Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Insert Coin: Galileo, the remote control camera from the men behind the Gorillapod]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/insert-coin-galileo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/insert-coin-galileo/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/23/insert-coin-galileo/#comments In Insert Coin, we look at an exciting new tech project that requires funding before it can hit production. If you'd like to pitch a project, please send us a tip with "Insert Coin" as the subject line.
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FaceTime conversations always commence with "left a bit, no, up a bit, no no, that's too far..." as we balance our iOS handsets to find a flattering angle. Gorillapod designers Josh Guyot and JoeBen Bevirt want to put an end to it with Galileo, a 360 degree motorized remote-control base for your iPhone or iPod Touch. If your buddy moves out of frame, just swipe in their direction and it'll pan around to follow. Designed as a video conferencing tool, it would also be useful as a baby monitor, remote camera or for clever photography projects. You'll also find a universal 1/4" tripod mount screw, rechargeable lithium polymer battery and it'll double as a dock when not in use. The project has currently reached $10,093 of its $100,000 goal, with the pre-order price of one of the units pegged at $85. If you'd care to see it in action, we'd suggest taking a trip downtown past the break.

[Thanks, Max]

Continue reading Insert Coin: Galileo, the remote control camera from the men behind the Gorillapod

Insert Coin: Galileo, the remote control camera from the men behind the Gorillapod originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>FaceTimeGalileoGorilla PodGorillaPodInsert CoinInsertCoiniOSiPhoneiPodiPod TouchIpodTouchJobyJoeBen BevirtJoebenBevirtJosh GuyotJoshGuyotKickstartermobilepostcrossRemote Camera BaseRemoteCameraBaseRotating camera baseRotatingCameraBasevideoVideo CameraVideo ConferencingVideoCameraVideoConferencingWebcamFri, 23 Mar 2012 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[CSR sharpens indoor and in-car navigation with SiRFstarV, SiRFusion and SiRFprimaII]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/csr-sharpens-indoor-and-in-car-navigation-with-sirfstarv-sirfus/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/csr-sharpens-indoor-and-in-car-navigation-with-sirfstarv-sirfus/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/03/csr-sharpens-indoor-and-in-car-navigation-with-sirfstarv-sirfus/#comments 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.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accelerometerarmARM Cortex A9ArmCortexA9autoBluetoothcarchipsetcompassCSRgalileoGLONASSGNSSGPSgraphicsindoor navigationIndoorNavigationinfotainmentmultimedianavigationodmoemradiosatelliteSiRFprimaIIsirfprimaii socSirfprimaiiSocsirfstar vSiRFStarVsirFusionSoCtouchscreenTriG RF multi-GNSSTrigRfMulti-gnsswifiwirelessThu, 03 Nov 2011 06:29:00 EST<![CDATA[EU's Galileo sat-nav system's budget overruns continue, European Commission asks for an extra €1.9 billion]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/20/eus-galileo-sat-nav-systems-budget-overruns-continue-european/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/20/eus-galileo-sat-nav-systems-budget-overruns-continue-european/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/20/eus-galileo-sat-nav-systems-budget-overruns-continue-european/#commentsThe European Commission has just completed its mid-term review of the EU's Galileo satellite navigation system and -- surprise, surprise -- they found that they need an additional €1.9 billion ($2.56 billion) to finish the system. This latest budget recommendation ups the cost an extra €200 million ($269 million) since the Commission's last report, and cites larger development and more expensive launch vehicles for the increase. The EU remains optimistic that Galileo will provide a financial windfall when completed -- but given its estimated €800 million ($1 billion) per year operating costs, constant delays, and competition from Russia, China, and good old-fashioned GPS, we're not so sure we agree.

EU's Galileo sat-nav system's budget overruns continue, European Commission asks for an extra €1.9 billion originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europeEuropean CommissionEuropeanCommissionGalileonavover budgetOverBudgetSat Navsatellite navSatellite Navigationsatellite navigation systemSatelliteNavSatelliteNavigationSatelliteNavigationSystemSatNavSatNavigationThu, 20 Jan 2011 09:22:00 EST<![CDATA[EU's Galileo satnav system orbiting way past budget, delayed until 2017]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/eus-galileo-satnav-system-orbiting-way-past-budget-delayed-unt/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/eus-galileo-satnav-system-orbiting-way-past-budget-delayed-unt/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/eus-galileo-satnav-system-orbiting-way-past-budget-delayed-unt/#comments Up and running by 2014? Try 2017 at the very earliest. Such is the bogus news coming out of the European Commission today, as reported by the German Financial Times. Shockingly enough, the ill-organized Galileo navigation network has suffered from yet more delays, which have pushed it back by a further three years and even deeper into the budgetary red. An additional €1.5b to €1.7b will be required to complete the grand project, while fiscal recalculations now indicate that it's unlikely to ever turn a profit. Again, we are shocked. The total bill for European taxpayers is estimated to amount to somewhere in the region of €20 billion ($27.8b) when development, construction, and operation are all factored in. Ah well, it's a cash drain, but at least it'll divert funds from the EU's suicidal scheme of paying farmers to not farm. Every cloud has a silver lining, right?

EU's Galileo satnav system orbiting way past budget, delayed until 2017 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 06:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2017delaydelayseueuropeeuropean commissioneuropean unionEuropeanCommissionEuropeanUniongalileogpsover budgetOverBudgetsatellite navigationSatelliteNavigationsatnavThu, 07 Oct 2010 06:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Galileo sat-nav system back on the map, said to be 'up and running' by 2014]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/galileo-sat-nav-system-back-on-the-map-said-to-be-up-and-runni/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/galileo-sat-nav-system-back-on-the-map-said-to-be-up-and-runni/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/10/galileo-sat-nav-system-back-on-the-map-said-to-be-up-and-runni/#commentsRemember Galileo, Europe's proposed GPS-like satellite navigation system? It's back in the headlines, and according to the Telegraph, UK-based Surrey Satellite Technology and Germany's OHB System have jointly secured €566 million (that's $815 million in US currency) to build 14 more satellites. The funding continues until 2013, whereby 22 satellites will be order. Full satellite navigation requires 27, and ultimately the European Union wants 32 technological waypointers. Launch date? Apparently 2014 -- we're hopeful, but this road has been wrought with delays before.

Galileo sat-nav system back on the map, said to be 'up and running' by 2014 originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europegalileogermangermanynavohb systemOhbSystemsat navsat navigationsatellite navsatellite navigationSatelliteNavSatelliteNavigationSatNavSatNavigationsurreysurrey satellite technologySurreySatelliteTechnologyukunited kingdomUnitedKingdomSun, 10 Jan 2010 11:03:00 EST<![CDATA[EU's new EGNOS GPS system goes active]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/04/eus-new-egnos-gps-system-goes-active/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/04/eus-new-egnos-gps-system-goes-active/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/04/eus-new-egnos-gps-system-goes-active/#comments
The EU's Galileo satellite positioning project has been lost in a haze of paperwork for a while, but there's finally some positive news to report: a "precursor" system called EGNOS launched last week, which will provide free positioning over most of the 27 EU states. The European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service, as it's charmingly called, consists of three satellites, four control centers, and around 40 positioning stations, all of which combine to take signals from US GPS satellites and enhance them to provide position information that's accurate to six feet, compared to around 60 feet for GPS alone. That means satnavs in Europe are going to get more accurate overnight, as most major brands are already EGNOS-ready -- too bad better navigation won't keep drivers in the UK from careening into rivers and damaging bridges.

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EU's new EGNOS GPS system goes active originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>egnosesaeueuropean space agencyeuropean unionEuropeanSpaceAgencyEuropeanUniongalileogpsnavigationsatellitesatellite navigationSatelliteNavigationSun, 04 Oct 2009 23:44:00 EST<![CDATA[Space radiation knocks Giove-B Galileo satellite into "safe mode"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/space-radiation-knocks-giove-b-galileo-satellite-into-safe-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/space-radiation-knocks-giove-b-galileo-satellite-into-safe-mode/http://www.engadget.com/2008/10/01/space-radiation-knocks-giove-b-galileo-satellite-into-safe-mode/#comments
Safe mode, huh? While we had previously assumed only our clearly cursed PCs could fall into such a dark, dark place, apparently we were badly mistaken. The recently launched Giove-B satellite, which is the second bird launched for Europe's next-gen satnav network, was recently sent into some sort of "safe mode" after being "rocked by a surge of space radiation." Reportedly, said mode halts the satellite's mission activities and forces it to "concentrate on keeping its batteries topped up by ensuring its solar panels are properly aligned with the sun." Thankfully, the poor Giove-B was able to resume its frolicking in outer space around a fortnight after being blasted, though we hear if it had been just a tad worse, ground control would've had a real mess on their hands with the Blue Screen of Death.

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Space radiation knocks Giove-B Galileo satellite into "safe mode" originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Oct 2008 13:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>esaeuropeGalileoGiove-Bgpsissuenavinavigationofflineproblemsatellitesatnavspacespace radiationspacecraftSpaceRadiationWed, 01 Oct 2008 13:54:00 EST<![CDATA[NemeriX scores patent for single-chip GPS, GLONASS, Galileo receiver]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/28/nemerix-scores-patent-for-single-chip-gps-glonass-galileo-rece/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/28/nemerix-scores-patent-for-single-chip-gps-glonass-galileo-rece/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/28/nemerix-scores-patent-for-single-chip-gps-glonass-galileo-rece/#commentsIt 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."

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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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>galileoglonassgpsnavigationnemerixWed, 28 May 2008 15:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Second Galileo GPS satellite goes into orbit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/27/second-galileo-gps-satellite-goes-into-orbit/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/27/second-galileo-gps-satellite-goes-into-orbit/http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/27/second-galileo-gps-satellite-goes-into-orbit/#commentsGiove-B satelliteFinally, the EU's Giove-B GPS satellite was shot into space by the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Strapped atop a Soyuz-FG rocket, the Giove-B reached orbit at 8:01am this morning, and is the second satellite launched for the nascent next-generation European Galileo satellite navigation system. This particular model is kitted out with dual redundant rubidium atomic clocks that the ESA says are "the most accurate in space". The next bird -- just three of thirty -- is slated to go up in 2010 with a full-system launch around 2013. Until then, it looks like they'll be stuck using the US's crappy, less-sensitive GPS network (boo hoo).

[Via Physorg]

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Second Galileo GPS satellite goes into orbit originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 27 Apr 2008 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>galileosatellitesoyuzSun, 27 Apr 2008 15:14:00 EST<![CDATA[SiRFprima GPS receiver platform boosts sensitivity, adds 3D acceleration]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/09/sirfprima-gps-receiver-platform-boosts-sensitivity-adds-3d-acce/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/09/sirfprima-gps-receiver-platform-boosts-sensitivity-adds-3d-acce/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/09/sirfprima-gps-receiver-platform-boosts-sensitivity-adds-3d-acce/#commentsIf you've bought a GPS unit in the past year or two there are decent odds it's based on the SiRFstar III chipset, which has been about as good as it gets since it arrived on the scene a few years ago. Now there's a new chip on the block, SiRFprima, which could have GPS aficionados kicking those SiRFstar III units to the curb. The unit boasts "industry leading" GPS performance, and is the first of its ilk to be able to work with GPS and Galileo signals simultaneously. InstantFixII -- which promises 5 second start times -- is built in as well, along with 3D acceleration for the fancy new maps hitting the scenes, and the capability to work with external devices like touch screens, DVD players, video cameras and so forth. While no one feature is revolutionary, the fact that SiRFprima will be wrapping up all these features into a cute little package for GPS manufacturers to slap into their units without a worry -- which should start happening in the second quarter of this year -- is surely cause for celebration.

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SiRFprima GPS receiver platform boosts sensitivity, adds 3D acceleration originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 09 Feb 2008 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>galileogpssirfsirfprimasirfstar iiiSirfstarIiiSat, 09 Feb 2008 20:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Russian GPS alternative near completion, Putin and dog celebrate]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/26/russian-gps-alternative-near-completion-putin-and-dog-celebrate/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/26/russian-gps-alternative-near-completion-putin-and-dog-celebrate/http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/26/russian-gps-alternative-near-completion-putin-and-dog-celebrate/#commentsRussia 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.

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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.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>galileoglonassgpslaunchesnavigationrussiasatellitesvladimir putinVladimirPutinWed, 26 Dec 2007 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[EU reaches agreement on Galileo satnav, Spain goes home angry]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/30/eu-reaches-agreement-on-galileo-satnav-spain-goes-home-angry/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/30/eu-reaches-agreement-on-galileo-satnav-spain-goes-home-angry/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/30/eu-reaches-agreement-on-galileo-satnav-spain-goes-home-angry/#comments
The European Union's next generation satellite navigation system has finally gotten to green light from all involved parties... except Spain. As we reported in July, the project had gotten the high five from US interests, but the works had been stalled as Spain fought to maintain a control center in Madrid. In the end, 26 of the 27 member states of the Union decided to move forward with the project, declining Spain's request, and leaving them to bow out of the agreement. As of now, there will only be control centers in Germany and Italy, but the project will begin to move forward once again, with a launch slated for 2013. Says EU Transport Commissioner Jacques Barrot, "Galileo will become the spearhead for European technology." We're all for the new system, but we hope a few satellites don't spark another Thirty Years' War.

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EU reaches agreement on Galileo satnav, Spain goes home angry originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 13:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>agreementcontrol centersControlCenterseueuropean unionEuropeanUniongalileogermanyitalypositioningsatellite navigationSatelliteNavigationsatnavspainFri, 30 Nov 2007 13:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Galileo robot sports hybrid treads, tackles most any terrain]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/13/galileo-robot-sports-hybrid-treads-tackles-most-any-terrain/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/13/galileo-robot-sports-hybrid-treads-tackles-most-any-terrain/http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/13/galileo-robot-sports-hybrid-treads-tackles-most-any-terrain/#comments
We've seen a plethora of robots crawl over all sorts of obstacles without blowing a gasket or anything, but the Galileo prefers to handle rough terrain by simply changing the shape of its treads rather than blowing up anything in its path or finding clever ways to scoot around. Judging by an informative (if not monotonous) video clip of the robot in action, this "hybrid tracked" creature sports a pair of wheels along with flexible treads on each side, and it can reshape the tracks as necessary to achieve the desired grip when meeting stairs, cinder blocks or a wide variety of slumbering animals in the wild. There's also a built-in camera integrated into the oh-so-helpful "tail," which can apply downward pressure in order to give the creation a boost when needed. We've inflated this thing's ego enough -- just click on through to see the Galileo gettin' into (and out of) all sorts of trouble.

[Via SciFiTech]

Continue reading Galileo robot sports hybrid treads, tackles most any terrain

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Galileo robot sports hybrid treads, tackles most any terrain originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Nov 2007 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>GalileoGalileo robotGalileoRobothybrid trackhybrid treadHybridTrackHybridTreadtracktreadvideoTue, 13 Nov 2007 08:27:00 EST<![CDATA[US and EU reach agreement on satellite navigation]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/30/us-and-eu-reach-agreement-on-satellite-navigation/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/30/us-and-eu-reach-agreement-on-satellite-navigation/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/30/us-and-eu-reach-agreement-on-satellite-navigation/#comments
The United States and the European Union are moving forward on a common system of satellite navigation after reaching an agreement on a joint civil signal for the technology. The US system, called Navstar GPS, is the only fully operational GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) currently in use, though the EU's Galileo project is in the initial stages of deployment. The new agreement eliminates compatibility and security issues, and will allow makers of GPS equipment to increase their devices interoperability by utilizing the new common signals, dubbed GPS L1C and Galileo L1F. The European Commission's Director-General Matthais Ruete says the agreement will "facilitate the rapid acceptance of Galileo in global markets side by side with GPS." Which probably means we're going to begin to see a whole slew of new satellite technology hitting both shores in the near future. Huzzah!

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US and EU reach agreement on satellite navigation originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Jul 2007 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eueuropean unionEuropeanUniongalileogalileo l1fGalileoL1fgnssgpsgps l1cGpsL1cnavstarusMon, 30 Jul 2007 16:32:00 EST<![CDATA[US and EU nearing agreement on GPS / Galileo partnership]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/16/us-and-eu-nearing-agreement-on-gps-galileo-partnership/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/16/us-and-eu-nearing-agreement-on-gps-galileo-partnership/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/16/us-and-eu-nearing-agreement-on-gps-galileo-partnership/#comments
While it's not clear if Russia and China's forthcoming challenges have anything to do with it, the United States and the European Union are apparently close to a deal that would see them work together to improve their respective navigation systems. According to Reuters, the deal would allow both EU and U.S. satellites to send information on the same radio frequency, which would in turn allow receivers to pick up signals from both systems, theoretically resulting in greater accuracy. Of course, we'll still have to wait a while to see any of those benefits, with the EU's Galileo system still far from ready, although it's expected to be fully operational by 2012.

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US and EU nearing agreement on GPS / Galileo partnership originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Jul 2007 21:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>eueuropean unionEuropeanUniongalileogpsMon, 16 Jul 2007 21:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Garmin planning four new eTrex GPS / Galileo handhelds]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/24/garmin-planning-four-new-etrex-gps-galileo-handhelds/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/24/garmin-planning-four-new-etrex-gps-galileo-handhelds/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/24/garmin-planning-four-new-etrex-gps-galileo-handhelds/#commentsAccording to what appears to be a promotional flyer for Garmin's new lineup of eTrex devices, the company will be launching four new handhelds this fall, three of which will boast Galileo-readiness. The Venture HC looks to be the lone bandit sans Galileo support, but does sport 24MB of internal memory, USB connectivity, a WAAS-enabled 12 channel parallel GPS receiver, 2.1- x 1.3-inch backlit display, trip computer, automatic track log, celestial tables, and waterproof abilities as well. The eTrex H holds it down on the low-end by mimicking the older eTrex and adding future Galileo support via a "drop-in chip," while the Legend HCx handles microSD expansion cards and the top-end Vista HCx adds in a barometric altimeter and an electronic compass. Each unit should purportedly hit shelves sometime this fall, and depending on which model you go for, you'll be spending between $119.94 and $319.94 in Canada, or $111 and $295 here in the US of A. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via NaviGadget]

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Garmin planning four new eTrex GPS / Galileo handhelds originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 May 2007 23:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>etrexetrex hetrex legend hcxeTrex Vista HCxEtrexHEtrexLegendHcxEtrexVistaHcxgalileogarmingeocachingreceiverwaterproofThu, 24 May 2007 23:57:00 EST<![CDATA[Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system at a "dead end"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/europes-galileo-satellite-navigation-system-at-a-dead-end/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/europes-galileo-satellite-navigation-system-at-a-dead-end/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/08/europes-galileo-satellite-navigation-system-at-a-dead-end/#comments
Europe's answer to GPS, Galileo, may be making some technological progress these days, but it looks like it still has some serious challenges of another sort to overcome if it's going to move forward as planned. According to the BBC, the main problem at the moment is that the consortium of companies building the system have yet to agree on a single company structure to oversee the ambitious endeavor, and they're now about the run against the May 10th date that had been set to get things sorted out. As a result, the European Commission is now reportedly planning to put forth new proposals to completely overhaul the project, which could see an increased cost to taxpayers in the EU. Whatever the problems, the parties involved had better not waste too much time getting their act together -- we hear the Russians are coming on strong with their own challenge to the GPS throne.

[Thanks, Stewart]

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Europe's Galileo satellite navigation system at a "dead end" originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 May 2007 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europegalileogpssatellite navigationsatellite navigation systemSatelliteNavigationSatelliteNavigationSystemTue, 08 May 2007 19:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Hello, Galileo: European GPS sat sends first navigation data]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/07/hello-galileo-european-gps-sends-first-navigation-data/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/07/hello-galileo-european-gps-sends-first-navigation-data/http://www.engadget.com/2007/05/07/hello-galileo-european-gps-sends-first-navigation-data/#comments
Although Galileo, the European alternative to GPS, has been beset by endless delays and even the ignominy of having its access system hacked almost immediately, the project continues to make slow progress this week with the transmission of its first navigation message. GIOVE-A, the first of a planned 30 satellites, has been floating overhead since the beginning of last year, but had only been sending "general signals" until the test last week, when the bird sent the data needed to measure the distance between itself and a ground station in Guildford, England. That's a big step, since the system is supposed go live next year and be fully operational by 2011 or so. Here's hoping all goes well -- the American-owned GPS system keeps sending European drivers into the drink.

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Hello, Galileo: European GPS sat sends first navigation data originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 07 May 2007 16:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>galileogpssatelliteMon, 07 May 2007 16:35:00 EST<![CDATA[China's Compass -- friendly GPS clone or Galileo bluff?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/09/chinas-compass-friendly-gps-clone-or-galileo-bluff/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/09/chinas-compass-friendly-gps-clone-or-galileo-bluff/http://www.engadget.com/2006/08/09/chinas-compass-friendly-gps-clone-or-galileo-bluff/#commentsRyan Caron over at Defense Tech has some hefty analysis on China's plans for their very own satellite navigation system, named Compass. No one is really clear what China's intentions for the system are, with rumors ranging from a minor upgrade to their regional Beidou system, to a full-on competitor to USA's GPS and Europe's Galileo. So far the most solid step China has taken towards actually building the system is an order of 18-20 rubidium atomic clocks that are necessary for syncing up satellites, but which have many other military uses. Ryan theorizes that China might just be bluffing about building a system of their own, in a bid to regain a piece of the Galileo pie, which they, along with all other non-European countries, have been unceremoniously written out of starting next year. More alarmingly, a global satnav system run by China would have the potential to operate as a jammer of US and European signals, another reason the various groups involved are so guarded with their systems. However it plays out, China currently has 32 satellite slots registered with the International Telecommunications Union for Compass, and bluff or not, there's a lot of potential there.

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China's Compass -- friendly GPS clone or Galileo bluff? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Aug 2006 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinacompasseuropegalileogpsWed, 09 Aug 2006 19:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Galileo GPS system hacked at Cornell]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/13/galileo-gps-system-hacked-at-cornell/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/13/galileo-gps-system-hacked-at-cornell/http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/13/galileo-gps-system-hacked-at-cornell/#commentsThe insightful minds over at Cornell University's GPS Laboratory aren't messing around -- they only needed one week to hack the GIOVE-A (Galileo In-Orbit Validation Element-A, more commonly referred to as Galileo) and gain access to the European satellite system without those pesky PRN codes. If you're overwhelmed by acronyms, fear not, the jist is as follows: these guys at Cornell did the legwork in developing an algorithm to extract the pseudo random number codes that are used to give customers access to the Galileo GPS system, which unlike America's taxpayer-owned militarily-developed and free GPS setup, is funded by the European Union, European Space Agency, and private organizations (read: service comes at a cost). What those oh so hopeful profiteers obviously disregarded was the little known fact that, well, (right now) it's impossible to copyright physical data about the world, leaving them all but helpless here. So please, should you need access to another set of GPS sats, be our guest and snag all those previously unavailable and presumably costly PRN codes at your leisure.

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Galileo GPS system hacked at Cornell originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 13 Jul 2006 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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