If you have a TomTom SatNav device, and you use the PGPSW (Pocket GPS World) Speed Camera Database, then head over to their website, where you will find a new set of custom speed camera icons. These aren’t compatible with every TomTom device, so you’ll need to check whether they will work with your unit first, but if they will, they provide a much richer icon set than the default.

If, of course, you don’t use their Speed Camera Database, these icons won’t be much use, so whilst you are there, sign up - it’s only £19 per year, and for that you get access to the forums, discounts on new GPS hardware, and access to the speed camera database. Plus, if you report just one previously unreported static speed camera position or a change to speed/location of an existing static camera already in the database or (finally) a new mobile site then you may (subject to verification by PGPSW) get a lifetime subscription (remember only the first reporter will get the lifetime sub).

Picture courtesy of Pocket GPS World.

If you have tried to download maps for your Nokia Maps application, and suffered problems, then Martin Letis has worked out the URL (and also included instructions) to directly download the map files onto your computer, and then transfer them to your Symbian Phone. Head to his article here for more details.

If you are interested to see where Nokia plan to take Nokia Maps, the Symbian software installed on their GPS-equipped device, then there are two articles worth reading. Symbian Guru and Symbian Freak have both managed to preview the new product (which is still in Beta at this stage), and both have a lot of detail over the changes, including lots of screenshots.

If you have a Garmin Nuvi 200 or 700 series, and are experiencing slow initial GPS fix times, you may want to use the WebUpdater software from Garmin and update your SatNav to the latest firmware version available. Garmin have recently produced updates for these products that uses Sirf InstantFix II to improve those fix times.

Garmin have announced the Nuviphone, a mobile phone with SatNav capabilities. It has a 3.5″ touchscreen, full browsing and PIM capabilities, HSDPA, Quad-Band (3.5G), WiFi, Bluetooth, and is roughly the same size as the iPhone. As it uses a variant of the same proprietary OS as that on their SatNav devices, the UI will be familiar to many, and will have “millions” of POIs, and will have turn-by-turn voice prompts. However, it will also have Google Local Search capabilities (and potentially other Google apps such as Google Talk, and the camera may integrate with Google Panorama). Finally, it will use the phone network connection to get updates via Garmin Online for real time traffic, fuel prices, news, weather and stock prices (although historically these have been US only data). It is expected to be released in Q3 this year, so in time for Christmas.

The picture above shows the Nuvi SatNav interface running in a Panasonic car stereo. This is a joint venture between Panasonic US and Garmin, and allows Panasonic to develop systems such as the one above. Given this agreement is only with Panasonic US and not the whole Panasonic group (currently called Matsushita, but they will be rebranding as Panasonic worldwide during 2008), it’s unclear whether a device like this is likely to be available in the UK.

If the cost of the BMW built in SatNav has always felt a few too many pounds to spend, then you’ll be pleased to hear Garmin and BMW are working together on the 1 and 3-Series models. As well as the BMW Portable Navigation device (based on the Nuvi 360) being branded with a BMW logo, it features a BMW logo on startup, a BMW dealer database, and uses a custom mount for the Nuvi which allows users to attach the device to the interior trim instead of the windscreen. This mount is positioned for optimal viewing by the driver, and is powered directly by the car, so eliminates the need for exposed cables. This comes on the back of a MINI-specific Nuvi version last year.

Unfortunately, no UK availability information has been released yet.

Some more details about the new Garmin Colorado range have been released by Garmin…

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Garmin have released information on a whole range of new devices in advance of CES…

More details in the rest of the article

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Making Virtual Cable, a US company, have released information on their new Virtual SatNav display technology, which uses lasers and mirrors to integrate the SatNav display into the car to allow the information to appear like a Head Up Display showing you where you need to go. As this technology needs to be built into the car (ie it’s not going to be available from the likes of TomTom at your nearest Dixons), it maybe some while before we see this in a production vehicle. However, it certainly shows one option for the future of SatNav.

Mio has released the C620 and C620T SatNav units (the latter with RDS-TMC support too). What’s interesting is the 3D mapping data that Mio have included, which makes these units fairly unique at the moment, although we expect more 3D applications / devices to come next year. The 3D maps include digital elevation data, as well 3D images of landmarks. Both units feature Bluetooth and a 4.3″ screen.

According to this Ubergizmo article, Navi2Go have been demonstrating a new 3D mapping interface, which they will release early next year for Windows Mobile, with a Symbian version coming later in the year.

Google has updated it’s Google Maps service. Now if you have a mobile phone without a GPS, the service will try to use cell phone triangulation to locate you. Due to the inaccuracies of this method (up to 1Km), instead of just displaying a blue dot to locate you, the service will surround the blue dot with a light blue circle, and hopefully your actual location will be within the circle.

This is available on most Google Maps Mobile versions, although you may have to head off to the website and download updated service (GMM does not seem to auto-notify you of new versions, nor offer to download and install them).

This isn’t available in every country yet (and not supported by every phone), and there are some questions as to how Google have built their database, with concerns they have harvested data from GPS Google Maps users without their knowledge or ability to opt-out.

Yesterday TomTom launched their new HD Traffic service in The Netherlands. This High Definition traffic service uses raw, anonymous GSM signalling data made available through the partnership between TomTom and Vodafone. This data is merged with existing traffic sources to deliver the world’s most advanced traffic data.

This unique new way of supplying customers with accurate and precise traffic information, using anonymous, aggregated mobile phone data, sets a new industry standard and revolutionises the way drivers plan their daily journeys. Users receive up to five times more traffic updates so they are better informed about the traffic situation on their route and receive more accurate travel and arrival times.

In addition, HD Traffic covers at least ten times more roads in the Netherlands, so drivers know in advance that the alternative route they take is actually a smarter option, thus avoiding any unnecessary delays. TomTom has entered into a partnership with mobile network operator Vodafone in The Netherlands and in the United Kingdom for the supply of the anonymous GSM signaling data. Vodafone’s international footprint, strong brand, innovative power and the best mobile network in the industry makes it a true and reliable partner for TomTom and its users.

The ONE XL HD Traffic comes with integrated HD Traffic, using a built-in SIM card to automatically set up a LIVE connection to the TomTom HD Traffic Centre. The TomTom ONE XL HD Traffic comes with a 12 month introductory subscription to HD Traffic included. After that, you decide if you want to subscribe at the fixed, low cost fee (€9.99 per month in NL, which includes the data connection as well as the traffic service). No hidden charges, no mobile tariffs and no nasty surprises.

TomTom expect to launch this HD Traffic service in the UK in 2008.

TomTom announced today that it is now supplying selected TomTom SatNav devices with their latest (read fixed) RDS-TMC traffic receiver in the same box. Similar to Garmin, TomTom has added a “T” into the new product titles to indicate that the product is a bundle including traffic support.

More details of the models and prices in the rest of the article.

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TomTom have now released the v7 software update for the x10 devices (510, 710, 910) providing the new functions that have been available on the x20 devices (520, 720) for a while now.  To get this update, you may need to first update your TomTom HOME application, and then you should be able to get the update for your device.

This is also available for some of the TomTom ONE range too.

Earlier this year, TomTom announed it was going to make an offer for TeleAtlas. A few months later, Nokia announced it was actually making an offer for Navteq. This prompted TomTom to firm up it’s offer for TeleAtlas.

Today, Garmin has joined in and has also made an offer for TeleAtlas, which is an interesting move from Garmin, who have traditionally used Navteq maps worldwide.

There are other rumours flying around about companies wanting to buy TomTom, but nothing is confirmed yet.

Story from PocketGPSWorld.com

Nokia will later today announce their 3rd Internet Tablet, the N810. This is likely to run alongside the N800, but adds a built in GPS, Navigation software, and a sliding keyboard.

More pictures available at the Linux for Home Automation website.

Specs also now available at the Linux for Home Automation website.

Picture courtesy of Nokia.

Ricky, from Symbian Guru, has posted that Google Maps has been updated for Symbian phones, and is now a dedicated Series 60 application. This boasts both GPS support, including support for internal GPS units, such as the N95, 6110 Navigator, and the E90.

Ricky also reports that one nice feature is the ability for a search result to be saved directly into a Contacts entry.

It can be downloaded from here.

Image courtesy of Symbian Guru.

Although apparently not yet in the shops, TomTom are now shipping out replacement TMC traffic data receivers to people in the UK who have complained about performance problems (ie the previous ones didn’t work). These seem to being well received, and actually work in the UK.

So, with that sorted out, and with the new MapShare feature in their newer products, one has to wonder what Garmin will do next to try to ensure they hold their market share.

Picture courtesy of PocketGPSWorld