Appello Systems is now introducing Wisepilot 3.5. The new Wisepilot version includes a comprehensive upgrade of the user interface as well as dynamic traffic sensitive routing, powerful One Line Search and full integration to social networks such as Facebook and Twitter.

In the new version of Wisepilot 3.5, customers will be able to utilize several new features including possibility to share your locations and events through social networks – such as Facebook and Twitter, dynamic traffic sensitive routing, and one line search.

When sharing via Facebook and Twitter, the feed will show a short text message of choice and a link to the map itself, which non-Wisepilot users also will be able to view.

The key features of Wisepilot 3.5:

• Dynamic Routing –intelligent traffic features has been added, making it possible for the user to, for example, foresee traffic jams and avoid them smoothly.
• Social Network integration – full integrated to Facebook and Twitter.
• User interface – has been further improved ensuring highest usability standards.
• Pedestrian navigation –improvement of the unique pedestrian navigation mode.
• My Maps –a new feature which makes Wisepilot even more flexible. With My Maps, the user can download maps onto the device and, through this, save data traffic while looking at maps when there is no connectivity.
• One line search – a faster way to finding the desired destination. Simply type and search.

In a report published late last week, the market research firm said that in February, 21 million mobile users across EU5 markets (the U.K., France, Germany, Spain and Italy) accessed navigation services via their handsets.

According to comScore, 68.2% of those who accessed mobile mapping applications during the three months ending February 2010 did so while travelling in a car or other vehicle. Meanwhile 35.3% accessed services while using public transport, while 27% did so while walking, running or cycling.

The company also found that users with assisted GPS (A-GPS)-capable handsets are more likely to use mobile navigation services than those without.

“The higher incidence of A-GPS usage in cars suggests that the superior speed and precision in these devices are being used for more than just identifying locations – they are being used as full in-car navigation systems,” said Alastair Hill, senior analyst at comScore, in a statement.

“That these services offer similar functionality to premium services without the significant price-tag has certainly contributed to their early success,” he commented.

Indeed, the world’s biggest handset vendor Nokia in January threw its weight behind providing a free and enhanced version of its Ovi Maps service in a bid to drive smartphone sales.

Just one week after launch, downloads of the Finnish phone maker’s revamped navigation service neared 1.5 million.

“Mobile mapping services also have potential for integration with other location aware services, such as mobile social networking applications that provide links to friends and insights on surroundings and, subsequently, offer great promise for the location-based advertising market,” explained Hill.

Keeping that in mind, Juniper Research in February predicted revenues from location-based services (LBS) will top $12.7 billion by 2014, driven in part by improved monetisation from advertising.

Meanwhile comScore’s latest mobile mapping statistics reveal that the U.K. showed the most growth, surging 86% in the last 12 months to 5.7 million users. Italy is still the second-largest mobile mapping market across EU5 countries with 4.9 million users, but experienced the least growth – 53% – during the last year. See the table below for a full breakdown.

QNX’s technology can be used to deliver wireless broadband services such as Internet radio, video-on-demand and navigation to vehicles.

RIM co-chief executive Mike Lazaridis said the acquisition will further link smartphones and in-vehicle entertainment systems.

“RIM is excited about the planned acquisition of QNX Software Systems and we look forward to ongoing collaboration between Harman, QNX and RIM to further integrate and enhance the user experience between smartphones and in-vehicle audio and infotainment systems,” Lazaridis said in a news release.

The acquisition will also add valuable intellectual property to RIM’s portfolio and value for supporting “certain announced product plans,” he said.

RBC Capital Markets analyst Mike Abramsky estimated the takeout value of the acquisition at $150 million to $200 million and noted that Harman acquired QNX for $138 million in 2004.

“We see nominal short-term impact from the acquisition; RIM may be able to more tightly integrate BlackBerry with vehicle telematics,” Abramsky wrote in a research note.

Abramsky added that, longer term, RIM may be interested in combining QNX’s real-time operating system called Neutrino with its BlackBerry software platform to create “an efficient low-footprint platform for low-end and new form factor devices” such as inexpensive smartphones as well as computer tablets.

Last June, RIM acquired U.S.-based Dash Technology, known for its GPS and real-time traffic technology.

Vodafone’s initial decision to move into navigational services, announced in December 2008 as part of its drive to grow mobile data revenues as the mobile market became saturated, could now be regarded as a costly mistake. In the last few months Google has launched its free Google Maps Navigation for Android while Nokia has added Navigation features to its free Ovi Maps application. “People expect to have [navigational services] and they don’t expect to have to pay,” a Vodafone spokeswoman told Reuters, adding that was not the case when Vodafone bought Wayfinder.

Thanks to the very latest online reservation technologies from SKIDATA, skiers can now buy their ski pass from their iPhone, load it onto an RFID card – a Keycard or a Swatch Snowpass – and use this card to directly access all ski lifts. This process – which is highly convenient when on the go – helps avoid waiting in line at ticketing offices and is the perfect complement to online reservations.

First phase in the Swiss Alps
During this first phase and until the end of the season, several leading ski resorts in the Swiss Alps are selling ski passes (valid up to 3 days) on the new iSkiPass selling application. To take advantage of this, skiers simply need to download the iSkiPass application and enter their personal data along with the number of cards needed. Buying one or several ski passes takes only a few seconds. As soon as the application delivers the confirmation number, access to the ski resort lifts is authorized.

This solution will be available worldwide starting with the 2010-2011 winter season.

With BirdsEye Satellite Imagery, the user can load highly-detailed aerial and satellite images to compatible Garmin handheld devices. The geo-referenced images result in real-life photos of buildings, roads, trails, mountains and other land features: a true representation of the surroundings as the user explores. Imagery resolution starts at 0.5-meter-per-pixel in detailed areas, and zoom levels from 12 miles to 20 feet. DigitalGlobe continuously expands the coverage areas and imagery quality, which is automatically available to the user during the subscription period. The user can also overlay vector maps, such as TOPO products or POI content, on compatible handheld devices for a better understanding of terrain contours and other topographic or geographic features.

Before the BirdsEye Satellite Imagery subscription can be used, the user must have Garmin’s free BaseCamp software installed on the computer. To download BaseCamp visit the site.  A myGarmin account is also needed to register the GPS device in order to activate the subscription. An account can be created during the purchase process.

Compatible Devices:      Dakota™ 10, 20, Colorado® 300, 400i, 400c, 400t, Oregon® 200, 300, 400t, 400i, 400c, 450, 450t, 550, 550t.

According to the analyst firm Berg Insight, the number of mobile M2M connections will grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 25% to reach 187 million connections by 2014. The majority of this growth will come from areas within automotive, utility and health sectors where applications are often business, or even life, critical. The reliability of connectivity is imperative for services such as eCall, where vehicles automatically alert local emergency operators in case of an accident. Remote health monitoring and alarm solutions are other examples depending on reliable and real-time wireless data connectivity. Solutions for monitoring and managing remote equipment such as wind mills, water pumps and industrial machinery are equally depending connectivity to secure optimized operations. The connectivity of these devices needs to be built on secure platforms with reliable and redundant technology in order to operate in a secure and stabile way over many years.

Telenor Connexion customers have real-time access to monitor operational status and manage all their devices via an online Service Portal or an API solution directly integrated into the customers monitoring or operations systems. In addition to that, the customers solutions are monitored 24/7/365 by dedicated technical support expertise with tailored routines and processes to secure business critical applications. The platform is fully redundant and providing access to +400 mobile networks around the world.

In addition to the new technical platform, Telenor Connexion has developed a chip-based eSIM solution to be integrated in industrial environments such as machines and vehicles to further secure and enhance connectivity.

Option offers a free software application, the Option GPS Control Panel, that leverages location-enabled sites such as Yahoo! Maps and Bing for directions and local points of interest. Option GPS Control Panel is available for download on the Option support web page. Additionally, through TeleNav Track LITE and Xora GPS Locator from AT&T, enterprise customers can add tracking and location awareness, improving response time by locating the closest worker to a service call, AT&T said.

The device features an integrated micro SD-card slot, making it a portable storage device that allows users to carry the data and files they need.

Blue&Me–TomTom is a fully integrated infotainment system that lets you manage telephone, navigation and information functions on a practical colour touch-screen. The system developed for the Alfa Romeo range will feature TomTom’s world class navigation technology.  The seamless integration has been supported by Magneti Marelli.

As a result of this partnership customers can enjoy a beautifully ergonomically designed in dash system, backed up by TomTom’s navigation technology.  This also ensures a safe driving experience. The display unit of the system is located in the centre of the dashboard making it easy to reach and to see.  Additionally, all system functions can be accessed using either steering wheel controls or voice commands.  The great flexibility of the system, the ease with which it can be updated and the many ways in which the TomTom HOME* for Alfa Romeo application can be personalised, provide conclusive proof of the advanced technology that has gone into providing a brand new user experience.

In addition to all the standard navigation functions, the Blue&Me–TomTom system for the Alfa Romeo MiTo displays and manages vehicle information. A “Fuel Efficiency” function monitors driving style in real time in order to optimise fuel consumption. The system displays all trip information, including average speed, fuel consumption and mileage driven.  Additionally, it shows the nearest fuel/LPG filling station and the nearest Alfa Romeo service centre. In addition, the new system includes the latest TomTom functions including “IQ Routes”, a function that lets you find the fastest route for your journey based on date and time of travel, calculated using a database of trillions of speed measurements.

Besides GPS location, the Transcend goggles feature vertical odometer technologies and provide real-time access to performance statistics including speed, altitude, temperature, and time. Data tracking software will also be available allowing users to record statistics and share information with others.

Designed for use in fast-paced alpine environments, minimum interaction is required during use and the graphics are unobtrusive for front and peripheral vision, Zeal Optics said.

“This isn’t a trendy tech-toy, it is a valid piece of training and safety equipment, wrapped up in a sexy design which is incredibly fun and easy to use,” said Michael Jackson, co-founder of Zeal Optics.

The Transcend model is helmet-compatible and will be available in two choices of high-performance lens.