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Updated February 4th, 2010 It's generally good news when a GPS maker makes new maps available for users who invested in an expensive system several years ago, but the new C-Series Map Update for North America should be looked at closely.
For a start it's not free at $60, unlike the similar (identical?) update for the Moov series last summer, it comes with TeleAtlas 2008.10 maps (TomTom are already using 2009.06 maps) and it will change the "user interface" to MME. This means that the powerful iGO 2006 based MioMap 3.3 software is getting replaced by the ex-Navman software. A move that didn't sit well with the Australian and European users last year. You can use the Mio C-Series Map Update for America available topic started by tourguy in the "Mio AIO Forums - www.mionav.com" to discuss.
Updated June 10th, 2009 - The new Mio Spirit GPS systems will soon be available, but in the meantime Mio are staying busy with the Free 2009 Map Update for the Mio Moov...
Updated February 2nd, 2010 TomTom still haven't reinstated their SDK program, but new tricks have been found to make "plug-ins" work with the latest Navcore versions, currently v9.
Longtime forum member Roussillat has taken advantage of these finds to release Tripmaster v3.1 and Offroad Navigator v3.0 to respectively let TomTom users enjoy a full trip computer (still missing by default except on the Rider) and navigate to waypoints with raster map backgrounds. You can use the Tripmaster and Offroad Navigator v3 work with v9 topic in the www.GOtomtom.com forums on GpsPasSion to discuss.
Updated May 11th, 2009 - Many had been enjoying Roussillat's plugins on their TomTom GO AIO, Tripmaster, Offroad, Nmealogger, to navigate towards a waypoint, or record tracks to view a trip on Google Maps/Earth or geocode pictures, unfortunately TomTom discontinued their SDK a couple of years ago and this broke compatibility with most plugins...Good news, developers generally being on the stubborn side, Roussillat was able to make Tripmaster work on TomTom's latest Navcore...
Updated January 28th, 2010 The Tech world, and beyond, is abuzz with the launch of the Apple iPad yesterday. It's the iTouch's big brother with a 9.7" screen, 1024x768 resolution, multi-touch, etc...Let's wish it luck even though the concept isn't new, the BeIA based DTResearch pads for instance, or Microsoft's Mira in 2002...
Closer to us, the 3G version will include a GPS chipset, or rather a hosted GPS like on the Qualcomm solutions. The question is whether it will be viable as a GPS platform...probably not for "turn by turn" given its size, but who knows. You can use the [NEWS] Apple iPad and GPS Application topic of the "GPS and Mobile News" forums to discuss.
Updated March, 25th, 2009 - So far UMPCs hadn't been very compelling GPS Assisted Navigation platforms due to their size and weight, but this may change with devices like the Viliv S5 and its 4.8" touch screen. It still has much more power than our AIOs from Garmin or TomTom thanks to...
Updated January 26th, 2010 The Bluetooth GPS market is not what it used to be although with the presence of built-in modules in smartphones, but Qstarz (website) are regularly coming out with systems that up the ante. Their latest model, the BT-Q1000eX Lap Timer comes with impressive features, bluetooth, data logger, 5Hz, vibration sensor.
Based on the MTK v2 (MTK 3329) chipset it is capable of logging at 5Hz (5 positions per second) and that makes a significant difference in terms of accuracy as seen in this article. Unlike previous versions there is a switch to choose 1Hz or 5Hz on the fly. It also has a vibration sensor to turn itself on and off when needed. A test unit is on its way to the "GpsPasSion Labs" so stay tuned for more, in the meantime you can use the Qstarz Q1000eX - 5Hz, BT, Logger, Sensor topic in the "GPS Dataloggers and Geocoding" to discuss.
Updated February 13th, 2009 - Qstarz (website), well known for their solid range of GPS dataloggers based on the MTK v1 and MTK v2 chipsets, have just released Qsports, a sports management software suite. Qsports is designed to...
Updated January 21st, 2010 One year to the day of the first map update made available under the nuMaps Lifetime program, true to their word, Garmin have released the fifth installment in the series, the CityNavigator NT 2010.40 maps. These new maps could either be based on the Navteq Q3/2009 or the Q4/2009 release and are only available for North America for the time being. Actually Europe has yet to see the 2010.30 maps...
Updated November 20th, 2009 - Garmin have just released the fourth quarterly map update under the nuMaps Lifetime program and it's called "CityNavigator NT 2010.30". These new maps are only available...
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