Do you remember the days when a cell phone was just a cell
phone? You pulled it out of your pocket to make a call and that
was about it. Now your cell phone can take pictures, send text
messages, play music, become your personal organizer, play
games, and even function as your GPS.
I'm not talking about the GPS chip embedded into all current
cell phones. That GPS is only present to help emergency crews
locate you in the event of an emergency (the same way that your
landline will give away your location). I'm talking about new
Smart Phones that actually integrate with new GPS devices,
allowing you to receive voice guided driving directions, trip
planning, toll road avoidance, on the fly off-course rerouting,
and now even real time-traffic information that will allow you
to reroute to avoid heavy congestion. And for the cell phone
purist, these new phones can even make and receive phone calls!
And just like other new GPS systems you'll have access to a huge
database with points of interest. Need to know the nearest gas
station? No problem. You can also find the nearest restaurant,
movie theatre, and even a parking garage - which is especially
helpful if you're in an unfamiliar city. And if you happen to be
somewhere where you don't have a detailed map - no problem -
this isn't just a GPS unit, it's a Smart Phone so you can
download the map you need. The new SmartPhone GPS devices can
easily replace your in-car navigation system.
Probably the most widely used device for making your Smart Phone
an advanced GPS is the TomTom Mobile 5 http://www.gp
smaestro.com/tomtom/tomtommobile5). It's currently only
available for a limited number of Smart Phones (check TomTom's
site for a list of supported phones). But for the phones it
works with you'll get an impressive list of features and you'll
even be able to change the voice of the navigator to something
more entertaining (Darth Vader, anyone?). If you happen to live
in the UK, you can also get access to real time safety camera
information.
This is, of course, just the next step in the ever evolving cell
phone. Soon new cell phones will have GPS navigation technology
built in and probably more features you've never even thought to
ask for.
About the author:
Gary Ruplinger is the webmaster and writer for GPS Maestro, site
offering tips, tools, and reviews for GPS Devices. To learn
more, please visit http://www.gpsmaestro.com
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