Spark Fun Electronics has some GPS dev. kits with all of the hardware needed to make a GPS application, but the software to do course plotting, etc. would still have to be developed (and developed in Flash, nonetheless).

But if you feel so inclined, don't let us stop you. ChumbyTomTom was one of the first concepts I thought of for a portable Chumby, and I'm sure the kits would sell.

im thinking that chumby might need a web browser. cos you could (if you are within wi-fi range) use google maps to provide a hybrid image, that grabs the gps co-ordinates from the gps module, feeds them, and then shows your position on your map. it wouldnt be useful for driving directions (thats an advanced feature) but i reckon it wouldnt be too bad if you had the directions sort of onscreen next to the map. i cant navigate at all but an aerial view of where i am, telling me what road i am on, would help immensely.

just a thought.

does chumby have rs232 anywhere? cos thats how most of those modules transmit data. thought it might be easier than trying to grab data via usb (cos itll prolly need a driver), whereas serial will just send the data straight down for the application to grab

Oh wow, I completely forgot about Google Maps, there's your interface! Now that would be a killer widget to have..

You can use chips from the MAX3232 chip family, they're indispensible in projects working with RS232/TTL, I've probably gone through 100 of them in the past year or so (thank goodness they're cheaper by the dozen eh?).

They're for connecting TTL logic (like that of Chumby) to RS232 (serial port) and visa versa, which is what you'd need to connect Chumby's 3.3v TTL logic to the GPS unit's 5v (assuming the GPS uses 5v) or the 5v system of your system's 9-pin.

And then there was Duane's suggestion of using a USB->Serial connector.

go on then, ship me a chumby, and ill get started

a go idea the gps on the chumby

Just about everybody who talks about modding the Chumby, talks about making it portable.  This really needs to be thought out a little bit.  One of the users here (name escapes my mind atm), is working on putting a battery system into the Chumby.  If he wasn't already working on the project, I probably would be.  I really really want to take my chumby with me, and I'm not alone. 

I understand that everyone and their sister has come out with a wireless phone/PDA and you are trying to make something different, but I think that the Chumby wants to come with me and hang out in my bag.  *shrug* but I don't have one yet, so I could be wrong.

Even if you did have a portable battery, where are you getting the WiFi signal?

As I mentioned in another thread, the necessary technology to make the device portable would push the price to around $400 - we don't think that price has legs.

If we thought we could make a portable chumby in the current price range, we would.

Bluetooth based GPS receivers are getting to be very common.

The next round of advanced cell phones will have GPS chips as mandated by the FCC
I expcet before long many of those cellphones will be able to connect via bluetooth to other devices.

It would be nice for the Chumby to support a bluetooth GPS receiver when shipped, for the folks that think that feature would be worthwhile, but I tend to agree that building it in is probably going to have to wait future price relief.