Tuesday, March 16. 2010

Update: Quote of the Week

Update: It seems Michael Jones of Google found the Wayne Independant story and updated the one way street on Google Maps. Per the paper, he looks for such stories everyday. Apparently MapQuest has also been notified.

By the way, the original story didn't even mention Google or Google Maps, just "GPS." Notes the paper in updating the story: "While Google Maps is not used in most vehicle GPS devices, Google Maps is used in about 270 kinds of mobile phones, Jones said."

Also, comments from the original article include one from a NAVTEQ rep who confirmed the change had been made in their database, too. That was not mentioned in the update article, which is too bad; good job NAVTEQ! So, it looks like Google and NAVTEQ are "watching" for such issues; anyone else?

- Wayne Indepenant

--- original post 3/12/10 ----

"No one told the GPS satellite about Honesdale’s new one-way traffic pattern."
"Attempts to find someone in charge of GPS has not been successful."

- Peter Becker noting how local officials in Honesdale, PA are not being successful in finding someone to update maps in GPS devices to reflect one-way streets, in the Wayne Independant

These explanations may help Mr. Becker and Coucilman Jennings find satisfaction:

The GPS system is run by the Air Force. It uses twenty odd satellites that send signals to devices called GPS receivers. The receivers use the signals to determine the location of the receiver. Then, maps and software on the receivers create the routes.

So, the people you really need to contact to get the maps updated are the two main companies that provides those maps: NAVTEQ and Tele Atlas. Both have online tools to report such errors, but you might want to talk to someone.

Tuesday, March 9. 2010

Podcast: Platial Shuts Down while Microsoft Opts in to User Generated Location Data from Navizon

This week we look at two news items connected at least superficially by reliance on crowdsourced geospatial data. Platial, one of the early players to offer a simple way to customize Google Maps, announced it was ceasing operations. Microsoft announced a contract with Navizon, a company that crowdsources the data collection of Wi-Fi access points. Why did small but clever Platial not make it? Why is Microsoft turning to small, less familiar Navizon and crowdsourcing over a well-known player like Skyhook?

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Friday, February 26. 2010

Engadget Compares GPS enabled Smartphone Nav Solutions

The winner? In short, if you are on a platform already, the freebie there is probably fine. If you are moving to something new, it depends on where you are navigating. In the US, Google Maps Nav is great, overseas, Ovi Maps wins. The story was posted yesterday and already has several updates; good job on that Engadget.

- Engadget

Thursday, February 25. 2010

Update: Garmin Up for Quarter, but Down for Year

Update: The company did note it was disappointed with Nuvi (its phone) sales, but will launch two more models this year. Said CEO Dr. Min Kao:

While disappointed by sales of the nüvifone products to date, we are excited to be launching two next generation smartphones in the first half of 2010 and feel these devices will be well-positioned in this competitive market.

Larry Dignan at ZDnet says Garmin has to look to new markets, like phones, to make up losses in the slowing PND space.

- ZD Between the Links Blog

---- original post 2/24/10 ----

Garmin Ltd.'s (GRMN) fourth-quarter profit rose 77% on improved profit margins but was still down for the year.

The holiday push earned the company $278.4 million, or $1.38 a share, during the quarter ending Dec. 26. That compares to $157.7 million, or 78 cents a share, during the same quarter a year before. The company earned $704 million, or $3.50 a share in 2009 compared with $732.9 million, or $3.48 a share, during 2008.

The interesting part for me (and perhaps my colleague Joe; we both own Garmin's GPS-enabled "running watches"):

Revenue during the quarter rose 1 percent to $1.06 billion, driven by a 24 percent increase in outdoor/fitness products. Revenue from automotive devices, which make up the bulk of sales, dipped 2 percent. The company said it sold a total of 6.6 million units during the quarter.

- KC Business Journal

Tuesday, February 23. 2010

Reuters Lists Potential SatNav Acquisition Targets

"Providers of such services such as Telmap, Navigon, Waze and Automotive Navigation Data (ANDP.AS) have become potential acquisition targets."

- Reuters
- Telmap Interview at Mobile Entertainment

Thursday, February 18. 2010

TomTom Turns a Profit in Q4; Sees Little Impact from Phone Apps

Among the factoids:

"TomTom (NL:TOM2 5.74, +0.31, +5.69%) said it earned 73 million euros ($99 million) after losing 989 million euros in the prior-year period, when it took a 1.05 billion euro hit from writing down the value of the TeleAtlas [sic] mapping service it acquired."

"TeleAtlas [sic] revenue fell 8% to 50 million euros as demand for map licenses fell 10%."

CEO Harold Goddijn:

"We see limited impact from this [map apps on phones] on our current revenue streams from PNDs, automotive and fleet management. The demand for applications that use location will grow across all markets and all geographies, and we see new opportunities for partnerships and business models, particularly in the mobile space."

- MarketWatch