Privacy advocates question warrantless, undetectable tracking
Washington Post Aug 13, 08 12:09 PM CDT
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As GPS units become cheaper and easier to use, police forces around the country are turning to the technology to easily track suspects. The Washington Post examines the advantages of this new crime-fighting weapon, and the privacy concerns it’s raising among critics. Cops can easily attach a GPS device to anyone’s car and remotely monitor the person’s whereabouts.
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Developers finally realize personality as important as function
Washington Post Aug 5, 08 5:45 PM CDT
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GPS voices, for all their helpfulness to drivers, are still obnoxious and humorless. Now, after years of focusing on packing “navbots” with information, developers are realizing that friendliness counts, too, the Washington Post reports. “Personality, from an engineering perspective, is still an afterthought,” one says. “But every day it's becoming more and more important.”
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Beagle returns to Queens home after turning up at Georgia shelter
New York Post Jul 15, 08 2:05 PM CDT
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A Queens family experienced its own version of the Incredible Journey last weekend when it was reunited with a beagle puppy after 5 years—and more than 850 miles, reports the New York Post. No one knows where Rocco's travels took him in the interim , but when he turned up at a Georgia shelter his implanted chip pointed to the Villacis family and 11-year-old Natalie—who never gave up hope her puppy would return.
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Non-bank teller machines make easy targets, police say
MSNBC Jul 3, 08 7:25 PM CDT
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ATM theft is a labor-intensive crime: You have to steal a pickup, slam it through a gas station storefront, and haul the ATM out. But that’s exactly what an increasing number of criminals are doing, MSNBC reports. From 2000 to 2006, thieves nabbed about 120 ATMs a year across the country. This year, authorities already have reported 140 thefts—in north Texas alone. While that's an extreme example, thefts are up by smaller amounts all over.
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New model drops on July 11
Wall Street Journal Jun 9, 08 2:48 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The next-generation iPhone, unveiled today by CEO Steve Jobs, is wired for 3G networks, costs only $199 (for the 8GB version) and will launch July 11. It's slightly thinner than the earlier incarnation, and comes with a host of new applications, as well as GPS technology. It will be available in 22 countries immediately, the Wall Street Journal reports, and 70 within months. A 16GB model will run for $299 and will also come in white.
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Service will rework spot for 'Above All' campaign, release with new story line
Military Times May 29, 08 10:09 AM CDT
(Newser)
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An Air Force commercial that shows a US communications satellite exploding and implies a single missile could knock out cell phones, GPS navigation, banking transactions, and TV broadcasts has been pulled for being misleading, the Military Times reports. The ad, part of the Air Force’s “Above All” campaign will get a new story line and be re-released.
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Tracking improves efficiency, safety—and kept final Harry Potter book from escaping
ComputerWorld May 22, 08 3:18 PM CDT
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Trucking companies are adopting technologies that track vehicles, monitor trucks’ condition and drivers’ actions, and even act automatically to stop accidents, reports ComputerWorld . The systems help companies meet regulations and contract obligations. Take the company that delivered the final Harry Potter book nationwide within a three-hour window and achieved its goal that “Harry Potter must not escape” with advanced tracking.
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First responders use GPS, other tech to find victims
USA Today May 20, 08 5:19 PM CDT
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Emergency workers are increasingly turning to global-positioning and vehicle-tracking systems to find their way to victims and dispatch crews more efficiently, USA Today reports. "Clearly, we're in a business where seconds count," an Arizona fire official said. "If you're using GPS or automatic vehicle locator, it's a tremendous life savings you can't put a value on."
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Innovative solutions for wilderness living
Wired May 4, 08 1:09 PM CDT
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Wired sees a distinct lack of cool high-tech outdoor gear, and gives its favorite examples of steps in the right direction: The Cocoon, a hanging teardrop-shaped tent/sleeping bag. The Adamant, an earthquake-proof bed. The Bedu Emergency Rapid Response Kit, a keg full of enough essentials to keep a family alive for up to 5 years. The Urban Skiff, a portable sailboat. The Firun Inflatable Sled, a snowsled that folds down into a backpack.
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Comedy sketches
make traffic jams
a little funnier
Guardian (UK) May 3, 08 7:32 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The world's first satellite navigation comedy has British drivers chuckling up and down the country's busiest highway, the Guardian reports. The "satcom," called 230 Miles of Love, features audio comedy sketches set to play when drivers reach certain points along the country's 230-mile-long M6 highway.
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New unit pools data from cars to warn
of congested roads
Washington Post Mar 25, 08 8:22 AM CDT
(Newser)
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You may soon be able to evade a traffic jam with a little help from your fellow driver, the Washington Post reports. California start-up Dash Navigation is launching a GPS device that collects speed and location data from vehicles, then uses the information to figure out which roads are congested and warn drivers away.
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NEW RELEASE
CNET impressed by Nokia Navigator's Barcelona knowledge
CNET Feb 14, 08 7:20 PM CST
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Next time you strike out for the territory, you might be better served by Nokia’s new Maps 2.0 service than by a real live tour guide. CNet’s Marguerite Reardon literally road-tested the pedestrian GPS service at a Barcelona conference, taking to the Gothic Quarter’s labyrinthine alleys with the new 6210 Navigator phone, a Spanish guide, and a Nokia PR rep.
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Just in time for the northbound express
Journal News (NY) Jan 4, 08 10:05 AM CST
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When the GPS in his rental car told him to turn right as was driving over a railroad crossing, a New York area driver obediently followed directions—right onto the tracks. The car got stuck and he abandoned it minutes before a train slammed into it. No one was hurt, but the driver will be billed for the damages.
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Carriers love targeted marketing, but are afraid to tick you off
Associated Press Jan 1, 08 7:50 PM CST
(Newser)
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With the mobile Internet and GPS location-based services expanding, marketers and mobile phone companies are anxious to tap into a new level of targeted advertising. But, the AP reports, carriers are proceeding with caution in implementing the ads because they don’t want the perception of a privacy invasion to spook customers.
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Final satellite for orbital positioning network launched
Reuters Dec 27, 07 10:31 AM CST
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Russia launched three additional satellites for its GLONASS positioning system today, Reuters reports. The Russian positioning system is similar to the American GPS network, and currently consists of 18 satellites operated by the country's military. GLONASS already provides ground coverage for most of Russia itself, and is expected to expand to 24 satellites—and global coverage—by 2009.
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