Map Watch News

Garmin has introduced the "Forerunner 301 - a GPS watch to be marketed to athletes. This GPS watch continuously monitors your heart rate, speed, distance, pace and calories burned, allowing you to train smarter and more effeciently. The Forerunner 301 includes a heart rate monitor and software that allows you to plot your routes, progress and GPS training data.
Images by GarminLearn more about the new Garmin GPS Watch at the Garmin website.

The Wisconsin Department of Corrections states that "Project Kidsafe", which requires lifetime monitoring of certain sex offenders will dramatically increase costs by millions of dollars per year. These costs can be charged to the offender - but what of their ability to pay?
Read more about Costs of GPS Sex Offender Tracking at WNR.com

The “World’s Coolest GPS Tour Guide System” is a new way to see New York City. It consists of a hand-held PDA computer, a GPS receiver and a pair of headphones.

Known as "CityShow" this system delivers location-based tourist information to New York City visitors. Just start the system and make your way around Manhattan. As you travel CityShow tells you where you are and what you are near. In addition it also delivers location-based history, stories, music, photos and other information. It can even tell you locations of the nearest subway stations and public restrooms.

The Holiday Edition features famous NYC highlights such as the Rockefeller Christmas tree, Holiday windows at Saks, Macy’s, Lord and Taylor, the skating rinks, the Christmas Spectacular at Radio City, the World’s Largest Menorah, and more.

Learn more about GPS Tour of NYC at cityshownyc.com.

Sid Schwartz's article, "Police surveillance with GPS raises rights questions" provides a good summary of the potential uses and challenges of GPS evidence and suspect monitoring. Do police have the right to attach a GPS transmitter to a suspect's vehicle to monitor his/her whereabouts?
Read more about GPS Evidence and Suspect Monitoring at the Janesville Gazette.

Larry McShane has written an interesting article about how GPS is becoming more common in the work place and how the accumulated GPS data can be used to the benefit and detriment of companies who collect it.
Read more at GPS in the Workplace.

USGS has posted several maps and satellite image collections that present summary data for Hurricane Katrina. Of particular note are the maps for windspeed, flooding and damage assessment. These maps can be viewed online and paper copies can be purchased through their print-on-demand program.





Images by USGSGet more information and view full-size maps at the USGS Hurricane Katrina Maps website.

Garmin's nüvi 300 and nüvi 350 are truly international GPS units. Not only can they tell you your location but they also include maps of Europe, navigation, travel guide content, language translation (American English, British English, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, European Spanish, and Latin American Spanish), currency conversion, measurement converter, international time and much more - including MP3 player, jpg picture viewer, and text to speech software.

Image by Garmin nüviRead more about this International GPS at the Garmin website.

GPS Industries has been contracted to provide GPS equipment, Wi-Fi and software to enhance the play experience at the Fort Lewis Military Golf Course, which is now open to the public. Carts at the course will be equipped with GPS and processors that will estimate distances, display interactive maps of the course and more.

Screenshot of GPS Industries WebsiteRead more about GPS Golf at Fort Lewis.

Google has really done it now! They are now sending directions, maps, and satellite imagery, to your mobile phone. Now you can just flip open your phone and get step-by-step directions to almost any address. Integrated with the maps is information about local businesses with phone numbers and more. What will they think of next?

Image by Google Get Google Maps for Your Mobile Phone

A new article at TechnologyReview.com suggests many interesting ways to use Google Earth - in teaching, travel, research and just for fun.
Read more at Serious Fun With Google Earth

The new Garmin is a multifunctional device which merges the features of a GPS, a PDA, an MP3 player and PC into a single device. Preloaded City Navigator Maps, point of interest software, Microsoft Office and other features make it one of the most functional pieces of equipment that you can find.

Image by GarminRead more at Garmin's iQue M4 webpage.