BMW Motorrad Navigator IV
Garmin just today announced that together with BMW Motorrad they have developed the new BMW Motorrad Navigator IV. This is a new GPS navigation system for motorcycles that is based on Garmin’s zūmo 660. The new BMW Motorrad Navigator IV takes Garmin’s navigation technology and adds BMW specific features such as customized mount, preloaded BMW dealer database, unique audio and Bluetooth handling capabilities.
Take for example the custom hardware which is a four-button motorcycle mount with quick-key functions for extra control and usability. The mount and GPS device are vibration-tested, waterproof (IPX-7), and designed to withstand fuel sprays and UV rays.
The rest of the specs should be pretty similar to zumo 660, such as the 4.3″ glove friendly touch screen, millions of POIs, and turn-by-turn, voice-prompted directions to the final destination. In addition BMW Motorrad Navigator IV’s A2DP Bluetooth wireless technology makes it possible for riders to pair their phone to a Bluetooth enabled helmet or handset so that they can safely talk on the phone or listen to MP3’s without having to remove their gloves or helmet.
BMW Motorrad Navigator IV is expected to be available third quarter of this year from authorized BMW Motorrad retailers in North America and Europe. No word on pricing just yet.
Brought to you by your GPS navigation site NaviGadget.
Source: Navigadget
Read more here:BMW Motorrad Navigator IV
Tour de France Contest - Map My Ride
Here’s a contest that can earn you some bragging rites or at least a few grand from MapMyRide.com, the program that allows you to map and upload bike routes to share them with the greater biking community. The site has really grown up since I first saw it with lots of integration of services, capabilities and features. The basic idea is that it is a great community of other riders where you can share rides, routes and tips. They have also wrapped training programs and training goals around the offering to make it a pretty compelling site. There is a free and premium version.
Check out Map My Ride and look into how you can Map Your Ride, and ride the virtual tour this year; maybe even win some prizes. Who knows, maybe Phil Liggett will be announcing you winning the virtual tour at the end of the contest.
Source: GpsLodge
Read more here:Tour de France Contest - Map My Ride
Garmin Edge 705 - How To Video Series
Garmin is kicking off a How To series for the Edge 705 bike GPS and Computer. Sure they are basic, but that’s the point. Think of it as the video based version of the fold out Quick Guide that comes in the box anyway with these things. I reviewed the Garmin Edge 705 a year ago just before the Tour de France and liked it a lot. If I could justify the price for yet another GPS in this household, I would have snapped it up in an instant. Watch this video and it will offer up related videos that teach about HRM and starting up the Edge for a ride.
If you aren’t following the Tour this year, you should. It should be exciting with the return of Lance, and a very competitive Team Garmin/Slipstream with their impressive depth of riders.
Source: GpsLodge
Read more here:Garmin Edge 705 - How To Video Series
Traffic Subscriptions could Jump 10X by 2014
Interesting news bit out that is reporting iSupply data indicates that there is a boom ahead of us in real time traffic reporting subscriptions. Yes, I know you knew that, but now the rest of the world does too. The expectations are that the subscriber base could grow by 10X versus today to 51 million in 2014, up from about 4.6 million today. Revenue could jump to $1.3Bil from a little over $100 million today.
It’s no surprise that people are interested in this, but what is driving it is the very real change that we are seeing in the delivery of traffic solutions and how data is being utilized, refined and sent out to the ever increasing legion of navigation solutions. things have changed and a next generation solution is taking shape. I wrote about some of the barriers that would be falling back in January 2007, to create a bigger, better traffic reporting solution, and for the most part, we are now seeing all of that coming to fruition.
1) High quality databases using historical traffic data are in use - just consider the TomTom IQ Routes next time you buy a TomTom, or use any resource that uses the Inrix data systems.
2) Increase in coverage and flow capabilities - the increase is there, but not to the point that we all have access to flow data on secondary roads which is what I really want. It is present in some higher end traffic databases though.
3) Bandwidth - TomTom LIVE (Go 740 in US) has cellular connections as does TeleNav Shotgun for high bandwidth two-way data transfer; result is more detailed and more accurate assessment of the traffic issues ahead. Furthermore, you are starting to see high quality mobile phone applications roll into the market with traffic feeds; plenty of bandwidth to grab not only data but over the air delivery of maps on some of them.
I think that the building blocks are there for this reported leap in the subscriber base, but I would like to see better application of the traffic database to the end product on secondary roads across more devices, as well as the higher end units roll down their capabilities for Go 740/Shotgun caliber traffic to the mass market units to enable the subscription market to take off.
ReadMore at TWICE
Source: GpsLodge
Read more here:Traffic Subscriptions could Jump 10X by 2014
CoPilot Live for Android
ALK Technologies just announced recently that their CoPilot Live GPS navigation system is now available for Android phones. You can already grab it from Android Market for your HTC Magic, HTC Dream or the new HTC Hero – for only $35.
With CoPilot the maps are stored locally on the phone, rather than relying on wireless internet which can be quite slow at times. However there are still some “Live” which utilizes the mobile Internet connection such as real-time traffic alerts, 5-day weather forecast information and a new location sharing service called CoPilot LiveLink.
Here are some features of CoPilot Live for Android:
- Scrolling menus and maps supports touch screen gesture recognition
- Turn-by-turn voice directions
- Widescreen portrait or landscape mode
- CoPilot LiveLink location sharing
- Direct dialling to POIs, location sending via text and photo navigation
- Safety camera alerts with free database updates
Brought to you by your GPS navigation site NaviGadget.
Source: Navigadget
Read more here:CoPilot Live for Android
geomate jr review
If you liked gemoate JR when we first talked about it you’ll be pleased to hear that there’s a hands-on review available now. The bottom line is this though:
Sturdy and accurate, it directed me right to ground zero for the caches I sought.
I guess you can’t go wrong with this. It only costs $70 anyways. Get it from REI.
Brought to you by your GPS navigation site NaviGadget.
Source: Navigadget
Read more here:geomate jr review
