I don’t have a GPS; not an in-car navigation system, integrated into a cell phone nor a hand-held version. I don’t really see it as necessary in this day and age mainly because:
1) I can print directions out on my computer
2) My cell phone has Google Maps on it with a “location” feature.
Having Google Maps Mobile was a game changer for me, it made a GPS-like experience by using cell-phone towers and known wi-fi networks to estimate your location, it even works well while driving on the freeway.
Blackberry has a GPS radio in it’s popular smart phones and Garmin is coming out with a GPS phone, but I don’t see a need for full blown GPS with the cell phone integrated Google Maps.
So I ask you my few readers, do you think having true GPS is necessary in your cell phone?
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:41 pm
In the U.S… so far my experience is you dont need GPS. I’ve been able to navigate to stores and other locations simply with google maps for mobile (iphone and blackberry).
Whether it can keep me from getting lost in Tijuana however is a whole nother experiment…
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:45 am
“…do you think having true GPS is necessary in your cell phone?” - No, it’s not necessary. However, if you like having the “location” feature with Google Maps, wouldn’t you like even more accuracy with GPS?
Though I rarely use the GPS navigation in my cars, I still like having it because I really appreciate it when I need it. Same would be true in a cell phone.
I’m sure at one point people wondered why they needed Internet access on their phone (some still do) and I think we’ve gotten past the point of wondering if it’s necessary, now that we’ve found ways to use that access for “productive” purposes.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Will have to agree with Roopesh. I really like the turn-by-turn speaking navigation in my Garmin Nuvi. Google Maps is awesome to have as a portable alternative, but it’s no match for the nice large bright screen I have mounted in my car.