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Broadcom releases new Ice Cream Sandwich-optimized chipsets at MWC

Daniel Cooper — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:33:00 EST

Broadcom's taken the chance to bust out some killer new internals for Android phones here at MWC. The new range of SoCs are optimized for Ice Cream Sandwich, based on single or dual-core 40-nanometer ARM Cortex A9s. The BCM21654G has a 1GHz CPU, integrated HSPA modem and VGA video support, it's likely we'll see this popping up in budget phones. The romantically named BCM28145 and BCM28155 are dual-core chips with HSPA+ modems and can handle 720p and 1080p video respectively. All dual-core chips will come with a "videocore," a third low-power chip to handle video playback without occupying the main CPU and draining power as well as an Image Signal Processor chip that can support cameras up to 42-megapixels (glances across to the Nokia 808). Other options you'll find appearing in the cellphones of tomorrow include hybrid GPS / Glonass units, low-power NFC and active dual-SIM capability. If you're a garage-based cellphone manufacturer and want to grab some of these for your own business, head on past the break for some PR.

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Broadcom releases new Ice Cream Sandwich-optimized chipsets at MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 05:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung announces Galaxy Note 10.1 at MWC (update: hands-on photos!)

Daniel Cooper — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:00:00 EST

Samsung's announced another 10.1-inch tablet to join its burgeoning collection of slates. The Galaxy Note 10.1 is an S-Pen toting variant of the similarly sized-and-named Galaxy Tab. It's running Touchwiz-infused ICS on a 1.4GHz dual-core CPU with 1GB of RAM, but here's the answer to the question on everyone's lips: nope, you can't use it as a phone. Sadly you'll only have access to HSPA+, WiFi and Bluetooth 3.0, dashing our hopes of using this as our primary cellphone to annoy people on the train. The 10.1-inch WXGA (1280 x 800) display is nestled opposite a 3-megapixel rear-facing camera and beside a 2-megapixel one for video conferencing. S-Pen specific features include S Note for scrawling text, Shape Match and Formula Match (to digitize images and mathematical formulae) -- but more importantly is the ability to use Adobe's new Photoshop Touch and Ideas, which will both come pre-installed.

If you'd rather use the slate as one of the world's largest sat-navs, you'll be relieved to know it's packing both GPS and Glonass. For the businesspersons of you out there, there's Exchange ActiveSync, on-device encryption, Juniper Junos Pulse and Cisco VPNs. It'll come in 16, 32 and 64GB variations, with a microSD slot for you to add up to a further 32GBs into the mix. It's clear that Samsung's bisecting its tablet business: purely touch-driven devices will now be branded as a "Tab" and anything with a ~~stylus~~ S-Pen will be suffixed with "Note." Pricing and availability are currently unspecified, but we'll do our best to shanghai that information out of a passing company rep when we see one.

Update: We've added a gallery of hands-on photos just below.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 hands-on

Gallery: Galaxy Note 10.1 and the Galaxy Tab 10.1, compared

Brad Molen contributed to this report.

Continue reading Samsung announces Galaxy Note 10.1 at MWC (update: hands-on photos!)

Samsung announces Galaxy Note 10.1 at MWC (update: hands-on photos!) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 27 Feb 2012 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, Galaxy mini 2 officially revealed, launch first in Europe

Richard Lawler — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:54:00 EST

While we get ready for MWC to begin Samsung is apparently next to reveal a few new handsets, as it just posted the details for its new Galaxy Ace 2 (left) and Galaxy mini 2 (right). Like their earlier incarnations, the Ace 2 has the best specs of the two, with a dual-core 800MHz processor, HSDPA 14.4 connectivity, GPS/GLONASS, 1,500mAh battery and 4GB of internal storage hiding behind its 3.8-inch WVGA screen. The mini 2 has HSDPA 7.2Mbps connectivity, an 800MHz CPU, 1,300mAh battery and 3.27-inch HVGA screen. Both will ship with Android 2.3 this spring, with the Ace 2 hitting the UK in April and mini 2 coming to France in March before beginning a global rollout. Check after the break for the press release with full specs.

Gallery: Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 and Galaxy mini 2

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Samsung Galaxy Ace 2, Galaxy mini 2 officially revealed, launch first in Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Snapdragon-toting Sony smartphones to get extra global positioning help from The Other GPS

Mat Smith — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:19:00 EST

Frustrated by the performance of GPS on your current Sony ~~Ericsson~~ phone? Well, if you've got the latest software and a device carrying Qualcomm's Snapdragon S2 or S3 processor, you're in luck. Alongside bright new darlings like the Xperia S and Xperia ion, all will be able to hook up to GLONASS, Russia's very own interpretation of GPS. Support on another global positioning network will increase the total of satellites orbiting around you from 31 to 55 -- more ways to find exactly where you got lost. GLONASS support has already launched on smartphone luminaries such as the iPhone 4S and the pocket-stretching Galaxy Note, but we're very happy to hear that the extra functionality will arrive on older Xperia handsets. According to the developer's own testing, the GLONASS assistance often improved accuracy by as much as 50 percent and should similarly reduce the chances of us being outed as map illiterates. You can grab more info on all the GLONASS goodness at the source below.

Snapdragon-toting Sony smartphones to get extra global positioning help from The Other GPS originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Qualcomm announces Snapdragon S4 Liquid mobile development platform tablet on The Engadget Show, we go hands-on (video)

Zach Honig — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:33:00 EST

At its investor conference earlier today, Qualcomm unveiled a variety of new Snapdragon processors to join its recently-announced MSM8960 S4 chip. But we got an exclusive first look at the 8960 in New York City this evening, in the form of a mobile development platform (MDP) tablet demo during The Engadget Show. The tablet the company had on hand isn't much to look at -- it's not the slimmest we've seen, and it feels a bit clunkier than models destined for consumers -- but its specs, which include an on-die LTE modem (the first of its kind -- we were seeing download speeds of around 45 Mbps), dual 1080p cameras (and another two for 3D), seven microphones, a spattering of sensors and a handful of connectors make this the ultimate platform for Android developers. Not convinced? Join us past the break for a hands-on walkthrough with Raj Talluri, Qualcomm's VP of Product Management, and stay turned for his segment from The Engadget Show.

Gallery: Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Liquid mobile development platform tablet hands-on

Continue reading Qualcomm announces Snapdragon S4 Liquid mobile development platform tablet on The Engadget Show, we go hands-on (video)

Qualcomm announces Snapdragon S4 Liquid mobile development platform tablet on The Engadget Show, we go hands-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CSR sharpens indoor and in-car navigation with SiRFstarV, SiRFusion and SiRFprimaII

Amar Toor — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:29:00 EST

It's been a while since we last heard from CSR, but that changed earlier this week, when the company unveiled its new SiRFprimaII and SiRFusion platforms, alongside its SiRFstarV architecture. According to the UK-based firm, both SiRFstarV and SiRFusion are designed to provide more accurate geographic data and enhanced indoor navigation capabilities across PNDs and other mobile devices. SiRFstarV, the logical follow-up to CSR's SiRFstarIV architecture, culls location data not only from GPS, but from Galileo, Glonass and Compass satellites, as well as a range of radio signals, accelerometers, gyros and compasses. All this information is fed to the user via the SiRFusion platform, which combines data from radio systems and sensors to provide constantly updated location graphics. Together, both SiRFstarV and SiRFusion promise to help users find their way around both indoor and outdoor locales, within an accuracy range of ten to 15 meters.

The SiRFprimaII platform, displayed above, is strictly geared toward in-car navigation and infotainment systems. This system combines a SiRFprimaII SoC and TriG RF multi-GNSS radio with CSR's Bluetooth and WiFi technologies to create a multimedia rich, touchscreen-based in-car environment. Geared toward both ODMs and OEMs, this hardware-software combo enables drivers to get more reliable navigation data, while allowing passengers to stream video, surf the web and manipulate everything via remote control. As for that SoC, it's powered by a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 app processor, features an LCD controller for displays of up to 1280 x 720 resolution, and boasts a pair of 3D graphics and video accelerators. For more details, check out the pair of press releases, after the break.

Continue reading CSR sharpens indoor and in-car navigation with SiRFstarV, SiRFusion and SiRFprimaII

CSR sharpens indoor and in-car navigation with SiRFstarV, SiRFusion and SiRFprimaII originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Nov 2011 06:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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iPhone 4S supports GLONASS satellite system, much to the delight of Russia

Amar Toor — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:02:00 EST

What does a Russian satellite system have to do with the iPhone 4S' GPS capabilities? Allow us to explain. Russian site iPhones.ru recently noticed that the 4S' spec page lists support for both assisted GPS and GLONASS -- the Kremlin's global navigation satellite system and acronym for GLObalnaya NAvigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema. The country launched GLONASS 35 years ago in the hopes that it would eventually provide an alternative to GPS and the EU's forthcoming Galileo, thereby reducing Russia's dependence upon US- or Europe-operated systems. The global system has since been beset by delays and budgetary setbacks, but last week, a Russian rocket successfully launched the 24th and final GLONASS satellite, completing the constellation and inching the infrastructure closer to full activation.

News of the iPhone 4S' support has already elicited a delightfully surprised response from the Russian media, with daily Vedomosti writing: "If the iPhone 4S really does have Glonass navigation, this would be the first time the Russian system reached the world market." (Nokia, it's worth noting, announced in August that it would manufacture GLONASS-compliant handsets, while Samsung's High Fidelity Position app offers similar compatibility.) In light of Russia's economic and regulatory climate, however, the move may not seem so shocking. The Kremlin already imposes import taxes on handsets that don't support GLONASS and, as Russia's iGuides.ru points out, has even threatened non-compliant devices with an outright ban. Apple, meanwhile, has made no secret of its interest in expanding its influence within the country, with CEO Tim Cook recently referring to the Russian market as "more promising." It remains to be seen whether this added support results in sharper navigation capabilities, or if it enhances Apple's presence within Russia, but it's certainly a compelling development, nonetheless.

[Thanks, AXR]

iPhone 4S supports GLONASS satellite system, much to the delight of Russia originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Oct 2011 07:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Qualcomm outs Snapdragon S4 SoC details, promises improved battery life and true world capability

Zachary Lutz — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:12:00 EST

Qualcomm has laid out its details of the upcoming S4 SoC, and yes, there's definitely reason for excitement with this next generation Snapdragon. First, it'll usher in a new 28nm manufacturing process alongside the company's Krait CPU and Adreno 225 GPU. The move from 45nm to 28nm promises smaller components, lower power consumption and improved thermal performance, while Krait will introduce a new pipeline architecture that promises a full 60% boost over the current Scorpion lineup with clock speeds ranging between 1.5 and 2.5GHz -- along with support for asynchronous multiprocessing and dual-channel memory. As for the GPU, the latest chip flaunts 50% greater performance over the current Adreno 220, where it also provides support for DirectX 9.3 for Windows 8, in addition to OpenGL ES 1.1 and 2.0. Should be quite the gaming experience, eh?

It doesn't end there, as the S4 MSM8960 promises multi-mode world capabilities with support for all the commonly used frequencies from 700 to 2600MHz -- quite a feat, indeed. It handles Cat. 3 LTE (up to 100Mbps) and Cat. 24 HSPA+ (up to 42Mbps), along with EV-DO Rev. B, 1x Advanced and TD-SCDMA, as well as GSM, GPRS and EDGE. Oh, and there's also simultaneous support for GPS and GLONASS, along with Bluetooth, WiFi, FM radio and NFC. With samples already being sent to manufacturers, we're quite excited for what 2012 may bring.

Qualcomm outs Snapdragon S4 SoC details, promises improved battery life and true world capability originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 08 Oct 2011 17:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xiaomi Phone review

Richard Lai — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST

Xiaomi Phone to get vanilla Android 2.3.5 next month, Ice Cream Sandwich in January

Xiaomi Phone hands-on redux: dual partition system explained (video)

Xiaomi Phone with MIUI OS: a $310 Android with 1.5GHz dual-core SoC and other surprises

Any seasoned Android enthusiast would have no doubt come across Xiaomi Corporation's MIUI at some point. For those who haven't, here's a quick intro: MIUI is a heavily customizable Android ROM based on the works of CyanogenMod (at least on the driver level, so we've been told), and currently the Chinese startup is officially offering its free software for 12 well-known Android handsets, including the HTC Desire, Samsung Captivate and Motorola Droid. Of course, we'll also have the Xiaomi Phone on the list when it launches in China next month.

Using Foxconn's tooling and Inventec's manufacturing resources, the aptly named Xiaomi Phone is the company's first attempt at developing its own hardware, and boy, it's done one helluva job here with the specs: a 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260 SoC (note that this isn't just an overclocked 1.2GHz chip), 1GB RAM, 4GB ROM, eight megapixel camera and the usual wireless bundle including WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS (plus the rare GLONASS). By now you must be thinking: surely there must be a tradeoff somewhere for that tempting price of ¥1,999 ($310)? Read on to find out if this is the case.

Gallery: Xiaomi Phone review

Continue reading Xiaomi Phone review

Xiaomi Phone review originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 27 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung High Fidelity Position app gives Mango GPS a Russian boost

Daniel Cooper — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:06:00 EST

Using your phone's GPS to guide you down city streets can sometimes be a harrowing experience, especially in signal blackspots (or when there's a mild breeze). Fortunately, there's a fancy new solution -- for some of you at least. High Fidelity Position is an app specifically for Samsung Mango phones that supercharges the GPS module with two upgrades to help positioning. The first leverages the on-board accelerometer and compass to help the Windows 7 device orient itself on congested city streets. Second is that it will now access GLONASS -- Russia's equivalent to GPS -- pinpointing your location to within a few feet. When installed, the app is only visible in the settings menu, where you will need to activate it. We can also expect to see more of GLONASS in the future, since Russia's imposing import taxes of about 25-percent on any device that's incompatible with the Soviet standard, and manufacturers won't want to take a hit of that magnitude on a feature they can use. Samsung WP7.5 owners who want every excuse to celebrate the triumphs of Gagarin, Sputnik and Laika can find the app available at the source link below.

Samsung High Fidelity Position app gives Mango GPS a Russian boost originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's first GLONASS-enabled tablet unveiled in Russia, plays nice with GPS

Sean Buckley — Thu, 12 May 2011 09:44:00 EST

After rolling out the world's first GLONASS-enabled smartphone, Russia is thinking bigger -- it's tablet time. This 7-inch Froyo-powered panel runs on a 800MHz processor, and sports 512MB of RAM, a 3.2 megapixel camera, and support for both GPS and GLONASS navigation. Russian provider Skylink hopes this new Android tablet, called the Xpad, will set a trend for future navigation devices -- utilizing data from both satellite positioning systems for increased accuracy in urban environments. The future of enhanced navigation hits (Russian) shelves for 14,000 Rubles in Q4 2011; that's about 500 greenbacks, if you were wondering.

[Thanks, Yakov!]

World's first GLONASS-enabled tablet unveiled in Russia, plays nice with GPS originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 12 May 2011 09:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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World's first GLONASS-enabled smartphone ships in Russia, GPS ponders a recalculation

Darren Murph — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:57:00 EST

Well, would you look at that? The planet's first GLONASS phone is now available, but it looks as if you'll need to soar over to Russia in order to use it. Of course, if you've followed the GLONASS story at all you wouldn't find that shocking in the least, and if you choose to pick up the ZTE-built MTS GLONASS 945 on your next trip, you'll be treated to full-on GPS support back in the States. It's a Froyo-based device with a 3.2-inch capacitive touchpanel, 2 megapixel camera, 130MB of memory, Bluetooth / WiFi and a price tag of just under 11,000 Rubles. That's around $400 in real money, which you'll probably find suits you best in your wallet if you've already picked up the all-too-similar Vodafone 945. Here's hoping the world's second GLONASS phone is a bit more compelling in the design and feature standpoint, yeah?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

World's first GLONASS-enabled smartphone ships in Russia, GPS ponders a recalculation originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yo-mobile hybrid cars on display in Russia, run on gas, natural gas, and GLONASS

Tim Stevens — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST

The Yo-mobile (or ë-mobile if you're down with Cyrillic) is looking to shake things up on the eastern front, and after big-bucks backer Mikhail D. Prokhorov introduced the car to the world last month he's now letting members of the proletariat see the car for themselves at the Yo-mobile Hybrid Pavilion, where three models of the car are being shown to the public: the microcar (wee hatchback on the right above), a coupe, and even a minitruck. All are now said to start testing in the coming months, and we're just learning that the car will feature GLONASS navigation, is said to include a "telephone with a keyboard" and will have some sort of infotainment system controlled by a "data panel," which we're hoping is a little better integrated into the dash than the slab dominating the Model S center console. Again the hybrid makes up to 67 miles per gallon with a range of a whopping 680 miles if both its gasoline and natural gas tanks are filled, which also gives owners two potential fuel sources for fleeing the oncoming zombie hoards.

Yo-mobile hybrid cars on display in Russia, run on gas, natural gas, and GLONASS originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Option's refreshed GTM601 / GTM609 module is the smallest with voice, HSPA, EV-DO, GPS, GLONASS, and alphabet soup

Chris Ziegler — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:00:00 EST

Besides a healthy consumer modem business, Option is one of the world's big suppliers of cellular chipsets -- and it just unleashed a particularly interesting one here at CES this week. No bigger than a postage stamp and about as thick as a nickel, the second-generation GTM601 and GTM609 is billed as the world's smallest to support voice, GSM / HSPA, CDMA / EV-DO, GPS, and GLONASS, which stands to make your next phone design (assuming you are, in fact, designing a phone) more svelte and power-conscious than ever before... and as a bonus, it'll work around the world with the world's most popular 2G / 3G standards and frequencies. Follow the break for the full press release.

Continue reading Option's refreshed GTM601 / GTM609 module is the smallest with voice, HSPA, EV-DO, GPS, GLONASS, and alphabet soup

Option's refreshed GTM601 / GTM609 module is the smallest with voice, HSPA, EV-DO, GPS, GLONASS, and alphabet soup originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Jan 2011 02:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russia's first GLONASS phone an 'iPhone 4 competitor,' except not really (video)

Ross Miller — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:52:00 EST

As the story goes, Russia-based AFK Sistema's subsidiary Sitronics (along with US' Qualcomm and China's ZTE) have developed the first smartphone to use GLONASS -- specifically one with a 90nm GPS-GLONASS chip. It's been called, in so many words, the "Russian answer to the iPhone 4" by the Powers That Be, and without getting into key details like platform and specs, we know officially the phone is going on sale in Russian sometime in March for 10,990 rubles (about $360 in US).

For other details on the device, we seek more unofficial (and therefore not 100 percent confirmed) sources, like the notably well-connected Eldar Murtazin. According to him, we're looking at the ZTE model A918, an analog of the A916 with Android 2.1, a 3.2-inch QVGA screen, FM radio, and 2 megapixel camera -- yeah, hardly an iPhone 4 competitor, if you ask us. That version is supposedly launching on MTS for 7,500 rubles ($246), meaning the GLONASS-equipped equivalent has a 3,490 ruble ($114) markup. And the March release? Apparently in limited quantities, with mass production not coming until second half of 2011. Unfortunately, we're not sure this one'll be making an appearance at CES for further inspection. Check out the video after the break for a cameo of the device featuring Putin, Russian billionaire (and head of AFK Sistema) Vladimir Yevtushenkov, and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov.

Continue reading Russia's first GLONASS phone an 'iPhone 4 competitor,' except not really (video)

Russia's first GLONASS phone an 'iPhone 4 competitor,' except not really (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vladimir Putin finally acquires satellite collar for his dog

Darren Murph — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:46:00 EST

Just under a year ago, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced his hopes that one day he could pinpoint the location of his black Labrador, Koni, at any time of the day. Today, a dream has been realized. Mr. Putin has finally procured a satellite collar that will enable him to track the lab regardless of which of the eleven times zones she may be in while waltzing through Russia. Once the collar was slipped on, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov immediately said "she looks sad, her free life is over." Putin didn't miss a beat when snapping back: "In Soviet Russia, GLONASS track you!"

[Image courtesy of Picasa, thanks MJ]

Filed under: GPS, Wireless

Vladimir Putin finally acquires satellite collar for his dog originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 02:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NemeriX scores patent for single-chip GPS, GLONASS, Galileo receiver

Donald Melanson — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:56:00 EST

It looks like NemeriX is doing its part to bridge the GPS, GLONASS, Galileo divide, with it proudly announcing today that it's received a patent for a single-chip RF receiver technology that'll accommodate all three satellite navigation systems (China's Compass will apparently have to go it alone). Among other things, the single-chip solution will allow for manufacturers to reduce the size of their navigation devices by not having to include three parallel receivers, as well as allow them to market the same device to various markets around the world. Of course, there are scant few details about when we can actually expect to see the technology put to use, but NemeriX sees no shortage of potential applications, with it boasting that it'll provide customers with a "future-proof platform" that'll increase the availability and accuracy of "emerging location based services such as pedestrian navigation and mobile social-based networking."

Filed under: GPS

NemeriX scores patent for single-chip GPS, GLONASS, Galileo receiver originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 28 May 2008 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russian GPS alternative near completion, Putin and dog celebrate

Evan Blass — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:29:00 EST

Russia has announced the successful launch of three additional GLONASS navigation satellites on Christmas Day, bringing the total number of functional units to 18, and reportedly scaring the beejezus out of Santa and his reindeer during liftoff. The GPS competitor -- first begun in the Soviet era and only recently revived after years of post-collapse neglect -- is now theoretically capable of providing coverage to the entire Russian territory, with First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov claiming that the first compatible consumer devices will be available in the middle of next year. By 2010 Russia plans to open the system up to outside nations as well, contributing to an eventual three- or even four-system global market, and ensuring that President and Man of the Year Vladimir Putin will finally achieve his stated goal of being able to pinpoint his treasured black lab Koni anywhere in the world.

Filed under: GPS

Russian GPS alternative near completion, Putin and dog celebrate originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russia launches three GLONASS navigation satellites

Donald Melanson — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:11:00 EST

It's a bit behind schedule, but Russia's GPS-challenging GLONASS satellite navigation looks to have just taken a fairly big step forward, with three satellites now on their way into orbit after hitching a ride on a Proton-K booster rocket that blasted off from Baikonur, Kazakhstan earlier today. According to Reuters, this is also the first launch of a Proton-K rocket since launches were suspended in September, after a booster failed and spilled highly toxic fuel into the Kazakh countryside. No word if Russia still expects the entire GLONASS system to be ready by 2009 as it has said earlier, but it has five more satellites to launch by the end of the year if it wants to keep up the pace it set out for itself.

[Photo courtesy of RussiaToday]

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, GPS

Russia launches three GLONASS navigation satellites originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russia's GPS-challenging Glonass system nearing completion

Donald Melanson — Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:55:00 EST

The New York Times reports that the Russian Space Agency is set to launch eight navigation satellites before the end of the year, which would nearly complete the company's ambitious Glonass system, leading to a global launch sometime in 2009. That's when the country hopes it'll begin to pry folks loose from their dependence on GPS-based devices, with Russian President Vladimir Putin himself reportedly pressing scientists to make their system better and cheaper than GPS. As The New York Times points out, Russia isn't the only one looking to take on the current GPS monopoly on satellite navigation, with both China and the European Union also working on their own competing systems, although neither are apparently as far along as Russia's.

[Photo courtesy of The New York Times]

Filed under: GPS

Russia's GPS-challenging Glonass system nearing completion originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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