GPS

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GPS on the iPhone 3G: Engadget’s Review
I’ll have more to say about location-aware iPhone applications once I’ve installed the 2.0 software update on my iPod touch and played with a couple of them. I won’t be able to say anything about the GPS on the iPhone… »
Posted on Friday, July 11, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Categories: GPS, Mobile Devices
GPS Isn’t Making Us Dumb
The problem with the ABC News article entitled “Will GPS Make Us Dumb?” is that it makes a false juxtaposition: map-reading skills with navigation devices’ turn-by-turn directions: “One effect of an increased dependence on GPS will be that peoples’ ability… »
Posted on Sunday, June 22, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Categories: Driving Directions, GPS
GPS on the iPhone
The new 3G iPhone’s GPS is only one of several location-finding methods. From Apple’s page: iPhone 3G uses signals from GPS satellites, Wi-Fi hot spots, and cellular towers to get the most accurate location fast. If GPS is available, iPhone… »
Posted on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 at 9:34 PM
Categories: GPS, Mobile Devices
DeLorme Profiled
Another profile of map publisher (and now GPS maker) DeLorme, this time from the Bangor Daily News’s Bill Graves. DeLorme got its start mapping Maine, so no surprise that the Maine media likes to cover the company’s history: local success… »
Posted on Sunday, April 13, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Categories: GPS, Industry News, Publishers
Introductions to GIS and GPS
GIS: An Overview is a very basic introduction, but it seems to me that that sort of thing is necessary. Via About.com Geography. PC World’s How to Buy a GPS Device is slanted very heavily towards car-mounted GPS navigation systems,… »
Posted on Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Categories: GIS, GPS
An Update: Garmin, MapQuest and Google
MapQuest’s announcement about partnering with Garmin jumped the gun somewhat; Garmin’s announcement says that the send-to-GPS feature is available with Google Maps as of today, but MapQuest only as of April 15. Announced earlier than Google, but available later. Rich… »
Posted on Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 6:24 PM
Categories: GPS, Online Maps
Garmin and MapQuest: Send to GPS
Garmin and MapQuest are up to something. The MapQuest blog says that, “coming in April, we’ll be adding a simple drop-down link to our search results pages that allow you to download destinations or itineraries to your Garmin GPS device,… »
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 at 8:09 PM
Categories: GPS, Online Maps
Mac Software Updates: Geophoto 2, MacGPS Pro 7.6
Geophoto has reached version 2: MacNN reports that it now features simpler tagging, “now sports closer integration with iLife ‘08 and .Mac Web Galleries, and can import photos from Aperture and Lightroom”; at $25, it’s also half its previous price…. »
Posted on Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Categories: GPS, Geotagging, Macintosh
Market Share
In January, Hitwise reported on the relative market shares of the online map sites. MapQuest continued to lead with more than 50 percent of the market, with Google Maps second at 22 percent, and Yahoo and Microsoft trailing. But,… »
Posted on Saturday, March 15, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Categories: GPS, Industry News, Online Maps
An Apple/Mac Roundup
I’ve had a few items cluttering up my to-do list that relate to Apple, the Mac and Mac software, and the iPhone/iPod since Macworld; time to stop procrastinating. iPhones and iPods. The iPhone’s mapping application got a major upgrade at… »
Posted on Monday, March 3, 2008 at 10:14 AM
Categories: GPS, Geotagging, Macintosh, Mobile Devices
Nokia Maps 2.0 Beta
Nokia announced its Maps 2.0 Beta last week; its key feature is pedestrian navigation — i.e., turn-by-turn navigation on foot, rather than in a car (see also CNet Reviews). CNet’s Margaret Reardon tried out the service in Barcelona, with… »
Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 10:34 PM
Categories: GPS, Mobile Devices
Garmin’s ‘Bobcat’ and a Mac Software Update
On the Garmin blog, Chet tantalizes us with coy references to Mac-compatible hardware and software, especially a software product code-named “Bobcat,” to be announced this week at Macworld (Gizmodo). Garmin’s been behind on its now two-year-old promise to provide Mac… »
Posted on Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 1:16 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
Macworld on GPS and the Mac
An article about using GPS with a Mac from the current (September 2007) issue of Macworld. If you’ve been following this blog long enough, you will know that this is a subject dear to my heart. The article is brief… »
Posted on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at 6:55 AM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
GPS and Cars in Spain and Quebec
Spain may make fiddling with a car’s satellite navigation system illegal (via All Points Blog). Meanwhile, Quebec — where I live — may make them legal. It seems risible that something so widespread is not allowed, however technically and unenforced,… »
Posted on Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 8:40 PM
Categories: GPS
The Hipster GPS
Introducing the Hipster GPS: “Inspired by 43Folders’s Hipster PDA, the Hipster GPS takes a similarly low tech approach. Also, the price of entry is far below that of an electronic GPS system.” Photo by James Foreman. Via 43Folders…. »
Posted on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 10:32 AM
Categories: Fun, GPS
On the iPhone and Its Lack of GPS
To read some of the commentary about the iPhone’s implementation of Google Maps, you’d think that a mobile mapping application is worthless without GPS. But is it? All Points Blog’s Joe Francica doesn’t say so outright, but in this dismissive… »
Posted on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at 10:17 AM
Categories: GPS, Mobile Devices, Online Maps
HoudahGPS
HoudahGPS is an OS X front-end graphical interface for the open-source GPSBabel utility. It allows you to download data from a GPS receiver to a Mac. Unlike Houdah’s geotagging software, this application is free of charge. Via Ogle Earth…. »
Posted on Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 1:07 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
More GPS Confusion
Rich Owings takes apart an ABC News article that appears to conflate GPS receivers and personal locator beacons. “So let me make this clear,” Rich writes. “A GPS is not a personal locator beacon. A GPS receiver, by itself, will… »
Posted on Friday, June 22, 2007 at 2:22 PM
Categories: GPS
GPS Expectations
GPS Review: Expectations of GPS, an article about what people should expect, in terms of map accuracy, routing and number of points of interest, from their GPS receivers. “What I was most amazed about was how quickly their expectations of… »
Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 9:26 PM
Categories: GPS
Garmin Announces API, Developer Site
Garmin has announced an API and a new web site for developers, the rationale for which is explained on their corporate blog: “Well, this site is for software developers and content provides who want to make their website, applications and… »
Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 5:40 PM
Categories: GPS
Some Google Maps Updates
Google Transit adds Reno and San Diego; I must have missed when they added the Japanese rail networks, domestic airlines and ferries. Google Maps for mobile supports GPS on certain devices — for example, the BlackBerry 8800 and some Windows… »
Posted on Monday, May 28, 2007 at 8:42 AM
Categories: Driving Directions, GPS, Mass Transit, Mobile Devices, Online Maps
In-Car Navigation Hurts a Car’s Resale Value
Still on the subject of in-car navigation systems, it turns out that these systems — which apparently cost something like $2,000 — actually increase a car’s depreciation, according to an article in USA Today. As Autoblog points out, “It makes… »
Posted on Monday, May 14, 2007 at 10:11 PM
Categories: GPS
A GPS News Roundup: Car Navigation Security, Robust Surface Navigation, Solar Flares
Security experts — who, to be fair, have an interest in crying wolf — warn that hackers can use off-the-shelf equipment to send messages to car navigation systems using the FM channel for traffic and weather data. Remember: if your… »
Posted on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Categories: Driving Directions, GPS, Traffic Conditions
Aerial Imagery on a GPS
Tim likes the idea of aerial photography on a GPS unit, which is now starting to become available: it adds a layer of information that you might otherwise miss with topo maps — he cites vegetation as an example…. »
Posted on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 at 7:43 PM
Categories: GPS, Satellite & Aerial
Garmin POI Loader Mac Beta
Oops — another Garmin app for the Mac in beta: POI Loader, which allows you to upload points of interest to Garmin GPS from a Mac. Also via GPS Review. Keep it up, folks — I’ll get a GPS sooner… »
Posted on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 5:04 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
Garmin WebUpdater Mac Beta
WebUpdater is an application that updates the system software of Garmin GPS units. Previously Windows-only, a beta Mac version is now available for download. The usual caveats about using beta software probably apply. Via GPS Review…. »
Posted on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 4:43 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
Standalone GPS Units Are Doomed, Apparently
The Chicago Tribune’s Eric Benderoff argues that GPS-enabled cellphones will doom standalone GPS units (and the companies that make them). Not that music-enabled phones have doomed iPods or cameraphones have doomed digital cameras — the apostles of convergence devices have… »
Posted on Monday, February 26, 2007 at 5:02 PM
Categories: GPS
NAVTEQ vs. Tele Atlas
If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’ll recall that the mapping data for most of the online mapping services, and for the driving directions on GPS navigation systems, invariably comes from one of two map database suppliers:… »
Posted on Monday, February 26, 2007 at 4:44 PM
Categories: GPS, Online Maps
Ascent
Rob Boyer writes to tout his new software application, Ascent: “Ascent is a new application written for the Macintosh that is designed to help cyclists, runners, and hikers train better by displaying, in various ways, their activities uploaded from… »
Posted on Tuesday, February 20, 2007 at 1:29 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
GPS Everywhere: A Solution in Search of a Problem?
They’re putting GPS in everything nowadays, the Boston Globe reports, and it’s not necessarily out of a pressing need to do so — it’s getting cheap enough to include that gadget makers simply include it and (presumably) figure out what… »
Posted on Monday, February 19, 2007 at 8:57 PM
Categories: GPS
Garmin and Vista
Garmin has released a list of issues with its software running on Windows Vista: Garmin Blog, GPS Review…. »
Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 at 11:49 PM
Categories: GPS, Software
Evil Maposaurus!
For the last couple of weeks, Garmin’s blog has been hyping the company’s forthcoming Super Bowl ad, with an extended music video and behind the scenes clips. With the Super Bowl now over, the ad itself is now finally available:… »
Posted on Monday, February 5, 2007 at 7:14 AM
Categories: GPS, Video
Training Center for the Mac Now Available
As promised (see previous entry), the Mac OS X version of Garmin’s Training Center software is now available. (See also GPS Tracklog, TUAW.)… »
Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 3:01 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
Microsoft Streets & Trips Reviewed
Chad has a brief review of Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007 and its accompanying GPS unit: “I think it is very well worth it. … All and all I am impressed with the software and the GPS unit. They… »
Posted on Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 11:12 AM
Categories: GPS, Software
Why Is the Return Rate for GPS Receivers So High?
DigiTimes, which reports on Taiwanese electronics manufacturers, reports that Wal-Mart may be thinking about dropping GPS receivers due to a high return rate — 40 per cent at Wal-Mart, 25 per cent elsewhere. (Wal-Mart, unlike Best Buy, doesn’t charge a… »
Posted on Friday, January 19, 2007 at 9:51 AM
Categories: GPS
About Ricoh’s GPS Camera
James and Dan are enthusiastic about Ricoh’s release of the 500SE GPS-ready digital camera, but I’m not sure how groundbreaking this is. (By which I mean that I’m confused and seek enlightenment; I’m not speaking rhetorically.) For one thing, it’s… »
Posted on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at 8:41 PM
Categories: GPS, Geotagging
Question: GPS Software for India?
Earle writes, “I live in San Francisco and am planning a trip to NW India. At home I use a Garmin GPS sensor attached to a PC laptop with Windows XP operating system. Do you know of map software for… »
Posted on Monday, January 15, 2007 at 3:30 PM
Categories: GPS, Questions
GPS, Geotagging Automator Actions for the Mac
For Mac users, some Automator actions to tell you about: GPS Automator Actions (which require GPSBabel) is a collection of scripts that automate downloading data from, and uploading to, a GPS unit and converting file formats; GeoTagging Automator Action… »
Posted on Sunday, January 7, 2007 at 9:32 PM
Categories: GPS, Geotagging, Macintosh
Garmin: Still Working on Mac Software
Macworld: “Garmin’s recent announcement of new Mac software for runners, bikers and other outdoor sports enthusiasts has led some Mac users to wonder where the rest of their promised Mac software is. Garmin says they’re still working on it, though… »
Posted on Tuesday, January 2, 2007 at 4:50 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
Garmin Training Center for the Mac: Real Soon Now
The Garmin blog announces the (long-delayed) availability of Training Center (the fitness software used by the Edge and Forerunner lines). Only not quite yet: “now available” (as per the press release headline) means that you can pick up a CD… »
Posted on Sunday, December 31, 2006 at 5:11 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
Russia Lifts Imagery and GPS Restrictions
The Russian government has lifted a (widely ignored) ban on the use of high-resolution images and high-accuracy GPS. Reuters: Until now, global positioning systems that helped locate ground objects more precisely than in a radius of 30 metres (98 ft),… »
Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 9:02 AM
Categories: Censorship & Security, GPS
GPS Data into Google Earth
Gizmodo shows us how to download route data from a Suunto X9i GPS watch and a Garmin Forerunner and export it into Google Earth, using a couple of applications. Not so much a how-to guide, but it does show you… »
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 at 9:41 AM
Categories: GPS
Ask MetaFilter Roundup
Recent map- and GPS-related questions on Ask MetaFilter (they even come with answers): Why haven’t GPS prices dropped as much as other electronics? The consensus seems to be that the GPS electronics cost next to nothing; the price point is… »
Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 at 8:18 AM
Categories: GPS, Hacks & Mashups
Stolen Bus Found Through GPS
A weird GPS story from my neighbourhood: someone stole an Ottawa city bus a couple of nights ago, but thanks to the bus’s onboard GPS system, it was recovered within a couple of hours. The city’s buses are being equipped… »
Posted on Saturday, December 9, 2006 at 5:06 PM
Categories: GPS
Garmin Discontinuing PDAs
At one point I was a heavy PDA user and was watching the release of Garmin’s Palm OS-based PDAs with built-in GPS (naturally) — the iQue series — with great interest. Times have changed: I’ve gone back to pen… »
Posted on Sunday, December 3, 2006 at 10:25 PM
Categories: GPS, Mobile Devices
Bushnell GPS Units and Imagery
I can’t keep up with all the GPS product announcements — too many of them! — so as a general rule I don’t bother trying. But GPS Review’s Tim Flight e-mailed me to point out something interesting about the… »
Posted on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 11:08 AM
Categories: GPS
Ask MetaFilter on GPS Data Logging
Over on Ask Metafilter, a question about real-time GPS data logging has gotten a few answers; the questioner is trying to get at the data (altitude, speed) that is recorded but not necessarily logged by standard software…. »
Posted on Sunday, November 26, 2006 at 11:20 AM
Categories: GPS
Garmin Store Opening in Chicago
Engadget covers this weekend’s opening of Garmin’s flagship retail store in Chicago, with plenty of photos to stimulate those who would find an upscale store dedicated to GPS products stimulating. Also points to Garmin’s corporate blog, which I don’t think… »
Posted on Sunday, November 12, 2006 at 9:12 PM
Categories: Blogs, Dealers & Stores, GPS
GPS for Cyclists, Runners
Not every GPS receiver has driving directions; not every GPS user needs them. There are, in fact, plenty of GPS receivers for other users, and have been for years; you just don’t hear about them as much. Recently, GPS Tracklog… »
Posted on Monday, November 6, 2006 at 9:54 AM
Categories: GPS
Walking Directions
GPS receivers with built-in street maps and driving directions are now so ubiquitous that it’s apparently hard to remember any other sort. This article reprinted from the Wall Street Journal discusses handheld GPS receivers with driving walking directions for pedestrians… »
Posted on Sunday, October 29, 2006 at 11:42 AM
Categories: GPS
Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007, GPS Included
Microsoft Streets & Trips 2007 was announced today. The highlight is that it comes with an improved USB GPS “locator” that turns your computer into a GPS receiver. This isn’t new: the 2006 version also came with such a… »
Posted on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 at 10:47 AM
Categories: GPS, Software
GPS: Leave Maps Behind?
This is a strange article; it talks about viewing fall colours and segues into using or buying a GPS receiver for that purpose. It also repeats the canard that a GPS renders paper maps unnecessary: “A foldable map is cheaper… »
Posted on Tuesday, September 26, 2006 at 8:19 AM
Categories: GPS
Sony GPS-CS1 Reviewed
Richard has managed to lay hands on a new Sony GPS-CS1, the small gadget that records time and location data and comes with software that allows you to add that location data to the photos you took at that… »
Posted on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 2:38 PM
Categories: GPS, Geotagging
The Guardian on GPS, Divulging Location and Privacy
The Guardian looks at the privacy implications of location-based and GPS tracking services. “‘People are very willing to give up their privacy,’ [Tim Hibbard, who has a site pinpointing his current location,] says. ‘You just have to give them a… »
Posted on Thursday, September 14, 2006 at 10:34 AM
Categories: GPS
10 Ways to Get Lost with a GPS
GPS Tracklog: 10 Ways to Get Lost with a GPS. Number 10: “Think that you can’t get lost because you have a GPS.”… »
Posted on Thursday, September 7, 2006 at 7:40 AM
Categories: GPS
10 Myths About GPS
GPS Review: 10 Myths About GPS. Mistaken assumptions and received wisdom from the potential buyer’s/consumer’s perspective…. »
Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 at 5:16 PM
Categories: GPS
AskMe: GPS for Trip Recording
Ask MetaFilter: “I’d like to track my route using a GPS, and in the evenings, overlay that day’s trip on a map. For some reason my Google-fu fails me and I can’t seem to find a straight answer to the… »
Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 at 7:30 AM
Categories: GPS
Geotagging Indirectly: ZoneTag, Sony
A bit more on geotagging — adding geographic coordinates to digital photos. One the one hand there’s having a GPS-enabled camera; on the other there’s adding latitude and longitude manually. Some options in between the two extremes are emerging which… »
Posted on Wednesday, August 2, 2006 at 9:09 PM
Categories: GPS, Geotagging
A List of Mac Software
Via Ogle Earth: GPS Photo Linker is software to save GPS data to a photo. iPhotoToGoogleEarth exports photos to Google Earth. You should have GPS data assigned to the photo data; isn’t it handy that you already have GPS Photo… »
Posted on Wednesday, July 26, 2006 at 2:16 PM
Categories: GPS, Geotagging, Macintosh
RouteBuddy
RouteBuddy, a new Mac GPS and mapping application, was announced today (Cartotalk; GPS Review; MacNN; MacWorld; Ogle Earth). It’s a bit of an enigma: at first I wasn’t sure what problem it was trying to solve. After all, there… »
Posted on Tuesday, July 25, 2006 at 10:14 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
GPSBabel
GPSBabel is a free (donationware) utility that converts GPS data from one format to another. (It doesn’t convert map data, but such things as waypoints and routes.) Useful, I would imagine, if you’re trying to get ostensibly incompatible hardware and… »
Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at 2:51 PM
Categories: GPS, Software
Why Are GPS Maps Out of Date?
GPS Review tackles a basic question, but a frequent one nonetheless: why are the maps in GPS navigation units out of date? The same question could, and doubtless has, been asked about all consumer mapping products — online maps included…. »
Posted on Monday, July 3, 2006 at 9:07 PM
Categories: GPS
Garmin Mac Compatibility Delayed
Drat. Garmin’s previously announced plans for Mac compatibility across its product lines (see previous entry) have been delayed somewhat: Training Center will come at the end of the year rather than the spring (obviously), with other products to follow. See… »
Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 at 4:03 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
Getting Stuck in a Narrow Welsh Laneway
On We Make Money Not Art, Régine rounds up previous stories about drivers in the UK being led astray (into rivers, along cliffs) by their dashboard GPS navigation units. (Or rather, about drivers in the UK allowing themselves to be… »
Posted on Monday, June 19, 2006 at 7:45 AM
Categories: Driving Directions, GPS
Google Maps, GPS and Linux
Martyn Davis has written up his experiences getting bike routes onto a GPS-enabled bike computer using Linux command-line applications and a bit of Google Maps. Via MAKE: Blog…. »
Posted on Monday, June 12, 2006 at 10:31 PM
Categories: GPS
Two Killed During GPS Treasure Hunt
Two men were killed when their Jeep plunged into a ravine in Kern County, California, north of Los Angeles, during what’s described as a GPS treasure hunt (geocaching?). Via GPS Tracklog, where Rich promises to post more details as they… »
Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at 3:17 PM
Categories: GPS
MacGPS Pro 6.4
MacGPS Pro 6.4 is a Universal Binary, which means it will now run natively on Macs with Intel processors (rather than via Rosetta emulation). Via MacNN. See previous entries: MacGPS Pro 6.1; Mac Geocaching and GPS Software; Garmin Announces Mac… »
Posted on Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 9:09 AM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
Lists
On Here Be Dragons, a list of resources for making custom maps for Garmin GPS receivers. On Very Spatial (via), a list of desktop GIS applications…. »
Posted on Monday, May 15, 2006 at 6:47 AM
Categories: GIS, GPS
Because My Car Said So
If you thought sending drivers along a 100-foot cliff was crazy enough, you won’t believe this entry from the annals of bad directions from wonky British in-car navigation systems. Except this time I’m not so sure if it’s the fault… »
Posted on Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 10:24 AM
Categories: Driving Directions, GPS
Crackpot Directions Send Drivers Along a Cliff
BBC News: “Drivers following satellite navigation systems through a village called Crackpot have been directed along a track at the edge of a 100-ft cliff.” Another entry in the annals of errors made by in-car navigation systems. Via Slashgeo. See… »
Posted on Sunday, April 9, 2006 at 4:06 PM
Categories: Driving Directions, GPS, Mapping Errors
GPS Tracking with a Treo 650
A tutorial on setting up GPS tracking on a Treo 650 using a Bluetooth receiver, the Internet via the cellular network, and some software. Via Slashgeo…. »
Posted on Saturday, April 8, 2006 at 8:31 AM
Categories: GPS, Mobile Devices
Camera with GPS, GPS with Camera
More geotagging coverage. Tim’s page covers the steps involved in taking photos from a GPS-compatible digital camera (in this case, the droolworthy Nikon D200) and placing them on a Google Map; with source code (via Google Maps Mania). On the… »
Posted on Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at 10:46 AM
Categories: GPS, Geotagging, Hacks & Mashups
Triangulations: March 27
Jeff Thurston’s contribution to the debate over free geodata looks at the question of scale: if you want geospatial data to be free and updated regularly, consider the huge amount of territory that has to be mapped. Wired’s piece,… »
Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 at 11:03 AM
Categories: Blogs, Books, GIS, GPS, Hacks & Mashups, Topo Maps & Trails, Triangulations (Links)
Triangulations: March 20
An article about GPS and geocaching in South Africa points out the extreme markup for GPS devices in that country: they cost twice as much as they do in the U.S.. The proposed INSPIRE directive, which would ostensibly standardize… »
Posted on Monday, March 20, 2006 at 6:57 AM
Categories: Blogs, GIS, GPS, Triangulations (Links)
Triangulations: March 10
(I’m going to try calling these link roundups “Triangulations” and see how that goes.) Via GPS Tracklog, the difference between Garmin’s and Magellan’s topo maps. The National Geographic Society is planning a “mega-map” of the Sonoran Desert region. “It will… »
Posted on Friday, March 10, 2006 at 6:36 AM
Categories: Environment, GPS, Hacks & Mashups, Macintosh, Topo Maps & Trails, Triangulations (Links)
Link Roundup for February 24
Yes, I’m still alive. Should be back to normal on Monday. Meanwhile: The centre of Google Maps’s universe is apparently Coffeyville, Kansas. And you thought talking on the phone while driving is bad. You’d think that consulting a map while… »
Posted on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 7:50 AM
Categories: Conferences, GPS, Online Maps, Triangulations (Links)
Book Review: GPS Mapping by Rich Owings
GPS Mapping: Make Your Own Maps by Rich Owings Ten Mile Press, 2005. Softcover, 382 pp. ISBN 0-9760926-3-8 This is a book for people who want to get their hands dirty with mapping software and GPS units and generate maps… »
Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 at 11:09 AM
Categories: Book Reviews, GPS, Software, Topo Maps & Trails
Link Roundup for January 29
I’ve been off my feed a bit this past week, so I’ve got some catching up to do. I’ll start with a few random links from here and there about this and that. From the Google Blog: “Not only have… »
Posted on Sunday, January 29, 2006 at 6:05 PM
Categories: Current Events, GPS, Online Maps, Satellite & Aerial, Software
Garmin Announces Mac Compatibility
In a press release, Garmin announced today “that it will immediately begin to make its line of GPS and mobile electronics devices compatible with Mac OS X version 10.4 ‘Tiger.’ This makes Garmin the first major GPS designer and manufacturer… »
Posted on Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 3:32 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
Mac Geocaching and GPS Software
Jeremy Atherton’s page on geocaching with a Mac lists a whole whack of Macintosh-compatible GPS software. Via GPS Review. Update, 5:08 PM: GPS Review also points to another bit of Mac software: TrailRunner, route planning freeware that apparently supports importing… »
Posted on Monday, December 19, 2005 at 10:14 AM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
MacGPS Pro 6.1
Speaking of bias, my overwhelming interest in Mac software reveals itself when I point out that version 6.1 of MacGPS Pro was announced yesterday. It adds support for some USB Garmin GPS receivers (serial-port support via an adapter only prior… »
Posted on Tuesday, November 29, 2005 at 8:26 AM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh
Volunteers Map Trails with GPS
The 19th edition of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association’s “Walk Book” was generated by volunteers with GPS receivers; it took them three years to cover approximately 1,200 km of trails. With 40 per cent of the trails on private… »
Posted on Monday, November 14, 2005 at 8:13 PM
Categories: GPS, Topo Maps & Trails
New GPS Satellite Launched
A satellite launched Sunday is the first in a series of eight new GPS satellites that will, among other things, add a second civilian frequency once more of the satellites are launched. Space.com’s coverage is full of geeky detail…. »
Posted on Wednesday, September 28, 2005 at 8:25 PM
Categories: GPS
Counterfeit Maps, Lost Drivers
To save money, some Chinese GPS manufacturers use counterfeit maps instead of official ones; as a result, Shanghai drivers who buy the cheaper units are getting lost. Via GeoCarta and Very Spatial…. »
Posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 at 9:24 PM
Categories: GPS, Mapping Errors
GPS Tracklog and Buyer’s Guide
Rich Owings, author of GPS Mapping: Make Your Own Maps (Amazon, web site), reports that he’s started a new blog about GPS and mapping software called GPS Tracklog. Like The Map Room, it’s aimed at mere mortals rather than professionals…. »
Posted on Monday, August 8, 2005 at 9:17 AM
Categories: Blogs, GPS, Mobile Devices
Google and GPS on Nintendo
You’ve got to be kidding me: Google Maps and GPS on a Nintendo DS. Via Engadget. See previous entry: Google Maps on Mobile Devices…. »
Posted on Thursday, August 4, 2005 at 9:37 AM
Categories: GPS, Hacks & Mashups, Mobile Devices
In-Car GPS Review
Slate has a review of five aftermarket GPS-based in-car, dashboard-mounted navigation systems, focusing on setup, screen size and, if you can believe it, how nice the robotic voices sound. None apparently stand out from the others in terms of accuracy… »
Posted on Wednesday, August 3, 2005 at 8:06 AM
Categories: GPS
Question: GPS and the Mac?
I’ve talked about using a GPS with a Mac before, and even — back when this blog’s audience was a fraction of what it is now — solicited my readers’ opinions on which GPS I, as a Mac user (or… »
Posted on Wednesday, July 20, 2005 at 9:14 AM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh, Mobile Devices, Questions
Intel’s Wireless Replacements for GPS
Intel is experimenting with using WiFi and cellular networks instead of GPS to pinpoint users’ locations, CNet reports. The problem this proposes to solve is that people in urban areas are rarely outside enough to get a clear GPS signal…. »
Posted on Tuesday, July 12, 2005 at 9:35 PM
Categories: GPS
Mixing GPS Data and Orthographic Images with Perl
Tony has written up a Perl script to take the data from his GPS watch and overlaid it on orthographic imagery from the USGS. These are ridiculously huge and detailed files, but the end result is an extremely precise map… »
Posted on Friday, May 27, 2005 at 11:12 AM
Categories: GPS, Hacks & Mashups, Satellite & Aerial
Windows Mobile GPS Thingies
A couple of links about GPS-equipped PDAs — those gadgets I covet but cannot possibly ever afford. Brighthand’s got a review of the Garmin iQue M5, which runs Windows Mobile instead of Palm OS like Garmin’s other PDAs (see previous… »
Posted on Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 10:39 PM
Categories: GPS, Mobile Devices
Engadget
My coverage of GPS stuff is paltry at best, but gadget blog Engadget has a dedicated GPS section (RSS feed) that I’ll be keeping an eye on, to learn more about the subject…. »
Posted on Friday, March 25, 2005 at 12:22 PM
Categories: Blogs, GPS, Mobile Devices
Digital Navigation for Kayakers
Sea Kayaker magazine has an extensive guide to digital navigation — i.e., using a GPS, digitized maps and mapping software — in its February 2005 issue. Via Gadling…. »
Posted on Sunday, March 6, 2005 at 3:36 PM
Categories: GPS, Nautical
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap “is an effort to produce free (CC-licensed) streetmaps of the world.” It’s in “pre-pre-pre alpha” at the moment. The idea is to get free data by running around with a GPS, analysis of aerial photography or other methods since… »
Posted on Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at 10:41 AM
Categories: Copyright, GIS, GPS, Online Maps
GPS Connect for OS X
Speaking of GPS receivers. Because of poor-to-nonexistent Mac support by GPS manufacturers, Mac users have to resort to third-party software to connect to their gadgets (see previous entries: Mac Mapping Software, Mac Software Updates). One option I was aware of… »
Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 9:32 PM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh, Mobile Devices
New Garmin Gadgetry
My coverage of Garmin’s first GPS/PDA was pretty compulsive — I don’t usually cover GPS receivers, but PDAs are one of my other hobbies — so for consistency’s sake I should at least note two new models announced by Garmin… »
Posted on Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 9:12 PM
Categories: GPS, Mobile Devices
Garmin iQue 3200
I covered the release of the Garmin iQue 3600, a Palm OS handheld with a built-in GPS, rather obsessively last year. Now Garmin has announced a slightly cheaper sibling, the iQue 3200, which has a smaller (320×320) screen and lacks… »
Posted on Monday, July 26, 2004 at 7:20 PM
Categories: GPS, Mobile Devices
Tracking Mountain Lions with GPS
Radio-tracking wild animals for conservation purposes is not new, but using GPS collars — at $5,000 apiece — to track the movements of mountain lions is not something I’ve heard of before (via Gizmodo)…. »
Posted on Monday, April 5, 2004 at 10:48 AM
Categories: GPS
Mac Software Updates
MacMinute reported updates to desktop mapping and GPS software for the Macintosh yesterday: EarthDesk 2.5, which generates a realtime map of the Earth on your desktop; and MacGPS 5.0, third-party software for using (normally Windows-only) GPS receivers with a Mac…. »
Posted on Wednesday, March 3, 2004 at 7:55 AM
Categories: GPS, Macintosh, Mobile Devices
GPS Replies
I did get a couple of replies during the downtime to my post asking for suggestions about the best GPS receiver for my needs. Eric Arnold, who works at the University of Tennessee Map Library in Knoxville, mentioned the Garmin… »
Posted on Saturday, January 17, 2004 at 9:19 PM
Categories: GPS, Mobile Devices

Note: Entries from 2003 were not categorized and will not appear in the category archives. Please consult the monthly archives.