Archive for the 'TomTom' Category

Jul 06 2011

Types of GPS (GPS for Driving, Outdoors, Sports, and More)

Imagine never being lost or needing to ask for directions as you drive. Imagine going out for a run or bike ride and capturing all of your speed, distance, elevation change and heart rate data and uploading it to a training log or an online map you can share. Imagine going hiking and always knowing the way back to camp. Imagine playing golf and always knowing the exact distance to the pin. These scenarios and many more are reality with the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers.

1. In Your Car Sales of aftermarket in-car GPS devices have more than doubled over the past two years, and automotive is the fastest-growing segment of the GPS market. Why? Better and brighter color screens, improved accuracy and usability of maps and directions, added features such as traffic alerts, the ability to wirelessly link a mobile phone to an in-car unit to get hands-free mobile speaker-phone use; all of these reasons and more.

2. On the Trail Handheld GPS units have dramatically changed outdoors travel, replacing map and compass with moving digital maps, and precise location, elevation, topographic and other data. These handhelds let you enter “waypoints” — precise locations — for a favorite fishing spot, safe passage across a stream, a campsite; anything of importance to the user. Handhelds can enhance outdoor safety, as well, making getting lost much less likely, and providing precise position information that can be relayed to rescuers in case of an emergency.

3. Sports & Fitness Some manufacturers offer GPS products specifically for cycling or running. In cycling, for example, a GPS unit can replace a conventional cycle computer, and add another layer of features, such as route mapping, and trip, heart rate, and cadence data that is uploadable to a computerized training log or to a Web site. Specialized golf GPS receivers provide precise yardage and other useful information and can be preloaded with your favorite courses.

4. On the Water GPS has been a boon to recreational and commercial boaters. Moving-map displays and navigation overlays are incredibly convenient, easy to use, and dramatically enhance all-weather, all-light-condition safety. The ability to provide precise position information in case of an emergency is another key safety feature. Built-to-purpose, portable chartplotters often come loaded with detailed coastal maps, and many additional maps for the earth’s oceans and lakes are available.

5. In the Air Portable aviation units offer intuitive, moving-map views with navigation overlays, providing a great supplement to a plane’s instrumentation. Aviation features include: map page, terrain page, route page, position data page, “direct-to” navigation, airport information, and more.

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Jul 04 2011

What is GPS and What is Sat Nav?

If you wonder what the difference might be between GPS and Sat Nav, read further.

GPS (Global Positioning System) is a joint name for group of satellites that are orbiting around the earth. They were initiated by the US government very long back and made available to public during the Government of President Reagan.

GPS receiver is a petite appliance that transfers and receives signals from satellites that lies within its range. This devices makes sure that users get accurate location details, which actually is provided in the form of pair of co ordinates.

Making use of this information and data you feed GPS, most of the GPS receivers can take users to the destination using a compass like arrow. Development in the technology has enhanced the way users are directed to the destinations. Voice commands are used to inform user well before in time to reduce last minute tensions. The newer technology is making user operation more simpler and users more lazier!


Once you feed the GPS device with your home address, it can take you back home from the place where you are currently in. The GPS receiver has now become a very common appliance that is been fitted to security system on sat, mobile phones and more. Digital cameras now come equipped with GPS so that users know where exactly the photo was taken.

On the other hand, Sat nav (Satellite Navigation) is a special software that makes use of GPS signals. It takes help from the GPS device by getting the co ordinates to combine with that of a complete map. When users input a destination, it is this sat nav software that computes route, distance, estimated time to reach and even suggestions of taking better route and so.

The software keeps updating the GPS signal most frequently to provide user step by step instruction stating where you are and the place to need to make a turn.

We conclude that sat nav and GPS have different meaning and do not mean the same.

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Jun 28 2011

How to Stop GPS From Revealing Your Location

GPS system data can be recorded when someone takes a picture of you, and you might not even be aware of it. Location information (GPS system coordinates) stored inside photos can reveal your home address, work address, and places you or your children frequent. Geotags can make it very easy for people to determine exactly where you are and when.

The good news is that there are easy ways to protect your privacy and prevent GPS location data from being revealed in your photos. Yes, there are several ways to do this. Here are a handful of easy ways that aren’t too complicated and don’t take require you to have expensive software.

How to Remove GPS Location Data From Your Photos:
If you’re not sure if your photo has location metadata, there are two easy ways to check. First, try right-clicking on your image file. Then choose Properties, then Details. Scroll down to GPS and check for coordinates.
Or, go to stolencamerafinder.com and drag your photo onto the box. Don’t worry if it says “fail” – you can still click the link to view the exif data. Scroll down and look for the GPS data.

If there is GPS data recorded in your photos, follow these steps to remove it:
1. Open your photo in any program. Display it on the screen so that it looks exactly how you would like.

2. Press the PRINT SCREEN button on your keyboard, which is often in the upper right-hand corner. The print screen button may simply say “prt sc” or something similar. After you hit the button, nothing appears to have happened, but chances are it worked. Continue on to Step 3.

3. Next, open up Windows Paint or Microsoft PowerPoint and then paste by pressing CTRL-V. Your screenshot should appear.

Make sure you paste a screen shot of the image and do NOT simply open the photo in Windows Paint and then resave it, or your GPS location data may be preserved.

4. Use the Save As feature, then choose “other formats” such as .JPG.

How to Prevent GPS Location Data From Being Recorded in Your Photos:
iPhone – Go to Settings, General, Location Services. Here you can set which applications can access your GPS coordinates, or disable the feature entirely. If you use your GPS tracking your children’s whereabouts or to find local restaurants and services on the go – then don’t disable the features entirely.

BlackBerry – Click the camera icon, press the Menu button and choose “Options”. Set the “Geotagging” setting to “Disabled”. Save the updated settings.

Android – Open the Camera application, select “Store Location” and set it to “Off”.

Facebook – removes geotags from uploaded photos, however other social networking sites do not. Look into your privacy settings and turn off location sharing.

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