For several years now, GPS devices and GPS enabled phones have been a part of our lives.  It all started out with having a GPS navigation device in our automobiles to help us get from here to there.  Now, we have smartphones and dumbphones that incorporate this technology in the palm of our hands.  We use it to navigate around, sure; but we also use it for other things as well.  We use it for tagging our photographs, our tweets, and other things.  Take a look at the iTunes App Store at how many apps rely on pinpointing your location with the GPS.  It truly has become a technology that has far exceeded its original purpose.

Now, the company that makes the chips for GPS devices, SiRF Technology has came out with a brand new chip: the SiRFstar IV, which touts many improvements that could help all of us that utilize this fantastic technology.  According to the manufacturer, this new chip consumes 20 times less power than its previous model.  The updated chip will also take less time to get a lock on its position, due to a lower power state.  The new chip is also cheaper than its predecessor, which makes it very attractive.

All of these new features make it seem like this new chip is a perfect fit for a smartphone, which is exactly what SiRF Technology wants.    Recently, phone manufacturers have moved away from a dedicated GPS chip to an AGPS setup, which relies on cell tower triangulation to fix your position.  This new chip appears to be a response to this trend, and an attempt by SiRF Technology to reintigrate true GPS into smartphones.

I believe that SiRF Technology’s new chip is a step in the right direction.  Assisted GPS is okay; but if a dedicated chip with these specs was placed in a smartphone, it would offer a quite an improvement.   This new chip would signfiicantly cut those times down, if not out.  That would be so nice!   The right direction is faster locking, less battery, and dedicated chip.  Hopefully we will start seeing this one make its way into some of the upcoming smart phones soon.  What do you think?

Good news for all of our Blackberry fans out there!  I just got word from Evernote that they have updated the Evernote for Blackberry application.  The latest version brings it to 3.0.245.  The new version brings some needed bug fixes, but their site doesn’t list which ones.  The blog for Evernote  reads that the new application runs more smoothly.  They have updated four versions of it now.  My guess is that they are going to keep up the bug fixing until they have updated all the versions that they offer.

Below are the functions and requirements:

Features

• Create and edit new notes on the fly
• Snap a photo right into your account
• Record a quick voice memo
• Attach files to notes
• Search and find all of your notes

Features may vary depending on the capabilities of your BlackBerry smartphone.

Compatibility

Evernote supports the following BlackBerry smartphones:

• BlackBerry Curve™
• BlackBerry Bold™
• BlackBerry Storm™

The great thing about this application is the fact that you can take these memos, files, pictures, and audio notes on the device and then, when it finds reception, it will automatically upload the media; that is the pending notes feature.  It also allows for the GPS as well.

I think that this application just doesn’t get enough airtime.  It is a great little tool.  For all of you Blackberry fans out there, try it out and let me know.  Shoot me a comment.  Below is the link for the download page for Evernote for Blackberry.

Evernote for Blackberry

How would you like to get a bill paid for something that is just lying around?  Do you want a cell phone or have an old one to sell?  Maybe you have some old accessories to sell.  It doesn’t matter which one is true because Celltradeusa.com has a NEW FREE Classifieds section that does all of this.  That is right, I said FREE!  You can go to the site and make a post for free.  We all know that we have some old cell phones, chargers or cases lying around.  I know I do.  In fact, I wish I would have checked my email before I listed my old cell phone case on Ebay just last night.  Oh well, my bad!

Anyway, go to the classifieds section from the link below and click Post an Ad.  Drop down the category to choose.  Fill out all of the goody information.  You can even upload up to 4 pictures.  The layout reminds me of Ebay a lot.  The classifieds are still in beta for now; but Celltradeusa is celebrating.

Celltradeusa is having a promotion right now! For existing users and new users, place a post for a chance to have your JULY cell phone bill paid by Celltradeusa.  Five blessed souls will be picked at random by the ad id.  So, what are you waiting for?  Go dig up the old cell phones and accessories and start placing ads.  Remember, it is free and tell your friends.  This site also allows you to look and see if there is some phone or accessory that you want  to get.  I for one would like to have my cell phone bill paid.  My wife gives me static about it all the time; but that is another story.

Celltradeusa Classifieds

I tell you!  There have been a lot of announcements here lately about App Stores.  First, I saw that LG had made one; but limited it to overseas.  Today, Handmark made news by letting us all know that they are in the process of testing one as well.  Now, Verizon seems to be feeling left out and wants a piece of the pie!  I believe this is all going on because of the previous announcement by Microsoft that only Windows Mobile 6.5 devices will be allowed to access  the new Windows Marketplace.  I know I was distraught.  I have a nice WinMo 6.1 phone and can’t even get to their App store.  It seems like everyone else is ready to take advantage of this awful slip-up by Microsoft.  I mean, there is some serious revenue to be made here, right? 

Also, I think that we are seeing this because of the huge amount of Windows Mobile devices out there ( I know there marketshare is slipping, yes).  You know I have read a lot of articles where everyone is just counting the days of Microsoft.  So sorry for all of you out there; but Microsoft is not going down!  Boo hoo!  Today, they have announced that the Windows Marketplace will first only be available for Windows Mobile 6.5 when it comes out in the fall.  However, by the end of the year, Windows Mobile 6.0 and 6.1 will have access as well!  Hip hip hooray for Microsoft!  

I caught this over at Engadget.

Just a bit of information for all of you out there.  I used the update feature on the Iris Browser on my phone and guess what?  It found an update to 1.1.9.  Below are the updates from the official blog.

I prefer the Iris browser to Internet Explorer Mobile 6, Opera, or SkyFire.  I don’t have to have all the fancy, smancy stuff.  I just want a browser that is easy to read.  I do wish for some different navigation functions; but all in all, it is the browser that I use the most.  It is really great for google reader and gmail.  Check it out for yourself and see if you like it too.

Iris browser download