Garmin recently announced their free Custom Maps service which enables Garmin Oregon, Garmin Dakota and Garmin Colorado owners upload their digital maps onto their device, and heck - even paper maps are supported this time round. You will first need to update the software on your PC beforehand, alongside giving the aforementioned Garmin devices their relevant upgrades as well. Maps are saved in the JPG format, where you will then create an image overlay, link the JPG file, adjust the boundaries, followed by beaming it to your device.

The ActiveONE GPS safety cellphone is a basic handset that also doubles up as an extremely diminutive GPS device, where it allows you to speed dial any four people whenever you feel that you're in a dangerous situation. Located right smack in the middle of the ActiveONE lies a SOS button that will hook up immediately to a US-based 24/7 personal assistance call center, where the person on the receiving end automatically knows all about you and might have an idea on the kind of assistance you need, and most importantly, have instant, real-time access to your exact location. Apart from that, other family members can also find out where you are by calling the same call center.

Now here’s a DIY gadget that you don’t see everyday, a DIY reverse geocache puzzle box, given as a wedding gift. Using the Arduino prototyping platform and a GPS device, it will lead you to a specific location on the globe, before you’re able to open the box. Of course, you’ll need to make sure the person who receives such an item is fairly adventurous, if not you’re going to run the risk of them just throwing it in the junk pile at the back of their home.

Garmin has just unveiled a new range of GPSmap series, where they will be described in further detail under a bulleted format below for easier reference.

• GPSMAP 7015: touchscreen, 15", basemap only
• GPSMAP 7215: touchscreen, 15", U.S. coastal charts and more
• GPSMAP 7012: touchscreen, 12", basemap only
• GPSMAP 7212: touchscreen, 12", U.S. coastal charts and more
• GPSMAP 6012: soft key interface, 12", basemap only
• GPSMAP 6212: soft key interface, 12", U.S. coastal charts and more
• GPSMAP 6008: soft key interface, 8", basemap only
• GPSMAP 6208: soft key interface, 8", U.S. coastal charts and more

Apart from that, they have also announced a new series of chartplotters including the GPSmap 6000 and GPSmap 7000, where both devices will come with the new Garmin G Motion technology that promises to smooth map panning alongside zooming with super fast updates. Expect to see these new MFD chartplotters from February next year onwards, where they will have a starting price of at least $3,000 - ouch!

Google Earth for iPhone has been updated to version 2.0, where among the new features include support for 31 languages (Russian, Japanese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese and Hebrew included). With this update, you can now view custom maps (created by your or by others) through the My Maps interface. Apart from that, whenever you touch an icon, a tiny glow will appear under your finger, letting you know just which icon you have selected. Makes us wonder why there is no Android equivalent just yet...

Magellan recently introduced its RoadMate iPhone app which will include text-to-speech, lane assist and in-app music controls, retailing for all of $79.99. Apart from that, Magellan has plans for a car kit which will boast an integrated GPS receiver alongside enough space to accommodate the iPhone or iPod touch. Where does this leave Droid users? Hoepfully GPS vendors such as Magellan, TomTom and Navigon will be able to offer something different and new in the near future.

Skyhook aims to improve GPS performance on your S60-powered smartphone with its latest plug-in known as Maps Booster. Maps Booster will hook into the Location sub-system in Symbian OS and adds WiFi-based location services, making it a boon when you're in urban areas - a place where traditional GPS struggles no thanks to the concrete jungle and lack of sky coverage. Maps Booster can be purchase from the Nokia Ovi Store, where it ought to perform even more exemplary in open spaced areas.

Mio's latest Hammer V700 GPS navigation system ought to be out from today onwards, featuring what might possibly be the longest windshield mount to date, where it comes with a 7" display at 800 x 480 resolution, coupled with the ability to track up to 64 satellites simultaneously while receiving traffic updates via its TPEG receiver. You can choose from 4GB and 8GB models for $285 and $310, respectively. It doesn't look as though it will arrive Stateside anytime soon.

TomTom will be offering updates for its iPhone navigation app that is currently awaiting approval from Apple for it to debut on the App Store. This new update, should it be approved successfully, will feature advanced lane guidance, text-to-speech, "Help Me," updated map/safety cameras (in selected European nations) databases, customizable audio warnings and iPod player control. Not too shabby considering these additions are free.

GPS equipped rear view mirrors are always interesting, and this DirectUS GPS mirror doesn’t disappoint either. It sports a 4-inch touchscreen display that sits alongside your mirror. Aside from that, it also sports Bluetooth for handsfree calling, and has the ability to hook up to your rear view camera that automatically starts up when you engage the reverse gear. It’ll be powered by a 400MHz processor and 64MB of internal memory.

iPod touch owners will find the $179.99 Dual Electronics XGPS300 GPS Cradle to be a boon, as it throws in GPS navigational capabilities for your iPod touch, including NavAtlas’ turn-by-turn navigation app, a rechargeable battery, speaker, audio out, mini USB port and windshield cradle. This basically turns your iPod touch into an iPhone, sans calling capabilities. Do bear in mind that the application works exclusively with Dual Electronics’ cradle only.

Looks like Google Maps is growing from strength to strength, with the latest release showing off New York's subway lines under part of the transit layer. The colored lines are interactive, where clicking on a station name will see a bubble pop up alongside the name of the line that service the station, while fading out other lines on the display so that you won't end up being more confused. Other big cities covered in this manner by Google Maps include Paris and Tokyo. Mobile users will also be pleased to know that the new subway lines of NYC is also available on Google Maps Mobile.

The AllSport GPS is a new Android app that will be a boon for folks who are constantly involved in outdoor activities, as it is fully capable of tracking your progress, calories and routine amidst other important and relevant information. Compatible with a range of physical activities including walking, running, hiking, cycling, mountain biking and snowboarding, the AllSport GPS will even boast a web component on the Trimble Outdoors site, allowing you to view and analyze your results. You can download AllSport GPS for Android devices for $10 a pop.

Conservationists in Northumberland have drawn upon the power of GPS to pinpoint 69 rare ants' nests prior to work to fell thousands of trees. These nests were made of conifer needles, and the removal of 10,000 tonnes of conifer planted in the previous century is about to commence. The nests' GPS co-ordinates will be recorded so that loggers won't damage them during the felling process, while a bunch of conifers will be left in place so that the ants have sufficient building materials to continue remaining alive.