I purchase another generic GPS receiver for my other laptop computer and of course it really works pretty well aside from being cheap. Since this gadget doesn’t have brand it has a product code… the UT-41. It is a USB based NMEA-0183 compatible GPS receiver is a compact all-in-one GPS. I bought this gadget from Ebay for $36+S&H which I think is pretty good deal.

This generic GPS receiver (UT-41) features 12 parallel channels and 4100 time/frequency search bins provide short start-up time and fast signal acquisition. Having fast time-to-first-fix and enhanced sensitivity, the UT-41 offers good navigation performance even in urban canyons. The satellite-based augmentation systems, such as WAAS and EGNOS, are supported to yield improved accuracy… that’s according to the description which I think fits pretty well.

We live in a suburbs with lots of trees and terrains and when I got this little gadget I tested it right away.. inside our home.. what? does GPS supposed to be used in an open sky area..yeh but it is brutal cold outside.. so it this thing works inside no question it should work outside and it did… I got 6/12 satellite signals using my Microsoft streets.

Here’s some of the features:

• USB interface
• 12 channel GPS receiver
• Standard NMEA-0183 V3.01 GPS protocol
• Onboard patch antenna
• 4100 simultaneous time-frequency search bins
• SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS) support
• -140dBm acquisition sensitivity
• -150dBm tracking sensitivity
• <10 second hot start
• <50 second cold start
• 5m CEP accuracy
• Low power consumption: 90mA
• 6-foot USB cord

Well I guess I don’t need a mobile GPS for now, I just need my computer and this receiver to do the job.. And, oh by the way if you’re using your laptop as your GPS.. don’t forget to purchase a DC power adapter to keep a steady supply of power juice while driving.

Not everywhere but at least there are 60K hot spots around the world.  Boingo Mobile announced a low-cost service that lets people connect their Wi-Fi mobile devices where Boingo hotspots are available which I think is pretty cheap.. $7.95 per month for unlimited Wi-Fi access? I think that’s cheap.

According to Boingo website:

Boingo Mobile gives you unlimited access to the public Internet in commercial hot spots around the globe with your Wi-Fi enabled mobile device. Use Wi-Fi in hundreds of airports, thousands of hotels and tens of thousands of cafes, retail locations and other commercial Wi-Fi hot spots worldwide. 

The mobile service is currently available for Windows Mobile 5.0-based smart phones and Pocket PC devices.  You can download it here and if using or you’re looking into VoIP phone, the Belkin’s Wi-Fi Phone for Skype an option for you.. what about iPhone?

Speaking of VoIP enabled phone.. this is product does make sense specially now (and the future) that gadget makers are moving into dual-mode mobile phone.