Google MyMaps + TakItWithMe + Garmin Communicator API = WOW!
Written by Glenn Letham
17 July 2007
Every once in a while an application comes along that makes you sit back and say... WOW! TakItWithMe is a new service for uploading Google My Maps and Google Earth KML content to Garmin and other handheld devices. TakItWithMe is a free service and supports most Garmin hand-held devices by leveraging the newly announced Garmin Communicator API. According to the developers... "Combined with the recent Maplets functionality at maps.google.com, this helps bridge the geoweb to real world GPS use. "
TakItWithMe is a free service enabling anyone to easily take your Google MyMaps and Google Earth content to Garmin devices -- there's also a Direct Mymaps and KML conversion routine available!
The TakItWithMe team has put together a very slick demo (YouTube video) showing the application in action and all of its simple-to-use functionality. See http://earthnc.com/introducing-takitwithme. Watch as they conduct a simple real estate search (near my old digs in Destin, FL) in Google Maps, create a Google My Map of the result, and send it to a GPS for use while house hunting.
So, what can you do with the application? Use the service for uploading Google My Maps and Google Earth geo content to Garmin and other handheld devices. Anyone familiar with using Google Maps or Google Earth can transfer online map content including points, routes, geo search results, and Google Earth files to their Garmin GPS device of choice with the simple click of a button. Imagine... create all you POIs or routes within Google Maps and easily take them with you.
TakeItWithMe is a free service and supports most Garmin hand-held devices by leveraging the newly announced Garmin Communicator API. Because the Communicator API is currently limited to Internet Explorer and Firefox on Windows, TakItWithMe also supports online map conversion to the GPX format - compatible with a wide range of GPS software and devices across operating systems.
Because the Communicator API is currently limited to Internet Explorer and Firefox on Windows, TakItWithMe also supports online map conversion to the GPX format.
One of My Google MyMaps as seen using in Google
MyMap taken over and dropped into the TakItWithMe Converter
About The Garmin Communicator Plugin API The Garmin Communicator Plugin API is a browser plugin and JavaScript support code that allows developers to transfer location data – such as waypoints, track logs, maps and points of interest (POIs) – to and from a website and Garmin device. The benefit of this service to the retail consumer is that the API will simplify loading location data to a Garmin GPS. For example, on MotionBased.com, customers can quickly upload their activities (track logs) from the GPS. The cross-browser, and soon the cross-platform plugin, provides a consistent experience for MotionBased customers. Geocaching.com also integrates the plugin so that users can easily transfer selected geocaches (waypoints) to their Garmin device by clicking a new Garmin icon on the Geocaching.com website. http://developer.garmin.com/web-device/garmin-communicator-plugin/
Top iPhone related GIS and Geo Tech news stories from 2009 - At the end of the year its always interesting for us to look at some of the stats and results to identify trends and more important, to see what our readers think is hot! In the "news" category it seems that iPhone related geo tech items were extremely popular.
10 Awesome GIS and Mapping apps for the iPhone - I recall last year at the ESRI UC when an iPhone was on stage showing a prototype app (think ArcPad on iPhone). It was then that I realized the iPhone platform is going to be BIG in mapping and there's a ton of opportunity for developers.
Nokia Booklet 3G, unboxing video and image gallery... Those of you in the USA who pop in to BestBuy occasionally, you may have seen a stand showing off the Nokia Booklet 3G. A sleek, 3G enabled, SIM slot (AT&T) sporting netbook.
Interesting Tweeple - 10 Geo Technology & Geo-Social Women of Twitter - given the growing love for geospatial and location-aware technologies, I’ve decided to hype 10 women that I feel make a significant contribution to the Geo-Twittersphere. If you’d like to add 10 knowledgeable and useful Twitter contacts to your Geo following list I highly suggest the following: (in no particular order)
10 Geo Social Location-Aware Apps Making Waves... With Twitter's opening of their location API to developers there's going to be a ton of third party apps that will enable Twitter users to share location-aware information via their Twitter accounts.
Signs that indicate you may be a GeoGeek (aka. GeoNerd) and some suggested Geo blogs - Chances are good that if you are a Geo Geek then you already know it and likely refer to yourself as one. However, there’s many of you out there that may be on the fence and wondering… “am I a Geo Geek?" Read on for a comprehensive list of signs you might be a GeoGeek followed up by some suggested Geoblog reading.
Real-time GPS Mapping and GIS Solution Aids Efficient Disaster Management - Saturday, February 7, 2009 will forever be known as Black Saturday in the State of Victoria, Australia. In the midst of a 10-year drought, a record breaking heat wave descended upon the state, with temperatures exceeding 45 degrees C (110-120 deg F), breaking all-time record highs in some cities - Victoria Police Use Trimble Juno SC Handhelds to Speed Assessment of Damage Caused by Bush Fires.
10 Ways Your Tech Business Can Take Advantage of Twitter - Many companies and individuals are still asking themselves how can I use Twitter in my business? The following is a small sampling of some of the ways that your technology business can use Twitter to your advantage.
2010 ESRI Federal User Conference February 17-19, 2010, Washington D.C. Walter E. Washington Convention Center - The FedUC is the largest geospatial conference for federal agencies. Connect with other leaders, decision makers, and GIS professionals.
The International LiDAR Mapping Forum 2010 - Tenth Anniversary Event! ILMF 2010 will be held from March 3 - 5, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Denver at Colorado Convention Center.
The NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony will be held during Ignite at O'Reilly Where 2.0. Be among the first to hear as NAVTEQ announces the winners for the North America region. Participants will be competing for a global prize pool of $10 million and growing by showcasing pre-commercial location-enabled apps using NAVTEQ map data & products. March 30, 2010, during Ignite Where, 7:30pm - 9:00pm, at the Marriott San Jose, CA
WHERE2.0 2010 - Now in its sixth year, the Where 2.0 Conference is where the grassroots and leading edge developers building location-aware technology intersect with the businesses and entrepreneurs seeking out location apps, platforms, and hardware to gain a competitive edge. For 15% use Discount Code: whr10lbs
So, what can you do with the application?
See more 
