Oct 20

iPhone 4S Supports Russian GLONASS Satnav

Posted in: gps, iphone 4s, Phones, Today's Chili

The iPhone 4S adds support for GLONASS, the Russian version of GPS

Apple isn’t a company that adds features which aren’t universally supported. Thus the original iPhone lacked 3G back before 3G was widely deployed, and the iPhone 4S still lacks a 4G radio for the same reasons.

But one surprise feature, noticed by Russian bloggers, is support for GLONASS in the iPhone 4GS. What’s that, you ask? GLONASS is Russia’s answer to GPS which, according to the Wikipedia, consists of 24 satellites. The full constellation has only recently been restored since it fell into disrepair in the 1990s, and will soon be armed and fully operational.

What does this mean? In practical terms, you will get to use either GPS or GLONASS, which offers some level of redundancy. Why has Apple added this now? Is it part of some plot to rule the world? No. It’s just that the latest generation of GPS chips from the likes of Qualcomm and Broadcom have added GLONASS support. This means it will likely be coming to pretty much every GPS device in the future.

Now, if only the Europeans could finish their ridiculously overdue Galileo system. I hear some Android phones already support it (rimshot).

iPhone 4S поддерживает ГЛОНАСС [iPhones.ru via Engadget]

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Oct 20

iPhone 4S supports GLONASS satellite system, much to the delight of Russia

Posted in: Apple, business, gps, iPhone, iphone 4s, market, mobilepostmini, money, navigation, satellite, smartphone, Today's Chili

What does a Russian satellite system have to do with the iPhone 4S’ GPS capabilities? Allow us to explain. Russian site iPhones.ru recently noticed that the 4S’ spec page lists support for both assisted GPS and GLONASS — the Kremlin’s global navigation satellite system and acronym for GLObalnaya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema. The country launched GLONASS 35 years ago in the hopes that it would eventually provide an alternative to GPS and the EU’s forthcoming Galileo, thereby reducing Russia’s dependence upon US- or Europe-operated systems. The global system has since been beset by delays and budgetary setbacks, but last week, a Russian rocket successfully launched the 24th and final GLONASS satellite, completing the constellation and inching the infrastructure closer to full activation.

News of the iPhone 4S’ support has already elicited a delightfully surprised response from the Russian media, with daily Vedomosti writing: “If the iPhone 4S really does have Glonass navigation, this would be the first time the Russian system reached the world market.” (Nokia, it’s worth noting, announced in August that it would manufacture GLONASS-compliant handsets, while Samsung’s High Fidelity Position app offers similar compatibility.) In light of Russia’s economic and regulatory climate, however, the move may not seem so shocking. The Kremlin already imposes import taxes on handsets that don’t support GLONASS and, as Russia’s iGuides.ru points out, has even threatened non-compliant devices with an outright ban. Apple, meanwhile, has made no secret of its interest in expanding its influence within the country, with CEO Tim Cook recently referring to the Russian market as “more promising.” It remains to be seen whether this added support results in sharper navigation capabilities, or if it enhances Apple’s presence within Russia, but it’s certainly a compelling development, nonetheless.

[Thanks, AXR]

iPhone 4S supports GLONASS satellite system, much to the delight of Russia originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink 9to5Mac  |  sourceiPhones.ru (Russian), iGuides.ru  | Email this | Comments

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Oct 19

Why the Barometer Is Android’s New Trump Card

Posted in: Android, gps, Smartphones, Today's Chili, top

Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus is the most high-profile device to date to feature a barometer amongst its guts. Seems strange that a atmospheric pressure measurement would be crammed in a device where space is supremely valuable, right? Except it’s actually wonderful. More »

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Oct 17

BlueSLR dongle arrives for BlackBerry and (some) Android phones

Posted in: Android, AndroidOs, Apple, BlackBerry, bluetooth, camera, digital camera, DigitalCamera, dslr, gps, HTC, ios, ipad, iPhone, ipod touch, IpodTouch, minipost, nikon, remote, remote control, RemoteControl, samsung, Today's Chili

Offering to play matchmaker between your high-end camera and smartphone, XEquals has extended support for its BlueSLR remote control beyond iOS. Yes, Blackberry and Android users can now download their respective app and pair this Bluetooth dongle to their (still Nikon-only) DSLR. The compatible dongle and free app will land later this month, but before you lay down the requisite $149, it’s worth checking that both your camera and phone models are supported. As it stands, compatible Android phones are limited to some HTC or Samsung models. While Android support is likely to expand in the future, there’s no word on a Pre 3 version.

Continue reading BlueSLR dongle arrives for BlackBerry and (some) Android phones

BlueSLR dongle arrives for BlackBerry and (some) Android phones originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:07:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 17

Remember those faster-than-light neutrinos? Great, now forget ’em

Posted in: europe, gps, light, Opera, satellite, Today's Chili

A week ago the world went wild over CERN’s tentative claim that it could make neutrinos travel faster than light. Suddenly, intergalactic tourism and day trips to the real Jurassic Park were back on the menu, despite everything Einstein said. Now, however, a team of scientists at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands reckons it’s come up with a more plausible (and disappointing) explanation of what happened: the GPS satellites used to measure the departure and arrival times of the racing neutrinos were themselves subject to Einsteinian effects, because they were in motion relative to the experiment. This relative motion wasn’t properly taken into account, but it would have decreased the neutrinos’ apparent journey time. The Dutch scientists calculated the error and came up with the 64 nanoseconds. Sound familiar? That’s because it’s almost exactly the margin by which CERN’s neutrinos were supposed to have beaten light. So, it’s Monday morning, Alpha Centauri and medieval jousting tournaments remain as out of reach as ever, and we just thought we’d let you know.

Remember those faster-than-light neutrinos? Great, now forget ’em originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Oct 2011 12:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 12

Navigon demos upcoming MobileNavigator for iOS and Android, latest Windows Phone app (video)

Posted in: Android, app, Apple, apps, ctia, Google, gps, hands-on, ios, Microsoft, mobilepostcross, navigation, Today's Chili, video, windows phone, WindowsPhone

So, get this. We were cruising through the halls of Pepcom’s Mobile Focus with a horrible fever and on the brink of delirium. Unsure how much longer we could keep composure, we came upon Navigon’s booth. In addition to displaying its brand new Windows Phone application, the company was also showing off its upcoming releases of MobileNavigator for Android and iOS. Fortunately, Navigon’s Public Relations Manager, Johan-Till Broer, was kind enough to give us a demo of each app. Among the new features, users will be able to select individual states for local map storage, which goes a long way toward freeing up space. Additionally, there’s also a driving mode called Cockpit, which allows leadfoots to check their speed and acceleration over the last 30 minutes. The app updates will be free to all existing users, although if you want to load up new maps, that’ll be a one-time fee. We’re told to expect these latest gems in a couple of months. As for the Windows Phone version, it sells for $50, although is currently available for $30 — at special introductory pricing. A demo video and full PR is just after the break. Be sure to check it out.

Gallery: Navigon MobileNavigator sneak peak for Android, iOS and Windows Phone

Continue reading Navigon demos upcoming MobileNavigator for iOS and Android, latest Windows Phone app (video)

Navigon demos upcoming MobileNavigator for iOS and Android, latest Windows Phone app (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 21:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 12

TeleNav 7.1 for Sprint Android phones: this time it’s personal

Posted in: Android, app, apps, ctia, gps, maps, mobilepostcross, nav, navigation, Software, Sprint, Today's Chili

Sure, everyone loves Google Maps Navigation, it’s free, and it comes on every Android handset. However, those wanting a more personal experience from their phone’s GPS (and are on the Now Network) should check out TeleNav GPS Navigator 7.1. Among the changes from prior iterations of the app are a new home screen with real-time traffic updates and customizable “Home” and “Work” buttons to show your impending commute times. So you can pick the fastest way home (or the most direct route to happy hour) 7.1 also recommends multiple routes to your chosen destination and provides drive times and traffic conditions for each route. As if that weren’t enough, you can also download three widgets to put on your Android home screen: a map showing your current location, a search bar, and a widget that shows your home and work commute times. We enjoy celebrities giving us directions and all, but it’s good to see some new functional features coming to the GPS game. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading TeleNav 7.1 for Sprint Android phones: this time it’s personal

TeleNav 7.1 for Sprint Android phones: this time it’s personal originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 11

Cadillac unveils CUE infotainment system for connected driving excitement in 2012 (video)

Posted in: bluetooth, car, Cars, gps, mobilepostcross, Today's Chili, video
Cadillac may be an unlikely exhibitor for a mobile conference, but it is using CTIA as an opportunity to unveil the Cadillac User Experience (CUE). CUE is its new car infotainment system that will debut next year, first in the XTS and later in the ATS, before spreading to the company’s entire line. It combines an eight-inch capacitive multitouch LCD and haptic feedback with proximity sensors for a more rewarding user experience. Touch isn’t the only input that Cadillac is quite proud of, as CUE also includes voice recognition technology from Nuance. This means users should be able to interact with their phone and car stereo without ever taking their eyes off the road.

Gallery: Cadillac CUE

Remarkably, CUE has ties to the Linux Foundation and it is based on the namesake operating system. It’s built on a tri-core ARM 11 CPU that simultaneously chews through 3D navigation maps and displays BluRay in the backseat with aplomb. Cadillac tells us that it has been working on this system for nearly two years, which supports Bluetooth 3.0, and also adds connectivity with two USB ports and an SD card slot. The folks at Caddy also hinted that more third-party apps will eventually be part of the story, but those details will be revealed further down the road. That said, the CUE already supports Pandora, Stitcher and provides an HTML5-based browser with full JavaScript support. The company also provided a video tour of its latest wonder, which you’ll be able to see in greater detail after the break along with the press release.

Continue reading Cadillac unveils CUE infotainment system for connected driving excitement in 2012 (video)

Cadillac unveils CUE infotainment system for connected driving excitement in 2012 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 10

TomTom Go Live Top Gear edition brings Clarkson onboard as navigator, Stig speechless

Posted in: gps, navigation, Today's Chili, tomtom, video

We’d assume a sizable share of fans may consider themselves God’s gift to road navigation, but that hasn’t stopped TomTom launching a special edition Top Gear flavor of its GPS device. Navigation is narrated by the voice of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, directing clueless drivers “with the aid of 32 satellites… and me.” The in-car navigation unit is priced at $269.95, including a one-year subscription to traffic updates and incident reports from TomTom. Alongside Clarkson’s familiar tones are some extra Top Gear car icons and Stig mode, where the GPS will remain entirely silent. It’ll also point out race tracks featured in the show, plus any nearby speed cameras. With its main man behind you, how could you possibly lose your way?

Continue reading TomTom Go Live Top Gear edition brings Clarkson onboard as navigator, Stig speechless

TomTom Go Live Top Gear edition brings Clarkson onboard as navigator, Stig speechless originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oct 08

Qualcomm outs Snapdragon S4 SoC details, promises improved battery life and true world capability

Posted in: gps, hspa, lte, mobilepostcross, nfc, qualcomm, snapdragon, Today's Chili, windows 8, Windows8

Qualcomm has laid out its details of the upcoming S4 SoC, and yes, there’s definitely reason for excitement with this next generation Snapdragon. First, it’ll usher in a new 28nm manufacturing process alongside the company’s Krait CPU and Adreno 225 GPU. The move from 45nm to 28nm promises smaller components, lower power consumption and improved thermal performance, while Krait will introduce a new pipeline architecture that promises a full 60% boost over the current Scorpion lineup with clock speeds ranging between 1.5 and 2.5GHz — along with support for asynchronous multiprocessing and dual-channel memory. As for the GPU, the latest chip flaunts 50% greater performance over the current Adreno 220, where it also provides support for DirectX 9.3 for Windows 8, in addition to OpenGL ES 1.1 and 2.0. Should be quite the gaming experience, eh?

It doesn’t end there, as the S4 MSM8960 promises multi-mode world capabilities with support for all the commonly used frequencies from 700 to 2600MHz — quite a feat, indeed. It handles Cat. 3 LTE (up to 100Mbps) and Cat. 24 HSPA+ (up to 42Mbps), along with EV-DO Rev. B, 1x Advanced and TD-SCDMA, as well as GSM, GPRS and EDGE. Oh, and there’s also simultaneous support for GPS and GLONASS, along with Bluetooth, WiFi, FM radio and NFC. With samples already being sent to manufacturers, we’re quite excited for what 2012 may bring.

Qualcomm outs Snapdragon S4 SoC details, promises improved battery life and true world capability originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink MobileBurn, Phone Scoop  |  sourceQualcomm  | Email this | Comments

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