Interactive GPS shows police presence and cheap fuel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

trev0006 · #1 08-30-2008, 06:13 AM

Interactive GPS shows police presence and cheap fuel

Dutch navigation company TomTom has unveiled a new satnav system that can update its maps in real-time for a number of different traffic conditions in order to help minimize time spent behind the wheel. The company unveiled the new device at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin this week, and plans to offer it in the Netherlands, UK, Germany, France and Switzerland in coming months.
Called the GO x40 LIVE series, the latest satnav system delivers dynamic navigation and route guidance that continuously adapts to changing road conditions on the fly. Stored within the system is a list of historical travel time information for every road, specified for every day of the week, at five minute intervals.
The new device works by comparing these figures with estimated figures calculated in real-time using information gathered from anonymous measurements of mobile phones moving through their networks, and reroutes a journey onto side roads if it predicts the alternate route will be quicker. For example, a large number of phones stationary on a busy highway is assumed to mean that many motorists are stuck there in a traffic jam.
It also connects to TomTom’s current High Definition (HD) Traffic service for more accurate and detailed live traffic information.
The feature list doesn’t end there, however, as the GO x40 LIVE GPS units allow individuals to update the maps with live information such as the locations of mobile police radar and cameras, as well as cheap fuel prices. Other motorists in the area can then be warned to slow down or to look out for the cheapest fuel stations. There’s also full voice-activated control and Bluetooth connectivity.
The GO x40 LIVE series is currently limited to the aforementioned European countries but there are plans to expand its network capability to other countries in the near future.

#2 08-30-2008, 06:31 AM

Good, hopefully it says out of the USA. The last thing we need is "measurements of mobile phones", anonymous or not.

Its bad enough there is GPS where people can be tracked without their knowledge. One of the many good reasons I keep my reliable old pre-GPS nokia.

aklim · #3 08-30-2008, 08:01 AM

But it shows cheap fuel and road pigs.

#4 08-30-2008, 08:06 AM

http://www.gasbuddy.com/

+

Mistress · #5 08-30-2008, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

But it shows cheap fuel and road pigs.

Aklim just Google Cheap Fuel" and put in where you live. The last thing we need in this country is criminals knowing where the police are.

aklim · #6 08-30-2008, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress

Aklim just Google Cheap Fuel" and put in where you live. The last thing we need in this country is criminals knowing where the police are.

But the GPS is for out of town. I know what is in town. Also I want to know where they are

Matt L · #7 08-30-2008, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Good, hopefully it says out of the USA. The last thing we need is "measurements of mobile phones", anonymous or not.

I thought that they already did that here.

Tymbrymi · #8 08-30-2008, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

Its bad enough there is GPS where people can be tracked without their knowledge. One of the many good reasons I keep my reliable old pre-GPS nokia.

If you live in any remotely urban area it should be pretty easy to triangulate your location from cell towers alone. No need for GPS. I have no idea if telephone companies do this though.

aklim · #9 08-31-2008, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tymbrymi

If you live in any remotely urban area it should be pretty easy to triangulate your location from cell towers alone. No need for GPS. I have no idea if telephone companies do this though.

They can if needs be. IOW, if you present them with a court order, they can and will.

Botnst · #10 08-31-2008, 06:47 AM

Mind the black helicopters.

Tymbrymi · #11 08-31-2008, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

They can if needs be. IOW, if you present them with a court order, they can and will.

I figured as much... I knew they would release what towers someone was connected to, didn't know if they'd made software for triangulation. At least they need warrants for this instead of that wiretapping fiasco.

compress ignite · #12 09-03-2008, 12:38 AM

At least on the Motorola I have I can "Turn Off" the network's ability to track
me and "Target Advertisements" based on location.

pawoSD · #13 09-03-2008, 01:12 AM

You can turn off a cell phone's "GPS" feature on any cell phone. Also, cell phone GPS is not the same thing as a true GPS unit. It is "triangulation" of your location based on comparing signal strength and direction between three cell towers. Its not nearly as accurate as real GPS, and not as fast or reliable. So all you paranoid people holding onto old phones to "prevent big brother" stuff, go on and get a nice new phone. I promise they aren't watching you move around as a dot on a screen.