GPS tracking
Latest
Travel Honey GPS functions as a homing device, photo tagger, party favor
The last time we saw a simplified GPS homing device about, we weren't too terribly impressed. Sure, the premise was solid: press one button to lock in the position of your car (or the gold of Dresden), and it will return you to its location after your day at the mall (or after you've successfully evaded capture). But who wants to spend $80 on a glorified key fob? Not us, that's for sure. For a less pricey alternative, you might want to check out a little something called the Travel Honey. Distributed by Chinavasion, this bad boy not only functions as a stand alone unit, lighting up as you zero in on your target, but it can also connect to your PC via USB for use as a full-blown GPS unit (software not included). And if all that weren't enough, it will also log your various locations in a text file (perfect for keeping track of mileage and geotagging photos). Available now for $53.87.[Via Oh Gizmo!]
Researcher plans to use GPS to study asthma triggers
You wouldn't expect GPS tech to have an impact on asthma research, but the University of Wisconsin-Madison's David Van Sickle says it will -- he's planning on tagging sufferers so he can learn when and where they reach for their inhalers. The data will hopefully make sorting out environmental triggers of the disease much easier -- it took scientists eight years to prove that soybean dust near the Barcelona harbor caused a massive asthma outbreak in the 80s, a timeline that might have been dramatically shorter if location information had been available from the start. The plan's still in the early stages, but would-be participants can sign up already -- let's just hope the tracker is slightly more attractive than Kogan's enormous watch unit.[Via CNET]
Diminutive Spark Nano GPS tracker gives suspicious parents real answers
Not that sneaky, minuscule GPS trackers are impossible to come by, but with kids growing more and more mischievous, outraged parents are demanding more options. At least that's the word passed on by Lightning GPS' Jason Lazarus, who has just recently decided to make its ridiculously small Spark Nano available to the public. You see, this here company has generally thrived on providing covert GPS trackers to military and law enforcement, but now even civilians are being allowed in on the fun. The device, which is obviously used to track whatever or whomever you wish, is about the size of a 9-volt battery and can easily withstand bumps, bruises and the occasional drink spill. Users who implant one can track the subject via the web (shown after the break) or phone, and you can count on five solid days of continuous tracking when the rechargeable battery is topped off. It's shipping now from BrickHouse Security for $299.95.
GiSTEQ USB dongle makes trip logging quick, easy, and utterly heroic
GiSTEQ -- the GPS phototagger folks -- are back on the scene with TripBook, a novel approach to the art of mileage tracking. The idea is simple: You plug the device into your vehicle's lighter, at which point it powers up and preserves all the sordid details of your journey -- time, distance, route and so forth. Once your saga concludes (or, as Joseph Campbell once put it, when you return "to the world of common day") the data can be exported to your PC (sorry, Mac users) for creating IRS-compliant mileage reports. The device, vehicle adapter, USB cable and all pertinent software and manuals are available from the manufacturer for $99.
XACT | TRAX personal tracking device requires no monthly subscription
Your options are pretty wide open when it comes to personal GPS trackers, but Xact Technology is hoping to catch your heart by promising no monthly fees for its XACT | TRAX. Hailed as an ideal solution for keeping tabs on pets, loved ones, movable property, etc., the GPS tracking module relies on a proprietary, web based portal in order to see where your subject is and to set "geo-fences." Location requests can be sent via the web or SMS, and readouts are provided on an easy-to-read map along with physical address, date and time. Sadly, we've no price to share, but at least you can rest assured that the cost of entry is it.
Police turning to GPS to track cars more than ever
It's no secret that the police have been using GPS to track cars for some time now, often without a warrant or court order and, as The Washington Post now reports, it looks like the practice is only getting more and more commonplace. That is mostly due to the fact that courts usually side with the police in the resulting cases that arise out of the use of GPS trackers, with them agreeing with the argument that it is essentially no different than having an officer physically track a car themselves. They also cite a 1983 Supreme Court case that allowed the use of "beepers" that relay a car's location to police. Of course, others, like attorney Chris Leibig, have an entirely different opinion, saying that, "tracking a person everywhere they go and keeping a computer record of it for days and days without that person knowing is a completely different type of intrusion." Given that at least some state courts, like Washington state, side with that position and require a warrant for GPS trackers to be used, it would seem likely that this matter could eventually wind up being decided in the Supreme Court as well.[Via Slashdot]
GPS-equipped Car Camera Voyager Pro logs fender benders
Sure, these in-car crash loggers are a dime a dozen these days, but Brickhouse Security is pushing its Car Camera Voyager Pro as better than those ho hum alternatives thanks to the inclusion of GPS. As with most of its highly functional rivals, this one also packs a G-sensor that detects when a vehicle has been slammed into, bumped or otherwise rocked in an unorthodox manner; after that, it captures the 10 seconds immediately prior to and the 30 seconds immediately following the incident. Of course, you'll also be able to pinpoint your exact location thanks to the corresponding GPS information, which could certainly help you out when hunting down CCTV footage of the nut-job who rammed your whip and wheeled off to Wendy's as if nothing happened. Hand over $449.95 now and expect it to arrive later next week.[Thanks, Frank]
Zoombak Universal GPS locator tracks down your other stuff
Zoombak is launching another package for its convenient little Zoombak GPS locator device, in addition to the existing Car and Pet versions. Zoombak Universal comes with a new universal carrying case designed to let you mount the device to just about anything else you'd care to track -- like a bike or a wayward child, for instance. It looks like it'll be retailing for the same $199 and require the same $9.99 monthly fee as its predecessors, but you will be able to pick this version up at major electronics retailers in May.
Transystem's i-Tracker keeps tabs on whatever you'd like
Ah, the wonderful world of personal GPS trackers. Upon gazing at the i-Tracker, visions of Cheaters arise in our minds, but we'll try to keep the nostalgia at a minimum here. Transystem's latest -- which was proudly displayed at CES -- reportedly houses both a GPS and GSM module which enables it to transmit tracking information to one's PC or mobile in real-time. As expected, it can be controlled with a predetermined handset or internet-connected PC, and there's even an SOS button that instantly beams out one's current location. Mum's the word on pricing / availability, but make sure you clear that history after scouring the net in search of one.
BikeGPSTracking's MC242 GPS Motorcycle Tracking Unit does what it says on the box
The folks at BikeGPSTracking have what they claim to be the first "low cost" GPS tracker for motorcycles and other small vehicles of death. The MC242 weighs in at $349, and allows you to track your bike anywhere, anytime in the US or Canada as long as you keep up with the $5.95 per month service plan. Other features include configurable alerts for when the ignition is turned on and off, a tether switch to SMS or email specific recipients if the rider is thrown off the bike, a vibration sensor that can tell if the bike is moved without being turned on, and Geofence and speed alerts. The MC242 available now.
In-car GPS jammer subverts mobile tracking devices
If you're the type who just may be the victim of undercover GPS tracking (read: promiscuous), you should give some serious thought to this one. This simple cigarette adapter plug-in reportedly "knocks out GPS logging or GPS tracking systems that may be operating in your vehicle," and considering that it sports a two-to-four meter operating range, just about every automobile outside of an 18-wheeler (or limousine) should be covered. Unfortunately, there's no word yet on how much this potential life-saver will cost, but its slated to ship "soon" to the devious and uber-paranoid sects.[Via NaviGadget]
Parolee's crime wave foiled by GPS anklet
For most of us level-headed citizens, we'd probably straighten up our act if a GPS bracelet was strapped onto us by the boys in blue, but for a certain Southern California parolee, his skewed judgment recently got the best of him. Just months after a pilot program was instituted to hopefully deter ex-gang members from committing more crimes, police were able to easily track down and apprehend a 37-year old who was eventually arrested on suspicion of armed robbery and parole violations. San Bernardino police Lt. Scott Paterson was quoted as saying that "you'd think somebody with a bracelet wouldn't do anything," but apparently, there's more than a few individuals who just don't mind learning life's toughest lessons the hard way.[Via The Raw Feed]
Falcom's MAMBO II worldphone brings the GPS, Bluetooth
Feeling paranoid and require the use of a personal GPS tracker? If so, dig this: Germany's Falcom Mambo II is a quad-band GSM worldphone with GPRS that sports a 20-channel GPS receiver for those detailed tracking needs you may be looking for. That bulge you see contains a helix GPS antenna and some features inside the unit include a SiRF Star III GPS chip (with GPS tracking using up to four satellites), a 3D motion detector, a decently large 1,200 mAH Li-ion battery and a standard mini-USB connection for charging and connection purposes. No pricing or availability is known yet.
CATSeye tracking system claims 1-inch accuracy
If you're tired of your "buddies" swiping all your tech whenever they come over for a bit of Halo, you might be interested in this new CATSeye GPS/GSM/RF tracking system for hunting them down the next time it happens. The matchbox-sized transponder device can be slipped into an item (above it's sitting inside a TomTom GPS unit) and then tracked via the CATSeye system. Device coordinates can be set to send at a regular interval, if the unit is moved (there's a motion sensor inside as well), or if it's taken outside of its assigned "geo-fence." The system mainly relies on GPS for tracking duties, but it can give GSM tower coordinates in a pinch, and a separate RF scanner can locate the unit with up to 1-inch accuracy. We're not quite sure how much the rest of the system costs, but the RF scanners range in price from $100 to $1000+. At those kind of prices the system is really best suited for keeping store inventory or for tracking items given to enterprise staff, but we still think the revenge angle is totally justifiable. Make sure to peep the read link for a video of the system in action.
