[FRONTEND] MMC R&D Question - GPS

Bitoholic · 11-13-2006, 09:06 AM

I want to create my own integrated GPS solution for MMC. I have 3 options right now that I have been thinking about and wanted to get some thoughts from you guys.

Option 1 - Destinator:

I can sign a deal and pay for the Destinator SDK. This would allow me to
integrate the latest Destinator stuff into MMC.

Option 2 - MapPoint

Microsoft MapPoint has a nice SDK and OEM deal. I can resell the maps
with MMC (similar to StreetDeck). I have heard that MapPoint sucks, but I
can not back this claim up since I have never used it. Is it really that bad?

Option 3 - Garmin

Sign a deal with Garmin to use there devices and Map data. This would
allow for a more abstract solution. I can build the interfaces that would
work on both Windows and Mac OS X. This would also be the most
complex and time consuming though...

The first two options can be done some what quickly, but tie me down to Windows. The last option would take longer but would allow a very nice seamless transition between Windows and Mac OS X.

What are your thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks in advance guys!

Bitoholic · 11-13-2006, 01:02 PM

I think the way I am going to go is option 3 with something in place for now that works. I think I will integrate FreeDrive or something similar for now and go with option 3. Since I am going the cross platform route.

If anyone has a suggestion or comment in the mean time, feel free to let me know.

Thanks

RoyN · 11-14-2006, 10:21 AM

I'd say Destinator cause that is the one with the most worldwide support afaik...

StreetDeck w/ MapPoint only supports the US (the european version hasnt come out yet afaik, although I dont know if that is the fault of SD or MapPoint)...

I personally would prefer Destinator natively, as I think it would be a solution that would cater to most. How do I find out about the availability of Garmin maps?

Cheers

EDIT: it seems that Garmin does have something called Street Select Brazil, although I dont know if your product would support that as it seems that it is for their physical units... How would you Garmin solution work? As a slave to a handheld GPS, or with a real PC gps reciever? I think I would still side with Destinator, though....

Bitoholic · 11-14-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RoyN

I'd say Destinator cause that is the one with the most worldwide support afaik...

StreetDeck w/ MapPoint only supports the US (the european version hasnt come out yet afaik, although I dont know if that is the fault of SD or MapPoint)...

I personally would prefer Destinator natively, as I think it would be a solution that would cater to most. How do I find out about the availability of Garmin maps?

Cheers

EDIT: it seems that Garmin does have something called Street Select Brazil, although I dont know if your product would support that as it seems that it is for their physical units... How would you Garmin solution work? As a slave to a handheld GPS, or with a real PC gps reciever? I think I would still side with Destinator, though....

We would sell the receivers and have access to there OS to upload new map data. So you would get the maps from Garmin or us and then just upload the data thru MMC. Would allow easy updates and choice of maps. I am still working the details out with Garmin. I also have a contact at Destinator and we are trying to hash out the details on the latest SDK.

Thanks

RoyN · 11-14-2006, 01:48 PM

Cool... I hope it works it out whichever way you go!

The only opposition for the garmin solution, is that many of us already have a gps reciever, some (including me) have dead-reckoning GPS that is linked to the cars speed sensor and reverse, which I dont think any garmin unit supports...

What kind of reciever would it be? And I assume (obviously one would imagine) that the GPS reciever would be hidden away and all interfacing would be through MMC right?

Bitoholic · 11-14-2006, 03:20 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RoyN

Cool... I hope it works it out whichever way you go!

The only opposition for the garmin solution, is that many of us already have a gps reciever, some (including me) have dead-reckoning GPS that is linked to the cars speed sensor and reverse, which I dont think any garmin unit supports...

What kind of reciever would it be? And I assume (obviously one would imagine) that the GPS reciever would be hidden away and all interfacing would be through MMC right?

That is correct. We are looking for a solution that is integrated into MMC. Garmin would allow us to be cross platform in the big scheme of things. We are looking into Destinator as well though. I have not made any hard decisions yet as to what solution I want to go with. Destinator is getting back to me today or tomorrow. The best solution seems to be Destinator. We just have to sit down and justify the hefty cost involved with signing a contract with them. Garmin is much much lower and willing to work with us on a possible custom solution tailored for us. So it is a lot to think about...

RoyN · 11-16-2006, 09:38 PM

I think in the middle term, Garmin is a better alternative because of the Mac version... If I could have a Mac Mini with everything I need, I'd ditch the PC... mac is just so much more stable and less cumbersome (PS: I am a PC boy, and have only used Mac OS once for about a month... almost fell in love with it, but due to me using MS Outlook/Exchange Server I couldnt convert because the e-mails thing on it isnt upto par)

Bitoholic · 11-17-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by RoyN

I think in the middle term, Garmin is a better alternative because of the Mac version... If I could have a Mac Mini with everything I need, I'd ditch the PC... mac is just so much more stable and less cumbersome (PS: I am a PC boy, and have only used Mac OS once for about a month... almost fell in love with it, but due to me using MS Outlook/Exchange Server I couldnt convert because the e-mails thing on it isnt upto par)

Garmin is being very helpful. I will hear more next week. There solution seems to be the best in terms of technology and where there heading. I would love to get my hands on there hardware and embedded linux OS kit they have right now. Like you said, I am shooting for a integrated solution on Windows and Max OS X native. Mac OS X has a somewhat undocumented feature to turn it into a Kiosk, where you basically replace the Finder with your app... cool stuff!

Talk to you soon

tn6478 · 12-03-2006, 11:48 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bitoholic

Garmin is being very helpful. I will hear more next week. There solution seems to be the best in terms of technology and where there heading. I would love to get my hands on there hardware and embedded linux OS kit they have right now. Like you said, I am shooting for a integrated solution on Windows and Max OS X native. Mac OS X has a somewhat undocumented feature to turn it into a Kiosk, where you basically replace the Finder with your app... cool stuff!

Talk to you soon

Can u put support for IGuidance