Verdict: Almost Guarantees Your Friends Will Call You A Liar

Latitude is Google's latest mapping tool that promises to turn your cell phone into a real-time tracking device, letting you see where your friends are on a map, and they can see where you are.

Sounds awesome. But how well does it work? I've been living with Google Latitude for about a week now, and it's got potential. But be prepared for some seriously inaccurate location reports (and a lot of explaining your true whereabouts to your friends).

Continue reading "Google Latitude Review" »

Posted by Fletch at 11:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Keeping your GPS's maps up-to-date is one of the most important thing you can do to ensure the best navigation performance possible. Current maps make sure your GPS knows where you are, where you're going, and also updates the POI (Points of Interest) database.

Garmin currently releases mapping updates every few months. Garmin's new nuMaps Lifetime subscription program lets you download up to 4 updates per year for the life of the nuvi GPS. That can add up to a significant savings, and will help make the device last for years to come.

Here's everything you need to know about Garmin's nuMaps, including how to buy, download, and install the updates onto your GPS.

UPDATE: Since this article was originally posted, you can now purchase the Garmin nuMaps Lifetime map subscription directly from Amazon.com , and save about $25 in the process.

Continue reading "Hands-on With Garmin's nuMaps Lifetime Subscription: Pay Once, Update For Life" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (33)

What could be more critical than the quality of maps installed on your GPS? Updated maps ensure that your GPS knows where it's going, and help it make the best possible decisions when figuring out which routes to take. Yet many GPS owners skip this very important step of updating the maps. Some updates are free, and some must be bough, but they're all important.

Here's a step-by-step guide to finding out if map updates are available for a Garmin nuvi GPS.

Continue reading "How To Check If Your Garmin nuvi GPS Has The Most Current Maps Installed" »

Posted by Fletch at 12:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)

Verdict: Saves You Money. Makes Expense Reports Easy

Available on all Garmin nüvi 205 and 705 models, ecoRoute is a free software update that helps drivers conserve money and fuel. ecoRoute lets drivers view detailed fuel usage information, download mileage logs, and adds a new "Less Fuel" routing preference option.

Here's an in-depth look at Garmin's new ecoRoute feature.

Continue reading "Hands-on With Garmin's New ecoRoute Feature" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (33)

As with any GPS, it's important to keep the software and maps up-to-date in order to ensure the best possible performance. Magellan recently released a free major software update to the Maestro 4350 that all owners should definitely install. The update improves routing, reliability, and adds some nice new features.

Here's the step-by-step instructions on how to update your Maestro 4350.

Continue reading "How to Update Your Magellan Maestro 4350's Software: A Step-By-Step Walkthrough" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (16)

Garmin has released firmware version 3.30 for all nüvi 7x5 models (755T, 765T, 775T, and 785T). Sounds like a fairly significant update, including improved routing logic and traffic alerts. Garmin's webpage says the update is only available via WebUpdater. I've already installed the update on my 765T, and so far so good. So go ahead and update away.

Changes made from version 3.10 to 3.30:

• Corrected routing in certain situations.
• Corrected handling of certain text languages.
• Improved behavior when switching color modes.
• Added support for new traffic cameras.
• Improved abbreviations for street names when selecting German or French languages.
• Correct error that caused some unique traffic events to have an improper delay associated.
• Correct labeling issue in the ecoRoute mileage report.
• Improved compatibility with 3 way calling.
• Don't allow other audio to play between ring tones.
• Corrected some improper lane guidance arrows with 2009.10 maps.
• Corrected issue that caused final point to be lost in optimal route reorder.
• Corrected error in fuel efficiency calibration with Liters/100Km units.
• Corrected issue that prevented being able to identify points on the map when browsing the 2009.11 CNNA maps.

Posted by Fletch at 7:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Verdict: Lots of Features and Decent Performance. Lackluster Voice Recognition, and TomTom's Map Screen Needs Updating.

TomTom's GO 930T is a high-end GPS that includes everything you need to receive real time traffic updates, and boasts all the newest TomTom features, including voice recognition, IQ Routes, Enhanced Positioning Technology, Map Share, and Advanced Lane Guidance.

The hardware looks great, and Map Share combined with IQ routes has serious potential. But, TomTom's interface needs an overhaul, and this isn't the most user-friendly GPS out there.

Continue reading "TomTom GO 930T Review" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (23)

Verdict: Has Some Neat Business Traveler Friendly Features, But Falls Short On Basic GPS Functionality and Ease of Use. Costly Subscription Fees.

TeleNav is already an established leader in cell phone based GPS navigation software, and now the company is releasing its first standalone GPS, the Shotgun. Aimed squarely at business travelers, the Shotgun offers up Internet-connected features aimed at making life on the road a little less rough.

The Shotgun delivers some features sure to please those whose travels usually end with an expense report. But the device's relatively expensive subscription costs, and lackluster basic GPS navigation performance might leave buyer's questioning the Shotgun's overall value, and opting for a non-connected GPS instead.

Continue reading "TeleNav Shotgun Review" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)