China’s Map World now providing maps and POIs within the Great Firewall

China's Map World is what happens when Google Maps goes socialist

Who needs a state-sponsored online mapping service? Why China, of course. We know that particular government doesn’t exactly trust the Googles and who knows how far astray its Google Maps service might lead those impressionable citizens. So now there’s Map World, created by the State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping and deemed to be “authoritative, credible and unified.” The service has been out since last year but has only recently lost its beta tag. We’ve spent a few minutes clicking around and it certainly seems reasonably comprehensive, offering map and satellite views plus 120,000 POIs and even 3D views of some cities, which could make finding your way to den of KIRF all that much easier.

China’s Map World now providing maps and POIs within the Great Firewall originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:06:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Telematics News  |  sourceMap World  | Email this | Comments

MotionX-GPS Drive exports full-screen nav on Pioneer and JVC head units, has love only for iOS (video)

MotionX-GPS Drive exports full-screen nav on Pioneer and JVC head units, has love only for iOS (video)

MotionX-GPS has been a solid choice in the iPhone and iPad navigation game for some time now, but only recently has started to stretch its legs a bit. The app now has compatibility with a series of JVC and Pioneer head units (listed out below) that enables full-screen 3D navigation. In this mode the mobile device basically turns in to a remote control with a simplified interface, with POI searching and of course media playback. Connectivity is not using the Terminal Mode standard, this works exclusively with the iPhone and iPad, and we’re told that sadly the company has no plans on supporting any other platforms going forward. So, if you’re not on iOS you’ll just have to find your own way to wherever you’re going.

Continue reading MotionX-GPS Drive exports full-screen nav on Pioneer and JVC head units, has love only for iOS (video)

MotionX-GPS Drive exports full-screen nav on Pioneer and JVC head units, has love only for iOS (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 22:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

FAA warns of ongoing GPS issues in southeastern US due to Defense Department ‘tests’

Don’t panic, but anyone planning on using GPS in the southeastern US for the next month or so will likely want to make sure they have a fallback option. That’s according to a flight advisory just issued by the FAA, which warns pilots that their GPS signal “may be unreliable or unavailable” due to “GPS tests” that the Department of Defense will be conducting between January 20th and February 22nd. Details are fairly light beyond that, but the FAA does note that when the “tests” occur they will be active for 45 minutes, and be followed by 15 minutes of off time — additional notices to pilots will apparently be issued at least 24 hours prior to any test. Of course, while this particular advisory is directed at pilots, it will presumably will also affect all other GPS devices, as the FAA doesn’t mention any GPS issues specific to aviation. The real question, however, is just what those mysterious “GPS tests” are — if they’re, in fact, GPS tests at all…

[Thanks, Brady]

FAA warns of ongoing GPS issues in southeastern US due to Defense Department ‘tests’ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 14:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceFAA (PDF)  | Email this | Comments

Pioneer engineers Android-powered cyclocomputer, might remind Landis to stop doping

Think Android has reached its limit when it comes to applications? Think again. Pioneer has conjured up a new cyclocomputer, and compared to the antediluvian rivals available on the market today, this one looks like a bona fide supercomputer. It’s designed for mounting on the bike’s handlebars, where riders can then see speed, cadence, heart rate, and power at a glance. The device is engineered to play nice with the ANT+ wireless specification, and it can also pull data from optional crank sensors that can be installed to monitor one’s pedaling force. Furthermore, it’s equipped with GPS, and we’re guessing it’s a prime candidate for running Google’s own My Tracks app. There’s no time table for release, but we’re guessing the International Cycling Union will have one out in no time… one that continuously tests riders for illicit substances, of course. Video’s after the break, if you’re down for more.

Continue reading Pioneer engineers Android-powered cyclocomputer, might remind Landis to stop doping

Pioneer engineers Android-powered cyclocomputer, might remind Landis to stop doping originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceDigInfo  | Email this | Comments

Harman Experimental HMI with netbook internals, augmented reality aspirations hands-on (video)

Harmon's Experimental HMI has netbook internals, augmented reality aspirations (video)

Yes, folks, more fun infotainment systems to hope that your manufacturer of choice picks up before your ‘Ol Bessie gives up the ghost and has to be put out to pasture. Regardless of which logo you prefer on your grille there’s a good chance that Harman works with them, and so maybe they’ll pick up this. It’s called the Experimental HMI and it’s basically a netbook for your dash — minus the keyboard and junk. It’s running an Atom processor and has a Flash-based interface, making it easy to develop for. The killer app at this point is an augmented reality navigation system you can see demoed in the video below, but it’ll ultimately be up to the manufacturers to do what they will with it.

Continue reading Harman Experimental HMI with netbook internals, augmented reality aspirations hands-on (video)

Harman Experimental HMI with netbook internals, augmented reality aspirations hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:56:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Magellan reveals Roadmate 9055 and Explorist 310 GPS units

Remember that Roadmate 9055 that popped up in the FCC’s database back in September? Looks like Magellan’s using CES to officially launch it. Listing for $299.99 here in the States, this monstrous 7-inch navigator packs a WVGA touchscreen, Bluetooth and a lifetime supply of free traffic updates. It’s preloaded with maps of the 50 US states, Canada and Puerto Rico, not to mention six million points-of-interest, loads of content from the AAA Tourbook Guide (including Diamond ratings and descriptions for US and Canada), and a roadside assistance feature that provides your precise location in case you need to tell it to some fine man or woman on the other end of an emergency call. If you’re more of an argonaut, the Explorist 310 handheld navigator is likely more your speed. This one’s retailing for $199.99, and it includes a 2.2-inch color display, a rugged, waterproof enclosure, a SiRFstar III GPS chipset and a slew of features catering to the outdoor navigation market — things like waypoint creation, a premium, preloaded World Edition map, active tracking, and track summary. There’s also 500MB of user-accessible memory (for adding extra maps), and we’re told that two AA batteries can power it for an astounding 18 hours. So, where’s life planning to take you?

Magellan reveals Roadmate 9055 and Explorist 310 GPS units originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 14:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceMagellan  | Email this | Comments

Garmin StreetPilot app does turn-by-turn on the iPhone and iPad for $40

When Garmin curtailed its hardware partnership with Asustek late last year, you had to know the company would make a comeback to the mobile front in some shape, fashion or form. Starting today, the iPhone and 3G iPad both get the all-new StreetPilot app, which costs $39.99 and provides you with turn-by-turn navigation from the guys who make their living from the stuff. It undercuts TomTom’s $49.99 offering for iOS, while offering real-time traffic data, voice commands, lane assist, address book integration so you can navigate directly to your buddies’ addresses, and multitasking support. It’s looking like a pretty comprehensive piece of premium navigation software, which, if previous rumors bear out, should be landing on BlackBerry devices as well pretty soon. Jump past the break for the press release.

Continue reading Garmin StreetPilot app does turn-by-turn on the iPhone and iPad for $40

Garmin StreetPilot app does turn-by-turn on the iPhone and iPad for $40 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 11:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceiTunes  | Email this | Comments

Tesla Model S to have 17-inch infotainment console powered by Tegra; BMW using NVIDIA tech too

Tesla is touting the world’s biggest center console for its upcoming Model S today: a titanic 17-inch touchscreen display powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra chip. Infotainment, climate control and navigation will all be managed using the vast dashboard dominator, while NVIDIA’s hardware will also take responsibility for keeping the 12.3-inch instrument cluster LCD updated. Considering the Model S, like the Roadster before it, is an all-electric vehicle, you’d expect energy efficiency to be a pretty important consideration in the choice of infotainment system and Tesla points that out as a key advantage of Tegra, describing it as “power-stingy.” Another motor company hooking up with NVIDIA is BMW, who promises that all of its upcoming models for 2011 will benefit from Green Team GPUs powering their iDrive navigation and information systems. We don’t know what exact GPUs will be used, but a “visually rich” next-gen UI is being promised, stretching out to a 1280 x 600 resolution. You’ll find both press releases after the break.

Continue reading Tesla Model S to have 17-inch infotainment console powered by Tegra; BMW using NVIDIA tech too

Tesla Model S to have 17-inch infotainment console powered by Tegra; BMW using NVIDIA tech too originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 10:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Ford launches SYNC Destinations, the free app for people who go places in cars

Ford launches SYNC Destinations, the free app for people who go places in cars

Smartphone user? Regardless of platform you have no shortage of navigation options, and now Ford has added another way to get where you’re going — if you’re also an owner of a SYNC TDI-compatible car, anyway. Using the new SYNC Destinations app (available today for iOS and Android, with BlackBerry coming soon) you can more efficiently pre-plan your route. The app lets you pick a destination, view real-time traffic updates, even check out congestion predictions based on weather, time of day, and holidays. It’s a feature that would have been pretty handy last week when we were simultaneously dealing with a heck of a blizzard and a whole lot of people trying to flee their in-laws.

The app will even suggest what time you should leave to avoid the most headaches, a potential boon for those desperately seeking any excuse to hit the road a little early. It is, however, just for planning, sending your route to the car and then disabling the phone’s display when you cross the magic 5mph threshold. It’s safer that way, after all. Full details are in the PR below and if you’re on the lucky two supported platforms with a suitably compatible car you can download today for free.

Continue reading Ford launches SYNC Destinations, the free app for people who go places in cars

Ford launches SYNC Destinations, the free app for people who go places in cars originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

TomTom’s Map Share update brings crowdsourced navigation to iPhone GPS app

Buckled early and sprung for TomTom’s iPhone GPS app, did you? If so, that very app just got a lot better today, as version 1.6 has brought TomTom’s Map Share — a crowdsourcing aspect that’ll keep your maps more up-to-date than you ever thought possible. Map Share enables iPhone users to make changes instantly to their own maps and to benefit from free map updates made by the TomTom community and verified by the company itself. That means that users will now be able to edit street names, set driving directions and block / unblock streets directly on their maps, and if you’re kind enough, you can share those updates with the rest of the TomTom community. Furthermore, the app will automatically check for new verified updates (including turn restrictions, speed limit changes and crossing changes), so the previously tried-and-true “my maps were old!” excuse will sadly no longer work. Give and take, as they say.

Continue reading TomTom’s Map Share update brings crowdsourced navigation to iPhone GPS app

TomTom’s Map Share update brings crowdsourced navigation to iPhone GPS app originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Dec 2010 02:12:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceiTunes  | Email this | Comments