[gps-talkusers] Re: Australia and various GPS units

Hi Mike,
Do you have any thoughts about Talks and GPS?

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael May" <MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, January 24, 2005 11:37 AM
Subject: [gps-talkusers] Australia and various GPS units


> Jason,
>
> It is really premature to speculate on the release of Australian maps on
> any of the accessible devices, especially those that aren't even on the
> market yet.
>
> No, we don't all use the same maps. As I indicated, there are two major 
> map
> companies and we use one and VisuAide uses the other. I don't recall which
> one the Freedom Destinator product uses. VisuAide and Sendero use the same
> map engine and it is the engine that must accommodate a particular
> country's map format.
>
> I fear I will confuse matters even  more by continuing this speculation.
>
> Our map supplier, Tele Atlas, says they will have maps for Australia and
> New Zealand in 2005. If and when that happens and the maps work with the
> map engine and the BrailleNote, is to early to say. I suspect that the
> information you are hearing about other products having Australian maps is
> also speculation.
>
> The good news is that there are efforts toward Australian maps. I wouldn't
> make any decisions however based upon the information that is available so 
> far.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
>
>
> Australian maps are proposed to be released by Navtek and Tele Atlas in
> 2005, the two major map suppliers. Nothing concrete. Once the data
> available from those companies, there have to be filters from the map
> engine company. That should happen but no guarantees.
>
>
>
>
> At 11:16 PM 1/23/2005, you wrote:
>>HI Mike,
>>thanks for getting back to me. You'll have to forgive me for my lack of
>>knowledge on the ins and outs of GPS production, it is all fairly new to 
>>me.
>>Sounds like Australia has stuffed me up by choosing to go with a different
>>format. You said that braillenote, trekker and freedom all rely on the 
>>same
>>map suppliers. Since freedom is coming out with Australian maps and 
>>Trekker
>>too during this year, does that mean things are changing, or have the 
>>others
>>just adapted their systems ahead of the braille note? In addition, with 
>>the
>>merger between Visuaid and Pulse data, will this result in a transfer of
>>usability. if so, my thinking is, that if trekker has Australian maps, 
>>will
>>that overflow onto the braille note, or is their a tech issue there? In an
>>earlier message, you mentioned something about the Pacmate being limited 
>>on
>>its blind user features, but that it will be good for existing Pac mate
>>owners, what are its weaknesses? I realize you haven't seen the final
>>product yet.
>>thanks Jason
>>----- Original Message -----
>>From: "Michael May" <MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>>Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 4:11 PM
>>Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Gps Scottsdale and me:
>>
>>
>> > Jason,
>> >
>> > Just to clarify a point: Sendero, VisuAide and Freedom all depend upon
>> > commercial map suppliers to create the maps we use in various 
>> > countries..
>> > These map suppliers are half billion dollar companies so we have little
>> > influence on their developments. The issue with Australia is that the 
>> > map
>> > data is in a format not used by the major map suppliers. In addition, 
>> > the
>> > map engines which interpret the data do not have filters for the
>> > Australian
>> > format.
>> >
>> > It is likely that once one of these major map suppliers and map engine
>> > companies support Australia, all of us will be able to utalize the 
>> > data.
>> > At
>> > that point, Sendero is happy to incorporate Australia or any other 
>> > country
>> > where there is customer demand. I hate like heck to read your email and
>> > not
>> > to be able to
>> > help you join in the fun.
>> >
>> > Mike
>> > 07:29 PM 1/18/2005, you wrote:
>> >>Hi there Mary Ellen,
>> >>it is Jason here. I am in Adelaide South Australia. I have to say I am
>> >>extremely jealous of you and the others with the braille note GPS. We
>> >>cannot
>> >>get Australian maps for the braille note or any other system for that
>> >>matter. Mike says it is not cost effective for Sendaro to invest in 
>> >>them.
>> >>The Pac mate is coming out with their's soon, but I am not sure of its
>> >>cost
>> >>and function match up to the braille note. The braille note sounds more
>> >>versatile. Trekker is mean't to be cutting maps this year but no dates 
>> >>set
>> >>yet. They will also probably map the Eastern states of Australia first 
>> >>as
>> >>they have larger population. I love reading about you and the other
>> >>members
>> >>experiences with your braille note. It makes me aware of what is 
>> >>already
>> >>available, so I can question the other manufacturers as to their 
>> >>products
>> >>e.g "the braille note can do...this, can yours?". In the meantime, I 
>> >>have
>> >>to
>> >>be restricted to where I can go until I learn new routes or rely on
>> >>people.
>> >>As you know, can be very frustrating. In the meantime I will continue 
>> >>to
>> >>enjoy reading the emails posted. Happy and safe traveling
>> >>Jason
>> >>P.S we are having a lovely hot day in the mid to high 30 C. At least 
>> >>that
>> >>is
>> >>one thing I have over you.
>> >>----- Original Message -----
>> >>From: "Mary Ellen Earls" <meearls@xxxxxxx>
>> >>To: <gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>> >>Sent: Wednesday, January 19, 2005 8:11 AM
>> >>Subject: [gps-talkusers] Gps Scottsdale and me:
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> > Hi all you gpsers!
>> >> > Peggy and I just got back from about 3 hours in the open and we did
>> >> > some
>> >> > marvelous exploring of our area.
>> >> > I can say without a doubt that had I not had my Braille Note GPS, 
>> >> > I'd
>> >> > still
>> >> > be wandering among the maze of little streets in this subdivision.
>> >> > I found it quite fascinating as I walked along to hear the Braille 
>> >> > Note
>> >> > telling me when a street changed its name.
>> >> > Also we have created some personal pois which have benefitted me
>> >> > tremendously.
>> >> > It was wonderful to answer that we were exploring and not lost and 
>> >> > when
>> >> > we
>> >> > did get in a bind we simply set our apartment entrence as our
>> >> > destination
>> >> > and used the "getting warmer" method to get there.
>> >> > Super cool, that.
>> >> > I just hope I didn't look like such a bumbling idiot but the main 
>> >> > thing
>> >> > is
>> >> > that the gps got us home not once but twice.
>> >> > Incidentally, one woman asked me where I was trying to go and I told
>> >> > her I
>> >> > was going to get my mail and she happily said, "well! You definitely
>> >> > are
>> >> > going in the right dirrection."
>> >> > I am still having difficulty following routes and this is more 
>> >> > because
>> >> > of
>> >> > lack of familiarity with the streets. I'll remedy that by virtually
>> >> > exploring the area and then won't be so unsure about where I am 
>> >> > going.
>> >> > Happy traveling everyone!
>> >> >
>> >> > Mary Ellen Earls
>> >> > Remember! Today is the Tomorrow you thought about yesterday.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>
>
>

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