Hasta La Gadget!

After the ho-hum AR demonstration of Windows Phone Mango, Microsoft appears to be stepping up its game by licensing a mature set of technologies from GeoVector, (a company previously known for its defunct World Surfer application). While the details remain elusive, Ballmer’s crew was granted a multi-year, non-exclusive right to use and abuse the pointing-based local search and augmented reality elements of GeoVector’s portfolio — surely capable of bringing Local Scout to the next level. While much of the technology relies on GPS and a compass for directional-based discovery, the licensor also holds intellectual property for object recognition (à la Google Goggles), although it’s unclear whether this element falls within the agreement. Of course, Microsoft could have turned to Nokia’s Live View AR for many of the same tools, but that would have been far too obvious. Just beyond the break, you’ll find the full PR along with an (admittedly dated) video of GeoVector’s technology.

Continue reading Microsoft licenses GeoVector’s augmented reality search for local guidance (video)

Microsoft licenses GeoVector’s augmented reality search for local guidance (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 14 Jul 2011 11:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steve Ballmer may have confessed during today’s WPC keynote that Windows Phone 7’s market share is still “very small,” but it’s obvious the team is doing monumental things with Mango. As the mobile OS finds it own, things like indoor mapping and a pristine iteration of Visual Voicemail could be key to swaying folks who still believe that Microsoft’s latest attempt in the smartphone universe still lacks the basics. The fine folks over at Pocketnow and WMPowerUser have been putting the latest build of Mango through those exact paces, and both instances are looking downright delicious. We won’t bore you with textual details; head on past the break for a bit of visual proof.

Continue reading Bing Indoor Maps and Visual Voicemail shown in latest WP7 Mango demo videos

Bing Indoor Maps and Visual Voicemail shown in latest WP7 Mango demo videos originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 11 Jul 2011 18:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How can you “be what’s next” without having what’s next on your phone? Bing is here to help you fulfill its tagline by updating its mobile site for any device that runs HTML5. If the update had a highlight reel to show off the newest features, here’s what would be on it: a carousel-like interface in the news section that lets you swipe your finger left or right to switch to other categories; maps that show directions together in split-screen format; a search history complete with trending topics; and the ability to share images and links on Facebook. The new enhancements are now available to iOS, Android, and BlackBerry, so it’s an easy jaunt over to your browser to check it out. Or, if you’re reading this on your phone, give the ol’ More Coverage link a quick tap.

Bing Mobile updated, news and maps get minor facelifts originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Jun 2011 09:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As Apple rushed to allay privacy concerns over its handling of location data, it also let slip that it was working on a “crowd-sourced traffic database”. Now a patent application dating from 2009 has been made public which suggests Apple is thinking of this technology not merely as an add-on to iOS Maps, but as something which could feed into other areas such as calendars and alarms. The implicit suggestion is that if Apple can figure out how long it will take you to get from A to B, then it should be able to adjust your appointments to make sure you get there on time without having to go on a rampage. Until then, if everyone just stays out of the way, then no one will get hurt.

Apple wants to make your calendar sensitive to location and traffic, get you there on time originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 02 Jun 2011 15:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TomTom’s already seen Google muscle in on its turf in a big way, and it looks like it might now be trying to return the favor. If camera-toting vans like the one above are any indication, it would appear that the company is currently working to bolster its navigation options with its own Street View-like service. So far, all of the van sightings seem to be confined to Europe (France and Belgium, specifically), and they of course don’t necessarily confirm that TomTom is indeed working on a Street View competitor — although we have to wonder what the vans are for if it’s not. It’s also worth noting that TomTom did acquire TeleAtlas, which uses vans equipped with cameras, lasers and GPS in the actual creation of its maps, but the higher, 360-degree camera used on these vans seems much closer to those used on Google’s Street View cars. Seen one yourself? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.

TomTom working on its own Street View-like service? originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 29 May 2011 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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