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Jul 14 AeroPalm Aviation GPS and Flight Planning Kit for Palm devices
Found in: Mobile News, Palm, GPS, Software, Devices, Hardware,

Midwest Sport Aviation LLC, has just released a new Palm handheld based GPS solution for both the Sport Pilot and the general aviation market. The AeroPalm Aviation GPS is a flight planning and moving map solution that runs on Palm OS based devices.

AeroPalm Aviation GPS Features:

* flight planning
* fuel planning
* weight and balance
* flight plan form for calling the FAA
* E6B calculations
* moving map with airports
* airspace including special use and MOA’s, obstacles, and nav aids
* proximity page
* HSI, altitude, ground speed, vertical speed and an attitude approximater
* emergency “GO-TO” function to direct you to the nearest airport in the event of an emergency

It is available as complete Aviation GPS package or separately as a software on Palm handhelds and Treos as well as the Garmin iQue 3600, 3200, and 3000 and most other Palm OS Devices. The solution also works on the newly released Treo 700p. Those of you who already own a device, packages are available that include the GPS and mounting hardware for most Palm based PDA. For those that already have a Palm PDA, the software is available for $149 USD. The complete AeroPalm Aviation GPS starts at less than $535.00 USD.

More info you can find here.

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Nov 21 Amazon Bestselling Top 10 Memory Cards
Found in: Hardware,

Here's a list of various Memory Cards listed in Amazon's database, and the lowest price on each model. Clicking through to the vendor selling the product helps support this site, so if you're interested in learning more about the product, click. Smile Here are the five most popular Memory Cards and their prices according to Amazon searches:
Secure Digital Flash Card , Memory Stick Pro Duo , Ultra II CompactFlash Card , Memory Stick Pro , miniSD Card , Kodak SD , Fujifilm Type M Picture Card. ... Viking 256 MB Secure Digital Flash Card (SD256M) -Viking InterWorks' SD cards can be used in any device that requires the robust security features that this standard offers. The SD form factor represents the smallest,secure flash memory card in the consumer market today and is flexible for applications ranging from MP3 players to PDAs to digital cameras. Combined with low power draw and the highest capacities available, Viking SD cards are the best option available for taking your digital files with you anywhere.

Kingston 512 MB Secure Digital Card (SD/512)-Break from the limitations of traditional memory devices and put more storage at your fingertips with Kingston Technology’s Secure Digital (SD) memory cards. The latest in the Kingston family, SD memory cards combine massive storage capacity, blazing data transfer rates and ironclad security in a memory card no bigger than a postage stamp.

SanDisk 1 GB Memory Stick Pro Duo (SDMSPD-1024-A10)-SanDisk;s Memory Stick PRO Duo is half the size of a standard-size Memory Stick PRO media and it offers the same technologies including high speed data transfer, built-in MagicGate, and high capacities. The Memory Stick PRO Duo is the ideal solution for the most portable devices such as pocket-size digital cameras and with the use of Adaptor, it can be used in all PRO-compatible devices.

SanDisk SDCFH-1024-901 1 GB Ultra II CompactFlash Card-The new SanDisk Ultra II CompactFlash cards have a minimum sustained write speed of 9 megabytes (MB) per second and a read speed of 10 MB per second. Get faster speed for all the things you do.

Sony 1 GB Memory Stick Pro ( MSX1GS )-Store more for less with the 1 Gigabyte1 MSX-1GS Memory Stick PRO media from Sony. With a huge available storage capacity of 940 Megabytes1, you can maximize your Memory Stick PRO media compatible device’s file capacity without breaking the bank.

SanDisk 1GB miniSD Card (SDSDM-1024-A10M)-The SanDisk miniSD memory card offers all of the benefits of a standard SD card, but in a much smaller size. In fact, it is over 60 percent smaller than a full-sized SD card. The SanDisk miniSD cards are used to store digital images, video, MP3 files and other data in mobile phones. SanDisk offers the industry's broadest range of capacities for miniSD cards with a capacity of 1024MB.

SanDisk SDMSV-256-A10 256 MB MemoryStick Pro-Capture and play back DVD-quality video in real time, or store CD-quality music or high-resolution digital images with this SanDisk 256MB Memory Stick Pro. Features larger storage capacities than standard memory stick cards; high-speed data transfer rate of 15Mbps for DVD-quality video in real time; and has advanced security due to the Access Control Function and Magic Gate technology. Memory Stick Pro is compatible only to Memory Stick Pro enabled devices.

Kodak SD Card 256 MB KPSD256SCS-Introducing Kodak SD Cards. SD cards are compatible with a wide range of digital devices, including digital still cameras, digital camcorders, televisions, MP3 players, DVD players and PDA's. They also have advanced features such as data protection.

Panasonic 256 MB High Speed Secure Digital Memory Card (RPSDH256U1A)-The PANASONIC RPSDH256U1A 256MB High Speed SD Memory Card supplies high volume storage capacity for an expanding galaxy of SD ( Secure Digital ) compatible devices, including digital cameras, handheld organizers, voice recorders and the amazing PANASONIC D-SNAP series of multifunction portable digital devices!

Fujifilm 512 MB XD Type M Picture Card-Fujifilm's xD-Picture Card is the ultimate solution for the exciting new generation of compact digital cameras. xD-Picture Card is the smallest, lightest flash memory card available today, yet it offers the fast read/write speed and high capacity that today's newest products require. In addition, the xD-Picture Card was designed to minimize power consumption, saving battery life and with fast read/write capabilities for smoother digital camera operation. Ultra-Compact and Lightweight -- the Smallest Flash Media Card Available Provides High Read/Write Speeds Necessary for Today's Newest Digital Cameras Rigid Memory Card Construction for Exceptional Durability For all xD-Picture Card Compatible Digital Cameras
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Oct 07 ARM Introduce Cortex-A8 CPU
Found in: Hardware,

The BBC is reporting that the A8 chips currently top 1,000 Dhrystone Mip (Dips), while future versions could hit 2,000 Dips. The CPUs run at 600Mhz in 'low power' mode and can run at over 1Ghz for high performance processing. That's a lot of horsepower in a small low-powered package. Apart from phones, the CPUs are intended for use in set-top boxes, handheld games machines as well as in cars. The full ARM press release can be found here.
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Feb 01 ARM Processor & Physical IP Deliver 750 MHz ARM11 Implementation
Found in: Hardware,

Combination of ARM1176JZF-S processor, plus ARM Artisan Advantage libraries and memories achieves more than 750 MHz performance for next-generation digital home products and high-end consumer devices. ARM today unveiled a groundbreaking high performance implementation of the ARM1176JZF-S processor, enhanced with the ARM Artisan Advantage cell library and memories, which achieves a frequency of more than 750 MHz in a high-performance 90nm foundry process while occupying only 2.4 mm2 of silicon area. This represents a significant performance increase through a combination of collaborative design, advanced physical IP and process technology. The optimized implementation delivers an industry-leading performance of more than 920 Dhrystone MIPS for existing applications and operating systems without the need for expensive software re-design or re-compilation.

"The industry leading combination of the ARM processor business and the Physical IP business acquired from Artisan a year ago is delivering technically as well as commercially," said Mike Inglis EVP Marketing and Business Development. "Our combined engineering teams have worked together to create a best-in-class 90nm design for semiconductor Partners serving the high volume digital consumer market."

The high-performance design is a fully routed, reference layout of the ARM1176JZF-S processor including 16KB instruction cache, 16KB data cache, 4x high-performance AMBA 3 AXI interconnect interfaces to speed instruction and data access, and a vectorized floating-point unit (VFP). Based on the award winning ARM11 family, the ARM1176JZF-S processor has been widely adopted for next generation consumer applications due to its high-end performance, energy efficiency and rich feature set.

The ARM Advantage family of cell libraries and memories delivers high-performance and low-power, and provides an out-of-the-box solution for demanding digital home, entertainment, and other high-end applications. The ARM Advantage family reinforces the powerful synergy between ARM's processor and physical IP products. Combined, these complementary technologies enable ARM to offer the industry's broadest portfolio of system-on-chip (SoC) IP, and deliver performance and power optimized processor implementations for deep sub-micron silicon design.

"The new 750 MHz implementation of the ARM1176JZF-S processor illustrates the benefits of combining a complete range of ARM technology, in terms of performance, compatibility, lower risk and time-to-market," said John Cornish, VP Marketing, Processors Division, ARM. "The ARM Advantage library and memories combined with the ARM1176JZF-S processor highlights our commitment to providing leading-edge solutions for applications which need a higher level of performance with full software compatibility. This is the latest of several targeted implementations that combine our industry-leading processor and physical IP, to demonstrate high performance in a low cost and power footprint."

The ARM1176JZF-S synthesizable processor is targeted at consumer and wireless devices such as digital TVs, set-top-boxes, games consoles, and mobile phones. The processor incorporates ARM Jazelle technology for Java acceleration, ARM TrustZone technology, a key enabling technology, targeted specifically at securing consumer products running open Operating Systems (OS), such as Symbian OS, Linux and Windows CE, and a Vector Floating-Point (VFP) coprocessor to provide powerful acceleration for embedded 3D graphics.
Availability

The high speed ARM1176JZF-S processor implementation with 16K Instruction and Data caches will run at more than 750MHz, with a die size of only 2.4mm2 and less than 500mW of power including caches. The ARM1176JZF-S processor, and the Advantage cell library and memories for the TSMC 90GT process, are available now. For further information contact your local ARM office or visit www.arm.com

ARM designs the technology that lies at the heart of advanced digital products, from wireless, networking and consumer entertainment solutions to imaging, automotive, security and storage devices. ARM's comprehensive product offering includes 16/32-bit RISC microprocessors, data engines, 3D processors, digital libraries, embedded memories, peripherals, software and development tools, as well as analog functions and high-speed connectivity products. Combined with the company's broad Partner community, they provide a total system solution that offers a fast, reliable path to market for leading electronics companies. More information on ARM is available at http://www.arm.com

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Dec 20 Car-Pal OBD Interface Unit Works with Pocket PC and Palm
Found in: Hardware,

Vital Engineering Ltd is introducing the Car-Pal OBD Interface Unit. The Car-Pal OBD Interface Unit operates with any vehicle equipped with OBD II, using ISO, SAE or CAN protocols. This covers vehicles built for the USA market since 1996 and for the European and Asian markets since 2001.The product is fully compatible with the CAN protocols used on some vehicles built since 2004/2005 and with PWM, VPWM protocols used on some USA vehicles, including GM, Chrysler and Ford.

The software supplied with the Car-Pal OBD Interface Unit can retrieve and clear both Generic and Manufacturer specific diagnostic trouble codes (DTC); display generic code definitions on-screen; switch off 'Check Engine' Light; reset the ECU to clear fault codes; display live sensor data and freeze frame data (PC platform only); measure performance data, such as 0-60 mph times and ¼ mile times (PC platform only); communicate with Engine Management System and Emissions Systems; record your own “freeze frame” data in software with one button click.

Users will be able to purchase a wired (RS232 serial) or wireless (Bluetooth) version of the product, which includes software for Palm OS or Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone.

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Nov 06 Cingular 8525 UMTS and HSDPA enabled PPC Phone launched
Found in: Mobile News, Devices, Smartphone, Pocket PC, Hardware,

As we have talked about in early September in this post (Cingular 8500 and 8525 Smartphones Announced), Cingular Wireless does not dissapoint us and has launched the first UMTS/ HSDPA-enabled handheld in North America. The quad-band Cingular 8525, which is based on the HTC Hermes design, boasts of integrated Bluetooth 2.0 and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) short-range wireless connectivity. Quite expectedly, it is powered by Windows Mobile 5.0, with a 400 MHz Samsung S3C2442 processor, 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM at its disposal.

The new Cingular 8525 features a 2.8-inch color QVGA (240 x 320 pixels) TFT screen, micro-SD card slot, slide-out landscape-oriented QWERTY thumb keypad, and 2-megapixel camera with flash. Other great thing is the handset, which comes with a true Jog Dial, and native support for Microsoft Direct Push or Good Mobile Messaging wireless e-mail solutions. In addition, it is bundled with TeleNav GPS Navigator software that provides turn-by-turn voice and on-screen directions for use when driving or walking.

The Cingular 8525 will be available for $399.99 (with a two-year contract) beginning Thursday, November 16.

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Apr 13 Ever wanted GPS for your Sony PSP
Found in: Mobile News, Devices, GPS, PSP, Hardware,

We have just discovered that a Chinese company called Fuzhou Victory Technology is manufacturing a $199 bluetooth GPS receiver that could is very small and adds GPS Functions to your Sony PSP. The stylish little black receiver, called Columbus V-700 includes a SiRFStar III chip and connect to up-to 20 satellites for shortest fixation time and 1.5 meters of accuracy. The device only weighs 33 grams. There is yet no US site offering the V-700. Now all you need is the Bluetooth Adapter for the GPS to connect it to your PSP.

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Mar 29 External GPS antena how to
Found in: Tips, GPS, Hardware,

"GPS is a nifty piece of technology."
GPS staff needs a clear view of the sky because it's satellite based, so using your handheld unit can be a problem when the roof of your car is blocking signal reception. The obvious answer is to add an external antenna.
Of cource you can wait until the new Galileo GPS project is released. It will be atleast five time faster than the US GPS and will support in-building GPS navigation along with many other functions.

The catch-22 is that many GPS units lack external antenna jacks.

If you crack open your GPS, you could extend the wire between the antenna and the internal antenna, but the loss from the extra wire would degrade the signal. But active antennas amplify the signal to get past the loss in the extra wiring; with a little bit of hacking, you can add an external active gps antenna to just about any GPS unit.

Find out how in today's Engadged How-To.

To complete this project, you need:

• A suitable GPS receiver
• 26 gauge wire (0.4mm thick)
  
• 100pF or 47pf ceramic capacitor
• Active external GPS antenna
• BNC panel mount connector (may vary, get one to match connector for the antenna)
• 1/8 inch mini jacks or similar for power and serial output (optional)
• Tools: Soldering iron, pliers, wire strippers, drill
  

Continue reading the how-to here

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Jan 23 Impressive video of Crazy Multi-Touch Input Screen
Found in: Multimedia, Hardware, Mobile News,

This is a video of a multi-input touch screen that hopefully will make its way into consumer computer market in time. A standard touch screen allows one input at a time. This allows multiple people to use it and allows for Minority Report like features. It is Super Cool.

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Jan 16 Infineon announced the World Smallest GPS Receiver Hammerhead II
Found in: Mobile News, GPS, Devices, Hardware, Navigation,

It is definetely a great news for all the mobile community and especialy for those who like small gadgets. More and more devices should make it to the market with the new Hammerhead II GPS chip built-in.

Infineon Technologies and Global Locate, Inc. today announced the successful development of the industry’s smallest Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver chip for mobile telephones, smart phones and personal navigation devices. Based on the successful Hammerhead chip, the new Hammerhead II chip is optimized for cellular handsets and mobile devices requiring high performance, low power and an extremely small footprint. The diminutive single-die chip measures only 3.74 mm x 3.59 mm x 0.6 mm, for a total footprint of less than 14 square mm, resulting in the world’s smallest GPS receiver.

The Hammerhead II GPS receiver includes LNA, RF down-converter and signal processing baseband technology on a single RFCMOS die. The device utilizes state-of-the-art chip scale packaging technology, resulting in the most compact dimensions. The package features a 49-contact Ball Grid Array, further simplifying layout and assembly.

“The GPS feature can now be added to any mobile device with a total electronics bill-of-materials footprint of less than 50 square mm. The Hammerhead II chip has set a new standard for compact design,” said Thomas Pollakowski, Vice President and General Manager of the Connectivity Business Unit at Infineon Technologies.

“The Hammerhead II chip is the logical extension of our technical cooperation and outstanding partnership,” added Donald Fuchs, Executive Vice President of Business Development for Global Locate.

Like its predecessor, the Hammerhead II chip embodies industry-leading performance, delivering sensitivity to -160 dBm and position fix times as fast as 1 second, exceeding 3GPP specifications. In addition, the software has been optimized for personal navigation performance, and includes sophisticated algorithms to mitigate multipath errors.

Hammerhead II retains the same core advantages as all previous Global Locate solutions by utilizing the commercially proven host-based architecture. The software is completely backward-compatible with Hammerhead, allowing an easy transition to the new, smaller part as changing form-factors require.

The Hammerhead II chip is sampling now, with production quantities available in February 2007. Infineon and Global Locate are jointly marketing the chip.

The Hammerhead chip is the world’s first single-die CMOS GPS receiver. A product of the continuing partnership between Global Locate and Infineon Technologies, it supports mobile station-assisted (MS-A), mobile station-based (MS-B), autonomous and enhanced tracking modes. The Hammerhead chip provides the industry’s highest sensitivity for deep indoor signal tracking, full support for assisted and autonomous modes, and highly accurate navigation in the toughest signal environments. Hammerhead’s unique host-based software architecture minimizes device size and cost, and allows protocol messaging to be incorporated directly into the GPS navigation software. Additional information is available at http://www.infineon.com/gps.

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