Source: The New York Times
By JENNA WORTHAM and MIGUEL HELFT
Published: October 28, 2009
A screenshot shows Google's new mapping navigation.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — GPS navigation devices were the latest must-have tech toys just two years ago, and shares of device makers like Garmin and TomTom were soaring.
That didn’t last long. In a turnabout that has been remarkably swift even for the fast-moving technology business, those companies have suffered as competition has pulled down prices — and as more people have turned to their cellphones for directions.
In the latest blow to the business, Google announced a free navigation service for mobile phones on Wednesday that will offer turn-by-turn directions, live traffic updates and the ability to recognize voice commands. The service will initially be available on only one phone, the new Motorola Droid, but will be expanded to more phones soon.
In a briefing on Tuesday in advance of its announcement, Google said that the service might be supported by advertisements in the future. That would make driving directions the latest form of information to shift from being a paid service to one that is ad-supported.
“This is consistent with a certain pattern of Google, where they are able to build volume and usage of a product and then subsidize it with advertising,” said Greg Sterling, principal of Sterling Market Intelligent, a research firm. The losers, he said, were companies like TomTom and Garmin, along with the cellphone carriers, which offer navigation services by subscription.
Eric E. Schmidt, Google’s chief executive, said that he didn’t view the new service as hurting an industry. Instead, he said, it is a boon to consumers, made possible by the increasing power of smartphones and the growing ubiquity of Internet access.
“Obviously we like the price of free, because consumers like that as well,” he said.
But analysts say that if successful, Google’s service could chip away at sales of stand-alone GPS devices and the subscription services offered by cellphone carriers.
Sales growth for those devices is already slowing. In 2007, global shipments of stand-alone navigation devices grew a hefty 131 percent from the year before, according to data from the research firm In-Stat. But the firm predicts that shipments will grow just 19 percent this year from 2008, and a price war has hurt the industry’s profits.
“With a free alternative that is just as good, I don’t see much positive growth for the likes of TomTom, Navigon or Garmin,” said Dominique Bonte, director of navigation research at ABI Research. “If it’s free and a good service, why would you pay for something you can get for free?”
Google’s announcement also reflects a broader shift toward consolidation in the gadget world.
The smartphone is already the Swiss Army knife of the digital age, able to transform into a camera, music player or game machine at the swipe of a finger. Now it is increasingly a navigation device too.
Many people still prefer dedicated GPS devices, which tend to display maps faster since the data is typically stored in the device rather than downloaded over a wireless network. But the list of smartphone shortcomings is shrinking. Smartphone users can download applications that offer spoken directions and live traffic updates. And at $100 to $300 apiece, smartphones are competitively priced with GPS units, which average about $177, according to the research firm NPD Group.
By 2013, phone-based navigation systems, which are already more popular among younger smartphone owners, will dominate the market, according to a recent report from Forrester.
The makers of navigation devices have not ignored the spread of smartphones. But Google’s move could make it harder for them to adapt.
TomTom, based in Amsterdam, introduced a $100 navigation application for the iPhone in August. The company said the program had been downloaded close to 80,000 times. Garmin recently released the Nuvifone, a hybrid of a navigational device and a cellphone that has generally received poor reviews.
“Turn-by-turn navigation on a handset is what we’re been doing with the Nuvifone,” said Ted Gartner, a spokesman for Garmin, which declined to release sales figures for the phone. “Google’s announcement reaffirms that consumers want their smartphones to double as a navigation device.”
Julien Blin, principal analyst at JBB Industry, called Garmin’s phone a “desperate move,” adding: “The Nuvifone is around $300, and you can get an iPhone for a comparable amount that can now do the same thing.”
Shares of both TomTom and Garmin plummeted Wednesday after Google’s announcement. Garmin’s shares fell 16 percent to $31.45 on Nasdaq, while TomTom’s shares closed around 21 percent lower on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.
Google’s navigation service, which for now works only in the United States, is part of a new version of Google Maps for Mobile, software that will work on the growing number of phones that run Google’s Android operating system. Google executives said they eventually hoped to offer the service on Apple’s iPhone and other mobile devices. But they said this would be up to those device makers. Apple and Google have clashed over Apple’s reluctance to approve an application that works with the Google Voice calling service.
As mobile services that involve location have become increasingly important, the underlying mapping data has become a valuable strategic asset. Google recently began creating its own digital maps in the United States, ending a contract with the map data provider TeleAtlas, which is owned by TomTom.
A year earlier, Google had chosen TeleAtlas to replace Navteq, a map data provider that Nokia acquired for $8.1 billion in 2007. Google and Nokia are rivals in mobile phone operating systems.
]]>Source : http://www.crn.com
9:39 AM EDT Wed. Oct. 21, 2009
BlackBerry Bold 9700
Research In Motion (NSDQ:RIMM) introduced its new BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone Wednesday as the successor to its high-end Bold 9000 model.
The 9700 features support for 3G HSDPA networks, a 624MHz processor, 256 MB of Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-FI, and a 3.2-megapixel camera, according to RIM. At least initially, it’s only available on AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
“The BlackBerry Bold 9700 builds on the success of the original BlackBerry Bold with new, state-of-the-art features and a smaller, lighter and highly optimized design that looks, feels and performs great,” said Mike Lazaridis, RIM’s president and co-CEO, in a statement.
The Bold 9700, a high-end model aimed at business users, measures 4.29 x 2.36 x 0.56 inches and weighs 4.3 ounces. By comparison, the Bold 9000 measured 4.48 x 2.6 x 0.59 inches and weighed 4.8 ounces.
The new phone also features a 2.44-inch display and 480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi, according to RIM, which is looking to fend off Apple’s iPhone among business users.
The company did not release pricing on the Bold 9700, but it’s likely to cost more than the Bold 9000, which is selling through AT&T (NYSE:T) for $199 after $100 mail-in rebate and a two-year contract.
Last week, RIM unveiled a new version of its BlackBerry Storm smartphone, more aimed at the consumer market.
]]>The GlobalSat BU-353 Water-Proof USB Mouse GPS Receiver is powered by SiRF Star III chipset is a new-generation GPS chipset that has extremely high sensitivity, lower power usage and more rapid time-to-fix. This is the first SiRF Star III based Serial GPS receiver with WAAS/EGNOS* support for enhance position accuracy. And with an active patch antenna you will receive a high degree of GPS accuracy.
USB GPS Receiver - Globalsat BU 353
This USB GPS receiver works very well even in weak signal tracking or reduced visibility environment such as traveling in mega city and surrounded by high buildings. Even, it works even under the seat of your car!
The GlobalSat BU-353 Water-Proof USB GPS Receiver is special compact design, very small, waterproof and also comes with a magnetic mounting so that you could mount it on the roof of your car with non-slip on the bottom. The extended 5 feet long cable allows for easy routing to your PC or Laptop or ibook behind headliners and side panels and terminates to a custom USB connector.
Typical application of this USB GPS Receiver can include commercial use such as fire truck, police cars, utility vehicles, buses, marine and aviation.
I thought you could be interested in this article: How to Choose a GPS Vehicle Tracking System and Understanding GPS Navigation.
]]>A long time ago, the boaters or mariners consulted star charts and latitude/longitude numbers to figure out their way
Marine GPS Navigation
back to land. But these days, for the accurate tracking system that some could not discover, only need Marine GPS Navigation, that use anywhere from 12 to 24 satellites to figure out positioning. GPS Navigation System use for make it easy to find your way back to shore in unknown waters, navigate at night, and find large fish or avoid rocks.
Marine GPS Navigation Systems is more accurate and less hassle than previous methods to tracking you on the open sea. For safety reason, it doesn’t only can keep you from getting lost, but you can map ways around tropical storms at sea, or alternate routes.
Then, Marine GPS Navigation Systems continue to get more sophisticated, and come in hand-held models, all the way up to marine GPS navigation lap top computers. You can find a marine GPS that can do whatever you want it to, like navigation or get topography in foreign water bodies. In the larger cruisers and yachts, Marine GPS Navigation Systems used in to “auto-pilot” ship, and navigate back to port in the dark of night.
Before buying Marine GPS Navigation Systems, do research for all types, models and function that you need. It depend on what you will do, like whether it will be for river fishing or ocean adventures, for commercial fishermen or recreational fishermen. For example, commercial fishermen would need them to not only get them back to shore, avoid the paths of storms, and find fish, but might need alarms for shallow reefs or other alarms.
Finding Marine GPS navigation systems is easy at retailers, even especially on online store, the choices are unlimited.
When you finding Marine GPS navigation systems, this is all about of the number of functions that are required for what you will do.
I thought you could be interested in this article: How Can a Handheld GPS Unit Help You? and Garmin Nuvi 200 Widescreen Satellite Navigation System – What’s it Like Then?
]]>GPS systems are now available nearly everywhere, were originally designed and used only for the military. And the best GPS system in the world today is Garmin. Garmin is the most common and recommended GPS systems amongst all of the other GPS systems.
Gary Burrell and Dr. Min Kao, The founders of Garmin, started the company with the opportunity to create and become one of the leaders of GPS navigation. Why this brand is considered the best GPS Navigation? What the benefits of choosing a Garmin GPS device over other brands?
Garmin, as the leader in navigation, has created a lot of special features that different than the other brands. Most of the Garmin systems have features like a touch screen, voice recognition, and Bluetooth capability. They also develop specialized map sets on their system. It could be use everywhere in the world, every time and in any type of weather condition.
Garmin also give the customer the option in GPS device, with several specific unit types. You can choose a portable system for hiking, camping, or a system that can be installing into your vehicle for travel or even for fishing and marine used.
This company as an innovator of practical GPS technology makes a strong commitment at being the best and stay ahead of the pack. They offer all the features that bring forth comfort, accessibility and safety, which many other manufacturers try to follow Garmin’s lead. They do everything in their power to make sure that their customers are happy with Garmin’s product.
Article You May Be Interested In Reading: Choosing the Right Car GPS Systems and Auto GPS Systems
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The History of GPS
The original purpose of the GPS was not for personal use. It was designed for military use to track airborne objects and other objects that could not be seen in a normal line of sight.
The modern GPS dates back to the late 1950′s. Russia was beginning there space exploration with Sputnik. People who were following the spacecraft when it was traveling realized that you could track it with radio signals. With this discovery the beginning of GPS was born. The United States government began to work on developing this technology in the mid-1960′s when the Transit System project was launched. The Transit System was a system of 6 satellites that were to begin circling the earth. They were to be used primarily to help track the progress and direction of missiles and submarines. The first satellite was put into orbit around the earth in 1978 by the United States Department of Defense.
Today’s GPS Navigation and Global Positioning System can often be found on the windshield of a car or on a motorcycle and bicycle. This technology is so popular that this advanced mapping system that newer cars are even being designed with GPS included as a standard feature. GPS Navigation began as a before it’s time and promising piece of equipment designed by the United States Government for military and government use exclusively.
Today this system includes the operation of 24 satellites that continually orbit the earth in a very precise track. The satellites are used for a variety of functions that include navigation, GPS mapping and tracking. With the assistance of these satellites that are only visible at night we can accurately depict our location, the location of someone else, or the location of where we want to travel. Today’s GPS can fit into the palm of your hand and yet holds enormous power. Some navigation units are even built into watches which are not much larger than a quarter! The smaller GPS is popular for hikers and bikers because it is easy to carry and know your exact location.
With today’s vehicles, the built in GPS has much more than the navigation. Current technology has the capabilities to put traffic information, weather and news information right into the GPS and map it! Even gas stations with the current prices can be used with the MSN Direct service included in some GPS purchases.
You may want to check out my other guide on GPS Navigation Systems. How to Get the Best One? and Garmin GPS
]]>With innovative solutions for communications, Garmin creates global positioning systems (GPS) for a variety of needs and at a variety of reasonable prices.
By using 24 different satellite systems to pinpoint your exact location, you will never have to pull over at a gas station again to ask for directions. This equipment was developed by the US Department of Defense to help them strategically plan their positioning, and the same trusted technology is used for your everyday navigation needs.
Garmin nüvi 360 3.5-Inch Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator
Garmin GPS has been a trusted name in navigation and communications since 1989, and has grown to become a large, global company with thousands of employees. This employee base is responsible for the creation of amazing innovations everyday in the fields of communication and navigation technologies.
Any list of top 5 or top 10 navigation devices is guaranteed to have a minimum of 3 – 6 Garmin GPS devices on it. When looking for a GPS system to add to your electronics portfolio, definitely consider a Garmin device for dependability.
From high end, high quality GPS products, to the everyday necessities in navigational services that meet you and your families needs, you will find a navigational system that meets your needs within Garmin’s large and exclusive product line.
From the Garmin StreetPilot i5 to the Nuvi 35, you will find the GPS device that best suits your everyday travel needs with dependability and reliability in their technology. You can find prices ranging from $399 to $799, above, below and in between, as they have mastered the ability to provide every budget with a device that more than meets the price.
It is important to compile a list of the important features and functionality requirements that your particular device should have so that you are not overwhelmed when you view the actual products.
You may want to check out my other guide on Understanding GPS Navigation and The History of GPS.
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