Friday, June 20, 2008

GPS Integrated Mobile Phones

By Stewart M. Russell

GPS, technically known as Global Positioning System, is the new technology which allows individuals to track everything. Mobile phones with GPS technology are very useful when it comes to emergencies. Most mobile phones have GPS as a special feature. Brands and models with GPS integration include Nokia 6110 Navigator, Nokia N95 (8GB version), Blackberry 8800, Blackberry Curve 8310, HTC Touch Cruise and HTC TyTN II.

Generally, phones that have this feature are more expensive and are top of the line models. But as the price of the technology begins to drop, the phones will become better and cheaper as well. Mobile phone makers are waiting to integrate this technology in all of their products.

At present, GPS is mainly used for navigation, but the investors are more concerned about how it can be used differently. While most people find the navigation feature very convenient, the complete end solution from GPS technology will be the ability to provide location-specific services to people. The software used in combination with GPS satellites will provide exact coordinates to find someone and this will permit emergency services, businesses and others easily find the person, whenever necessary.

While the ultimate GPS usage may seem to be a privacy violation, the idea is to safeguard the public and enhance business services through the technology. Government regulations in each country specifies the limitations of GPS utilisation and they restrict anyone from using the technology to gather intelligence on anyone without their explicit permission.

GPS tracking systems are still rather primitive, because towering buildings and constructional areas can be obstacles to the tracking. This is something the evolved version will take care of. The existing technology is capable of locating landmarks, important places and major roads, depending on the user's location at the time. GPS-enabled mobile phones also provide relevant information according to the specific location.

Another use for GPS technology is network integration. People with mobile phones and networking sites will be able to give information back and forth in real time.

MySpace and Facebook have already begun using this technology with a version for mobile phone users who wish to use the site. Content that is generated by users will now be able to be uploaded easily and effectively by using information on the users location.

While GPS technology is a relatively new and great way to keep track of children, elderly relatives, important commercial arrivals and departures etc, it may become quite an annoying applied science for the general public. This is because, if the technology is used by unscrupulous marketers, they can target location-specific advertisements to each GPS mobile phone user.

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