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Magellan Redefines Personal Navigation by Integrating Cloud Technology, Social Media and Real-Time Location-Based Data

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Tuesday, January 8th 2013
MagellanGPS | Las Vegas, NV
Read More About: gps, magellan, social media


 

Magellan SmartGPS Goes Beyond Traditional GPS to Help Consumers Discover Places & Services Around Them During Their Daily Routes

LAS VEGAS, NV - CES 2013 -- Magellan, a leader of innovative GPSdevices for vehicles, fitness, outdoor and mobile navigation, today announced the Magellan® SmartGPS, a game-changing GPS device designed to completely redefine personal navigation by integrating social, local and mobile content, including Yelp and Foursquare, through Magellan's revolutionary cloud-enabled Smart Ecosystem. The Magellan SmartGPS is the first, total-solution navigation device to wirelessly sync the user's navigation data, such as favorite places and contacts, with a smartphone or personal computer, and to intelligently deliver stored and dynamic location-based information to the GPS display that is personalized to the driver's locale. Magellan will display the new SmartGPS (http://www.magellangps.com/SmartGPS) device, a CES 2013Innovations Honoree award winner, at the CES Show (LVCC South Hall, Ground Level, #MP25758).

"Magellan pioneered the GPS navigation industry, and in today's socially-driven world, we recognize that consumers want and need a much more comprehensive navigation solution that surpasses what traditional GPS devices and smartphones can offer," said Peggy Fong, President of MiTAC Digital Corporation. "We engineered our cloud-based Smart Ecosystem and SmartGPS device from the ground up to deliver an innovative SoLoMo experience to consumers who desire discovery, relevance and local awareness combined with navigation. Additionally, the Smart Ecosystem is architected to integrate with automotive infotainment and mobile network service platforms."

On-the-Go Information through Magellan's Cloud-based Smart Ecosystem
The Magellan SmartGPS communicates with Magellan's custom-built Smart Ecosystem, a cloud platform for an extensive database of constantly-updating, location-relevant social media and navigation content that is automatically pushed to the SmartGPS display to create a uniquely-rich driving experience. Complementing all the core navigation features and on-board maps expected in a premium GPS device, the Magellan SmartGPS provides drivers with valuable, timely information that enables them to discover the places and services around them wherever they go and whenever they need information.

For the first time on a single GPS device screen, Magellan SmartGPS consumers can simultaneously see maps, navigate, and see reviews, tips and offers from Yelp and Foursquare for nearby restaurants, stores and services, plus navigate to those locations without needing to use an additional device or application. As a vehicle progresses on its route, the SmartGPS accesses the cloud-based Smart Ecosystem to deliver a rich variety of location-relevant information "squares" that are displayed on the SmartGPS screen and graphically flip between service establishments in the vicinity. When the user taps on a square, detailed profile information is displayed including the address, phone and any available special offers or consumer reviews, plus an icon to navigate to their selected destination. In addition, the SmartGPS delivers current gas prices in the vicinity, weather, traffic events and speed camera warnings.

For first-time use, consumers set up an account in Magellan's Content Manager and connect theirSmartGPS device to a computer with a micro USB cable. The SmartGPS intelligently manages and updates location-relevant social media and navigation content through an onboard WiFi connection. Whenever the Magellan SmartGPS is in Wi-Fi range, the device will automatically sync and start pre-loading data onto the SmartGPS device. The Magellan SmartGPS Wi-Fi connection makes it easy for users to easily plan trips and routes, and save and sync the information to their other Smart Ecosystem connected devices.

When the Magellan SmartGPS is not in Wi-Fi range, a smartphone Bluetooth connection can be used to update the SmartGPS information squares with the freshest, dynamic content using an already-established data plan. A Bluetooth connection will automatically connect the SmartGPS to the user's smartphone each time they are in their vehicle, providing 'always-on' connectivity for the user's in-car navigation experience. Users can quickly, safely and easily place a hands-free call directly from their SmartGPS when the device is paired with a compatible phone with a Bluetooth connection.

First Cloud-Enabled Content Delivery Solution to Connect Smartphones to On-dash GPS Devices
With free iOS and Android smartphone apps especially designed for the SmartGPS, the total-solution SmartGPS experience is truly mobile. Magellan connects the smartphone to the vehicle dashboard, enabling location sync and sharing, hands-free operation and data connectivity. Users can pair their Magellan SmartGPS device with compatible iOS and Android smartphones using Magellan's free SmartGPS App. Using their smartphone or tablet, users receive the sameSmartGPS experience, including localized Yelp and Foursquare reviews and offers, optimized for a smartphone. Users can search for a location or interesting places to go, save the location in Magellan's Smart Ecosystem cloud, and through Magellan's SmartGPS App, send the location to their SmartGPS automatically via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for in-vehicle navigation.

"SmartGPS combined with our Smart Ecosystem enables the user's smartphone via ourSmartGPS App to be constantly and seamlessly connected to their in-vehicle dash," said Fong. "This provides a much safer driving experience because it eliminates the need to enter data twice or juggle multiple devices."

Premium GPS Features
Magellan's SmartGPS is engineered with a completely updated user interface on a 5-inch WVGA LCD display. A glass capacitive touch screen provides the touch and feel expected from a high-end consumer electronics device, including multi-touch actions. At the heart of the MagellanSmartGPS is a Texas Instruments Cortex A8 1 GHz processor to support the increased demand for high resolution graphics and multi-function data processing. Other essential hardware integrated in the SmartGPS includes 4GB memory to support the applications, detailed navigation maps and additional cloud content. A microUSB connector enables the SmartGPS to be connected to a personal computer or power source. A microSD card slot may be used for storing additional maps.

Continuing to enhance driver safety and peace-of-mind to see behind their vehicle, the MagellanSmartGPS is compatible with Magellan's award-winning Wireless Back-up Camera ($149.99 MSRP). When the vehicle is in reverse-mode, the SmartGPS will automatically switch from navigation mode to become a rear-view monitor that allows the driver to see what is behind the vehicle including children, pets and toys, or for assistance when parking into a tight parking space.

Targeted for availability in Spring 2013 through Magellan's consumer electronics and online partners, the Magellan SmartGPS is $249.00 (MSRP).

About Magellan
Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, MiTAC Digital Corporation, manufacturer of the Magellan (www.magellangps.com) brand of portable GPS navigation consumer electronics devices, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MiTAC International Corporation. Recognized as an industry pioneer, Magellan globally markets its award-winning portable navigation devices including the Magellan® RoadMate® series for autos, RVs, fleet and commercial vehicles, the eXplorist® PRO for mobile GIS applications and field data collection, the eXplorist outdoor series for hunting, fishing, hiking, marine and geocaching enthusiasts, Magellan Fitness Switch™ series of crossover GPS watches, and mobile apps and accessories for smartphones. Follow Magellan on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MagellanGPS), Twitter (https://twitter.com/magellangps) and YouTube (www.youtube.com/magellanvideo).

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Journal News Removes Interactive Gun Permit Map

The Lower Hudson Journal News has been under fire for publishing a map of gun permit holders in two counties in New York State  before Christma. (APB coverage 1, 2, podcast). On Friday January 18 the paper removed the interactive map. Why? Publisher Janet Hasson gave answers in a media statement and in a letter to readers.

In a statement in response to The Poynter Institute (a journalism school) she argued:

With the passage this week of the NYSAFE gun law, which allows permit holders to request their names and addresses be removed from the public record, we decided to remove the gun permit data from lohud.com at 5 pm today. While the new law does not require us to remove the data, we believe that doing so complies with its spirit. For the past four weeks, there has been vigorous debate over our publication of the permit data, which has been viewed nearly 1.2 million times by readers. One of our core missions as a newspaper is to empower our readers with as much information as possible on the critical issues they face, and guns have certainly become a top issue since the massacre in nearby Newtown, Conn. Sharing as much public information as possible provides our readers with the ability to contribute to the discussion, in any way they wish, on how to make their communities safer. We remain committed to our mission of providing the critical public service of championing free speech and open records.

In a letter to readers published on Friday she wrote:

So intense was the opposition to our publication of the names and addresses that legislation passed earlier this week in Albany included a provision allowing permit holders to request confidentiality and imposing a 120-day moratorium on the release of permit holder data.

She goes on to say that during the 27 days the map was online any one interested would have seen it and that the data would eventually be out of date. She also noted that the paper does not endorse the way the state chose to limit availability of the data.

The original map/article still includes a graphic - but it's a snapshot, a raster image, with no interactivity. Says Hasson in the letter to readers:

 And we will keep a snapshot of our map — with all its red dots — on our website to remind the community that guns are a fact of life we should never forget.

I continue to applaud the paper for requesting the data via a Freedom on Informat request, mapping it, keeping the map up despite threats and criticism and now responding to state law. I think the paper did a service to the state, to citizens and to journalism.

- via reader Jim and Poynter

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