Geotagging is pretty popular these days, but for the most part you have to buy an additional hardware. JOBO makes one such device, the photoGPS, that’s been around for a while. They just announced two new versions, photoGPS 2 and the photoGPS 4. The new models offer improved reception, battery life, and storage. All in all a worthy successor to their original product.
Both of the new GPS units feature improved memory storage, additional coverage, and more points of interest. The new versions will be available at the end of this month, and are expected to retail at $99 for the photoGPS 2, and $129 for the photoGPS 4.
From the press release:
Gummersbach, Germany (April 12, 2010) – JOBO AG announces the addition of two new versions of the award-winning GPS receiver photoGPS. Both Geotagging models photoGPS 2 and photoGPS 4 feature a new “facelift” as well as bigger, internal memories in comparison to the previous version. The photoGPS 2 stores up to 2,000 locations on its internal memory, photoGPS 4 even up to 4,000.
The JOBO photoGPS is a small GPS receiver attached to the hot-shoe of a digital camera that captures instantaneously and automatically geodata for photos on the spot. Due to the included software the geodata will be translated automatically in real address data when connected to a PC or notebook and all images will be tagged with these information. In addition to longitude and latitude the real address of where the image was taken such as country, city, street and nearest point of interest are written into the image file. According to these criteria tagged photos can be found, sorted and organized.
JOBO offers improvements to the Reverse Geocoding Service for all photoGPS models in two categories. On the one hand the software features improved results specifically for Japan due to incorporation of additional data sources. The algorithms have been modified in order to generate results which better fit the expectations of Japanese users. On the other hand the photoGPS software features an improved coverage thanks to an extensive database by using the latest updates from Open Street Map. The coverage has been optimized by increasing the number of streets up 23%, of municipalities up 42% as well as increasing the number of nearest points of interest up 27%. Users do not need to do anything to take advantage of these improvements. The photoGPS software will automatically make use of the improved Reverse Geocoding Service.
These new photoGPS models will be available prospectively end of April for MSRP € 99.00 (photoGPS 2) and € 129.00 (photoGPS 4).
JOBO photoGPS 2 / photoGPS 4 Specifications
Capture time: about 0.4 sec
Storage capacity: up to 2,000 locations (photoGPS 2) / 4,000 locations (photoGPS 4)
Accuracy: approx. 12 m
Reverse geocoding providing the real address (country, city, street, POI)
Interface to camera: standard hot-shoe (ISO 518:2006)
File support: JPEG, RAW with XMP sidecar file
Power source: internal rechargeable Li-Poly batteryTypical battery life: 2 months (100 captures per day)
Status information: via 2 LEDs
PC connectivity: USB 2.0
Battery charging: via USB 2.0Requirements for usage: computer with internet connection
Operating systems: Windows XP, 7, Mac (Intel)
Dimensions: 68 x 20 x 43 mm (without adapter)
Weight: 80 g