Hasta La Gadget!

We’ve long since been fans of Google’s My Tracks app — perhaps the only issue is the Android exclusivity, at least for those using Windows Phone, iOS or BlackBerry. Of course, Columbia’s GPSPal accomplishes some of the same tasks, but even it will need a major overhaul to compete with the feature set in My Tracks 2.0. Available now for no charge in the Play Store, the new route tracker adds the ability to play back your tours, runs, etc. on Google Earth for Android. Moreover, it now aggregates statistics over time to show trends in performance, and we’re told that the user interface is “simpler and faster.” Those who weren’t so keen on the prior build’s charting system may also dig the newfangled charts / stats tables, which are said to be “easier to read.” So, how’s about that midnight run in Crystal Lake?

Filed under: GPS, Software

Google delivers My Tracks 2.0 for Android, includes playback in Google Earth and aggregation of statistics originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The latest Garmin watch takes GPS to the next level thanks to its features and connectivity. You can use it in the wilderness or the urban jungle since it includes a variety of advanced GPS functions, including navigation and tracking of your journeys. It’s perfect for you if you’re a hiker, mountaineer, mountain biker, or backcountry skier.

The Garmin Fenix GPS Watch allows you to plan trips, create routes, record waypoints and record GPS bread crumb trails while keeping them on track. It also has ANT and Bluetooth capabilities, allowing it to connect to a variety of external sensors and share data easily. It comes with an altimeter, barometer, compass, LCD display with an LED backlight.

The wristband is made out of polyurethane and it’s waterproof up to 50 meters. Battery life is rated at 50 hours in GPS mode or 6 weeks in watch mode. The Garmin Fenix arrives this fall and will retail for $400 (USD).

[via Uncrate]

I think we can be honest here; the GPS accuracy on most smartphones isn’t that great. Sure, it might be fine if you’re using the smartphone’s own GPS navigation application, but sometimes they’re not great – especially in dense urban areas. If you use apps that really need accuracy to work, I find most phones onboard GPS to be lacking.

To improve upon the built-in GPS modules found in most smartphones, Garmin has announced a new Bluetooth GPS receiver that works with the iPhone or Android devices.

The Garmin GLO updates positional information 10 times per second and can receive signals from American GPS satellites and Russian GLONASS satellites. The ability to update positional data 10 times per second is about 10 times faster than the internal GPS receiver on most mobile devices. Garmin promises that the device offers enough accuracy to give you solid GPS capability even in the city where tall buildings typically block signals or in canyons. The device has an internal rechargeable battery good for 12 hours at a time. It’s unclear at this point what apps will take advantage of the device though.

Garmin expects to launch the GLO in August for $99(USD).

Anyone who has tried to use a GPS navigation application or other app that uses GPS data knows that the internal GPS receiver on many smartphones isn’t up to the task of accuracy in some situations. This is especially true when you’re trying to use GPS services in the city surrounded by tall buildings, in thick forests, or in canyons. Garmin has announced a new external portable GPS and GLONASS receiver that connects to portable devices using Bluetooth.

The receiver is called the Garmin GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS Receiver. The device is a wireless GPS receiver capable of receiving signals from the US GPS network or the Russian GLONASS satellite network. The device can connect wirelessly to Apple or Android devices using Bluetooth. It promises 12 hours of use on a single charge and can update positional information 10 times per second.

Garmin does point out that the update rate could be limited by your host device. The GLO is also available in an aviation package, including a mount, power cable, and a six-month trial of Garmin pilot. The device will launch in August at an MSRP of $99 for the standard version with the aviation package retailing for $129.

Garmin unveils GLO Portable GPS and GLONASS receiver is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Getting lost can be half the fun of any leisurely museum excursion, but if you’d prefer to navigate your indoor outing with a level of precision typically reserved for trips across town, you’ll want to bring Google Maps along on your next journey to the Smithsonian. Mountain View just added 20 US museums to its battery of 10,000 indoor schematics, including the de Young Museum in San Francisco, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Cincinnati Museum Center, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, 17 Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in DC. You can find the plans for any venue by searching or hitting the current location button once you’re on site, and Google plans to continue growing its collection, with SFMOMA, The Phillips Collection, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans set to join soon. Meanwhile, institutions interested in joining forces with Google can use the company’s Floor Plans tool to get the process started. Full details are at the source link below.

Filed under: GPS, Software

Google Maps adds floor plans and walking directions for 20 US museums originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 16:21:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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