Global Positioning System (GPS) specialist Navman has launched an
add-on device that will bring location-based services to Windows
Pocket PC handheld devices, writes Antony Adshead.
The GPS1000 updates positional data to an accuracy of 5m every two
seconds. The software comes complete with detailed maps for 12
European countries, including 125,000 towns and cities, all of
which can be displayed in colour. Map sizes range from 100-mile to
0.5-mile scale.
The release of the GPS1000 is the latest move in Navman's push to
target service-based organisations and business travellers.
Corporate uses for the technology include planning the best routes
for delivery vehicles and being able to record private versus
business miles in company cars.
Prash Vadgama, Navman's general manager for sales and marketing in
Europe, said the company plans to release more location-based
technology for business use in the near future.
"We are looking at developing software for the Windows OS for
notebooks and, in the longer term, desktop PC software which will
allow the setting of routes and synchronisation of large numbers of
devices," he said.
"Also, we envisage that when GPS capability is added to the new
generation of mobile phone/PDA devices, it will be possible to tie
a signature for goods to a specific location."
The device - which will fit Toshiba, Casio, HP Jornada and other
Pocket PC PDAs - joins Navman's range of GPS solutions for the Palm
platform.