technabob » maps http://technabob.com/blog gadgets, gizmos, games, cool gadgets, geeky gadgets Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:53:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 en hourly 1 wiiearth: travel the world from the safety of your couch http://technabob.com/blog/2009/05/31/wiiearth-travel-the-world-from-the-safety-of-your-couch/ http://technabob.com/blog/2009/05/31/wiiearth-travel-the-world-from-the-safety-of-your-couch/#comments Sun, 31 May 2009 13:23:01 +0000 alisha k. http://technabob.com/blog/?p=13980 WiiEarth. Just as with Google Earth, you can zoom around the world, checking out various locations, but now you can do it all while sprawled out on the sofa (and without a hot…]]> If you happen to enjoy fiddling around with Google Maps and other similar tools, you might be interested in the homebrew app WiiEarth. Just as with Google Earth, you can zoom around the world, checking out various locations, but now you can do it all while sprawled out on the sofa (and without a hot laptop perched on your lap).

wiiearth google earth homebrew maps

WiiEarth has been around for some time, but the latest release added some nice tweaks, including a speed boost. Even if you’ve seen it before, it may be worth checking out.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

Wii remote controls are well-suited to something like this. Now if only you could scrape together a group of people who like scoping out maps. Maybe combine it with a little Rock Band or Tetris Party.

[via Hack-a-Wii]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2009/05/31/wiiearth-travel-the-world-from-the-safety-of-your-couch/feed/ 0 nintendo ds lite gets gps navigation with google maps http://technabob.com/blog/2009/04/19/nintendo-ds-lite-gps-navigation-ranger/ http://technabob.com/blog/2009/04/19/nintendo-ds-lite-gps-navigation-ranger/#comments Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:23:02 +0000 technabob http://technabob.com/blog/?p=11709 Your mobile phone already has GPS navigation. Your car probably does too. Even the Sony PSP has a GPS option. So it was only a matter of time before the Nintendo DS would jump into the GPS fray.

nintendo_ds_gps_ranger_google_maps

Designed by China’s Fab Chain, the Ranger is a GPS add-on module for your NDS Lite. Just plug the Ranger into the accessory port on the front of your NDS, and provides turn-by-turn directions with Google Maps integration. The Ranger can display maps in both 2D and fake 3D perspective modes, and even has automatic day/night modes. And since it has its own built in rechargeable batteries, it won’t put added strain on your NDS’ power supply. As an added bonus, you can connect the Ranger to your PC or PDA via a USB connection and use it as a GPS on those devices as well.

nds_gps_ranger

Fab Chain hasn’t revealed pricing or a release date yet, but if you always travel with your DS and despite all your other gadgets, you’re still directionally challenged, you might want to look into one of these.

[via Navigadget]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2009/04/19/nintendo-ds-lite-gps-navigation-ranger/feed/ 2 provia a1 gps navigator: way too sexy for itself http://technabob.com/blog/2007/08/25/provia-a1-gps-navigator-way-too-sexy-for-itself/ http://technabob.com/blog/2007/08/25/provia-a1-gps-navigator-way-too-sexy-for-itself/#comments Sat, 25 Aug 2007 23:17:09 +0000 technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2007/08/25/provia-a1-gps-navigator-way-too-sexy-for-itself/ Those of us in the States tend to think of GPS navigators as relatively utilitarian devices that help us find our way when we’re too afraid to ask for directions at the gas station. In Asia, GPS devices seem to be on the way to becoming much more.

Provia A1 GPS Navigator by HTMS

Case-in-point: the new Provia A1 navigator from Korea’s HTMS. Not only does this new GPS device look totally slick, it’s loaded with more features than you’ve ever dreamed of on your car’s dashboard. For starters, navigation is done using amazingly detailed, razor-sharp 3D maps, complete with models of buildings and other landmarks.

Provia A1 GPS Navigator by HTMS

Then, there’s a complete media player with audio and fullscreen video playback in a wide variety of formats. It’s even got a “picture-in-picture” mode, so you can watch a movie while you drive and get directions. Also along for the ride is a DMB receiver, which means it can receive over-the-air digital television broadcasts. It’s all displayed on a gorgeous Samsung 800 x 480 resolution widescreen 7-inch display, complete with a touchscreen interface. It even offers handwriting recognition when you control it with an included stylus.

Provia A1 GPS Navigator by HTMS

The Provia A1 is backed by a beefy Intel PXA270 processor, running at 520MHz, the same chip used to run some of the more powerful PDAs out there. There’s 128MB of on-board SDRAM, 128MB for program storage, and you can add up to 2GB more via an SD card. Unfortunately, we’ll probably never see one of these outside of Korea.

[via The Earlyadopter's World]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2007/08/25/provia-a1-gps-navigator-way-too-sexy-for-itself/feed/ 1 typography + google maps = geogreeting http://technabob.com/blog/2006/11/15/typography-google-maps-geogreeting/ http://technabob.com/blog/2006/11/15/typography-google-maps-geogreeting/#comments Wed, 15 Nov 2006 16:01:12 +0000 technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2006/11/15/typography-google-maps-geogreeting/ In a world full of Google Maps mash-ups, it’s always fun to stumble across one that is truly different. The guys over at geogreeting.com have done just that.

Geogreeting Google Maps Typography

Geogreeting takes carefully selected Google satellite images of buildings and landmarks that happen to look like letters of the alphabet, and creates custom typography from them. You can even send your friends a special URL that animates the locations that form your words.

[via core77]

]]> http://technabob.com/blog/2006/11/15/typography-google-maps-geogreeting/feed/ 1 sony gps features real-time traffic data http://technabob.com/blog/2006/10/25/sony-gps-features-real-time-traffic-data/ http://technabob.com/blog/2006/10/25/sony-gps-features-real-time-traffic-data/#comments Wed, 25 Oct 2006 21:09:11 +0000 technabob http://technabob.com/blog/2006/10/25/sony-gps-features-real-time-traffic-data/ The NV-U71T is Sony’s latest entry into the portable GPS navigation arena.

Sony NV-U71T GPS Navigation System

The new model is their first to feature a RDS-TMC traffic receiver which provides real-time traffic data and can automatically plot an alternative course around heavy traffic areas. The traffic data costs $4.95 per month after an initial 90-day free trial.

The device’s 2GB of flash memory comes comes preloaded with maps for the U.S. (including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico) as well as Canada. Directions are displayed on a 3.5″ color touch-screen display with a voice-guided option for safety. It’s also more compact than Sony’s previous model, and features a new gesture-based input system that makes it easier to get to frequently used commands.

The NV-U71T lists for $499.95 USD and should ship by the end of 2006.

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