Hasta La Gadget!

We all know by now that directly interacting with a phone while driving is a very bad idea. There are many more potential distractions at play in a car, however, and the US Department of Transportation has just published the first phase of guidelines to help infotainment device and vehicle makers keep drivers’ eyes on the road. Many of them are logical recommendations for avoiding text, video and the web while on the move, although the federal agency suggests curbs that would surprise those with cutting-edge rides. While the DOT agrees that hands-free calls are safer, it still sees an added degree of risk from using them; it’s not a big fan of GPS systems that introduce 3D or photorealism, either, as they potentially distract from the navigation at hand. The current guidelines aren’t hard and fast rules, but it’s clear the DOT will be watching companies closely — and when the advice is just one part of a three-part series, we’d expect close scrutiny of phones and other mobile devices before too long.

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Transportation

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Via: Wired

Source: NHTSA

Google’s been granted a patent that puts quite a few of its favorite ideas together, namely Maps Navigation, Street View and augmented reality. The application describes a system combining garden variety GPS guidance with panoramic images, 3D models, full-motion video and even live feeds to enhance the route display — all in the correct 3D driver’s view perspective. The idea is to ease navigation by making your screen-view of the road more or less match your view in the windshield, but who knows? Maybe one day you may be able to drive without even looking outside.

Filed under: GPS, Software, Google

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Source: USPTO

This afternoon the folks at TomTom have revealed two GPS sports watches that they say completely re-define what it means to work with a GPS-tracking wrist-bound computer. Witht the TomTom Runner and the TomTom Multi-Sport GPS sport watchs you’ll be working with massive displays, one-button control, and full-screen graphics-based training tools to make your sporty self a futuristic runner in no time!

Both watches work with TomTom’s own Graphical Training Partner. This system allos you to see at-a-glance statistics based around your physical activity – these three bits make up the full nelson for the future of wrist-based sports excellence!

• Race: Race against a personal best or most recent run. Quickly track performance with real-time graphics, to continue to improve run-after-run.

• Goal: Set a distance, time or calorie goal and see progress toward that goal with simple, full-screen graphics and alerts.

• Zone: Set a target for pace or heart-rate (with optional heart-rate monitor) and track progress in a simple full-screen graph throughout a workout.

Both of these watches will be bringing on the heat with a hardware build that’s not to be missed! Both watches come in at 11.5mm thin and are both waterproof and weatherproof – waterproof up to 50 meters/5ATM, that is! You’ll be using a “super-touch display” as well with both scratch and impact-resistant reinforced glass to keep your precious watch safe and fully readable.

You’ll be able to connect with the TomTom MySports website, MapMyFitness, RunKeeper, TrainingPaks, and of course: MyFitnessPal. You’ll be connecting with Bluetooth to keep your Smart Heart Rate Monitor’s data in-tune with your watches’ understanding of your body, the watch works with QuickGPSFix with both GPS and GLONASS satellite technology for a precise location every time, and you’ve got indoor tracking capabilities as well!

These two watches are extremely similar to one another, but the main bits are there for both – the one-button simple design, the lovely large display, and the release: Summer of 2013! Keep your eye on the TomTom tag portal here on SlashGear to hear more about these watches as they come closer to release time!

BONUS: You’ll also see a Dedicated Bike Mount, Cadence Sensor, Built-in Altimeter, and Swimming Motion Sensor coming out for these watches in the future too! Stay tuned!

TomTom GPS sport watches capitalize on smartwatch hype is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

This week the folks at TomTom have revealed their next-generation TomTom Go Portable Navigation Device – aiming to keep your GPS in a dedicated device through the future. With three different sizes available (4.3, 5, and 6-inches) and lifetime dedicated connectivity with GPS from TomTom, the TomTom Go series will have you tapping through the future. With this dashboard device you’ll be reminded why you liked a GPS-only device in the first place!

TomTom has survived the rise of the smartphone and the tablet for a reason – they continue to create GPS-centric devices that work extremely well. They also provide data to smartphone apps galore, including their own TomTom apps, but that’s neither here nor there. What we’re looking at today is the launch of the TomTom Go with more than one way to stay connected.

You’ve got the ability to work with TomTom Traffic for always-on real-time traffic information as you drive. You’ve also got the ability to connect via Bluetooth to your smartphone to see TomTom traffic. You’ll be working with Lifetime connectivity to services from TomTom with the following restrictions:

“Lifetime is the useful life of the device, so means the period of time that TomTom continues to support your device with software updates, services, content or accessories. A device will have reached the end of its life when none of these are available any more.” – TomTom

You’ll also be working with 3D maps so you can identify the buildings around you by their general size. You’ll have Tap and Go functionality so you can quickly map your way to any location you can pinpoint with your finger. You’ll be able to pinch to zoom to get in and out of maps quick.

This isn’t the push-hard sensor screen you’re used to working with from years past. This device comes with capacitive touchscreen action – that means its as easy to touch and type with as your smartphone or tablet. Have a peek at the video above and let us know if you’re all about TomTom’s newest effort – and have a look at the timeline below for more information on TomTom in the recent past!

TomTom GO tells you to ditch the smartphone for a new PND is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

When it comes to GPS sport devices, TomTom has decided that it doesn’t need to linger under Nike’s wing anymore. An update to the Dutch company’s website has just revealed a pair of wearables that is meant to bring a whole new level of “simplicity” to exercisers. The TomTom Runner (pictured left) is, unsurprisingly, designed for joggers, while the waterproof Multi-Sport (right) can be used by swimmers and cyclists as well. Both will be available in the summer, and as soon as we know how much the units will cost, we’ll fill you in.

Filed under: GPS, Wearables

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Source: TomTom