 Add the word Geo to the beginning of a word and suddenly it seems to take on a whole new meaning. Geotagging is one such word, simply a photo that is tagged with a latitude and longitude coordinate. Many handheld GPS units now come with an imbedded camera, to capture the still image and save the location all on the same jpg file. Alternatives to purchasing a dedicated handheld is to use your smartphone and one of the available apps to combine the pictures and their geographical location. Blue 2CAN users who are interested in geotagging can download the MediaMapper Mobile (MMM) app from Red Hen Systems, which will also work with Google Earth. The app essentially changes an Android phone into a portable GPS, capturing track log information in both NMEA and GPX formats. NMEA is the standard GPS language, while GPX is Garmin's specific data format.
Other devices that use the Blue 2CAN technology include GPS-enabled Nikon cameras and LTI True Pulse Laser Rangefinders. Users can coordinate up to six devices with MMM, to create a personal communication network. A schedule can be put in place to capture images based on time or distance intervals, great for use in aerial fieldwork or images taken with moving cameras on land. A central server collects video and photos taken with the MediaMapper program, allowing users to easily store and retrieve data. Using the Google Earth IsWhere mapping software, categories are used to file photos for future use. This initial MediaMapper software is the blueprint for many additional products to come. Android's open platform is perfect for those looking to manipulate the program to tailor it for their specific needs.
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