Newly released: GPS Tuner Version 5.4j

Megalith Systems has just released version 5.4j of  GPS Tuner, their award winning “Off-road” GPS Navigation application.

This new version includes these new features:
- When installed on Magellan’s MobileMapper 6, it can take advantage of the special sensors (E-Compass, Temperature, Pressure) that this device contains.  Details can be found at: http://www.gpstuner.com/download/GPSTuner_v5_MM6.pdf
- When installed on an HTC Diamond/Touch Pro, it can take advantage of the sensors (Light Sensor for Day/Night mode, Nav Sensor for Zooming In/Out in Map Window or in Graphs).

For all other devices:
- Fullscreen display
- Long press of EXIT button can send GPS Tuner to background (minimize)
- Optimized display of tracks and routes on VGA devices

Check out the two week free trial at http://www.gpstuner.com/index.html.

$20 off any Purchase at eXpansys USA store exceeding $40!

In our never-ending quest to get you the best possible deals, we have teamed with eXpansys USA to provide you with a $20 discount until September 1st, on any purchase greater that $40.

It’s just another of the great benefits of being a MobilitySite member.  And only MobilitySite members have access to this deal. Go to our Forums and check out the New Permanent Discount thread in the Member Discounts forum for the details…

MobilitySite Member 10% discount on all PPCTechs parts & Services

We are continuing to work with all the best Vendors out there, in an attempt to provide you with more value for our Members here at MobilitySite.

As such, we have recently negotiated a Permanent 10% off Discount on all PocketPCTechs Parts and Services.

This perk is only available to registered MobilitySite members.  If you are not a Registered member, why not join?   It’s Free, and only takes a few minutes to Register!

If you are already a Registered member, head over to the Member Discount forums and click on the “New Permanent Discounts for MobilitySite Members” thread to find out how you can get 10% off your next purchase at PocketPCTechs website.

Check out the MobilitySite Member Discounts!

It’s been a while since I published anything about our Member Discounts.  Since I just updated the list earlier today, it sounds like a great opportunity to remind our membership that we are always looking for ways to make your life easier.  If that translates to getting our membership better deals on the hardware, software, and services they buy, then so be it!

• Today I added a temporary 10% discount on all PocketPCTechs products and services, good for the remainder of the month of June. 
• Today I cleaned up the list, removing a couple of outdated offerings that have since expired.
• Today one vendor updated their validation so we could continue to use our existing code.
• Today I reached-out to a couple of new vendors and requested a permanent discount.

I’m always looking to add new and exciting companies to the list.   Do you have any companies that you would like to see a discount from?  Please keep your suggestions limited to those companies and vendors that offer Mobility related products or services.

Have I piqued your curiosity?  So you want to see the MobilitySite Member Discounts?  Be my guest!  If you find any codes that don’t work, feel free to alert me by commenting on this news item.

The only requirement to see this Forum is that you must be a registered member of MobilitySite.  Why wouldn’t you want to join, it’s free!

Not a Member?  Join here.

Already a Member?  Click here to see the MobilitySite Member Discount thread.

SoftMaker Office 2008 for Windows Mobile is shipping!

 

Good news for fans of SoftMaker!   The Beta test is over, and the final product is now ready for shipping!

After extensive beta testing, we are proud to announce that SoftMaker Office 2008 for Windows Mobile Devices is shipping and ready for purchase.

This new version of our mobile office suite has significant advantages:

• NEW: SoftMaker Presentations, the mobile alternative to PowerPoint.
• NEW: PDF export in all Office applications.
• NEW: Printing from all applications (JETCET PRINT is bundled).
• NEW: Many new features in TextMaker 2008 and PlanMaker 2008.

If you wish to edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files on the Pocket PC without losing formatting or content, SoftMaker Office is your only choice. There is no other mobile office suite that reads and writes your Office documents as faithfully as SoftMaker Office 2008.

Find out more:
http://www.softmaker.com/

Note: If you own an older version of TextMaker, PlanMaker, or SoftMaker Office, you are entitled to special upgrade pricing — you can find the details on the web site listed above.

Turn your phone into an Authentication token!

I was turned onto this Authentication Solution, and I have to admit that the possibilities for this type of a solution seem to be quite high!

Here’s how it works:

You download and install a client applet on your device, and this client interacts with their server software installed on your VPN Authentication server.   Instead of answering a network challenge by providing your PIN and PASSCODE displayed on your SecurID token, this service will call your cell-phone and then you enter a code into your phone.

Some advertised benefits

Works with any VPN, enterprise application, or website

Eliminates the need for tokens

Works with any phone anywhere

Easy to setup, manage, and use

 

Pretty cool, huh?   For more details, check out their homepage…

New version of GPS Tuner now available!

The Developer at Megalith Systems has completed work on a problem that has been nagging GPS Tuner users who own HTC P3300 devices.  This particular SmartPhone has a unique method for accessing system memory that prevented GPS Tuner from recognizing the built-in GPS receiver (GPSr). 

Temporary work-arounds used in the past required the use of 3rd party “port splitters”, which were needed to allow GPS Tuner to properly locate and use the built-in GPSr.  This problem has now been resolved!

He also completed work on a previous update (V5.4a), but it was completed so soon (less than 5 days) after the initial release of V5.4, that I did not publish the update.

Version 5.4a

• Google Maps and Open Street Maps zoom level calculation is improved.

Version 5.4b

• GPS Connection on HTC P3300 devices is fixed (using Type 1 mode).

For more information, as well as download hyperlinks, please visit this page:
http://www.gpstuner.com/download/index.html

What features do you want in a PDA Phone?

Smartphones generally favor the smaller form-factor: smaller screens that generally have no touch-sensitivity on the screen.  But those of us who use PDAs prefer the opposite: a larger screen sizes that are touch-sensitive, but still have voice and data connectivity.

With that thought in mind, I think that the bulk of society only needs basic PDA functionality (Calendar, Tasks, Contacts, etc), and would be best utilizing them on a SmartPhone.  This is obviously the reason for the prominence of SmartPhones.  But what about those of us who are power users, who desire more of an actual PDA with more features than just a SmartPhone?   Let’s discuss the benefits of what programs or technology are best kept relegated to one platform or another.   Here are the basics that I see in each of the two categories at this time:

SmartPhone (where smaller size is better):

• WM5 or WM6,
• Regular PIM Functionality (Contacts, Calendar, Tasks),
• E-mail,
• Mobile Media,
• Cell/PCS Phone,
• Data Plan.
• Bluetooth 2.0

PDA-Phone (where larger screen is better):

• Larger Screen size (3.5″ - 4″), preferably VGA resolution of 640×480 (or better),
• Much Larger Memory capacity: 256MB ROM and 128MB RAM minimum,
• Regular PIM Functionality (Contacts, Calendar, Tasks),
• WM6 or better.
• E-mail,
• Mobile Media,
• Cell/PCS Phone,
• Data Plan,
• WiFi B/G,
• Consumer InfraRED,
• Bluetooth 2.0 w/EDR (enhanced data rate),
• GPS (SiRFStar III or better),
• Barcode scanner,
• 3MP+ Camera,

What else would you like to see added to either phone category?

AT&T announces new approach to early termination fees

 
AT&T today announced a new approach to early termination fees (ETFs) that provides some additional flexibility for wireless customers.  

Beginning on May 25, the company’s new and renewing wireless customers who enter into one- or two-year service agreements will no longer be required to pay a single, flat early termination fee. Instead, that fee, which is $175, will be progressively lowered by $5 during each month, every month, for the term of the contract. (The single, flat ETF will continue to apply to new and renewing customers who enter into one- or two-year service agreements prior to May 25.)

[Read more]

New public beta: SoftMaker Office 2008 for Pocket PCs

A new public beta version of SoftMaker Office 2008 for Pocket PCs is now available as a free download. This new beta comes with several fixes and improvements, such as:

• The setup program now optionally installs design templates and graphical bullets to a storage card, thereby freeing internal memory.
• Umlauts and accented characters can now be entered on the Palm Treo’s built-in keyboard.
• Opening the Zoom dialog doesn’t make the software unstable anymore.
• If you move Jetcet Print to a different folder, SoftMaker Office will still find it.
• Slideshows in Presentations now always fit on the screen.
• SoftMaker Presentations now allows you to insert sound files.

[Read more]

GPS Navigation service now Available from AT&T

A new GPS Navigation service is now available on select AT&T wireless devices, including the new Motorola Z9, the Samsung BlackJack II, MOTO Q, AT&T Tilt, and BlackBerry devices (8310, 8800 and 8820).  Available as a 30 day free trial, this program is a vast improvement on TeleNav, this program features integrated speech recognition for address entry and points-of-interest searches!

For any one who is constantly on the go but sometimes not quite sure where to go or how to get there, AT&T Navigator is here to pave the way. AT&T Inc. announced today at CTIA Wireless 2008, the immediate availability of its company-branded GPS-enabled navigation service, AT&T Navigator.

[Read more]

New version of MapCapt 2.0 now available

A good friend in the GPS Mapping field notified me a short time ago that a new version of his mapping capture program is now available for download. Paludour is proud to announce a new version MapCapt 2.0!

 

  

MapCapt is a map capture software program for downloading maps from various online sources on the PC. It has been greatly improved to accomodate the growing list of online mapping websites. A limited function version is available for free trial.
   

Here are the main new features:

• New capture method: Click & Drag.
• Additional tooltips added.
• Compatibility with more sites (maps.yahoo.com…).
• English & French interface.
• Automatically starts 3rd party “GPS Tuner Map Calibrator” (by Megalith Systems) if installed.
• Maps don’t move anymore when defining points.

You can find out more at Paludour’s website.

GPS Tuner v5.2 Now Available!

GPS Tuner v5.2 and Map Calibrator v2.4 have both been updated with tremendous new mapping features, and are now available for download!

The new version of GPS Tuner allows the user to download pre-calibrated GoogleMap and TerraServer maps, directly across any Internet connection that your device may have (GPRS/3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc).

I can personally attest to the greatness of this GPS application.  I find it the best program to have when doing off-road and doing things like Geocaching, hiking, etc. 

But don’t just take my word for it!   GPS Tuner was recently nominated and won in the “GPS Moving Map” category in the SmartPhone & PocketPC Magazine’s “Best Software Award”.

For your convenience, I am also including the URL for the directions on how to use the new map functions for both GPS Tuner and Map Calibrator.  Enjoy!

Black Friday AT&T Deals extended?

As reported earlier by Chris Leckness, AT&T will be having a 50% off sale on certain devices at their stores.  But is the deal really limited to just five models?

I have spoken to several local store managers, one of whom is a corporate store manager, and I have received word from each that ALL phone devices are going to be marked at 50% off.

Unfortunately, I cannot confirm this with any of my higher-placed sources as I would normally do before publishing, so consider this as a rumor, and treat it accordingly.

But if you are in the market for something other than the five devices shown earlier, then it probably wouldn’t hurt to stop by your local AT&T store to see if this rumor is true.

I know that I will be at the local corporate store to see if a deal for a Tilt (HTC 8925) can be had…

E-TEN Glofiish X500+ Reviewed

I had the pleasure of reviewing this incredible PDA, the E-TEN “Glofiish” X500+, which has added features like a 640×480 VGA, GPS via SiRFstar III, and a wonderfully useful application set.

When I first heard the rumors about the E-TEN “Glofiish” X500+ back in late 2006, I was smitten by the initial specifications!  This device sounded like it could very-well be my “holy grail” PocketPC: a converged device that featured a Cell-phone, Full PDA, Integrated Camera, Integrated GPS, and most of all, a VGA screen, all in one device!  Woo-hoo!

I was overjoyed to confirm later in February 2007 some additional facts, such as:
1.) The X500+ would come with Windows Mobile 6 Professional,
2.) It’s GPS would be SiRFStar III, and support TMC (Traffic Message Channel).
3.) The Camera would be CMOS based (not CCD!), have a 2-MegaPixel capacity, as well as a camera Flash!
4.) The addition of an integrated FM Radio and stereo earbuds that would act as the Radio antenna.
5.) Support for both WiFi “b” and “g”, as well as Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR (Enhanced Data Rate).

You can see the whole review here.