magellan announces some new RoadMate models for Europe.
• Pocket GPS World blogs the show.

Geocaching, etc.

• Geocaching with the Triton 400.
• Build a Wherigo cartridge and you might just win a Colorado/Wherigo geocoin.
• Or just go geocaching and find one.

Just maps

• Earlier this year I wrote about Colorado and Wyoming topo maps from MiscJunk. Now they've released their free Garmin-compatible topo maps of Utah. Via Allory.
• Three of the largest map-making blunders ever. Via The Map Room.
• Retro topo map symbols. Via The Map Room.

Garmin

• The Forerunner 305 may be a better multi-sport device than the Forerunner 405.
• Garmin continues to buy up European distributors.
• Details on the transition from MotionBased to Garmin Connect.
• How to beat the 2025 map segment limit on some Garmin handhelds.

GPS firmware, software, etc.

• Adding itinerary planning to the TomTom ONE 3rd edition.
• A comprehensive guide to geotagging photos on a Mac. Via The Map Room.
• Nav N Go cuts off Mio. I'm not sure where this leaves Mio since it's been reported that they were going to continue to use Nav N Go for a while on their higher end units.
• Magellan has posted firmware updates for all Tritons except the 2000. There is discussion at TritonForum.com.
• Magellan has also posted an update to its VantagePoint software. Via Allory.
• Garmin has released new firmware for the 60Cx, 60CSx, 76Cx, 76CSx, Edge 605/705, and the nuvi 5000.
• Garmin has also posted an updated version of Training Center for Windows.

GPS hardware

• A solar-powered GPS charger.
• The Today Show puts several GPS units to the test.
• A preview of the Dash Express 3-D map view.
• A new type of touch screen interface.

Cell phones and GPS

• Garmin has posted a new version of Mobile XT for Windows Mobile.
• Speaking of which, here's a review of Garmin XT.
• AAA Mobile is now available for some BlackBerry phones.
• Nav N Go on the iPhone.

Virtual globes

• Great background on collecting imagery for Google Earth in this post by Frank Taylor.
• Google map-makers told to stay off military bases.

Miscellany

• Can you successfully sue a GPS manufacturer if you turn onto railroad tracks, etc.? Here's an article on the legal landscape of GPS devices.
• This article on the safety of GPS has an interesting aside -- roads showing up in GPS devices before they are even open! They must update Australian units more frequently than they do here!
• Robomagellan is a scaled down version of the DARPA Grand Challenge.
• I think we've seen similar reports before...TMC can be hacked.
  
• NAVTEQ expands into the Asia Pacific region.
  
• The EU objects to TomTom / TeleAtlas deal.

Updated GPS reviews

• Garmin Astro review - Allory Deiss reviews this hunting dog tracking system.
• Garmin Colorado 300 review - I've linked to this comparison of the Colorado 300 and the older Garmin 60CS.
• Garmin Forerunner 205 review - Kaizenlog has posted this review.
• Garmin Forerunner 305 review - Addicted to Running adds part three to his review.
• Garmin nuvi 200W review - Here's a YouTube video walk through.
• Garmin nuvi 760 review - XtremeCPU reviews this popular unit.
• TomTom GO 720 review - ENN has posted a review from Ireland.