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Indian device design house iWave Systems has unveiled a "military grade" PDA that supports SDIO WiFi and GPS receiver modules. The "iW-Rugged-PDA" is based on a Marvell PXA270 processor, and can run Linux or Windows CE, the company said.

Bangalore, India based iWave specializes in hardware/software reference designs for mobile devices. It previously shipped a generic PXA270 reference platform, as well as a video-centric handheld design based on TI's i.MX27 processor.

iWave called its iW-Rugged-PDA "the first rugged PDA that comes with SDIO WLAN and GPS." Originally created for an unspecified defense agency, the device is intended for use tracking users via GPS and WiFi. It can operate in "extreme outdoor and industrial environments," and was designed to meet MIL-STD-810F and 461E (461 EMI, EMC) specifications for resistance to drops, vibration, temperature extremes, and water and dust infiltration.

The iW-Rugged-PDA is based on a Marvel PXA270 processor clocked at 520MHz. It has 128MB of SDRAM. Storage is divided between 32MB or 64MB of NOR flash for the OS and applications, and 1GB of NAND flash for storage. The display is a 3.5-inch QVGA (240x320) color touchscreen.

I/O includes:
• 2 x RS-232 ports
• 1 x USB
• 8-key keyboard
• Audio I/O
• SDIO supporting GPS and 802.11b WiFi
The Windows CE version appears to include viewers for PDF, PowerPoint, and Word files; a media player; navigation software; clock; browser; and email client. Specifics regarding the application stack for the Linux version of the device were not provided.

Abdullah Khan, director of engineering, stated, "iW-Rugged-PDA [is] resistant to rain, shock, humidity, vibration, salt fog, altitude, and extreme temperatures."

Availability

The iW-Rugged-PDA appears to be a finished design available now for manufacturing. Pricing was not disclosed.

Panasonic rolls out it first GPS navigation device, a sleek new mobile navigation system for automobiles, in the United States. The device is Panasonic Strada also knows as CN-NVD905U.

The Strada features a 30GB hard drive with a DVD player that supports DVD-R/RW disks. It sports a seven-inch touch panel LCD and comes pre-loaded with NAVTEQ mapping data for the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, plus detailed maps of 86 U.S. cities.
The navigator also features iPod Video connectivity. Panasonic claims that even passengers sitting in the back seats will be able to enjoy movies on the Strada's 7-inch LCD display. The GPS receiver also plays CDs in MP3 or WMA formats. The Strada will also have Sirius and XM satellite radio programs through your car's speakers, but you'll need to buy a tuner, an antenna and a subscription for the service.
Its driving related features include Bluetooth integration with a cell phone for hands-free driving and optional connectivity to a Panasonic rear view camera. Like other GPS navigation system it has the standard features of GPS navigator, including turn by turn directions in English, Spanish and French

Strada GPS already is a best-seller in Japan. It has incredible performance, slick design and a complete enticement system for your vehicle. Panasonic intend to really put it on the navigation market and establish Panasonic as a leader in the U.S. mobile navigation market.
The pricing for Strada is little bit higher in US market. It should be around $1,800 but with all the options, design and performance you sure to get an increasable device for your money.

Nokia is well known for its phone and camera product.  But in 2006 it debuted with first ever dedicated GPS device. The mode name 330 Auto Navigation.

This is a is a budget orientated system which runs on Windows CE, uses the well established SiRF Star III GPS chipset and sports a 3.5in 65k 320 x 240 color touch screen, not the largest on the market but not the smallest.

Nokia 330 Auto Navigation

 Notable feature are A 400MHz Samsung S3C2440 CPU is at the 330’s heart and there’s the standard 64MB RAM, 64MB ROM memory allocation. A 2GB microSD card ships with the device and contains Route 66’s Navigate 7 software as well as
UK,
Ireland and European maps. A built in speaker is also present to provide spoken instructions and also it can double up as a digital audio, video and photo player.

The Cobra GSPM 3000 Nav One portable navigation system allows users to easily move from vehicle to vehicle with the GPS in hand--simply plug and go. The receiver offers automatic route navigation with turn-by-turn directions and clear voice guidance to either addresses or points of interest. It also includes more than two million points of interest, such as banks, hotels, restaurants, gas stations, and many more, as well as a point-of-interest search using business phone numbers. If the user strays off course or has to take a detour, the GPSM 3000 provides an automatic rerouting function. Users will appreciate the backlit, intuitive soft keys, which provide easy access to specific functions in any given mode without smudging your display. Additional features include an infrared port that instantly transfers addresses from your Palm OS- or Windows Pocket PC-based PDAs; an odometer, trip timer, and speedometer; a Trip Planner function that allows you to preprogram up to five destinations in each plan; and a Trail Mode that allows you to go off-roading and mark your favorite waypoints for the return. The unit uses Cobra's exclusive Accelerated Satellite Acquisition Protocol II technology (ASAP II), which gets you running up to twice as fast as other recreational GPS receivers and provides superior reception in urban areas, canyons, and dense foliage. The device's built-in altimeter and compass display altitude readings and eight cardinal compass points.

Features:

• Portable System-Plug & Go
• Automatic Route Navigation With Voice Guidance
• Millions of Points-of-Interest
• 5.2" High Res Color Display
• North America Street-Level Detail Map on Board and Fully Unlocked
• Gyro for Uninterrupted Navigation
• Infrared Port for Beaming Address Information
• iA.S.A.P.â„¢ Performance

Picture of Cobra GPSM 3000:

There are many GPS free software you can use with your GPS unit. Most of the software you can download from internet and use it right way. Here is a list of free software:

1. amAze :
Web Address: http://www.amazegps.com/welcome.php
Description: This is GPS navigation for your mobile phone. It covers the US and 15 European countries. This is a java based software which enable you to Search and navigate to businesses listed in yellow pages directories.

2. Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS)
Web Address: http://www.winaprs.org/
Description: APRSâ„¢ is a multifaceted system for use with packet radio by Hams, it allows the monitoring of real time geographical information such as the position of vehicles, the status of weather, radio direction finding and much much more. It envolves mapping, GPS tracking, packet radio, etc. It is a VERY interesting facet of packet radio and has much to offer most everyone including non-hams that just want to watch over the internet.

3. Async & RINEX :
Web Download Address: http://artico.lma.fi.upm.es/numerico/miembros/antonio/async/
Description: Helps Obtaining raw data from some Garmin units.

4. Cetus GPS:
Web Address: http://www.cetusgps.dk/
Description: Cetus GPS is the Swiss Army Knife of GPS tracking and field data collection. It is intended for use by GIS surveyors, scientists, explorers and GPS enthusiasts who need to extend the features of their standard GPS equipment.

5. Cotogps :
Web Address: http://core.de/~coto/projects/cotogps/
Description: GPS program for Palm Powered Devices. It shows all important information and serves well on my Geocaching tours.

The SG2 is for Avid Golfers who want advanced capability in a light, compact and rugged form. In addition to getting distances to bunkers and other hazards on the course, the SG2 is equipped with the patented IntelliGreen technology, enabling golfers to measure the full depth and shape of the green from any angle of approach, both on or off the fairway. The SG2 is the original, classic SkyCaddie, which quickly became the most popular rangefinder in golf. It’s also the only rangefinder proven in professional competition, with victories on The Tight Lies, New England Pro, and Euro Pro Tours. At only 4.7 ounces, the SG1 and SG2 are the lightest and most compact rangefinders on the market.

The SG1 is ideal for the Occasional Golfer who prefers the simplicity of having the distance to the green from anywhere on the hole in large, easy to read numbers. It’s based on the same advanced SG2 technology and thus enjoys the same accuracy and reliability of the SG2, but without some of its more advanced features. At only 4.7 ounces, the SG1 and the SG2 are the lightest and most compact rangefinders on the market.

It is possible to jam  GPS nevigation system. The jamming techniques is to limit the effectiveness of an opponent's communications and/or detection equipment. There are several case, intentional or unintentional, has been recorded including Air Force conducted GPS jamming exercises in 2003. There is also a detailed description of how to build a short range GPS L1 C/A jammer was published in Phrack issue 60 by an anonymous author.

Mapping is the process of map making. Maps function as visualization tools for spatial data. Spatial data is acquired from measurement and can be stored in a database, from which it can be extracted for a variety of purposes.