| What
makes a cell phone a GPS cell phone? The first requirement
is a GPS receiver. GPS signals originate simultaneously from
three to twelve satellites orbiting about 11,000 nautical
miles above the earth. The GPS receiver and software sort
out the signals from the different satellites and pinpoint
the receiver's location on the surface of the earth to within
a few yards, sometimes closer.
More and more cell phones are manufactured
with GPS receivers built into the handset. Cell phones without
built-in GPS receivers can still become a GPS cell phone by
connecting with a separate GPS receiver through a USB or serial
port or by a wireless Bluetooth connection.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Click
here to find the new way to make long-term money online in
your spare time
-------------------------------------------------------------
Bluetooth is a specification for wireless,
short-range communication of voice and data between two devices.
Both methods can provide turn-by-turn driving instructions,
often with voice and illustrated maps that show your location
on the cell phone screen. The built-in GPS receiver method
is more convenient.
There are no wires or devices to connect and
there is nothing to download from your desktop. Attach your
GPS enabled cell phone to the windshield holder or pull it
out of your pocket if you are on foot, push a few buttons
and off you go.
You will, however, need a special cellular
plan with your cell phone service company, and you may or
may not also need to subscribe to their data service. The
usual cost is between $10 and $25 per month, but that can
vary up or down with usage. Sprint/Nextel and Verizon provide
GPS cell phone service with different features.
In addition to convenience, another advantage
to a cell phone GPS plan is greater accuracy and fewer lost
signals from overhead obstructions. The phone uses a signal
from the cell phone tower to correct or enhance the satellite
signal. This wireless assisted GPS, or enhanced GPS, can sometimes
work inside buildings or under heavy forest canopy, both of
which are terminal to line of sight satellite signals.
A disadvantage with the cellular plan is that
your GPS will work only in places that you can get cellular
telephone service.
If you use a separate GPS receiver that connects
to your cell phone then you will continue to receive GPS signals
regardless of the availability of cellular service so long
as your receiver and the satellites can see each other.
Separate GPS receivers usually come bundled
with software on a SD or similar card that you insert into
a slot on the phone. The software has the maps that display
on your cell phone screen. You can continue to receive cell
phone calls or connect to the internet with your cell phone
while the GPS is working, assuming of course that you have
the proper subscriptions for doing so.
The separate GPS receiver method avoids monthly
plan fees but you will have to balance that against the cost
of the GPS receiver and software, which is from $100 and up
depending on the bells and whistles you want to add.
If you live in an area with good cell phone
service, and you are a non-technical person, or your are buying
GPS for somebody who would never read a manual, then the Sprint/Nextel
and Verizon cellular GPS plans are a good choice. When purchased
as part of cellular plan the cost of a GPS enabled smartphone
is not much different than a regular handset, and $10 - $25
per month is not unreasonable for the service.
What
is a Smartphone ? | Emergence
of the Smartphone | What
Can a Smartphone Do? |
Access
Web 2.0 | Developing
Smartphone Applications | Microsoft
Smartphone Tips and Tricks |
Motorola
MPx200 Smartphone 2002 | Samsung
SGH-i750 | What
Makes A GPS Cell Phone |
Nokia
N73: Inspirational Technology | PDA
& Handheld Computers buying guide
|
