GPS

Wayfinder launches GPS gaming development forum

Jason Ankeny — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:27:37 -0400

Location and navigation services provider Wayfinder announced the introduction of a new mobile forum promising game developers the tools to create GPS-based mobile gaming experiences based on the firm's technology. According to Wayfinder, the addition of GPS to mobile gaming promises users new opportunities to interact with their physical surroundings, fostering development of location-based or alternate-reality titles boasting mapping, search and positioning components. Wayfinder said the forum will offer access to in-house location experts as well as foster discussion among developers-by September 30, all resources needed to initiate game development will be available upon registering at forum.wayfinder.com.

For more on the Wayfinder forum:
- read this release

Related article:
Wayfinder buys Navicore

JuiceCaster adds geotagging

Thu, 29 May 2008 14:07:57 -0400

Mobile social networking service provider Juice Wireless announced the addition of location-based geotagging to its flagship JuiceCaster service, enabling users to upload location-specific photos and videos to Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and related sites.

The geotagging feature enables users to employ a video's location information as a friend-finding tool--JuiceCaster also immediately notifies users when someone updates their status in a nearby area, and facilitates content searches based on specific location criteria. Location is only viewable by authorized contacts, and the feature may be disabled.

Nick Desai, CEO and co-founder of Juice Wireless, says that on the BREW platform, the geotagging feature uses GPS to tag the content. "The BREW API makes it easy for us to access core functions of the phone at the firmware and operating system level," Desai said. "We can integrate with your address book on your phone and with the camera. All those things BREW makes easier with robust APIs."

The JuiceCaster application is a paid application that typically costs $2.99 per month.

QUICKLINKS: Forecast: 550M GPS handsets to ship in 2012; Sprint expands partnership with Google;

Tue, 13 May 2008 06:59:55 -0400

> Forecast: 550M GPS handsets to ship in 2012.

> Sprint expands partnership with Google.

> Report: Huawei to sell mobile devices unit.

> dotMobi acquires Mowser.

> Orb Networks debuts live TV app for iPhone.

AT&T launches Z9

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:59:57 -0400

AT&T has inked a carriage deal with Motorola to offer the handset maker's GPS-centric MOTO Z9. The slider is available for $150 with a two-year contract and after a $50 online discount. The phone comes enabled with AT&T's TeleNav service, which it rebranded as AT&T Navigator. The handset also includes a microSD slot, stereo Bluetooth and quad-band GSM with support for 3.6Mbps HSDPA data. The Z9 is also the first Motorola handset to support AT&T's IMS application: Video Share. -Brian

For more on the Z9 at AT&T:
-read this press release

Google Maps 2.0 released

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:59:58 -0500

Google released version 2.0 of its Google Maps mobile location and search application. New features include a beta version of Google's My Location technology, which triangulates cell tower ID information to provide users with their approximate location as well as nearby points of interest. Google adds that My Location also complements GPS-enabled devices by delivering location estimates faster than GPS, providing coverage inside buildings and requiring only limited drain on phone batteries. My Location is available on most on most J2ME-enabled smartphones, including all color BlackBerry devices, all Symbian Series 60 3rd Edition devices, most Windows Mobile devices, newer Sony Ericsson devices and some Motorola devices.

For more on Google Maps 2.0:
-read this release

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Google launches Android. Now what?
Developers at work on Google applications
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More Google dish: Mobile OS, smartphones on tap

QUICKLINKS: Openwave debuts contextual mobile merchandising; Sony Ericsson and Quickoffice extend smartphone agreement; and muc

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:59:55 -0500

> Openwave debuts contextual mobile merchandising. FierceMobileContent

> Sony Ericsson and Quickoffice extend smartphone agreement. Release

> Sybase to support Google's Android. Release

> Vivendi acquiring Activision. FierceMobileContent

> Blogger discovers integrated GPS in HTC Shift. Article

JavaME not dead yet, Sun contends

Tue, 30 Oct 2007 07:59:58 -0400

Reports of JavaME's imminent death are greatly exaggerated, according to Sun Microsystems vice president James Gosling. In a blog post denying that the Java Micro Edition platform is facing extinction in favor of the desktop-centric Java Standard Edition, Gosling writes: "Some folks are far too eager to misinterpret statements and put words in my mouth. The early versions of JavaME were very simple and limited, a direct reflection of the fact that early phones themselves were simple and limited: we had to work with what we had. But as time has passed, and cell phones have become more powerful and capable, JavaME has grown up too. Cell phones are becoming the new desktop. We've been saying this for years. Over time, it's pretty clear that JavaME and JavaSE will converge and become largely indistinguishable. It goes both ways: JavaSE has a much more sophisticated graphics API, and JavaME is growing there. JavaME has a location API (GPS) and one could easily make the argument that it should be available in JavaSE. This is a process of evolution, not 'out with the old, in with the new.'"

According to Gosling, the JavaFX product suite contains within it an implementation of JavaME: "It is not some weird new beast."

For more on JavaME:
- read Gosling's blog post

Related articles:
Report: Sun, Samsung at work on "Java phone"
Sun exec: "It's a mistake" Java doesn't run on iPhone
Sun announces next-gen Java platform
Sun, Synchronica ink licensing deals

Handsets a go-go

Tue, 23 Oct 2007 06:59:57 -0400

All four of the major U.S. carriers introduced new handsets last week: Sprint launched the HTC Touch, AT&T debuted the BlackBerry Curve with GPS, Verizon Wireless premiered Samsung's Juke and T-Mobile USA unveiled its new Sidekick LX. Here's a round-up:

Sprint's HTC Touch: As expected, Sprint debuted the HTC Touch just a few days after it launched the Palm Centro. The Touch is so named for its 2.8" QVGA touchscreen that is meant to be used sans stylus--it operates on Windows Mobile 6, and will support Sprint's multimedia content including over-the-air music downloads and live TV. Other features include a microSD slot that supports cards up to 4GB, a 2-megapixel camera and voice-activated dialing. Photo

AT&T's BlackBerry Curve 8310 with GPS: This Research In Motion-produced device features a 320 by 240 pixel display supporting 65K colors, measures 4.2 by 2.4 by 0.6 inches and weighs about 3.9 oz. In addition to signature BlackBerry features like email and messaging, it includes a 2-megapixel camera, media player, 3.5mm stereo headset jack, microSD slot and Bluetooth 2.0 support. Photo

Verizon Wireless' Samsung Juke: This music-centric phone boasts an interesting form factor: the phone swivels 180 degrees to reveal the keypad. The Juke supports .MP3, .WMA, and unprotected .AAC music files, and the music player can be accessed without opening the phone. It also features a VGA-resolution camera and GPS features tied to Verizon's VZ Navigator and Chaperone services. One caveat: No 3G connectivity. Photo

T-Mobile's Sidekick LX: Since the original Sidekick, T-Mobile USA has courted celebrities to promote its messaging device. The launch party for the LX was no different--according to reports, the new model is the first to allow photos within text messages. Also of note: A wide QVGA display--reportedly incorporating technology borrowed from Sharp's AQUOS televisions--along with configurable mood lighting and a 1.3 megapixel camera with flash. The phone drops October 24. Photo | Release

For more on the handset launches:
- check out this photo gallery

Navteq opens fifth annual Global LBS Challenge

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 06:59:58 -0400

Navigation software developer Navteq--acquired last week by Nokia for $8.1 billion--announced its fifth annual Global LBS Challenge, inviting developers to build mobile LBS applications based on dynamic positioning technology and the firm's own map data. Entrants may compete in five categories: Content, Enterprise, Entertainment, Navigation and Social Networking. Winners are chosen by a panel of judges including wireless carriers, industry experts and venture capitalists. Sponsored by the likes of Nokia, Autodesk and deCarta, the Global LBS Challenge boasts an international prize pool of cash and data licenses valued at $3 million--the contest spans three regions (the Americas, Europe-Middle East-Africa and Asia-Pacific), and registration is now open. The grand prize winner and runners up will be announced at an awards ceremony conducted in each region. For more information, visit http://www.lbschallenge.com.

For more on the Global LBS Challenge:
- read this release

Related articles:
Navigation apps drive LBS success
LBS helps you find your way

TomTom, Garmin developing branded GPS handsets?

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 06:59:58 -0400

Taiwanese handset makers including HTC, Mitac International, E-Ten Information Systems and Gigabyte Communications are all gearing up to introduce their latest GPS-enabled handsets this month, following their respective domestic launches with international rollouts. But Digitimes reports that navigation technology giants TomTom and Garmin are also at work on branded GPS-enabled handsets of their own, developed in partnership with firms including Inventec Appliances, Quanta Computer and Compal Communications. Details are still scarce.

New smartphones on tap for later this year include HTC's TyTN II, E-Ten's X800, Mitac's Mio A702 and Gigabyte's GSmart i350, all four of which run on Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 OS. With the exception of the quad-band GSmart i350, the remaining devices all support HSDPA technology, sources said.

For more on the GPS handsets:
- read this Digitimes article