HP Developing GPS Solutions

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.wired.com/news/wireless/0,1382,57968,00.html' target='_blank'>http://www.wired.com/news/wireless/...2,57968,00.html</a><br /><br /></div>It seems that there might yet be a GPS-enabled iPaq some time in the future.<br /><br />"You're standing on a street corner in San Francisco, and you're craving a gyro. Wouldn't it be nice if you could whip out your PDA or cell phone and have it point you to the nearest Greek joint? While services like Vindigo make it possible to get that kind of information on a handheld computer, you still have to tell the device where you're located so it can provide directions. This can be a pain, especially on the number keypad of a cell phone. Hewlett-Packard may one day offer such a solution."

[paris]

Janak why did you have to reming me of Greek Gyro?
I am Greek and am stuck in the UK where food is terrible and now all i think of is Gyro :( I want some Gyro :(

[Janak Parekh]

Janak why did you have to reming me of Greek Gyro?
I am Greek and am stuck in the UK where food is terrible and now all i think of is Gyro :( I want some Gyro :(
Sorry. :lol: Are you saying there aren't any decent gyro places in the UK? If it's any consolation, I couldn't eat them anyway -- I'm vegetarian. :)

--janak

[Tim Welch]

GeoVector http://www.geovector.com already have a working solution down here in New Zealand.

PocketDOOM with this is wicked! http://www.geovector.com/press/pointandshoot.html

[paris]

Janak why did you have to reming me of Greek Gyro?
I am Greek and am stuck in the UK where food is terrible and now all i think of is Gyro :( I want some Gyro :(
Sorry. :lol: Are you saying there aren't any decent gyro places in the UK? If it's any consolation, I couldn't eat them anyway -- I'm vegetarian. :)

--janak

Yes there are some places that do gyro but nothing like it if you comare it to the original greek made gyro

[ricksfiona]

It seems that there might yet be a GPS-enabled iPaq some time in the future.

"You're standing on a street corner in San Francisco, and you're craving a gyro. Wouldn't it be nice if you could whip out your PDA or cell phone and have it point you to the nearest Greek joint? While services like Vindigo make it possible to get that kind of information on a handheld computer, you still have to tell the device where you're located so it can provide directions. This can be a pain, especially on the number keypad of a cell phone. Hewlett-Packard may one day offer such a solution."
When I'm in S.F., I usually crave a good burger place, but I get your point.

I just don't understand the big deal about GPS, other than the geek factor. Is it REALLY pratical unless you travel a great deal? Sure I would use GPS if it was REALLY cheap, like $25 for the hardware. Otherwise I could pass on it... Would someone please explain to me what the big deal is?

[Janak Parekh]

Is it REALLY pratical unless you travel a great deal? Sure I would use GPS if it was REALLY cheap, like $25 for the hardware. Otherwise I could pass on it... Would someone please explain to me what the big deal is?
It depends on where you are. Being in NYC, I don't need it either right now -- in fact, it's rather useless for me -- the GPS signal is weak down in the streets of Manhattan. For those in more surburbia or rural areas, it's immensely useful for driving instructions, location, whatever. I've played with integrated car GPSes and they're quite impressive and often useful -- especially the automatic mapping.

Moreover, the future -- including location-based services -- is particularly interesting and has great potential.

--janak

[Jonathon Watkins]

Would someone please explain to me what the big deal is?

W*BIC! It's a nice to have really - and it's got great posing value. :wink: You can also use it to calibrate the 'real' speed of your car. You can even find out where you are. :lol: Of course I don’t Need it – but it would be good to have for a few $s more.

[Sven Johannsen]

Is it REALLY pratical unless you travel a great deal? Sure I would use GPS if it was REALLY cheap, like $25 for the hardware. Otherwise I could pass on it... Would someone please explain to me what the big deal is?
It depends on where you are. Being in NYC, I don't need it either right now -- in fact, it's rather useless for me -- the GPS signal is weak down in the streets of Manhattan. For those in more surburbia or rural areas, it's immensely useful for driving instructions, location, whatever. I've played with integrated car GPSes and they're quite impressive and often useful -- especially the automatic mapping.

Moreover, the future -- including location-based services -- is particularly interesting and has great potential.

--janak

Knowing where you are is the first step in getting somewhere else. Sometimes a GPS can really help in that first piece. You make a wrong turn on a freeway system in Southern Cal or Wash DC and you are disoriented in a heartbeat, Often you can't just pull over, read a street sign and then find that on a map very quickly.

The bottom line is that I hear we have new laws that are shortly going to require cell phone operators to be able to pinpoint cell phone locations for an e-911 system. There have been attempts at doing that by triangulation and other external to the device efforts but the best way seems to make the device aware of where it is, and able to relay that...integral GPS. If it is goint to be in the device anyway, why not put it to some other good use, such as localized information and such.