International GPS Cell Phone

International GPS Cell Phone

Years ago, it was innovative enough to have any mobile phone, but nowadays, that little handset must also have an MP3 player, a digital camera, and basic PDA functionality. Although getting GPS on a cell phone hasn't quite hit the mainstream just yet, it is becoming a lot more popular.

Not all cell phones are capable of displaying real-time GPS data, but by using solutions such as the Verizon VZ Navigator Service, portable GPS navigation has been opened up to the general public. Similar technology is used to track a cell phone using GPS. For the most part, though, GPS navigation is restricted to smartphones, because they are -- by definition -- the only cell phones that easily allow for third-party software.

How to Use GPS Technology

There are two main ways to enjoy GPS navigation on your mobile phone.

First, your phone may already have a built-in GPS receiver -- like the Nokia N95 -- and as such, it is prepared to connect to the GPS satellites that orbit the Earth. All you have to do is download the appropriate maps for the area and the rest should be fairly straightforward.

Alternatively, if your phone does not have integrated GPS but does feature Bluetooth technology, you can oftentimes find an external GPS receiver that will communicate with your smartphone using a Bluetooth connection. Again, you will still need to download the appropriate maps for the area of interest. Most major GPS companies have some form of software and mapping for most major metropolitan areas in Canada, the United States and Europe.

Getting Maps

Most Bluetooth GPS modules and even GPS cell phones only come with information for the location where they are purchased. For example, if you were to buy a unit in Los Angeles, California, there is a distinct possibility that it will only come with mapping information, points of interest and other critical pieces of data for the United States. As such, if you intend on using your handset as an international GPS cell phone, you will need to acquire the maps for every country on your trip.

For example, if the software you have is created by Garmin, you can oftentimes purchase additional maps directly from the Garmin Web site, loading them onto your memory card for use with your GPS mobile phone. An inexpensive alternative is to get your maps from Google Maps, and even say that these are even more up-to-date than official offerings from larger GPS companies. It is best to discuss with your local retailer or dealer for more information, as the application and data may or may not be compatible with your specific model.

There are also several forums available on the Internet with like-minded individuals. The cell phone gurus who frequent those sites can usually point you in the right direction.

Examples of GPS Cell Phones

Most cell phone manufacturers have a selection of phones with built-in navigation capabilities. If you check out Nextel, you'll find several iDEN-based Motorola cell phones with this capability. Check with your local dealer for more information.

Other popular GPS cell phones include the aforementioned Nokia N95 slider, certain BlackBerry PDA phones, the E-TEN G500 and the HTC Athena.