I’ve always liked Google Maps, not for the quality of the maps, nor the fact that everything is repeatedly downloaded (but at least the mapping is as up to date as possible), but because it does Cell ID and WiFi location as well as pure GPS location.  Towards the end of a long day, when the battery is starting to run out (or I am nervous it soon will), one nice option is to use Google Maps (instead of Ovi Maps), and my location will be pretty accurately found on the map without the need to enable the battery-draining GPS.

This single feature of having access to a rough location without needed to fire up (or wait for) the GPS has made Google Maps a shortcut on my Nokia homescreen, whereas Ovi Maps is simply left dormant in the main menu.  Well, could I have found a solution for this…?

Something I missed when it launched last year was that Skyhook Wireless (the company behind the Cell ID and WiFi location information on the iPhone) have released a little application called Maps Booster for Symbian.  What this does is add an additional positioning server option deep within the positioning subsystem of the Symbian OS, which, when turned on, will provide, through the standard positioning interface, a rough location to all GPS-aware apps (so Ovi Maps, but also things like Garmin’s SatNav software, or even third party apps).  Now, for most scenarios, I set Google Maps to work without enabling the GPS, and by configuring your Nokia device in the same way, you could, once Maps Booster is installed, do the same thing.  The only downside would be you would need to go deep into the Symbian menu structure to turn on the GPS (it’s easier to get to within Google Maps).

In terms of phones supported, it looks like most S60 3rd Edition FP1 and FP2 devices are supported, along with S60 5th Edition devices, including devices such as the Nokia E63, which doesn’t have a built in GPS, thereby providing a nice rough location service to this device in the same way Google Maps does.

Oh, and if you were wondering where it appears on the menu, on newer devices it’s Applications->Location->Positioning->Positioning Methods, whereas for elder devices it’s Tools->Settings->General->Positioning->Positioning Methods.

I’m looking to install this app, and see whether it allows me to convert from Google Maps to Ovi Maps.  However, as with all things, it’s not that easy…

• Maps Booster can only be installed from the Ovi Store, and costs £3 (although that seems perfectly acceptable for the functionality)
• Of course, that’s £3 per Symbian device due to the way the Ovi Store works (purchases are by device, not by user account)
• Moving away from Google Maps will lose access to Google Latitude, and with Nokia’s FriendView service now shut down, Latitude is a well used feature on my phone.
• There are rumours that there is a small incompatibility between the latest firmware on some Symbian devices and Maps Booster, which prevent it from appearing in the Positioning Method list, preventing it from working.  Ironically, that’s the same firmware that is needed to get the new free Ovi Maps working…
• Also, don’t forget to keep a copy of the install file once downloaded from the Ovi Store, else you might end up paying again if you need to hard reset your device, although we understand the Ovi Store should offer you a re-download option for this software now.
• Ironically, by enabling the feature, it can cause some minor problems with Google Maps, which doesn’t seem to like the “inaccurate” GPS positions; of course, leaving GPS turned on should produce a good solid fix in time (or leave the GPS option within Google Maps turned off, and then it will use it’s own database for the rough location).
• Is Google Search actually better than the Ovi Maps search function, and hence apart from when I plan in advance, will I end up back with Google Maps anyway?
• It’s been suggested it’s not best used when driving, where GPS support is really needed, as it has a delay on updating the position; however, it should excel whilst walking in cities (where the GPS may struggle due to tall buildings and where they are loads of WiFi networks to locate you).
• Finally, it’s not clear how much data the app uses, and whether it has any local caching, or whether it always needs a data connection; if so, don’t forget to turn it off (along with so many other applications) when roaming, where, ironically, again, it could be the most useful…

If you head to Skyhook’s Coverage page here, and scroll across to the UK, you can see there are whole areas of the country which are pretty accurately mapped with Cell Towers and WiFi, which should ensure this software offers a nice alternative to GPS, especially when the dreaded battery is running out…

I’ll hopefully report back in a month or so and let you know how I get on (now, if only Nokia would give me free Ovi Maps navigation for my main everyday device)…

Back in November, I covered some early information on the new Garmin Engine Diagnostic system (see here).  Well, Garmin have formally released more information about it, and I can now provide confirmation of my earlier article.

So, once you have performed a one time sync between your Garmin Nuvi and the unit above, the two devices will work wirelessly.  You simply plug the device into your OBD-II diagnostics socket, and mount it away from pedals and other switches, and it will then work without further intervention.

Garmin have said “Drivers also get more accurate ecoRoute data, making fuel conservation easier than ever, and they can monitor their engine data (including temperature, RPM, emissions) and diagnostics through the Trip Computer screen and customizable Gauges screen. Drivers can then view Diagnostic Trouble Codes – with on-screen descriptions of some error codes – and reset the “check engine” light. ecoRoute hd will be compatible with many current and future nüvi models, including 1260, 1370, 1390, 1490 and 1690.”

The list of diagnostic features includes:

• Intake air temperature information
• Coolant temperature data
• Throttle position and engine load
• Intake manifold pressure
• Battery and charging system information
• Mass airflow rate
• Timing advance
• Emissions

The device will be available in March 2010 in the US, and hopefully not long after in the UK.  A number of existing Nuvi units will be compatible with the ecoroute HD cable; to find out if your Nuvi will be compatible (although all existing units will need a software update to support the device), head off to www.garmin.com/ecoroute (although looking at the time of writing, it wasn’t clear whether all devices that have ever supported the ecoroute function will work, or whether the website simply hasn’t been fully updated yet!).

In a time of SatNavs becoming cheaper, something like this helps to differentiate Garmin from the competition…

Having already added the Garmin Oregon 500 and Garmin Oregon 550 to the original Garmin Oregon range (which added a camera into the GPS device), Garmin have now added the Garmin Oregon 450 into the range too.  In basic terms, the Garmin Oregon 450 offers the rest of the high spec features of the Oregon 5xx range, but doesn’t include the camera.

From the other point of view, compared to the Garmin Oregon 400, the 450 adds the following additional features:

• High speed USB (for faster data transfers)
• 2000 Waypoints (compared to 1000 on the 400)
• 200 Routes (compared to 50 on the 400)
• The tilt-compensated 3-axis compass (as featured on the 5xx, but not on the 4xx)

It also appears, in the US at least, that the 400 has now been replaced by the 450, so this is more of an upgrade than an additional model in the range, although both are likely to be on sale for a while as shops clear out their stocks of the elder unit.

Although possibly only for the US, Garmin are planning to release an ecoRoute ESP Cable, which allows you to connect a Bluetooth enabled Garmin Nuvi 1xxx device to your car’s OBD on board diagnostic connector to be able to display certain information, including:

• Fuel and Intake Air Anformation (Fuel Flow, Intake Air Temperature, etc)
• Coolant Temperature & Oil Pressure
• Throttle Position
• Combustion Mixture (Emissions)
• Engine Component Operation & Status
• Battery and Charging System Information
• Climate Control Information (Heat & AC)
• Drive Train Status and Condition

Interestingly, this is referred to as a cable, yet something that needs to be paired via Bluetooth, so it’s not clear exactly what it is, and how it works, (unless the cable is used between the device and the Nuvi as part of setting it up).   However, offering this information is an interesting new take on providing SatNav functionality, and something that we hope comes to the UK and other Nuvi models next year.  It looks like it will cost $150 in the US when it formally launches in the New Year, and there’s no word of UK availability (although there should be no reason why not).

Information courtesy of GPSCity [via Engadget]

This is the new Garmin nuvi 1690, which launched a few weeks back in the US, but has now been launched in the UK as well.  The important part of this device is the use of a built in mobile phone connection, allowing it to have a whole range of “connected” services, like those of the TomTom LIVE range.

Garmin are providing the following services over that connection:

• Instant Traffic information
• Speed Camera alerts (continually updated apparently)
• Fuel prices
• Ciao! Friend Finder (Garmin’s Social Networking application which also features on the nuviphone range)
• Google Local Search and Telephone Directory
• Flight Status
• Weather Forecast
• Currency Exchange
• White Pages

There are also two other useful services in the range; Send To GPS allows you to “send” your route direct to your GPS, although we believe this will involve a direct connection between your PC and the SatNav unit.  The other is Panoramio, which will allow you to plan ahead and “conveniently go online to set your sat nav’s destination”.  Little detail exists about this function right now, and even on a UK specific page it mentions this service may not be available everywhere.

As a device it features a whole raft of standard features; Bluetooth (for Hands Free phonecalls), Lane assistance, photo navigation, Where Am I?, ecoRoute fuel saving routes, and Park Position Recall.  Also, Garmin will preload the device with Pan European maps, and have stated that the online nuLink services will be available in 15 countries (not all services are available in all countries though), which is better than TomTom managed when they launched their LIVE services, which were limited to the country the device was obtained from.

For example, England (sic), France, Spain and Netherlands all offer all the services mentioned, whereas Italy and Belgium offer all but Fuel Prices, and Germany offers all except Fuel Prices, Safety Cameras and Ciao! location sharing.  Some services (although Garmin do not state which) are also available in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.

In terms of Ciao!, Garmin have stated “Ciao!, is a patentpending social network application that links multiple location-centric social networks onto one application, Ciao! currently aggregates information from GyPSii and uLocate’s Buddy beacon social network services. Ciao! is expandable and additional social network partners are expected in the future.”

The device ships with 12 months nuLink services, and will cost €79 per year to renew (no UK pricing released yet); unfortunately Garmin also failed to provide any indicative pricing for the unit either, but this unit is likely to be the first of many well connected devices from Garmin, and appears to be a good move for Garmin, especially in the run up to Christmas.

Last week Garmin announced two new touchscreen devices; the Garmin Dakota 10 and Garmin Dakota 20.  Mapomatic has the full details here, but to summarise some of their information:

They are smaller than the iconic Garmin eTrex units, and feature a 2.6″ touchscreen (compared to the 3″ screen on the Oregon models).  They will not come with built in mapping in the UK, but maps can be added (including the free Mapomatic UK OSM Map for Garmin).  The Dakota has 850 MB of internal memory, which can store up to 1,000 waypoints, 50 routes, 2,000 geocaches and an active tracklog of up to 10,000 points and 200 saved tracks.

The Garmin Dakota 20 adds even more features, including a 3-axis compass, barometric altimeter, a microSD card slot for increased mapping and memory storage, and wireless unit-to-unit connectivity for sharing your waypoints, tracks, routes and geocaches wirelessly with compatible Dakota, Oregon, Colorado and Foretrex devices. Dakota 20’s 3-axis, tilt-compensated electronic compass shows your heading even when you’re standing still, without needing to hold it level.

Head over to Mapomatic to read the whole article, and also their recent article on new firmwares for Garmin Colorado and Garmin Oregon models here.

If you have a Garmin Nuvi 7×5, 800, 8×5, Zumo 660, GPSMAP 620 or GPSMAP 640 then before you do anything (including powering on your device), head to Garmin’s WebUpdater and apply the mandatory GPS firmware update (it’s already available for the 7×5 range, and the others should follow with some speed).  These devices may try to repeatedly update the GPS firmware, causing the unit to shut down, fail to start up, or fail to acquire GPS signals (the most common occurence).

If your device is failing to startup, things are a bit more complicated, and you’ll need to talk to Garmin about the possibility of needing to return your unit to them for fixing.

We’ve covered a number of car manufacturers working with Garmin and TomTom to provide custom mounts, and now Volkswagen have announced plans to provide a VW-specific Garmin Nuvi 7×5 mount.  The Volkswagen “Click&Ride” solution is custom made and “tailored for all models” and will provide power to the Nuvi.  It will also integrate into the car’s audio system so that all information is broadcast through the stereo.

The “Click&Ride” solution includes the Nuvi itself, and features all the normal functions you would expect of a Garmin Nuvi model; lane assist, traffic information warning of roadworks and accidents, and will sit in the bottom left hand corner (LHD) or bottom right hand corner (RHD).

This looks a nice solution for those looking for a more integrated feel, but still want the power and flexibility of a portable SatNav unit.

This phone was originally due to be made available by Garmin late last year.  Then Garmin announced it would be delayed until the first half of this year.  Well, now, it’s been delayed even further, and it’s now not likely to appear on sale until Q3 this year.  This is interesting, as the device was clearly on show at the recent Gadget Show Live in Birmingham, whereas the Garmin Oregon 550 wasn’t anywhere to be seen.

As we’ve seen in years gone past with both Symbian and Windows Mobile devices from various manufacturers, we suspect it’s the interaction between the device and the GSM phone element that’s delaying them.  Of course, if they keep delaying it much more, they will have released an Android based phone by then (along with the Windows Mobile based M20 which isn’t so delayed (yet!).

More news on availability and pricing as and when Garmin finally get this device on sale.

We first covered this new addition to the Oregon range back in March, but we can now confirm the device has been released by Garmin, and will be available shortly.

The main features that these devices add over the current range are the 3.2 megapixel camera (which creates geotagged photos) we already knew about, but also a new 3-axis compass, which means the unit will not have to be held perfectly horizontal for the compass to function.

The camera features a 4x digital zoom, and because the whole device is fairly waterproof, you can use this camera anywhere, even under less than perfect conditions, and once you return home and connect your Garmin Oregon 550 to your PC, you can use my.Garmin.com to detect the photos and upload them to Picasa (Google’s online photo community).

The other addition that this new top-of-the-range device adds over the rest of the range is that it will ship with 2 AA NiMH rechargeable batteries, and a battery charger.

Information courtesy of Mapomatic.

Garmin regularly release new firmwares for their latest and greatest devices, but, even for their elder devices, they occasionally continue to release updates.  Over the last few months, we’ve seen updates for the Garmin Forerunner 305 (v2.90) and the Garmin GPSMAP 60CSx (v3.90).   Also, Garmin have updated their WebUpdater software for Windows (v2.4.2) and for Mac (v2.0.6), and back a little further, there have been updates for the Garmin Training Center for Mac and the Mac ANT Agent.  Finally, back in January, Garmin released a beta firmware for the Oregon range (v2.8.5) which offers some new functionality as well.

Update: Since then, Garmin have released a few more beta versions, with the latest Oregon beta now v2.96.

Although there are slight risks associated with firmware updates (for example, some of the latest Nuvi firmwares have introduced a bug with the way the devices handle mp3 and speed camera alerts making them useless as media players), normally Garmin move forward with their firmwares, and they are worthwhile applying; some will be needed for supporting the latest map updates, and Garmin will normally ask you to apply the latest firmware when dealing with any tech support issues, so fire up WebUpdater (it should check itself for updates before checking your device) and ensure you are upto date.

Incidentally, the picture is of the new Garmin Oregon 500, which Garmin confirmed to me the other week would be released, but could not confirm the exact release date (we previously mentioned it here).  They also stated that they recommend the Oregon series over the Colorado series of devices due to better battery life in the Oregon range.

Last week, Garmin launched two new Forerunner devices, the Garmin Forerunner 310XT and the Garmin Forerunner 405CX.

The Forerunner 405CX is very similar to the Garmin Forerunner 405, although it adds Heart rate-based calorie computation, and includes “a second wrist band option suitable for smaller wrists”.  Designed for sports people, or even people training for charity events, the device “comes with a flexible, wireless heart rate monitor to help you make the most out of your training. The digital heart rate monitor continuously tracks heart beats per minute and uses your heart rate for advanced calorie computation, so you know how many calories you’re burning. Train in a certain heart rate zone to improve your fitness level or compare your pace and heart rate to past performance on the same run”.

This device is well suited to both runners and cyclists; you can use the “optional foot pod to track your speed, distance and running cadence indoors when GPS signals are unavailable. The wireless foot pod clips onto your laces for easy removal and automatically turns on when you start moving”. Alternatively, you can “pair your Forerunner with an optional speed/cadence bike sensor to track the speed and distance of your cycling workouts”.

The Forerunner 310XT is a rugged device, which is waterproof to 50 metres (it’s also listed as swim-proof, and designed to be used by swimmers), and can track swim, bike and run data and then send it wirelessly to your computer via ANT+ wireless technology. To support tri-atheletes even further, the “Forerunner 310XT moves easily from wrist to bike with the optional quick release and bike mounts, making the transition between sports effortless” and “categorizes multisport activities in one workout and can also log transition time in the process, so you can analyze your performance from start to finish”.

The Forerunner 310XT “tracks your position precisely with GPS satellite data and records distance, pace, heart rate (optional), power data (from ANT+™-enabled third-party power meters)” and “connects seamlessly to an optional heart rate monitor, foot pod and cadence sensor”.  The battery should last up to 20 hours.

The Forerunner 310XT will either be sold on its own, or with a “new waterproof, soft-strap heart rate monitor that is streamlined and more comfortable than ever, yet rugged enough to withstand swimming. Though heart rate data does not transmit while underwater, this new waterproof strap means that triathletes can plan ahead by wearing the strap under a wetsuit, shaving crucial seconds off their transition time. The new soft-strap monitor is expected to be available during summer 2009″.

Both these devices should be available in Q2 (ie before June 2009), although we are yet to hear what the UK prices will be.  It looks like Garmin is trying to become a leader in sports based GPS devices as well as already being one of the key players in the GPS and SatNav marketplaces.  More information can be found at the Garmin website for the Forerunner 405CX and Forerunner 310XT.

No one has much detail as yet, but it appears that Garmin are planning one (or more) additional models in the Oregon range.  The device will be the 500 or 550, and will feature one main additional component; a built in camera.  This will, presumably allow the owner to take geotagged pictures with their GPS.

More details as and when we have them, including whether or not these devices will be bound for the UK market.

Story courtesy of GPS Review.

Mapomatic, who produce free Garmin maps from the OpenStreetMap data, have published their review of the Garmin Oregon, and considered whether it, or the Garmin Colorado is a better device for going geocaching.

Head over to read their review, and if you own a Garmin device which can have additional maps loaded onto it, then you might want to try out their Garmin UK OSM Map, or their specialised Garmin UK OSM Cycle Map (which puts greater emphasise on cycle routes) or even their Garmin UK OSM Canal Map (which adds lots of additional canals and rivers, and even shows lockgates; useful for those planning a summer trip on the water).

First announced back in January here, Garmin have now released the software updates for their Garmin Nuvi 2×5 and 7×5 ranges to allow them to take advantage of ecoroutes, basically, by choosing a fuel-efficient route.  Since it was first announced, Garmin have announced two new devices, the Nuvi 1200 and 1300, and these two devices are also compatible with ecoroutes.  Once you have installed the latest software update for these units, the route preferences will include an additional “Less fuel” option, and you can also provide your SatNav with information about your fuel consumption and the current price of fuel, and it will also let you know how much you are saving.

More information about Garmin ecoroutes direct from Garmin here.

Garmin have hinted about their Garmin nuvifone and their integrated location services, and how now provided more information on some of the functions that will be provided.

Firstly, “if you open a contact’s name on a nüvifone, you’ll have three primary options: call, text and go.  The call and text choices are traditional options found on most phones, but if you press “go” it launches the navigation screen and you’ll be navigating to the contact’s address.”

Another example is having the nuvifone’s location integrated with the calendar; “You can find an event in the area via the “upcoming events” option, then add it to the calendar with the click of a button. When it’s time to attend the event, your calendar will prompt you of the event and then you can navigate to the event by touching a button on the calendar page.”

These may only be little bits of information, but it certainly looks like Garmin have thought through what could and should be achieved, and are making a well integrated device.  Other phone vendors should be taking note of this information, and hopefully will be offering similar integration where it’s not available today.

Garmin have been slowly rolling out native Mac support for their range of applications, and last week, Garmin moved a step further towards full Mac support by releasing the ANT Agent for Mac software.  This allows the ANT USB Wireless stick to communicate between the Mac and the Garmin Forerunner 405 or Garmin Forerunner 50 for use with the Garmin Connect website.

Garmin have also stated that they will hopefully be releasing Mac support to allow these devices to keep their firmware and GPS firmware up to date, which today still require a Windows PC to achieve.

The Garmin ANT Agent needs an Intel Mac running OS X v10.4 or newer, and you need 256MB of RAM and at least 150MB disk space free.

On the back of the nuvifone G60 announcement (the linux smartphone, first announced roughly a year ago), Garmin-Asus have announced a 2nd nuvifone, the M20.  Now, this phone is a Windows Mobile 6.1 device, so it looks like it’s come more from the Asus end of this joint venture, but running a version of Garmin’s Mobile XT.  The specs include a 2.8″ touchscreen display, HSDPA up to 7.2Mbps, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, support for real-time traffic and weather (we’re waiting for confirmation whether these will be available in the UK), 4 or 8GB of storage, and Garmin’s Ciao! service, which is their social networking application.

More details and prices will be revealed at a later date, although we may see more detail next week at MWC.

Garmin and Asus have announced a strategic alliance, which will design, manufacture and distribute co-branded location-centric mobile phones under the Garmin-Asus nüvifone brand.  They are planning to launch a number of handsets this year and the Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60 (previously Garmin nüvifone) will be the first to be formally launched in two weeks time at MWC (Mobile World Congress), the trade show in Barcelona.

Garmin hope this model will be shipping in the first half of 2009, and have stated it will offer location-based services such as the Garmin navigation software, connected local search and Ciao, “a social networking application that bridges the gap between multiple location based social networks and integrates them seamlessly into one device”, which certainly sounds interesting.

Garmin have announced that during February this year, they will produce software units for their Nuvi 2×5 and 7×5 range offering a new facility; ecoroutes.  This will offer a new routing option which will attempt to minimise the amount of fuel required to reach the selected destination.  The only thing that’s not clear from Garmin’s announcement is whether this needs particular maps, and whether or not the UK maps are included in that.  However, this does show a little innovation in that Garmin are responded to the needs of their customers in this current financial situation.

More information available from Garmin here.