That’s the general purpose of GPS technology. But that’s only a tiny part of it. By the way, have you ever asked yourself what those letters stand for? And if they’re supposed to be English words, why two of them make no sense whatsoever? Anyway, let’s not get off topic.
GPS technology is a system of satellites and control facilities that provides precise information about location, time and speed. This information can be used to navigate, orient products or manage fleets. GPS receivers are becoming increasingly affordable for consumer use.
What is GPS?
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It’s a satellite-based navigation system that provides accurate location information anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.
The U.S. Department of Defense developed GPS in 1973 to provide highly accurate positioning information to military users worldwide. In 1983, they made the system available for civilian use as well.
Categories of GPS technology
GPS technology is used for a wide variety of purposes, and it’s important to understand the different types of GPS technology so you can choose the right one for your needs.
There a few basic categories of GPS technology:
Navigation systems are a common feature in newer vehicles, but they are also available for many older cars. They provide drivers with directions to their destination and can even give alternate routes if traffic is heavy or construction is blocking the road.
Navigation systems can also be used as a tool to help people find their way around unfamiliar cities. Some even come with an emergency assistance feature, which contacts local authorities if you’re in danger.
There are two types of navigation systems: hard-wired and portable. Hard-wired systems are part of the vehicle’s electrical system and cannot be removed from the car without causing damage to the vehicle itself.
Portable devices are separate devices that plug into the cigarette lighter or 12-volt outlet in your vehicle’s console. Portable devices tend to be more expensive than hard-wired systems because they require more technology and research to develop.
Hard-wired systems: Hard-wired navigation systems use GPS signals from satellites to determine your location on earth and show you how to get where you want to go.
These types of navigation systems usually include voice command capabilities so that you can ask questions like “What’s around here?” or “Where’s the closest gas station?” while on the road.
Navigation systems in cars can be a great way to find your way. But if you’re walking, biking or driving a scooter, there are plenty of navigation apps for you as well. Here are some examples of street navigation systems:
a. Google Maps
Google Maps is one of the most popular navigation apps for both Android and iOS devices. It offers turn-by-turn directions and access to public transit information in many major cities around the world. Google Maps also has voice search capabilities, so you can simply tell it where you want to go and it will automatically provide suggestions.
b. Garmin
Garmin offers many different portable GPS devices that are available in a variety of styles and sizes to suit every budget and need.
These devices allow you to navigate using voice commands or touchscreen controls while keeping your hands on the wheel at all times so you don’t have to take your eyes off the road to look at a map or printout of directions during travel time.
c. Waze
Waze is a crowdsourced GPS app that helps you find out about traffic jams and accidents along your route. With real-time data from other users using the app, Waze lets you know about any delays or hazards on your route so that you can take an alternate path if necessary.
Waze also provides voice guidance while driving so that you don’t have to look at your phone while driving down the road!
d. TomTom
Tomtom is one of the oldest navigation apps available online today and has been around since 2001 when it first launched its first GPS device for cars. The company now offers a range of GPS devices for both cars and motorcycles along with smartphone apps for both iOS and Android.
Smartphone apps for navigation are another way to get turn-by-turn directions from home or work to wherever you want to go on the road or footpaths.
These apps use GPS technology and sometimes even Wi-Fi signals from local towers in order to find your location so that they can provide accurate directions from point A to point B. You can also download maps onto your phone so that you don’t have to rely on data connections.
f. Street view
This feature shows what roads look like from overhead so that drivers know what is coming up ahead and can prepare accordingly if necessary. Street view is also useful when trying to find a particular place since it allows people to see exactly where they need to go before they even arrive at their destination.
2. Sports GPS systems and watches
The best sports GPS systems and watches come packed with features that go far beyond simple tracking. They can help you set goals, keep you motivated and even plan your workout.
Sports GPS systems are great for runners and cyclists, but some models can also be used for hiking, skiing and other activities.
You can use the devices to track speed, distance, elevation and more — all without having to carry a phone or other device around with you. This makes them perfect for runners who want to leave their phones at home while they’re out on a run.
Most sports watches have built-in GPS receivers and heart rate monitors, too. You can use these features to get accurate information about how fast you’re going and how hard your body is working during your workout.
Examples sports GPS systems and watches
There are several sports GPS watches on the market today. These watches have become a favorite among many athletes and fitness enthusiasts because they provide accurate data about your workout, including distance, pace and speed. If you’re interested in purchasing a sports watch with built-in GPS, then you should consider the following devices:
a. Garmin Forerunner 310XT
The Garmin Forerunner 310XT is one of the best GPS running watches on the market today. It provides runners with accurate information about their workouts, including distance, pace and heart rate. In addition to these features, it also has an altimeter that measures how high the user is above sea level.
This feature is great for hikers who want to keep track of their altitude while hiking mountains or mountainsides. The Garmin Forerunner 310XT also has a barometric altimeter that allows users to set custom alarms for different altitudes so that they can know when they’ve reached certain heights while hiking or running.
b. Garmin Forerunner 910XT
The Garmin Forerunner 910XT offers many of the same features as its older sibling (the 310XT), but it also includes new features like a battery life indicator that alerts users when their batteries need recharging or replacing. This device also has a vibration alert feature that vibrates.
c. Garmin Forerunner 735XT
If you’re looking for something less expensive than the Fenix 5X Sapphire but still want something that can handle any sport you throw at it, then the Forerunner 735XT might be right up your alley.
It offers many of the same features as its pricier sibling but without some of the more advanced features like music storage (it does have Bluetooth) or wrist-based heart rate monitoring.
d. Apple Watch Series 3
This is another example of a smartwatch from Apple that has GPS built into it. It doesn’t have any hardware buttons on the watch itself though so you’ll have to use Siri or the touchscreen to control it instead.
3. PDA GPS based systems
PDA GPS based systems are a great way to keep track of your fleet and monitor the locations of your drivers. These systems can be used for both commercial and private use, and can help you stay on top of your fleet or vehicles.
A PDA GPS based system will allow you to know where each vehicle is at all times, and it will also allow you to see the speed that the vehicle is travelling at. This type of system is very helpful for anyone who owns multiple vehicles, as it will help them ensure that their vehicles are being driven safely and responsibly.
PDA GPS based systems have many other features as well. For example, they can be used as security devices because they allow you to track whether or not someone has tampered with a vehicle while it was parked in an area that wasn’t secure.
A PDA GPS based system can also be used to monitor how much fuel each vehicle has left, which helps drivers stay on budget when they’re driving long distances away from home base.
These types of systems are great for anyone who has a fleet of trucks or cars that need constant maintenance and monitoring while they’re out on the road or highway somewhere in North America.
Examples PDA GPS based systems
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) GPS based systems are one of the most popular means of tracking. The PDA is an electronic organizer that can be used to track employee location, monitor vehicle fleets and keep track of assets.
The following are three examples of PDA GPS based systems:
a. Fleet management systems
Fleet management systems allow you to track your fleet’s location in real time. The system provides information about vehicle position, speed, fuel consumption and other performance parameters. This helps businesses reduce operating costs by optimizing driving patterns and routes.
b. Asset tracking systems
Asset tracking systems help businesses keep track of their assets at all times. In case an asset goes missing, the system will help you locate it quickly using its built-in GPS module that tracks its location in real time.
If a theft occurs, the system will tell you where the stolen asset was last seen which would help police investigate further into the case and arrest criminals who stole your property.
c. Employee tracking systems
Employee tracking systems allow employers to monitor their employees’ locations while they’re on duty or on business trips so they can see when their employees arrive at or leave work and check if they worked overtime or came late for work without prior notice or permission from superiors or supervisors.
4. Phones with GPS
We all know the importance of having a working phone. It’s not only a way to stay in touch with friends and family, but also it can be used as an emergency tool in case of an emergency.
However, many people don’t know that there are phones that come with GPS tracking features installed on them. These phones are specially designed for people who want to make sure they can find their loved ones when they are lost or in danger.
Related: 7 Types of Touch Screen Technology
How does it work?
Most phones have built-in GPS systems that can be activated by pressing just one button. Once activated, the phone will start sending out its location data to satellites orbiting the earth, which then transmit this information back down to earth where it is received by the phone company’s servers and stored in their database.
From there, anyone who has access to this database can search for any specific phone number and see its current location at any given moment throughout the day or night.
Examples of phones with GPS
Here are some phones with GPS built-in:
a. iPhone 7 Plus: This smartphone from Apple comes with a precise GPS receiver that works very fast.
b. Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: This smartphone has an integrated GPS chip that allows you to locate your position anywhere in the world within seconds and make use of Google Maps when traveling abroad.
c. LG G6: This smartphone comes with a built-in GPS chip that allows you to locate your position anywhere in the world within seconds and make use of Google Maps when traveling abroad.
d. Moto Z Force Droid: This phone has an integrated GPS chip that allows you to locate your position anywhere in the world within seconds and make use of Google Maps when traveling abroad by locking onto satellites quicker than any other phone on the market today!
e. HTC One Max: Features a built-in GPS sensor that allows it to track your location without the need for a separate GPS device. It also comes with an M7 motion co-processor that’s designed specifically for fitness apps.
f. BlackBerry Z30: Features a built-in GPS sensor that allows it to track your location without the need for a separate GPS device. It also comes with an M7 motion co-processor that’s designed specifically for fitness apps.