Trekker Braille GPS

So every now and then I watch an episode of one of the CSI television series, There are a few series now and they are all full of magic things. Methods of research that are so new that nobody ever heard about, and research that takes only 10% of the time that it takes in real life. ;-)

In this (old?) episode of CSI Miami I saw this magic GPS device: a speaking GPS for the blind. And like more often I was sceptical, but decided to do a search for that device. It did exist! I did find that Trekker Braille GPS! I could not believe my eyes. Great!

I think I know something, but not everything. The device was already introduced in 2005 when I read Engadget. I am confused by the brand name, type and maker, because the device has so many names.

Nice specs:

• Real-time information: Announces streets, intersections, addresses and stores as you come to them.
• On/offline Map Browsing: Virtually tour an area before visiting it.
• Route planning and recording: Create your own itinerary.
• Flexible level of vocal information.
• Vocal Point of Interest creation: Allows you to create your own point of interest.
• Access to GPS status information
• Motorized mode: Use Trekker in a moving vehicle.
• Route mode: Trekker creates an itinerary based on an entered address.
• Free mode: Receive and enter information away from street networks
• Tactile keyboard: For easy data entry and instant function access.

I will do my best to get my hands on one to tell you something more about it.

N

TomTom maps 2008.10

TomTom started selling its v8.25 maps, based on the 2008.10 release of TeleAtlas. These new maps are available for all devices from now on.
The maps are only for download through the TomTom Home application, just like the last versions before.

America’s: USA, Canada, Alaska, Mexico and Brasil
Europe, Middle East, Africa: Western, Central & Eastern Europe, Turkey and Southern Africa
Australia, New Zealand and Asia: Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore

The maps for the first time include the feedback on changes from MapShare users.

Garmin-Asus G60

Gizmodo’s Jesus Diaz has been so lucky to be one of the first to have  the nothing less than impressive Garmin-Asus Nüvifone G60 in his hands. Jesus is attending the Mobile World Congress 2009 (MWC’09) in Barcelona, Spain. Next to the G60 he also tried the M20, but this pre-production (Windows Mobile 6) piece wasnt’s ready for that.

Go here for the Gizmodo video’s: G60 and M20

The specs of the G60 are nice:

• 2G Connectivity: Quad-band GSM / GPRS / Edge 850/900/1800/1900
  3G Connectivity: 850/1900/2100 HSDPA 3.6 Mbps
  Other Connectivity: 802.11 b/g WLAN, Bluetooth, HFP, HSP, AVRCP, A2DP mini-USB 2.0
  OS: Linux
  Dimensions: 112 x 58.1 x 14.6 mm
  Weight: 137g (battery included)
  Display: 3.55″ 65K colors, anti-glare resistive touchscreen
  Display Resolution: 272 x 480 WQVGA
  Camera/Photos: 3MP camera with auto-focus and geo-tagging
  Flash Memory: 4GB on-board 128 MB RAM
  Expandable Memory: Micro SD, HC Capable, expandable up to 16GB
  Music Player: MP3 capable
  Headphone Jack: 2.5 mm
  Battery: 1100 mAh removable/rechargeable lithium cell
  Email: POP3, IMAP 4, IMAP idle, SMTP
  Internet: HTML browser based on Webkit platform
  Calendar/PIM: Outlook contacts and calendar
  Productivity: Document viewing: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, JPG

I would like to touch one too!

You can the find the M20 specs: HERE

[It is funny to see that he keeps calling the devices NuviPhone. ;-) ]

via: Gizmodo

[also nice pics on: LapTop Mag]

This is a dangerous judgement on a blog that says to have  a passion for GPS, I do understand that!

Let me explain.

More than often I hear people say that they survived life and vacation without GPS till now. And ofcourse they are right. Centuries ago I have been doing the same. Myself behind the wheel and my fellow traveller with a map on his or her knees and driving the same round about for the third time with a big smile on our faces (his depending on this fellow traveler ;-) ).

But traveling with a gps an be fun too.

Travelling with GPS devices

If you have a passenger without humour, go buy a GPS, to be sure to have and keep the atmosphere relaxed. Next to that you can drive the night away (*) on trips without looking back. No need to be afraid that you can’t find your way back. But only use it on your way back!

With a handheld navigation device you could have loads of fun, while searching geocaching all over the globe.

Newer device can log your route easier than before and with that you can geotag your pictures for you and others to know where exactly the pictures have been made.

Conclusion: A life without GPS is possible, but for sure less fun! ;-)

(edit: Did I forgot to tell you that it saves fuel too and so saves the planet?!)

(*) free to Neil Diamond’s On The Robert E. Lee / The Jazzsinger