Trek Tech

Ok. It’s time to set the record straight. There are two kinds of GPS. One that’s really GPS and one that fakes it, often called “Assisted GPS”. One you want to trust while your out and about and the other, ehhhh, maybe not so much.

This is very important when it comes to Apple’s iPad, slated for an April 3rd release. Here is a cool video of what Penguin UK is building out for the iPad (fast forward to about 2:11 mark to see the bit on travel books). Many many publishers are looking to the iPad to provide the needed hardware to present enhanced books in a preferred way.

I love my iPhone it’s a no-brainer for travel. All that computing power tied to GPS satellites, in my pocket… terrific! But the iPad doesn’t have an active GPS receiver. It’s not there. All it can do is triangulate your position by which cellphone towers it can “see”. Here’s how (not) good that system is:

collects information from the nearest cell-phone tower to estimate a person’s location within a distance of about 1,000 meters.

1,000 meters? Really? That can’t even be used for driving directions much less hiking or biking. Can you imagine trying to follow a twisting trail via an iPad map that may or may not 1,000 meters off at any given time?

Now the iPad will also use the IP address for any WiFi network connection the device is using. This is actually more accurate than the cell tower method, but if you’re always on that WiFi connection… then you’re not traveling.

Please note that you also need the $629 version of the iPad to use these features, not the lower-cost $499 cousin.

I’m not slamming the iPad by any means. In fact, I’ve been saving my pennies for months and I will have one. It’s just too cool of a device not to. I just wish that they would clarify what “GPS enabled”, “assisted GPS”, etc. means for all the would-be buyers. Too much confusion and cloudiness leads to frustrated travel book/app buyers…

and neither Apple nor the publishers win when that happens.

I try out all of the travel apps that I can. It’s hard to deny the usefulness of all that gps-aware computing power right in your pocket. But I have to wonder, why is Google Earth the number one free travel app? Yes, it’s cool. Yes, it’s neat. But how are people using it that keeps it in the top spot?

Other than the cool factor and nice graphics, I haven’t found it as fast, intuitive and local as many of the other offerings out there. What am I missing?

There is always someone missing on the news. Sometimes it is a jittery bride or disposed dictator, but more often than not it is the outdoor enthusiast who excels at getting away from it all and not finding their way back without help.

The above item is the 406 MHz GPS Personal Locator Beacon for someone who wants to make sure they get found. This handy gem will upload your Latitude & Longitude to a satellite when activated. Then contact the proper authorities to your location and who you are since it requires you to register so it will be uniquely coded for you. Boasting pocket-size portability, waterproof and a floater for you slippery handed river rats it sounds great for any outdoor adventurer that can afford the luxury.

The PSD Tools Personal Safety Device by Life + Gear is probably a little more affordable and helps you work with what you got to get out. One minute of cranking equals one hour of flashlight power and it can also be used to power your cell phone (adapters included). If that weren’t enough it packs a screwdriver and bits, flashing emergency light, am/fm radio, and a 130 decibel siren for $36.95.

Of course you can always just tell someone to check on you ever so often, warn a park ranger you’ll be in their park, pack a flare gun, or perhaps you’re perfectly confident in your screaming skills. But where’s the tech in that.