TomTom announces iPhone Portable GPS Tracking Device Application

Sure, iPhone 3G is going to offer some solid GPS functionality right out of the box. Apple's updated iPhone site shows off some of the new features—most notably turn-by-turn directions—but TomTom is officially coming to the rescue of users who need a little more from their GPS.

Reuters reports that Dutch-based TomTom is just about ready with an iPhone version of its software that it plans to sell through the iTunes App Store. A price hasn't been set yet, and the company was remarkably low on details, but one can imagine that TomTom can bring some GPS functionality to the table that goes beyond the iPhone 3G's default abilities.

One of the most likely advantages of TomTom's software could be a local database of maps that users can access and customize even if they don't have an internet connection (3G/EDGE, Wi-Fi, or otherwise). TomTom can also bring its own custom array of features and services, including real-time traffic reports (that go beyond the ambiguous red/yellow/green color overlays in Google Maps) and instant messaging for a lifeline while traveling. TomTom's software for other GPS devices can also do things like warn you if you're speeding; perhaps the iPhone could too.

TomTom wasn't specific about when its iPhone client will be ready, but it will be sold for an as-yet undetermined price.

Use your iPhone as a Portable GPS Tracking Device Navigator

Just a few months ago we were fantasizing about an iPOD with GPS functionality, or even an iPhone with GPS. Well, the wait is over, and iPhone is now a reality! It will be available in June - but we know some of you Navigadget readers are already making plans to use your iPhone as a GPS navigator.


If you read the specs of the new iPhone you must have realized there’s no integrated GPS chip on-board. Yes there’s Google Maps (as pictured above) which could help you figure out where you are but you’ll need to be connected to the internet for that to work. And we all know Starbucks Wi-Fi hardly makes it to the parking lot.

But no worries - iPhone does have bluetooth connectivity. So, you can get yourself a bluetooth GPS receiver, pair it with your iPhone, and you are set for the hardware part of things.

Of course you’ll need some software that can talk to the bluetooth GPS receiver. Then the software will be able to show your location on a map and give you directions. We have this feeling that Apple will release some sort of GPS navigation software until June that will work with your iPhone.
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But let’s assume that’s not the case and see what options we have:

RouteBuddy - Can utilize Google Maps however the price does not include maps and even if you do get the maps you won’t have enough space for it since the maps for North America takes 12GB after it is expanded. Not to mention it doesnt give you directions. It is just a mapping software.

MAC GPS Pro - Also does not include maps. Doesn’t look like it can do navigation guidance either.

Garmin Mobile 10 - This is a bluetooth GPS receiver that comes with maps. However no support for Macs.

TomTom - Really cool software however no support for Macs.

So those are your software options. We’re not really Mac people here at Navigadget - so we maybe missing a few. Let’s all hope Apple releases a bundle (bluetooth GPS receiver + software) for a good price that works with iPhone. Go ahead and write a comment and let us know your thoughts.

2008 Portable GPS Tracking Device Navigation Comparison


You've got a busy summer ahead. Before setting out on that road trip out West or back East, you'll have to find time to download some travel music. (We recommend new releases from Common, My Morning Jacket and Weezer.) After that, we've got another assignment for you that promise to make your summer trip easier and may enhance your listening habits, too: Get a portable navigation system. Of course, we wouldn't dream of leaving you out in the cold on such an important decision, so we're updating last year's portable navigation system roundup with four new or newly improved portable systems.

Since our last portable navigation review, a few of the units we sampled have changed significantly, plus there are two all-new units that seem promising on paper — the Dash Express and Becker Travel Assistant.

Tom Tom One XL Portable GPS Tracking Device Navigation System


The Tom Tom ONE XL has everything you need to make your trip safer, more relaxed and more fun. The new 4.3" touch screen and access to real-time traffic services make navigating the road even easier. A large choice of route options, complete US and Canada maps, as well as millions of useful and fun points of interest pre-loaded for your journey, you're ready for worry-free navigation from A to B.

Navigon 2100 Portable GPS Tracking Device Navigator


ShopNBC item #V50445. You can order this Navigon 2100 GPS at ShopNBC.com or call us at (800) 884-2212. Navigation that delivers more for less. The Navigon 2100 delivers an unmatched navigation experience. Accurate door-to-door directions, stunning 2D and 3D map views, and easy touchscreen menus in an ultra-slender portable design make the 2100 a standout among even higher-priced GPS devices. Feature for feature, the NAVIGON 2100 delivers a more innovative and meaningful navigation experience than systems at twice the price.

Snooper Tracker, The latest Portable GPS Tracking Device

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Snooper Tracker has been designed to provide you with the exact position of just about anything you care to track. From vehicles to boats, your children and even your pets can all be effectively monitored. This compact GPS device comes as a stand alone unit with a built-in rechargable battery that can be put in to a coat or trouser pocket or attached to a belt with the handy belt pack included.
  • As a stand alone device its built-in battery will give up to 70hrs of monitoring. For a more permanent solution Snooper Tracker can be hardwired directly to your asset whether you want to monitor a car, truck or boat. If you want to permanently mount Snooper Tracker out of site you can do with a hardwire and extension GPS antenna kit
  • FREE 'Pay as you go' Sim card included.
  • Only 10p per Track text message
  • Minimum initial top up only £5.00
  • Orange Terms & conditions apply
Snooper Tracker uses the very latest Sirf III GPS technology to provide amazing accuracy to within 2.5m.

Get the peace of mind of knowing exactly where your children or your most prized possesions are at any time day or night.
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Snooper Tracker - Features
  • Combination of GPS and
  • GPRS/GSM technology
  • Pocket-sized
  • Light-weight
  • Built-in rechargeable battery - 70hr standby
  • Emergency panic button SMS text
  • Plug-&-play
  • Unlimited Monitoring
  • 24hr Monitoring Facility
  • No Monthly fees

Optional accessories

  • Extension external GPS antenna
  • Hardwire 12V to 5V power cable

More Info: trackstick-gps.co.uk

KoolTrax™ turns a GPS mobile phone into Portable GPS Tracking Device

You wanted an affordable GPS tracking device that still offered our amazing GPS-standard 4 metre accuracy and real time tracking. We listened, we acted.

Now at very low cost you can download KoolTrax™ today and turn any Windows Mobile 5+*, GPS enabled mobile phone into a GPS tracking device, so you can track the exact location of your employees or loved ones.
Does it work outside the UK and Ireland?

It works wherever your phone works, just get roaming enabled on your phone. If you are buying from outside the UK, our secure payment pages allow you to choose from twelve major currencies including dollars.

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This is NOT the same as the commonplace mobile tracking services offered that provide very poor accuracy and position on request. Follow these links to understand why you need GPS accuracy and real time tracking.

Here's our website developer trying both systems out. In this video the person being tracked uses a BlueRanger, but besides that, everything else is the same for KoolTrax.

You don't have to buy a dedicated BlueRanger tracking device for your family or your staff, they just need a Windows Mobile 5+ mobile phone* with GPS and KoolTrax™ software. Download it today.
Alert states

KoolTrax™ turns a Windows Mobile 5+*, GPS enabled mobile phone into a fully functioning GPS tracking device with all the location and panic-button alert functionality of BlueRanger (but no no-movement alarm or low battery alarm).

Using an Internet connected Windows PC with our BlueMap software (included) installed, you can set up one or more geographic boundaries by drawing an on screen map. Then when the person leaves (or enters) the area, you can set it to alert you either on-screen, by email or by mobile text message.

You can set more than one boundary for each user and switch between them as you wish. Have one for college, one for work, one for town, another for a friends house.

It's easy to set up a temporary boundary too, for instance around a club or venue, just for the night. When the tracking device leaves the boundary, you'll get an alert.
Alert methods

You can set up how alerts are delivered:

* Enter the people who are involved in the monitoring of the person
* Set up who receives notification of which type of alert
* Decide which method is used to deliver each alert: text message, email and/or on-screen alert

If your child, loved one, or employee uses KoolTrax™, you can track their whereabouts in real-time with accuracy down to just 4 metres using a Windows PC and the Internet.

Take a look at the prices, and download KoolTrax™ here.
*What if I don't have a Windows Mobile 5 phone?

In order to use KoolTrax™ software to turn your mobile phone or PDA into a personal GPS tracker, your phone needs to be running Windows Mobile 5+ and have NMEA compliant GPS capability.
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If you don't know whether your phone is running Windows Mobile 5+, there's a screenshot on Wikipedia which shows you what it looks like.

KoolTrax™ also requires a device with GPS capability.

If your phone or PDA is incompatible but you want KoolTrax™, here are some options.

If your phone or PDA isn't Windows Mobile 5+, then you might consider taking the opportunity to get a new phone. If you're doing that, aim for a phone that has inbuilt GPS such as the Mio A701 available through Amazon.

Alternatively if your phone or PDA supports Java, a Java version of KoolTrax™ is under development, so you might prefer to wait for that. Sign up to receive notification when KoolTrax™ Java is launched.

The most common phone operating system is Symbian. If you have a Nokia, Ericsson, Sony Ericsson, Panasonic, Siemens AG, Samsung or BenQ phone it's likely it's running Symbian rather than Windows Mobile 5. We are developing a Symbian version too. Sign up to receive notification when KoolTrax™ Symbian is launched.

If you have a Windows Mobile 5+ phone that isn't GPS enabled, you can buy GPS devices that connect to your phone using BlueTooth, for instance those provided by Garmin or the Holux GPSlim236 Wireless Bluetooth GPS Receiver, again available through Amazon.

In addition, to manage the service and display the position of one or more KoolTrax™ user, you will need an Internet connected Windows PC.

If you would like to track a child or someone with dementia who is likely to lose or abuse such a desirable phone, or if you need a 'not being worn', no movement or man-down type alarm, consider BlueRanger.
KoolTrax™ makes GPS tracking accessible to all

You asked, we delivered. We know you want accurate, real-time GPS tracking at the best possible price. KoolTrax™ is the answer.
More info: bluetreeservices.co.uk

Portable GPS Tracking Device - BlueMap PDA

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BlueMap PDA

BlueMap software comes free as part of every purchase of a BlueRanger and allows you to manage and track your BlueRanger devices using your existing Internet connected Windows computer. BlueMap on your PC gives you everything you need to manage and track your BlueRanger devices, but it ties you to your computer at times when you might prefer to be helping to find whoever is missing.

The BlueMap PDA is BlueMap software installed and running on a Mio A701 Personal Digital Assistant, a handheld computer and mobile phone that provides all sorts of things to help you get organised, from an address book to satellite navigation. What you're buying is the Mio A701 PDA at a competitive price, with BlueMap software preloaded onto it so you can locate your BlueRanger devices while you are on the move.

It's optional, but it's a lot more fun, and more useful, than tracking from home, and allows you to wander freely and then find each other in busy locations such as shopping centres, amusement parks, concerts or unfamiliar towns (always have a backup plan, though).

Plus, it's a great excuse to get a state-of-the-art PDA and phone and get organised.
More info: bluetreeservices.co.uk

Portable GPS Tracking Device - Vehicle Tracking Protection

GPS Vehicle Tracking, second to none.

Mobile Guardian is an all-in-one, affordable and fully-portable GPS tracking system / GPS system tracking device for GPS Vehicle Tracking. Giving you a front-line defense against vehicle theft, Mobile Guardian alerts you as soon as your car is started without your permission. That puts you in the driver’s seat, even when you’re not.

Unlike "after-the-fact" mobile tracking devices that fail to alert you or the police until you notice your vehicle missing, Mobile Guardian protects your ride by alerting you before the bad guys get away with your car and valuables.

Finally, the vehicle protection you can't afford to be without - at a price you can afford!

Mobile Guardian is committed to providing the most affordable GPS vehicle tracking systems and other general GPS tracking systems.

Whether it is Real-time GPS tracking or wireless GPS tracking or satellite GPS tracking solutions for fleet tracking, stolen vehicle recovery, personal vehicle tracking or just GPS tracking fun, we have the GPS solution for you!

GPS system tracking technology is an excellent way for fleet managers and fleet owners to remotely monitor vehicles, trucks, or assets efficiently.

GPS tracking systems will allow you to monitor your vehicles, mobile assets, employees or loved ones. - More on GPS tracking and Global Positioning System.
More info: mymobileguardian.com

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