How does gps enabled phone work

Landline telephones have had this capability for a long time. A true GPS phone would offer several features and services related to GPS, such as location tracking or turn-by-turn directions. A family might make use of location-tracking services to help track an elderly family member, for example. Other features and services often available with GPS phones include downloadable maps and location-based services, such as pertinent news and advertisements based on a person's location.

Such GPS-related services are in addition to the monthly fee for a cell phone. For a GPS phone to work properly, it needs to be able to send and receive clear signals to and from the GPS satellites. For example, GPS-enabled smartphones are typically accurate to within a 4. These can enable real-time positioning within a few centimeters, and long-term measurements at the millimeter level.

But with raw GNSS measurements from the phones, this can now improve, and with changes in satellite and receiver hardware, the improvements can be dramatic. The following phones have been tested. We recommend the use of smartphones with at least a 3 star ranking and Gallileo GPS. Skip to content Android Windows Linux Apple. Home » Windows. See also Does Windows 10 home come with Microsoft Office? See also Frequent question: What does date do in Linux?

Like this post? These three spheres intersect in two points -- one is in space, and one is on the ground. The point on the ground at which the three spheres intersect is your location. A GPS receiver has to have a clear line of sight to the satellite to operate, so dense tree cover and buildings can keep it from getting a fix on your location. GPS receivers and cell phones have a lot in common, and both are very popular. In the next section, we'll look at some of the features of GPS-enabled cell phones.

In wireless-assisted systems, the phone uses the orbiting GPS satellites in conjunction with information about the cell phone's signal. Some wireless-assisted systems can work inside buildings, under dense foliage and in city areas where traditional receivers cannot receive signals. Nearly all new cell phones sold in America have some GPS receiving capability built in. Those that don't can connect to a server that uses techniques discussed in the last section to analyze their signals and determine their location.

But that's all a lot of phones can do with their GPS. However, some phones have a complete GPS receiver located in the phone or can connect to one with wires or through a Bluetooth connection. These GPS -enabled phones can understand programming languages like Java and can provide turn-by-turn directions or information about nearby businesses and attractions.

Others can work like a tracking device. To use any of these features, you must have:. Follow the links on the next page for lots more information about cell phones, GPS systems and related technology. Not everyone who uses a GPS phone does so with the best intentions.

Police easily pinpointed the location of a teenager in Tennessee who made multiple prank calls to from a GPS-enabled phone [ ref ]. Police also arrested a California man who used a GPS phone to stalk his former girlfriend by concealing it under the hood of her car [ ref ]. This is one of the reasons many new telephones have GPS receivers built in, even if they can't provide turn-by-turn directions. Although the E program can help make sure people get help in an emergency, some people have raised privacy concerns about the program.

In addition, many PSAPs do not yet have the capability to receive location information from cellular phones. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close.

Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots.