Friday, May 29. 2009

TomTom Sells/Licenses Nav Software

GPS Business Review has the story; I've not yet found any announcement from TomTom. I did find the microsite for the product.

The news: TomTom will offer NAVIGATOR 7 software on a microSD card for some Windows Mobile smartphones. Purchases will be made online; the software will include the map of Western Europe and cost €89.95 per the microsite. In time, the software will be downloadable. The software will also be available for license to partners.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Satellite Navigation at 07:48 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Tuesday, May 12. 2009

Transport for London Trailing Vehicle Speed "Governor" this Summer

The GPS-based box has two modes: one will in fact limit speed such that it does not exceed the limit set for that roadway while the second gives a green smiley when the vehicle is within the acceptable range and a red sad face when it is not. The trial set for this summer includes installing the devices on cars and a bus and will operate within the M25 ring. The device is expected to improve safety, cut congestion, save fuel and help the environment. There are no plans to make the device mandatory at this time; the hope is that potential users will see the benefits. Some suggest if even a fraction of drivers use the device, all traffic will slow to their speeds, and enhancing the effect. The technology is called Intelligent Speed Adaptation (ISA).

- The Times

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Satellite Navigation at 07:11 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Thursday, May 7. 2009

MSN Direct Service Under Review

On Tuesday Microsoft let go 3,000 employees, the second wave of a promised 5000 person cut announced earlier this year. While no products were removed from the product line, one with implications for location-based services is under review: MSN Direct. That's an FM data service used to send traffic, weather and other real time data to GPS receivers (from many vendors) and the less-than-successful SmartWatch.

The official statement on MSN Direct:

While the group was impacted by yesterday's job eliminations, they will continue to maintain the current MSN Direct service and invest in developing a low cost receiver for multiple devices.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Microsoft, Real-Time/Dynamic Data, Satellite Navigation at 08:34 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |

Monday, May 4. 2009

Navigon/Mio Changing PND Plans in US

GPS Business News reports that Navigon will stop its PND sales in the U.S. but will keep an office in Chicago and pursue business with automotive clients and cell phone carriers. Back in April Mio cut back its presence in the the U.S. market.

Posted by Adena Schutzberg in Satellite Navigation, Geospatial Business at 06:55 | Comments (0) | Trackbacks (0) |