When I was going through the log-files of this website I noticed that many people come here searching for rugged cellphones. Fortunately, Siemens unveiled the ruggedised M65 this week. Not sure if it's really rugged up to the level you would require in a marine environment, but it is a start.
"The splash, dirt and shock resistant M65 sports a 2.1in 132 x 176, 16-bit colour display, backed by a 640 x 480 digicam for video and still photography. Stills can be edited using on-board software, with special effects filters built in too. The handset supports 40-voice polyphonic ringtones, a customisable user interface, Java games - four titles are bundled with the phone - and instant messaging. The tri-band GSM/GPRS handset comes with a 750mAh lithium ion battery - enough, said Siemens, for five-and-a-half hours' talk time and 300 hours' standby time."
Since I was discussing Bluetooth-enabled devices already, here is a round-up of different Bluetooth GPS receivers currently available. Although the review is focused on the use of these devices together with PDA's with streetmap software installed, they are compliant with NMEA standards. This means they will work with your Pocket PC navigation software as well. Just beware of the fact that they are not necessarily ready for use in a (harsh) maritime environment.
There is definitely a benefit in using this type of solution over using something like Mitac's Pocket PC with integrated GPS: "The major benefit of a Bluetooth-enabled GPS receiver is that it doesn�t have to be physically connected to the Pocket PC. That eliminates a tangle of cables that dangle in your way while you are walking or driving. In addition, Bluetooth solutions let you position the GPS receiver for optimal GPS reception, and your Pocket PC separately for the best viewing. Bluetooth can travel around corners, and through clothing and other material."
I've talked about the potential of radar and navigation capabilities on cellphones before, but in Japan it is already happening. Although currently meant for navigation in a city environment, it's a perfect example of how cellphones are becoming powerful enough to perform such functions. Combine that with the fact that both cellphones and marine instruments are becoming more and more Bluetooth-enabled, so they can communicate wirelessly, and you will realize that we don't need a dedicated navigation-PC anymore.... Just the monitor.
"Japanese firms Index and Jicoux have developed a navigation system application that runs on 3G GPS phones with digital compasses (which, at the moment, means KDDI's au service in Japan). It includes the ability to show a "radar display" of the location of nearby friends, places of interest, or bus and train stations useful in getting to your destination. There's also a B2B aspect to the service in that, as with most web-based map systems, it would be possible to pay to have your business location displayed on the radar."
Definitely not the most inspiring gadget I have ever seen, but at a price of $20 I'm sure there are people that will see this 'very mobile radio' device and conclude that this is exactly what they were looking for....
"Smaller than the size of your palm, the CapRadio fits on the back of your cap, on your shoulder or on the collar of your shirt. The reception is about the same as any Walkman - obviously don't take it for lengthy offshore trips - but at the dock or floating around the bay you should be fine. When you walk, it doesn't jostle, and the tight-fit clip keeps it nice and snug up against your hat."
Boatsandplaces.com did a review of NDI's Pocket PC solution for handling electronic charts. They're pretty happy with it, a bit to their own surprise. Now combine this with Mitac's Pocket PC we saw yesterday which features integrated GPS and there you have a perfect solution.
"Chart plotters and computer software for e-charts are old news. What could possibly be new and startling in this field? How about a hand-held Personal Data Assistant �PDA �showing full raster charts with software that gives you all the features of a laptop?"
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."
Performance racing goes hand-in-hand with wireless communications. Ockham, a leading provider of instruments and software, introduced a PocketPC version of their software, which communicates with other instruments using Wi-Fi.
"Cost effective wireless instrument information and system control - Ockam
introduces OS4 EYE. Load Eye software on your PDA (Pocket PC) and your
Ockam connected WiFi PC. View multiple pages of instrument data, set cals,
averaging and controller functions, track trends on stripcharts, all in
your pocket. - hiking hard on the rail or monitoring performance from your
bunk!"
If you're thinking about using a Pocket PC on board that will connect wirelessly to other systems via Wi-Fi, have a look at this review over at ZDNet.
"Last year saw wireless tech's profile take a major jump. Hot spots popped up all over, and more and more Wi-Fi products hit the market. Want to score a Wi-Fi handheld that scored high with our editors? Here are five we love."
All the basic building blocks of the radar system fully integrated on one chip, including power generation, signal processing, and dozens of other functions? This would save a lot of precious space on ships that require a radar, and it has some other advantages as well. Update: for more information have a look at the Slashdot discussion on this topic.
"Now a team of electrical engineers at the California Institute of Technology has shrunk the functions of a radar system into one tiny, intricately designed silicon chip and eight minuscule antennas.
"Using these extremely high frequencies, you can first capture location, sending out pulses and scanning the area like a bat," said Volkan Ozguz, chief scientist at Irvine Sensors in Costa Mesa, Calif. Irvine Sensors makes miniature electronic systems, including sensors. "Then, using the same chipset, you can start communicating at high frequency," exchanging information without switching to different equipment, he said.
"It should cost no more than a few dollars," he said."
PDA's are becoming a very useful tool for sailors, primarily for navigation purposes. With advancements is battery life, wireless connectivity and software stability, the future for device devices in a yachting context looks very bright.
"Thus the pieces came together for PDA plotting, and in 2001 Maptech introduced Pocket Navigator, the program I've been running on an iPaq equipped with a Navman GPS sleeve. It's a slick package. Before a trip, I boot up the software's PC module and select the raster charts and topos I want, build routes if needed, and download everything to the handheld's memory card. Once I'm outdoors or have the iPaq mounted to my boat or car windshield, the GPS acquires position, and the magic begins. Friends looking over my shoulder, particularly ones familiar with regular plotters and/or PC charting, are invariably astounded at how sharp the charts look, how fast they zoom using the control keys, and how smoothly they pan when dragged with a stylus pen or one's fingertip."
When I was going through the log-files of this website I noticed that many people come here searching for rugged cellphones. Fortunately, Siemens unveiled the ruggedised M65 this week. Not sure if it's really rugged up to the level you would require in a marine environment, but it is a start.
Since I was 
Definitely not the most inspiring gadget I have ever seen, but at a price of $20 I'm sure there are people that will see this 'very mobile radio' device and 
Boatsandplaces.com did a 
The world's first combined PocketPC with GPS is launched by Mitac. PDA Buyersguide has done an extensive 
Performance racing goes hand-in-hand with wireless communications. 
If you're thinking about using a Pocket PC on board that will connect wirelessly to other systems via Wi-Fi, have a look at this 
"Now a team of electrical engineers at the California Institute of Technology has shrunk the functions of a radar system into one tiny, intricately designed silicon chip and eight minuscule antennas.