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.