Hatton+J+Final+Report

Hatton J

proximity a next generation connection Proximity Research Report

=Advancements of Smartphone GPS Systems = = =

 

By James Hatton

Spring 2010



** Table of Contents **  1. Executive Summary 2. Introduction 3.  Current Issues 4. Utility Provided By Integrated GPS 5. Advantages of Using GPS in a Smartphone 6. Garmin's Garminfone 7. Recommendations 8. References


 * Executive Summary **

This report will summarize the original problems, current uses and future solutions for use of GPS systems. The issues are being addressed by incorporating GPS systems into cellular devices known as smartphones. There are many smartphones that already have GPS systems integrated into them, but the new Garminfone by Garmin seems like once it is out, it will take over the industy in terms of a personal navigation device. It will enable users to still do all tasks previously done on mobile devices while incorporating Garmin's industry-leading personal GPS device, all in one unit. This will be very appealing to Gen-Y users because as technology gets more compact and more versatile, they are always looking for the next best thing.

 **Introduction: What Can GPS Do For You?**

 As time goes on, technology gets more and more compact and feature-filled. Global Positioning System's (GPS), started out as a ground-breaking military-specific technology dating back as far as the 1940's for use in World War II. Today, GPS systems can be found on commercial airplanes, boats, personal vehicles, and even golf carts. The relatively recent availability of GPS systems has opened the door for them to be used for many different things, and integrating it into smartphones is probably the best thing that could happen to GPS. Because GPS systems are now available in smartphones, people can use them wherever they are for any reason.

**Current Issues **   Currently, in the mind of the consumer, GPS systems are mostly thought of as their own separate entities. When you think of GPS, you typically think of something that mounts on your windshield for when you drive so you can find your way around. Many people do not want to have to carry many things around with them, and many are also worried that their GPS device will get stolen from their car if they leave it in it. Portable GPS system theft has become a huge issue in many cities, and for some people is even considered as a deterrent to buying them. Theft for GPS devices is so high that theft for other in-car items, such as car stereos, has drastically decreased because the thieves are not as interested in them.

** Utility Provided By Integrated GPS **

Integrated GPS systems can provide many great features and much less of a hassle to the user. Instead of having to carry around two things at once (GPS, smartphone) the user can just carry one, which is the smartphone. Many of these devices also include bluetooth which enables the user to talk hands-free through his car speakers, given that they have bluetooth capabilities within their car. This means for less accidents, and more time spent focusing on the road. Also, GPS doesn't have to just be for finding your way around cities and uncharted territories. GPS systems can now be used for casual boating, hiking, and sporting such as fishing and golf. Golf GPS has just very recently caught on, and started in the form of individual GPS devices just for golf. Now that GPS is being integrated into smartphones, there are actually apps that give you the exact same functionality of a golf GPS right on your phone, for a very small fraction of the cost. Seen below is a version of a dedicated golf GPS and an Apple iPhone running a golf GPS app.

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 140%;">**Advantages of Using GPS in a Smartphone**

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 13pt;">Using the integrated GPS in a smartphone rather than a standalone GPS device can yield many benefits in many different forms. Standalone GPS units cannot obtain a cellular signal, thus they need to have a clear view of the sky in order to receive the signal from the satellites to accurately display your position on the map. This can be troublesome when in a heavily wooded area, driving through a storm or city with tall buildings, or even just on a cloudy day. Smartphone GPS systems are different; they acquire the signal through their cell towers which in turn receive the signal from the satellites. This means that as long as you have service on your cell phone (which today is available just about anywhere imaginable), you will have full use of your GPS. This makes it much more practical and reliable to use a GPS on your cell phone, and also makes it much more versatile.



<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 13pt;">**Garmin's Garminfone** <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 12pt;">

Garmin's new phone named the Garminfone (successor to the Nuvifone) is a very good choice for people seeking all in one devices. This is Garmin's second attempt at a GPS phone. Their first attempt with the Nuvifone failed due to the lack of a good operating system and support, but these features are all fixed this time around. The Garminfone will feature the increasingly popular Android operating system, which is smooth and also has great GPS capabilities already built in. Android's app base is continually growing, and the fan base is also catching, if not surpassing Apple's iPhone. The only real problem is that the Garminfone will be running on Android's last release and not the most current; which offers support for some new games and apps. Insiders have said that the Garminfone will most likely be able to upgrade to the most recent version of Android, which would definitely send this phone higher up into the top-tier smartphones of today.

**<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 14.4pt;"> Recommendations ** <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 12pt;">

<span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 13pt;">For those seeking out a new portable GPS, I would strongly urge you to consider a newer smartphone; such as the Garminfone, to fulfill many different needs. If you need to wait until your contract contract is up then it might just be worth it to hold off on getting a new phone until you can really explore your options. The Garminfone will open the door for many new innovations, and as a result of this Gen-Y users will be able to push all their portable devices into one unit, a smartphone. Having all the various features packed into one device will undoubtedly make the device more expensive, but if you plan on buying separate devices to do each task rather than one smartphone to perform all of them, it would prove to be more expensive in the long run. <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 16.8pt;">**References** <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 12pt;">

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 12pt;">Adhikari, Richard. //Android Leads Garmin Down New Road.// April 21, 2010.[| http://www.technewsworld.com/story/69826.html?wlc=1271905114&wlc=1272378015] (accessed April 24, 2010).

Andrew. //T-Mobile Garminfone Official.// April 21, 2010. [] (accessed April 24, 2010).

Garmin. //On the Go.// 2010. [] (accessed April 26, 2010).

News Provider. //Garminfone: Android smartphone with Garmin GPS Navigation.// April 21, 2010. [| http://www.providingnews.com/garminfone-android-smartphone-with-garmin-gps-navigation.html] (accessed April 21, 2010). <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Publinksgolfer. //Publinksgolfer.// 2010. http://www.publinksgolfer.net/content_images/golflogix.jpg (accessed May 17, 2010).

4 Electronic warehouse. //4 Electronic Warehouse.// 2010. http://www.4electronicwarehouse.com/products/callaway/upro-go-golf-gps-unit.html?id=w170610&utm_term=upro-go-golf-gps-unit&utm_campaign=callaway&utm_source=google_affiliate&utm_medium=affiliate (accessed May 17, 2010).