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Domain: benefon.com

Stories and comments across the archive that link to benefon.com.

Comments · 29

  1. Re:But wolves already had phones! by hughk · · Score: 1 · on First Cell Phone for Dogs
    Apparently finnish dogs have had phones with GPS for some time. Benefon, the other cell phone company in Finland has a phone with build in GPS and there is a "tracking mode" allowing the tracker to see their position relative to that being tracked.

    Forests are dense in Finland and a hunting dogs can end up being lost. GPS penetration is near enough 100% so it becomes viable to stick the phone on the dog as described, hence the problem is solved.

  2. Not so new... by Tug3 · · Score: 1 · on First Cell Phone for Dogs

    PetCell is not the first about this. A Finnish company callen Pointer had a Pet-phone on the market a year ago. I actually saw a demo a couple a years back in an exhibition. This Dog-GPS as its called is actually an old Benefon GPS/GSM-phone (another Finnish company) in a dog harness. You put it on your hunting dog. Once the dog's running somewhere you send a SMS to the dog and get a location on your similar Esc!-phone's map display. Naturally you have your own GPS on on the phone, so you can track towards the dog. Also if you like you can "call the dog" and with auto answer on you can listen to whats going on around the dog.

    No, I don't hunt myself so I have no real knowledge about the usefullness of this. But as a dog owner I cannot think of any other reason to get phones for my dogs... I did own a Benefon Esc! -GPSphone a couple of years ago, and it was a nice gadget. But no GPRS (or UMTS) it became obsolite for me. Also this would be pretty useless in some less developed countries that don't have GSM coverage in the woods like Finland, as the system relies on GSM's SMS-messages for location enqueries.

    As for links, check out:
    http://www.pointersolutions.com/eng/hunting_dog_gp s.htm
    http://benefon.com/products/esc/

  3. Another GPS/GSM solution by raitiovaunu · · Score: 2, Informative · on Tracking Domestic Animals?

    This company has also a tracking product that might apply:

    http://benefon.com/products/pointer_dog_gps/

    Might cost a few hundred euros and requires GPS and especially GSM network coverage.

  4. Re:How difficult to use? by Slashamatic · · Score: 1 · on Plow Operators Object to GPS Tracking System
    There was a really neet unit from a Finnish company, Benefon (the other less well known Finnish mobile manufacturer) which combined some higher functionality, i.e. with two phones, how do I get to phone A's current position from Phone B. That could be quite useful, but cost about 730 Euros a piece without a contract. They have come down since last time I looked. Actually, the equivalent handheld GPS would probably cost about 2-300 Eur. The problem is that GPS is relatively high drain, and it has problems between high buildings or in deep/narrow valleys. If you can 'see' a GSM/PCS station, it knows which sector you are in and has a range.

    The company even have a device for dog tracking. Apparently, many Finns are avid hunters but those pine forests are dense and dogs can get lost, they can get several km away.

  5. Re:How difficult to use? by Slashamatic · · Score: 1 · on Plow Operators Object to GPS Tracking System
    There was a really neet unit from a Finnish company, Benefon (the other less well known Finnish mobile manufacturer) which combined some higher functionality, i.e. with two phones, how do I get to phone A's current position from Phone B. That could be quite useful, but cost about 730 Euros a piece without a contract. They have come down since last time I looked. Actually, the equivalent handheld GPS would probably cost about 2-300 Eur. The problem is that GPS is relatively high drain, and it has problems between high buildings or in deep/narrow valleys. If you can 'see' a GSM/PCS station, it knows which sector you are in and has a range.

    The company even have a device for dog tracking. Apparently, many Finns are avid hunters but those pine forests are dense and dogs can get lost, they can get several km away.

  6. Re:How difficult to use? by Slashamatic · · Score: 1 · on Plow Operators Object to GPS Tracking System
    There was a really neet unit from a Finnish company, Benefon (the other less well known Finnish mobile manufacturer) which combined some higher functionality, i.e. with two phones, how do I get to phone A's current position from Phone B. That could be quite useful, but cost about 730 Euros a piece without a contract. They have come down since last time I looked. Actually, the equivalent handheld GPS would probably cost about 2-300 Eur. The problem is that GPS is relatively high drain, and it has problems between high buildings or in deep/narrow valleys. If you can 'see' a GSM/PCS station, it knows which sector you are in and has a range.

    The company even have a device for dog tracking. Apparently, many Finns are avid hunters but those pine forests are dense and dogs can get lost, they can get several km away.

  7. The tools are there by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on Tanker Truck Shut Down Via Satellite

    This company has already created a solution for position-based asset/fleet management over GSM networks. Regular SMS is used to send control messages to a service centre, apparently with maps on a desktop PC.

  8. Old news! by samik · · Score: 2, Informative · on Personal GPS in a Mobile Phone

    GPS-enabled phones are nothing new. See these:

    Nokia Communicator GPS module

    Benefon Esc!

  9. NOT FIRST, not by a long shot.. try nearly 2y ago. by gl4ss · · Score: 2, Informative · on Personal GPS in a Mobile Phone

    benefon company website of phonemaker that makes such things..

    quick googling..:
    **Benefon Debuts GPS-Enabled Dual-Band GSM Phones

    By Mark Long -- e-inSITE, 7/30/2001**
    http://www.e-insite.net/index.asp?layout=article&a rticleid=CA149613

  10. Location based services starting to look like HURD by joonasl · · Score: 4, Interesting · on Location-based Security for Wireless Apps
    I've been involved in different kinds of mobile services projects for 3 1/2 years and the whole time the hype about location based services has been going on. I've never ever seen anyone use any kind of location based service in "real life" yet.

    Finnish mobile phone manufacturer Benefon has had a really cool phone, ESC that combines GPS location, GSM and a map application -- and the phone is just not selling...

    I starts to seem that the whole location based service concept is going to be the next WAP: over hyped and under utilized.

  11. Location based services starting to look like HURD by joonasl · · Score: 4, Interesting · on Location-based Security for Wireless Apps
    I've been involved in different kinds of mobile services projects for 3 1/2 years and the whole time the hype about location based services has been going on. I've never ever seen anyone use any kind of location based service in "real life" yet.

    Finnish mobile phone manufacturer Benefon has had a really cool phone, ESC that combines GPS location, GSM and a map application -- and the phone is just not selling...

    I starts to seem that the whole location based service concept is going to be the next WAP: over hyped and under utilized.

  12. Even the dogs have phones in Finland... by hughk · · Score: 2 · on Cell Phone Service Degenerates Further

    ACtually, the Finns even have mobile phones for dogs. I guess a dog may have problems changing his contract though!

  13. Rhino irrelevant.... use mobile phone/GPS by anonymous+cupboard · · Score: 3, Interesting · on Slashback: BitKeeper, Maine, Novell
    The Rhino isn't that relevant unless the FCC controls the frequencies somewhat better than CB.

    In Europe we already have combined GPS/GSM unit like the Benefon Esc! NT2002. The principle is so basic that they are even giving them to hunting dogs (who have a tendancy to get lost in the Finnish woods). True a glorified walkie-talkie requires no infrastructure and is cheaper to operate, but an infrastructure plus a pay per call means that the GPS solution will work in more places (try using a walkie-talkie around a mountain).

  14. Rhino irrelevant.... use mobile phone/GPS by anonymous+cupboard · · Score: 3, Interesting · on Slashback: BitKeeper, Maine, Novell
    The Rhino isn't that relevant unless the FCC controls the frequencies somewhat better than CB.

    In Europe we already have combined GPS/GSM unit like the Benefon Esc! NT2002. The principle is so basic that they are even giving them to hunting dogs (who have a tendancy to get lost in the Finnish woods). True a glorified walkie-talkie requires no infrastructure and is cheaper to operate, but an infrastructure plus a pay per call means that the GPS solution will work in more places (try using a walkie-talkie around a mountain).

  15. Re:GPS Phone Question by jukal · · Score: 2 · on Just How Much Privacy Do We Have?

    > Is there any reason that a phone could not simply fire up the GPS unit when 911 were called? Do any of these GPS-enabled units do this?

    No there is not :) And that's why there already are such "emergency phones". To market something else than the giant mobile phone vendors, here's a link to Benefon Esc's product details, including:

    Emergency button: in case of emergency, up to five SOS messages with your location is sent, and a voice connection is opened to a predefined number

  16. Benefon Esc by jukal · · Score: 1 · on GPS Wristwatch for Kids

    Ohh, I just released that I have to use this chance to plug finnish quality and the excellent Benefon Esc GSM GPS combination.

  17. Location release questions by Stuart+Ward · · Score: 3, Interesting · on Samsung Releases GPS Phone
    Firstly in the GSM world the [PDF] Benefon has been out for a couple of years now, not a big seller and has some limitations. GPS only works with line of sight to the satellites so the GPS will not work indoors and where you have limited view of the sky, i.e. in cities with tall buildings.

    More interesting are the issues around release of location information, how would /. Readers respond to these questions?

    Would you be prepared to release your location when making calls, in much the same way that your phone number is currently released. Your location could only be read by those with appropriate equipment. We will probably be required by law to release this information on all emergency services calls (999, 112 911)?

    1. No, I would not want my location released at all. (except emergency calls)
    2. No, Normally not released, but I would be able to release it by selecting an option when making a call.
    3. Yes, but only to services approved by (My network operator).
    4. Yes, released on all calls, except when I specifically specify not to release the location.
    5. Yes, released on all calls.
    Would you want the location of callers calling you (who have released their location) displayed on your phone display?

    1. Yes, display the grid reference of the caller.
    2. Yes, display the direction and distance of the caller from my current location.
    3. Yes, display the nearest town name to the location of the caller.
    4. Yes, but only if the information was provided free of charge to me.
    5. No, I would not be interested in this.
    . Would you allow the release of you current location to a caller who is calling you?

    1. No, I would not want my location released at all.
    2. No, Normally not released, but I would be able to release it by selecting an option.
    3. Yes, but only to services approved by (My network operator).
    4. Yes, released on all calls, except when I specifically specify not to release when answering the call.
    5. Yes, released on all calls. .
    Would you allow the tracking of your phone to enable (My network operator) and other companies to extract statistical information on your movements for providing information on traffic congestion and other services. All identification information would me masked so it would not be possible to identify you from this data?

    1. Yes. I would trust (My network operator) to manage this information securely.
    2. Yes, Only if I then had access to the traffic information.
    3. Yes, but I would want to select who received the information about me.
    4. No, I would want to opt out of this sort of service.
    5. No, I don't think (My network operator) should collect or release this information..
    Would you want (My network operator) and other companies to send you information messages about events happening near to you?

    1. Yes, only when I requested them.
    2. Yes, as soon as they happen and I am in the area.
    3. Yes, but I would want to select which companies information I receive.
    4. No, I would want to opt out of this sort of service.
    5. No, I don't think (My network operator) should collect or release this information..
    Would you be interested in a find a friend service. The network would look thorough a list of your friends numbers to see if any of them were near you. Only friends on your list would be able to find you?

    1. Yes, I would not mind my friends knowing I was nearby.
    2. Yes, but I would want to be able to disable the service, so I could not be found.
    3. Yes, but I would want to know who was looking for me before releasing anything to my friend.
    4. Yes, but I would only expect to pay if the system found a friend for me.
    5. No, I would not want this sort of service.
    6. No, I don't think (My network operator) should offer this sort of service.
  18. Re:World's First ... So We'll Give it Two Pages by Rovaani · · Score: 1 · on Samsung Releases GPS Phone
    Repeat after me: America is not the whole world, america is not the whole world, ...

    The first GPS-enabled mobile I know of is Benefon Esc. I can't provide a direct link, but it's the second phone on the left.

  19. Re:A news? by msmikkol · · Score: 0 · on Samsung Releases GPS Phone
    It's not like anyone's trying to pretend this is some totally new tech that's never been seen. It's just new to us.

    Outside USA, you should be able to get your hands on a Benefon ESC!, a gsm+gps phone that has been available for a while. For more info, take a look at Benefon's web pages.

  20. Two words: Benefon Esc! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on GPS Meets PCS
    Look at http://beneshop.benefon.com/wwwbin/eng/web_store.c gi?cart_id=7508571.20727&store&category=esc for the real thing. It's a proper GSM phone (not the proprietary PCS), it's in the shops now and it has a built-in PDA with downloadable maps that take their position data from the GPS.

    From their web page:

    • Friend Find
      New, exclusive Personal Navigation Phone feature. Tracks other users of Benefon Esc!, locates them on map (e.g. hiking, yachting), and can even guide you to them (e.g. rock concert, residential address).

    Now that's what I call innovation (No I don't work for Benefon, I just like their products). I just hope you can disable the tracking feature ;-)
  21. Benefon has history by bogomipe · · Score: 3 · on New Mobile Phone Makers on the Block?

    Benefon (http://www.benefon.com/) has been in the mobile business for quite a while. They were strong in the NMT networks during the eighties and early nineties, but were late in switching to GSM. This probably set them back financially quite a lot.

    The new products from Benefon are geeky gadgets at their best: innovative, ground-breaking and stylish. They've also entered some interesting niche markets lately. For example, they provide a german medical service (Sorry, can't remember the name) with automatic mobile reports on a patient's hearbeat and other factors. I believe it can also send out the exact location of the patient in the case of a heart attack.

    There's a small section explaining the companies history on their website. Check it out.

  22. esc specs in english by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2 · on New Mobile Phone Makers on the Block?

    Esc specs

  23. Re:A useful feature to add to such a device... by netpig · · Score: 1 · on New All-In-One Nokia


    THERE IS...

    another Finnish company building GSM phones with GPS positioning build in.

    That company is called Benefon and they do make very cool phones. (Check out the ESC! and Tarck models.)

    Yes, used 9110 communicator for couple of years and have to say, that it's OS GEOS sucks big time. (as well as Linux connectivity, all are win software.)

    Not sure what to choose as next PDA+phone, 9210 or Track+some PDA....

    PS: Benefon was founded by buch of EX-Nokia engineers....

  24. GPS support by avij · · Score: 1 · on New All-In-One Nokia

    Benefon (another Finnish maker of cellular phones) has implemented GPS features in their Benefon Esc! Personal Navigation Phone.

  25. Benefon ESC by TeknoHog · · Score: 1 · on New All-In-One Nokia

    The other Finnish mobile phone business makes a GPS-equipped phone. It has a large display for maps. Not sure what bands are supported, though.

    --

  26. mobile phones and location based services by Aki+Laukkanen · · Score: 1 · on Advertising Via GPS

    There are already (or will be in near future) mobile phones which have integrated GPS capabilities. See for example Benefon Esc! from "the other" finnish mobile phone manufacturer. This phone doesn't yet enable "push-style" location based services but I'm sure future WAP enabled versions will. See the rele vant specification from the WAP forum.

  27. Re:911 Access by bogomipe · · Score: 1 · on Could Cell Phones Replace Regular Phones?
    Wrong.

    Each mobile is in a specific cell and operators can extract very detailed information on the phone's movements (atleast with GSM). Remember, that for a mobile to operate, it's last active location inside the network is always known.

    And GPS is already available in a mobile phone from Benefon, a Finnish manufacturer.

  28. GSM & GPS Phones exists by kte · · Score: 1 · on PCS Phone + UP.Browser == Killer App?

    Actually GPS & GSM phone has been already introduced. Benefon's Esc! is dual-band (900MHz & 1800MHz) GSM phone with GPS with few quite neat features. You can for example send your coordinates with SMS to a friend who can then locate you from map if one available. Local maps can be downloaded to phone. Screen is quite nice for a phone, 100x160 pixels, up to 20 rows of text. Phone itself isn't that big 129x29x23 mm, weight 150g. It has also the usual data staff, internal modem etc..

  29. Re:Great! More Distraction! by samik · · Score: 1 · on Bandai to develop online games for cell phones
    I've got to say, I've got my heart set on a Nokia 7110, but if a phone comes out with Tetris, I'm getting that instead (assuming I don't have to phone anyone to use it).

    Then you should try Benefon io. It has Tetris, Space Invaders and Minesweeper. And it's rather nice phone too... :-)