2004 in Review
Developments in Map Authoring
Published 8 February 2005
Updated 5 July 2005
I usually take time at the beginning of the year to write an article reflecting on the significant developments in GPS map authoring, but one significant development at the end of last year - Garmin's release of MapSource version 6.5 - has given me reason for pause.
At the end of last year (2004) Garmin released MapSource version 6.5 which features GPX file import. This is significant because it shows Garmin's support for authors and publishers of data in the GPX file format. However, in order to import GPX data into MapSource, Garmin requires that the file validate according to latest standard - GPX 1.1. This meant another round of file maintenance at Travel by GPS and hence my delay in writing this article.
For those of you not familiar with the format, GPX (which stands for GPS Exchange) offers map authors two big advantages over other formats. First, GPX allows great flexibility in providing location-specific content. For example, the native format of most GPS receivers limit waypoint descriptions to waypoint name, comment, and symbol. The GPX format allows the author to also specify long descriptions, web sites addresses, type classifications, map references and more.
Second, many applications which support the GPX format also feature data transfer utility to all the major GPS receiver brands. So, publishers only need to publish the GPX format to reach most end-users, eliminating the chore of maintaining different versions of the same data.
Garmin's move to gpx-enable MapSource also tightens their affiliation with Backpacker Magazine. Following links from Garmin to Backpacker will eventually get you to a site co-branded with Adventure Station where you can download waypoints for a trail featured in Backpacker Magazine. For GPS enthusiasts, this is a great partnership between a publisher of recreational trail data and a developer of GPS mapping ware.
Update 26 June 2005: In the August issue, BACKPACKER magazine, reveiled its new alliance with Trimble Outdoors (see below). Moreover, you also won't find the link to BACKPACKER from the Garmin site.
It's not a new idea. The
Globe Pequot Press, popular among outdoor enthusiasts for their Falcon
Guides publications, has been providing content to trails.com
for several years. Recently, trails.com has jumped on the GPX bandwagon,
offering GPX data overlay on topographic maps as one their advanced features
to subscribers.
Other partnerships worth noting include Trimble and Nextel who have joined forces to offer the "only outdoor recreation product that uses mobile phones for navigation and trip planning." Trimble Outdoors, as it is called, offers software that turns certain models of Nextel phones into a full featured GPS receiver, PC software for adventure planning, and subscriptions to Trimble Outdoors Community where members can share data.
Similarly, another telecommunications giant, Nokia has teamed up with Lonely Planet Mobile Services, providing location information for international tourists. "City Picks" is a java application which runs on certain models of Nokia phones, which includes maps to recommended hotels, restaurants and points of interest in dozens of cities worldwide. Subscription and hardware required.
Update 26 June 2005: Lonely Planet Mobile Services still not available for North American Nokia customers.
Update 5 July 2005: Google Earth appilication features support for GPX data.
The proliferation of the GPX format, new GPS-enabled devices, and the growing number of location-based content consumers, are all indications of an expanding market for map authors. At Travel by GPS, I am working to bring together map authors and consumers of location information. Enthusiasts can share their recreational GPS data with a large audience of patrons, free-lance authors can increase their exposure to publishers, and commercial map developers can advertise their wares.
Contact me to become a contributing author, co-author, or commercial map advertiser.
