Twitter - A must have and a tip on a Twitters from Pakistan

Twitter is a fantastic resource to get almost real-time commentary from anyone around the planet... the fact that it is sooo simply to twitter via SMS makes it a must have resource for 2008 in my mind.. don't twitter yet?? What's wrong with you?? Anyway, if your interested in following tweets from Pakistan then see this twitterer "Teeth" for interesting comments. If you want, you can also follow me on Twitter HERE

iPhone + GPS = locoGPS

Perhaps the biggest rant about the way cool iPhone is the lack of integrated GPS. A solution... One developer seems to be almost ready to roll out GPS for iPhone users - enter locoGPS for iPhone and iPod touch. Developed using open source software, the application is reported to be set for rol-out in Feb. LocoGPS reports to provide 5-10m GPS positional accuracy and will be connected for charging via USB and it appears the keychain size device will connect directly with the iPhone for GPS use. More details over at partfoundry.
The device will sell for about $89. See also monsterandfriends for more on iPhone app development - they are also looking for developers for iPhone GPS projects.

N95 to hit USA with a special version

Well, it's not officially available in the US yet but the reported Nokia N95 8GB USA version (optimized for US 3G networks) is coming soon... I have mine (See below). Pre-orders are now being taken for a whopping $799 on some sites or you can keep an eye open at the official Nokia shops in New York and Chicago.

See HERE for orders

For more ideas on what you can do with your N95 when you get one see this Flickr stream - see also Symbianone.com and the Nokia N95user blog - Sent via my N95 mobile account - Taken at 7:26 AM on December 29, 2007 - cameraphone upload by ShoZu.

CSU, Fresno Geomatics Engineering Conference

Some info on an upcoming event... The CSUF's Geomatics Engineering Program educates students to be professionals in the field of Surveying, Photogrammetry and GIS . The upcoming Conference will be held on January 24, 25, and 26, 2008 in Clovis, CA. Please visit our new website for the latest information: www.csufresno.edu/geomatics/conference

Not what you do but how you do it...

I was just browsing a reporter's look at the iPhone and noticed a line that really rings true for what developers need to think about as we head into 2008... "It's not just what the gadget [or app] does that makes it a life-changing device, it's HOW it does it"... the review is a bit fluffy but indeed the writer hit it right on. This is what Nokia has been fighting for some time and likely why they haven't yet penetrated the N.A market yet. Good words to think about as you develop your next webmap, mashup, software update etc... keep it simple and set your user experience apart from all the others. It's those simple things that make a big difference... for example, when I load my maps app on my N95 it should automatically come up where I am located NOW... not where I was last time I used the app, or maybe if I create a linkedIn group it should be easy to locate and link to rather than the way it works (or doesn't work) now, etc...

Make it simple so anyone can use it!

Mobile Application Tips - Farcast Moblogger and Modazzle mobile social networking

Another tip on an interesting mobile app to consider adding to the portfolio.. Farcast Mobile Blogger... To get Moblogger, you have to first register with Farcast. Depending on your phone, you will then be given the option to download it straight onto your phone (over-the-air) or to download an installation file onto your PC and install it via your normal means of PC synch (Bluetooth, USB, cable, cradle or infrared). See http://moblogger.farcast.eu/

Another cool app is MoDazzle... Here's a tip on another interesting app that mobile-enables access to your social networks like linkedIn, facebook, salesforce.com etc... Check out more at http://modazzle.com

Take your Nokia GPS Tracker and N95 on the slopes for some GPS sledding fun!

I have some holiday fun with the kids today as we used Nokia Sports Tracker and my Nokia N95 to track and save our sled rides down the slopes. Before we started down the slope I simply fired up sports tracker, got a GPS signal, slipped it into Megan's pocket and away she went. Her average speed up and down the slope was 4.8 kmph (slowed somewhat by the walk back up the hill1) and her maximum speed down the slope was a whopping 26.1 kmph (about 16 mph)... loads of fun!
See http://sportstracker.nokia.com - you can find my tracks on user "gisuser" - Happy Holiday all... go have some fun!

Santa has Left the North Pole and now heading East... you better be good!

Well, during the night while we were sleeping here in the US, Santa started his journey and has since made stops in Russia, Australia, New Zealand and is now heading East through Europe. The crew at NORAD picked up on Santa as he left the North Pole... stay tuned and you better be good! See more at noradsanta.org