A number of Android apps catch my attention, and My Tracks is one of those apps.  Like Locale (mentioned briefly here), it is a simple (and free) application which offers a useful facility; recording your journey, but being able to share that information with others.  In essence, it’s a bit like Nokia’s SportsTracker (which offered both the ability to record the information, but also share it via a website).

Having used My Tracks to record your trip, whether it’s a walk, cycle ride, or drive, you then have a variety of options of what to do with the data; upload to Google Maps, upload to Google Docs, or email or export gpx or kml files.  Whilst using the software, you also have various options for seeing real time statistics, and even create waypoints.

I also like the way that it can interact with other applications (see here), and it seems to produce fairly accurate output too.

If you want to look at some sample outputs, the author has placed a sample Google Maps output here, although one of the Linitx guys has produced a couple of UK walks here and here; to see how useful My Tracks is; click on the end point of any of these tracks and see a whole range of useful statistics!  Also, here’s what the Google Docs output looks like.

Thanks to Andy at Linitx for the screenshots of his lunchtime walks too!

As well as offering low price laptops, the Chief Exec of Asustek has stated that Asus intend to provide 20GB of free online storage to all users. They are also hoping to offer free downloads of music, movies and educational or gaming software for a limited time (which maybe around 3 months from purchase).

Picture courtesy of linitx.com.

After the story we covered yesterday of the new ATP Photofinder, here’s a picture (courtesy of linitx.com) of the device and the docking station.

At Computex 2008, Asus have launched another interesting device; a SatNav GPS unit with a HUD! This looks very interesting, and something that we like the idea of; providing next turn information including the distance to the junction on the HUD.

The display looks nice and clear, and certainly a good indication of what we could be driving around with in the next few years. The picture below shows the actual HUD unit providing the picture being projected.

There’s no information on whether or not Asus will be providing European mapping, or whether they plan to release the device in Europe, or the UK, but we certainly hope it becomes available.

As with all our Computex stories, pictures and information are courtesy of linitx.com.

Nick from linitx.com has been busy, but has managed to provide us with a large number of pictures from the Asus stand at Computex.

For more information, read the rest of the article…

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There’s been a large raft of competitors to the Asus Eee PC. Here we have a competitor to their new Eee Box PC, which has only just launched. The MSI version has the following spec:

• Intel Atom 230 (1.6Ghz) processor
• 1GB DDR2 533 memory
• Gigabit Ethernet
• 160GB SATA Hard Disk
• DVD-combo drive (as opposed to no optical drive at all on the Asus)

It’s marked by MSI as quiet, low energy, and is also listed as certified for Vista, and will be available in a range of colours.

Pictures courtesy of linitx.com.

Here’s a device launched at Computex 2008. The Elonex onetwo3 has a 1.6GHz VIA C7 processor, 512MB RAM, a 10″ 1280×600 screen and should sell for around $300. It was shown running both Windows XP and Ubuntu. It should be on sale soon, in black and white, although the exact date for UK availability isn’t available.

Pictures courtesy of linitx.com.

The Linutop 2 has been announced by French mini PC vendor Linutop. It features a 500MHz Geode processor, 512Mb RAM and 1Gb of Flash. The Linutop 2 measures 5.5 x 1.4 x 5.5 inches (14 x 3.5 x 14 cm), and weighs 20 ounces, and takes about 8 Watts of power. The OS, that’s preinstalled, includes Firefox and OpenOffice by using a version of the Xubuntu LiveCD image in the Flash. One neat feature is the ability to mount it behind a monitor using the VESA mount (although this may be nothing more than a bit of folded steel with a few holes in the right place).

However, at the price of roughly £210, we feel the VIA ARTiGO we covered here, and available from Linitx.com may be better value, and more suitable as an every day small PC.

Specs from Linux Devices.

The VIA ARTiGO Pico-ITX Builder Kit is now available from LinITX.com. This is a DIY PC Kit, but based on the Pico-ITX motherboard form factor. This allows you to build a very small, but powerful PC for your use. LinITX are offering the Kit with a range of memory and Hard Disk options. For those looking for a ultra compact PC for locating in a lounge, bedroom, or even a HiFi cabinet, this may be the PC for you…

In an article discussing Asus’ plans to expand the Eee brand name to other devices (device PCs, all in one PCs, and monitors), they also mention that Asus have stated there is not sufficient demand for a touchscreen Eee PC.

If you still think it’s a worthwhile mod, we covered one touchscreen option here (the Linitx.com 7″ touchscreen), in the second half of the article, although their stocks are limited for the next couple of weeks due to high demand from Asus modders.