u-blox launches end-to-end solution for instant, low-power photo geotagging

“Our patented photo geotagging solution is the smallest, lowest power, most reliable technology for adding location data to digital photos,” said Thomas Seiler, u-blox CEO “Our cost-effective system enables even low-end cameras to instantly remember where each photo was taken.”

The ultra-compact solution is based on a 4 x 4 mm RF capture IC, the UBX-G0011. When embedded in a camera, the chip takes a snapshot of all necessary GPS satellite data in a fraction of a second. When photos are uploaded to a PC or Mac, the data is quickly resolved to latititude/longitude or street address by u blox’ YUMA software. The chip is only active for an instant, with virtually no impact on camera battery life.

Sharing of geotagged photos via online applications such as Google Earth, Picasaweb and Flickr is going mainstream, and the ability for digital cameras to automatically geotag photos is becoming a strong market requirement.