NEWSBRIEFS – LBS

2.2 million cars in Europe have a telematics device

According to Berg Insight, 2.2 million passenger cars in Europe had an on-board telematics device at the end of 2007. It forecasts that the major breakthrough for telematics in Europe will come with the introduction of the eCall system proposed by the EC, which holds a high probability of becoming a reality in the early 2010s. berginsight.com

Wayfinder broadens its partnership with MapmyIndia

Wayfinder has announced that its Navigator and the free Earth mapping software are now available with Indian local maps from MapmyIndia. This follows up with the launch of its first Indian off-board navigation service with local wireless operator Bharti Airtel and partnership with MapmyIndia last year.

ALK partners with Microsoft to bring Live Search to its navigation software

CoPilot Live mobile phone navigation system by ALK Technologies will be able to benefit from Microsoft’s Live Search™ API. It sends queries to the Live Search via the mobile Internet, providing navigation users with instant access to a vast quantity of locationspecific information, which can be previewed and added to an itinerary for spoken and on-screen turn guidance.

Sony GPS-CS1KSP updated camera GPS kit with Google Maps

Sony has announced an updated GPS kit with the GPS-CS1KSP helping display of photos automatically in context of Google Maps. It can also automatically animate trips and the software displays photos in a trajectory to review the trip visually. www.i4u.com/article15066.html

Broadway signs agreement to launch GyPSii into India

GyPSii, the world’s leading geo-location and social networking service provider for mobile phones and Internet devices, has recently signed an agreement with Broadway Private Limited, to offer the complete suite of GyPSii services to India. Broadway’s hosted server environment GyPSii access to the mobile market and key carriers. It also provides direct access to the content and advertising reach of India Online Netcom. www.broadway.in

SatGuide for laptops and desktops launched

SatNav Technologies has recently launched SatGuide, India’s 1st GPS Navigation system for laptops and desktops. SatGuide offers widest range of GPS products to its customers.

Wellington business producing next generation of NZ maps

Having a map of the country usually means having a hand-held book with a street and road index. Terralink, a company from Wellington shall be producing next generation of maps by making a video of every street in the country. For the street camera car to video every street in the country, it will travel 144,000 kilometres and will take about two years to complete. The six roof top cameras record the images at driving speed, matching GPS locations of every street, every house and even every curb. The data shall be commercially available.