One of the two big differences in the new iPhone 3G is the included GPS technology. Restaurant locator/review site UrbanSpoon knows this very well, and they've taken advantage of the GPS with an iPhone native app for UrbanSpoon. Without even having to tell it, it knows where you are, it knows where restaurants are, and it's ready to get food into your mouth.
It gets more fun than that, though: you can actually shake your iPhone like a Magic 8-Ball to get a random recommendation near you. This is great if you're really hungry, don't care where you eat, or just like trying new places. An iPhone native app gives UrbanSpoon a leg up on other review sites like Yelp (which we also find very useful!) by making its information more easily portable. Look for it in July, when Apple launches the iPhone app store.
If you're an avid runner, hiker or cyclist, you probably need some way to keep track of your routes and plan workouts that cover just the right distance. TrailRunner is an application that's up to the job. It keeps track of your point-to-point "tracks" using open-source maps, and lets you stitch them together into complete routes. It also works with a ForeRunner GPS, if you happen to have one, or with Apple's Nike+iPod kit.
TrailRunner keeps track of distances and elevations, and shows your routes in an attractive, very readable display. We didn't have any of the supported devices to test it with, but TrailRunner's basic features are easy enough to use that we're seriously considering buying one. It might take a while to build up a solid list of tracks and learn how to use the advanced features, but it could be worth the effort of venturing into the out-of-doors for extended periods of time is your thing.
Nokia Sports Tracker is an amazing application for Nokia N series smartphones that uses GPS to enable users to track their activities. Do you have a friend who has a Garmin ForeRunner? These are amazing GPS watches because they give you exact statistics about distance traveled, average speed, elevation gain, etc. Well Nokia Sports Tracker gives you the same information by using the GPS in your Nokia phone (such as the N95).
Nokia has taken the next step by allowing you to share this information with your friends by developing a Facebook application. Now you can share your latest workouts and routes directly in your Facebook profile. Information such as your speed, distance and time are automatically stored to your training diary.
Enjoy sharing your route, speed, and distance with your friends with this smart new Facebook Application.
Google has just added a new feature "My Location" feature to Google Maps for mobile phones. Basically, it works like GPS, but instead of connecting to a satellite, it gathers information from nearby cell towers to determine your location. So your phone doesn't need to be GPS enabled, it just needs to have a data plan in order to plot your position on a map.
Google Maps for Mobile runs on most J2ME-enabled devices, including BlackBerry phones, Windows Mobile, Palm, and Symbian devices. Although you can run Google Maps on Windows Mobile PDAs that are not cellphones, you won't be able to use the My Location feature, since your device won't know how to connect to cellphone towers.
Oh, and while Google could theoretically use this information to stalk you, if you believe the promotional video above, the company claims that it doesn't keep tabs on your personal information and location.
Last time we took a look at the Nokia N800 Internet Tablet, we showed how to do some fun, if easy, stuff with it--like setting up custom RSS news sources, placing VoIP calls, and even playing a little Quake 2. Now, we've assembled a new video demonstrating one of the most quirky hacks you can pull off with Nokia's little handheld computer: assembling a functional GPS tracking system using a Bluetooth GPS receiver and freely-available software.
In this feature, we'll show you how to set up Maemo Mapper, the open-source navigation software, and how to obtain and install the map tile images you'll need to equip your N800 with both street maps and satellite imagery. We'll also see how the N800 compares to Nokia's N95 smart phone, which carries onboard GPS hardware and mapping software.
And the rumors keep rolling in on Google's phone development. This magical device that will be host to Google's powerful services like Gmail and Search while on the go. This time a person inside HTC has confirmed the development of the device.
The rumors specify that the Gphone will be shipping from Taiwan, and is scheduled to launch Q1 of 2008. The team at Google has been going over the current 20 HTC models on the market and finalizing its handset design. Gphone will have a specially built version of Google Maps, just as the iPhone does, with built in GPS compatibility. Previous reports stated that the device would not have GPS, and that it would support both 3G and EDGE platforms. Gmail and Calendar will be present, with Google Talk becoming part of the phone in a VoIP mode. As for the operating system on the Gphone, the insider said it would use Windows Mobile 6, however some think that a Linux OS would be more realistic. As for price, there have been buzzing's that the device would stay in the range of only $100. Will it be unlocked? We will have to wait and see, but chances of that are fairly slim.
This last Saturday I had the good fortune of being in the middle of a passionate debate between Roy Singham and another ThoughtWorker over iPhone vs. other smartphones. Roy argued that the iPhone is not the game changing device that most people claim it to be because his Nokia N95E90 smartphones can do more and better. The discussion was cut short due to scheduling pressure but it got me thinking, why do people lust after iPhone more than other smartphones? Is it because of the large touch screen? Is it because of the Safari browser? Is it because the iPhone is a video iPod and a cell phone? Or is it all just hype?
Zurfer is straight out of the Yahoo! Research Berkeley facility. This handheld application is a location based photo browser. What it is in basic terms is Flickr for your mobile device.
The Zurfer application is currently being developed in the Yahoo research labs, and will -- when loaded on mobile phones -- showcase photos taken around you based on current gps co-ordinates. You can also pull in the latest photos from friends, take photos and add them to your Flickr collection, and perform searches in Flickr for images using the mobile software.
The Zurfer application is in testing phases, and could quite possibly contain bugs, so download at your own risk. It is available, and has been tested on Nokia S60, Motorola RAZR V3X and a few other devices.
HTC, the company that has supposedly been hard at work manufacturing the Google phone apparently has a date for shipping the finished product. According to the handsets component makers, the official ship date will be the end of 2007, and could reach as high as one million units for the first run.
Unfortunately the handset will not have GPS functionality; it will support 3G and EDGE platforms. The top features of the phone will include preinstalled Gmail and Google Search functionality.
This device is expected to hit European telecom providers first, possibly Orange, before hitting North American soil.
How would you like to take a test drive one of the only GPS devices that is powered by Yahoo's Local search? The Dash team is looking for you!
We first wrote about Dash, the first internet connected automotive navigation system back in early January. This GPS device, powered by Yahoo Local Search, was once only available as a test in the San Francisco Bay area for 200 individuals. Dash has opened up recruiting and is looking for 2000 frustrated commuters. Heavy commuters and mobile gadget enthusiasts are preferred to test the device on their own terrain and traffic conditions across the U.S.
If you are interested in seeing what Yahoo Local can do for your commuting in your car or truck, check out www.Dash.net and fill out the survey.
By color coding tracked objects, you can instantly get a feel not only for where your friends are but how fast they're moving. We didn't immediately have access to a GPS device but, the developer promises easy install and configuration. It's like a 3D Twitter for your GPS!
Getting detailed directions with step by step instructions.
Saving favorite places or routes.
Local business searches with contact information.
Enhanced business information including more details on businesses, with hours of operation, and amenities etc.
Interactive maps with the ability to zoom in and out, move in all directions, and switch to satellite imagery mode.
Monitor your data consumption in real time, so you know how many kbs you're ripping through.
The Windows Mobile Device has GPS-enabled maps for Windows Mobile 2003 and higher versions. You can download the application straight from the web and sync up, or visit www.google.com/gmm. Google Maps for Mobile is also available for Palms, Blackberrys, Motorolas, Nokias, and a ton of other devices.
Yahoo! is teaming up with Dash Express, makers of the first internet connected automotive navigation system, to bring users Yahoo! Local Search straight from their GPS. Is this a new feature for the GPS industry? It could be! So how does it work? Users simply enter their local search terms for products, services, or businesses into the Dash Express, and Dash instantly pulls in the results. The results are sorted and presented in an address card format to users. When a local result is then chosen from the list, the Dash Express instantly routes the GPS to the destination. This sounds like an extremely useful application, I cant wait to see it in action, its bound to take the GPS market by storm.
Dash Express will be available in the spring of 2007 in California only, then released out to the rest of the nation in the fall. No word on the cost of the unit. If you are attending CES this year, you can also check them out in Las Vegas at booth #9841.
Is it true? Could Google be working on a mobile phone? Om Malik has reported that according to the Observer of London, they are doing just that. Google has supposedly met with Orange in the UK about a partnership worth a few billion dollars that could make it easier for users to search wherever they are. The phones are rumored to be branded by Google, but would also have an Orange logo on the device. HTC, specialist in PDAs, is said to be the manufacturer of the device.
This team of software experts, forward thinking mobile telecom company, and leading edge device manufacturer almost puts a damper on Apple's rumored iPhone news, but will surely create something fantastic for users. Imagine lightning fast searches providing exact location-based results in the palm of your hand. This device has the potential to be a huge success from all three companies that could be involved. Of course this is all speculation at the moment until an official release comes out, but this sure offers some salivation for Google and handheld device lovers alike.
EveryTrail is a nicely designed application that you can use to map out and track your trips. Waypoints, photos, and trip notes can be easily dropped in a Google Map.
How does it all work? Start off by creating an account. After that is complete, grab a copy of the EveryTrail GPS Uploader. When your GPS device is connected to your PC, it can be synced up with your choice of which waypoints you want to upload, bringing you into the Create a Trip section. All of your notes and photos can instantly be uploaded and tied to the point you specify. Then, when it's all ready, users can share their travels with friends and family.
One of the two big differences in the new iPhone 3G is the included GPS technology. Restaurant locator/review site UrbanSpoon knows this very well, and they've taken advantage of the GPS with an iPhone native app for UrbanSpoon. Without even having to tell it, it knows where you are, it knows where restaurants are, and it's ready to get food into your mouth. 
