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Bundled Palm, GPS, Bluetooth shows the way forward

No longer do you need a top-range Merc. As long as you don't lose your GPS module, you shouldn't get lost, even on foot, because, packaged into a "solution" you can now get the Emtac Bluetooth-enabled satellite positioning system, linked to the new Palm Tungsten colour PDA, and load up Mapopolis software. It will then show you where you are, and where you need to go.

The products all exist; it was Transplant Computing which put them all together. Take the Emtac device into a single product with Mapopolis Platinum Edition navigation software and loaded it up onto the Tungsten colour PDA.

Together, they form a neat pocketable navigation system, at least the equal of anything you can buy in a Merc - without the worry of parking the thing. At least, it will work as long as you're in an area where Mapopolis can provide charts.

I think it's the neatest thing since the uninvention of wire, and I don't care what it costs. Check out for details

The bundle is available from The Palm Store as well at Transplant's own web site. "The bundle is the perfect GPS solution for use with your new Palm Tungsten (TM) T handheld," said Transplant Computing President Steve Emery, "The EMTAC GPS unit provides your position wirelessly to Mapopolis which guides you to your destination."

The GPS unit is the size of a business card and weighs only 61 grams. It connects to Palm OS based devices, including the Palm Tungsten T handheld, with Bluetooth support. Mapopolis displays maps with lightning speed on the Palm Tungsten T handheld's 320x320 high-resolution color screen using the Texas Instruments OMAP1510 processor. It generates turn-by-turn directions and allows users to view recently used addresses, mark map locations and add their own locations to the map.

"It's an excellent use of the Palm Tungsten T handheld's integrated Bluetooth capabilities," said Paul Leeper, Chief Evangelist, Palm Solutions Group. "With the EMTAC GPS and Mapopolis you can quickly get to where you're going – while avoiding getting lost."

"We expect that the bundle will be very popular," said Mapopolis Vice President Jeremy Straub, "The combination of Emtac's GPS hardware with our award wining Platinum Edition software should provide an exceptional end-user experience."

The Emtac device is also available through Socket which acts as an agent for sales on other devices.

Since the Emtac uses a standard "serial profile" bluetooth (that is, it simply replaces a standard serial cable) it can connect to any PDA with a serial port.