Archive for: navigation
It appears that Germans aren’t too fond of Google’s Street View no matter how helpful it may seem. Reports are circulating that after opt out requests surpassed 250,000+, Google basically pulled the plug on continuing their German tour aimed at increasing their Street View database. Considering that Germany has over 8.5 million houses currently cataloged, we’re not quite sure what Google is thinking. Yeah — there will be some considerable blurring in certain areas. But is ~250,000 out of 8.5 million (and previously counting) really so much to just give up?
Apparently to Google it is. But to be clear, Google has only stated that they are no longer pursuing Street View captures. They have not, however, stated exactly why they are pulling out. Looks like Microsoft’s recently announced “Street Side” is going to face some skepticism.
Any German readers happy/sad with the news?
Microsoft announced tonight via the company website that they and Toyota will host a joint press conference tomorrow to unveil something new and exciting. No idea what they’re going to announce. It could be some fancy new in-car computer system. Or… it could be the revealing of a new Toyota Scion Windows Phone 7 theme…
We normally deal with technology news here at Gadgetsteria. Though every once in a while, something unique and “different” makes its way to the front page. This month’s unique topic — Department of Defense “GPS Tests” and a month-long GPS-less spell for the southeastern United States. According to a publich announcement by the FAA (PDF), special “GPS tests” being conducted by the DoD will apparently cause GPS issues for humans and GPS devices alike beginning today, January 20th and stretching through February 11th from 0000-0245 UTC. After which, tests will halt for a few days and then resume February 15th and last until February 22nd, again from 0000-0245UTC. During the scheduled times, tests will follow a 45-minute on/15-minute off approach, with any changes being detailed at least 24 hours in advance.
We’re not making this up — really.
- November 29, 2010 10:16 pm
There are certain instances in life where you should take extra special care to make sure you’ve dotted all your i’s and crossed all of your t’s. In the above Droid X holiday promotional banner, Verizon did not do so. An epic Photoshop fail if we ever saw one.
Cue Verizon iPhone rumors in 3…2…
- November 23, 2010 12:51 pm
If there’s one thing Germans really like, it’s Google’s Street View technologies and services. Unfortunately, the latest wave of crackdowns in European nations are forcing Google to blur domiciles that don’t want to be featured online. Apparently, some people have a problem with this. But instead of lobbying government (rarely works), the disgruntled group choose eggs instead — hurling eggs to be more exact. Attached to those little eggs were notes that simply stated “Google’s Cool”. Confused?
- November 3, 2010 10:08 pm
After several dismal years of failed attempts to gain smartphone acceptance, Garmin is officially throwing in the towel. The news came during Garmin’s summer fiscal discussions. While the GPS giant is down and out of the smartphone hardware business, the company reiterated their plans to continue developing smartphone apps and stand alone GPS units — two areas they are still enjoying expansion.
It’s been a quick, bumpy ride for Garmin since unveiling the Nuvifone back in January of 2008. Initial reception was far south of what Garmin was hoping for. Sales were also nothing to write home about — ever. The nail in the coffin, however, was the actual number amount of revenue, or more specifically, the lack thereof. In the entire two years that Garmin and Asus teamed up, $27 million is all they have to their name. In contrast, Apple has sold over $8 billion this past summer alone.
There’s really nothing more to say.
- September 27, 2010 12:25 pm
If there’s one thing I could say I miss most about my Android device after moving to an iPhone 4, it’s Google Navigation. It was free and it was awesome. There’s several free options for iPhone as well, but they’re not all that great (prove me wrong and recommend your favorite in case I missed). But a newcomer that will soon grace the US and European App Stores (already available in the UK and Ireland) looks like it may just cure my homesickness for Google Navigation once and for all.
Developed by Navmii, Navfree for iPhone brings turn-by-turn in a much cleaner and polished package than other apps. However, what notches Navfree one step higher than Google Navigation is the fact that all the maps are stored locally — You don’t need a cellular connection to continue navigating. For users who traverse sparsely covered terrain, this is a god send. Of course, local storage means several GB’s of space on your phone will be taken up by downloaded map data. Again, Navfree isn’t the first to do this, but it’s certainly a rarity in the $0.00 market space.
For now, Navfree is only available in the UK and Ireland App Stores, but the company is actively working on bringing their product to US and other European App Stores. I for one can’t wait. While I don’t venture out into the wilds of the planet that often, having a quality, free, turn-by-turn app is certainly more than welcome.
Stay tuned…
We follow Waze pretty closely here. It’s kind of odd really. I don’t really drive that far normally. But the fun that Waze brings to driving (hands free of course) is too much fun to ignore. Today I received an email from Dan letting me know that a new and pretty substantial update was released, adding improved social networking abilities and *drum roll please* — geo-tagging. The latter is a biggie as it lets Waze users reach out and share driving information like never before.
There’s two ways to use the geo-tagging. First, let Waze take care of itself. If you have geo-tagging turned on, tweets will automatically appear on screen when in proximity to locations tweeted about by other users. If you’re going to get all manual with it, simply add the #wazelive hastag to your tweets to alert other users to everything from cheap gas to forrest fires shutting down the interstate. Your tweet will also then show on the Waze map, giving the community a much deeper and “real” interaction.
But Twitter isn’t the only hot spot in this update. Facebook integration has also received a healthy dose of TLC. Namely, profile images and info. But the real treat is that Waze will search through your Facebook contacts and present them on the Waze app, alerting you when you’re close to them. Necessary? No. Though it’s certainly useful.
A big update that will yet again, leave me driving around aimlessly just to conquer my own little part of the world. Bigger screenshot inside…
[Thanks, Dan]
Waze
It’s that time again folks — time for another Waze contest. On that note, who doesn’t like free stuff? Yeah, that’s what I thought. Everyone. With that said, who wouldn’t like to win one of three iPads Waze is giving away to users who simply collect the most points by driving around. Yup, simply driving around can net you a shiny new iPad.
The new contest being held by Waze is in support of the World Cup and features all new Soccer Ball “road goodies”. Over 100 countries will be able to participate, with the final 16 users being whittled down to the Final Four and eventually three winners.
The Schedule:
- June 11: Competition begins
- July 4th: Final Four selected
- July 11th: Competition ends at midnight GMT – winning country and iPad winners will be announced within 24-48 hours.
**After each elimnation/round, road goodies will be reset so it’s in your best interest to get your path of destruction marked down and memorized, ’cause all that matters at the end of the day is the person with the most points. That is, if you want an iPad. If you care more for aimlessly wondering about, well then…have at it…
The full rundown of the competition can be found over at Waze’s website. You in?
