Visitors to modern-day Germany are almost 20 years late to catch the Berlin Wall in action. But the structure that divided the city for 30 years and served as a symbol for the Cold War for both sides is visible thanks to the government's GPS tour of where the wall used to be.
Like an art museum audio guide, a "Walk the Wall" device can be picked up at several locations--like the Brandenburg Gate and popular crossover Checkpoint Charlie--and rented by the hour to dispense history lessons at various points where the wall used to stand.
Because it uses GPS, the guides can also tell you if you've strayed too far from the wall and how to get back on track. An iPod tour can't do that!
So that travel blog, that Flickr page and your constantly-updated Twitter account aren't enough? Better look into Spot. The "satellite messenger" is the official gizmo of the TMI era.
Here's how it works: As you trek along, Spot pings GPS satellites and then sends your location to a password-protected server. It can also send an SMS or email to your buddies, which will direct them to a Google Map pinpointing your position in almost-real time. You can also go back afterwards and scope the route you navigated and your waypoints.
Admittedly, you can use the thing for something more important than over-sharing your world travels. In an emergency, Spot will send a distress signal to rescuers, complete with your current coordinates. Could be handy if you end up stranded at an abandoned train station.
GoCar rentals is similar to Electric Time Cars in that, they offer electric carts that go up to 35 mph and an on board GPS computer so you don't get lost. So what is the difference? Well according to GoCar they provide the “first ever storytelling car.” Apparently they never watched Knight Rider.
What kind of stories does GoCar tell?
It tells you about historical facts of certain locations and business. Who would have known that O.J Simpson attended to Galileo High School! I didn't know until the GPS lady told me so!
A GoCar rents for $44 for the first hour, $34 for hour two, and $24 for each additional hour, after five hours of rental, you won't be charged for any additional hours. GoCar drivers must be 21 or older with a valid driver’s license.
Oh, and get this, you can become a GoCar Rental franchisee. You can license a GoCar Rentals franchise for somewhere between 50 and 100k; the company’s first franchise has already opened in San Diego. A second franchise is scheduled to open in Miami in April. GoCars also sells new and used GoCars—buy one and launch your own brand of GPS tours. New vehicles run $6,000.
Maybe we should start Jaunted GoCars New York. Could we still get Dick Clark to do the audio portion--"Remember, to wear a helmet!" Is this gonna be bigger than Subway? Time will tell.
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by egw
