Value-Add GPS Solutions: Track a Friend or Share Your GPS Signal

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

We have a couple of interesting GPS applications to share with you. First is <a href="http://www.jgui.net/gps/xgps/">JGui's X.GPS</a> (pictured below) which leverages your GPS and wireless data connection to upload your current coordinates to a central server. Using their client application, you can view your current position relative to any friends who are also leveraging the service. Full functionality trial is available or you can purchase it <a href="http://www.handango.com/ampp/store/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=195509&productType=2">here</a> at our company store for $22.49.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_jgui_gps_finder_200609.jpg" /><br /><br />The second application is Franson GpsGate which allows you to take a single GPS signal and share it between multiple applications or over the network with multiple people, in essence acting as a virtual data router between the hardware (GPS receiver) and software (GPS-enabled applications). There are also some additional value-add features such as integration with Google Earth and an API (application programming interface), which could be leveraged for more customized uses. GpsGate comes in two flavors: Express ($9.95) and Standard ($29.95). The latter can be obtained <a href="http://www.handango.com/ampp/store/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=124411&productType=2">here</a>. Free trials area available for both. Be sure to consult their <a href="http://franson.com/gpsgate/purchase.asp?platform=winxp">table of features</a> to determine what works best for you.

[Brad Adrian]

So, with GPSGate, I can connect my Pocket PC to the 'Net and let my wife (or others) see where I am on a Google Earth map? THAT would have some real advantages, especially when I'm off hiking or on a retreat with my youth group.

I suppose the downside would be if I used this while driving alone, because then my wife would still be able to phone me and tell me that I should have turned LEFT at that last intersection!

And "Sharing via Activesync..." I guess that would be useful when trying to map where people are when they're at their desktop/laptop PCs?

Both of these look pretty cool. I've gotta try 'em both.

[Jon Westfall]

One thing I've always thought would be neat would be to share a GPS across multiple Pocket PCs (i.e. one would act as the "host" and export a bluetooth serial port to the others with a copy of the GPS data). I wonder if this is now possible with GPSGate's latest version. All I need is someone with seemingly unlimited time to research it and write up a nice how-to... Menneisyys - you listening ;)

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

All I need is someone with seemingly unlimited time to research it and write up a nice how-to
That sounds like my motto with almost everything nowadays!!