Gizmodo notes some recent GPS tracking devices.
The TrackStick Pro features a 4GB flash memory and stores readings of date, time, location, speed, direction, altitude, signal strength, and temperature at intervals you select between five seconds and 60 minutes.
Another option is the $300 the TrackStick, which is basically a 1GB USB memory stick with built-in GPS tracking. You plug it into your computer, then access the GPS data, including tracks in Google Earth’s KML format. Because it doesn’t use a cellular channel there’s no additional fees, but no live tracking either.
The Vulocity Mileage Logger is another GPS tracking device. It doesn’t require you to download your data via USB. The entire data is transferred wirelessly through the cell network to their servers at which point the data is available on the internet. For power, it uses the car’s accessory outlet or it can be hardwired.
A GPS receiver in a watch (right) lets runners track their athletic performance — not only how far you run, but heart rate, elevation gain, and more. Just download it to your computer.
GPS determines your position by calculating how long it takes the satellite signal to reach your receiver, so reflected signals are a source of error. The SiRFstar III chipset has the processing power to do a lot of “what if’s” with these reflected signals. It can also consider weak signals that were ignored by previous chipsets and has a faster acquisition times, making for a faster time to first fix (TTFF), and a quicker reacquisition if the signal is lost.
For real-time GPS tracking data, Gizmodo suggests you look into a device like the $600 Worldtracker SMS, which shows your location on Google Earth. Don’t forget to add the cost of a cellular subscription for a real-time tracker. Metro WiFi and WiMAX may soon lower costs of real-time tracking (within narrow geographic limits).
Cingular Wireless has a subscription navigation service called TeleNav GPS Navigator on some handsets and PDAs, Verizon Wireless has VZ Navigator while Sprint Nextel offers MapQuest Navigator, which features a pedestrian walking mode.
Telmap provides navigation on your cell phone for a small monthly fee, not just in the U.S. but in many other markets as well. No loading maps prior to your trip, no updates to manage; just connect to Telmap and establish the geography you need. You get voice instructions and buffered maps, which are especially nice if you temporarily drop out of cell range
Start-up VoiceBox Technologies plans to release personal navigation applications on cellphones next year that allow consumers to enter a destination or find a point of interest by voice. IntelliOne and AirSage use cellular data provided by wireless companies to map traffic conditions.
The PigeonBlog (above) is an alternative air pollution data gathering project which utilizes local pigeons in San Jose, CA. The birds, 16 of them, are equipped with a GPS enabled electronic air pollution sensing devices capable of sending real-time location based air pollution and image data to an online mapping/blogging environment.
NaviGadget has more – well – navigadgets.
DailyWireless has more on Transportation’s Big Show, Unwired Transportation, WiFi Routers for Cars, Tracking Transit, NintendoDS Lite: $129, Mobile Applications/Ad Research, MapMania Goes Crazy, Father of GPS, Satellite Tracking, Electric Bike Tours, Unwiring Tri-Met, WiFi on Light Rail, Wi-Fi on Trains, Transit Wireless, On The Bus, Internet Rickshaw, Wireless Bird Houses, Wi-Fi Ferry, Mobile Hotspots, WiLan’s Transit Wireless, Skyhook Location-WiFi to 70 Cities, Mapping Cloud Users and Unwiring Everything, Everywhere.
