Iowa Senator Charles Grassley lambaste the Federal Communications Committee this week for failing to disclose information regarding the wireless network plans of the Virginia-based company LightSquared, Fox News reported. LightSquared is facing charges that its proposed next-generation network would interfere with government GPS signals, causing potential security concerns. Despite LightSquared’s promise to install safety measure such as developing filters and altering their spectrum range, fears have not been allayed. Much of the flack comes from farmers afraid of the loss of the GPS technology they use for everything from driving tractors to watering plants.

Grassley has also expressed concern over the involvement of Harbinger, the hedge fund backing LightSquared, and its billionaire head Phillip Falcone. Falcone is a donor of the Democratic Party and has fielded allegations of late that he’s been leveraging cash gifts to speed expedite LightSquared’s legislative approval. Falcone denied placing any such pressure on lawmakers.

Grassley threatened to curtail new nominations to the FCC should his concerns continue unaddressed. The nominees in question are attorneys Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Varadaraj Pai, who had their respective Senate hearings this week.

“There’s nothing new on whether the FCC will provide the information I requested,” Grassley said in a statement. “As a result, my intention to place a hold on the FCC nominees, should they reach the floor, stands. The FCC needs to make itself accountable to Congress and the American people. An agency with control over a major piece of the economy can’t be allowed to operate as a closed shop.”

A new heads-up display (HUD) system projects a GPS display through a car windshield so that it appears as if it is part of the physical landscape.

The technology, developed by California-based company Making Virtual Solid, won 1st prize in the recent European Satellite Navigation Competition in Munich, Germany. The device promises to turn the world outside your vehicle into a giant augmented reality GPS navigation system. the system utilizes a “virtual cable” which is embodied by a line in the sky that drivers can follow with minimal effort.

Current GPS systems require drivers to either look away from the road to determine their exact location and the direction they have to follow. Otherwise, if applicable, the driver is required to consult with a passenger, a notoriously faulty path-finding method. The HUD system is designed to negate these potentially hazardous and imperfect system to allow for a safe, simple, and easy to use navigation system. Also, it’s really cool.

The Virtual Cable works well at night or in bright daylight functions with any pre-installed or external GPS system. MVS is working on how to best make the Virtual Cable as cost-effective as possible so that you can enjoy the technology in your own car.

MVS is not the 1st company to develop HUD GPS technology. The company differentiates itself, however, via the simplicity of the system’s design. Other systems are outfitted with an elaborate display of knobs and dials and icons and whatnot. MVS’ penchant for avoiding distractions led it to eliminate all but the cable itself for what they felt was the ideal design.

Apparently, the judges in Munich agreed.

One of the seminal issues currently shaping the national mobile market, as anyone following the news is familiar with, is LightSquared’s GPS spectrum interference issues. In brief, the Start-up 4G LTE Wireless provider has been accused by government officials of interfering with a number GPS security signals. Furthermore, allegations have risen against LightSquared of late stating that the company pressured top administration officials to portray the wholesale provider in a positive light at Congressional hearings. Clearwire, LightSquared’s chief rival, is scrambling to take advantage of the situation and is in talks with major networks to provide them with LTE coverage in LightSquared’s stead.

Much of this can be traced back to billionaire Philip Falcone, LightSquared’s chief investor, who, it has been asserted by opponents, has made donations to the Democratic party while vying to rush the network deployment through the legislature. Falcone’s behind-the-scenes influence has succeeded in sparking the curiosity of many, and he does indeed make for an interesting profile.

Falcone was born the last of 9 children to a utilities manager and a factory worker in Chisholm, Minn. A star hockey player, he also worked hard in school and scored a scholarship to Harvard University from where he graduated with a degree in economics. After an injury ended his pro Hockey career, Falcone went to work for Kidder, Peabody, and Co and also performed stints at Barclays and Wachovia, respectively.

An early investment of Falcone’s was in plastics maker AAB manufacturing. He lost his entire endowment, and credits this event with deeply influencing his career in hedge funds. He went on to found the Harbinger Group where he made his fortune (his net wroth is $2.2 billion, according to Forbes). LightSquared marks Falcone’s move into permanent capital and out of hedge funds. He is heavily involved with the $15 billion deal with Sprint to share 4G network expansion costs.

Falcone, 49, lives in New York City with his wife and two children. He invests in the Minnesota Wild pro hockey team and his wife sits on the board of the New York City Ballet. His pet pot-bellied pig has its own room in his town house.

A few years ago, drivers made portable GPS systems all the rage. Many vehicles today especially luxury automobiles feature GPS integration. Dashboards have been remodeled to permanently accommodate LCD screens while other outlets provide a space for some systems to plug in.

For most, an already established navigation system is much more comfortable and convenient than using a smartphone with GPS or mounting a portable system on top on the airbag. There’s no doubt about the fact that they also look much better and keep your vehicle’s interior looking sleek and technologically advanced. Aftermarket GPS navigation devices can be permanently installed and are usually cheaper compared to original factory supplied GPS systems installed upon purchase.

Today’s in-automobile navigation systems are highly advanced and come with software that allows for updates. The money you spend will not go to a waste since your system can be kept up to date with advances. Maps are always updated and systems come with voice control, allow SMS text messaging, and can communicate with mobile phones to enable an entirely hands-free driving experience.

The safety features of such GPS systems are also extremely driver and traffic conscious. Subaru and Lexus both produce vehicles that lock out features when the automobile is in motion in order to avoid driver distractions. Such navigation systems also come equipped with management applications which help users handle their daily lives on both personal and professional levels. Information pertinent to traffic and public transportation systems are also available and help drivers make better decisions.

Small and large businesses alike are always implementing new methods of efficiency with the help of products and services that make various aspects of management easier. Of the many products being used, GPS products have proven to be popular with companies who deal with shipping and packing issues. Fleet Tracking devices especially, are commonly used to help manage the travels of goods and services. By identifying, locating, and tracking one or more fleet vehicles in real-time, business owners and employees can better manage time and handle travel conditions even ahead of time.

Those in charge of managing areas of shipping find much use for GPS fleet tracking devices. They are easy to install and operate, a major plus for any piece of technology. Devices that log records of locations, travel routes, and times, such as the LandAirSea Tracking Key Passive GPS Logger, allow users to aggregate and analyze useful sets of information. Managers and shippers can both save lots of time by using the logs to plan more efficient, traffic free routes.

Fleet tracking systems also help keep employees honest since they record accurate travel information. This kind of management solution usually comes at a relatively inexpensive cost to companies. They no doubt also improve driving skills and help keep roads safer. The benefits experienced by users are truly practical and help cut costs of travel and save precious time.

They can all tell you exactly where on Earth you are. Thanks to both portable and built-in GPS systems, a variety of vehicles and smaller devices help people locate themselves as well as other people and things that may need to be tracked. GPS tracking systems today come in different shapes, sizes, and strengths built with different purposes in mind.

TomTom NV, Europe’s leader in manufacturing navigation systems, specializes in systems for automobiles and software for mobile telephones. They produce in-dashboard navigation, navigation devices, and navigation installation/services on mobile devices. TomTom also offers products that provide solutions for fleet management and tracking. The company’s products are typically aimed at the automotive and business industries.

GarMin on the other hand, specializes in producing handheld GPS devices and developing technologies for aviation and marine purposes. GarMin’s GPS technology has been implemented on aircrafts and boats of all kinds, proving to be popular with military personnel and both large and small boat owners. Some of their handheld devices that can even be worn on your wrist are also popular with hikers, travelers, bikers, and sailboat racers.

GPS systems today are changing how people travel and manage themselves and their personal and business lives. Devices have advanced drastically so that now drivers are offered audible directions, aircrafts can be located on maps to stay on route while preventing accidents, and boat owners can find their way home from sea and even locate fish with the help of sonar fishfinders that are GPS enabled. People today are also using GPS systems to track their children and the elderly to maintain their safety while businesses that manage large shipments have implemented fleet tracking systems in order to stay on top of routing schedules and deliveries.

The solutions provided by GPS tracking and navigation systems are endless. Consumers today have definitely utilized satellite GPS in a variety of ways that better both their professional and personal lives.

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