GPS Information

GPS became fully operational in 1995 and since it’s introduction Global Positioning Systems have become one of the most widely used aids to worldwide navigation, land surveying, tracking and cartography. At the core of transportation systems such as aviation, maritime and land navigation is a GPS system. GPS provides accurate timing and locality and has become an essential tool in many commercial and agricultural industries too.

Offering a wide variety of functionality GPS Systems are becoming more and more popular in the worldwide transport industry and penetrating into the domestic markets with hand held models and car sat nav systems growing in unit sales year on year.

The most common types of satellite navigation equipment are:-

• Portable Satellite Navigation Systems for cars
• Handheld GPS systems
• Mobile phone GPS
• Built – in Satellite Navigation Systems for cars

GPS Systems or Global Positioning Systems to give them their full name are one of the worlds most widely utilised communication, positioning and time reference technologies, expanding into homes, transportation, recreation and cellular phone arenas. Increasingly Satellite technology is becoming a part of our every day lives.

By receiving coded reference points from a network of satellites circulating earth, GPS systems provide an exact location point on the globe.Producing reference points in longitude and lattitude giving detailed information dowm to minutes and seconds.

An example of a latitude specified in this way is 13°19’43″ N which is translated into 13 degrees 19 minutes and 43 seconds North.  The following are gps system results for well known global reference points:-

• Arctic Circle: 66° 33′ 39″ N
• Tropic of Cancer: 23° 26′ 21″ N
• Tropic of Capricorn: 23° 26′ 21″ S
• Antarctic Circle: 66° 33′ 39″ S

Whether you are on foot, in a car, on a bike…Satellite Navigation will come into play at some point during your journey through life.

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One of the most anticipated features on the iPhone 3G was the inclusion of GPS systems technology. Apple’s incorporation of GPS (Global Positioning System) onto its portable mobile phone enables users to receive directions and navigate anywhere they are in the world.

It doesn’t matter if you’re in the car or on foot in a strange city, the iPhone makes it simple to know where you are and how to get to your destination.

Before we start on the top 10 iPhone GPS apps, let’s talk about how to use iPhone Maps.

Step 1 Tap “Settings” and go to “General.Check that “Location Services” is turned on.

Step 2 Go back to the “Home” screen and tap “Maps.” Tap the scope icon on the bottom left corner of the screen. Click OK if the iPhone asks if Maps can use your current location. The iPhone now identifies your location.

Step 3 Tap the “Directions” tab on the bottom of the screen. Put in the address of where you are wanting to go in the “End” field. Tap “Route.”

Step 4 At the top of the screen, select your mode of transportation: Car, Bus, or Walking. A green pushpin icon should be marking your current location on the map. A red pushpin marks your end point. The message at the top should indicate how many miles away your destination is and the approximate amount of time it will take to get there.

Step 5 Tap the “Start” button on the upper left corner of the screen. iPhone Maps gives you turn-by-turn directions on where to go. The iPhone GPS continues to follow your location as you move.

Top 10 iPhone GPS apps

Besides Maps, there are many other applications now available in the iTunes app store that utilize the GPS on the iPhone.

1. MobileNavigator: Navigon’s official GPS application for iPhone. It’s one of the most powerful GPS apps ever made for iPhone. Gives you all you need to get out on the road with confidence.

2. TomTom for iPhone: TomTom for iPhone has a lot of potential. While not all there, TomTom have done a great job of replicating their software on the iPhone.

3. Mobile Maps America: Mobile Maps America turns your iPhone into a super GPS and provides you with turn by turn directions. The accurate directions and 3D maps left a very positive impression.

4. iGo My Way: iGo My Way one of the elite GPS apps for iPhone. Excellent 3D graphics and there’s no need to pay monthly fees. European and other versions are available as well.

5. G-Map U.S. East: G-Map U.S. East is a cool GPS solution for iPhone that helps you get directions and navigate your way through your city without too much trouble. The maps are on a par with my Garmin GPS device.

6. G-Map U.S. West: similar to G-Map East, but it’s made for the Western states. If you’re in the California area then you should be using the G-Map U.S. West.

7. AT&T Navigator: AT&T Navigator is an AT&T GPS service that provides you with voice directions while you are on the go. Costs $9.99/month. Wish the cost was covered in the phone bill already!

8. MotionX: MotionX is one of the best GPS app on iPhone. It has Facebook integration also. Excellent solution for biking, hiking, and outdoors in general. Has been topping the best seller charts for months it seems.

9. SayNDrive: SayNDrive is a navigation application for iPhone that lets you say your destination and get your directions fast. This is basically a voice-enabled GPS app for the iPhone.

10. iWant Pro: iWant Pro is a cool POI finder that lets you find restaurants, shopping places, and more all around you. Spend much time outdoors? Then you’ll definitely want iWant Pro.

And as you would expect, there are plenty more iPhone GPS apps out there including Where, UrbanSpoon and HearPlanet. In fact, the iPhone is really opening people’s eyes to the many uses of GPS systems. Know where you’re going – all the time! It’s no wonder that so many fleets around America are relying on GPS navigation and taking advantage of the growing trend towards SaaS web-based telematics!