GPS or Global Positioning Systems is
a term that most commonly conjures up
images of vehicle navigation systems,
space-age satellite technology, and interactive
maps for outdoors-types and sportsmen.
But the reality is that there are far
more applications of Global Positioning
Systems beyond GPS vehicle tracking or
map navigation that everyday people like
us can benefit from. All it takes is a
bit of creativity, and some trial and
error. Here are a few of the many possibilities
that can benefit you right now in your
busy and hectic life.
1. Know where your children are using
services from companies like uLocate Communications.
2. Keep track of elderly members of your
family, so that they don't wander off
alone.
3. Plan a road trip around interesting
points of interests, landmarks, campsites,
diners, etc, and hear fewer "Are we there
yets?"- and of course get the most out
of that expensive gas.
4. Get emergency road side assistance
at a touch of a button from your vehicle,
so you can get help exactly where and
when you need it.
5. Keep a visual journal and bookmark
collection of your favorite hot spots,
sceneries, and points of interests, that
may not be listed in any travel guide
(You can create your own mini travel guides
and memories).
6. Find lost pets easily using collars
with built-in GPS, better than running
around in your pajamas hollering like
a maniac.
7. Feel safer with cellular phone 911
calls, so emergency personnel can pinpoint
your location once you make an emergency
call. Please double check your carrier
service to see that it has GPS features
and get a primer on how it works if possible.
8. Get to your interview, or any important
time sensitive destination or engagement,
faster by finding shortcuts and correct
directions.
9. Find a good Italian restaurant near
your movie theatre on the fly.
10. Track your luggage, laptops, and
anything of importance while traveling.
11. Track and find family, friends in
a crowded concert, graduation, or any
social gathering.
12. When going on a vacation, feel free
to separate from group for a while to
venture on your own based on your own
interests and find them later on with
your GPS enabled device- even in an unfamiliar
place.
Our ability to use GPS so far is limited
by the relatively poor connection to the
satellite feeds when we are indoors in
buildings, homes, or behind anything that
could obstruct the GPS connection. However
with the investment and development in
a new satellite network called Galileo
which should be completed in the near
future, these problems should be eliminated
drastically. Despite these problems, GPS
still offers a world of benefits as mentioned
earlier, and with any technology, it will
only get better.
In addition to more practical usage applications,
GPS will make a great educational and
fun gift for your loved one's and friends
as well. Consider just two of the many
creative and educational uses of GPS:
1. Stay physically active and fit by
playing RayGun! A locational based cell
phone game based on GPS technology.
2. Become more cultured, make global
friends, and learn about the world playing
GeoCache, a global GPS based treasure
hunt.
With many affordable feature-rich models
to satisfy anyone's preferences and budgets,
now is as good a time as any to learn
more about GPS technologies, which are
surely to become more assimilated into
the mainstream within the decade. One
day we will take these things for granted
just like we do now for the internet and
cell phones. The key is to dive in, without
paralyzing yourself with the overwhelming
array of choices in the GPS market, and
enjoying some truly amazing technology.
| About The Author
Simon Wyryzowski is a GPS enthusiast
and regular contributor to GPSZoom.com.
For even more practical, creative,
and common uses including GPS tracking
services for people, please visit
http://www.gpszoom.com/.
Copyright 2005 GPSZoom. This article
may be reprinted as long as it's
contents are not modified and the
author's credits and live link are
left intact.
|
This article was posted on October
06, 2005
