Can Your Smartphone Replace a GPS?
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Posted On :
Jun-24-2010
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Article Word Count :
881
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This article is a comparison between smartphones and GPS units. Our analyst determines whether smartphone applications and features can overcome solidary GPS models. Read the evidence and decide for yourself which product you will use when roaming the streets.
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If you’ve been reading us lately, you are very aware of the deluge of slick new smartphones sweeping the market. GPS capability is pretty much standard on these phones, but what does this mean for dedicated GPS, known, in the industry, as Personal Navigation Devices or PNDs? Can the standard GPS hold onto its market-share in the face of such a multi-talented adversary, or are we witnessing the slow demise of the PND at the dexterous hands of GPS-equipped smartphones? Let’s take a quick look at some of the arguments on both sides of the coin.
Big Screen Means Less Distraction
As anyone who drives knows, it’s not a great idea to drive without looking where you're going. A cell phone screen is a good way to take your eyes off the road, especially during the day. You're stuck holding the phone in a moving shadow with one hand, and steering, or should we say, swerving, with the other; none-too-safe. Yes, turn-by-turn voice directions are great and available on most smartphones, including Android with Google Maps, but when you’re approaching that critical next turn, nothing beats a quick, telling glance at an easy to read screen. Most mid-range units like the TomTom XL 340S sport 4.3 inch screens. Score one for PNDs.
Increased Accuracy
PNDs, generally, are extremely accurate. Newer devices can reliably pinpoint your position to within 15 feet, be it the middle of nowhere, or the center of everywhere. By contrast, even the newest wave of smartphones often get confused. Our DROID sometimes thinks we work in Bizarro World across the street; where all our movements are mirrored, a trait endemic to smartphones. We still like Google Maps for Android, but there are better GPS units out there, and even better apps like Where and MotionX for iPhone. Score one for TomTom and friends.
Single Purposed
PNDs are built to navigate and not much else. As such, the hardware and software are optimized for this task. The jack-of-all-trades smartphone, however, is a series of compromises, which often take the form of weaker GPS receivers and processing chips, and, of course, shared battery power. A PND commonly runs from your car’s power outlet, unless you plug your cell phone into a car charger it must share its limited power and shuffle resources. In a short, unscientific test on our DROID we found that navigation used up more power than the display, the internet browser, and the Android OS combined. There is no way around the battery issue. In an attempt to circumvent the hardware handicaps, some cell phones use Assisted GPS to speed up your device, but this only works when in range of a cell tower. Clearly, not helpful when you are lost in the aforementioned, middle of nowhere. Score one more for the PND.
Smartphones Win on Functionality
We do not deny that PNDs are a polished breed with smooth operation and intuitive controls, but due to the smartphone’s internet accessibility and all-in-one nature, smartphone navigation still has far greater potential. We already get nifty features like contact list integration and augmented reality, and the future is even more promising. The downside, however, is that accepting a call on most phones while navigating means your directions stop coming. With Android, for example, your voice prompts would cease, but you could still view them on screen while maintaining the call via speakerphone or hands-free. Score one for smartphones.
No Monthly Bills
The final big one is price. Your basic PND can be had for a one-time payment of around a $100 but check out the resident Garmin Nuvi 205W which is far cheaper than most GPS-equipped smartphones, even after 2-year contract discounts. And about those contracts - to use GPS services on these phones you will most likely need to pay extra fees each month. While GPS on Android, Blackberry, and the like, technically, could be used without a data plan, carriers generally require you to purchase some form of data plan just to own the device. AT&T actually charges an additional fee for GPS aside from the voice and data plans, yikes. Score two for the GPS.
PNDs Are Trying to Hold Back Smartphones
In response to the encroachment of smartphones in navigation territory, PND manufacturers are adapting and innovating. Most major GPS companies, now, offer their software on smartphone app markets. Garmin also now offers the Nuvifone in tandem with At&T which is an adept hybrid of smartphone and navigator. And, as a whole, the PND market offers a growing range of devices for use on-foot or off-road. For a bit of entertainment, TomTom provides add-ons like Star Wars Voices even as a backseat driver, Darth Vader finds your lack of faith disturbing. PND’s are getting more mobile, and more fun.
What's the Verdict?
Can your smartphone replace a dedicated Personal Navigation Device? We say "no." or maybe better said, “not yet.” The PND simply overpowers and outperforms GPS-equipped smartphones, hands down. While PNDs are one-trick ponies, they do that one trick really, really well and to a degree of practicality and affordability unmatched by current cell phones.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_Can Your Smartphone Replace a GPS?_23310.aspx
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Author Resource :
Andrew Eisner, Retrevo's director of community and content and resident hard core gadget enthusiast. Eisner comes to Retrevo from the world of computer journalism. To find more information, see Magellans and Garmins.
Read more articles from Andrew.
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Keywords :
GPS, smartphone, PND, navigation,
Category :
Product Reviews
:
Consumer Electronics
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