Geneq, Inc., the pioneer in WAAS-based submeter GPS mapping systems, introduces the SXBlue II, a next generation submeter, Bluetooth™ wireless GPS mapping receiver that allows to use off-the-shelf Bluetooth™-enabled PDA/notebook computers to collect GPS map data. http://www.geneq.com

Chronos Technology and Septentrioare working together to bring Septentrio's products into the OEM and professional precision GNSS receiver markets in the UK and Ireland. www.chronos.co.uk

Blue Marble Geographics announces the release of Geographic Calculator 7.0, a major version upgrade of the Geographic Calculator that features many new enterprise-wide collaboration tools and core library enhancements. www.bluemarblegeo.com

Trimble has acquired the UtilityCenter® assets from privately-held UAI, Inc. of Huntsville, Alabama, USA. UAI is a leading provider of GIS based workflow automation and outage management solutions for electric and gas utilities. www.uai.com

Leica Geosystems has released FCMS 2.2. The Flight & Sensor Control Management System (FCMS) enables the most efficient Leica Geosystems sensor (ADS40, ALS50 or RCD105) survey flights. It also supports any other sensor, as well as multisensor payloads of up to four sensors bringing significant enhancements to users including vector data and ground control points as a backdrop, simplified views for the pilot and a more flexible, multi-language configuration. www.leica-geosystems.com

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging has embedded orthorectification capabilities for the Thailand Earth Observation System (THEOS-1) in both its Erdas Imagine and Leica
Photogrammetry Suite.

u-blox AG, announced the launch of two GPS modules that set new benchmarks in terms of speed, sensitivity and ease of integration. The LEA-5 GPS module series is based on u-blox' fifth generation positioning engine, u-blox 5, which boasts an acquisition performance of less than one second. www.u-blox.com

The European Commission (EC) is taking a closer look at TomTom's planned acquisition of TeleAtlas. The EC only initiates a second review in about 3 percent of the mergers it reviews, so it's a bit of an extraordinary step. The probe will examine whether the deal would push up the price of digital maps for rival portable navigation device makers or limit their access to these maps. According to TomTom and Tele Atlas, they expect to have a clearer idea about whether the deal can go through by early next year. cp.gpsworld.com

Magellan has been named an International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovations 2008 Design and Engineering Award honoree in two categories. Magellan Maestro 4250 for In-Vehicle Navigation/Telematics/ ITS product category and the Magellan Triton 2000 for Personal Electronics product category. cp.gpsworld.com

Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging announced, Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging India Private Limited, with its headquarters in Gurgaon (New Delhi), India. Leica Geosystems India plans to deploy technical support, business development, marketing, software development and professional services throughout the region. It will also build customized and localized geospatial solutions, meeting the needs of this rapidly expanding market.

“Leica Geosystems India brings the industry’s most complete and powerful collection of remote sensing, photogrammetry, enterprise, data sharing and visualization solutions to this part of the world, with added services and localized implementations,” said Kaushik Chakraborty, Vice President India, Middle East, and Africa, Leica Geosystems Geospatial Imaging. http://gi.leica-geosystems.com

Sokkia (Japan) has released the new total station SET X featuring the highest environmental protection rating for Windows CE- based total stations, onboard SDR software and a flexible, long-life battery system. Anenvironmental protection rating of IP65 makes SET X the highest in class for Windows CE total stations, allowing it to withstand the harshest conditions on the most demanding jobsites.

AAMHatch has acquired of AOC Geomatics, Africa which was formed in 1931 as the Aircraft Operating Company. AOC provides spatial information services throughout Africa and AAMHatch will continue to use the AOC brand. As the principal shareholder, AAMHatch brings global capabilities and resources to AOC. www.aamhatch.com.au

DAT/EM Systems International recently sold its 1000th Summit Evolution digital stereoplotter mapping system to Woolpert, Inc, an engineering, architectural, geospatial firm.. The company has become one of the largest users of Summit Evolution in North America.

Amaryllo, a GPS product developer and solutions provider from the Netherlands, and APMCOMM, a main Taiwanese wireless SiP (System-in-Package) module manufacturer, announced to create and deliver integrated RDS/ TMC and GPS/RDS/TMC modules today available on the market. This series of modules is the first product cooperation between Amaryllo and APM.

Hoya Corporation (Japan) is to absorb Pentax Corporation. The merger will become effective on 31st March 2008. Hoya, which acquired a 90.4 pct stake in Pentax through a tender offer earlier this year, concluded that speedy management and the appropriate use of resources of Pentax’s operations would be better ensured by the merger.

Hemisphere GPS’ new XF100 series DGPS receivers with Crescent® GPS technology for ruggedized handheld computers provides an integrated solution for the collection of position data with superior accuracy over other handheld solutions. It is designed to work with TDS Recon™ and the Juniper Archer Field PC™ models, this receiver is ideal for entry-level surveying and professional GIS applications such as mapping utility infrastructures or municipality assets. It includes SBAS (WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, etc.) differential support capable of providing sub-meter positioning accuracy, and its COAST™ technology that maintains accuracy during temporary loss of differential signal. An optional external antenna is available for additional accuracy and allows for more precise antenna placement. The receiver also consumes low power. Crescent receiver technology provides higher update rates, improved raw measurements, more memory, and greater processor capacity. Its more accurate code phase measurement and superior multi-path rejection translates into an extremely accurate and stable receiver.

Cameron Baird, Director Business Development, Hemisphere GPS spoke to Coordinates on the uniqueness of the products.

The USP would be the fact that it is designed for existing users. The users of either the Juniper Archer or the TDS Recon can now add sub-meter level DGPS to their existing handheld WinCE device. This is the first precision level DGPS product designed for these products.

The product is geared to the data collection market and users who may require a higher level of precision than found in commercially available GPS receivers. In addition, as it utilizes existing rugged handhelds as the platform, we are targeting those who may have these units and can now add the GPS without having to purchase a new handheld.

As to affordability, this can be answered in two ways. i) The user who currently has either a TDS Recon or a Juniper Archer can now purchase the X100 or XF101 at a price considerably less than the competitors, and would now have a product which can be utilized for many applications. ii) Although more expensive than consumer level GPS, the product will compete with any other similarly priced product in the market. In addition, the product will utilize SBAS in areas where SBAS is available and also the raw observables can be logged to either the TDS Recon or Juniper Archer for postprocessing. www.hemispheregps.com

Hexagon has entered into an agreement to acquire all outstanding shares of the Indian company Elcome Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Elcome Technologies is a distributor and systems integrator of products and solutions for customers in the field of positioning, navigation, alignment, measurements and surveying using various technologies such as optical and GPS based equipment, aerial photogrammetry, GIS and mapping, construction and mining machine control, portable coordinate measuring machines (CMM), laser scanning, and weather meteorology. The company is a market leader in India in its targeted application segments.

"The acquisition of Elcome Technologies is an important piece in our global growth strategy in the emerging markets. India will certainly become one of the most important markets for measurement technology solutions, and with the acquisition of Elcome Technologies we are setting a strong foundation for Hexagon's further expansion and market leadership in India", says Ola Rollén, CEO and President of Hexagon AB.

Elcome Technologies' sales have increased by more than 20 per cent annually since 2000. The company will have a turnover of over 100 MSEK in 2007, or about 35 MSEK excluding inter company sales. Elcome Technologies has over 80 employees and operates out of 12 locations across India.

"The surveying equipment industry, which is one of the cornerstones of Hexagon's measurement technologies portfolio, is estimated to continue to grow at a rate of over 20 per cent in India over the coming years. This growth will be further accelerated by increased spending on infrastructure, which in turn will benefit Hexagon's expanding business in machine control and networks", says Ola Rollén.

"Elcome Technologies has grown very rapidly in the last five years and the acquisition by Hexagon gives us the means to grow even faster and keep pace with the fast growing Indian market. We are extremely excited about this acquisition as it provides us the vehicle for further investment in our market segments. Hexagon has acquired Elcome Technologies because they like what we are doing in Indian market. We have a very clear customer focus and have been enjoying undisputed number one position in the Indian market for some time. Hexagon wants to expand this leadership even further and has committed to double our current infrastructure in coming years. Elcome Technologies will continue under Current Management and there is no plan for any fundamental changes in the Current Management Structure or Business Model.", says Ajay Seth, Managing Director of Elcome Technologies.

The company will be fully consolidated from 1 January 2008 and will immediately to contribute to Hexagon's earnings. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approval.