NerdBeach

StarChase is Projectile based GPS Tracking System

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Almost as if out of a spy novel, the StarChase system incorporates a projectile consisting of a GPS receiver and transmitter. The system uses a visual laser for targeting, allowing the operator to pick its location.  When launched by a police cruiser mounted pneumatic cannon, it attaches to the target vehicle using epoxy goo.  This allows the vehicle to be tracked without the need for high speed chases.

The Los Angeles Police Department plan to deploy the StarChase deployable vehicle tracking system later this year.

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TomTom Software for iPhone 3G

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The iPhone 3G has real GPS capability, so TomTom is ready to take advantage of that fact. They have announced plans to have an iPhone version of their award winning navigational software available for the iPhone 2.0, and it will be sold in the Apple stores. No word yet on exact availability date.

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iPhone 3G Announced at WWDC, New Features and Available in July

iPhone_021008 I looks like the iPhone 3G is going to be a reality, and will be available on or around July 11.  The announcement was made by Steve Jobs at the WWDC, and it will no doubt be embraced by iPhone users in general.

There are a number of upgrades and tweaks to the original iPhone.

3G connectivity is now available for faster downloading and browsing.  As more apps are developed this will become more of an advantage.

The iPhone 2.0 now incorporates a real GPS. This will be used for Maps and directions, geotagging photos, and more.

The price is much more palatable. The 8g iPhone will cost $199, and the 16g phone will be $299.

Mobile Me keeps your contacts, email, calendar, photos and more in sync over the air. Another great use for the faster 3G connection.

The battery life is improved, with 10 hours of talk time with 3G off, 5 hours with it on. 24 hours of audio listening, 7 hours of video, 6 hours of 3G browsing.

Complete support for Microsoft exchange, enabling a lot of corporate users to use the new iPhone with existing networks.

iPhone 3G adds more language support.

iPhone 2.0 features better email management, contacts search, and lets you view more attachments.

There is now a nice scientific calculator by default on the iPhone.

The software update will be available to  current iPhone users, and at a rumored price of $0 (free).

As you can see, Apple is more serious than ever about making the iPhone a choice for both the casual and business user.  The minor but needed changes to the original, along with an aggressive pricing model, should help Apple to do exactly that.  I am interested in seeing how 3rd party application support plays out, and to see how far they can extend the functionality of a very capable and stylish device. 

As it is, Blackberry and Windows Mobile are scrambling to make (and have made) their platforms a more pleasant user experience to compete with the iPhone, which makes mobile devices a more powerful and pleasant experience for everyone.

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HTC Touch Pro is a Sleek Mobile Device

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The HTC Touch Pro is a sleek mobile device featuring a slide out five row QWERTY keyboard. The HSDPA device also offers a 3.2 megapixel auto-focus camera with flash for those times when you have your phone but not your digital camera.

The Touch Pro utilizes the Windows Mobile-based TouchFLOTM 3D user interface, which should keep you in the running with your iPhone friends. Of course, it has other nice features too, such as a 2.8 inch VGA touch screen,WiFi,GPS and cool video calling.

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