What is a GPS Phone?

A GPS phone, short for a global positioning system telephone, is a type of cellular telephone that includes GPS capabilities. A cell phone that also serves as a GPS phone typically includes a GPS receiver inside the phone. With the correct software and cell phone service provider, a GPS phone can provide a variety of features, such as turn-by-turn directions or information on nearby businesses. Global positioning systems make use of a GPS receiver to communicate with any one of 24 GPS satellites orbiting the earth. For the GPS receiver to pinpoint its location, it must determine its position in relation to at least three GPS satellites. Then, using a technique called trilateration, the GPS receiver's computer software can calculate its position. Sometimes, a GPS phone is called a GPS-enabled cell phone. The GPS receiver inside a cell phone is very small, and it's impossible to spot the differences between a GPS phone and a regular cell phone by size alone. Most new cell phones sold in ... more