GPS Cell Phones Help with Directions-Finding Loved Ones

Question: you have an emergency while on thephone and a plan that supports it. Some of these
road and call 911 from your cell phone; do youservices have become so advanced that when
have to give your location to the operator or canyou miss a turn, the phone instantly finds the
he locate you automatically? Answer: if your cellnext best route to your destination and takes
phone has been manufactured after 2005, he canyou from there.
almost certainly locate you automatically thanksA GPS phone can also be a viable all-in-one tool in
to a FCC rule that went completely into effect atthe hands of a hiker or outdoors person who can
the end of '05.know exactly where he is without the traditional
The directive, called E911 (short for Enhancedaid of a map and compass. The only caveat is
911), mandates that all new cell phones supportthat in order for the GPS service to work, the
location identification technology, meaning thatphone must be physically located within the
when you dial 911 from your mobile, the publiccarrier's service area--in other words, if you are
safety answering point (PSAP) can locate you aslost in the wilderness and your phone doesn't
accurately as within 60 yards of where you are.have a signal, you better have that old-fashioned
The main technology that makes this possible ismap and compass as a backup, or it's al fresco
GPS--or Global Positioning System.time.
How GPS Technology WorksAlso, many parents are finding GPS technology to
Essentially, GPS technology works this way. Yourbe a convenient and non-interfering way to keep
cell phone emits radio waves that are picked uptabs on their kids' whereabouts. For instance,
by orbiting satellites. It takes three satellites toSprint's Family Locator Service uses GPS
work together to locate the handset, using atechnology to locate the kid's phone and give
geometric technique called trilateration: the phone'sparents the location information both in map and
waves create a spherical signal around each oftext format on their own handset--as long as
the three satellites, and where these spheresboth phones are GPS enabled.
intersect on the ground is the location of the cellHow Much GPS Cell Phone Service Costs
phone.So what does it take to have this service? The
Besides this important role in helping locatetwo essential things you need are a GPS-enabled
wireless 911 callers, GPS technology has somecell phone and a service that supports it. Although
great commercial applications when linked to cellpractically all new phones now have the basic E911
phones. So, although practically all new phoneslocation identification feature, only a few models
have basic location identification technology thatare fully GPS enabled. Nextel was the first
satisfies the E911 directive, some known as GPSwireless carrier offering GPS-enabled cell phones,
phones include advanced features that give thefeaturing either the TeleNav (Telenavigation) or
user some unique benefits.the ViaMoto (Motorola) GPS systems. And as far
GPS Cell Phone Applicationsas carriers, Sprint and Nextel are the ones who
One of the most popular application of GPSbroke new ground by offering plans that include
phones is providing the user with turn-by-turnGPS services. Nextel is now running some
driving directions--both in the form of spokeninteresting cell phone deals also on phones
pre-recorded indications and in the form of a mapfeaturing GPS technology.
on the phone's screen. Until a few years ago, thisIf this technology sounds interesting to you,
technology was only available on luxury carstypical cost (beyond your regular cell phone
(remember the movie The Out-of-Towners?);service) is within $10 a month, which is not a lot
now, it is as inexpensive and convenient as a GPSconsidering the great benefits you get from it.