Comments on: What do Point & Shoot Cameras and GPS Nav Units Have in Common?

By: Wick Smith

Wick Smith — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 00:08:35 +0000

I don’t believe GPS receivers send out anything. The war zone argument makes no sense to me.

By: terrywhite

terrywhite — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:10:43 +0000

Good point Paul, but there is no reason that it either could not have an On/Off switch in the settings and default to the OFF position OR be a removable module so that people that don’t want it wouldn’t get that module. My point is that they could either be built-in or at least located inside the body as an optional module.

By: Paul Corsa

Paul Corsa — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:05:11 +0000

One reason GPS isn’t built into Pro DSLRS is that if used in combat areas the GPS can become a beacon for the enemy to target upon. I learned this FYI from the base photographer at Selfridge ANG. GPS and other locating devices, alone or in a phone do work “both ways” by sending out signals. Not a good thing in a war zone.

By: Mike Perry

Mike Perry — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:46:54 +0000

Given the low cost of the Broadcom GPS chip, Apple needs to add GPS to iPads and iPod touches independent of any cellular features or AT&T contract. And it should come standard with all but the low-end model (perhaps helping to justify Apple’s heavy surcharges for added storage). I got Navigon on sale for my iPod touch to get their detailed west coast map, but without GPS, it’s of far less value.

Also, data charges should include a reasonable, prepay, per-byte option. I shifted my T-Mobile voice to prepay and love it. I hate minutes-per-month plans. Used too little, I waste money. Used too much, I got hit with surcharges. It makes far more sense to pay for cellular voice and data like we pay for electricity and water. Base charges on actual consumption.

By: Keith Jackson

Keith Jackson — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:43:51 +0000

Terry,

I got to say your reading my mind here and for the most part agree. As much as I am a convergence pusher however, when it comes to traveling I still prefer a dedicated nav unit so I can use my smart phone for other things. (That may change over time but as I do use it in a pinch).

Wish List:
Nav Units: Put data or locations on SD card and put into nav, Group favorites, move route without using via point hack, time change update (how does a nav unit not know what time zone your in?)

Point and Shoot: (still love it for wife) biggies is wifi

By: Thursday Links

Thursday Links — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:35:09 +0000

[...] What do Point & Shoot Cameras and GPS Nav Units Have In Common? [...]

By: MarkW

MarkW — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:52:32 +0000

I’m waiting for the Nikon or Canon that has GPS and can also be used as a phone….

By: terrywhite

terrywhite — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 13:28:15 +0000

Peggy, yep I’m stilling using the Magellan car kit. Haven’t looked for anything “better” because it does everything that I want. As Jack pointed out below, Navigon offers two OPTIONAL in-app purchases for Traffic and 3D Panorama View (both of which I have) and they are one-time charges as well. No additional fees for upgrading so far. In their newly released 1.6 update they also updated the Maps for FREE. See more here on exactly what I use: http://www.bestappsite.com/2010/07/12/navigon-for-ios-4-is-here-with-new-features/

By: Jason Lykins

Jason Lykins — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:45:18 +0000

The only saving grace for the GPS manufacturers is that not everyone has a smart phone. I just “donated” my blackberry storm to my brother who is a journalism major in his senior year here in Cincy and it was his first smart phone. He’s a Journalism major!! He should have had a smart phone all along! I agree that each of these market shares is going to suffer because of the increase in quality on the smart phones, I don’t however think that they will ever totally go away.

By: Rick Lobrecht

Rick Lobrecht — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 12:18:05 +0000

I’m with you on P&S cameras needing built-in geo-tagging. I recently searched for such a beast, and was shocked to find that only Nikon had one, and it was way more expensive than a Canon G11 (for less image quality.)

Maybe with Flickr making geo-tagging more prominent, people will start asking for it, and the camera manufacturers will add the feature.

By: Jack

Jack — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:30:52 +0000

There are two “extras” you can buy – live traffic info and 3D panorama view. These are one-time charges though – after that, map updates and program updates are free.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 10:10:25 +0000

Terry,
Are you still using the magellan car kit with your iphone? Found anything better? Also, once you buy the Navigon app, there are no other fees? for upgrades of maps etc. I read you every morning before work. Thanks a bunch
Peggy