Laptop GPS World

ericwfrost · #1 January 15th, 2008, 12:34 PM

I am thinking of upgrading from a Palm Treo 300 to a Palm Centro in April when my contract let's me get the phone with a good discount.

Anything fun GPS-related I can with a Centro? What are the best mapping/GPS products for Palm devices?

Thanks!
Eric

Marvin Hlavac · #2 January 15th, 2008, 12:53 PM

Eric, many people liked the Palm version of the Mapopolis GPS software, but unfortunately Mapopolis is no longer in the PDA software business. It seems PDA market is shrinking (evaporating?).

Garmin still has some GPS navigation software program for Palm, and also ALK CoPilot has a Palm version. But you may need to check compatibility with your particular Palm device, before you spend any money.

There have always been more options for PocketPC PDA users

.

ericwfrost · #3 January 15th, 2008, 02:56 PM

Do any of these work wirelessly e.g. get the maps from the air?

Marvin Hlavac · #4 January 15th, 2008, 03:11 PM

Not the ones I mentioned, no. But that's a very good question, Eric. While Virtual Earth Mobile works only for PocketPCs and Smartphones, I think there is a Palm OS version of Google Earth.

ericwfrost · #5 January 15th, 2008, 04:41 PM

Yes I guess any Palm (5.0+) will work --

http://www.google.com/support/mobile...891&topic=9120

Here's some info about Google Maps + GPS --

http://www.google.com/gmm/gps.html?hl=en&phone=3

Maybe I should consider one of those phones with built-in GPS..

Eric

ericwfrost · #6 January 15th, 2008, 04:51 PM

According to this I could use a Bluetooth GPS with the Centro --

http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/...html?tag=txt.1

It looks like a Bluetooth GPS Receiver could be less than $40

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?Inv...i_sku=IGEO-GPS

Marvin Hlavac · #7 January 15th, 2008, 07:08 PM

Yes, a built-in GPS is much more convenient. You don't have to carry with you another item. I'd like to buy one of those very tiny Ultra-Mobile PCs, such as OQO 2 or the Sony UX, but not until they start selling them with built-in GPS receivers. Till then I will just live with what I have at the moment

.

The Bluetooth unit you linked to is indeed very inexpensive. But I think it is based on an older technology, and the reception may not be so great. Have a look at these: http://www.semsons.com/bluetgpsrec.html Even the cheapest one will outperform the Polstar unit.

ericwfrost · #8 January 15th, 2008, 08:03 PM

Honestly I am really reconsidering the Palm Centro now, I agree to have GPS built in is much more convenient and I want to have it considering my GIS/mapping interests.. and I have time :-).

I'll see what Sprint is offering for handphones with GPS in April!

Eric

Marvin Hlavac · #9 January 15th, 2008, 08:10 PM

You can never go wrong by waiting a few months longer when it comes to this technology.

ericwfrost · #10 January 15th, 2008, 08:33 PM

I am waiting for the ear piece that does everything (practically unlimited amount of music, phone, not cause brain cancer, GPS of course, and voice recording, etc.) it will be here sooner than we know it!

Maybe it can also project an image in the air in front of our eyes without glasses.

Eric

Marvin Hlavac · #11 January 15th, 2008, 08:46 PM

Talking about projecting an image in the air in front of our eyes, check this out: http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/gps-ha...on-system.html

ericwfrost · #12 January 16th, 2008, 08:54 AM

Sweet.

paulkbiba · #13 January 16th, 2008, 03:50 PM

You might want to check out the Blackberry 8310 Curve which has built in GPS. I have a loaner and am currently testing the Trimble Outdoors suite of software (www.trimbleoutdoors.com) which does sports, geocaching and off road tracking on the Blackberry. I will be posting reviews of this software at GPSPassion over the next couple of weeks. So far, very impressed.

ericwfrost · #14 January 16th, 2008, 03:55 PM

I need something that works with Sprint.

I was in a Radio Shack this afternoon and it seemed like most models say they include "GPS Navigation" such as the Motorola Razr's - do that many phones really include GPS devices? The Palm's (Treo and Centro) did not.

The saleslady there didn't really sound credible, but she said the GPS Navigation on all the phones except the Blackberry would only work with a $20 or $25 per month Sprint data package. ?

Eric

paulkbiba · #15 January 16th, 2008, 04:00 PM

Sorry, I don't know anything about Sprint. Check out their website, they usually discuss which services require a data plan.

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