I once heard a story from David Sifry Clay Shirky (ugh, I always mix these guys up for some reason) about how they came up against the technical weaknesses of GPS when trying to create a life-size, city-wide Pac Man game. They had it all figured out and were ready to test it when they learned that GPS stinks in the canyons of Manhattan.
Ever since then, I have had my doubts about GPS in real world (real person) situations. Oh, yeah, there are a few great apps out there. But, I think things change when you shrink the receiver to the size of a pack of gum and shrink the screen similarly.
That’s what I want to understand.
So, through some interesting twists of serendipity, I’m deep into testing GPS apps – with a mobile, of course (currently my N93).
On a tip from my neighbor, I picked up a Holux GPSlim236 and downloaded a (temporarily) free nav app from Nav4All (I got the Holux from them, cheap). I’ve also started playing with some of our own lab apps. No, I can’t tell you about them, but it’s no secret that they connect a GPS device with a mobile display. D’oh.
Soon I’ll also be testing the Nokia Wireless GPS Module (imaginative name, huh?), too.
Ugh, I am descending into gadgetitis. Eh, really it’s for a specific application. Really.
And you? What looney things have you done or heard of with GPS and mobiles? What are your wishes and realities you have around GPS?
Hi Charlie,
I am a woman who carries a small purse and no pockets on my capris, so I am a firm believer in one convergent device in the purse to give more room for the all important red lipstick.
That said, with my summer road trip idea I do need GPS to do a Google mash up with my moblogged images and videos. I asked my brother to find a good GPS device for me that is small (fits in a girl’s hand) and gives the coordinates.
It would be much lovelier if my Nokia already had GPS in the mobile feeding the coordinates to my Lifeblog “details” or photo EXIF data, then I would not have to find room in the purse for another device. ;o)
I think I’ve been in Finland too long; I used GPS to store locations of good mushrooms (not the magic kind) found in the forest …
Huh – which David did you hear this from?
I have the nokia LD-1W GPS unit and it can tell I’m in New York City, but it always just plops me on 42nd St., which I guess it considers the center of town.