Here are two slightly niche GPS units that Holux had on display at IFA in Berlin.  It’s not clear whether these will definitely go into production at this stage, although it is likely that they (or minor variants of them) will.

The first is the Golf GPS (Holux GR-130), which as well as being a GPS device has a 2.2″ 176×220 display capable of showing maps (that are stored in flash memory), a removable and rechargeable Li-Ion battery, and is waterproof.

The second is a Bike GPS (Holux GR-245), which has a 128×128 4 grayscale (and backlit) display and provides a tracklog.  It is also waterproof, and features the same removable battery.  Litte more information is known at this stage.

Both devices courtesy of NaviGadget.

Although it’s only been out a few months, a new software update has been released for the Garmin Forerunner 405, Garmin’s newest GPS based training watch. If you head off to the Forerunner 405 software page, you’ll find more details about the new version. If you have already set your Forerunner to connect to your PC, then you should be able to simple connect your ANT USB Stick, and update the device wirelessly. Unlike most Garmin GPS / SatNav units, this device does not use the traditional Garmin WebUpdater to update, but does take advantage of the Garmin Communicator plugin (which is commonly used to get geocaches from sites such as Geocaching.com into yoru GPS). Right now, this plugin is Windows only, but Garmin assure us they hope to have Mac support in Autumn 2008.

The feature list of v2.2 includes:

• Added timeout setting to the Training Options menu that disables the automatic timeout to power save mode when the watch is in training mode.
• Changed all settings in the Training Options menu to be specific to the current sport mode setting.
• Made adjustments to instantaneous pace filtering.
• Calculate calories, averages, and Virtual Partner time ahead/behind only when not auto paused.
• Added small navigation arrow on course timer page.
• Added locating satellites page before allowing user to mark location or mark position for the mark and lap auto lap by position option to ensure that the user’s current location is the one that is saved.
• Improved reliability of unit-to-unit transfers.
• Fixed issue where watch could freeze with bezel, accessories, and GPS not working.
• Fixed issues that could occur when using back to start feature.
• Corrected issues related to using the foot pod and GPS at the same time.
• Fixed issue where auto pause would not work if GPS was off and user was using only a foot pod or a bike sensor and not a heart rate monitor.
• Corrected issue with auto wheel size calibration for bike sensor.
• Fixed issue where total times greater than 24 hours could be displayed incorrectly on the totals page.
• Prevent start/stop or lap/reset from triggering if one button is released before the other after locking the bezel.
• Automatically classify activities with a foot pod as running and activities with a bike sensor as biking before sending data to the computer.
• Updated translations.

Like many software updates, we would recommend you think carefully before applying this update, although we’ve generally found Garmin updates to be well worth applying.

O2 will, according to Smartplanet, be showcasing bikes which can recharge your mobile at the O2 wireless festival in Hyde Park from 3rd to 6th July. The bikes will vary from BMX, Chopper-style, and even racers, and will be available for people to recharge their own phones using their own power. The only downside is that the bikes will be at a fixed location, and so you won’t actually get to really ride the bike anywhere.

Both Smartplanet and UK Gadgeteer feel that, unless it’s hideously expensive, O2 should look at getting this released as a commercial product so we can all recharge our phones whilst cycling.  In our search to see if this has already been done, we did find one manufacturer of a bike based mobile phone recharging system, but their 2 UK resellers seemed hesistant to provide any details or pricing online.

In a nice example of integration between various technologies, Cerevellum have released pictures of a prototype rear view camera system for bicycles they are hoping to put into production next year.  Athough shown on a bicycle, we can see no reason why these can’t also be used for motorbikes.  Cerevellum are hoping to sell these for around $200 in the US. They are also planning on developing GPS and Heart Rate components for the same system, which should make it even more attractive to regular cyclists.  No word on UK stockists.

[Via Engadget]