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KMZ Overlays Supported in Beta Garmin GPS Firmware
posted by Satri
on Friday October 09, @02:04PM
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from the overpowered-GPS dept.
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from the overpowered-GPS dept.
Rich Owings writes "In a move that shocked many GPS fans, Garmin rolled out beta firmware for their latest generation handheld receivers allowing you to add aerial photos, USGS topos, park maps, marine charts, etc., by georeferncinga .jpg as a KMZ file in Google Earth. It was announced in this low key blog post. I put up a new post today with some tips and resources."
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Industry: Garmin Struggles Against PND Competition 1 comment
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CNNMoney.com expresses a dismal view of Garmin's future. As I read through the article, I heard a voice yelling "Hey, I'm still here!", but no one was listening. As portable electronics get smaller and more, well, portable, single-purpose devices are losing relevance fast. A device that isn't always connected to the great information stream is a second-rate digital citizen these days. "Garmin's going to need more than Google Maps to keep from getting lost in this crowd.", the article says.
I say, Garmin should join Dash and put cell communication in their GPS's. That ought to keep 'em alive a little longer!
Standalone GPS Receivers Going the Way of the Dodo
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Slashdot discusses a story named Standalone GPS Receivers Going the Way of the Dodo.
Their summary: "The NY Times reports that more than 40 percent of all smartphone owners and 80 percent of iPhone users use their mobile devices to get turn-by-turn directions driving down sales of traditional standalone GPS units from companies like TomTom, Garmin and Magellan. During the first quarter, TomTom said it shipped 29 percent fewer GPS units compared with the period in 2008 while Garmin's unit sales fell 13 percent from the previous year. While smartphones are susceptible to interruptions from incoming phone calls and using the mapping features for a long time can chew through battery power, the list of the smartphone's shortcomings is dwindling as some of the latest navigation applications offer voice navigation and take advantage of the phone's always-connected state to offer real-time traffic updates, directions to contacts in the phone's address book and more. 'I've not stopped using a GPS because I never bought one in the first place — they are expensive and inconvenient,' says Steve Weller. 'Now with the iPhone, I will actually use GPS — and the 10 other functions it replaces.' The traditional GPS device companies are trying to adapt, seeking to expand their reach into the smartphone market. TomTom recently announced that it would introduce a portable navigation application for the iPhone that would feature turn-by-turn directions and audio prompts. 'The simplicity of having one device and not needing to pull the Garmin out of my glove compartment is enough,' says Andrew DiMarcangelo. 'I want to get into my car and do as few things as possible.'"
Application Domains: Garmin Nuvifone G60 Review
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APB links to a review of the Garmin Nuvifone G60. We mentioned Garmin's tentative foray into smartphones in early 2008.
From the review's introduction: "But the Garmin nuvifone G60 is a first: a Linux-powered cell phone and bonafide Garmin GPS device in one. That means you get text-to-speech capability, a database with millions of points of interest, and full-blown search capabilities. Unfortunately, Garmin spent almost two years bringing this phone to market, and it feels like a 2007-era device. At $299 with a two-year contract after a $100 mail-in rebate, the nuvifone G60 simply isn't competitive."
See also related stories below.
KMZ Overlays Supported in Beta Garmin GPS Firmware
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