The Geek Church

Have you ever wanted to just check out a geolocated video, and watch as someone films as you follow along on a map? Well, now there is a whole community where you can do that called Kinomap.com.

I found Kinomap at CES, and it took me a while to figure out what they were doing. If you go to the Kinomap site, you can get a software suite that has the Kinomap maker, a free application on smartphones that records geolocated videos.

You can also sync Kinomap videos with exercise bikes, so it is like you are riding the mapped path as the video is playing.

If you want to get in on the Kinomap vision, head to the Kinomap website here and see if you can get in on this free API, or use a camera with GPS.

If you’re familiar with Ford’s Sync system, then you know that it’s a very handy application to have if you’re a 2011 Ford or Lincoln owner. The Sync features navigation, access to traffic information, voice command capability, Internet radio and a 911 Assist mode for emergencies on the road. The 911 Assist mode actually gives dispatchers an approximate location for your vehicle through signal triangulation or your phone’s GPS if it’s connected to the system. Now Ford has updated the 911 Assist mode in its Sync system with a new GPS module.

This GPS module was added to the 911 Assist mode to make it more accurate. Thus, enabling emergency dispatch to be more effective in sending assistance for quicker response to an accident. Furthermore, the Sync system itself will continue to be a subscription-free service, even with this update. Sync is free for Ford and Lincoln owners in the United States and Canada. You only need a Bluetooth cell phone in order to use it. The GPS module allows the Sync system to give exact coordinates for finding accident victims since the module functions as a GPS receiver to provide the right location. The 911 Assist mode is also designed to send a customer’s cell phone call directly to a priority emergency line instead of a call center and gives the location information to emergency service providers through the GPS module. The 911 Assist mode is designed to alert an emergency service operator in the event of an airbag being triggered or emergency fuel pump shutoff as well.

This weekend, Ford will make an appearance at the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) 2010 conference in Indianapolis to announce this GPS module update for the Sync system. This update for the 911 Assist mode is available for Sync-equipped 2011 vehicles, which include the Ford Taurus, Focus, Flex, Fusion, Escape and F-150 as well as the Lincoln MKS, MKZ and MKT. In addition to the GPS module, Ford is also offering customers a variety of emergency service options such as a priority emergency screen. This feature will provide location information and quick-touch access to In Case of Emergency (ICE) contacts after a 911 Assist call is made. Ford is currently working with nonprofit organizations such as NENA and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International as it seeks to continue making improvements on the 911 Assist feature.

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Hey there, dear readers! Let’s take a moment to discuss public commuting. Of course, common options in commuting include buses, taxis, and trains. These options exist to serve people who don’t have their own vehicles and those who just want to avoid the issue of parking and spending gas money. But have you ever considered what public commuting could like in the future? How about a robot transport system that you can access through text messaging?

Yes, such a concept really is on the design table right now. It is called the Iris Autonomous Transport, which seems to have a large “eye” in its design, making the term “iris” appropriate in its name. You would use a text message to summon this self-operating commute vehicle and tell it your desired destination in the same way. Apparently, this conceptual vehicle would be relying on GPS technology to guide its navigation during travel from one location to another in a city.

However, if this Iris Autonomous Transport concept ever does make it into the real world, that might not bode well for public commute operators. It’s likely that bus drivers, train conductors and cabbies would never want this concept to be fully realized so their jobs won’t be threatened. After all, the idea of machines replacing human workers could be a legitimate concern in today’s technological culture.

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Riding a bicycle to get from one place to another in a neighborhood, community or city has a number of benefits. By using a bike, you save money on gas and can go through areas that aren’t accessible by car. You also get more exercise through cycling and it’s a cheaper form of transportation than automobiles overall. But what if you want to enjoy these benefits of bicycling without having to spend up to a hundred dollars or more on a bike of your own? Well, the bicycle company Trek is ready to help you with their new bike sharing system.

They call this bike sharing system B-cycle and it’s currently making its grand debut in the city of Denver. Trek has set up a series of B-cycle stations all over Denver. In order to use this bike sharing system, you first have to start your own account. Then you can use a bike from any B-cycle station and drop it off at the station nearest to you after using it. Each B-cycle bike is equipped with a GPS unit that tracks your route when you ride it. Having a GPS inside these bicycles also allows you to check one of them out online after you’ve set up your B-cycle account.

Furthermore, the daily cost for using B-cycle is only $5 while a year’s worth of service is also available for $65. These service costs seem to be quite affordable and offer a nice alternative to consumers who want to use a bicycle without owning one. Trek is currently working to install their bike sharing system in a bunch of other cities but no information about these cities is available at this time. However, you do have the option of going online to vote on bringing B-cycle to your city at the Trek website if you don’t live in Denver. According to sources, the support of many grassroots organizations and enough public interest is required in order to bring this bike sharing system to New York City. Perhaps you can get B-cycle too if you get enough people in your city go online and rock the vote.

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You can look at the video above, or you can read more to find out about The Geek Church’s first contest. It’s up to you.

Here’s the prize: A Bushnell Backtrack. I reviewed it a while ago for the company, and you can read that review here.

Want one? You can enter up to three times in these ways:

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I believe that TomTom is second in the GPS device industry (Garmin being the first), and TomTom’s car kit for the iPhone has been long-awaited.

This product will be released sometime in October, and the price is official at $119.95. Check out the video of it after the jump if you want to see it for yourself.

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