photo credit: BlackBerry Traffic 2.0

Do you hate fighting traffic? There’s an app for that, especially if you are a BlackBerry user. Just released this week, BlackBerry Traffic version 2.0.0.1749 adds new features and a completely revised UI. It has new icons, a new color scheme, the ability to select from multiple routes, and the addition of pre-set destinations directly from BlackBerry’s native contacts app. It is compatible with any GPS enabled BlackBerry Smartphone operating on OS 4.6 and up in North America.

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photo credit: GPS Systems Jammed

Despite warnings and concerns by the FAA and the Defense Department, LightSquared was given conditional approval. The plan is for LightSquared to install up to 40,000 terrestrial cell phone base stations across the U.S. to augment its mobile satellite communications service. The FAA is concerned with test results involving the Garmin International GPS system that was jammed by the LightSquared transmitter. Not only does this affect GPS systems in vehicles, but also in airplanes. This can’t be good.

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photo credit: Uncle Sam is Watching

You most likely carry a tracking device everywhere you go. For those of us with GPS enabled cell phones, our locations (even when the phone is powered off) are being tracked by cell phone towers. Law enforcement wants to access this information without showing probable cause, however may have to obtain your private records by showing “probable cause” standard. At least this is what the 3rd US District Circuit Court of Appeals in Pennsylvania ruled in September 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: GPS Keeping Kids Safe

Beijing Red Cross Foundation (BRCF) is providing 20,000 GPS cell phones to the city’s school children. With 200,000 children disappearing each year in China, the Red Cross is taking action. According to an article by Chris Chang, Micgadget.com, the cost for these phones will be 840 Yuan (about $127) for 2 years of GPS and phone service. Not only do the phones allow talking and text messaging, but the watch-shaped cell phones allow parents to locate and track their children. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Cuffed While Texting

Authorities in Iowa City, Iowa, reported that a man was arrested for “liberating” a cell phone from a gym and sending unauthorized text messages from the stolen device. In the 18 hours the alleged thief had the phone, he sent 500 text messages. That equates out to sending a text message every 2 minutes. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Cell Phone or Yo-Yo?

Human powered cell phone chargers are the next step in technology. You can charge the new YoGen by Easy Energy, Inc., by simply pulling a cord, much like a yo-yo. The device has a good pull-to-charge ratio, so you don’t get user fatigue trying build up a charge. The device is very portable, easily fitting into your pocket or purse, making it a practical alternative to the spare battery. Read the rest of this entry »

photo credit: Crossing the Border with GPS

The Transborder Immigrant Tool  offers a high-tech way to illegal immigrants to find water as they cross the desert into the United States. The phones, developed by UCSD (University of California, San Diego), also pipe in poetry from phone speakers to encourage the immigrants on their journey. Read the rest of this entry »