PhoneDog.com - The latest about Navigation

ARTICLE: Verizon Exclusive: Mobile Magic App

11/12/2009 1:40:00 PM

I remember as a kid standing in line for at least an hour and half, so excited for my turn to ride Space Mountain. Even though the ride was only about two minutes long, it was always worth the wait. Well times have changed, and Verizon Wireless has just given their customers an advantage when it comes to visiting a Walt Disney Resort.

Announced today, the Mobile Magic application will improve your visit to Disney World or Disneyland with great features such as attraction and restaurant locations, daily event notifications, and my favorite, updated attraction wait times. So before your next visit to hang out with Mickey, Minnie, Pluto and the rest of the gang, be sure to have the right Verizon Wireless device loaded with the Mobile Magic application.

Complete details included below in Verizon's press release.

MOBILE MAGIC APPLICATION TRANSFORMS VERIZON WIRELESS PHONES INTO ELECTRONIC TOUR GUIDES TO NAVIGATE DISNEY PARKS

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., and BURBANK, Calif. – Imagine having a personal tour guide to lead the way around the vacation magic of Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. Now imagine that tour guide is in the palm of your hand and able to point you to a visit with a Disney princess or directly to a Fantasyland attraction.

Starting today, Verizon Wireless customers have exclusive access to Mobile Magic, the first Disney-developed mobile application that enables them to easily navigate Disney parks on both coasts, providing helpful and timely information. With either a swipe of their fingers or the touch of a few keys, guests can access an array of park features on their Verizon Wireless phones, including:

Updated attraction wait times and FASTPASS return times for the park they are in
Locations of their favorite attractions, characters and restaurants, with GPS-enabled maps
Restaurants for breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks
Tips on what’s happening in the parks
Trivia games to play against other parks guests

New content will continue to be added to the Mobile Magic application as the attractions and opportunities at the Disney parks and resorts continue to evolve.

Exclusive to Verizon Wireless customers, Mobile Magic is available for download and purchase for $9.99 for a 180-day subscription*. Customers can find the application in the Media Center/Get It Now® under the Travel and Navigation category. Verizon Wireless customers can also text MAGIC to 2777 to purchase the application on a wide variety of feature phones. Download and message charges may apply. Airtime or megabyte data charges may apply when browsing, downloading and using certain applications.

Mobile Magic, marking a first in both the travel and mobile industries, is the outgrowth of a new multi-year relationship between Disney Parks and Verizon Wireless aimed at enhancing the park experience. Verizon Wireless continues to invest in its nationwide wireless network, and the relationship with Disney means Verizon Wireless users will benefit from further enhancements to the Verizon Wireless network in the parks.

Guests are currently using Verizon Wireless’ technology with Disney’s Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, an ultra-interactive attraction at Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort.

Guests who are not Verizon Wireless customers can access select information, such as park hours, attraction information, entertainment schedules and dining information, through the new m.disneyworld.com and m.disneyland.com mobile Web sites with their browser-enabled phones.

*Message and data rates may apply. Coverage not available everywhere. Availability subject to handset limitations. If you’re under 18, get your parent’s permission first. Valid theme park admission required.

ARTICLE: Scientists drive vehicle remotely with iPhone

10/29/2009 3:48:00 PM

From the “Don’t Try This at Home” files: Researchers from the Free University of Berlin have successfully rigged a van for remote control by iPhone. The artificial intelligence team used an app called iDriver, which was developed by mobile phone software developers at Appirion UG, to connect via Wifi.

Turns out, commandeering a real-life vehicle isn’t that different from playing one of the many driving games that currently exist for the iPhone. The remote driver uses the handset’s accelerometer for steering wheel control and on-screen buttons for the brake and gas pedals. (As for visuals, there’s a rooftop camera that streams live video so the user can see what’s going on.)

No, iDriver isn’t available in the App Store, it probably won’t ever be, and even if it were, the app and gear would cost more than most people’s mortgages. Even so, it’s still neat to know that the technology that makes this possible exists outside games and movies.

Check out the vid (below) to see it in action. (It sort of reminds me of the infamous “A Man’s Gotta Do” scene from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along-Blog. I guess creator Joss Whedon has a fanbase in Germany.)

iDriver, iPhone remote controlled car

“A Man’s Gotta Do,” from Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog

[via Mobile Crunch]

ARTICLE: Nav companies falter in light of Google Maps Navigation

10/28/2009 3:25:00 PM

Some crazy stuff is happening in the world of nav. This has everything to do with Android, specifically in regards to Verizon’s Moto Droid, which was just announced today:

The big news for the directionally challenged is the debut of Google Maps Navigation, a beta for a new voice-guided, turn-by-turn solution with 3D maps (more on that below). The new app will be integrated in Android 2.0 (which is only being offered on the Motorola Android phone for now).

Anyone can guess that this is not good news for Garmin or TomTom. But yow — this level of bad is just shocking.

Add in the fact that the Garmin nüvifone G60, which only just debuted like 5 minutes ago (okay, a few weeks ago, at $300), is now going for the contract price of $100 at Amazon, and the prognosis for the nav industry is starting to look a little scary.

That presumes, of course, that Google Maps Navigation is really all it’s cracked up to be. Well, by all accounts — it sure is.

Google Maps Navigation offers simple searching (you can look up a business name, just like on the original Google Maps, so no need for addresses), plus voice search, traffic info, street view close-ups (that automatically trigger when you’re near the destination), satellite view (that overlays your route on top of Google’s overhead imagery), and even a car dock mode for some devices, which provide bigger, cleaner-looking icons and auto-voice mode.

And, did I mention, that it’s a totally free app, unlike most of the other mobile phone software programs and all of the retail GPS solutions? (For a closer look at Google Maps Navigation, click here to see a video of it in action.)

Maybe it’s too early to say “RIP, nav companies,” but this certainly looks like a potentially fatal blow. What do you think? Are there any compelling reasons why consumers should stick to traditional car GPS units, or is this the death knell of the navigation industry?

[via Phone Arena, Phone Scoop, Engadget Mobile, Tech Crunch]

ARTICLE: iPhones & Cars II: Zipcar app

9/29/2009 1:52:00 PM

The highly anticipated Zipcar app for the iPhone and iPod Touch has just launched. (If you’re an urban dweller sans automobile who doesn’t know about Zipcar… Well, you should. Nothing beats renting a car for just an hour when that’s all you need.)

It was already easy to find and book a Zipcar car online, but with this app the task becomes stupid simple. There’s a map view and location-based search for closest Zipcar locations; sort by time availability, type and model; and a big green click-to-reserve button. Users can also see upcoming reservations or cancel a booking using the app.

Most app developers would’ve stopped there, but this program also sports some other nifty features.

Lost the car in the garage? Launch the app to honk the horn. And once the vehicle’s been activated with the RFID Zipcard, the app can also lock and unlock it remotely. By far, the most useful function is the ability to extend a reservation right from the app. If no one’s booked a slot immediately after, users can add time to their trip while on the go.

There is one annoying thing with the app, though: When searching for a car, it’s not possible to change the desired time slot except at the beginning of the search. This is a pain in the neck, especially when “no availability” means going back and adjusting the time slot for better results. But, the developer is aware of this problem (and has even mentioned it on the App Store page under the “Coming Soon” section), so this hassle will probably get resolved in a future update.

Understandably, you need to be a Zipcar member to take its vehicles out for a spin. But the company has improved this process too. It used to require paperwork filled out and mailed, but now there's an online form that makes the application process faster and easier.

While the Zipcar service may not be free (there are tiered plans based on usage), the Zipcar app costs nothing. It just requires iPhone OS 3.0 and either an iPhone or iPod Touch with a network connection.

Interested? Click here to come and get it.

[via TUAW]

(Thanks, Swifty!)

ARTICLE: iPhones & Cars I: TomTom car kit

9/29/2009 12:52:00 PM

Pricing info is finally available for the TomTom Car Kit for the iPhone. Sold separately from the GPS/navigational iPhone app, the package will be available in October for $119.95 and be compatible with the iPhone 2G, iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS.

No details on precisely what is included, but TomTom’s promo video suggests that it will at least feature an adjustable, mounted cradle with charger, GPS, microphone (for hands-free calling), audio jack (for music over the car’s stereo) and speaker (for voice nav and phone calls).

For more info, check out the previous post on the TomTom app, the company’s website or check out the promo vid here.

[via Engadget]

ARTICLE: New to town? Let your BlackBerry Poynt the way

5/16/2009 1:50:00 PM

There are a few services that you can download that will help you find the places you want to go whether on the road or in your own backyard. Let's add another service to the list that can be downloaded to your BlackBerry from the App World, it's called Poynt.

Basically it's a search service that includes info on local businesses, movies and map it in its current form. You can use the GPS on your cell phone to automatically find your location or enter one manually. In a couple of weeks the service will include restaurants that will incorporate available info from OpenTable and Yelp. So you'll get ratings from Yelp and be able to determine availability and make reservations using OpenTable. If you have an OpenTable account just log-in once and you'll be remembered, so you can earn all those OpenTable points (these will get you something...eventually, but at the very least offers convenience and efficiency now) and if not, you can create an account on the BlackBerry.

This service is free and will work on the BlackBerry Storm, Bold, and all Pearls and Curves running the BlackBerry 4.2.1 OS and higher. We're going to take the app for a spin once restaurants are incorporated and report back on how it works for us.

ARTICLE: iPhone/Blackberry App: SitOrSquat, now sponsored by Charmin (who else?)

3/26/2009 11:45:00 AM

Made famous for helping users easily locate clean bathrooms and other amenities, SitOrSquat (which is, by the way, possibly the best name for an app ever) now has a new sponsor, and it's none other than TP kingpin Charmin.

In addition to its involvement with the app, which works on both iPhones and Blackberries, the company is also launching a new global sponsorship of the "SitOrSquat" website. (Huh? There's a website dedicated to this?!) The service works off a Wiki for global bathroom info, and users are encouraged to add content and give feedback when they've used one of the toilets featured there.

"Our goal is to connect Charmin with innovative conversations and solutions as a brand that understands the importance of bringing the best bathroom experience to consumers, even when they're away from home," explained Jacques Hagopian, Brand Manager of Charmin, which is the first toilet paper to partner with a downloadable mobile app.

Innovative conversations about the bathroom experience? (I'm laughing so hard, I had to type that twice due to typos.) Man, that's a lot of serious talk about tinkling. Someone's literally got a case of potty mouth.

It gets even better: According to the press release, Charmin has been dedicated to giving consumers a great public bathroom experience for nearly a decade. It "Charminized" public restrooms at State Fairs in 2000, provided "Potty Palooza" mobile units from 2003 2005 and offered 20 free Charmin Restrooms in Times Square, making it one of the most popular destinations out there during the holiday season. (Uh, destination or pit stop? You decide.)

Since SitOrSquat launched, more than 1,600 users have downloaded the app, and the website has had over 500,000 unique visitors.

Well, this partnership's a no-brainer. In fact, I wonder why it took so long. SitOrSquat's been in the App Store since last October. I guess when it came time to either get off the pot or... well, you know, Charmin decided to sit and... (oh, forget it! I'm NOT going there.)

ARTICLE: Android app review: Open Home

3/25/2009 9:10:00 AM

Of the Android home replacements I've tried Open Home wins the most unique customization award. Searching the Market for Open Home, you'll find twenty-or-so professionally-designed, extremely detailed skins that affect every nook and cranny of your seven home panels.

aHome currently has about twice as many available, but some are priced, whereas all Open Home skins are free. Unlike aHome's, Open home Icon sets can be changed independently of the skin, which is cool. And with specialized versions of other auxiliary apps (like Better Cut), Open Home probably offers the most additional features of the home replacements.

With the latest version, the folks at Better Android - creators of Open Home - have included some features of the Cupcake development branch of Android code. These include a portrait-mode-only keyboard that only works with Google search, and isn't all that usable. More interesting is the inclusion of live folders - a very practical and functional addition to your homescreen.

Live folders give you quick access to custom content - like only your favorite contacts. Tapping a name in the list takes you to the different methods of contact - cell, email, etc. Using the Open Home version of Anycut - or it's big brother, Better Cut, it's easy to make one-tap shortcuts for accomplishing a wide variety of activities.

A hide-able dock and button for drawing the soft keyboard are the most easily recognizable features differentiating Open Home from aHome, but you have to digg a bit deeper to see how different they feel. Both are worth trying. And both are dancing around Google's copy protection. Open Home owners got a surprise during last week's update when they found an Open Home force close causing an endless cycle of reboots from which there was no apparent escape.

Remember folks, MENU + POWER = SAFE MODE!

Never reset your device without trying that first.

Open Home is $2.99 in the Market, and will be $3.99 when more features are available. There is a lite version to demo. aHome is still my favorite, but it looks like more feverish coding is pulsing in the OH camp. I hope the competition grows more fierce.

ARTICLE: Android app review: GMote

3/18/2009 10:35:00 AM

GMote has been a tough nut for me to crack. Not so much in terms of using the app, but in terms of filming and editing a review. The program is robust and full of useful features. I wanted to explore them all - and in three different operating systems. One of the things that attracted me to GMote was the fact that it works with Linux, Mac, and Windows. This sort of compatibility is more common nowadays, but it still gets my attention. And it is the main reason this is a written review rather than a video.

Picture me fumbling my way through demonstrating the functionality (or lack thereof) of twenty features under three OS's on a single monitor while juggling two cameras and some video capturing software. Yes, a written review is the way to go. However, a quick and dirty demo is available for those who want a taste. I made it the same day I installed GMote, and I had done little to no twiddling at that point. So, with the disclaimer that it only demonstrates what someone with little knowledge experienced having spent little time on figuring anything out, and that it was created after finding out I had lost a lot of footage, here is a video. (When I said cursory, I should have said cursed.)

O.K., so what is GMote? It consists of two applications - a server app that runs on your computer, and a client that runs on your Android device. The client hooks up with the server on your local Wi-Fi network or over the Internet. Once it's connected, the following features are available:

Browsing of files
Playing music on your computer or streaming it to your phone via a local network or over the Internet
controlling of music; play/pause, FFW/RW, skip tracks, stop, browse library
Viewing album artwork on the phone
Launching and remote control of DVD movies; play/pause, FFW/RW, skip chapter, stop
Use of your phone's touchscreen as a mouse touchpad
Launching of websites (beta)

Now this is a nice list of features and would make a great full video review right? Well, I'm not making one any time soon, so I've decided a chart is the best way to communicate my results. This is not intended to be indicative of what the average user will achieve - it's just what I've experienced.

[blank] = no
X = yes
P = partial

	Ubuntu 8.04	Mac OSX 10.5.6	Windows XP, SP2
Browse Files	X	X	X
Launch Song (local)	X	X	X
Music Control (local)	X	P
Album Artwork		X
Launch DVD		X	X
DVD Control		X
Touchpad	X	X	X
Web (beta)	X	X	X
LAN Streaming	X	X	X
Internet Streaming	X	X	X

Note that touchpad functionality gives you the ability to do all of the things I wasn't able to achieve in the table above, except display album artwork on the phone. That's just not the way GMote is intended to work.

Music Control (local) refers to the ability to pause, skip, and seek through tracks playing on the computer. I was able to control music under all three systems when streaming to the phone. So in terms of controlling music that was playing on the computer, Ubuntu gave me total control, Mac gave me quirky and unreliable control, while Windows only allowed me to switch tracks by launching another - I could not stop the music.

What's strange about running GMote on Windows and Linux is that no music player launches. VLC is prerequisite, and is what broadcasts your tunes, but you will not see an interface. I'd like to see iTunes launch in Windows (giving me artwork) and maybe Amarok launch in Linux - but that presents a debate in itself. I'm happy to see Linux support at all. iTunes does launch on Mac.

OS Notes

Mac

As you can see, Mac was best supported overall. However, it was Apple that caused me the most aggravation during the tests, because files crippled with DRM cannot be streamed to non-Apple devices. There are ways of fixing this. (I thought I had taken care of all of my tracks, but apparently not.) And yes, I endorse stripping tracks of their DRM, wholeheartedly - and by the batch, of course. I can vouch for QTFairUse.

Linux (beta)

The first thing you should know about the Linux daemon is that if you run into problems, you'll need to start it with desktop effects disabled. This is due to a Java runtime problem. Secondly, you can't start it with a launcher (even with an absolute path). You need to use the terminal. CD into your GMote directory (probably ~/GMote/) and type "./GmoteServer.sh". Once it's running, go ahead and restart your effects, and everything should work fine. But make any daemon setting changes first - like password.

Since my Ubuntu desktop is my local server for *everything,* it's always running. So this isn't a hassle for me. But if you reboot everyday and want GMote to launch from a startup script, think again. I worked on this for days, and the dev's suggestion, as specified above, is the only thing that worked for me.

Windows

I'm not a big fan of Windows anyway, but I have to say that I probably wouldn't use GMote if it were my default OS. Once a track is playing, that's it. You can either start another, or sit this one through. I didn't spend much time troubleshooting, because I didn't really care if it worked. I boot into Windows a few times a year - usually for Acrobat Pro or for a review like this. Your mileage may (most likely will) vary.

Complaints

My number one complaint about GMote is that there is no way to save the IP and ports entered manually for streaming and control over the Internet. I have a dynamic IP, and even though it usually remains unchanged for weeks at a time, I don't like having to remember it and type it into my phone every time I reconnect to my server. I think a simple profile system is in order here.
I'd like to see separate buttons for FFW/RW, and skip. As-is, tapping a button increases the speed, while a long press skips tracks. That's the exact opposite of how I would have designed the software. It's rare that I want to fast forward, but I skip tracks all day.
The daemon on the server end forgets the password after a reboot. This was the case on all three operating systems.

Despite these problems, and what's indicated as missing in the table, I still think this is one of the strongest apps available in the Android Market. Huge potential here. Thanks to YanivC for encouraging me to check it out, and thanks to Marc for all the tech support.

Tech Notes

Keep in mind that in order to stream over the Internet, you must enable port forwarding on your router so that your TCP port (8889 by default, for streaming) and UDP port (9901 by default, for mouse control) are forwarded to the local IP address of the computer you are trying to connect to; i.e., 192.168.1.100. You cannot set up multiple computers for Internet streaming on the same local network without running into major problems.

Verdict: Super-duper huge thumbs and big toes up for this killer FREE app.