Dell will be making available its new location service for the Dell Mini 10 netbook from next week onwards, and this service is better known as Dell Wireless 700, bringing together both hardware and software. The hardware side comprises of an internal Broadcom A-GPS card that features a built-in Skyhook Wi-Fi locationing system, making it possible to know your exact location regardless of whether you're indoors or outdoors. CoPilot will make up the navigation software, boasting turn-by-turn directions, 2D and 3D map views and a location aware portal dubbed Loki to get you started on your POI adventure. There is no word on pricing for the Dell 700 Wireless location system yet, but it will be released in the US next week followed by other regions in due time. Read more about our hands-on here.

We just had our hands on the upcoming GPS option for the Dell mini 10 called Dell Wireless 700 ($69) (no hack involved). The optional upgrade comes in the form of a mini-PCI module that includes a GPS chip. With this version, Dell also plans to deliver an HD display (1366x768) already present in the $449 Dell mini 10. Location-based software is also included with the Dell Location Utility, Loki, a software that can find your location based on surrounding WIFI networks, and most importantly, a desktop version of co-pilot live () maps available for the U.S, France, UK, Canada, Germany, Italy and Spain.

Clearly, Dell's goal is not to replace your car's integrated navigation, or your handheld personal navigation device. Instead, Dell thinks that GPS/location based service is a long-term trend that the company should work on today, starting with early adopters who might already seek this particular option. 

Navteq has just announced that they will be releasing a free Navteq Traffic Mobile Web site that is accessible from virtually any Web-connected device including cellphones, smartphones and old school PDAs. Users will be able to benefit from free up-to-the-minute traffic flow and incident information alongside travel times in more than 50 major cites as well as their surrounding areas. All data will be displayed in map format with familiar color representing major highways. Green points toward unobstructed traffic, while red would signal you to stay at home and watch reruns of Michael Jackson's greatest live performances on DVD. Needless to say, shades of yellow and orange depict traffic conditions that are somewhat in between.

Garmin has just rolled out a couple of new handheld GPS navigators - the Dakota 10 and Dakota 20 which will feature a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, worldwide basemap and color touchscreen display, all crammed into a compact, waterproof device that is able to last up to 20 hours per charge. These new Dakota devices are capable of acquiring and maintaining satellite reception quickly despite being under heavy tree cover or within a deep canyon, courtesy of the high-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix that is smart enough to automatically calculate and store critical satellite information. 850MB of internal memory is able to hold up to 1,000 waypoints, 50 routes, 2,000 geocaches and an active tracklog of up to 10,000 points and 200 saved tracks. [Press Release]

Nextar has rolled out its 43LT nav unit that offers free live traffic updates alongside fancy 3D graphics. Apart from that, you will benefit from a 4.3" display alongside 1.6 million points of interest, an SD memory card slot, text-to-speech functionality, audio and video playback alongside the bundled live traffic receiver. Well, if you're always getting lost and want an affordable GPS navigation system, you won't go too wrong with the $169.99 Nextar 43LT.

Verizon Wireless is doing pretty well in delivering its promise to unlock GPS capability on its most recent Windows Mobile handsets, starting with the HTC Touch Pro followed by the Samsung Saga, leaving the Samsung Omnia out of the picture for the moment. The recently uploaded CE07 Software Upgrade will come with “Open Standalone LBS Supported and Performance Enhanced. (This may support 3rd party applications)” as part of its change log. If you're interested in unleashing the full potential of your Samsung Saga handset, then you can get the software update directly from Verizon’s support page. For those who have already done so, how do you feel now?

Remember the broken Garmin sets we reported about some days back concerning a recent software upgrade? Nice to know that Garmin engineers have not been sleeping, but instead released a free, mandatory GPS software update to correct that particular software issue which has affected the nüvi 7x5 series, nüvi 800 series, nüvi 8x5 series, zumo 660, GPSMAP 620 and GPSMAP 640.You can download this new update via Garmin’s WebUpdater to make sure the hanging issue doesn't repeat itself in the future for selected units, while Garmin nüvi 7x5 customers who cannot power on their GPS device will have to visit www.garmin.com/support, and select the first FAQ titled “My nüvi 755T, 765T, 775T or 785T is giving me the message ‘Updating GPS Firmware’ or will no longer power on…” followed by instructions to request a return authorization so that the device may be repaired under warranty.

DeLorme has just rolled out its Earthmate PN-30 that bears an uncanny resemblance to its predecessors, coming in a peanut-shaped waterproof chassis. Features include a 32-channel Cartesio chipset, a daylight readable LCD and maps of the US, Canada and Mexico. A rubberized housing around the edges help keep its innards safe from minor knocks and drops, apart from giving those who tend to have sweaty palms a better grup. Expect to pick up the Earthmate PN-30 for $299.95 - it won't be able to locate the last Energon source on earth though.

If you happen to own a Garmin 7x5 GPS unit, chances are the recent firmware update could have introduced new problems into your life, where selected units seem to freeze during some point of use June 22nd. According to Garmin, their customer support team is aware of the situation having handled many calls already, although they have yet to offer a working solution at press time. Hopefully this glitch won't mar Garmin's impeccable track record to date in the future.

Those living in the UK will be able to take advantage of the new Mio Navman Spirit TV which will come in V505 and V735 models, where the former has a 4.7" touchscreen display while the latter sports a 7" version. Shared features include Google Search support, TruMap and Junction views as well as Freeview digital TV with auto-tuning. In addition, you get a remote control for easy and convenient access, with the 7-day Electronic Programming Guide making it much easier to schedule your favorite shows. The V735 has the upper hand apart from the screen size with the addition of video, audio and photo playback alongside an integrated FM transmitter. Expect to pick up the V505 and V735 for £229 and £299.99, respectively later next month.

Folks living in South Korea will soon be able to take advantage of a spanking new navigation device known as the Finedrive Style from FineDigital. What sets this model apart from the rest would be its curved design at the back that comes in white, featuring orange-colored LED lighting at two sides while relying on their own FineGPx technology with the most updated SiRFStar VI chipset. There will only be one model available apparently, weighing in at 4GB - chances are there will be a memory card slot of sorts for memory augmentation should the need arise.

CATS.i might come across to some as a battery of sorts, but in reality it is the smallest GPS, GSM and RF tracking device in the world. Measuring a mere 45mm x 35mm x 12mm, this device is extremely versatile as it can be used to trace down cars, pets and for the uninitiated, even people whom you want to keep tabs of. Touted to be almost undetectable when worn, he CATS.i is one of the more covert tracking devices of its class, featuring an integrated GSM SIM card that will return its GPS data at a setting of your choice - in intervals or constantly. This data is trackable online, and you can give the CATS.i a further boost in longevity by hardwiring its battery to vehicles and perhaps even solar power.

Those who love going camping will find devices like the Qfinder GF-Q900 from QSTARZ to be indispensable, as it allows you to backtrack your way to base camp should you feel adventurous enough to head out on your own. Of course, it would be prudent to make sure this device is in good working order and will have the battery to last the distance just in case, and always carry a paper map with you as you never can tell what might go wrong in the jungle (urban or otherwise). The GF-Q900 allows you to mark your desired location, letting you trace back to these locations at a later period using its precise digital compass with 8-directional arrows. Up to four locations can be marked, and the waterproof GPS QFinder GF-Q900 will retail for $79/€79 each.

Networks in Motion (NIM) and Yahoo! are partnering to offer Gokivo, the new turn-by-turn navigation app for iPhone 3.0. We know that NIM, Gokivo's developer, uses the new iPhone 3GS' powerful GPU to render the maps, so we assume that the scrolling should be fluid (we do not own an iPhone, yet) .

Features include:

• Yahoo! Local business information like gas stations, ATMs, restaurants, and other POI.
• Embedded iPod control, allows users to play music while navigating, the music fades for voice prompts
• Real time traffic and alerts
• Bluetooth integration (music and voice prompts)
• Users can Select a different route to the same destination by shaking the iPhone

The application is available for .99 to purchase and $9.99/month subscription.

Networks In Motion is the company behind the Verizon Navigation app VZ Navigator and the AAA mobile app (super practical!) among many others.