China's homegrown GPS to open up for smartphones

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="copy post-body" dir="ltr" itemprop="text" style="text-align: left;"> <div class="image-container" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="Chinas homegrown GPS to open up for smartphone makers" data-src-height="339" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/04/beidou.jpg" /></div>Now that China is comfortable letting drivers access Beidou to get around the middle kingdom, it's decided that everyone else should get easy access as well. Talking to <em>Xinhua News</em>, state official Yang Qiangwen said that it won't be long before the nation's made-at-home GPS is adopted by local smartphone makers. The government is seeking to attract investment to promote the technology for public use, presumably lobbying domestic manufacturers to get on board -- before making similar overtures to the big boys elsewhere.<br /> </div></div>

China's homegrown GPS to open up for smartphones

Now that China is comfortable letting drivers access Beidou to get around the middle kingdom, it's decided that everyone else should ...

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Garmin to power future Mercedes-Benz infotainment systems

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/01/garmindsc04929.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> It looks like Garmin has managed to lock down a very solid deal following its automotive group's compelling demo at CES. The company's in-dash GPS software is now set to roll out with future Mercedes-Benz models -- Garmin's navigation system is scheduled to be fully integrated within the next four years, and will begin appearing with select 2014 models. The solution sounds similar to the version we saw on display during CES, and includes a primary panel in the center console, along with a secondary display located behind the steering wheel, tasked with providing key driver stats, along with next turn info, for example.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> Mercedes will share more details once specific launch vehicles are announced, but Garmin said to expect features like Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS), to help out with vehicle positioning, while the car manufacturer will bring tools like a rotary controller and voice commands to the table. What remains to be seen is how TomTom will fit into the mix -- last month, the company announced plans of its own to provide HD Traffic service to certain Mercedes vehicles, though it's unclear if the two GPS giants will be working together on this latest venture.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <strong>Update: </strong>Garmin reached out to clarify that the company will be providing the GPS software for Mercedes-Benz's own infotainment solution. So it's not all Garmin under the hood.</div></div>

Garmin to power future Mercedes-Benz infotainment systems

It looks like Garmin has managed to lock down a very solid deal following its automotive group's compelling demo at CES. The company...

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Rolls-Royce Wraith picks gears using GPS, keeps your Spirit of Ecstasy soaring (video)

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <img alt="RollsRoyce Wraith picks gears based on GPS position, would rather you avoid the Broads" data-src-height="340" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/rolls-royce-wraith-autoblog-340.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Many Rolls-Royce drivers are used to effortless speed between the big engines and smooth suspensions. The automaker's new Wraith coupe could iron out what few of those wrinkles are left through a clever use of GPS for the transmission. Its eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox relies on positioning to pick gears in advance, gauging the situation down to the exact stretch of road: it can see the need for a shorter gear at the upcoming corner, for example. Other tech upgrades aren't quite as fresh, although we're sure that less traditionalist Rolls drivers won't mind a heads-up display, voice command support and the infotainment system's multi-touch trackpad. The Wraith's €245,000 ($318,745) price and late 2013 availability will likely be too much to endure if all you're looking for is seamless shifting -- they may, however, provide some consolation for missing out on that LaFerrari.</div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SJ82dP5s1cU?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe></div>

Rolls-Royce Wraith picks gears using GPS, keeps your Spirit of Ecstasy soaring (video)

  Many Rolls-Royce drivers are used to effortless speed between the big engines and smooth suspensions. The automaker's new Wraith cou...

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Lockheed Martin powers up its first GPS III satellite, stays on track for 2014

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> <img alt="Lockheed Martin powers up its first GPS III satellite, brings accurate positioning that much closer" data-src-height="340" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/03/lockheed-martin-gps-iii-620.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">It's been awhile since we heard much about Lockheed Martin's GPS III satellite family beyond mention of an early prototype. The next-gen positioning system just took a big step forward with word that the company has successfully powered up the first production craft of the bunch, Space Vehicle One. Flicking the switch clears it for testing and keeps the GPS III program's 2014 launch window within view. More importantly, the activation takes us one step closer to improved GPS accuracy for civilians and soldiers alike.</div></div>

Lockheed Martin powers up its first GPS III satellite, stays on track for 2014

  It's been awhile since we heard much about Lockheed Martin's GPS III satellite family beyond mention of an early prototype. The n...

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TomTom to supply maps to Intel's Telmap, creates a total navigation app package

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /> <div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"> <img alt="TomTom to supply map data to Intel's Telmap, create a whole navigation package" data-src-height="340" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/tomtom-gps-windshield.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;"> Intel scored access to code for location-based services when it acquired Telmap, but it didn't get the all-important location data needed to make the code sing. Rather than leave developers to find the content themselves, Telmap has struck a deal to get mapping information from TomTom. Navigation apps built around Telmap's work will soon have access both to TomTom's base maps as well as 3D maps, junctions, points of interest and voice mapping. While there's no mention of exactly when TomTom data will show up, the union is characterized as a "long-term partnership" -- we'd expect TomTom routing to quickly become a mainstay of Telmap's platforms (and potentially Intel's) in the near future.</div></div>

TomTom to supply maps to Intel's Telmap, creates a total navigation app package

Intel scored access to code for location-based services when it acquired Telmap, but it didn't g...

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Fujitsu prototype GPS cane hands-on: the future of monitoring and protecting the elderly

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Fujitsu prototype GPS cane" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/mwc2013fujitsugpscanemain.jpg" /></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">Fujitsu's Stylistic S01 isn't the company's only attempt to cater to an older audience. It's also experimenting with a rather ingenius (and super glossy) take on the classic cane, that looks like something out of a sci-fi film. Inside the two-toned elliptical head-piece are a pile of electronics, including Bluetooth, GPS, WiFi and a cellular radio. And at the front of the grip is a small display, consisting of an array of multi-color LEDs. Those little bulbs light up, primarily in red or green, to communicate through simple pictographs. The primary function is to offer directions using the GPS. The LEDs tell you which way to head with simple green arrow animations and alert you to upcoming turns by flashing a red exclamation point. While we understand and appreciate the simplicity, the combination of relatively dim LEDs and the glossy design made it a bit difficult to make out direction under the harsh lights of the Fujitsu booth -- we can only imagine things would only get worse under a glaring mid-day sun.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">This isn't just a dumbed-down guidance device, however. The GPS can also be used to track movement, while other sensors on board can monitor temperature, humidity and heart rate. There's a small pad at the top where you place your thumb to get a BPM readout. Should the heat get cranking and grandpa's heart rate start to climb, a loved one could set a destination for him remotely and lead him to the nearest place to cool off. Fujitsu reps said the current prototype is capable of lasting between two or three hours on a charge, though we imagine much longer battery life will be needed for it to become a practical, everyday solution. There's no telling if or when this futuristic walking stick will hit the market, but we wouldn't be surprised to see some form of it in the next year or two. Technology moves quick and the healthcare industry is one of the quickest growing markets for the cutting edge. If you'd like a glimpse of how the system might work, check out the video after the break.</div></div><iframe frameborder="0" height="349" id="viddler-4eb9c6b1" mozallowfullscreen="true" src="//www.viddler.com/embed/4eb9c6b1/?f=1&offset=0&autoplay=0&secret=11771436&disablebranding=0&view_secret=11771436" webkitallowfullscreen="true" width="545"></iframe></div>

Fujitsu prototype GPS cane hands-on: the future of monitoring and protecting the elderly

Fujitsu's Stylistic S01 isn't the company's only attempt to cater to an older audience. It's also experimenting with a rat...

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TomTom Rider motorcycle GPS gets refresh, for those born to be guided

<div dir="rtl" style="text-align: right;" trbidi="on"><hr dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" /><div class="image-container" dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="TomTom Rider motorcycle GPS gets refresh, for those born to be guided" data-src-height="414" data-src-width="620" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.engadget.com/media/2013/02/tomtom-rider-touch-2013.jpg" /></div><!-- adsense --> <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;">It seems a safe bet that any contemporary <i>Easy Rider</i> reboot would be vastly different from its predecessor. For one thing, there's the whole GPS thing to contend with -- and surely there'd be a little friendly product placement in the form of the TomTom Rider (New Orleans isn't gonna find itself, after all). The company has updated its long-running motorcycle GPS line to feature a new 4.3-inch "glove-friendly" weatherproof display and the ability to create, upload and share routes via Bluetooth. Bluetooth functionality also makes it possible to get in-helmet audio directions, so you don't have to stare down at that screen the whole time (when you should be looking at the, you know, road). And for those who don't like the straight and narrow path, there's the Winding Roads to help you find routes with more bends. The Rider is currently listed at £329.99 ($511) for pre-order.</div></div>

TomTom Rider motorcycle GPS gets refresh, for those born to be guided

It seems a safe bet that any contemporary Easy Rider reboot would be vastly different from its predecessor. For one thing, there's th...

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