Mobile Tip – Photos in the Cloud With Amazon Cloud Photos

Posted on May 10, 2013 by glenn

An interesting mobile app to help with your mobile file storage issues, now supporting iOS – Amazon Cloud Photos. Release for iOS just today (May 9, 2013) the app syncs up with your cloud storage service and makes your data available for sharing.  Protect and store all of your photos in one place with Amazon Cloud Drive Photos. Access your photos from your iPhone or iPod touch, your computer, or any web browser. Take a picture on your iPhone and save it to the Amazon Cloud to enjoy on your computer. Upload photos from your computer and enjoy them on your iPhone or iPod touch.  See iTunes

Also available on Google play – Details… Get 5 GB of free storage to protect and store your phone’s photos with Amazon Cloud Drive. Access photos from your Android phone or tablet, your computer, or any web browser. See Google Play

Features:
- Store and secure thousands of photos with 5 GB of free storage
- Never lose a photo again  your photos are automatically saved to your Cloud Drive
- Upload individual photos or entire albums from your phone or tablet with one touch
- View your photo albums in stunning layouts from your mobile device or on your computer
- Share your Cloud Drive photos on Facebook, through e-mail, and many other apps

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Posted in amazon, android, cloud, mobile, photos |

Google Maps Team to Show Off Map Diving at Google I/O

Posted on May 10, 2013 by glenn

Something fun that’s coming at Google I/O 2013 – map diving! Here’s a first look at a fun 3D virtual Google maps realistic fly-through experience that will be shown off at Google I/O. Details from the developers… Join the Instrument and Google Maps Developer Relations teams to get an early demo of “Map Diving” at Google I/O. Instrument’s developers will walk through how they built the installation using multiple instances of Chrome mashed up with the Google Maps Javascript API v3, Web GL, 3D CSS, web sockets and node.js.

Source: GoogleDevelopers Youtube

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Posted in google |

Device Tip – 7″ Android Jelly Bean Tablet with Inbuilt 3G and Voice Calling

Posted on May 10, 2013 by glenn

The amazing Android powered mobile devices just keep on coming… is it any wonder why Android is dominating the mobile ecosystem? Enter the 7″ tablet running Jelly Bean and supporting 3G voice calling from AirTyme (India). No longer a simple e-reader and web browsing device, this 3G-enabled tablet allows students, field workers and commuters the ability to seamlessly connect wherever 3G service or Wi-Fi is available. Tablet is capable of making phone calls using 2G/3G network via SIM, without any add-ons.

Key Features:

• 7″ (17.7 cm) capacitive multi-touch screen display with 1024 x 600 pixel resolution
• Android™ 4.1.2 “Jelly Bean” operating system
• In-Built 3G connectivity and voice calling
• Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ S4 1.0 GHz dual core processor
• Qualcomm® Adreno™ 203, 320Mhz graphic processor
• 512MB LPDDR1 system memory
• 4GB on-board memory, expandable up to 64GB1 via microSD™ card
• Dual facing cameras – 2MP rear and enhanced 1MP front facing

Initially available in India, the tablet will be made available to customers in the last week of May – See More

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Posted in android, mobile, tablet |

Creative Cartography Meets Music in The Song Map

Posted on May 9, 2013 by glenn

Oh yes, I love art… I also love music too, heck, who doesn’t right? Well, I know you GeoGeeks and music lovers will really dig this one as we stumble onto yet another amazing cartographic product that quite simply will make you say WOW – enter the Music Map. Deisgned by the crew at Dorothy, the map is a a fictional Music Town with places and street names penned from popular tunes – imagine walking down the Highway to Hell! Oh and the map also has an accompanying Spotify list too – sweet!  See more over on NME and thanks to @mcg_h  for the Tweet!

Song Map is available for purchase from Dorothy – About the Map – The print, which was inspired by our own unhealthy obsession with music, is for fellow music geeks and includes an A-Z key listing all featured songs along with the names of who sang them. And we’ve set up a playlist on Spotify to accompany the Map providing 23 hours worth of music.

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Posted in awesome maps, cartography, music |

Editing OpenStreetMap (OSM) Just Got Really Easy With iD Map Editor

Posted on May 9, 2013 by glenn

There’s no arguing that OpenStreetMap (OSM) has exploded in use and popularity, heck, just look at the basemap layer options in any online web mapping services and you’ll see OSM as an option. Often considered the wikipedia of the mapping world, OSM is a fabulous basemap option for anyone and perhaps coolest of all, OSM has been built and maintained by you – the crowd!

I’m sure that many (if not most) of you have often wanted to mess around with OSM and add/edit some features but were a little lazy – I’m guilty! But now we have no excuse thanks to the new OpenStreetMap in-browser map editing tools available from the iD Editor (think HTML5)

See more in this first look and example of how to add a new feature, like a local business!


Once completed you can share your edits via Twitter or facebook

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Posted in howto, open source, opendata, OSM |

Businesses That Aren’t Using Mobile? Sad But True

Posted on May 8, 2013 by glenn

I stumbled onto some research findings recently and what got my attention was not the headline, but rather, what the headline didn’t say. The pitch was that according to a study, 66% of small business use mobile technology (smartphones, tablets) but when you think about that, what it really states is that 34% of small business don’t use [or support] mobile technologies… wow! That’s stunning really… and apparently the common excuse is a “lack of customer demand”.  Huh??

To me that sounds like lack of innovation, lack of motivation, and likely lack of a will to succeed. By using mobile technologies in some form, small businesses can monitor and conduct social media marketing, launch mobile ad campaigns, serve up mobile friendly websites, and provide mobile friendly point of sale for customers. Other business tasks that can be accomplished using mobile technology to enhance productivity include: calendar and scheduling tasks, communications, accounting, routing/mapping, news, travel planning, and much more.

For a business to take the mindset that they don’t have the time or that mobile isn’t relevant to their business is a recipe for disaster. See more in these research findings from Constant Contact

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Posted in business, mobile, research |

OpenStreetMap Rolls Out a New easy map editor and Switch2OSM

Posted on May 7, 2013 by glenn

Some big news from the OSM crew today via the official blog as OpenStreetMap is now boasting a new online map editor for users making it easier for everyone according to the team. Codenamed “iD” the resource now boasts a much easier UI enabling the crowd to contribute more data, faster and without hassles. Additionally, OSM is looking for additional funding from the community and has announced an online home where the community can donate to the effort – See donate.openstreetmap.org.

This from OSM… “OpenStreetMap’s growth in the past two years has been phenomenal,” explained Simon Poole, chairman of the OSM Foundation. “We’ve seen an explosion in the amount of local knowledge our mappers contribute to the map. This has encouraged more and more big-name websites and apps to switch to OpenStreetMap, while also enabling map hackers and geo enthusiasts the world over to build startling, imaginative visualisations from our open data.”

FYI, new OpenStreetMap users with a modern browser will automatically use the new iD editor. For developers, The editor software is entirely open source, with code available on github under an ultra-permissive licence.

See complete details on the OSM Blog

 

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Posted in crowdsource, opendata, OSM |

Recent GeoTech News / Magazines from Spatial Media

Posted on May 7, 2013 by glenn

Here’s a reminder from yours truly that GISuser is owned and operated by Spatial Media, our parent company. Our team of professionals churn out several online portals, print magazines, e-newsletters, daily news updates and features, and much more. Be sure to take advantage of all the amazing content we have to share – there really is a wealth of information there and all of it has some Geo component!

The American Surveyor Vol.10 No.5 – Loads of goodies this edition including: A look at The World’s Oldest Instrument Manufacturer; A paper-based map system was the impetus for a giant Dow Corning factory in Michigan; Product Review: Carlson SurvPC and Supervisor; The Curt Brown Chronicles: A Lasting Legacy – and much more!

LiDAR News eMagazine – Vol3, No2 – In this edition catch an editorial on The Democratization of Laser Scanning; a close look at Using LiDAR to Assess Storm Damage Caused by Hurricane Sandy; Ensuring Data Quality for Alaska’s North Slope; and a feature on Bringing LiDAR Data to Life with 3D GeoPDF Maps and Imagery – great stuff!

Machine Control eMagazine – Vol3, No2 – From Randy, the Editor this month, There might be something as to why one industry trade show survives and another does not; MNDOT Highway Rehab Benefits from Machine-Controlled Milling; Learning Never Stops-The Art of Keeping Current; Curbing Impediments to Efficiency; What GPS Field Crews Can Learn From Surveyors

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Posted in business |

Dev Tip – Distribute your Android Apps in the Amazon Store

Posted on May 6, 2013 by glenn

Are you an Android app developer? Well, given that Android is the World’s leading mobile OS it may be a good idea to think about it if you aren’t already. Some cool news for existing developers though as Amazon has greatly expanded their mobile offerings to now enable you to distribute (free or for sale) your Android apps in the Amazon mobile app store. Recently expanded, the store will reach consumers in some 200 countries around the World (including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, India, South Africa, South Korea, and even Papua New Guinea and Vatican City) . Additionally, developers will be able to optionally  generate revenues by using the mobile ads API and consumers will be purchasing apps by using the newly created Amazon coins (think mobile currency) and Amazon is reportedly distributing millions $$ in coins so people can get started – developers will earn their royalties on sales generated with these promotional coins also!  Developers can check out details of the APIs, SDKs, and other helpful tools and docs at https://developer.amazon.com/welcome.html

Wondering who’s developing and selling via Amazon? Check out this recent read from techcrunch describing Amazon’s influence on the developer

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Posted in amazon, android, developer |

Staples to Start Selling Cube 3D Printers Commencing in June

Posted on May 3, 2013 by glenn

What’s that you say… you’re headed to Staples for supplies? While there would you please pick me up some pens, pencils, a few notepads, oh, and grab me a 3D printer also! Yep… Staples is likely one of the first mass market retailers that is boasting the sale of consumer grade 3D printers! On sale for a mere $1299, starting around June you can pick up a Cube 3D printer by 3D Systems.

Some features… The Cube® 3D Printer, ready to use right out of the box, features Wi-Fi, is compatible with Mac or Windows, and comes with 25 free 3D templates designed by professional artists, with additional templates available online. With its ultra portable design, the Cube® fits easily in the office, classroom or living room, making it the perfect 3D printing device for designers, small businesses, students and kids. The Cube® 3D printer can print items up to 5.5″ x 5.5″ x 5.5”, using material cartridges in 16 different colors including metallic silver, glow in the dark and vibrant and neutral colors.

See more details and specs in this official announcement

Source: staples.com via Glenn on Pinterest

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Posted in 3d, hardware |

Skobbler ForeverMap 2 + Mapdust OpenStreetMap Bug Reporting

Posted on May 3, 2013 by glenn

I recently downloaded skobbler Forever Map (2) and have to admit that it is pretty darned sweet! Just grabbed the latest release on iPad and have been banging around a little with the functionality. There’s a nice UI, navigation is sweet, and then there’s the offline maps – wicked handy! A nice surprise was stumbling onto Mapdust Skobbler’s OSM map update/bug reporting service.

Continue reading →

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Posted in apple, ipad, OSM |

Event Tip – Geospatial STEMx HP Academy

Posted on May 2, 2013 by glenn

An educational event of interest via the HP Academy - Geospatial Technology for STEMx Teaching & Learning – Monday, June 17, 2013 from 12:00 PM to 12:30 PM (CDT). About the event – This 16 hour mini-course will take the form of a Massive Open Online Course that explores the definition of spatial literacy, the use of spatial literacy to increase critical thinking skills across the curriculum, the use of introductory geospatial technology in your discipline area and the building of digital maps with simple tools such as Google Earth, Quantum GIS, and indiemapper.  Secondary teachers and undergraduate college instructors and educators are highly encouraged to take this course and complete the requirements to earn a prestegious HP Academy Learner Badge.

Register for the event HERE

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Posted in events |