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Google wigged out by volume of iPhone traffic
When even Google is impressed by the amount of traffic driven to its search page by a particular device, that's saying something. The head of the company's mobile group said in a Mobile World Congress interview that it "made [its] engineers check the logs again" when data indicated that the iPhone was responsible for 50 frickin' times more traffic than any other mobile device, going on to hypothesize that if other manufacturers follow the same route, mobile search will overtake desktop search within a few years. With products like S60 touch and Google's own Android in the wings, we'd say the writing's on the wall.[Via Macworld UK]
Nokia trial turns N95s into traffic sensing tools
Sure, we've seen cellphones intermingle with traffic data before, but Nokia's looking to up the ante in a big way by utilizing a large network of GPS-enabled handsets to actually predict traffic patterns and help you avoid congestion before you even leave for that afternoon appointment. In a recent trial involving 100 volunteer drivers (and an equal amount of N95s), the handset maker teamed up with UC Berkeley to test the effectiveness of using a device most people already own (read: cellphones) to beam out traffic data rather than installing permanent sensors in roadways. Eventually, Nokia hopes to expand the experiment to over 1,000 folks, and just in case you privacy junkies can already feel your heart racing, you can rest assured that all "personal identifying information" was stripped before being sent back for analysis.Read - Nokia turns people into traffic sensors Read - Video: Nokia test drives traffic monitoring system
Potential traffic jams in WotLK
Adding up all the traffic jams in World of Warcraft would probably make an insightful list-- I can remember some crazy days in Ironforge, a huge mess near the battlegrounds when they first opened, a lot of clustering during the AQ World Event, and anyone who logged on in the early days of Burning Crusade knows that Hellfire Peninsula was a laggy mess as well.But Blizzard claims, once again, that they've finally learned their lesson, and in Wrath of the Lich King, things will be different. Shattrath will be designed to stay up in the air (even if landed on by thousands of players), and when we played the expansion at BlizzCon earlier this year, we already saw one way Blizzard plans to split the load: Horde and Alliance players are starting at different zones on different sides of the continent.I doubt things will be perfect-- it seems like players always think of some way to ruin even the best laid plans of Blues and men. But we can say this about Blizzard-- they are visibly learning from every iteration they release. It'll be really interesting to see what they've come up with to improve upon the expansion experience in Northrend.
Blaupunkt announces TravelPilot Lucca 3.5, 5.3 Editions
Aimed for Europe's roads (for now), Blaupunkt has announced the TravelPilot Lucca 3.5, a circular GPS unit that will probably invoke some love it / hate it style comments. Either it's a stylish looking unit, or its a waste of space (consider the square screen.) Either way, this thing features a 3.5-inch LCD, a Centrality Atlas III Dual Core 400MHz processor, detailed mapping of the UK and Ireland, major European roads, and detailed European mapping available at extra cost. It also has a SD/SDHC/MMC slot, and locations of speed traps to save you a ticket. If you don't fancy the circular 3.5, you can go for the new Lucca 5.3, which features a 4.3-inch rectangular screen and case, Bluetooth support, voice control, and external video input for rear view cameras. You'll undoubtedly see these models in Europe first, but for how much and when, we don't know.Read - Lucca 3.5Read - Lucca 5.3
JVC storms back with KV-PX701 / KV-PX501 navigators
Aw JVC, we knew you couldn't keep your feet out of the overcrowded GPS biz for too long, and while you certainly tried to assure us that you were callin' it quits earlier this year, we suppose the two new navigators you've got on the horizon act as proof to the contrary. Apparently, the outfit will soon be launching the KV-PX701 and KV-PX501, which are both slated to utilize NAVTEQ maps and a 400MHz Samsung processor. The former boasts a 4.3-inch touchscreen, a SiRFstarIII chipset and integrated RDS-TMC capability, while the latter packs a 3.5-inch touch panel, a Media Tec GPS receiver and has its RDS-TMC module built into the car mount. The duo is expected to ship later this month for €399 ($565) and €349 ($495), respectively, but we've no idea if either will be headed to America.
Navman's S70 navigation system surfaces
Judging by a product page over at Amazon, it looks like the S70 from Navman has not only been launched, but it's ready to ship to eager European customers. The 4.3-inch widescreen GPS includes pre-installed maps of Western Europe, integrated Bluetooth, handsfree capabilities, optional traffic information, and the obligatory charging / in-car mounting hardware. Not a bad lookin' navigator for £199.99 ($406), and if you need more proof, click on for one more angle.[Via NaviGadget]
UK drivers caught texting could get 2 years behind bars
UK Drivers caught texting or operating a range of gadgets behind the wheel -- including MP3 players and GPS systems -- could face a new maximum of two years in prison. Currently the crime is punishable by £2,500 fines or community orders, although the most common offense is using a mobile phone whilst driving, which results in a £60 fine and three points on a license. Shifting to a higher category of dangerous driving from the previous category of careless driving might not solve the problem of people ignoring the current restrictions: if the current problem is poor enforcement, then it's hard to see extra deterrence making a difference. But hey, the cops over there seem to think that hovering drones and unbridled surveillance does the trick in other areas of criminality, so who are we to argue?[Via PocketPCThoughts]
Nano crushed by highway traffic
We've finally found something that can kill an Apple product: 30 minutes of highway traffic. Sam O. wrote in to tell us what happened to his brother's 2G Nano-- his grandmother apparently found it in the driveway, and decided to pick it up and put it on the hood of his car. He didn't realize this had happened, however, until he'd driven out for some errands, so after swearing profusely for a bit, he got back in the car to follow his route and see if he could spot it.It's hot pink, obviously, so he did find it-- just in time to see an 18-wheel semi run it over. The gory results are below. We've seen Apple products take quite a licking and keep on ticking before, but apparently sitting on the highway for 30 minutes in Boise, ID will shut them down for good. Good to know.Of course, the real question is: did AppleCare cover it?%Gallery-6537%
Welsh get incomprehensible anti-GPS signs
Apparently looking to avoid unfortunate incidents like this (or this, or this), the Welsh Assembly recently agreed to put up signs warning drivers not to use their GPS along narrow lanes. Problem is, the drivers may end up spending more time trying to figure out the meaning of the signs than they ever did staring at their GPS. According to Sky News, the signs are aimed specifically at lorry drivers, who seem to have been particularly prone to getting stuck along roadways around St. Hilary in the Vale of Glamorgan -- a problem one local resident described as a "nightmare." Despite those potential issues of comprehension, that region has now gotten four of the signs as part of a one-year trial period, although there doesn't appear have to been any word on their effectiveness (or lack thereof) just yet.[Thanks, Barry T]
Becker readying Traffic Assist 7927 PND?
Closely following the Traffic Assist Highspeed 7934 GPS, it looks like Becker may be readying yet another PND for release at IFA. The so-called Traffic Assist 7927 will reportedly boast a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, SIRFstarIII GPS chipset, RDS-TMC support, a 400MHz processor, 128MB of RAM, European maps on a 2GB memory card, USB connectivity, and a built-in media player for good measure. Beyond that, we've simply got to wait and see what details await us at IFA, but feel free to peep a few more angles after the break.[Via NaviGadget]
Widget Watch: Dashalytics 3.0
Google's Analytics service is a great (and free) tool for anyone who wants to track website visitor statistics. How many visits, who and where they're coming from, what OS and browser they're using, how long they stay - nearly the whole enchilada. To view your statistics in a place other than Google's site, Dashalytics from Rob Scriva is truly your best choice. With access to what seems to be all the stats Analytics has to offer, Dashalytics wraps everything up in a gorgeous UI that has received a wonderful update for this new v3 release. While the changelog states there are simply too many changes to list, I notice the widget itself feels snappier, especially when switching between viewing stats from multiple sites under the same Google Analytics account (i.e. - yes, you can view all sites registered on your account). Dashalytics is also smart in that it stores your login credentials in Keychain, making it easy to use multiple instances to track sites under multiple Google Analytics accounts.Provided as donationware, Dashalytics is a truly great choice for staying on top of what your visitors are up to. I highly recommend you drop Mr. Scriva a few bucks for his good work.
IBM researching intelligent, reflexive vehicles
Count IBM in as one of the many companies looking to skyrocket the cost of our future cars, er, protect our lives by developing must-have active safety systems that are sure to become the standard fare in vehicles of the future. Dubbed a research initiative to "equip cars with technologies that can help reduce traffic congestion and prevent accidents," IBM is looking into driver assist technologies that "exchange information with other cars and with the road infrastructure, take corrective action where appropriate, and provide essential feedback to the drivers to help avoid dangerous situations." These electronic reflexes are said to be much quicker than those possessed by humans, and while the team is not trying to replace the need for driver judgment entirely, it is hoping to provide adequate feedback to help the motorist avoid potential perils. No word on when IBM plans on ushering its marketing team into automakers' headquarters, but we'd enjoy the feel of personally steering and accelerating while you still can.[Via Physorg]
Traffic simulation software lets officials plan evacuation strategies
The image of a backed-up highway leading away from the scene of a natural disaster may soon be history, if researcher Yi-Chang Chiu and his colleagues at the University of Arizona have their way. They've developed a traffic simulator that uses real-time traffic data along with detailed state and federal traffic statistics and behavior modeling to allow officials to simulate disaster evacuations in real time -- or even predict the course of events as a disaster is happening. The software adjusts for such varied data as driver reactions to radio reports and wind dispersal of smoke and other pollutants; it even calculates the number of casualties and their effect. Chiu has been building the simulator since 1995, and he's ready to start selling to state transportation and medical emergency agencies. Interestingly, Chiu says his real research focus is on calculating optimum "value-priced" toll rates -- something we're certain most state transportation departments regard as the real disaster.
Texas DOT could institute SPECS-style speed cameras
Just as soon as we finished cheering for the Texas Legislature's stance on those pesky speed cameras, the state's Department of Transportation is apparently trying to override their good will. According to a June 10th filing, the Texas DOT is looking to install "turnkey automated speed notification services" on Highway 10 in Hudspeth County and Highway 6 near College Station (watch those lead feet, Aggies). Reportedly, this project is simply to "assess and evaluate all elements" of such a system, but it doesn't take a genius to guess that money's on the brain. Notably, the "quality assurance" section of the plan points out that these suckers will be accurate to within two miles-per-hour in either direction, so your wiggle room is sliced dramatically. Of course, we can all hope that Texas' iteration of the SPECS-style camera is as easy to circumvent as those in Britain.[Via FARK]
UK traffic wardens to wield handheld camcorders
At this point, the near-daily implementations of added surveillance in England is bordering on comical, but for the residents of the country, we're sure it feels more like infuriating. Just days after introducing the British to flying all-seeing police bots comes news that traffic wardens in Salford are becoming the first in the UK to wield handheld video camera. The move was reportedly made so that attendants could have "evidence to prove beyond doubt that the penalties its wardens hand out are justified," which sounds like it could cut down on any questionable penalization that disgruntled employees had the power to administer. Additionally, video from the camcorders will be used in cases where wardens are "assaulted or abused" while on the job, and while we're sure it's not part of the plan, the UK government could have miles of footage for its own rendition of COPS should it choose to use it.[Via Inquirer]
Nissan's Intelligent Transportation System adds pedestrian avoidance
Although Nissan's anti-drunk driving technology should keep the worst of the unaware from actually cruising down the freeway, certain distractions that we just wouldn't do without could indeed lead to a pedestrian-related crash. Thankfully for us, Nissan is on the lookout, as its Intelligent Transportation System is now getting an additional feature before it's even released. Aside from helping you avoid congestion and emit less fumes, the ITS will now be able to communicate with handsets via 3G networks and GPS in order to alert drivers of upcoming individuals. Of course, we have to assume that only humans within a reasonable line of danger will appear on screen, but Nissan claims that this technology will decrease the amount of car vs. pedestrian mishaps and "reduce road accidents particularly in a blind-spot situation." The automaker is currently collaborating with NTT DoCoMo and researching "what types of pedestrian data are most relevant to help prevent accidents," but unfortunately, the launch date for all of this in-car madness is still a good ways out.
Hackers next target: your in-car navigation system
We hate to break it to you, but that oh-so-reliable GPS system that you simply obey each day could eventually lead you down a dark, perilous path. No, we're not referring to the blind faith drivers who throw caution common sense to the wind and drive directly into sandpiles and bodies of water, but a new discovery has found that the unencrypted data that's beamed to drivers everyday via RDS-TMC navigation systems could be undermined with relative ease. Andrea Barisani, chief security engineer with Italian consultancy Inverse Path, has claimed that the wireless signals could not only be intercepted, but incorrect directions could actually be used to lead motorists into a trap, direct traveling competitors away from a sales presentation, or create a massive gridlock by instructing the weary working crowd to all take the same "detour" home. It was noted that some firms are already looking into more secure methods of delivering such critical information, and considering the lessons we've already learned about GPS-addicted drivers, the updates can't come soon enough.[Thanks, Andrea B.]
SmartWeb project to use P2P networks to keep drivers informed
Intelligent roadways are nothing new, as we've seen project after project (and even countries) look at varying ways to keep drivers informed whilst cruising about, but a new rendition showcased at CeBIT is looking to utilize P2P networking in order to spread pertinent information about road hazards to drivers behind the mishap. SmartWeb, which is being coordinated by the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence along with a myriad of other corporations, would allow vehicles to detect hazards (such as an oil slick or road block) and pass the information on to surrounding vehicles in order to hopefully prevent accidents and give motorists ample time to locate a detour. This doesn't mark the first time P2P has been used for the betterment of mankind, and the data would reportedly be conveyed via a "dashboard screen or through a mobile handset," potentially adding yet another distraction to overload our brains while trying to remain between the blinking yellow lines. Of course, those of you with real-time traffic updates are already on top of the game, but we could definitely see this technology being marketable to thrill-seeking cops looking to pinpoint information feeds coming from speeding criminals.
Navigon unveils 5100 / 7100 GPS units at CeBIT
While we suspect a fair amount of rebadging will be going down at CeBIT this year, we've got good news for those hoping for Navigon to step it up a notch. The firm is reportedly coming clean and finally manufacturing a unit of its own, and based on what we're seeing right now, it's not a half bad first effort. Both the 5100 and 7100 GPS navigation systems purportedly sport a Bluetooth handsfree calling system, "exclusive lane assistance," free traffic jam reports, voice input, and PIN code security as well. The higher-end 7100 boasts a 4.3-inch widescreen display, while the more budget-minded 5100 sticks with the more diminutive 3.5-inch variety, but both units do feature a new technology dubbed "Reality View" to give you a "more realistic" look at those oh-so-critical signs and upcoming roadways. Of course, both devices are slated solely for a European release, and while the 7100 series will be landing this summer for around €450 ($593) to €500 ($659) depending on map selection, the 5100 series will demand just €350 ($461) to €400 ($527).
ViaMichelin hits CeBIT with pair of cheap 'n boring GPS units
The new X-960 and X-970T portable GPS units from ViaMichelin don't exactly break new ground, but they're both looking moderately stylish, and boast of enough specs to get by. On the low end, the X-960 keeps it simple with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, 300MHz Samsung processor and 2 hours of battery life. The little guy measures 0.8-inches thick, and comes in "individual country" or "all of Europe" flavors for €229 ($301 US) and €299 ($393 US), respectively. Things get stepped up a bit with the X-970T (pictured), which sports a QVGA 3.5-inch touchscreen, 400MHz Samsung processor and 3 hour battery life, along with an external RDS/TMC receiver for traffic info and a hands-free Bluetooth setup. The device runs CE 5.0, holds 64MB of RAM, 128MB of ROM, and comes in similar SKUs to its little brother: €329 ($433 US) for maps of a single European country, €399 for all of Europe ($525 US). The X-960 is after the break.Read - X-960Read - X-970T
