Shareloc's blog - Navizon's community weblog

New version for Blackberry and Symbian phones

We released a new version of Navizon for Blackberry and Symbian phones. Among other things, we resolved some connectivity issues on the Blackberry and we included new maps (picture 1) from 8motions.

On some Blackberries you will also be able to use the maps that are built-in in your Blackberry (picture 2).

All in all, it should make the application faster and the navigation more user friendly. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed in the forum .

Some other exciting features are coming up, so stay tuned for more...

Navizon Lite now available, and it's free!!

We just launched a new version of Navizon called Navizon Lite. This version will let you get your position using the closest cell towers around you with an accuracy of approximately 1500 meters (1 mile), something similar to what Google Maps offers with its "My location" feature. Navizon Lite is available for the iPhone, Windows Mobile, Symbian/Nokia and Blackberry devices.

For those of you who need a more accurate positioning system, Navizon (full version) might be for you. It includes the power of Wifi positioning combined with Cellular positioning, offering you an accuracy of approximately 10 to 30 meters in an urban setting.

Navizon Lite includes a 15 day free trial of the full version. Once your trial period expires, it will automatically switch to the Lite version unless you decide to upgrade to the full version for a one-time fee of $24.99.

Here's a little side-by-side comparison between Navizon Lite and the full version of Navizon:

	Navizon lite	Navizon
Cellular GPS
WiFi GPS
Accuracy (without GPS)	1000 m	10-30m
Buddy finder
Directions
Rewards (if GPS available)
Trail

Google and Privacy? No worries, right?

So I took a look at Google Maps' latest feature called "My Location". Works OK on some device. I wouldn't say it's as good as Navizon, but it's not too bad for a start.

What intrigued me however is the privacy aspect of this whole thing and the way the collect the cell towers information. According to Steve Lee, Google Maps Mobile's project manager who spoke to CNet: "We're creating a database of cell tower locations and that database is built from people using Google Maps for Mobile," Lee said.
OK, fine. So I guess it has been logging the cell towers' positions when I was using Google Maps on my Nokia N95 which has a built-in GPS. I wish I could have known that Google Maps was collecting information on my whereabouts, but fine...

What gets more interesting is when you look at the FAQ dealing with the privacy aspect of this application:
"This location information is also only in our system when a user has opted-in to the My Location (beta) service".

Wait a minute!! I did not opt-in to anything when they were collecting the cell towers on my N95. Not only Google didn't tell the user that it was collecting data in the background, but I looked closely in the previous versions and there was no way to turn this thing off and prevent Google Maps from sending your location to Google's servers.

So according to Google's privacy policy, this thing works on an opt-in basis but according to Steve Lee, it has been collecting data thanks to the users... whether they wanted it or not.
Hmm... I say spyware.

I'm sure that Google took the time to add in the terms that they "might be collecting information" which would make it legal.  Legal... but definitely not ethical.

Update: Google Maps finds Malc right in his house... and he lives in the countryside nowhere near a cell tower. Yet another evidence that Google Maps is logging the users' GPS position in the background.  Apparently you can now prevent it from doing sending the radio info along with your location but that was not the case in previous versions...

Update2: Did I say "Legal but not ethical"? Well, it turns out that even the legal part is in question now according to this person who posted a comment on this New York Times article (check posts number 54, 56 and 58).

Your diary on Google Earth

We just added a new feature that allows you to keep track of your locations and display it on a map. It looks cool on Google Maps but it's even cooler on Google Earth.

For those of you a who travel around the world, that can be a nice way to make a diary of your trip: you could for example add bookmarks on all the places you visited.
Just an idea...

Navizon Buddy Finder now on the iPhone

A new version of Navizon (with a Buddy Finder) is now available for the iPhone.

With this version you can add your friends to your Buddy list with a click of a button . Then click on "Buddies" to see where they are on a map.

To add one of your friends, just click on the button "Add Buddy", enter your email address and your friend's email and that's it!

Your friend will receive an notification with a link to click on and you will be able to see each other's location.

You can also join public groups that have been created by other users or create your own group that you can make public or private: just click on the "Manage my account" button to manage your Buddy list and the groups you belong to.

With the Buddy Finder you only share your whereabouts with the people you want. And on top of it you can decide when you want to send your location with other and when to remain private. So in case you are worried about privacy, we have good news for you: you are in full control.

This new version also includes enhanced positioning algorithms that makes it work in many more places.

This new version can be downloaded via Installer.App. It is working both with firmware 1.0.2 and 1.1.1.

Oh and I almost forgot: this new version comes with a free trial.

Get it at http://www.navizon.com

Navizon for PC and MAC

Many people have been asking us: "I have a phone that cannot connect to a GPS but I do have a GPS device. How can I contribute".

Well, there is good news for you: the version of Navizon for PC and MAC is now fully operational.

Some of you might say this is not new and they would be right since the desktop version was launched a couple of months ago.
But what is new is that you can now use it to map wifi access points and cell towers (if you have a Nokia or Sony Ericsson phone paired with your computer) if you have a GPS device.

LEAVE MY IPHONE ALONE!!

Cyril doesn't seem too happy that the latest iPhone update removed all his applications...

And for those of you who may have been trapped in a cave for the past 3 weeks and just got out, here's the original.

Navizon for iPhone is alive and kickin'

There have been some rumors circulating that Navizon will stop development for the iPhone because of the 1.1.1 firmware  that doesn't allow third party applications.

This could not be farther from the truth.

As a matter of fact, we are just about to release a new version that will have many new great features.

All we said is that whoever purchased Navizon and cannot run it on the 1.1.1 iPhone (just like any other application actually) will get a refund.

But anyone who likes it and wants to keep using it after the free 15 days evaluation period is free to buy the Virtual GPS service.

To conclude that the development for the iPhone will stop is plain false and quite frankly, a bit laughable.

TV commercial for firmware 1.1.1

For those who were to young to remember, here's the original ad that Apple ran during the Superbowl in 1984.

iPhone v1.1.1: is it legal?

Let's say you buy a new house After all these years, you now have a place you can call home. What a good feeling...

So you decide to make some renovations: you paint the rooms in your favorite color, you put nice accessories on the walls, a high tech kitchen with all fancy new gadgets, etc...

But one night, the previous owner breaks in your house, removes everything  and puts your house exactly  the way it was before you bought  it.

Then when you realize what he's done, he turns to you with a little smile and tells you "I didn't like the way it was. So I undid everything."

That's his right, isn't it? At least that's the way Steve Jobs sees it.