[aprssig] Cell Phone APRS

[Stephen H. Smith]

wa7nwp at jnos.org wrote:
>
> Cell Phone APRS is here.
>
>   

Sort of.   

> Microsoft is experimenting with Mobile Social Networking:
>  <http://www.techweb.com/wire/ebiz/193200689;jsessionid=5DKSFKQMFOKIOQSNDLRSKHSCJUNN2JVN>
>
>
>   

" Because SLAM uses a cellular network's data pipe to send and receive 
messages, Microsoft warns potential users that they need an unlimited 
data plan to avoid a phone bill that could reach as high as $600 a month 
or more."  

I'd say APRS still has a slight edge in cost.......


> Microsoft enhances GPS capability in Streets and Trips
>
> <http://www.infoworld.com/article/06/10/11/HNmsgps_1.html>
>
>   

What a bunch of press release BS  !!!     


"Microsoft enhances GPS capability in Streets and Trips



By Elizabeth Montalbano, IDG News Service
October 11, 2006 

[excerpt from article] 

New Pharos receiver makes app ten times more sensitive than previous version

In a press statement, Helen Chiang, a product manager at Microsoft, said 
better GPS capability in Streets & Trips will give users of the software 
more confidence that the journey they've mapped in the software is the 
correct one. "


It's not the application that's "10 times more sensitive" !!    It's the 
included standard NMEA-capable GPS receiver.  It will also make any 
other application (like Delorme Street Atlas, Precision Mapping, UIview, 
APRSplus, Xastir, etc) "10 times more sensitive".   

The supposedly revolutionary change is that the included Pharos GPS 
"mouse" (that Microsoft calls a "GPS Locator")  has adopted the same 
improved-performance SiRF III chip set everyone else (Like Delorme, 
Deluo and Holux for example) now use......







--

Stephen H. Smith    wa8lmf (at) aol.com
EchoLink Node:      14400    [Think bottom of the 2M band]
Home Page:          http://wa8lmf.com


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