Channel 9 - Entries tagged with GPS

Microsoft DevRadio: Using the GeoLocation API for Your Windows 8 Apps

Jerry Nixon, DevRadio, ChrisCaldwell — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 11:00:36 GMT

Abstract:
Jerry Nixon welcomes Janet Schneider, Mark Inderhees and Frank Chen to the show as they discuss the Geolocation API for Windows 8 app developers. Tune in as they discuss its benefits, features and how to implement it in your app.

Next Steps:
Step #1 – Download the Tools for Windows 8 App Development
Step #2 – Download Visual Studio Express for Windows 8
Step #3 – Start building your own Apps for Windows 8

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If you're interested in learning more about the products or solutions discussed in this episode, click on any of the below links for free, in-depth information:

Websites:

Blogs & Articles:

Videos:

Virtual Labs:

Windows 8 Virtual Labs

Ping 116: Custom Navs, PEGI on WP7, 3D on your 360, 3D headmounted display

Laura Foy — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 00:30:38 GMT

This week we are joined by special guest Larry "Lightbulb" Larsen. Watch and enjoy as we chat about these topics and more!

A driving route made just for you

PEGI rating for Windows Phone games

3D coming to Xbox 360

Headmounted 3D display

Crowd-Sourcing Public Sector App for Windows Phone, Azure

Bruce D Kyle — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 17:44:32 GMT

Blue Dot’s Advanced Mobile 311 solution is an innovative crowd-sourcing solution for Public Sector that enables citizens to quickly and easily create non-emergency Service Requests through their Smart Phones. Leveraging the power of Visual Studio 2010 Express for Windows Phone, Blue Dot has developed a ‘Mobile 311’ application that is freely available on the Windows Phone Marketplace.

Randy Starr, VP of Technology at Blue Dot Solutions, demonstrates the Advanced Mobile 311 solution with ISV Architect Evangelist Bruce Kyle. Randy explains how Blue Dot Solutions used Windows Phone and Windows Azure to build out the system.

This application allows a citizen to report the actual GPS location of a problem or issue and the appropriate Service Code, and to optionally include a photograph and text comments related to the Service Request. The Mobile 311 application interacts with a set of Windows Azure based Web Services that route the service requests to the appropriate municipality based upon the Service Request location or the selected Jurisdiction ID. Windows Azure provides the 7x24x365 uptime, dynamic scalability, and affordability required by Blue Dot for the Advanced Mobile 311 solution as well as the opportunity to utilize the Microsoft .NET skills and enterprise mobile IP developed over the last several years.

Advanced Mobile 311 is a winner for State and Local Governments for Windows Phone 7 applications.

About Blue Dot Solutions

Blue Dot Solutions is a leading provider of Packaged Mobile Line of Business Applications for ISVs specializing in enterprise solutions for asset intensive industries. Blue Dot mobile LOB solutions are developed using the Advanced Mobile Platform, a Microsoft .NET-based enterprise mobility platform that provides on-premise or cloud-based data communications services and data transformation and integration services for a variety of industry leading EAM, ERP, and T&L systems.

Free Assistance

Join Microsoft Platform Ready for free assistance in developing and marketing your Windows Phone 7 applications.

Up to Date News for ISVs and Software Developers

See US ISV Community blog.

Windows Phone 7 Location Services (GPS/Maps) QuickApp (Using Silverlight for Windows Phone 7)

JoMul — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 20:15:11 GMT

John Mulhausen walks you through building a very quick application that will take you from zero to seeing yourself travelling on a map in real-time in just 15 minutes.

The Location Service for Windows Phone 7 uses a combination of GPS, cell-tower data, and even Wi-Fi data to determine the phone's longitude, latitude, altitude, course, speed, and more.

Click here to download the source code for this app at the Silverlight for Windows Phone Code Gallery.

Sony's New VAIO P Netbooks Sport a GPS and Compass

Sarah Perez — Tue, 11 May 2010 13:53:00 GMT

I just finished reading the Engadget review of the new Sony VAIO P netbooks. These colorful, but pricey, devices may be more status symbol than notebook replacement, especially with their candy-coated shells and $800 price tag. But they do have some decent features, at least according to the Engadget reviewer: the keyboard is comfortable to type on, still quite the accomplishment for sub-notebooks, and they now include an accelerometer, which automatically rotates the screen allowing the netbook to function as an e-book reader.

However, I was surprised to find the review missed what sounds like the VAIO P’s standout features: a GPS and compass, something I only happened upon thanks to Steve Clayton's post about the mini-notebooks.

According to the press release, the VAIO P isn’t just the first Sony notebook to include the accelerometer, it’s the first to include the GPS and compass, too. Along with these hardware-based features is a complementary software program called “Location Search” that “offers a real-time map view without tying up your web browser,” reads the release. In this program, your map position and location are displayed along with points of interest and local weather conditions. That’s a pretty nice feature, too, I’d say. Hope it gets ported to the more grown-up VAIO line.

Why Develop on Windows 7 ? - Sensor and Location based service

John O'Donnell — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:29:00 GMT

The Windows 7 operating system provides built-in support for sensor devices. This includes support for location sensors, such as GPS devices. As part of this support, the Windows Sensor and Location platform provides a standard way for device manufacturers to expose sensor devices to software developers and consumers. At the same time, the platform gives developers a standardized API and device driver interface (DDI) to work with sensors and sensor data. This video discusses the new sensor and location APIs and how some software vendor solutions are taking advantage of these capabilities of Windows 7 and differentiating their application with sensor and location based services.

Enjoy the show!

John O'Donnell Microsoft Dynamics ISV Architect Evangelist
Microsoft Corporation
http://blogs.msdn.com/jodonnell
http://blogs.msdn.com/usisvde
http://www.twitter.com/jodonnel

GPS tools

Clint Rutkas — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:01:00 GMT

GeoFrameworks and Jon Person released their GPS Framework for .NET on CodePlex! The really nice thing about this framework is it works with both the full blown .NET Framework and the Compact Framework. If you're developing for a Windows Mobile, embedded, laptop or desktop computer, it should handle all your needs.

Just a few of the features are:

Automatic detection of serial GPS devices (or devices found via a virtual serial port).

Automatic detection of Bluetooth devices (when using the Microsoft Bluetooth stack.)

Automatic baud rate detection.

Automatic recovery of lost connections.

Advanced GPS precision via Kalman filtering.

Support for desktops and mobile devices.

Support for real-time GPS data without relying on Microsoft's GPS API.

Support for control and monitoring of precision.

A set of animated gauge controls for desktops and mobile devices (Altimeter, Compass, Speedometer, SatelliteViewer, SatelliteSignalBar).

Update: Forgot to put in the link! http://gps3.codeplex.com

This Is Your GPS On WPF

Larry Larsen — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:14:00 GMT

Over at IStartedSomething.com, Long has a very cool post about a company called Better Place. In addition to a nice TED presentation, Better Place as a better face for the average car GPS as part of their electric car system mentioned at TED.

This GPS uses a Windows XP install to provide the WPF, which Better Place software architect (and former MSFT technologies consultant) Tamir Khason says boots faster than a Nokia E71 phone. Awesome interface and hands down the best looking aftermarket GPS interface I've seen yet. Be sure to check out the video for a closer look at their car and a very inventive way of recharging the car quickly when on a long trip.

TechFest: GeoLife 2.0

Laura Foy — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 14:35:00 GMT

The increasing availability of GPS-enabled devices is changing the way people interact with the web and brings a large # of GPS trajectories representing peoples location histories. GeoLife 2.0 is a location based social-networking service on Virtual Earth that enables people to build connections with each other using their location histories. By mining the similarity between peoples locatoin histories, this system can help a user automatically discover potential friends in a community with similar interests. This system also enables travel experts who can help plot the ideal sight-seeing locations for you to visit in any part of the world. Brought to you by Microsoft Research Asia.

Send Live Maps Collections to Your MSN Direct-Enabled GPS

Sarah Perez — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:22:00 GMT

For users of MSN Direct-Enabled GPS devices, like those made by Garmin and Alpine Electronics Inc., sending directions from your PC to your car is possible with the latest release of the MSN Direct API. This new functionality has now been integrated into Live Maps, too. Many people still use a PC to find directions on the internet when they’re planning a trip, but would then have to re-enter those directions into their car’s GPS or make a printout to take with them. But now, using Windows Live Maps, you can find your route and save it as a Collection. Then, from the “Actions” menu, just choose “Send To GPS” to have the map sent to your GPS device in your vehicle.

High Tech Hiking in South America

Tina — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:27:00 GMT

Brian Keller and Mike Iem are avid hikers and just happen to be Microsoft employees. They are heading out on a three week hike to South America in a few weeks and stopped by the Channel 10 Studios to show off the latest gadgets they're taking with them.

SteriPEN
GeoSetter
SPOT
Live Maps
Solar chargers
Ultra-Mobile PC Canon point-and-shoot hacking

GPS Tagging Photos

Larry Larsen — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:30:00 GMT

At some point in the future probably all of our digital photos will be tagged with location data. Where a photo was taken is pretty important now, and will future-proof your photos, but how do you do it? There are a few different devices out there that carry with you when shooting that will records your location and then later apply that (via timestamp) to the pictures you load onto your computer. The ATP PhotoFinder is that type of device, except it's the first one I've seen with a card reader built into it that will actually take your camera's card and apply the geo-location data to the images directly. ($89, via Uncrate)

PMPs, GPS and the "Unit 2" from iriver

Nic Fillingham — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:57:00 GMT

We made it to the CES 2008 iriver booth on the last day of the show with just minutes to spare before they started pulling everything down.

This worked out great for us though as we were able to get our hands on two really cool products. The (as yet unreleased outside of South Korea) iriver W7 PMP with GPS cradle and the very sexy prototype "Unit 2".

More info: http://www.iriver.com/event/ces2008/

MSN Direct on your Sat Nav

Nic Fillingham — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 21:59:00 GMT

If you live in North America you can now get access to MSN Direct services on a selection of Garmin Satellite Navigation devices with more coming soon.

MSN Direct is a service that delivers traffic conditions, fuel prices, weather data, and more over parts of the unused FM spectrum via Microsoft Directband technology.

Want to see the service in action? Check out the demo of MSN Direct we were given at the Microsoft CES 2008 booth.

Alpine and Pioneer will also be bringing out MSN Direct compatible devices in 2008. For more info check out http://www.msndirect.com

From PC to PND

Sarah Perez — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 14:14:00 GMT

At CES, Garmin announced that their new nüvi 780 GPS unit will use the MSN Direct service. This service dynamically updates the portable navigation device (PND) with important information that drivers can see at a glance. MSN Direct, which transmits over FM airwaves, sends info like live traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, local events, news, and stock prices to the device.

Another great feature of the 780 is its ability to integrate with Windows Live Local. From your home PC, you can look up destinations, or even entire Live Maps Collections, and send them to your device by using the new "Send to GPS" option. This can be done without having to physically connect your device to your PC nor does it require the device to have an internet connection. Instead, all the updates are done over FM airwaves. Now you can plan your trip at home, then send the data to the device before you leave. Or, if you're not a good planner, you can use the hands-free microphone and speaker to call someone for help and have them send the directions to your device while you're on the road.

The MSN Direct service uses MSN's SPOT network to deliver the data. MSN Direct is free for the first three months then is $50 per year afterwards. You can also choose to pay $130 for a lifetime subscription instead. You can try this device yourself next time you are renting a car at Avis Rent A Car. Avis Where2, based on the nüvi 780, will soon be available for rent with any Avis vehicle or just (Via Inside Microsoft)

The WhereAmI Project

Sarah Perez — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:11:00 GMT

The WhereAmI Project is an attempt to use GPS tracking to find your friends and have them find you. The project, an experimental beta at the moment, has its only users in WhereAmI's creator, Nagi Babu Punyamurthula, and his friends. WhereAmI works by letting a user transmit their GPS location to a central server using an application that runs on a GPS-enabled mobile device or a similarly-equipped laptop with an internet connection. On the server, a web service runs to collect the GPS data send from the mobile device. The third part is an ASP.NET AJAX-enabled web page running a Microsoft Virtual Earth Mapping Control to plot the user's position on the map. Users running the WhereAmI app can not only find each other, but also things around them like ATMs, shops, and bars. Of course, there is a big disable button for the times you don't want to be found.

If you're would like to try this project out for yourself, you can contact Nagi to get a Profile ID. Once you have that, you can download either the laptop version or the Pocket PC Phone version of the application and install it. You'll configure the application with the Profile ID provided to you. And, as long as you have a GPS receiver connectivity to either of these devices (either built-in, Bluetooth, or direct cabled), you'll be all set.

A Harry Potter-Like Clock Tracks Family Members

Sarah Perez — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 18:46:00 GMT

In the Harry Potter novels and movies, the Weasley family has a magical clock with hands assigned to each family member that move to indicate their current location. Now, scientists have created a real-life version of this clock for use in the home. The "Whereabouts Clock," tracks family members as being in one of four locations: home, work, school, or elswhere. The clock works by using a software program that is download to the family members' mobile phones. The software uses signal information from the phones to determine everyone's location. On first use, the location information must be programmed: as a person arrives at work or school for the first time, they must press the corresponding button in the application. The software then locks in on the signal from the nearest cell tower and stores its ID. Obviously, a naughty kid could easily program the phone to think the mall is the school, so this isn't really the device to use for stealth-tracking of your kids; it's more of a fun way for busy families to keep tabs on one another. The location information is only available on the clock itself and is not able to be accessed remotely, so only people entitled to be in the home have the ability to see this private information. [For more tracking, check out Microsoft's Nagi's Babu Punyamurthula "Where Am I Project".]

Where am I?

Laura Foy — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 17:32:00 GMT

To tell you the truth, I prefer to keep my location undisclosed but apparently there is a great demand for human tracking. My co-worker, Nagi Babu Punyamurthula, took it upon himself to create a solution for this need and he called it the "Where Am I Project". After having him explain his application to me, I realized how great this could be for many family and business uses- and not to mention a badass game of hide-n-seek Enjoy!

Leaving Mount Logan

Larry Larsen — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 21:28:00 GMT

I caught up with James Coleridge via satellite phone about the latest from the top of Mount Logan in the Yukon. James tells me about some of the set backs that the team has been dealing with, including over two weeks of very bad storms and a plane crash (no one was hurt). We talk about what it means to use technology from remote locations under extreme conditions, and how he keeps his batteries warm at night.

The team won't be able to make the summit this time. Three hours after this interview was recorded, they made the (wise) decision to start back down the mountain and head home. We'll catch up with James again when he's back in town.

Mount Logan Update: May 15, 2007

Larry Larsen — Tue, 15 May 2007 22:40:00 GMT

When I left the Mt. Logan expedition late last week, they were still waiting for the bad weather to lift to fly in to King’s Trench and begin the ascent. Right now, 8 people have made it to the glacier and setup camp. Five more are waiting for a ride; apparently a downdraft damaged the only plane that flies in and out on the Canadian side (yes, the one in the picture.) Meanwhile, the team is moving forward to camp 1 with about 500 pounds of food, watch them here on Live Maps.

As you can see on the map, the place they are moving across right now is one of the more dangerous areas on the mountain. To the south they have the danger of avalanche (all are wearing detectors, for what it’s worth) and to the north they have the danger of crevasses.

Michael Singer of Information Week asks where the Microsoft fans are. We're all over the place, but he can find a few of them right here. Wednesday night we gathered around and watched a slideshow of the days pictures with Windows Photo Gallery and then traded songs on our Zunes until dawn (is there a better way to share music without getting out of a warm tent?)

More updates, pictures, and video to follow.

GPS photography made easy

Larry Larsen — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 18:12:00 GMT

One of my favorite soapboxes is the importance of tagging GPS coordinates to photographs (a movement that really got off the ground here at Microsoft Research.) But actually getting GPS coords into the IPTC field of your photos has been a pain in the past, requiring you to use software like the incredibly undocumented Grazer, or snap-on hardware like GeoCoder.

Tekom announced last year that they have developed a 6 megapixel point-and-shoot camera with integrated GPS. The GX652, which was on display at CEBIT Hanover this year, has a fairly standard 3" LCD, 4.8x optical zoom, and shoots mpeg 4 video (I don't know if this video is also tagged with GPS, but other companies have hardware for tagging video.)

Unfortunately, the 12 channel GPS is an external puck rather than integrated directly into the camera, and there is no word on how photos taken indoors are handled.

Technology on the Water : The Seattle Boat show

Laura Foy — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 21:35:00 GMT

The boat show is so much more than enormous yachts and sexy speed boats. I went there to see how technology has improved boating and what new gadgets and toys are available on the water. After watching this piece you'll never get lost, never be in the dark, and never be without TV or internet....and more.

Cobra fighting Big Brother camera tickets

Tina — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 19:28:00 GMT

Cobra Electronics Corporation is a leading global manufacturer of navigation and communication products. I stopped by their booth at CES to check out some of their GPS stuff and more importantly a device that lets you know when there is a red light or speed camera up ahead. I, like many other drivers, absolutely loathe those and have spent a fair amount of money on these tickets and, like everybody, think I'm innocent and the camera is just plain wrong.

Have you found love online?

Tina — Thu, 30 Nov 2006 19:21:00 GMT

Maybe you have and maybe you haven't. I was reading this article on cnn and it really got me thinking about how different life is now then it was ten years ago. I, personally have never gone online in search of romance but I know many people who have and it seems to have worked for them. Now, there is a new term floating around called "Mobile Romance". No, you don't make-out with your phone but you instead post your dating profile online and you will automatically receive a text-message on a GPS enabled phone when a match is nearby. This has already been working in China. And there are similar programs like Dodgeball already here in the U.S. It got me thinking, what's next for online dating?

Where 2.0 Am I?

JD Lewin — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 18:27:59 GMT

You're at the Where 2.0 conference! A gathering to discuss maps, global positioning, mobile devices, and anything else that relates to your location on the planet. We spoke with a handful of the presenters at Where 2.0, rode someone else's electric scooter, and wrapped up the evening with some thoughts from Tim O'Reilly himself.