GPS – Page 2 – NerdBeach

Retro Nixie Tube Clock with High Tech GPS Time Setting

We have discussed those cool retro nixie tube clocks on Nerd Beach before, but here is one with a high tech twist. The nixie tube clock kit incorporates a GPS reciever to keep its time correct. Yes, that is right, a retro nixie tube (IN-14 tubes, to be exact) clock that uses satellites in space to send out a signal in order to keep the time correct. I gotta tell you, I love the mix of the retro and tech in this project.

If you are the project kind and really want to put this one together, you can find it at Etsy. It will set you back about $400 (tubes are not cheap, and it is a limited run kind of thing), but it is a unique project.

(As far as the retro being mixed with high tech, I predict that this type of thing will continue into the future. We will find a strong retro movement, with people foregoing touch screens for the physical feedback. For example, we will have really super smart toggle switches that can select any place in the universe with only a couple of hardy tactile friendly flips. At least that is how it works on the bridge of the original Enterprise… Yes, I am joking for the most part, but I can almost see it happening to some degree.)

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WowWee WiFi Home Security Robot Price Drop

Greg Chaffins

Being connected in today’s world is easier than ever. And since we are all connected, we may spend more time with our connections and away from, as George Carlin so aptly put it, away from our stuff. But the same connections can be used to keep track of our favorite stuff.

Enter the WowWee spybot, Rovio. Unlike a simple webcam that lets you check in on your, well, stuff, it can let you go walking about in a virtual way, keeping a watchful eye. But not just an eye – you also have an ear, thanks to the built in microphone. You can even remotely participate thanks to its two way communications capability. All you need is a remote internet connection.

The little robot works via WiFi, and it incorporates built in GPS navigation. You can set a point and, with a remote click of a mouse, the unit will go to a designated point (you know, such as the other side of a corner to see if everyone is actually talking about you, as you suspect… and if you think this, they probably are, but only a frank discussion about your paranoia).

Nighttime reconnaissance missions are not a problem either, since the Rovio sports its own onboard LED light source to show the way. So the little unit is handy whether you are traveling or just want to check out what the noise is down the hall from the comfort of your bedroom.

Personally I think it would be cool to get two and play a little robotic hide and seek with a friend across the room or across the country. Perhaps strap on some IR cannons and even play a little VR war game, Yeah, I’m feeling it. A quick price check showed the Rovio to be available from Amazon as of this writing for $265, down from the earlier $349 introductory price. Not cheap, but getting into the affordable range. And as with any introductory unit aimed for a mass consumption price you should probably expect there to be hiccups. But as something with a lot of fun potential this looks to be pretty cool.

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Pocket PCs Live On

Greg Chaffins

Pocket PC Picture In the past, my faithful traveling companion was a Pocket PC that carried more information and had more capability than most of my early desktops (yeah, I started computering way back then). I was secretly delighted that I could carry with me an entire encyclopedia (copy of Wikipedia, to be exact), a cookbook of 70,000 recipes, AND any kind of imaginable application that I happened to write to make my existence in this world just a bit easier. I was an empowered nerd.

Flash forward to today, where I usually pack an iPhone with a wireless connection. The memory is nice, and yes I am still writing my own apps to do what I want it to do (and it does a lot, trust me). But when the smoke clears, it is still referred to as a phone. I sometimes miss the dedicated mini computer that sticks with me between phone upgrades.

HP recently brought back the dedicated Pocket PC, but at a War price in my opinion. Sure, I could see spending the bigger buck for one back in the day, but when you have a $99 iPhone with 8 gigs of memory you need to be a little competitive. Luckily, the third party vendors are stepping up to the plate.

ChinaVasion, the China based importer of electronic goods, has brought a nice little unit that seems to fit great in the category of which I speak. Their Mobile Internet Device (CVFB-PC04), or MID, is a mobile multimedia PC with a touchscreen. The device runs Windows Mobile 5.0, so there are literally tons of software available for it. The 4.3 inch display is much better than the current offerings from many of the WinMo vendors, and the price is sweet at around $230. Now, this is Chinavasion, so you can rest assured that there are volume discounts on top of that. The device also sports an integrated SIRF STAR III GPS device, so hooking it up to your favorite navigation software is a breeze. The ergonomics are strong with this one, and the stylsu equipped device also features a built in kickstand for hands free use – such as when you are watching a movie or using it for GPS navigation.

The unit ships with "Office Productivity Applications", which I assume, being Windows Mobile 5.0, means the pocket office suite. And the unit has a wireless connection, which I will again assume means 802.11. There is also an SD Card slot for storage. And, if I read correctly, there is 4gb of internal storage – a MUCH welcomed improvement over the low memory Pocket PC units of the past. Below is a copy of the tech specs from the website:

Hardware Specifications

Size (mm): 150 (L) x 85 (W) x 21 (H)
Processor Type: ARM926EJ-S 32-Bit RISC CPU
Operating System: Windows CE 5.0
Battery type: Built-in rechargeable 1550mAH lithium (rechargeable)
Battery life: 4 hours
Screen resolution: 480×272 resolution
Storage capacity (internal): 4GB Nandflash (built-in)
Storage capacity (external): Takes up to 16GB capacity SD/MMC Card

GPS Hardware Parameters

Chipset: SIRF STARIII
Frequency: 1.575GHz
C/A Code: 1.023 MHz Chip Rate
Channels: 20
Tracking Frequency: -159dbm
Precision: 10m 2D RMS, 5m 2D RMS, WA AS Enable
Rate: 0.1m/s
Data update: 1Hz
Requisition time: 0.1s on average
Hot start time: <3S
Warm start time: 30S on average
Cold start time: <100S
Internal antenna: Ceramic antenna embedded Active

Compatible File Types

Audio Formats: MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, OGG
Video Formats: AVI, MPEG4, WMV, ASF, 3GP, XVID
Image Formats: JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG, TIFF

Input/output/connectivity

Mini USB port
Headphone jack
Microphone jack
USB port
SD/MMC Card slot

Camera

Resolution: 800×600, 1024×768, 1280×1024, 1600×1200 and 2560×1920
White Balance effects: Auto, Cloudy, Dark, Morning, Flash Light
Serial Shooting: Close, Two, Three, Four
Auto Focus: 5 seconds, 10 seconds and 15 second
Time-lapse: 5 seconds, 10 seconds and 15 second
USB port
SD/MMC Card slot

Buttons

Navigation pad
Power ON/OFF button
Screensaver On/OFF
Shoot/take picture
Video record/Camera mode changeover
Multifunction key

OS Language: English

Manufacturer Ref: F74BGRX7XUEK

Product Notes

Can be recharged from the power adapter, the car charger or by USB.
Superb wireless functionality with wireless internet access capability
Core Pocket Media Player and Macromedia Flash Player 5.0 pre-installed for multimedia playback
Comes pre-installed with NES Games Emulator and a free Real-Time Strategy Game

Package Contents

Model CVFB-PC04 Portable Multimedia PC
User Manual – English
Quickstep Guide – English
Stereo in-ear headphones
Drivers CD
USB cable
USB to mini-USB cable
AC charger
Car charger
Mounting bracket
Car Mount
2x Rechargeable 3.7V 1550mAH Li-ion Battery

I have to say, considering what you get in the package (incorporated GPS, car charger, mounting bracket, etc.) the price is nice. But you do want to read the specs carefully, since things change pretty fast in the import world. Interested in checking it out for yourself, you can find it at the ChinaVasion site.

Meade ETX-LS telescope is a hands-free wonder

Greg Chaffins

I love a good telescope, and have an off again, on again interest for all things astronomy. Of course, the hardest thing about using a telescope is finding the celestial targets. Technology has helped greatly with that task, but it usually requires the user to find reference stars before the telescope will auto-locate. But things just got even easier.

Meade’s 6″ ETX-LS telescope is the first scope available to consumers to automatically find the stars (and more) for you without a setup requirement. After you select your desired object, the telescope self-rotates into general position by use of its built-in GPS and compass. Once in the neighborhood, the telescope takes a picture of the sky and uses that image to calculate the exact position for your viewing pleasure. As a cool bonus, the camera serves to give you pictures of your findings, saving it to a SD Card.

While that in itself is a lot of gee whiz factor, the telescope will also play audio of your selection, something great for the budding astronomer. It can even play informative video clips if you have a monitor handy. Wow, early in my astronomy pursuit I spent a lot of time in finding the target star, if indeed it was the correct star. Now you can push the button, get a picture and a guided tour.

Can it get any easier than this? (Probably at some point, but as to how is a mystery at the moment.)

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