GPS Gazette - GPS Reviews

Asus has officially announced the P735, a 3G smartphone that was rumored that it will have GPS capabilities.

From the announcement:

The P735 allows users to make full use of its 3G capabilities and integrates network connectivity, video conferencing, multimedia applications and many other business functions. With the P735, no matter where the user is globally, they can always access the information needed for informed business decisions while keeping total control over their personal life on the go.

Let’s take a look at some of the features and the specifications of the Asus P735

• Supported Networking Systems :UMTS (WCDMA) 2100 MHz with 384 kbps UL/DL, GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz, GPRS Class B, Multi-slot Class 10
• Processor: Marvell Xscale® 520MHz
• OS: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition
• Memory: 256MB Flash+ 64 MB SDRAM
• Display: 2.8“, 65K, TFT, 240 x 320
• Connectivity: WLAN 802.11 b+g
• Expansion Slot: Mini-SD
• Video: MPEG4 / H.263 Playback and Recording, Video call, Audio/Video Streaming
• Music: MP3, WMA, AAC, and AAC+
• Bluetooth: v2.0
• Camera: Dual Camera: 2 Mega-Pixel (auto focus) + VGA
• Battery: 1300 mAh Li-Ion Removable/Rechargeable Battery
• Dimensions: 109 mm x 59 mm x 19 mm
• Weight: 143g with Battery
• ASUS’s Remote Presenter
• Business card recognition feature
• Meeting Planner (for International teleconferencing meeting)

Now all that is left to see is when it will start shipping and the pricing, oh and if Asus will release a GPS version of the P735.

Anouncement

It appears that German company Typhoon that produces the MyGuide GPS devices has launched a new unit, the MyGuide 3100. You can see images of the device on the left and at the bottom of the post (click to enlarge). The unit has a rather minimal classic look with no control buttons and therefore all the controls appear to be performed with its 3.5’’ Touch screen. The 3100 is TMC ready but requires that you spend a bit of extra money to buy the optional TMC receiver. It comes with version 6.0 of the MyGuide navigation software that covers most of the European countries as well as the USA and can provide directions in 24 different languages. Some of the technical specifications include:

• Processor: Centrality 300 MHz
• O/S: Microsoft WinCE.Net Version 5.0
• Memory: 64MB Flash / 64MB RAM
• Storage Capacity SD: up to 2 GB
• GPS: Centrality, 20 channels, integrated antenna
• Battery: rechargable lithium-ion battery / 1100 mAh
• Speaker: 1,5 Watt
• Dimensions: (L x H x T): 130 x 76 x 30 mm
• Weight: 190 g
• Operating time on batteries (GPS activated): approx. 3 hours

MyGuide 3100 Images

Via Mobinaute

GolfLogix today announced a new Golf GPS unit that is powered by Garmin and it will be showcased at the PGA Merchandise Show (January 25-27, 2007). The GolfLogix GPS appears to be an easy to use with straightforward interface device.
Some of the features and specifications include:

• Provides distance information for
  • Front, Center Back of Green
  • Bunkers
  • Water Hazards
  • Lay-ups
  • Carries
• 12-month warranty
• Auto-advances to each target on the course for completely hands-free use so there is no need for complex button layouts to learn or lasers to point during your round
• A large LCD screen (1.25” wide x 2.25” tall), with a resolution of 64 x 128 pixels
• Large number displays that are easy to read for all ages and eye-visions.
• Excellent visibility in direct sunlight with adjustable screen contrasts
• Backlight screen setting for dark playing conditions
• Completely waterproof case (submersible)
• Shock-proof and impact resistant for rugged outdoor use
• Displays in Yards or Meters
• Includes multi-use belt or bag clip
• Up to 22-hour battery life
• 12-channel GPS receiver with precise accuracy (+/- 2 yards)
• Serial and USB cables included
• GolfLogix Course Manager PC software CD-ROM with USB drivers
• Weighs 5.3 oz with batteries
• Size: 4.4″H x 2.0″W x 1.2″D
• Holds multiple golf course maps
• Thousands of worldwide golf courses available to download ($29.95 annual membership)
• Free golf course download included with purchase

The GolfLogix GPS will be available with a suggested retail of $349

Product Page
Press Release

The Blaupunkt TravelPilot Lucca 5.2 is yet another GPS unit that was showcased at the 2007 CES. According to Blaupunkt it’s a

Precise Navigation and Entertainment System in One

but who doesn’t refer to automotive GPS systems like this nowadays? Nonetheless I really like the design and side sliders for volume and zoom that have an iPod like functionality seem like a nice touch. I guess we will have to wait for some reviews to better judge this new entry.

Features and Specifications

• High contrast 4″ Touch-screen
• Centrality GPS – Atlas 2 Dual Core Prozessor (ARM9 µP @ 300 MHz and DSP Coprozessor @ 200 MHz)
• Internal 2 GB Flash Memory
• 2D and 3D map view
• Integrated TMC receiver for dynamic route calculation
• MMC/SD card slot (256 MB-4 GB)
• Playback of MP3/WMA and of WMV video
• Picture viewer
• Video-In (possibility to connect DVD-player, reversing camera and game console) DVB-T-Tuner via Connect Cradle
• Battery life: 5 hours
• Weight 234g
• Dimensions (WxHxD) 12 x 94 x 30 mm

Pricing and Availablity

I haven’t found any official information about it’s pricing and availability but according to a post by GPS Magazine it is expected late Q3 2007 with a retail price of $699

There have been a few reports that Asus is going to release its first 3G PDA Phone called Asus P735. According to the reports it will look very similar to the P535 and the pictures that have been posted along with these reports look like they are from the P535. Nonetheless, Asus seems to be popping more and more GPS enabled gadgets and is becoming one of my major “companies to watch for news and updates target”. I guess we will just have to wait and see.

Via GPSAndCo

Asus launched last week two new Ultra Slim GPS PDA, the Asus A686 and the Asus A696. It appears that the company will no longer be using the MyPal name, although while digging for information about these new units I found a .pdf product sheet that refers to these two as MyPal A686 and MyPal A696. Nonetheless, Asus has created two good looking, encased in stainless steel PDAs that despite the fact that they are super slim (just 1.57cm) the offer GPS functionality. One major improvement over the previous MyPals as far as it concerns the looks of the device is that they have removed the protruding antenna.

Features and Specifications

• Processor: Intel XScale 312MHz (A686), Intel XScale 416MHz (A696)
• Operating System: Microsoft Mobile 5.0
• Memory: 128MB Flash ROM, 64MB SDRAM (A686), 256MB Flash ROM, 128MB SDRAM (A696)
• Screen: 3.5-inch 240 x 320 anti-glare touch screen
• GPS Module: SiRF Star III chipset
• Expansion Slot: SD Slot
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b+g) (According to the pdf above only for the A696), Bluetooth 2.0 (EDR), IrDA, USB 1.1
• Battery: 1200mAh removable/ rechargeable batter
• Dimensions: 11.7 x 7.08 x 1.57cm
• Weight: 165gr
• Audio: Integrated microphone and speakers, full duplex recording and playback

No pricing details are available at this time.

Earthmate GPS PN-20 was announced by Delorme during the CES earlier this month. The PN-20 is described by Delorme as a unique all-in-one GPS and mapping solution and has already started shipping bundled with the Topo USA 6 software. Unlike most others handheld GPS receivers it allows you to view aerial imagery and USGS topo maps on screen. Lets take a look at the specifications of the PN-20.

Eartmate PN-20 Specification and features

Physical

• IPX-7 waterproof standard, impact-resistant rubberized housing
• Device dimensions: 2.43″ W x 5.25″ H x 1.5″ D
• Weight: 5.12 ounces

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Asus has announced a new dedicated Portable Navigation Device, the Asus S102. The design as you can see looks nice, although I am not too sure about the lime green that they decided to use. The S102 features a 3.5″ full color TFT LCD touchscreen (65,000-color, 240 x 320 resolution), SiRF III GPS chipset, built-in antenna and an external antenna jack. The device offers turn-by-turn voice guidance and hand script and voice recognition technologies that according to the press release:

With hand script and voice recognition technologies, the S102 offers versatile input methods for different usage environments. Keyword search function further permits quick destination setup. The S102 is especially convenient when the user is busy navigating the road, but needs to reroute for a new destination.

Finally the other specs and features that are mentioned in the press release are:

• Memory: Built-in 64MB Flash ROM, 64MB SDRAM, SD card support
• Expansion: SD card
• Audio: MP3 playback support
• Battery: Inbuilt rechargeable Lithium-Ion provides more than 4 hours standard usage
• Dimension: 110mm(L) x 86.8mm(W) x 20.5mm(H)
• Weight: 183g (with battery)

You can read the entire press release here

It appears that Asus is preparing a new Pocket PC Phone with integrated GPS, this new gadget has the code name “Pegasus”. There are currently not a lot of information available other than the fact that it is extra slim (15.4 mm), it uses Windows, it has integrated GPS and what we can see in the pictures (digital camera, numeric keypad and jog dial).

Via Unwired View

Ricoh officially announced the release of their GPS-ready digital camera the Ricoh 500SE. The 500SE was developed for outdoor location-based photography and feature a rugged body and waterproof and shock-resistant shell that protects the high- resolution 8MP sensor. 500SE has an integrated precision GPS module that geo-coding of images at the time of capture. In addition to that it is capable of receiving NMEA data streams from external GPS devices via its on-board Bluetooth radio.

Finally according to the press release

Once the captured “geo-images” and “geo-video” files are transferred to a PC, they are automatically converted to shape files or merged into geo- databases for instant integration into Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Points representing each file’s position may be hovered over to display a thumbnail of the file, or clicked on to access the original image or video.

In addition to storing GPS data in the image and video files, the camera also utilizes a user-configurable “data dictionary” to tag files with workflow-related information. These attributes become part of the GIS layer table for automated database integration.

…….Additional features include GPS track log capability, GPS lock (to record the position of an object as opposed to the position of the photographer), and the ability to send images wirelessly to handheld devices via Bluetooth or WiFi.

Ricoh 500SE Product page