GPS and SatNav Pinpoint Accuracy Explained

As the use of SatNav systems increases among the general user population the misconceptions that have arisen on how these systems work are spreading. This article covers one of the author's favourites, the 'fact' or 'common knowledge' that GPS accurately pinpoint you anywhere in the world. This article is aimed at increasing awareness of what is really going on with accuracy.

Well, can anyone define pinpoint accuracy? It must vary as specs for different GPS units state different figures. My new Garmin handheld states less than 10m 95% typical with the proviso 'subject to accuracy degradation to 100m 2DRMS under the US DoD Selective Availability (SA) Program when activated'. I have had it down to saying 3m or even 2m in the higher accuracy differential mode (DGPS). However, whether to believe it or not at these better figures? A survey GPS unit states, Single Point L1 1.8m CEP (most will be explained later).

Will Apple Cut iPad 2 Prices for the iPad 3?

Let's hop into a time machine and look back at the scale of rumors about Apple's iDevices in the past year. On our journey through the iPhone 5 rumors, we remember that the summer of 2011 was spent rummaging through the web and forecasting the future of the latest iPhone through each piece of circumstantial evidence to suggest the imminent announcement of the iPhone 5. And while the iPhone 3G and 4 are in sales, the general assumption is that retailers are trying to get rid of old stock while waiting for new Apple products. The same scenario took place when the iPhone 3 was released and the iPhone 3G was in the works.

Back in the present, we seem to be hearing the same news for the iPad generation. We are recently reading reports that the iPad 2 has started to go on sale. News from Apple Insider tells that one of the biggest stores in U.S., Meijer, has reduced in-store prices for 16GB iPad 2 with Wi-fi for $70. The company has announced the weekly sale to run from February 12 to 18 and is offered exclusively in the company's stores. The mere facts that Meijer has slated sales before the end of February 25 may be a sign that Apple will release the iPad 3 on February 29, the leap day of this year, although a lot of other reports are suggesting that the date may actually be March 7. Upon hearing this news, iPad 2 owners are now considering to sell iPad 16GB before the prices are cut. Meanwhile, non-iPad 2 owners are looking to buy their own units to take advantage of the sale.

New Application for Google Augmented Reality Glasses Considered

The other day, I was discussing with an acquaintance who was recruiting himself into our think tank about the future of virtual reality, actually augmented reality and blurring of the real world with the virtual online world of social media, social networks, and the global information flow in real time. We talked about Google's R&D Department and their latest augmented reality glasses which were featured not long ago in all the Nerdy Tech blogs and personal technology magazines.

We were discussing all the potential applications, which are non-ending and after brainstorming for what seemed like 5-minutes we came up with about 50 real world applications that are needed and viable right now today. Some already exist such as police tech devices for patrol officers. Anyway, just yesterday I was talking with the Founder of a new system of gambling, no it's not your old typical card counting plan, or some mathematical MIT impossible for most folks to do routine, rather his system was one developed by him for those playing cards in casinos.