location based services
Mobile phones can soon survive being dropped
Dutch researcher Paulette Prins has demonstrated that plastic does not have to be a poorer conductor than present-day semiconductors. This opens up the way for a revolution in consumer electronics: mobile phones and MP3 players will soon survive being dropped.
Just imagine it. Consumer products that do not break if accidentally dropped, devices with flexible screens that can be rolled up, and products becoming a lot cheaper. Up until now it was a mere pipe dream. The limiting factor is the chips in such devices. These need to conduct electricity and plastic chips fail to make the grade. Plastic conducts at least 1000 times less well than the current generation of semi-conductors. Prins showed that specially developed plastic can conduct just as well as existing semiconductors. Conduction occurs when charge moves through the material. Prins discovered that in plastics, the movement of charge was mainly hindered by the structure of the material. Plastic is built up from polymers, which consist of complex chains. The greatest hindrances for conduction were the ends of the chains, fractures in the chains, and the chaos in and along the chains.
A German group of researchers rebuilt the chains. They formed a polymer with a relatively fixed, ladder-like structure. Prins made clever use of this. This polymer was found to conduct 1000 times better than had previously been shown for plastics. The combination of simulations and advanced techniques makes Prins' research unique. She bombarded the material with electrons from a particle accelerator, which enabled her to study the rapid reactions in the plastic to an accuracy of 100 microseconds. Subsequently she determined the conductance of the polymers by measuring the microwave absorption. This avoided the need to use electrodes. Such electrodes often disrupt the measurement. Prins published some of her findings in the leading journal Physical Review Letters. Prins' research was funded by NWO.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
AT&T Helps Wireless Business Customers Keep Track With New GPS-Enabled, Location-Based Services Solution
ATLANTA, March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. today introduced a fully hosted, on-demand and comprehensive GPS-based workforce-management solution for business customers, TeleNav Track(TM) from TeleNav, Inc.
TeleNav Track is an affordable enterprise-grade application for companies of all sizes and includes multiple features, such as GPS-enabled location- tracking, mileage-tracking, wireless time sheets, alerts and detailed location-reporting to capture field data. A premium version of TeleNav Track is also available with features including wireless forms, dispatching, barcode- scanning support and voice and on-screen turn-by-turn GPS directions. Initially, TeleNav Track is available
on the new BlackBerry(R) 8800 and HP iPAQ hw6920 Mobile Communicator, both of which have integrated GPS. TeleNav Track also offers enterprise organizations the option of full integration with back-office systems using Web services application programming interface (API) and other connectors.
"In today's competitive marketplace, companies with employees in the field need tools that will assist them in maximizing the productivity of their mobile workforces," said Jeff Bradley, vice president of AT&T Wireless Business Data Services. "TeleNav Track from AT&T is a powerful, yet economical and easy-to-use, wireless location-based services (LBS) solution with a wide range of capabilities that help our customers operate more efficiently, eliminate paperwork and provide a higher level of service to their clients."
"TeleNav Track is an easy-to-use GPS solution that organizations of all sizes and in all industries can take advantage of to improve operations," said Dr. H.P. Jin, TeleNav president, CEO and co-founder. "We have developed TeleNav Track to meet the needs of all types of businesses and to leverage wireless technology that organizations already depend on for excellence in communications. Now, AT&T business and government wireless customers have the ability to maximize their mobile services even further."
With TeleNav Track, managers and dispatchers use a Web-based interface to see where their mobile workers are, assign new jobs based on their location, provide accurate estimated time of arrival and keep record of customer visits. Workers in the field can easily capture data on job tasks and use their mobile device as a time card - clocking in and out of work without having to go to the office.
Customers using the BlackBerry 8800 can also couple TeleNav Track with AT&T's innovative Push To Talk service to provide their mobile employees with a complete wireless voice and data solution. AT&T boasts the largest Push To Talk network in America, and its PTT service includes several differentiating features, including availability icons, quick group-calling and the ability to easily switch from a PTT session to a regular wireless voice call.
TeleNav Track is available now directly from AT&T's wireless business-to- business sales force. There are two monthly subscription plans. The entry- level TeleNav Track service plan, TeleNav Track Plus, is $12.99 per device; the TeleNav Track Premium service plan is $21.99 per device. There also is a one-time setup fee of $19.99 for each subscriber. An AT&T data plan is also required. Unlimited AT&T Push to Talk service is available for an additional monthly charge of $9.99 for each device. AT&T Push to Talk service also features a pay-per-use option of $.15 for minute.
ATLANTA, March 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T Inc. today introduced a fully hosted, on-demand and comprehensive GPS-based workforce-management solution for business customers, TeleNav Track(TM) from TeleNav, Inc.
TeleNav Track is an affordable enterprise-grade application for companies of all sizes and includes multiple features, such as GPS-enabled location- tracking, mileage-tracking, wireless time sheets, alerts and detailed location-reporting to capture field data. A premium version of TeleNav Track is also available with features including wireless forms, dispatching, barcode- scanning support and voice and on-screen turn-by-turn GPS directions. Initially, TeleNav Track is available
on the new BlackBerry(R) 8800 and HP iPAQ hw6920 Mobile Communicator, both of which have integrated GPS. TeleNav Track also offers enterprise organizations the option of full integration with back-office systems using Web services application programming interface (API) and other connectors.
"In today's competitive marketplace, companies with employees in the field need tools that will assist them in maximizing the productivity of their mobile workforces," said Jeff Bradley, vice president of AT&T Wireless Business Data Services. "TeleNav Track from AT&T is a powerful, yet economical and easy-to-use, wireless location-based services (LBS) solution with a wide range of capabilities that help our customers operate more efficiently, eliminate paperwork and provide a higher level of service to their clients."
"TeleNav Track is an easy-to-use GPS solution that organizations of all sizes and in all industries can take advantage of to improve operations," said Dr. H.P. Jin, TeleNav president, CEO and co-founder. "We have developed TeleNav Track to meet the needs of all types of businesses and to leverage wireless technology that organizations already depend on for excellence in communications. Now, AT&T business and government wireless customers have the ability to maximize their mobile services even further."
With TeleNav Track, managers and dispatchers use a Web-based interface to see where their mobile workers are, assign new jobs based on their location, provide accurate estimated time of arrival and keep record of customer visits. Workers in the field can easily capture data on job tasks and use their mobile device as a time card - clocking in and out of work without having to go to the office.
Customers using the BlackBerry 8800 can also couple TeleNav Track with AT&T's innovative Push To Talk service to provide their mobile employees with a complete wireless voice and data solution. AT&T boasts the largest Push To Talk network in America, and its PTT service includes several differentiating features, including availability icons, quick group-calling and the ability to easily switch from a PTT session to a regular wireless voice call.
TeleNav Track is available now directly from AT&T's wireless business-to- business sales force. There are two monthly subscription plans. The entry- level TeleNav Track service plan, TeleNav Track Plus, is $12.99 per device; the TeleNav Track Premium service plan is $21.99 per device. There also is a one-time setup fee of $19.99 for each subscriber. An AT&T data plan is also required. Unlimited AT&T Push to Talk service is available for an additional monthly charge of $9.99 for each device. AT&T Push to Talk service also features a pay-per-use option of $.15 for minute.
NAVTEQ Network for Developers - The LBS application developer community
Are you developing location-based services and solutions? How about access to development tools, support, and rich, mobile-oriented content? The Navteq Network for Developers™ is the site where Navteq hopes they'll connect with you - According to Navteq, it's a place where the visionaries and innovators can find the tools, the people, and the support to build the next generation of LBS applications. The NAVTEQ Network for Developers offers a one stop shop for NAVTEQ® map data with all development fees waived, and integrated "geo" development tools from Autodesk and deCarta.
Are you developing location-based services and solutions? How about access to development tools, support, and rich, mobile-oriented content? The Navteq Network for Developers™ is the site where Navteq hopes they'll connect with you - According to Navteq, it's a place where the visionaries and innovators can find the tools, the people, and the support to build the next generation of LBS applications. The NAVTEQ Network for Developers offers a one stop shop for NAVTEQ® map data with all development fees waived, and integrated "geo" development tools from Autodesk and deCarta.
location based services
Upgrading the Mobile-Phone Web -
Tech Firms See a Need to Ease Frustrations of Surfing
By Sam DiazWashington Post Staff WriterTuesday, March 20, 2007; Page D02
Having a Web connection on a cellphone seemed like a good thing for Ron Geatz -- until he tried to use it.
A business traveler, Geatz often found himself in strange cities, searching for things like restaurants or nearby ATMs. But navigating the small screen of a phone was less than ideal.
a Web connection on a cellphone seemed like a good thing for Ron Geatz -- until he tried to use it.','Sam Diaz') ;
document.write( technorati.getDisplaySidebar() );
"I was looking for things the way I would on my laptop, and I just didn't find that to be very satisfactory," said Geatz, a magazine writer in Washington. "It was a little too clunky, a little too slow."
Now, searching on a mobile phone is starting to undergo a makeover that takes into account how mobile Web surfing can be different from surfing on a home PC. Companies including Yahoo, Google, Microsoft and AOL are investing in new ways of offering mobile search -- and related advertising -- to try to encourage users like Geatz to use the wireless Web more.
Today, Yahoo is launching OneSearch, a program that tries to anticipate what a phone Web surfer is looking for. Top results of a Yahoo search for "Washington DC" on a computer might link to official tourism and city government sites; the same search on a cellphone might yield a neighborhood guide, an interactive map and a weather forecast.
"We feel that mobile search is . . . not just a mere translation of putting PC search into a mobile phone," said Marco Boerries, a senior vice president at Yahoo. "A mobile device is not really designed for a lot of browsing. There's no mouse, the speed is limited and the screen is smaller."
People using a phone for search, he said, are probably looking for something specific -- who's winning the game, whether to carry an umbrella or how to find the nearest pizza joint.
"They don't want to research a book," Boerries said. "They're looking for a quick, instant answer."
Today, only a small fraction of people use their phones to search the Web, but many companies see the technology as a critical frontier.
Although Google hasn't released details about its new mobile search offering, Jim Holden, director of strategic wireless partnerships, said the company recognizes its importance.
"If you think about it now, there are about 1 billion PCs and about 2 billion mobile phones," he said. "For a lot of people, the mobile phone may be the primary access to information."
Last week, Microsoft announced plans to purchase Tellme Networks, a Silicon Valley company that has tried to simplify searching by using voice-activation software. Its test product, called Tellme by Mobile, allows users to speak a search query into a phone and see the results on the screen.
"We're coming from a different point of view, letting people use their voice rather than having to triple-tap," said David Mitby, product manager for mobile services at Tellme.
AOL, which has been developing its own version of mobile search, takes another approach. Instead of anticipating what the user is looking for, it narrows results by asking users to select a category to query: Web Search, Local Search, Shopping Search or Surf the Web.
Data show that Internet searches were used by almost 6 percent of subscribers with Web-capable phones in the three months ended in January, according to M:Metrics. That's up from a 4.8 percent three-month average in February of last year.
A survey conducted late last year by Symbian, a maker of mobile-phone software, said that with more than three-quarters of the U.S. population now carrying cellphones, wireless carriers will shift their focus from trying to sign new subscribers to pushing new services, such as mobile TV and music services, which use data service packages and can help the carriers increase revenues.
"What's happening is that voice is coming down because of family plans," said Tole Hart, a research director at Gartner. "There are more on there, and they're not paying as much."
Upgrading the Mobile-Phone Web -
Tech Firms See a Need to Ease Frustrations of Surfing
By Sam DiazWashington Post Staff WriterTuesday, March 20, 2007; Page D02
Having a Web connection on a cellphone seemed like a good thing for Ron Geatz -- until he tried to use it.
A business traveler, Geatz often found himself in strange cities, searching for things like restaurants or nearby ATMs. But navigating the small screen of a phone was less than ideal.
a Web connection on a cellphone seemed like a good thing for Ron Geatz -- until he tried to use it.','Sam Diaz') ;
document.write( technorati.getDisplaySidebar() );
"I was looking for things the way I would on my laptop, and I just didn't find that to be very satisfactory," said Geatz, a magazine writer in Washington. "It was a little too clunky, a little too slow."
Now, searching on a mobile phone is starting to undergo a makeover that takes into account how mobile Web surfing can be different from surfing on a home PC. Companies including Yahoo, Google, Microsoft and AOL are investing in new ways of offering mobile search -- and related advertising -- to try to encourage users like Geatz to use the wireless Web more.
Today, Yahoo is launching OneSearch, a program that tries to anticipate what a phone Web surfer is looking for. Top results of a Yahoo search for "Washington DC" on a computer might link to official tourism and city government sites; the same search on a cellphone might yield a neighborhood guide, an interactive map and a weather forecast.
"We feel that mobile search is . . . not just a mere translation of putting PC search into a mobile phone," said Marco Boerries, a senior vice president at Yahoo. "A mobile device is not really designed for a lot of browsing. There's no mouse, the speed is limited and the screen is smaller."
People using a phone for search, he said, are probably looking for something specific -- who's winning the game, whether to carry an umbrella or how to find the nearest pizza joint.
"They don't want to research a book," Boerries said. "They're looking for a quick, instant answer."
Today, only a small fraction of people use their phones to search the Web, but many companies see the technology as a critical frontier.
Although Google hasn't released details about its new mobile search offering, Jim Holden, director of strategic wireless partnerships, said the company recognizes its importance.
"If you think about it now, there are about 1 billion PCs and about 2 billion mobile phones," he said. "For a lot of people, the mobile phone may be the primary access to information."
Last week, Microsoft announced plans to purchase Tellme Networks, a Silicon Valley company that has tried to simplify searching by using voice-activation software. Its test product, called Tellme by Mobile, allows users to speak a search query into a phone and see the results on the screen.
"We're coming from a different point of view, letting people use their voice rather than having to triple-tap," said David Mitby, product manager for mobile services at Tellme.
AOL, which has been developing its own version of mobile search, takes another approach. Instead of anticipating what the user is looking for, it narrows results by asking users to select a category to query: Web Search, Local Search, Shopping Search or Surf the Web.
Data show that Internet searches were used by almost 6 percent of subscribers with Web-capable phones in the three months ended in January, according to M:Metrics. That's up from a 4.8 percent three-month average in February of last year.
A survey conducted late last year by Symbian, a maker of mobile-phone software, said that with more than three-quarters of the U.S. population now carrying cellphones, wireless carriers will shift their focus from trying to sign new subscribers to pushing new services, such as mobile TV and music services, which use data service packages and can help the carriers increase revenues.
"What's happening is that voice is coming down because of family plans," said Tole Hart, a research director at Gartner. "There are more on there, and they're not paying as much."
location based services
Spanish firms want to respect Galileo accords: minister - Yahoo! News
MADRID (AFP) - Spanish firms simply want to respect accords surrounding the stalled Galileo satellite navigation project, a Spanish minister insisted Tuesday following claims by partners that Spain is dragging its feet on profitability concerns.
"The two Spanish firms have merely asked that agreements and initial (participation) percentages be respected and we would like to see the other parties do the same," Industry Minister Joan Clos told a news conference.
"Negotiations are currently ongoing and we hope they will unlock the situation and that Spain will remain" on board the 1.5-billion-euro (1.95 billion dollars) project meant to be in space in 2010 and operational from 2011.
Galileo is aimed at breaking Europe's dependence on the free US Global Positioning System (GPS), used aboard many cars, boats and aircraft.
The project links Britain's Inmarsat, the European EADS consortium, French firms Thales and Alcatel, Spain's Hispasat and Aena and Italy's Finmeccanica.
Last week, a British industry insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, accused Spain's Hispasat of being behind the delays.
"It is Hispasat of Spain which is causing the block, nobody else," the source said.
"They are demanding work that has already been allocated to France, Germany and Britain. They are demanding a new ground station as well, and they are demanding more of the satellite building work and the operational value of Galileo."
A French source also pointed the finger at the Spanish.
Neither Hispasat nor Aena commented on the accusations.
On March 15 the
European Commission' name=c1> SEARCHNews News Photos Images Web' name=c3> European Commission warned it would examine new ways to complete the system and, in a letter to the
European Union' name=c1> SEARCHNews News Photos Images Web' name=c3> European Union's German presidency, Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot requested a mandate to study "reasonable alternatives" to the current consortium of eight private contractors.
Barrot's spokesman said the timetable for putting the system in place, which would ultimately involve around 30 satellites, had already been delayed until 2011, and that more slippage was expected.
The Financial Times newspaper said there were also doubts whether Galileo could attract enough revenue.
Spanish firms want to respect Galileo accords: minister - Yahoo! News
MADRID (AFP) - Spanish firms simply want to respect accords surrounding the stalled Galileo satellite navigation project, a Spanish minister insisted Tuesday following claims by partners that Spain is dragging its feet on profitability concerns.
"The two Spanish firms have merely asked that agreements and initial (participation) percentages be respected and we would like to see the other parties do the same," Industry Minister Joan Clos told a news conference.
"Negotiations are currently ongoing and we hope they will unlock the situation and that Spain will remain" on board the 1.5-billion-euro (1.95 billion dollars) project meant to be in space in 2010 and operational from 2011.
Galileo is aimed at breaking Europe's dependence on the free US Global Positioning System (GPS), used aboard many cars, boats and aircraft.
The project links Britain's Inmarsat, the European EADS consortium, French firms Thales and Alcatel, Spain's Hispasat and Aena and Italy's Finmeccanica.
Last week, a British industry insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, accused Spain's Hispasat of being behind the delays.
"It is Hispasat of Spain which is causing the block, nobody else," the source said.
"They are demanding work that has already been allocated to France, Germany and Britain. They are demanding a new ground station as well, and they are demanding more of the satellite building work and the operational value of Galileo."
A French source also pointed the finger at the Spanish.
Neither Hispasat nor Aena commented on the accusations.
On March 15 the
European Commission' name=c1> SEARCHNews News Photos Images Web' name=c3> European Commission warned it would examine new ways to complete the system and, in a letter to the
European Union' name=c1> SEARCHNews News Photos Images Web' name=c3> European Union's German presidency, Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot requested a mandate to study "reasonable alternatives" to the current consortium of eight private contractors.
Barrot's spokesman said the timetable for putting the system in place, which would ultimately involve around 30 satellites, had already been delayed until 2011, and that more slippage was expected.
The Financial Times newspaper said there were also doubts whether Galileo could attract enough revenue.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Labradors and white sticks to be made redundant ?!
location based services
GPS navigation plan to help blind
An Italian technology company is pioneering a GPS satellite system that will give blind people greater independence and mobility.
The Easy Walk service has been developed by Il Village, a firm in Turin in northern Italy.
It is currently being tested by a group of 30 people from the Italian Blind Union who are providing feedback. The plan is for Easy Walk to be launched to blind and partially sighted people in Piedmont in the autumn.
Easy Walk uses a mobile phone that runs the Symbian operating system, a small Bluetooth GPS receiver, text to speech software called Talks (though rival products are also compatible) and a call centre that will operate around the clock seven days a week.
It requires just two dedicated keys on the mobile phone - one which, when pressed, tells the user their exact location including the house or building number and the other one alerts the call centre that the person needs assistance with navigation.
An operator will then call the blind person, find out where it is they need to go and stay on the line with them providing step by step instructions.
Easy Walk is the brainchild of Andrea de Paoli, Il Village's technology officer.
"What is really important is that behind all that stuff there is a call centre with a human being that can help you and who understands your needs," he said.
'Guardian angel'
This is a concept that Mr de Paoli refers to as having a "guardian angel" who makes sure that anyone using the system gets to where they need to go.
Because Easy Walk uses digital maps, in theory the call centre staff would be able to provide guidance to a user anywhere in Europe.
The system has already been tested across the border in France and Switzerland.
The first phase of the project has resulted in 95% accuracy in determining a user's exact location and Mr de Paoli intends to rebuild the system from scratch for the second phase of testing to achieve 100% reliability.
"Easy Walk is very important to help me to go to the places that I don't know," said Federico Borgna who is leading the group of 30 testers from the Italian Blind Union.
Federico Borgna (left) has been assisting Andrea de Paoli (right)
"It gives me more confidence because I usually walk by myself but I have to know the way - Easy Walk helps me to go where I don't know the way."
Mr Borgna also uses the technology on trains or trams to pinpoint his exact location in order to know when to get off.
Thanks to the feedback of Mr Borgna and his colleagues, the system is now able to deliver information in a way that is most useful for blind people.
"If the call centre tells you that you have to go straight on for 200m and then turn right, for me this has no meaning," he said.
"For me it is important that you tell me that I have to go for two blocks, cross two streets and then turn right - I know when I am crossing a street but I don't know what 200m is."
The trial phase has been financed by the regional administration of Piedmont which has invested £50,000 but it is now looking for partners or sponsors before Easy Walk is made generally available this year.
"This region is doing its best to bring about a free service," said Elio Federici head of mobile telecommunications for the Piedmont Regional Government.
"Our idea - and the philosophy of our president, Mercedes Bresso - is that this service should be free of charge to the end user."
Mr Federici estimates that the service will cost approximately £300 per person to implement.
Il Village has already set up another call centre service - Easy Contact - that makes phone calls on behalf of deaf people who have no speech who send in requests by text message.
Other regions of Italy have already bought the service and Il Village is hoping for similar success to follow the launch of Easy Walk.
location based services
GPS navigation plan to help blind
An Italian technology company is pioneering a GPS satellite system that will give blind people greater independence and mobility.
The Easy Walk service has been developed by Il Village, a firm in Turin in northern Italy.
It is currently being tested by a group of 30 people from the Italian Blind Union who are providing feedback. The plan is for Easy Walk to be launched to blind and partially sighted people in Piedmont in the autumn.
Easy Walk uses a mobile phone that runs the Symbian operating system, a small Bluetooth GPS receiver, text to speech software called Talks (though rival products are also compatible) and a call centre that will operate around the clock seven days a week.
It requires just two dedicated keys on the mobile phone - one which, when pressed, tells the user their exact location including the house or building number and the other one alerts the call centre that the person needs assistance with navigation.
An operator will then call the blind person, find out where it is they need to go and stay on the line with them providing step by step instructions.
Easy Walk is the brainchild of Andrea de Paoli, Il Village's technology officer.
"What is really important is that behind all that stuff there is a call centre with a human being that can help you and who understands your needs," he said.
'Guardian angel'
This is a concept that Mr de Paoli refers to as having a "guardian angel" who makes sure that anyone using the system gets to where they need to go.
Because Easy Walk uses digital maps, in theory the call centre staff would be able to provide guidance to a user anywhere in Europe.
The system has already been tested across the border in France and Switzerland.
The first phase of the project has resulted in 95% accuracy in determining a user's exact location and Mr de Paoli intends to rebuild the system from scratch for the second phase of testing to achieve 100% reliability.
"Easy Walk is very important to help me to go to the places that I don't know," said Federico Borgna who is leading the group of 30 testers from the Italian Blind Union.
Federico Borgna (left) has been assisting Andrea de Paoli (right)
"It gives me more confidence because I usually walk by myself but I have to know the way - Easy Walk helps me to go where I don't know the way."
Mr Borgna also uses the technology on trains or trams to pinpoint his exact location in order to know when to get off.
Thanks to the feedback of Mr Borgna and his colleagues, the system is now able to deliver information in a way that is most useful for blind people.
"If the call centre tells you that you have to go straight on for 200m and then turn right, for me this has no meaning," he said.
"For me it is important that you tell me that I have to go for two blocks, cross two streets and then turn right - I know when I am crossing a street but I don't know what 200m is."
The trial phase has been financed by the regional administration of Piedmont which has invested £50,000 but it is now looking for partners or sponsors before Easy Walk is made generally available this year.
"This region is doing its best to bring about a free service," said Elio Federici head of mobile telecommunications for the Piedmont Regional Government.
"Our idea - and the philosophy of our president, Mercedes Bresso - is that this service should be free of charge to the end user."
Mr Federici estimates that the service will cost approximately £300 per person to implement.
Il Village has already set up another call centre service - Easy Contact - that makes phone calls on behalf of deaf people who have no speech who send in requests by text message.
Other regions of Italy have already bought the service and Il Village is hoping for similar success to follow the launch of Easy Walk.
Labradors and white sticks to be made redundant ?!
GPS navigation plan to help blind
An Italian technology company is pioneering a GPS satellite system that will give blind people greater independence and mobility.
The Easy Walk service has been developed by Il Village, a firm in Turin in northern Italy.
It is currently being tested by a group of 30 people from the Italian Blind Union who are providing feedback. The plan is for Easy Walk to be launched to blind and partially sighted people in Piedmont in the autumn.
Easy Walk uses a mobile phone that runs the Symbian operating system, a small Bluetooth GPS receiver, text to speech software called Talks (though rival products are also compatible) and a call centre that will operate around the clock seven days a week.
It requires just two dedicated keys on the mobile phone - one which, when pressed, tells the user their exact location including the house or building number and the other one alerts the call centre that the person needs assistance with navigation.
An operator will then call the blind person, find out where it is they need to go and stay on the line with them providing step by step instructions.
Easy Walk is the brainchild of Andrea de Paoli, Il Village's technology officer.
"What is really important is that behind all that stuff there is a call centre with a human being that can help you and who understands your needs," he said.
'Guardian angel'
This is a concept that Mr de Paoli refers to as having a "guardian angel" who makes sure that anyone using the system gets to where they need to go.
Because Easy Walk uses digital maps, in theory the call centre staff would be able to provide guidance to a user anywhere in Europe.
The system has already been tested across the border in France and Switzerland.
The first phase of the project has resulted in 95% accuracy in determining a user's exact location and Mr de Paoli intends to rebuild the system from scratch for the second phase of testing to achieve 100% reliability.
"Easy Walk is very important to help me to go to the places that I don't know," said Federico Borgna who is leading the group of 30 testers from the Italian Blind Union.
Federico Borgna (left) has been assisting Andrea de Paoli (right)
"It gives me more confidence because I usually walk by myself but I have to know the way - Easy Walk helps me to go where I don't know the way."
Mr Borgna also uses the technology on trains or trams to pinpoint his exact location in order to know when to get off.
Thanks to the feedback of Mr Borgna and his colleagues, the system is now able to deliver information in a way that is most useful for blind people.
"If the call centre tells you that you have to go straight on for 200m and then turn right, for me this has no meaning," he said.
"For me it is important that you tell me that I have to go for two blocks, cross two streets and then turn right - I know when I am crossing a street but I don't know what 200m is."
The trial phase has been financed by the regional administration of Piedmont which has invested £50,000 but it is now looking for partners or sponsors before Easy Walk is made generally available this year.
"This region is doing its best to bring about a free service," said Elio Federici head of mobile telecommunications for the Piedmont Regional Government.
"Our idea - and the philosophy of our president, Mercedes Bresso - is that this service should be free of charge to the end user."
Mr Federici estimates that the service will cost approximately £300 per person to implement.
Il Village has already set up another call centre service - Easy Contact - that makes phone calls on behalf of deaf people who have no speech who send in requests by text message.
Other regions of Italy have already bought the service and Il Village is hoping for similar success to follow the launch of Easy Walk.
GPS navigation plan to help blind
An Italian technology company is pioneering a GPS satellite system that will give blind people greater independence and mobility.
The Easy Walk service has been developed by Il Village, a firm in Turin in northern Italy.
It is currently being tested by a group of 30 people from the Italian Blind Union who are providing feedback. The plan is for Easy Walk to be launched to blind and partially sighted people in Piedmont in the autumn.
Easy Walk uses a mobile phone that runs the Symbian operating system, a small Bluetooth GPS receiver, text to speech software called Talks (though rival products are also compatible) and a call centre that will operate around the clock seven days a week.
It requires just two dedicated keys on the mobile phone - one which, when pressed, tells the user their exact location including the house or building number and the other one alerts the call centre that the person needs assistance with navigation.
An operator will then call the blind person, find out where it is they need to go and stay on the line with them providing step by step instructions.
Easy Walk is the brainchild of Andrea de Paoli, Il Village's technology officer.
"What is really important is that behind all that stuff there is a call centre with a human being that can help you and who understands your needs," he said.
'Guardian angel'
This is a concept that Mr de Paoli refers to as having a "guardian angel" who makes sure that anyone using the system gets to where they need to go.
Because Easy Walk uses digital maps, in theory the call centre staff would be able to provide guidance to a user anywhere in Europe.
The system has already been tested across the border in France and Switzerland.
The first phase of the project has resulted in 95% accuracy in determining a user's exact location and Mr de Paoli intends to rebuild the system from scratch for the second phase of testing to achieve 100% reliability.
"Easy Walk is very important to help me to go to the places that I don't know," said Federico Borgna who is leading the group of 30 testers from the Italian Blind Union.
Federico Borgna (left) has been assisting Andrea de Paoli (right)
"It gives me more confidence because I usually walk by myself but I have to know the way - Easy Walk helps me to go where I don't know the way."
Mr Borgna also uses the technology on trains or trams to pinpoint his exact location in order to know when to get off.
Thanks to the feedback of Mr Borgna and his colleagues, the system is now able to deliver information in a way that is most useful for blind people.
"If the call centre tells you that you have to go straight on for 200m and then turn right, for me this has no meaning," he said.
"For me it is important that you tell me that I have to go for two blocks, cross two streets and then turn right - I know when I am crossing a street but I don't know what 200m is."
The trial phase has been financed by the regional administration of Piedmont which has invested £50,000 but it is now looking for partners or sponsors before Easy Walk is made generally available this year.
"This region is doing its best to bring about a free service," said Elio Federici head of mobile telecommunications for the Piedmont Regional Government.
"Our idea - and the philosophy of our president, Mercedes Bresso - is that this service should be free of charge to the end user."
Mr Federici estimates that the service will cost approximately £300 per person to implement.
Il Village has already set up another call centre service - Easy Contact - that makes phone calls on behalf of deaf people who have no speech who send in requests by text message.
Other regions of Italy have already bought the service and Il Village is hoping for similar success to follow the launch of Easy Walk.
Let's hope a large part of it is wireless .. WiMax even ?!
Labor commits to $4.5b high-speed Internet network.
The Federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd has pledged more than $4.5 billion to build a nationwide Internet broadband network.
Mr Rudd says the network will deliver high-speed Internet access to 98 per cent of Australians within five years.
The money will come from the existing Communications Fund and the Telstra Future Fund.
Mr Rudd says the Government has failed to act on providing high-speed Internet access.
"There's been inaction, inaction big time when it comes to the development of an effective national broadband network to meet the future demands of the Australian economy," he said.
"This is a gaping hole in the Government's economic performance to date, it is retarding the development of Australian business, in particular small business in the future and we look forward to taking this proposal forward to the Australian community."
Mr Rudd says the new network would be done in partnership with the private sector and would run at speeds up to 40 times faster than most current broadband.
"We regard this as an important part of nation building for the future," he said.
"Nation building in the 19th century was about building a new national railway network for Australia, nation building for the 21st century lies in building a new national broadband network."
Labor commits to $4.5b high-speed Internet network.
The Federal Labor leader Kevin Rudd has pledged more than $4.5 billion to build a nationwide Internet broadband network.
Mr Rudd says the network will deliver high-speed Internet access to 98 per cent of Australians within five years.
The money will come from the existing Communications Fund and the Telstra Future Fund.
Mr Rudd says the Government has failed to act on providing high-speed Internet access.
"There's been inaction, inaction big time when it comes to the development of an effective national broadband network to meet the future demands of the Australian economy," he said.
"This is a gaping hole in the Government's economic performance to date, it is retarding the development of Australian business, in particular small business in the future and we look forward to taking this proposal forward to the Australian community."
Mr Rudd says the new network would be done in partnership with the private sector and would run at speeds up to 40 times faster than most current broadband.
"We regard this as an important part of nation building for the future," he said.
"Nation building in the 19th century was about building a new national railway network for Australia, nation building for the 21st century lies in building a new national broadband network."
Will the Gphone beat the Iphone ?!
location based services
Google joins Apple in race to launch mobiles in Europe
Richard WrayWednesday March 21, 2007The Guardian
Several leading European mobile phone companies are being courted by Apple and Google as the American technology giants look to bring their own mobile phones to European consumers.
Apple wants to secure a deal with a single pan-European network for the launch of its iPhone by the end of the year, with industry insiders suggesting Vodafone has emerged as an early front runner.
Google, meanwhile, has held talks with companies including Telefónica, owner of O2, about producing a "GPhone'"which would make it easy for users to search for information using their mobile handset.
Google joins Apple in race to launch mobiles in EuropeRichard WrayWednesday March 21, 2007The Guardian
Several leading European mobile phone companies are being courted by Apple and Google as the American technology giants look to bring their own mobile phones to European consumers.
Apple wants to secure a deal with a single pan-European network for the launch of its iPhone by the end of the year, with industry insiders suggesting Vodafone has emerged as an early front runner.
Google, meanwhile, has held talks with companies including Telefónica, owner of O2, about producing a "GPhone'"which would make it easy for users to search for information using their mobile handset.
Article continues
It is believed to have hired the team who created the Sidekick mobile device which T-Mobile launched more than two years ago. The device, which has a keyboard hidden beneath a swivelling screen, gained notoriety in the US when a phone owned by Paris Hilton was hacked into and her address book posted on the internet.
Google has made no secret of the potential it sees in letting people access the internet while on the move, but progress towards compelling and easy to use internet-enabled mobile phones has been slow.
Google has already teamed up with several mobile operators, including Vodafone and T-Mobile, to bring its search engine to other phones. Last week O2 announced it had signed up Google as a partner for its German subsidiary, bringing the popular search engine to its users in a move that will also generate advertising revenue.
The company has also been forming partnerships with handset makers. In January it signed up the Korean manufacturer Samsung to put features including its search engine, Google Maps and its email service on to phones.
Recent speculation has centred on Samsung and Google developing an operating system to work on mobile phones. A Google phone with an operating system optimised for the internet would allow the California-based company to further experiment with the opportunities created by mobile advertising and search. Google would not comment on its plans.
This week its rival Yahoo! announced OneSearch, designed specifically for mobile phones. When a search term is entered, instead of producing a list of web links for the user to trawl through, it generates actual pages using the information found on the internet - such a search for a band bringing information including forthcoming concerts, popular ringtones and recent news. The service is being launched in the US. In Britain, the company has a deal with Orange, though this could be up for renegotiation.
location based services
Google joins Apple in race to launch mobiles in Europe
Richard WrayWednesday March 21, 2007The Guardian
Several leading European mobile phone companies are being courted by Apple and Google as the American technology giants look to bring their own mobile phones to European consumers.
Apple wants to secure a deal with a single pan-European network for the launch of its iPhone by the end of the year, with industry insiders suggesting Vodafone has emerged as an early front runner.
Google, meanwhile, has held talks with companies including Telefónica, owner of O2, about producing a "GPhone'"which would make it easy for users to search for information using their mobile handset.
Google joins Apple in race to launch mobiles in EuropeRichard WrayWednesday March 21, 2007The Guardian
Several leading European mobile phone companies are being courted by Apple and Google as the American technology giants look to bring their own mobile phones to European consumers.
Apple wants to secure a deal with a single pan-European network for the launch of its iPhone by the end of the year, with industry insiders suggesting Vodafone has emerged as an early front runner.
Google, meanwhile, has held talks with companies including Telefónica, owner of O2, about producing a "GPhone'"which would make it easy for users to search for information using their mobile handset.
Article continues
It is believed to have hired the team who created the Sidekick mobile device which T-Mobile launched more than two years ago. The device, which has a keyboard hidden beneath a swivelling screen, gained notoriety in the US when a phone owned by Paris Hilton was hacked into and her address book posted on the internet.
Google has made no secret of the potential it sees in letting people access the internet while on the move, but progress towards compelling and easy to use internet-enabled mobile phones has been slow.
Google has already teamed up with several mobile operators, including Vodafone and T-Mobile, to bring its search engine to other phones. Last week O2 announced it had signed up Google as a partner for its German subsidiary, bringing the popular search engine to its users in a move that will also generate advertising revenue.
The company has also been forming partnerships with handset makers. In January it signed up the Korean manufacturer Samsung to put features including its search engine, Google Maps and its email service on to phones.
Recent speculation has centred on Samsung and Google developing an operating system to work on mobile phones. A Google phone with an operating system optimised for the internet would allow the California-based company to further experiment with the opportunities created by mobile advertising and search. Google would not comment on its plans.
This week its rival Yahoo! announced OneSearch, designed specifically for mobile phones. When a search term is entered, instead of producing a list of web links for the user to trawl through, it generates actual pages using the information found on the internet - such a search for a band bringing information including forthcoming concerts, popular ringtones and recent news. The service is being launched in the US. In Britain, the company has a deal with Orange, though this could be up for renegotiation.
what next ?
--- a satnav equipped shopping basket ?!
location based services
Sat nav in, sprouts out
Angela BalakrishnanMonday March 19, 2007Guardian Unlimited
DVDs, satellite navigation systems (sat nav) and digital radios are all in, along with broccoli and olive oil, but brussels sprouts have fallen out of favour with the nation, the Office for National Statistics confirms today.
Releasing its annual update of the range of goods and services people typically buy each month and which it measures to establish the country's inflation rate, the ONS said this year's shopping basket reflected a technological shift among British consumers.
A rise in spending on sat nav now warranted its inclusion, while falling expenditure on radios and CD and cassette players has led to them being replaced by DAB radios. VHS tapes and video cassette recorders also dropped out of the basket to be replaced by recordable DVDs.
Increasing purchases of digital cameras - which were included in the basket in 2004 - has driven a rise in digital processing, especially with their ready availability in supermarkets and many shops. This has now been included for the first time in place of mail order developing.
With 77% of households owning a mobile phone and the market for services such as ringtones growing rapidly, downloads were included in the basket.
As the nation becomes more health conscious, olive oil, broccoli and pro-biotic drinks replace vegetable oil, brie and brussels sprouts.
However, despite campaigning by figures such as Jamie Oliver against fizzy drink vending machines at schools, these along with 'on board' catering on trains, planes and ferries, entered the basket.
In an attempt to expand coverage of what the average shopper spends their money on, electric fans, shower heads and toothbrushes were included. Mortgage service fees and credit card charges were also included under financial services.
Meanwhile, sunglasses, outdoor plant pots and children's wellies have been dropped.
Following rises in the past year of gas and electricity prices, the basket weight for fuel and light in the retail price index of inflation rose from 3.3% to 3.9%. But this was still below the 6.1% level of 1987.
--- a satnav equipped shopping basket ?!
location based services
Sat nav in, sprouts out
Angela BalakrishnanMonday March 19, 2007Guardian Unlimited
DVDs, satellite navigation systems (sat nav) and digital radios are all in, along with broccoli and olive oil, but brussels sprouts have fallen out of favour with the nation, the Office for National Statistics confirms today.
Releasing its annual update of the range of goods and services people typically buy each month and which it measures to establish the country's inflation rate, the ONS said this year's shopping basket reflected a technological shift among British consumers.
A rise in spending on sat nav now warranted its inclusion, while falling expenditure on radios and CD and cassette players has led to them being replaced by DAB radios. VHS tapes and video cassette recorders also dropped out of the basket to be replaced by recordable DVDs.
Increasing purchases of digital cameras - which were included in the basket in 2004 - has driven a rise in digital processing, especially with their ready availability in supermarkets and many shops. This has now been included for the first time in place of mail order developing.
With 77% of households owning a mobile phone and the market for services such as ringtones growing rapidly, downloads were included in the basket.
As the nation becomes more health conscious, olive oil, broccoli and pro-biotic drinks replace vegetable oil, brie and brussels sprouts.
However, despite campaigning by figures such as Jamie Oliver against fizzy drink vending machines at schools, these along with 'on board' catering on trains, planes and ferries, entered the basket.
In an attempt to expand coverage of what the average shopper spends their money on, electric fans, shower heads and toothbrushes were included. Mortgage service fees and credit card charges were also included under financial services.
Meanwhile, sunglasses, outdoor plant pots and children's wellies have been dropped.
Following rises in the past year of gas and electricity prices, the basket weight for fuel and light in the retail price index of inflation rose from 3.3% to 3.9%. But this was still below the 6.1% level of 1987.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
location based services
Cautious optimism can be discerned in the European car telematics industry.
At the same time as the EC continues to push for eCall, the motor insurance industry is increasingly embracing GSM/GPS tracking technology for the purpose of stolen vehicle tracking recovery and pay as you drive insurance. In the OEM market segment, business models are starting to become sorted out as product offerings are increasingly designed to address specific customer needs for safety and security. Find out how the industry will continue to evolve in this unique research report in the M2M Research Series from Berg Insight.
Cautious optimism can be discerned in the European car telematics industry.
At the same time as the EC continues to push for eCall, the motor insurance industry is increasingly embracing GSM/GPS tracking technology for the purpose of stolen vehicle tracking recovery and pay as you drive insurance. In the OEM market segment, business models are starting to become sorted out as product offerings are increasingly designed to address specific customer needs for safety and security. Find out how the industry will continue to evolve in this unique research report in the M2M Research Series from Berg Insight.
location based services
amAze is the first application to offer free GPS navigation on your mobile phone
Free download For Java Phones
Getting Started
What is amAze
amAze is a first of its kind free navigation and local search service. It is free to download and use and it contains the maps of over 15 European countries and North America. Learn More.
Where to begin
Downloading amAze is as fast as 1-2-3. Start here!
Latest News
05/03 - New features coming soon!
We're about to release an update to amAze with some significant changes:
* Downloadable sound packs - amAze can speak your language!
* All new arrow mode - Economy with map like precision!
* Aerial photos and hybrid maps - partial coverage of major cities
* And much more…
amAze is the first application to offer free GPS navigation on your mobile phone
Free download For Java Phones
Getting Started
What is amAze
amAze is a first of its kind free navigation and local search service. It is free to download and use and it contains the maps of over 15 European countries and North America. Learn More.
Where to begin
Downloading amAze is as fast as 1-2-3. Start here!
Latest News
05/03 - New features coming soon!
We're about to release an update to amAze with some significant changes:
* Downloadable sound packs - amAze can speak your language!
* All new arrow mode - Economy with map like precision!
* Aerial photos and hybrid maps - partial coverage of major cities
* And much more…
location based services
Roadnav
Roadnav
Introduction
Roadnav is an in-car navigation system capable of running on a variety of operating systems, including Linux, Windows, and Mac OS X. Roadnav can obtain a car's present location from a GPS unit, plot street maps of the area, and provide verbal turn by turn directions to any location in the USA. Roadnav uses the free TIGER/Line files from the US Census Bureau to build the maps, along with the GNIS state and topical gazetteer data from the USGS to identify locations.
News
2/24/07 - Roadnav v0.17 and LibRoadnav v0.17 released
Roadnav/LibRoadnav v0.17 has been released. This is a major release with notable changes including adding support for flite and OS X's built in text to speech engine, improved routing algorithm, reduced disk space requirements, and many bug fixes. See the change log for a complete list of changes.
1/13/07 - Error messages downloading maps
The USCB has released new TIGER/Line data, but has changed the filenames from lower case to upper case, so older versions of Roadnav can't find where to download the data. Roadnav 0.17 beta has been updated to deal with the new filenames and should resolve this problem.
11/4/06 - Roadnav v0.16 and LibRoadnav v0.16 released
Roadnav/LibRoadnav v0.16 has been released. This is a major release with notable changes including improving performance, adding preliminary OpenStreetMap support, adding a GPS autodetect feature, and adding a zoom bar to the UI. See the change log for a complete list of changes.
Tool adds GPS tagging to digital cameras: "Tool adds GPS tagging to digital cameras
Lets users to tag photos with precise locations"
Lets users to tag photos with precise locations"
| location based services ShoZu Adds Geotagging for Flickr, YouTube & 5 Other Sites |  |  |
| Written by ShoZu | |
| | |
| Thursday, 15 February 2007 Supports More Sites & Phones Than Any Other Mobile Image Uploading Service -- BARCELONA, Spain-- -ShoZu Inc. today announced that its Share-It one-click image uploading service now offers location tagging for photos and video clips sent from GPS-enabled phones to Flickr and YouTube as well as Buzznet, Dada.net, moblogUK, Pikeo and Textamerica. ShoZu is the only upload service that provides automatic geotagging for cameraphone uploads to more than one Internet destination. It also supports more GPS handsets than any other provider. With the new geotagging feature, GPS-enabled handsets equipped with the ShoZu application can attach latitude and longitude information to images automatically upon capture. ShoZu will then send this information to any Share-It destination that supports tagging, along with all other tags the user has created manually. In the case of Flickr, uploaded images will also be displayed automatically in their precise location on the user’s Flickr map. For users, geotags make it possible to search community photo repositories by geographical location just as they would search by any other tag, whether to explore a vacation destination, find photos of a certain city or area that contributors have failed to tag with location information, or simply hunt for users with common interests. Non-Flickr users who want mapping capabilities can pinpoint the exact location of geotagged photos of interest by pasting the geotags into an application like Google Earth. For web communities, ShoZu’s geotagging capability offers a site enhancement that can draw new users as well as opening the door to new services. A photo sharing site, for example, could load all images submitted from a concert tour on a map so that users can follow the band from city to city. A citizen journalism site could use the feature to instantly identify the location of a photo of a breaking news event in order to quickly dispatch a reporter to the scene. And so on. In addition, handset manufacturers can benefit from ShoZu’s new location tagging by providing a location-based service that leverages their investment in GPS technology, and advertisers using ShoZu’s mobile advertising platform will be able to use the function to target messages by user location once ShoZu has implemented necessary privacy protections. “GPS is becoming a standard feature on handsets, primarily because of mobile subscribers who want navigation systems built into their phones. That is paving the way for new location-based services like geotagging,” said ShoZu CEO Mark Bole. “Our broad web community and handset support will lead the way in this area, equip our partners with a strong LBS application, and add rich new value to user-generated content for the massive number of consumers who have turned social networking into the hottest technology trend today.” ShoZu’s Share-It service enables users to upload photos and video clips captured on their camera phones with fewer clicks, at higher resolution and to more web destinations than any other method. Users also have the unique ability to add titles or tags after uploading, exchange comments between web and phone, and upload any image to multiple destinations for a single data fee in cases where carrier charges apply. Uploads automatically resume from the point of failure in the event a dropped connection, eliminating user frustration. The new location tag capability applies to all ShoZu web destinations that support tagging. ShoZu also enables users to upload images to sites without tagging including photo sharing communities Kodak EasyShare Gallery, MSN’s Windows Live Spaces and Webshots; personal blogging sites Blogger, TypePad and WordPress; citizen-contributed photojournalism sites CNN, the BBC and Scoopt; and any FTP or email address. ShoZu continues to add new sites on a regular basis. Geotagging is currently available for several new GPS-enabled Symbian S60v3 and Windows Mobile phones. ShoZu currently supports a total of 136 handsets, including Symbian, Java, Microsoft Windows Mobile and BREW devices. The list includes select WiFi-enabled mobile phones such as the Nokia N80 in Europe and the Dash in the U.S.,enabling multimedia files to be routed over users’ home, office or WiFi connection (or AirPort connection for Mac users) rather than the cellular network to reduce data transport costs. About ShoZu ShoZu is a mobile media service that enables consumer and media companies to interact with customers on their mobile phones through fast, easy exchange of multimedia content and web-based services. The company’s patented technology allows consumers to download and upload photos, videos, music, text and other digital content to and from the handset without the need to open a mobile browser, wait for pages to load, interrupt phone calls, start over in the event of a dropped connection, or sync to a PC. Services include innovative ZuCasts that deliver content to the handset automatically, one-click uploading of camera phone images and video clips to community websites and other destinations, and two-way mobile-to-web messaging and interactivity. For more information, visit www.shozu.com/aboutus.
| |
The new location tag capability applies to all ShoZu web destinations that support tagging. ShoZu also enables users to upload images to sites without tagging including photo sharing communities; personal blogging sites; and any FTP or email address. Geotagging is currently available for several new GPS-enabled Symbian S60v3 and Windows Mobile phonesShelley Grimwood from the company said, "We've long been associated with walking guides.
"The arrival of hand-held GPS units inevitably questions the need for the paper map - and consequently, the many guides available for walkers to use. But we believe the two should go together.
"GPS is a highly reliable and useful navigational instrument but many walkers tell us it just doesn't compare to the romance of seeing a route laid out in front of them on an Ordnance Survey paper map or a guide.
"While GPS tells you where you are, it can't tell you what else is there. A map allows walkers the luxury of a wider perspective, putting flesh on the bones of a landscape.
"And experts say you should never rely solely on a GPS. So the obvious solution for us is to marry the two up.
"Cardiff is a fascinating and uniquely interesting area with stunning and varied walking country that includes a mixture of open moorland, steep hillsides, wooded valleys, fertile lowlands and a magnificent coastline.
"Added to this are medieval castles, picturesque churches and attractive villages and towns. It really is a walkers' paradise."
Makers of hand-held GPS kits, such as Garmin, are working with Jarrold Publishing to ensure walkers get maximum benefit.
Andrew Silver, outdoors product manager for Garmin, said, "Waypoints provide a quick and simple way to find your way around.
"By inputting waypoints into a Garmin hand-held you can plot out a route and navigate your way from one position to the next.
"If you want mapping at the touch of a button, TOPO [topographical mapping] Great Britain provides Ordnance Survey data, such as contours and digital elevation shading, on your screen - providing the best of both worlds."
The guide - written by acclaimed outdoor enthusiast Dennis Kelsall - includes Ordnance Survey OS Explorer Map extracts at 1:25,000 scale, highlighting newly introduced "open access" areas.
However, Beverley Penny, director of the Ramblers' Association, Wales, says 59% of public paths are difficult to use because they are blocked.
She said, "Traditional maps and a compass are still important but lots of walkers get heaps of fun from their GPS systems too.
"But only 41% of paths are physically easy to access.
"Many of them are blocked, which is something local authorities have to address.
"Walking tourism generates £548m annually for Wales."
The mammoth task of producing maps of all open access areas in England and Wales has been undertaken by Ordnance Survey using information supplied by the Countryside Agency and the Countryside Agency for Wales.
The Pathfinder Guide for Cardiff, Swansea & Gower costs £10.99. Jarrold Publishing also produces a GPS for Walkers guide, priced £10.99, which gives an overview for people starting out with a personal GPS
location based services
Walkman , Talkman , Seeman .... Findman from Sony ?!
(Credit: Tech Digest) 
Walkman , Talkman , Seeman .... Findman from Sony ?!
GPS remembers photos when you don't
(Credit: Tech Digest)We can't remember the number of times we've come across an old photo and couldn't remember where it was taken. (Sometimes a new photo, even.) That's why we, and our deteriorating brain cells, appreciate Sony's development of a GPS unit for the camera.
The elegantly named GPS-CS1KA saves the location, time and date of photos taken in all areas that have satellite coverage, according to Tech Digest. The device stores about a month's worth of tracking data for the photos, which can be tagged on a Google map as well.
The unit weighs under 2 ounces, but it means you'll still have to carry a separate attachment with the camera. So even though we think it's a great concept, we'll hold out for a built-in GPS tracker. (The cheapskate's way out.)
location based services
Finding Nemo II -- coming to a screen near you soon ?!?
Office of Naval Research patents "underwater GPS"
Putin hopes GLONASS satellite system will outperform GPS 12.03.2007, 15.13 |  |
|  MOSCOW, March 12 (Itar-Tass) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the satellite system GLONASS, which is in making at present, was bound to prove competitive if it performed well. “In order users chose GLONASS, the system should operate flawlessly, better than GPS (the global positioning system). Cheaper and with a better quality,” he said at a meeting with government members on Monday. “I hope that the government will pay much attention to the creation of the GLONASS system,” the president said. He added that he watched the progress of the project. “We have the right to count on known, healthy economic patriotism of our users, first of all of the state, but I proceed from the assumption that we shall work on market terms in this sector of the economy, and users will be able to chose a quality service,” Putin stressed. A project of using the global navigation satellite system GLONASS is to be finalised by the end of March for needs of the state and mass users, Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said at a meeting on commercial uses of GLONASS on Monday. “The participants in the meeting understand that it is too little to create and deploy the orbital and ground components of the system. It is not less and maybe even more important to secure its integration with programs and plans of speedy economic and innovation development of the country,” Ivanov said. He added that it was necessary to “make possibilities of the system maximally close to a mass user”. The Russian president has set the task of deploying GLONASS nationwide by the end of 2007 and ensuring its effective use “not only for state needs, but for the mass user,” Ivanov said. “We are to consider today how to make it so that that its user is not only the state in an abstract understanding, but also the mass user in the sphere of ensuring security, the life activity, transport monitoring and construction,” he said. He stressed that the task was to “determine actions of the state and private business in order to ensure the use of GLONASS on the principles of state-private partnership”. A provisional authority comprising the Federal Space Agency, Information and Communications Ministry, the company AFK Sistema, as well as representatives of federal executive bodies was set up in last year’s December. Ivanov said that the authority was to make its proposals for the implementation of the GLONASS project. |
location based services
Globalstar Launches New Smaller And Lighter Satellite Data Modem With Seven Year Battery Life - Quick Facts
(RTTNews) - Globalstar Inc. (GSAT | charts | news | PowerRating) on Wednesday reported the launch of a new smaller and lighter satellite data modem known as the AXTracker MMT. The AXTracker MMT is a completely self- contained satellite data device designed to communicate via the Globalstar satellite simplex data network.
Globalstar Launches New Smaller And Lighter Satellite Data Modem With Seven Year Battery Life - Quick Facts
Wednesday, March 14, 2007; Posted: 01:08 PM
  |
The AXTracker MMT is capable of providing cost-efficient and reliable asset tracking and fleet management solutions to customers from remote regions. The completely wireless device integrates a number of innovations including the use of a smaller and lighter simplex transmitter unit. It is also equipped with a long life, easy to change battery that will provide customers with up to seven years of battery life. Because it is GPS based, the device is ideal for a variety of maritime or remote asset tracking applications. It can also be used for a number of remote monitoring and alarm applications, both within and beyond the reach of traditional wireless and terrestrial infrastructure.
Copyright(c) 2007 RealTimeTraders.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved
location based services
SlashGear at CeBIT 2007: Navigon’s very own navigation system
Navigon has now made its first steps into making its own hardware: the 7100 and 5100 navigation system at CeBIT 2007. The highlight features of the 7100 includes Bluetooth hands-free system, 4.3-inch color display in an easy-to-view 16:9 widescreen format, new “Real View” function, exclusive lane assistance, free traffic jam reports, voice input, and PIN code security function. The Navigon 5100 is very similar the 7100 with the exception of the 3.5-inch color display.
So what’s the big deal about this new feature called “Reality View”? If you have ever used a navigational system, you may have noticed how confusing it is to read traffic conditions. This view mode displays signposts realistically, giving you the information needed to move into the correct lane easily. As mentioned above, the 16:9 color display intelligently formats the Navigon 7100 with 2D or 3D map display selection.
Red dot design honored the Navigon 7100 as “best of the best 2007”. Out of 2,548 submissions, it is one of only 10 that got the exclusive award for innovative functionality, the ultimate in quality and ease of handling, as well as a sweet looking design and intelligent orientation aid.
The Navigon 7100 (regional maps) and 7100 (map of Europe) will be available this summer for 450 euros and at 500 euros respectively. The Navigon 5100 and 5110 will also be available at 350 euros and at 400 euros respectively. I don’t have a definite release date for US yet, but will do my best to track it down.
Videos from the press conference will be up soon, so check back. Check out the CeBIT 2007 image gallery for more images of the 7100 and 5100.
location based services TOP STORIESMARKET DATA | IN THE NEWSNavteq announces 3D content 2007-03-15 TomTom Home: 1 million users 2007-03-15 Canalys : 2006 US PND market figures 2007-03-14 Orange France launches assisted GPS 2007-03-14 Sony updates its GPS accessory for cameras 2007-03-12 BMW to work with Teleatlas 2007-03-06 | |
| | ||
location based services
GPS BUSINESS NEWS
an online business media for the booming consumer GPS market
Chicago and Geneva – March 13, 2007 – GPS Business News announced the launch of http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com, an online media covering the whole GPS value chain. http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com provides business information to the consumer GPS industry, from semiconductors to retailers, on a global scale. GPS Business News focuses on mass market geo-positioning applications such as automobile navigation and outdoor positioning, sport and fitness monitoring, people and pet tracking, geo-gaming and mobile social networking.
A booming market
In a November 2006 study, ABI Research analysts were expecting the market for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers to grow to 300 million units in 2011 from 40 million units in 2005, a sevenfold increase. These shipments will be powering the answers to the eternal questions billion of people are asking everyday: where am I? Where are you? Where is …? How to get there?
The move of this industry from hardware to mobile content has allowed new players to enter the market. From consumer electronics companies to telecommunication giants, GPS/LBS/Geolocalisation/Navigation offers are the new services to be made available to even more mobile end users.
A critical need for business news
« This market is essentially a convergence between consumer electronics, wireless automotive/telematics and content markets », said Ludovic Privat, co-founder and editor of GPS Business News. « But while these markets are converging and growing at a fast pace, the media landscape remains very much the same. We have created GPS Business News to address this issue» .
Alexandre Saltiel, co-founder and European correspondent of GPS Business News added: « Today decisions makers are facing scarce, unreliable and fragmented information sources. Online or offline, their choices are mostly between consumer blogs or highly technical publications. Our aim is to provide business people with relevant streams of information such as: analysts views, executives interviews, market reports or cross market analysis… ».
GPS Business News will offer free and premium content. Premium content will be available as a one year subscription for US$99. As a launch promotion, all news will be available free of charge until April 15th.
GPS Business News is available at http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com .
About GPS Business News
GPS Business News is an independent online media headquartered in Illinois (USA) with a European representation in Geneva, Switzerland. The company delivers business news on the consumer GPS industry, covering the entire market's value-chain, from semiconductors to retailers, on a global scale.
Visit us at http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com
Cheat Sheet: Mobile location-based services
They know where you live...
By Jo Best
Published: Friday 29 September 2006
Aren't most services location-based? How can you use a service without using it in a location?
Interesting point. However, location-based services or LBS, to keep it short, are all about using the power of mobile networks to locate a user and provide services specific to the location they're in at the time.
So my mobile - and my operator - knows where I am? How do they know? Sounds a little like witchcraft to me.
Not so much witchcraft. Operators can find you judging how far away you are from each mobile base station (the masts that send and receive communications to your phones) and so get a decent idea where you are in the country. In future generations of mobiles, it's likely this method will be replaced by GPS, more traditionally associated with sat-nav devices used by motorists.
So what can they do now they know where I am?
Well, imagine you're looking for a bar, restaurant, dry cleaner, whatever. With LBS, your phone can tell you which is nearest and even direct you there. Or, if you're lost, your mobile can tell you how to get home.
Is this all a bit futuristic, or is it actually happening? Can I get me some of those LBS right now?
Good question. The ability to find yourself on a map using your mobile is already here - O2 offers users just such a service with Streetmap on its i-mode platform - but in general LBS aren't widespread.
Why's that then?
Another good question. Mobile operators, pundits and other assorted industry watchers have been talking about LBS since the tail end of the last decade but have never really found a way to capitalise on them.
It's thought that the inclusion of GPS in mobile handsets could jump-start LBS. ABI Research predicts that by 2011, there will be 315 million GPS subscribers for location based services, up from a measly 12 million this year.
Of course, that necessitates the handset manufacturers actually including GPS in their devices. Nokia for one is starting to do just that, with its latest N-Series phone and, having recently bought mobile mapping company gate5, it's looking quite serious about LBS.
So, assuming this all kicks off as expected, what type of services will operators and that start peddling?
Smart posters and shops, which send information or invites via Bluetooth were once thought of as the archetypal location-based services but never really took off - basically because users didn't like them. Now it seems the mobile industry is favouring a more 'stick to what you know' approach. The most likely applications are thought to be navigation - basically bringing the functionality of a car's GPS unit to a mobile.
Well, that's not very imaginative is it?
Hold your horses - there's more. While directing shoppers who can't read a map into their nearest Starbucks might not be a huge challenge, there's a whole brave new world of navigation services and it's thought enterprises could lead the way.
Take Tesco, for example. It's using sat-nav PDAs in its delivery drivers' cabs and is exploring all sorts of new uses for the devices. Others are also using LBS for fleet management, although there are privacy issues to be dealt with with these services.
Any other good stuff?
Not one for the UK yet but one that could be a winner is location-based billing - where users get preferential per-minute call rates depending on where they are. Some European operators are already doing this by giving customers cheap calls when they phone from inside their home.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
location based services
Upwardly Mobile: How the iPhone changed the world
Inside the Cingular pact...
By Jo Best
Published: Monday 12 March 2007
When Apple unveiled the iPhone, it set the whole mobile industry talking - not just about the device but about the unusual agreement between Apple and mobile operator Cingular. Jo Best says it's the pact between these two tech heavyweights that really makes the iPhone stand out.
When the iPhone was shown to the mob at Macworld, industry pundits were split on whether the Apple mobile would, as head honcho Steve Jobs said, revolutionise the industry or not. Some thought it was a kick in the teeth to the entrenched might of Nokia et al. Some thought it lacked the prerequisite bells and whistles to impress a demanding mobile consumer base.
Nevertheless, it looks like the advent of the iPhone has indeed brought what could be a sea change in the mobile market. And it's nothing to do with the device.
Apple hopes to sell 10 million iPhones by 2008... It took the Razr two years to reach 10 million in a similar period so it's not an impossible target.
It's all about how the latest entrant into the handset-making world handled its operator 'partner'. Given both handset-maker and operator rely on each other, there's always a little argy-bargy between them - a bit of tension on what features should and shouldn't be included and how much of the handset cost the operator will subsidise.
Handset makers know which side their bread is buttered - with operators buying most of their wares, they get to call the shots. This is one reason, some believe, why dual-mode handsets have been slow to appear. Mobile operators aren't keen on the devices because they believe the VoIP capabilities will harm their voice revenue. And so they aren't buying them, the logic goes.
But with the iPhone, Jobs has done away with that delicate dance between mobile maker and mobile network. According to The Wall Street Journal, Jobs didn't even show the phone to the head of the network that was to carry the device until just weeks before it was unveiled to the world. And only three Cingular execs had seen the device at all before it debuted, the WSJ said.
And that's just the start of it, apparently. It seems the iPhone operator Cingular rolled over and kept on rolling.
The operator logo that normally adorns a mobile is notably absent on the iPhone. The inclusion of a portal directing users to ringtones and other mobile content that generates revenue for the operators has also been ditched. And Jobs has trimmed the network's profits by claiming a portion of subscriber revenue.
Even the distribution network got a makeover - the device will only be sold through Cingular and Apple stores and websites, not through big name channel stores such as Wal-Mart.
Rival network Verizon Wireless was offered the iPhone deal and shunned it. Cingular lapped it up.
Cingular must be expecting some big things from Apple. Apple hopes to sell 10 million iPhones by 2008. The device comes out in June, just in the US, with other territories following on later. It took the Razr two years to reach 10 million in a similar period so it's not an impossible target. The Razr even entered the market at a similar price point and didn't have the same high-end features and functionality the iPhone boasts.
However, when the Razr entered the market, it was genuinely new. There were no devices boasting the same level of style and that's what helped it sell like the proverbial hot cake. The iPhone, as a touchscreen multimedia device, already has some similar rivals - looks-wise and gimmick-wise. Whether it can do the job better than them remains to be seen but it's more than likely the competition will at least be cheaper.
Of course, it's not the cheapskates Apple wants to appeal to. It sees the iPhone in the hands of high-end users who do more than just talk and text, who play with all the features their phone offers and spend on data services accordingly - Apple will get a cut of those data fees, after all. Jobs and co want their handset owners to download ringtones over the air, say, use location-based services, maps and browse the internet like there's no tomorrow.
Which they may well do - if only they had a decent network to do it on. The iPhone is after all a 2.5G device and will struggle with some of the more bandwidth-intensive tasks and bulky downloads.
Quite why Apple launched with no 3G is a mystery especially given Cupertino execs have as good as promised there will be a third-gen variant soon, perhaps making the 2.5G version obsolete before the originals get to their third birthday. The network operators may be crying out for a 3G iPhone to boost revenues but consumers who have bought a 2.5G version might be slightly irate.
It's one more thing that doesn't add up in the whole iPhone business model. To the outside world, it looks as if Apple has Cingular over a barrel in a deal that has doubtless got other handset makers gnashing their teeth with jealousy at its generous terms. Apple on the other hand is tied to Cingular for a while, meaning the fate of the iPhone is now as much down to the operator as it is to Apple.
The union between Apple and Cingular is something of a novelty and its impact on the industry could be far more widespread than that of phone itsel17-Mar-2007
Location-Based Services in Asia/Pacific
Asia, as the most diversified wireless market in the world, has both the countries with the most advanced mobile technologies and services as well as the fastest growing mobile markets that still focus on basic services. Location-based service (LBS), labelled “the next big thing,” has been the subject of aggressive revenue projections on the part of industry insiders. However, the LBS market has yet to materialize in a big way, hampered by slower-than-expected implementation of more accurate location determination technologies (LDTs), consumer privacy concerns, and operators focused on the deployment of other proven mobile data services in the Asia/Pacific region.
LBS development differs amongst the Asia/Pacific markets. Japan and South Korea are the most advanced markets, with almost all categories of LBS applications available now. China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, and Australia’s operators currently are considering investing more money and making LBS a future revenue generating point. However, they will prudentially make an investment on LBS, as there are still other types of value-added services to pick from with lower levels of investments and risk.
In 2004, Asia registered a total revenue of US$353.0 million and it is expected to reach US$771.9 million by 2010, with a consistent CAGR of 10.5% for the forecasted period from 2004–2010.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
