GPS technology has spent the last couple of decades steadily making itself part of our everyday lives. The global positioning system started out as a military and law enforcement tool. It was soon adopted by hikers and other outdoorsman. It can now be found in practically every vehicle on the road, calming giving turn-by-turn directions and offering advice for restaurants and roadside attractions. Today, it is included in every smartphone and helps direct you to the nearest store or the cheapest gas.
The main shift in thinking for GPS today is the move from finding yourself to finding others. Some of the hottest cell phone apps are related to keeping track of where the kids are or checking the location of your significant other. Of course, this all sounds a little sinister and based on mistrust. There is the possibility it can be used that way, but there are excellent safety benefits, especially if you want to give your children a little supervised freedom.
The very latest services that use your smartphone GPS can enhance your life and protect your finances. Several fitness apps use your cellphone’s embedded GPS to measure your performance and track your distance when bicycling, jogging or walking. One new service tracks your movements and compares your current location to credit card charges, identifying possible fraud if it catches your credit card being used somewhere you are not. GPS-enabled phones can also “phone home” with a location if they are ever lost or stolen.
Most of these excellent GPS apps are free. Of course, you have to have a GPS-enabled phone. If you aren’t due for an upgrade or you want to avoid getting into a long term contract, you can always shop for a GPS smartphone online. Many eBay sellers offer a complete selection of phones that can do the job. You’ll get a great phone at a fair price without having to sign on for another two years with your current carrier. Once you equip your family with these phones, you can start to enjoy the safety and security of knowing where your loved ones are.
Tags: cell phone, cellphone, ebay, global positioning system, gps apps, hikers, smartphone
