Maptech introduced a new product callled i3 which is basically a touch-screen interface to all important navigation data. It looks very good, and from a usability perspective this product is a nice example of a trend that will hopefully continue.
"If seeing is believing, then Maptech believes that just OneTouch of the i3 will introduce you to a totally new and exciting way to navigate. The i3 is an all-in-one solution that is built around OneTouch options. The sunlight viewable large marinized color touch-screen display lets you view and change charts and create a route and a lot more by just touching the screen."
Gizmodo is reporting on the Grundig Yacht Boy. Not because it is such a special or unique device, it isn't, but because it can be used for things you might not have known about.
"The Grundig Yacht Boy 400PE is ostensibly a portable marine device for tuning in AM/FM and shortwave radio stations (as the 'Yacht Boy' moniker might have tipped you off to.) For those that want to explore the darker side of radio reception, however, the Yacht Boy becomes a indispensable tool for discovering and monitoring 'Numbers Stations', the shortwave radio stations that broadcast mysterious streams of five-figure number blocks throughout the night."
As long as real and flat-rate broadband satellite internet is not ubiquitous at sea, there will be a need to handle data traffic as efficient as possible. A detailed article in Digital Ship's February newsletter (pdf, p.8-13) looks at the various compression methods that are being used in order to optimize the throughput for satellite internet. There are different ways of doing it, and systems deployed by KVH, Inmarsat, Iridium, Seawave, Accelerator from Expand Networks and Globalstar are being reviewed and explained.
"Much attention is given to the compression of data, processing documents and image files so they use the minimum data possible, to reduce the ship shore communications cost. The choice is not whether to compress, but how well and how easily it can be achieved."
"While compression itself is important, preventing unwanted transmissions, repeat transmissions and making full use of available resources is perhaps even more important. Prevention coupled with superior compression remains the best approach to reducing costs."
It furthermore discusses the future of shipboard internet access as well, 'warning' Inmarsat that it will have to match its offering to that of the VSAT service providers. And, if that happens, we might be surprised about the market uptake of these services. Another development putting pressure on Inmarstat is of course the Boeing announcement that they will introduce their Connexion service to the maritime market.
"According to Worldlink, internet access onboard vessels will not happen with MPDS, but will only happen when VSAT like tariffs are available from Inmarsat. "If you consider downloading the CNN front page is 200-300 kilobytes that's about $12.0 at current going rates for MPDS," comments Asad Salameh, CEO of World-Link. "No compression or caching is going to reduce this number enough so that a crew member can relax on the internet."
For those of you that spent a lot of time in the Caribbean, this is a must have assuming that diving is your thing. The only thing I see it's missing is an underwater Wi-Fi connection to upload your pictures in realtime...
"Around here we like to say that 'There is nothing worth doing that can't be done more expensively,' so why skimp on a dive camera when you can have something like the Reefmaster (Amazon) DC310 Digital MAXX? The $1400 MAXX system has Sealife's so-so 3.3 megapixel camera with all the basic features you'd expect from a digital. The 8MB on-board memory is scant, but fortunately a 128MB SD card is included in the package. Even better, the MAXX package has plenty of extra accessories to get you started, like flash diffusers (more important underwater than on land), macro lenses, and of course, the two bug-eye external flashes. The entire rig can be taken to depths of up to 200ft -- well past recreational dive limits."
Review over at Powerboat Reports. In short the conclusion is that if you�ve got the space, consider Si-Tex�s Dynamic Duo, a plotter and sounder with separate screens that sells for about the same as the Garmin 188C, which is perfect for boats with limited room at the helm.
"Chartplotter/sounder combo units take up less console space and usually cost less than separate pieces. But if the combo breaks down, you�ve lost two important instruments at once. Not good."
The world's first combined PocketPC with GPS is launched by Mitac. PDA Buyersguide has done an extensive review of the Mitac Mio 168.
"Palm OS users who wanted an integrated GPS had their prayers answered by the Garmin iQUE 3600 in 2003. Pocket PC users now have the Mitac Mio 168, introduced March 2004, as their all-in-one solution."
Trailer Boats Magazine points out that an autopilot can be a very useful instrument to have on a small-boat. Now that's probably nothing new, but the article explains how this can also be cost-effective, since it generally requires a relatively large investment.
"There is a widespread misconception that an autopilot is useful only on ocean-going vessels that are used exclusively for long-distance cruising. The fact is that an autopilot is useful in far more applications than just cruising. Like power steering on your car, autopilot owners soon find that the pilot is an essential accessory, and not simply a frivolous luxury. Primary applications are for cruising and fishing. But, when a pilot is combined with devices such as Loran, GPS, c-maps, and radar, a very sophisticated navigation system is formed that can often outperform the captain�particularly in adverse conditions."
Unfortunately not yet by using a tiny chip, but there a number of mobile internet services and applications available that will help you keep an eye on the weather when you are (planning to be) at sea. However, some people point out that it would be a bit naive to just trust on services like these. Take a look at a discussion over at Google Groups if you would like to know more.
Jerre Lull:"If I had a radar and a crew member to study it constantly, I'd add it to the arsenal, but I have neither. Personally, I depend upon the weather warnings as THEY can keep their heads buried in their far superior radars while I handle the boat and
watch the sky."
Instruments are getting smaller and smaller. Combine that with all developments in the wireless area, and it won't take long before we we stop using these LCD displays in the cockpit.
"This fancy watch will give you wind speed, temperature with wind chill calculation, barometric pressure with 9-hour history graph, and altitude as well as pinpoint accurate time, date, alarm, timer and stop watch. Data is expressed in MPH, KPH, meters/second, meters/feet, and C/F�. You can also detach the monitor from the wrist strap, and use the supplied lanyard to wear the weather station on your belt, bike, or backpack."
Stealth Computer has come out with a nice new small form rugged PC, named LittlePC. Perfect for an install in a small environment close to a navigation table. Specs look good, but I don't think it's tested according to the IEC 945 standard like the marinized PC we mentioned yesterday. But then again, the price probably isn't the same either.
"The LPC-401X is an Intel Pentium-4 based small form computer system that is part of Stealth�s growing family of LittlePC�s. Housed in a rugged extruded aluminum enclosure this powerful & versatile machine runs a screaming 3.2GHz Processor and yet it can fit into the palm of your hand. The LPC-401 measures out at only 10" x 5.8" x 2.8" (about the size of a hard cover novel) and offers features that have only been available in traditional bulky desktop PC�s."
Maptech introduced a new product callled i3 which is basically a touch-screen interface to all important navigation data. It looks very good, and from a usability perspective this product is a nice example of a trend that will hopefully continue.
Gizmodo is 
There are different ways of doing it, and systems deployed by KVH, Inmarsat, Iridium, Seawave, Accelerator from Expand Networks and Globalstar are being reviewed and explained.
"Around here we like to say that 'There is nothing worth doing that can't be done more expensively,' so why skimp on a dive camera when you can have something like the Reefmaster (
"Chartplotter/sounder combo units take up less console space and usually cost less than separate pieces. But if the combo breaks down, you�ve lost two important instruments at once. Not good."
The world's first combined PocketPC with GPS is launched by Mitac. PDA Buyersguide has done an extensive 
"There is a widespread misconception that an autopilot is useful only on ocean-going vessels that are used exclusively for long-distance cruising. The fact is that an autopilot is useful in far more applications than just cruising. Like power steering on your car, autopilot owners soon find that the pilot is an essential accessory, and not simply a frivolous luxury. Primary applications are for cruising and fishing. But, when a pilot is combined with devices such as Loran, GPS, c-maps, and radar, a very sophisticated navigation system is formed that can often outperform the captain�particularly in adverse conditions."
Instruments are getting 
Stealth Computer has come out with a nice