Hello and welcome to the PocketGPSWorld.com Newsletter. This is the first newsletter I've written for the team in over seven years and there is a reason why I am at the helm this week. You may have noticed that it's Tuesday today and not Friday, our normal newsletter day. Fridays are, statistically, the last day of the working week and most people are quite tired by then. When people are tired they concentrate less. So when the newsletter gets sent on a Friday it's not as effective as it could be earlier in the week; on a Tuesday, for example.

Darren suggested that I took over the newsletter to test out my theory and I, perhaps foolishly, accepted the offer. So now you have to put up with my inane ramblings instead of Darren's. Don't worry though, I'm nearly finished here – all that's left to say is there have been a number of interesting news items this week, too much to cram into this editorial, so read on to see what has been happening in the world of GPS!

MaFt

GPS-Trackers Show Limited Range of Dragonfly in Natural Habitat

Scientists from Cambridge and Coventry Universities have been using GPS to study the lifestyle of the British Dragonfly, Libellula foolpressa. Part of the experiment was discussed by Prof. Tim Sparks at the British Dragonfly Society's recent 'Dragonfly Recording Network' meeting that took place on Saturday. The trackers, similar to those used by the FBI to track suspect vehicles, were attached to a number of dragonflies and their movement monitored over 3 days. The team were surprised to see that dragonflies, when left on their own, show very limited movement in their natural habitat although there was some concern that the weight of the trackers may have had a negative effect on flight.

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Not Another "The SatNav Told Me To Do It"...?

A man from Heckmondwike achieved celebrity status when his inspiring story hit the local papers last week. Lirpa Loof, a Polish immigrant residing in the small West Yorkshire town, was driving to visit his parents in nearby Dewsbury when his SatNav "took on a life of it's own". Mr Loof reports that he was told to turn left when, in fact, he knew the best route was to drive straight ahead; "I've driven this route countless times and so I just ignored the SatNav; it felt really good to be in control". Mr Loof has plans to set up a support group for those who have had to show great strength in "saying no to their SatNav".

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TomTom: What's In A Name?

Dutch navigation stalwarts, TomTom, have published a number of previously unreleased documents dating back to the start of their company. A recording of a meeting held in September 1990 and later transcribed for their minutes (as was the trend at the time) noted all the usual boring financial details as well as some general chit-chat. While looking through these, our own Mike Barrett spotted a little gem... There was some confusion at the time as founders Peter-Frans Pauwels and Pieter Geelan had similar names. It was suggested by co-founder Harold Goddijn that one of them should be renamed 'Tom' to avoid confusion. Peter replied, quite angrily, asking "Tom, TOM? Why on earth should I be called Tom?!". Could this exchange have been the reason behind the company name, TomTom?

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Speed Camera Data - No Update This Week (Thanks Apple...)

Unfortunately we are not able to release the database update this week. As you will be aware from previous newsletters, we've had ongoing issues with Apple and our CamerAlert app for some time now. The latest in this saga is that Apple are now laying claim to the name 'CamerAlert' even though we have used it for years. There was a recent change to the developer terms, which Lutz accidentally accepted when he logged into the Developer Centre over the weekend. We are specifically forbidden from retrospectively revoking this permission and Apple now own the rights to 'CamerAlert'.

The main fallout of Lutz's misdemeanours is that we have now received a 'cease and desist' from Apple Inc that forbids us from "making use of the CamerAlert name or primary function(s) whether part of the Apple ecosystem or not". The primary functions are defined by Apple as "alerting users to speed trap locations; assisting in alerting users to speed trap locations; advertising any services relating to speed trap locations; and discussing the use of GPS (or any other Apple-owned technology) with respect to alerting users of speed trap locations."

As you can imagine, we are less than impressed with Lutz at the moment and we are currently in talks with all parties involved with a view to getting this resolved swiftly. We will keep you informed.

Click here to see our open letter to Apple