GPS Nanny – Know where your kids are
How many times have you wished that you could be a fly on the wall in the life of your family members? There are probably times in every parent’s life when he or she wishes to know where the kids are taking the car – or even walking on foot. Well, if you are one of those parents then you’re in luck! Because there are tons of companies that offer some version of a GPS tracking device for people like you. And the good part is that these devices were not created with malice in mind, but instead were meant to help you keep your family safe.
About the GPS Tracking Device
You might be wondering how one of these devices can help you keep tabs on your kids. Well, put simply, the system is able to communicate directly with satellites orbiting the Earth. These satellites communicate back to the system its exact geographic coordinates and exact time. With this information, and a little bit of computer technology thrown into the pot, you now have the luxury of watching where any person is traveling who holds one of these devices by looking at a map on your computer miles away – and of course, this includes your kids. This means, you can watch them to make sure they don’t go to that friends house you forbade them from visiting, or make sure they don’t drive 80 miles per hour in your new car.
It sounds like something out of a science fiction movie, doesn’t it? Well, it’s actually a true piece of our reality. Even better, it’s an affordable piece of our reality. In fact, some of the units that have been created to track kids and teens run for as little as $100 – not bad! So now I bet you’re wondering how you can get your hands on one of these need little units. Don’t worry; in this article, we will look at some devices that are available online and in stores so that you can begin the process of making your family safer.
Finding the GPS Tracking Device for You
With tons of devices available for you to choose from, how will you be able to select the one that will suit your specific needs? The best way to get started is to read the short list below of units on the market. They will give you an idea of the features you can take advantage of so that you can effectively narrow down your options. Let’s get started!
GPSNanny Products
This company was created with your kids and teens in mind. There is at least one GPS tracking device available for both age groups to help you keep tabs on them, and help them feel safer that someone can find them if they are in trouble. The two units we will briefly look at in this article are the WalkAbout and Teen Tracker.
The WalkAbout is a small device – about the size of a closed flip phone – that can fit in your kids’ pockets, bookbags or purses. Its main purpose is to help you watch where your kids are traveling when they are not in your presence. Some of the features you can take advantage of with this system include being able to watch your kids move on a virtual map that you can view from your home on the computer or mobile tracker in real time. By looking at the map, you learn where your kids are located, and can even create a geo-fence that gives your kids boundaries as to where they can travel. You will automatically be alerted via your mobile phone if they venture outside this area; this way you can always know they’re safe. But probably the best feature on this device is the emergency button that let’s your child alert you if he or she senses impending danger.
The Teen Tracker, on the other hand, is a GPS tracking device that goes into the vehicle your teen drives. By plugging it into your cigarette lighter, you can watch where and how fast your teen is driving. The system also comes with a remote door unlock feature, auto security interface, and emergency button.
Your search for the perfect GPS tracking device doesn’t have to end here – this short list actually only tips the iceberg on what’s available. Besides, you want to make sure that what you find satisfies the desire you have for keeping your kids safe. So do a little bit more searching, look for great prices, and make your selection in care. That way, the GPS tracking device you bring home can be the one that turns you into that fly on the wall you’ve always hoped to be.
Clarion MiND Mobile Internet Navigation
Clarion MiND Mobile Internet Navigation Device (Black)
There are many GPS devices out there currently that can tell us how to get from point A to point B, but there are very few which can actually do more than that. Enter the Clarion MiND, a mobile internet navigation device that is a GPS, and oh so much more.
TeleNav pulls the trigger on Shotgun updates
From CNET:
On Tuesday, location-based service provider TeleNav released new features for its connected portable-navigation device, the TeleNav Shotgun. The added functionalities include a mileage tracker and the capability to check ratings and reviews for points of interest (POI), such as restaurants, hotels, and so forth.
For the full article:CNET
TomTom GO 740 LIVE Preview
LAS VEGAS—TomTom finally is getting connected, thanks to the company’s announcement of the GO 740 LIVE here at the Consumer Electronics Show.
The $499 GO 740 LIVE is TomTom’s first connected portable navigation device to be launched in the United States. With a built-in wireless connection, the GO 740 LIVE provides real-time traffic information, TomTom’s Fuel Price Service, Local Search powered by Google, Weather, QuickGPSfixT and TomTom Buddies. All LIVE services work right out of the box with a built-in SIM card and a GPRS Modem. The GO 740 LIVE comes with one year of service included.
While previous versions of TomTom GO navigators have used TomTom’s innovative IQ Routes Technology which calculates routes based on historical travel times, the GO 740 LIVE now features a new and extended version of IQ Routes. With the extended version, IQ Routes calculates travel time information based on historical data for every road, every day of the week, and time of day.
As you can imagine, travel times vary significantly based on the day of week and the time of day. The extended IQ Route data is based on data gathered anonymously from TomTom customers who report traffic flow data as they drive. According to TomTom, over the last two years, 1.8 trillion miles of roads have been recorded and the data has been implemented into the extended IQ Routes technology.
The GO 740 LIVE also features enhanced voice recognition that recognizes over 130 voice commands. With the ability to plan routes, set user preferences and make phone calls using only voice commands, the GO 740 LIVE is going to provide fierce competition for Garmin’s nüvi 880 series of products.
TomTom broke new ground when it announced Map Share. Map Share allows TomTom users to update maps based on their knowledge of local roads and to share that information with the TomTom community. Recently, TomTom announced that more than 5 million map improvements had been made by the TomTom community. Like all TomTom devices, the GO 740 LIVE includes Map Share.
With the included connected live services, the improved IQ Routes and the enhanced voice recognition, TomTom has a unique bundle of features at a very attractive price point. The GO 740 LIVE could be the GPS product of the year. I can’t wait to review the unit to see if it’s as good as it sounds. Check back at www.pcmag.com for the latest in GPS reviews.
See the original article at:
PC Magazine
GPS Abuse
Oregon governor pursuing GPS-based mileage tax
The gasoline tax has lengthy been the method of choice for raising money for public road upkeep, but more fuel efficient cars are slowly eroding funds from the public coffers. Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski wants to remain road repair money flowing, so he’s proposing the dreaded mileage tax. Opponents of the idea suffer a GPS-based solution as being an invasion of seclusion, giving the government the ability to track where tax-payers go. However, the proposed system in Oregon doesn’t track somewhat travel points. Mileage is in lieu read whenever drivers fuel up, and a 1.2 cent per mile tax is levied. The program was tested in 2006 and 2007 with 300 motorists participating in the experiment.
Someone driving 12,000 miles per year would pay $144 in mileage tax. For comparison’s sake, a 25 mpg vehicle driving 12,000 miles would pay $115 based on Oregon’s current 0.24 cent per gallon tax. Kulongoski has no power to enforce a mileage tax, so he’s relying on the Oregon legislature to make the tax law. Since it will take parturition to get quite vehicles on the road equipped with a GPS device, the standard gas tax would remain in effect for the foreseeable future, with a possible two cent increase. Commuters equipped with a GPS system would receive a refund for gas taxes paid.
[Source: Gazette Times]
