GPS on a Cell Phone

GPS on a Cell Phone

Not all cell phones are capable of performing GPS-related duties. Some mobile phones come with built-in GPS receivers. What this means is that they have the same kind of chip as a standalone GPS unit, as so they can link up directly to the satellites that provide your current location, determine possible routes, display maps, and so on. For example, the Motorola i580 from Nextel has an integrated GPS receiver. That said, out of the box, it cannot provide the same level of functionality as a dedicated GPS handheld device. Instead, it can be used to view your approximate location and help 911 emergency personnel locate where you are. You will need something like Nextel's "Mobile Locator" solution for more functionality.

Check with your favorite service provider's website or with a sales professional at a local kiosk to inquire whether the phone you're interested in is GPS enabled.

Smartphones are Best

In an age where most people are more interested in fashionable cell phones, ones that are skinnier and smaller than ever, it can be difficult to find a suitable handset that has a large enough screen to be actually useful for GPS navigation. For this reason (and several others), it may be best to consider a smartphone if GPS navigation is a major part of your cell phone needs.

What is a smartphone exactly and how is it different from a regular cell phone? Generally speaking, smartphones come with a more powerful operating system and more powerful software. Moreover, it is generally easier to find suitable applications that you can add onto the phone as an aftermarket addition. Some of the most popular smartphones (sometimes referred to as PDA phones because of their incredible personal information management features) include the BlackBerry, Palm Treo, and several of Nokia's higher-end units like the N80.

In exchange for a larger form factor, you typically also receive a substantially larger screen. With the bigger display, using GPS on a cell phone can be a lot easier. Having a more powerful speaker can also be infinitely valuable if the software package you select features voiced turn-by-turn directions. In other words, you'll be able to see the maps better, as well as the automated voice that tells you to "turn left now."

When choosing GPS navigation software for your cell phone, make sure that it is compatible. For example, several Nokia and Samsung smartphones use an operating system called "Symbian", but there are several versions of this. Double check to see what version of Symbian, for example, you are running before selecting the best navigation software.

Add-on GPS Modules for Cell Phones

Chances are that if you've purchased a cell phone within the last year or two, it has some form of Bluetooth Technology. If it is also capable of running some GPS navigation software, then you can add on a GPS receiver. How? There are several GPS receiver modules out there than can communicate with your mobile phone via Bluetooth. Shop around for the best features, the best price, the best reliability, and the best deal!

GPS Alternatives

Even if your phone doesn't have a built-in GPS receiver, there are alternatives out there that will keep you on your way, heading in the right direction. For example, the VZ Navigator Service offered by Verizon Wireless works on nearly all of the mobile phones in their lineup. The flip side, however, is that you have to pay each time you use it and it functions in a slightly different way than a conventional GPS standalone device. Read our article on the Verizon VZ Navigator Service for more details.