GPS - Where am I?
We have all heard of GPS or Global Positioning System but how many of us understand what it is and how it works? Without getting to geeky let’s take a little look and then discuss how this technology will soon change the way we navigate, make photos and keep track of our kids.
The U.S. Military developed a system of 24 orbiting satellites that orbit the earth twice each day on a preset orbit. At any one time, from any position on the globe, 4 of these satellites are above the horizon. Your GPS receiver locates them and using a mathematical principle called “Trilateration” pinpoints your location.
It does this by establishing how physically far you are from any three of the four visible orbiting satellites. Each satellite sends out a low power high frequency radio signal. Buy comparing how long these signals take to arrive the GPS can calculate within feet, where on the globe you must be. Throwing in the 4th satellite improves the accuracy.
Many devices are making use of GPS. We’ve all seen the GPS units we put into our vehicles. Garmin, Tom Tom, Mio and Magellan all make portable GPS units that come loaded with maps and provide turn-by-turn information that allow us guys to never have to ask for directions. Seeing as most guys would rather drive around lost for 3 hours rather than admit we are lost. Wives all over the planet should plan to tuck one of these into their vacation luggage this year before heading out on the family vacation.
GPS units are beginning to show up in cellphones like Apple’s iPhone allowing you to navigate in a vehicle or on foot. Be careful as these units are not quite advanced or powerful as their stand alone cousins and may get you within a couple of blocks rather than a couple of feet. Apple’s cleaver engineers have also worked out ways to use the GPS in the phone to locate the closest coffee shop, mall or gas station.
What is on the horizon is a very small GPS locator built for children that would attach to their keychain, be worn around their neck or be included in a wristwatch or cellphone that can be activated by worried parents looking for their AWOL children. As with all technology, I can see benefits and risks to this big brother approach but get ready because it’s coming to a mall near you.
Cameras are beginning to use GPS to locate where on the globe each photo was taken. Apple’s latest version of iPhoto already carries software that will pick-up on these digital tags and create a map with pins showing you where each photo was taken on your trip to Europe.
GPS is being looked at by marketers too. They want to be able to deliver push ads to your cellphone from the shops you walk past. While this might be great if you are looking for an interesting place for lunch in New York City, it could become intrusive if every time you pass your local Starbucks they are bugging you and pinging your cellphone.
Skiers, campers, hunters and fishermen should be making a trip to MEC however and picking up a handheld GPS unit as prices continue to fall and good ones can now be had for around $200. I like the Spot Personal Tracker that retails for under $200. It has 4 buttons a 911 Alert (means come and rescue me now I am in serious trouble), Check In (sends info to your friends or families email that all is well and showing your location on a map), Track progress (real time tracking of your progress) and Ask For Help (non-life threatening emergency).
The U.S. Military developed a system of 24 orbiting satellites that orbit the earth twice each day on a preset orbit. At any one time, from any position on the globe, 4 of these satellites are above the horizon. Your GPS receiver locates them and using a mathematical principle called “Trilateration” pinpoints your location.
It does this by establishing how physically far you are from any three of the four visible orbiting satellites. Each satellite sends out a low power high frequency radio signal. Buy comparing how long these signals take to arrive the GPS can calculate within feet, where on the globe you must be. Throwing in the 4th satellite improves the accuracy.
Many devices are making use of GPS. We’ve all seen the GPS units we put into our vehicles. Garmin, Tom Tom, Mio and Magellan all make portable GPS units that come loaded with maps and provide turn-by-turn information that allow us guys to never have to ask for directions. Seeing as most guys would rather drive around lost for 3 hours rather than admit we are lost. Wives all over the planet should plan to tuck one of these into their vacation luggage this year before heading out on the family vacation.
GPS units are beginning to show up in cellphones like Apple’s iPhone allowing you to navigate in a vehicle or on foot. Be careful as these units are not quite advanced or powerful as their stand alone cousins and may get you within a couple of blocks rather than a couple of feet. Apple’s cleaver engineers have also worked out ways to use the GPS in the phone to locate the closest coffee shop, mall or gas station.
What is on the horizon is a very small GPS locator built for children that would attach to their keychain, be worn around their neck or be included in a wristwatch or cellphone that can be activated by worried parents looking for their AWOL children. As with all technology, I can see benefits and risks to this big brother approach but get ready because it’s coming to a mall near you.
Cameras are beginning to use GPS to locate where on the globe each photo was taken. Apple’s latest version of iPhoto already carries software that will pick-up on these digital tags and create a map with pins showing you where each photo was taken on your trip to Europe.
GPS is being looked at by marketers too. They want to be able to deliver push ads to your cellphone from the shops you walk past. While this might be great if you are looking for an interesting place for lunch in New York City, it could become intrusive if every time you pass your local Starbucks they are bugging you and pinging your cellphone.
Skiers, campers, hunters and fishermen should be making a trip to MEC however and picking up a handheld GPS unit as prices continue to fall and good ones can now be had for around $200. I like the Spot Personal Tracker that retails for under $200. It has 4 buttons a 911 Alert (means come and rescue me now I am in serious trouble), Check In (sends info to your friends or families email that all is well and showing your location on a map), Track progress (real time tracking of your progress) and Ask For Help (non-life threatening emergency).
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