Enhance the security by using GPS - I

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i-Station NetForce Navi

We’ve covered the T43 from i-Station before. They have a new model out called the NetForce Navi which uses the same GPS cradle as T43 but considerably shorter. The whole back side of the device is attaches to a 3000mAh battery pack and it comes with all the cables you may need to attach to another video source, USB drive, headset, etc… Also included in the box is the GPS cradle, windshield mounting bracket, car charger, T-DMB antenna and more.

The NetForce Navi can also be used as a portable audio player and it comes with a remote that can attach to your clothing and gives you the ability to control volume, FF, RWD, pause, and so on.

Here are some specs we could pull out from the all the Korean text:

• 4.3 WVGA (800 x 480) TFT LCD screen
• WinCE.NET 5.0 operating system
• Rousen Navi navigation software
• 3000mAh rechargeable Li-Ion battery
• 148 x 78 x 21.8 mm / 340g
• T-DMB receiver as H.264
• Supported file formats: MPEG 1/2, MPEG4, MP3, WMA, AC3, OGG, WAV, MSADPCM, JPEG, BMP, PNG, RAW

You should check out the product page for a longer set of features, however keep in mind that the site is in Korean - but the icons are pretty self explanatory.

Wouldn’t this be the ultimate Nuvi 660 killer if it were to come out in North America?

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LG soon to release LN500

After releasing the LN700 and LN600 the Korean manufacturer now will launch a new range of PND: LN500. Contrary to the LN700 and its predecessor, the LN600, both with a large screen (4 inches), the LN 500 will have a screen of standard size: 3.5 inches. This new GPS comes to supplement the LN700 and positions itself in the entry range. It is small and light, with a design sympathetic and less bulky than his big brother. Especially the GPS antenna is from now on integrated not fold-out style. Another innovation, its ROM memory of 512 MB in order to store maps of France. For navigation software LG uses Destinator 6

Its main features:

• Integrated SiRF Star III GPS receiver with integrated antenna
• 3.5 inches touch screen 65K colors with 240 x 320 resolution
• Atlas ARM9 processor at 300 MHz
• 512 MB of ROM
• SD port
• Mini USB 1.1
• 2 to 3 hours of battery life
• Weight : 170 gr. approximately
• 3 buttons in fronte including 2 to control volume
• Windows CE.net 5 operating system
• Destinator 6 navigation software with Navteq maps
• Photo viewer (BMP, GIF, JPG)

Several versions of LN500 (LN505, LN510, LN515…) are predicted but to date, but only the LN505 will be marketed in France. It will be shipped with maps of France preinstalled on the integrated ROM memory. Also a CD with countries of Europe is included if installation is necessary.

The LN505 will be marketed in France during January for 250 Euros.

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LG soon to release LN500

After releasing the LN700 and LN600 the Korean manufacturer now will launch a new range of PND: LN500. Contrary to the LN700 and its predecessor, the LN600, both with a large screen (4 inches), the LN 500 will have a screen of standard size: 3.5 inches. This new GPS comes to supplement the LN700 and positions itself in the entry range. It is small and light, with a design sympathetic and less bulky than his big brother. Especially the GPS antenna is from now on integrated not fold-out style. Another innovation, its ROM memory of 512 MB in order to store maps of France. For navigation software LG uses Destinator 6

Its main features:

• Integrated SiRF Star III GPS receiver with integrated antenna
• 3.5 inches touch screen 65K colors with 240 x 320 resolution
• Atlas ARM9 processor at 300 MHz
• 512 MB of ROM
• SD port
• Mini USB 1.1
• 2 to 3 hours of battery life
• Weight : 170 gr. approximately
• 3 buttons in fronte including 2 to control volume
• Windows CE.net 5 operating system
• Destinator 6 navigation software with Navteq maps
• Photo viewer (BMP, GIF, JPG)

Several versions of LN500 (LN505, LN510, LN515…) are predicted but to date, but only the LN505 will be marketed in France. It will be shipped with maps of France preinstalled on the integrated ROM memory. Also a CD with countries of Europe is included if installation is necessary.

The LN505 will be marketed in France during January for 250 Euros.

Sat-nav for blind 'not a gimmick'

The Telegraph reports that blind residents of Turin have been equipped with GPS trackers so that they can be directed around the northern Italian city by satellite.

" When wearing the device, a blind user can be tracked by call-centre workers on a map of the city. If he needs help, he can press a special button on a mobile phone to ring in and be guided towards his destination.

Another button can alert staff in case of an attack, or another emergency. The trial scheme, named B>Easy Walk, started last week.

The service runs 24 hours a day and can work across Italy and even France."

Magellan RoadMate 2200T Review

Verdict: Good

What a year it's been for Magellan! Several months ago they released the RoadMate 3000T, 3050T, and 6000T, only to discontinue the 3000T a few months later, and replace it with the RoadMate 2000 and 2200T. Oh, and along the way Magellan was acquired by Shah Capital Partners (SCP). Magellan was once my undisputed favorite GPS manufacturer, and was responsible for some of the best navigation systems ever developed, including the legendary Hertz NeverLost system and the 750NAV. Over the years, however, Magellan had let their product line become stagnant, and the company was dying a slow, under-funded death. Around 9 months ago I was starting to worry that Magellan may have lost the secret sauce altogether and might cease to exist.

Now it looks like Magellan's new parent company, SCP, is injecting new life (and money) into their product line, and the good news is Magellan is finally releasing some good products again. Fresh on the heals of the RoadMate 2000, Magellan has released the 2200T. With a suggested retail price of $499, the 2200T is aimed squarely at competing with the TomTom ONE and Garmin's nuvi 350 and the Garmin StreetPilot c530. The 2200T improves slightly on the RoadMate 2000, offering text-to-speech, optional real-time traffic data, a longer battery life, more rugged (and water resistant) case, a photo viewer, and a music player.

1. Features

• Traffic upgradeable - Get LIVE traffic incident reports when you add the Magellan TrafficKit ($99, available later this month from Magellan. Requires service subscription after introductory 3-month period for $59/year)
• Turn-by-turn voice and visual guidance
• Waterproof to IPX-4
• Rechargeable battery - (battery lasts about 8 hours between charges)
• SirfstarIII 20-channel high performance GPS receiver
• Text-to-speech - Hear the street name of your next turn
• Multi-destination Routing - Select up to 20 destinations
• SmartDetour - Automatically routes you around sudden slow freeway traffic using your own custom settings
• Built-in maps - United States, Canada and Puerto Rico
• Bird's-eye 3D view
• SD card compatible - Insert outdoor maps, music and pictures
• Digital Music Player - Play music through the integrated speaker or your own headphones
• Photo Viewer
• Auto re-route - (automatically re-calculates the route if you miss a turn)
• Auto night view - Adjusts color and contrast for night viewing
• QuickSpell - Easily enter addresses with Magellan's efficient auto-complete feature
• 1.5 million points of interest (POI) - find gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, airports, parks and more
• Interactive POI icons - Touch an onscreen icon for a nearby destination; see phone number and get an instant route
• 4 routing methods available - Shortest time, shortest distance, least use or most use of freeways, avoid toll roads
• Address Book and Favorites List - Create and store personal points of interest to route to places you go to often
• Instant locate - One touch shows your location; quickly advise roadside assistance or emergency services

2. Specifications

PHYSICAL

Case: High-impact plastic
Base Map: Pre-loaded - 50 United States, Canada and Puerto Rico
Size: 4.28" W x 3.15" H x 1.12" D (W 108.8 mm x H 88 mm x D 28.5 mm)
Weight: 7.8 oz / 221 g
Display: 3.5" color touch screen display, 2.11" x 2.81" (53.6mm x 71.5mm)
Data Storage: Secure Digital (SD) Card compatible
Antenna: Built-in multidirectional patch
Operating Range: 14 to 140°F (-10 to 60°C)

PERFORMANCE

Receiver: 20 channels, SirfstarIII
Acquisition Time: Hot: 1 second, Cold: 40 seconds, Initial: 5 minutes
Accuracy: 3 to 5 meters (10 - 16 feet) - WAAS/EGNOS, <>Languages: English

POWER

Source: Li-Ion rechargeable 1900mA, 12 V AC or 12 VDC vehicle adapter (sold separately)
Battery Life: Over 8 hours continuous use

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Epson cranks out "world's smallest" GPS module

Epson Japan has developed an ultra-sensitive, ultra-compact global positioning system (GPS) module to meet high demand from manufacturers of mobile phones and other handsets with GPS functionality. The Epson S4E19863 series was developed using Epson's advanced original technology and know-how relating to GPS baseband processors and A-GPS software. Featuring a remarkably broad detection range capable of identifying both strong outdoor signals and weak indoor signals, the new module far outstrips the levels of sensitivity found in conventional GPS technology. The Epson S4E19863 module also supports the three 3GPP-compliant positioning modes (MS-Based, MS-Assisted and Autonomous), for world-class GPS positioning performance in any application and under any network environment.

Moreover, thanks to clever use of space-saving technology the S4E19863 series is the world's smallest GPS module (7 mm x 6 mm x 1.28 mm), making it ideal for applications with limited component space, such as mobile phones. Volume shipment of the Epson S4E19863 series has already begun.

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