As we reported earlier, the new update was supposed to bring “enhanced GPS speed”. It was said to allow the device to obtain satellite information via Wi-Fi, which would enable the GPS radio to lock-on quicker. But that is not happening at the moment and complaints have started to pile up.

Before the update it was thought that the Prime’s metal back plate was the reason for the device’s poor GPS performance. But that seems less likely now since the satellite information is being provided via a data connection. And also many users are reporting that the GPS no longer works after ICS was installed, but was working prior to the update.

Although some users are saying that the GPS is working fine, for many others it is completely borked. And where is Asus when all this is happening?

The company earlier stated that the tablet “is not a professional GPS device” and they have already removed details of a GPS radio from the device’s product page. That’s definitely not a good way to keep their customers with them, let alone attracting new ones.  Asus UK is offering refunds or extended warranties to ease customer tension, but that’s not really a good fix either.

Its effects are not reaching apocalyptic proportions as portrayed in some Hollywood movies. But the solar storm, which is hitting the earth right now, and began around 2 pm GMT (9 am Eastern Time), is putting some systems in a spin, more so because of the raging proton storm accompanying the Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from the sun impacting us at 1,400 miles per second.

The power grid and Global Positioning System (GPS) are likely to face fluctuations due to the storm, which is the biggest since 2005.  CME’s are normal in a solar cycle and earth has endured quite a bit with around 2000 similar incidents occurring in each 11-year solar cycle. What’s worrying is the S3 grade (on a scale of 5) proton storm which is already in full swing, its intensity is on the rise at this moment.

Its impact has already been felt on earth with aircraft traffic and satellite computers and networks being affected, though not on a large scale.

Proton storms interfere with the high frequency (HF) communication links between airplanes and Air Traffic Control and any disruption in it can be disastrous. Airlines have already started avoiding routes over the north pole as the polar region is where the earth is prone to the pandemonium caused by proton bursts.

Satellites in orbit will also face glitches in its imaging systems while increased electric activity might cause reboots of onboard computers. Space scientists have already taken such eventualities into consideration and have prepared their systems for it.

While GPS will be affected, average road commuter and mobile user may not feel its full brunt. Scientists and people required to use high-precision positioning equipments will face disruptions in their work.

Of course, the question is how badly human health will be affected from the radiation shower. Scientists believe there is no need to worry unless you are on a high-altitude flight when the storm hits earth.

So, the CME hitting earth today at 1,400 miles per second will cause a geomagnetic storm followed by a moderate radio blackout (high-frequency) which might last for some minutes. Power lines may get affected but not to a degree that lives will be disrupted.

Doomsday predictions will have to wait for now. The world is not likely to end today but there might be some awesome light-shows in the sky from auroras in areas farther from the poles, especially in the north side of the globe.

[ source ]

While dependence on WiFi when improving speed and accuracy of a GPS lock might be questionable, and we at MobileMag will be glad to have reports from our commenters on how this new firmware update worked for them, the ASUS responsiveness to customer complaints is very laudable. BGR adds to this that ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime gets Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich on  January 12th.

There is also good news for the community of developers of alternative, custom, modded ROMs for Transformer Prime. An official ASUS statement announced that their bootloader is locked “due to content providers” requirement for DRM client devices, which is understandable.  Asus went on to further announce that they plan to release an unlock too for the development community.  The only drawback to this, is according to Asus you may not be able to rent videos via Google, and the warranty would become void from Asus;

Regarding the bootloader, the reason we chose to lock it is due to content providers’ requirement for DRM client devices to be as secure as possible. ASUS supports Google DRM in order to provide users with a high quality video rental experience. Also, based on our experience, users who choose to root their devices risk breaking the system completely. However, we know there is demand in the modding community to have an unlocked bootloader. Therefore, ASUS is developing an unlock tool for that community. Please do note that if you choose to unlock your device, the ASUS warranty will be void, and Google video rental will also be unavailable because the device will be no longer protected by security mechanism.

If only someone could talk Barnes & Noble into a similar respect for their modders’ community, unlockable Nook Tablets might be selling so much better.

When it comes to voice guidance and turn-by-turn directions, the GPS app on many smartphones and tablets usually needs to be coded in a native kind of way. TeleNav is changing that by offering the first GPS navigation service of its kind that is powered by HTML5. That means it can be completely browser-based and work on any OS.

It doesn’t have a name yet, but the new TeleNav creation completely opens up new windows for both developers and consumers. The HTML5 browser-based solution offers voice guidance and turn-by-turn, just like a standalone GPS navigation device. No need for a static mapping service. Developers can add a single line of code and away they go.

If you are a current app developer and would like to take advantage of the new HTML5 GPS API from TeleNav, you can sign up on their website for updates and such. Code once and deploy on multiple platforms. The planned launch is in early 2012.

This piece of ether formerly used by satellite communications has obviously got too close for comfort to GPS bands.

Naturally, Lightsquare denies that their equipment may cause a disruption of this scale when GPS units are set at the 100 yards distance from Lighsquare’s masts.

If you’ve ever been lost at the airport, Google has the solution to your problem. It seems that Google Maps is now getting an upgrade that includes vastly improved indoor maps. This means that major locations like some malls, airports, and even department stores will have a handy map that even shows where you are with the image of a “little blue dot”.

The app can be downloaded from the marketplace, right here.

The previous version of Maps did offer some indoor functionality before, but they were accompanied by a low level of detail and poor accuracy. Google has now optimized its technology for indoor venues and so accuracy and detail are now much improved. The maps will even detect what floor of a building you are on and adjust accordingly.

While certainly better than what Google offered for indoor maps before, it still is missing a few features that limit the device. Search doesn’t work indoors, meaning that you’ll have to scroll around the map to find a restroom or shoe department, you can’t just start typing to get there. Also there are no turn-by-turn directions, though in most situations such a feature really wouldn’t be necessary in the first place.

Another problem that Maps will likely face is reception, keeping in mind that GPS rarely works indoors and so the app will pramarily be taking advantage of either your cell phone data signals or local WIFI hotspots to get you the maps you need.

Today’s launch includes participation from many major airports and big-name retailers like IKEA and the Home Depot. Of course, Google can’t work directly with each and every indoor venue, so it’s also launching a self-serve tool that will allow store owners to upload floor plans and/or blueprints of their venues if they so choose. The tool also includes a feature that will help map GPS coordinates to the interior of the store.

If you are the type of person that gets lost in big indoor locations like malls, this app could certainly make life just a little bit easier for you.

When it comes to GPS apps, Navmii is regarded as one of the best for the iPhone. Now, Navmii has decided to take their service to the Android platform in the form of NavFree. NavFree is a new free navigation service that offers a fully functional GPS app ,completely free.  No money, nothing.

The Navmii NavFree app uses maps from an open source mapping system that is based on suggestions and changes directly submitted from over 3.7 million users across the globe. Of course, the downside is that the maps require users to keep the details up to date for themselves through user suggestion.  This means there is a chance of ocassional inaccuracies data is not up to date or found. There is a larger probability of running into map errors in more rural areas as well, but you can always add information to the project yourself to make it better.

The NavFree maps have over 20,000 map corrections made each month by its users, so it is fairly likely that the app has a more accurate mapping system than one would expect from a free GPS solution that last updated when it rolled off the assembly line.  Maps will cover Europe, North America, Australia, new Zealand, India, South Africa, and Latin America which should keep most of us covered.

NavFree might not be the perfect navigation app, it might not even have maps in your area, but you have to give it to the company’s ability to load so many features into one free package.  We may expect location based offers in the future in order to monetize their service.

[Navmii Android, iTunes]

You can probably guess how this works. The PocketFinder GPS personal locator is a little dongle that can be attached to a variety of things, like your notebook or other gadgetry, as well as your pet dog, pet cat, or even your children. You can then track their location via GPS using the associated app for iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

Similarly, the PocketFinder GPS Vehicle Locator can be attached to your car of choice, once again tracking the location through the iOS app. I’m sure teenagers on curfews are going to appreciate that. “We believe the PocketFinder family of products will fundamentally change the way people stay connected with their families, and locate their assets,” said Dave Morse, CEO of Location Based Technologies. “In today’s highly mobile society, the ability to instantly locate anything you care about is invaluable.”

Both the PocketFinder GPS Personal Locator ($149) and the Vehicle Locator ($189) are available now through the Apple online store with availability through physical stores later this month.

In an attempt to win the John Carmack’s 100kft Micro Prize, a home-made rocket launched into the sky and roared beyond their target altitude of 100,000 feet, reaching an impressive 121,000 feet in just 92 seconds.

Dubbed “Qu8k” by the maker, Derek Deville, honoring the classic ID Software video game, Quake.  It landed safely after 7.5 minutes and was recovered just 24 hours after launch a mere 3 miles off the launch site in Black Rock Desert in Nevada.

The rocket was constructed from aluminum and measured 8 inches in diameter, 167.5 in length and it used an APCP rocket propellent for maximum velocity during the ascent. Deville equipped the rocket with two timers, four GPS decices, an accelerometer and a couple of video cameras as well as a Flip HD camera to provide detailed footage of the flight.

Armadillo Aerospace is the company that promised to give $5,000 to the winner of the 100kft competition, but they may not give the Deville team the money because were unable to log the required high altitude GPS data to demonstrate the 121,000 ft feat.

Photo Credit: Gregory L. Mayback

Chances are that if you own a smartphone sold in the last few years, it already has GPS in it. I know that’s true of everything from the Nexus S to the iPhone 3GS. However, there are still some folks out there with feature phones and “dumbphones” that aren’t as navigationally friendly. The FCC wants to change that.

It’s not official yet, but the FCC is trying to pass a ruling wherein all mobile phones sold in the United States must have GPS chips embedded in them by the year 2018. That gives cell phone manufacturers a solid six and a half years to get their stuff together, but seeing how so many phones already do the GPS thing, it really shouldn’t be that hard. It just means that they’ll have some added cost to lower end phones.

The rationale is that the GPS would be used in tandem with an enhanced emergency 911 service. When you call 911, the dispatcher can then track your cell phone location using GPS and get help your way even if you’re not entirely sure where you are. For your protection of course. That’s under an ideal situation, but we all know how well GPS can work if you’re buried under a multi-level parkade, under clouds, or inside a building… and there’s a strong possibility that you may need help when you’re in one of these situations. What then?