GPS

Google is updating its Maps service with a dramatically different new interface. The new Google Maps is more visual - more tightly integrating photos and 3D renderings - and more personalized, making recommendations based on your search history, ratings, and friend reviews and ratings (if you're logged in, that is). An image carousel at the bottom of all search screens provides a visual way to explore and to drill down on information. Also, Google has cleaned up the search interface and placed it in an elegant box in the upper left of the screen. Read on for more about the new Google Maps. Image © Google

Most GPS sports apps and dedicated GPS devices place the bulk of their best training log and mapping features on synced, web-browser-based companion sites. The Cyclemeter iPhone app by Abvio takes a refreshingly different approach, putting all of your training data, interactive maps, route information and route history, training log history, and more right on your smartphone. Accomplishing all of that on an iPhone screen was a challenging task, but Cyclemeter comes through with a well-designed interface that's a pleasure to use. Add in real-time syncing with Twitter or Facebook, and the ability to link with a wireless Bluetooth heart rate monitor, and you have an impressive bike computing suite you can fit in a jersey pocket. Read on for the full Cyclemeter review. Image © Abvio

As part of its celebration of what will soon be the 50 billionth app downloaded from the App Store, Apple has named the all-time top 25 downloaded paid and free apps. Two GPS navigation apps made the lists, with MotionX GPS Drive taking 19th in the paid app category, and Google Maps taking 25th in the free category. Both apps are included in my top ten iPhone nav apps story and have been very popular with readers. Congratulations to MotionX and to Google. You didn't beat Angry Birds (#1 paid) or Facebook (#1 free) but it's an impressive accomplishment to be on the lists. Image © MotionX

Magellan has introduced a new SmartGPS system that combines a new dedicated car GPS device that works together with a SmartGPS smartphone app for Android, with an iPhone version to come out later this month. The SmartGPS system uses the phone's data connection to deliver fuel prices, traffic alerts, local weather and traffic camera alerts by PhantomALERT to the windshield-mount GPS. The system also provides "powerful POI search functionality with capability to send searched destinations to the SmartGPS device with one touch," states Magellan. The new windshield-mount SmartGPS car unit has a 5-inch screen, free lifetime map updates and traffic alerts, WiFi and Bluetooth, and lane assist (helps you select the correct lane on a multi-lane highway well before your exit). The new SmartGPS unit sells for $249, and the companion apps are free. One of my favorite features of the new SmartGPS is wireless sync. Magellan will also be selling premium versions of the smartphone nav apps that provide turn-by-turn directions. Image © Magellan

Garmin occasionally publishes the detailed GPS-tracked stats of its Team Garmin-Sharp pro bike racers on its online Connect service. Garmin-Sharp's Irish pro Dan Martin recently won the major spring classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège race, which spans more than 160 miles of northern Belgium. Spiked with many steep climbs, the race racks up more than 13,900 feet of climbing. How's that for a day in the saddle? Other impressive stats include an average moving speed of 24.5 mph, and a top speed of 51.5 mph. Martin attacked from a late breakaway and had the power to drop his only other remaining competitor for the win. For an amazing insight into a big day in the life of a pro rider, take a look at the full Garmin Connect map and stats from Dan Martin's win. Image © Garmin

It's been a few years since I reviewed Garmin's free online Connect, an online training log and mapping service. Garmin has been steadily improving the service, which now includes a best-in-class course creation feature, personal record tracker, training plans, and more. In my new review covering all of the features, I walk you through the capabilities of Connect with special coverage of its impressive latest additions. Whether you are a casual athlete or a pro, there is plenty for you in Connect. And with some of its devices, such as the Garmin Edge 810, Garmin has devised a way to wirelessly update to Connect. Image © Garmin

TomTom this week unveiled a brand new pair of GPS sport watches (see photo) with large, high-resolution displays, and one-button controls mounted in the wrist-strap. The TomTom Multi-Sport watch is designed for running, swimming, cycling, triathlon, and even treadmill use. The TomTom Runner watch is more compact, and is specialized for running, and will cost less. The watch displays will use graphical elements, charts, and symbols more than the current crop of GPS sport watches on the market to provide quicker and easier-to-assimilate stats and information. The watches will come with sync-and-charge mounts that attached to a computer via included USB cables. The watches will also sync with an optional TomTom wireless heart rate monitor. Both models are to be on the market by summer, and prices have not been announced. These look like a strong and well-thought-out move into the sport GPS market by TomTom. Image © TomTom

We take quick and accurate navigation for granted, but humanity has struggled mightily over the centuries to develop navigation systems. In the past, wars were won or lost, commerce succeeded or failed, and lives hung in the balance depending on the available navigation tools and the skill and resourcefulness of their users. The National Air and Space Museum on the Mall in Washington, D.C. has added a major new permanent exhibit featuring past and present navigation technology, including GPS. The exhibit is organized into five sections, covering three centuries spanning land and sea navigation plus space navigation. Terrific display items, such as the Bond Chronometer shown here, bring the history of navigation to life. Also on display are a sextant from the Apollo space missions, a GPS-guided missile, early GPS technology and much more. Read on for more details about the exhibit. Image © National Air and Space Museum

The BikeSpike is a product in development that will track your bike via GPS and the cellular network. The BikeSpike is being funded by Kickstarter. The waterproof BikeSpike is designed to mount to standard water-bottle threaded frame holes on its own, or as part of a nice-looking composite water bottle cage. BikeSpike is designed to track your bike's location on a dedicated companion app or on a web browser. Tracking would be useful for stolen-bike tracking and recovery, for tracking children, or for sharing your ride or race with friends and family. The BikeSpike is said to hold a charge for up to a month. Its starting price is $149 plus a data plan ranging from $6.99 to $12.99 per month. There are similar products already on the market, such as Garmin's GTU10, but the BikeSpike is the only product that integrates into a water bottle cage. I'm a little skeptical of the value of the BikeSpike when you can track and share your location for free with smartphone apps, and I wonder if a thief wouldn't notice the BikeSpike and unbolt it. Image © BikeSpike

Expedia has long been known for its clean design and user-friendly interfaces, and that legacy lives in its free Hotels & Flights app. A recent update has added an itinerary view that automatically syncs with your desktop version of Expedia. Hotels are presented by your GPS- and WiFi-positioning-determined location, and it's easy to review photos of hotels near you, along with thumbnail price information. Special mobile-only Expedia discounts of as much as 15% to 25% are shown with the hotels. Of course you may also use search to locate hotels around the globe. I found the flight search, selection, and purchase process elegantly designed and easy to use. You may quickly sort flights by price, departure time, arrivals, and duration. When you're finished booking your travel, your itinerary is stored (you may store multiple itineraries) for easy access. Image © Expedia