GPSGPS services on your smartphones |
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Here is information on Smartphone GPS services given in an article on About.com by Fred Zahradnik concerning the debate of Smartphones vs Personal Navigation Devices on the use of GPS.1. Screens and User InterfaceSmartphones such as the iPhone, Palm, or various Android operating-system-powered models have sharp, clear displays with capacitive touchscreens. They are ideal for palm-of-the-hand operation. However, their small fonts and menu systems are difficult to use at arm's length, as when mounted on a windshield or dash mount. It can be difficult to see and operate smartphone GPS while driving. Most GPS turn-by-turn navigation programs for smartphones are somewhat adapted to this type of use with larger fonts and buttons, but these are still smaller than those found on a typical dedicated GPS device. While elegance and a light touch make smartphones' capacitive touchscreens a pleasure to use, 3.5-inch smartphone screens are at best a compromise for in-car navigation. The simplicity, durability, and larger size of the dedicated GPS PND resistive touchscreen wins out in this comparison, and this is one of the biggest factors to consider in the smartphone vs. PND comparison.2. Windshield and Dash MountingMany use their smartphone's turn-by-turn navigation while the phone rests on the passenger seat or some other flat area (or they simply listen to the directions), but there is no doubt that a windshield or dash mount provides optimal viewing for turn-by-turn in-car directions. Smartphone windshield mounts range from simple, one-size-fits all holders that have no charger ports or any additional features, to sophisticated units such as the TomTom Car Kit, which includes a charger, speaker, supplemental GPS chip, microphone, and more. You'll pay anywhere between $19 and $119 for a smartphone windshield mount, so factor that into your decision, and make sure the mount includes a charger, or that you have an accessory power port charger for your smartphone. While there are nice smartphone windshield mounts on the market, getting one takes some time, effort, and money on your part. By contrast, mounts are no-brainers and come in the box with PNDs, so PNDs have the edge in mounting, also.3.Quality of Maps and DirectionsSmartphone map and points-of-interest databases are either downloaded initially with purchase of the app, per TomTom for iPhone, or are downloaded on the fly, per MotionX GPS Drive. When you download maps on the fly, you'll always have the latest version. The downside is that you may be without maps in remote areas out of cell phone tower range. If you do a lot of rural driving out of 3G range, stay with on-board maps. Smartphone turn-by-turn apps generally use the same high-quality maps and databases provided by mapping giants TeleNav and NavTeq, as do the PND manufacturers. Google has gone its own way with Google Maps Navigation. I've generally had good experiences and accurate directions from name-brand smartphone turn-by-turn apps such as those offered by TomTom and AT&T. However, smartphone apps not using NavTeq or TeleNav mapsets, including Google Maps Navigation, are known for less accuracy, and some wrong-way directions. Now they have apps such as Apple Maps and Waze.4.ConnectivitySmartphones have the big advantage of always being connected to the cellular network and the Internet. Some smartphone GPS navigation apps take advantage of this connectivity with sophisticated search, real-time traffic detection and avoidance, and services such as gas prices, while others make scant use of the Internet. Check out what the app does with connectivity before you buy. Dedicated PNDs may or may not include cellular network/Internet connectivity. Check the specifications, and note that you'll need to pay a monthly fee to maintain connectivity in a PND. Smartphones generally have excellent Web browsers, while PNDs have minimal-function browsers, or no browsers. Smartphones have the edge in the use of connectivity.5.CostsSmartphones generally cost about $199 with a two-year contract, plus a $30 per month mandatory data plan, plus basic cell service fees. Smartphone turn-by-turn navigation apps range in price from free to $99. Smartphone navigation apps usually do not carry map update fees. |