My Blogs have moved...

I am relatively new to blogging and initially didn't really know where to blog! Well, my blogs are in three places at the moment as I haven't decided where to stay, so for now, my latest blogs can be found at http://palmtopman.wordpress.com/

iPlayer on an iPhone/iPod Touch

The great BBC iPlayer (www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer) works very well on an iPhone/iPod Touch, but I suggest via a Wi-Fi connection rather that potentially high 3G/GPRS costs. If fact I use my iPod Touch for iPlayer rather than using iPlayer on a PC. Basically, because streaming video data onto the screen of an iPhone/iPod Touch is a lot less than the streaming of data on to a PCs screen; therefore minimising the risk of exceeding your monthly broadband allowance. Catching up on what you've missing from the Beeb is quiet watchable on a handheld device, especially in a landscape view. Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange

Google Maps (4)-Latitude

'Latitude' is a part of 'Google Maps' that lets you share your location whilst your GPS-enabled smartphone is locked on to GPS satellites, with your family, friends and associates; who'll be able to see where your location from an online PC.

Google Maps (3)-Satellite view

The 'Satellite view' shows an image, similar to the impressive 'Google Earth'.

Google Maps (2)-Route tool

Following on from the map view and using the route tool having found a particular place using 'Search Map'. When you select 'Get directions', as shown in this screen shot, you get a choice of three modes. It also shows the distance and journey time. When you get to your destination, you can even get reverse directions to get you back to where you started! Not bad eh, for a free program that I didn't call SatNav software; to be fair, it's not far from it.

Google Maps (1)-Introduction & Map view

Google Maps is freeware and widely available, I'm currently using v.3.0.2 on my Blackberry 8820. It gives you two views and an opportunity to share your position online, called 'Latitude', this screen shot shows the 'Map' view. This view shows road names/numbers, one-way streets and railway stations. Although not what I'd call SatNav software, Google Maps gives a simple but effective route tool. Another nice feature is to 'Search Map', I tried "cash point", "cafe" and "bank" and I was very impressed with the results! When you find what you're looking for it gives you a full address, telephone number, puts a map pin at it's location, let's you save it as a favourite and even see directions to it from where you are. There are even three route modes: Driving, Public Transport and Walking.
See Google Maps-Route tool.

Garmin Mobile Blackberry - Panning map movement

Feedback to Garmin Europe (20/08/09):
I am disappointed that Garmin Mobile for my Blackberry when just travelling (not navigating) does not show the map movement in the direction of travel, e.g. heads up.
Reply from Garmin Europe (28/08/09):
Dear Ozzie Hall-Osman,
Thank you for contacting Garmin Europe.
With regards to your email, the blackberry software is only for routing to a point / address, as you are roaming the data from our server customer Roaming charge would go up because they would be download a lot of data download that is the reason why it will only show
mapping when routing.
If there is anything else I can help you with then please let me know.
Alternatively you can search for a solution here: http://www.garmin.com/support
Sent using BlackBerry® from Orange