Candid conversations about using GPS and wireless technology for work and fun.
Posts tagged google maps
GPS Banned in Egypt
Oct 13th
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Author – Mary Beth Lowell – Communications Manager
If you were planning to use a GPS device (including GPS navigation on your cell phone) in Egypt anytime soon, you may have to go to plan B.
Egypt restricts the use of GPS to those who have a license from security authorities. Apparently the government is still negotiating with Egypt’s National Telecommunication Regulator Agency (NTRA) to allow commercial use of GPS.
Despite the restrictions, people are still smuggling in phones like the Nokia N95 which includes built-in GPS and navigation capabilities. If found, however, they will be confiscated.
Many Egyptians resort to using traditional paper maps or online services like Google maps to get around the country. But because of the ban, developing accurate mapping databases for Egypt has also become a problem. Mapping organizations in Egypt, like Dotmap, have to resort to less advanced methods such as using surveyors.
Egypt has banned other technology in the past. Satellite dishes weren’t allowed in the 1980′s for example.
Only three countries in the world ban GPS today: Egypt, Syria and North Korea.
Mapping vs. Navigation – What’s the Difference?
Feb 12th
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Author – Mary Beth Lowell – Communications Manager
I’ve seen quite a bit of discussion in other blogs and on customer forums about the difference between mapping services (like Google Maps) and navigation services like TeleNav GPS Navigator. Understandably, many folks are confused about why they should pay for one (TeleNav GPS Navigator) when they can get the other for free (Google Maps).
We’ve created a page on our Web site to try and help clear up this confusion and demonstrate the differences between the two. This page can be accessed here: http://www.telenav.com/about/maps-vs-navigation/ but I’ve pasted below the section on the site which directly compares the two.
Essentially, TeleNav GPS Navigator is just like a standalone navigation device (Garmin, Tom Tom, etc.) whereas mapping services are static text directions with an overview map. Using mapping services is basically like printing out directions from Mapquest. Other than the obvious difference in features, mapping services may be good for walking directions but could certainly be hard (and dangerous) to follow if you are driving.
What do you think? Does this help explain the difference between the two for you? We’d love to hear your feedback.
Can GPS and Wi-Fi Work Together?
Jan 28th
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Author—Bob Rennard – CTO and Co-Founder
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Apple’s recent announcement that the iPhone will use Skyhook Wireless’ Wi-Fi location-aware technology has stirred conversation in the press about using Wi-Fi on cell phones vs. using GPS technology.
I tend to agree with Patrick Connelly, an analyst with IMS research, who stated that the two technologies are more complimentary than competitive. However, one will not replace the other.
If you are in an “urban canyon” such as Manhattan, securing a GPS fix may be a challenge, especially with phones that do not use the wireless network to assist the GPS receiver in finding the location (assisted vs. autonomous GPS). In this case, for some location-based services, Wi-Fi access points may be an alternative or complimentary to GPS. However, until Wi-Fi access points reach a critical mass in these cities, the location could still be off by nearly 300 feet, especially if the wireless access point is moved after its location is recorded. This obviously would not work for services like driver navigation but may be reasonable for pedestrians who are not moving as quickly.
In more suburban or rural areas, GPS is still clearly the primary choice for most location-based applications since Wi-Fi access points will be few and far between. Some companies have discussed using personal Wi-Fi access points (i.e. you or your neighbor’s Wi-Fi service) in suburban areas, but this could be a huge privacy issue. I don’t see this happening any time soon.
Other than Skyhook, there are other companies providing some interesting location-aware technologies. Qualcomm and Navizon are also working on Wi-Fi location-aware technologies. Another interesting technology is that of Rosum. Rosum is combining TV with GPS signals to develop a technology that will ideally provide more location-capturing capabilities indoor (where GPS is limited).
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