April/May 2002

High-powered navigation for Palms

One of the most compelling location and route-finding systems yet for handheld computers has been launched by Magellan, the Thales subsidiary, in association with Palm and Palmtop Software. It is an add-on for the Palm m500 series of PDA computers.

Magellan GPS Companion lets users calculate a route, and provides instructions and GPS guidance on a moving map. This enables users to calculate a new route on the spot, without a PC or Internet connection. It uses TomTom CityMaps and TomTom RoutePlanner from Palmtop Software, and Magellan NAV Companion software.

The system is being positioned primarily as a consumer product, but clearly could also have applications in commercial telematics and navigation. It is said to be the first of its kind to offer 12 hours' continuous use ­ up to five times that of rival products.

It is also said to be the only Palm GPS companion to be accurate to within 3 metres in Europe. It achieves this through the use of two satellite correction signals ­ Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) and European Geostationary Navigation Overlay System (EGNOS).

It comes in the form of a lightweight, cordless, 12-parallel-channel GPS receiver that attaches to the Palm Universal Connector at the base of the m500 series handheld. It communicates with the Palm through the serial port, leaving the expansion card slot available for map downloads. It uses two AAA batteries, and there's an optional 12-volt power cable featuring a built-in Palm charger.