The Next Generation of GPS Devices

With all the advances in GPS technology over the past several years, it is hard to imagine that the next generation of GPS will hold many surprises. However, there are some ideas being generated in the R&D labs of GPS companies that will act as real game-changers in an industry that has already seen its share of innovations.

So buckle up and take a ride with us as we explore the next generation of GPS technology.

Accident Prevention

As GPS devices get smarter and smarter, their ability to "read" the road continues to grow. That means someday soon you will have a GPS device in your car that not only warns you of impending danger in the road but will also link to your steering mechanism in order to guide you to safety.

Traffic Patterns

Someday soon, GPS technology will be able to gauge traffic patterns and offer alternate routes when snarls threaten to hamper travel. With the advent of standard-issue GPS devices in cars, this will be a boon to anyone who must hit the highway everyday en route to work.

Bluetooth Compatibility

In terms of Bluetooth connectivity and using your GPS device as a hands free calling unit, the next generation has already arrived. More and more phones are coming equipped with Bluetooth, thus making it easier for individuals to have safe, crystal-clear phone conversations while they drive. This is a very important feature given that many states have now passed hands-free laws regarding calls executed in the car.

Use in Remote Areas

The more satellites that are added to the global positioning system grid, the more individuals will be able to use them in remote areas. This will help solve the problem of GPS location in the areas where people need them the most. Safety and gas-efficiency will both be enhanced as a result.

Clearer Signal

While truly advanced, current GPS technology is not perfect. Users may regularly experience "hiccups" in service that can cause them to get lost, or be pointed in the wrong direction. Upgrades and additions to the current GPS satellites will help provide a cleaner signal - without the signal noise that can knock users off of their desired course.

Greater Product Availability

Expect the two leading delivery devices for consumer GPS technology - cars and cell phones - to deliver more advanced GPS capabilities in the coming years. Watch for more foreign and domestic automobiles to come standard with GPS - and the price of GPS features in cell phones to drop dramatically.

Better Privacy Controls

With the growth of GPS, so too has come a rise in concerns about privacy. More and more people are growing worried about the fact that cell phone companies and automakers will know their whereabouts at all times. While consumer devices only receive signals (and therefore do not send out a specific signal which could be tracked) recent privacy issues stemming from Washington have left people uneasy. As GPS continues to reach out to the mainstream, look for assurances that individual privacy will be maintained.