Tag: mobile app

FAA releases B4UFLY iPhone app on Apple Store

The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) drone app — B4UFLY — is being released for Apple, following an initial beta testing period. The app can be dowloaded from the Apple store.

The FAA also is releasing a beta version of B4UFLY for Android devices, which can be downloaded from Google.

B4UFLY tells users about current or upcoming requirements and restrictions in areas of the National Airspace System (NAS) where they may want to operate their unmanned aircraft system (UAS).

“We expect B4UFLY will help raise public awareness about what it means to operate unmanned aircraft safely,” FAA Administrator Michael Huerta said at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. “It is another important part of our education and awareness efforts to foster a culture of safety and accountability for the UAS community.”

The B4UFLY app includes a number of enhancements the FAA developed as a result of user feedback during the beta testing announced in May 2015. Within two taps, users know if it is safe to fly at their current location. The app provides a status indicator that tells users: “Proceed with Caution,” “Warning – Action Required,” or “Flight Prohibited.”

The app also features a planner mode that allows users to select a different time and location for an upcoming flight and determine if there are any restrictions at that place and time.

By law, hobbyists who want to fly within five miles of an airport must notify the airport operator and the air traffic control facility (if there is one) prior to flying.

For now, B4UFLY will ask users who are supposed to notify the airport before flying for voluntary information about their planned flight. This will not meet the statutory requirement to notify the airport and air traffic control facility, but the data will help the agency make informed policy decisions related to notification. This information will not be publicly available.

You can find more information on our B4UFLY webpage.

January 6, 2016
ŠKODA App Lets Kids Drive along with Parents

Czech automaker ŠKODA is offering a tablet game that gives kids in the backseat the opportunity to follow along as their parent drives.

With the ŠKODA LittleDriver app, children can imitate the driver’s actions using real data from the car. The app makes use of ŠKODA’s SmartGate interface, which uses Wi-Fi to send vehicle data to a connected device.

LittleDriver is fully interactive: children can copy the actions of the real driver and collect points when they are correct. Steering, acceleration, turning, braking — everything that the driver does, the player can imitate on a tablet in real time. Speed, fuel level, brake status and oil pressure are also displayed.

At the end of the game, points earned can be used to design a virtual ŠKODA, which can be configured individually in the app. The ŠKODA LittleDriver app is available on the Apple and Android app stores, and is aimed at ages 9–12.

November 1, 2015
Topcon Releases iOS Version of MAGNET Construct App

Topcon Positioning Group announces cross-platform support for the MAGNET Construct app. The no-cost app is purpose built to drive the LN-100 Layout Navigator system and was initially released for the Android market. This “out of the box productivity” is now available for Apple devices as well.

“Whether you prefer Android devices or the latest Apple iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch hardware, the free MAGNET Construct app offers intuitive options to wirelessly connect to and drive an LN-100 for fast as-built measurements as well as graphical guidance to your design data,” said David Ahl, director of software product management.

“It’s an example of our focus to provide more options that cater to the preferences of end-users,” said Ahl. “This cross-platform compatibility of the MAGNET Construct app makes entry-level precise measurement solutions for diverse 3D layout applications even more accessible.”

MAGNET Construct also offers secure connectivity to MAGNET Enterprise web services for real-time data exchange from active project sites to and from the office.

MAGNET Construct is currently available on both the Apple App Store as well as Google Play.

September 17, 2015
Trimble Enhances FieldMaster Mobile Suite with Supervisor App
Trimble has announced the addition of a Supervisor app to its FieldMaster suite of mobile applications. The latest addition to the suite is designed to enable managers to stay efficient and effective on the go by empowering them to do more work in the field and manage their day-to-day operations remotely. With the FieldMaster Supervisor app, managers can leave the office and still have visibility into their fleet and mobile workers from their smartphone or tablet.

“Mobility is an increasingly valuable tool for field service organizations,” said John Cameron, general manager of Trimble’s Field Service Management (FSM) Division. “It allows a traditional office role to move into the field and still access up-to-date information about the performance of the field operation. The result is a more effective operation where managers in the field have the information they need at their fingertips.”

“I’m often meeting with customers or surveying a job so it’s important for me to know my technicians’ location,” said Dave Rowan, manager of Del-Mar Doors in Delaware. “I use FieldMaster Supervisor whenever I’m on the road. I can open the app and see where my team is, where they’ve been and how long they’ve been at each location. Having quick access to this information has improved my efficiency and productivity. FieldMaster Supervisor is an excellent tool.”

FieldMaster Supervisor is available with Trimble Fleet Management and Trimble Work Management solutions. Features include:
- Viewing all locations of your entire team on a map
- Seeing each team member’s job progress, including tasks at riskF
- Finding the nearest worker to another team member or customer
- Navigating to key locations using turn-by-turn directions
- Inspecting job performance and documenting status in the field
- Receiving important vehicle and driver performance alerts in real-time
FieldMaster mobile applications are a core component of FSM’s integrated suite of field service management solutions that includes Fleet Management, Work Management and Driver Safety. FieldMaster also includes a Technician app, which is an advanced collaboration tool for mobile technicians that allow them to receive, access and update job information in real-time for improved effectiveness on the job.

FieldMaster mobile applications are available from the Google PlayStore and the Apple App Store.
July 6, 2015
European GNSS R&D: There’s an App for That!

A free app for both iOS and Android features the results of European GNSS Agency (GSA) supported research and development initiatives. The new EGNSS Research and Development (R&D) application highlights the tangible results coming out of the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) and is designed to serve as inspiration for those participating in the Horizon 2020 (H2020) period.

The FP7 and H2020 programs, supported by the GSA, aim to support the development of EGNSS applications in key market segments. Both are geared towards accelerating the development of a European market for satellite navigation applications and creating new opportunities for European industry.

“The app is an excellent opportunity for the GNSS community to take stock in the lessons learned during the FP7 funding period and set our sights on future R&D initiatives,” said GSA Executive Director Carlo des Dorides. “The application’s segment-specific search feature responds to the varied needs of our users, providing them with easily accessible and relevant information at their fingertips.”

In addition to the search function, des Dorides notes that the demographics included with each project can help users identify opportunities for partnerships across segments and regions, and create virtual R&D networks.

The FP7 programmes had a considerably positive impact on the GNSS market, GSA said (download the brochure). Within the frame of the projects, 45 products were developed, and 80 prototypes were tested and validated during the 115 demonstrations that took place.

Today, Horizon 2020 is bringing new opportunities for GNSS applications development. Information on the 25 projects granted in the first H2020 Galileo call is already included in the application, and early next year it will be updated to include the 2nd call portfolio of projects.

The app is available for free download from the iTunes and Google Play stores.

June 11, 2015
USGS Hosts National Maps Webinar for Web and Mobile

Screenshot of a mobile mapping service integrating USGS topographic data; hiking and biking trails south of Golden, Colo. Imagery with road and contour data overlaid via AlpineQuest.

Are you a developer, firm, or organization using mobile or web applications to enable your users? The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has publicly available geospatial services and data to help your application development and enhancement.

The USGS’ National Geospatial Technical Operations Center (NGTOC) will be hosting a 30-minute webinar on “Using The National Map services to enable your web and mobile mapping efforts” on June 16 at 9 a.m. MT.

Screenshot of a mobile mapping service integrating USGS topographic data; hiking and biking trails south of Golden, Colo. Trail data in KML/GPX overlaid via AlpineQuest.

This webinar will feature a brief overview of services, data and products that are publicly available, a quick overview on how AlpineQuest, a leading private firm, is leveraging this public data to benefit their users, and a Question & Answer session with a USGS developer to help you get the most out of the national geospatial services.

“This is an opportunity from NGTOC to bring developers and users together for some demonstrations and starting some dialogue,” said Brian Fox, the NGTOC Systems Development Branch Chief. “The webinar format allows us to improve awareness of USGS geospatial services and develop a better understanding of what users and developers need to make our data and services more available and usable.”

To access the webinar, you’ll need to activate Cisco WebEx and call into the conference number (toll free) 855-547-8255 and use the security code: 98212385. The webinar will display through WebEx.

Use this system diagnosis to ensure that you have the appropriate players installed for this WebEx enabled webinar.

The session will be recorded and closed caption option is available.

Click here to find out more about this and other NGOC webinar conferences.

June 10, 2015
TerraGo Edge 3.6 Features Enhanced Support for High-Accuracy GPS
TerraGo Edge 3.6 is now available. TerraGo Edge 3.6 features enhanced support for high-accuracy GPS receivers on both iOS and Android, as well as a host of new mapping features, basemap sources and integration with Google Earth.

“TerraGo Edge’s enhanced support for EOS and SXBlue receivers helps users take advantage of real-time, high-precision GPS receivers while getting all the productivity benefits that come with the smartphone and tablet user experience,” said Brian Mickel, technical consultant, LHNav. “This is the future of GPS data collection where mobile users can integrate independent GPS receivers to get whatever level of accuracy the job requires.”

New features in version 3.6 include:
- Sub-meter and cm precision with SXBlue and EOS GPS receivers for iOS and Android
- Polygon and polyline note support added on iPhone and Android
- Auto-drawing polygons and polylines from GPS points
- Multi-note view on iPhone and Android
- KML import and export added to growing list of data interfaces, improves Google Earth integration
- New mapping features and editing of polygon notes
- New “over-zoom” feature allows extreme map zooming on all devices and basemaps
- Brand new basemap source options
TerraGo Edge is an open GPS data collection solution, helping customers replace outdated handhelds and proprietary databases with an open, modern, mobile solution that meets the needs of all stakeholders. For the field users, TerraGo Edge delivers any level of precision with unparalleled support for a full range of Bluetooth GPS receivers on Android and iOS.

For the manager, TerraGo Edge provides a real-time dashboard for monitoring field users and data collection. For GIS users, TerraGo Edge provides accuracy settings that ensure GPS data quality, with tools for QA and open export to any GIS or CAD system.

A free trial of the TerraGo Edge app for iOS or Android is available.
June 2, 2015
SuperPad GIS App to Receive NTRIP Solution

GIS software provider Supergeo will release an NTRIP solution on SuperPad, its Windows Mobile GIS app, for high-accuracy field data collection and geospatial workflow enhancement.

SuperPad is a feature-rich mobile GIS application for field-based personnel to collect, edit, display and measure spatial data. The flexible development environment and customized extensions enable users to create a custom platform. SuperPad supports synchronizing data with an enterprise’s server to improve efficiency.

SuperPad version 3.3 will support an NTRIP solution with RTK technology. Real-time kinematic (RTK) satellite navigation, one of the latest and widely used technologies within the field of differential GNSS, significantly enhances the precision of the positioning data. RTK positioning can raise accuracy to the centimeter-level.

With the NTRIP solution, SuperPad is not only be capable of handling post-process DGNSS workflow, but also allows users to connect to network RTK service providers with NTRIP protocol, such as a virtual reference station RTK service provider or private station services. Its operations for turning on the module and quick-to-use settings will save surveyors time, while supporting GNSS receivers from makers such as u-blox, Hemisphere GNSS and NovAtel.

Progress of the SuperPad NTRIP Extension is also visualized as a condition monitoring informer on the map intuitively. Users looking for high accuracy or precision status with the RTK correction will find more details about the fixing mode and GNSS information presented clearly with the renewed GPS Status pages.

A free trial of SuperPad can be downloaded here. A webinar about SuperPad is available here.

March 4, 2015
SCVNGR LevelUp Raises $12 Million

SCVNGR, makers of the location-based social game SCVNGR, and LevelUp, the app that lets users pay by phone, announced that it has 12 million in funding with participation from existing investors Highland Capital Partners, Google Ventures, Balderton Capital, and new investors Continental Investors and Transmedia Capital.

Part of a larger round of fundraising, the $12 million in financing will support the growth of LevelUp, the mobile payment app which is now available at more than 3,000 merchant partners in 8 U.S. cities, including well-known fast-casual chains like boloco, Johnny Rockets, and Ben & Jerry’s. LevelUp has nearly 200,000 users who are spending at a volume of $2 million per month with the app, and the fundraising round at large will be focused on the product’s nationwide expansion.

“LevelUp adds tremendous value for both merchants and consumers and has quickly accelerated to become a leading player in a highly competitive space,” said Google Ventures Partner Rich Miner. “We’re impressed by the product’s success to date and are excited to provide additional support as LevelUp scales nationally and the mobile payments industry continues to evolve at a fast pace.”

Launched by Boston-based SCVNGR in July 2011, LevelUp enables its users to pay with their phones by linking their credit or debit card to the app and scanning it at checkout. In turn, businesses on LevelUp are able to attract new customers with incentives while motivating them to become regular customers with loyalty rewards.

LevelUp is also expanding its staff to accommodate the product’s rapid growth, adding 40 new recruits to its sales team in recent months. At the executive level, LevelUp has also appointed Paul Purcell of Continental, a participant in the $12 million funding round , as an observer on the Board of Directors.

June 19, 2012