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Viewing Take a Bite Out of Vacation Blues With BluetoothTake a Bite Out of Vacation Blues With Bluetooth
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Remember family vacations when you were a kid? Waiting in a stuffy car while Mom and Dad pored over those massive road maps? Thankfully, modern travelers can use a GPS receiver to find their way quickly and easily. Best of all, it's affordable. By Rainer Cassell Remember family vacations when you were a kid? Waiting in a stuffy car while Mom and Dad pored over those massive road maps? Or, watching as they tried to decipher the directions given by the guy at the gas station? Makes us wonder how we ever found the cottage! Thankfully, modern travelers can use a GPS receiver to find their way quickly and easily. Every since GPS became widely available on the market, the need for maps and large navigational devices became redundant. Today's traveler can refer to the tiny computer screen on the GPS receiver to find exactly where to go. A GPS receiver is a small electronic device that can actually calculate your precise location on earth. The GPS is able to decode signals sent from satellites in outer space, and use those signals to tell you where you are at any given time. When combined with specialized software and electronics, the GPS is able to pinpoint an exact location on a map, and give you instructions on how to get there. This fascinating technology becomes even more incredible when you discover that it can be had for a relatively small price. For increased convenience and usefulness, GPS receivers are often paired with other mobile devices. The PDA is one of the most popular mobile products used for this purpose. With a colored screen that can clearly display maps, and some hard drive space for map storage, PDAs are wonderful partners to GPS receivers. Consider the small size and light weight of a PDA as compared to other options like notebook and laptop computers, and it's easy to see why PDAs have become the first choice of modern navigators. There are certain drawbacks to using GPS receivers with PDAs. In order to connect the two units, some people use conventional USB wires, while others choose a CompactFlash (CF) CARD. Either option means that both the GPS and PDA must be kept together. But, wires are inconvenient and limit the overall usability of the navigation device, while a CF card simply adds more bulk to the already cumbersome equipment. For these reasons, many travelers see Bluetooth technology as the perfect answer. Rescued by Bluetooth Bluetooth wireless technology has become the open standard for wireless communication. Using Bluetooth technology, two electronic devices are able to communicate with each other, sending and receiving signals and transferring data from up to ten meters away. The beauty of this technology is that the information is transmitted completely wire-free. GPS Receivers Using Bluetooth Bluetooth GPS receivers are electronic devices that use wireless technology or Bluetooth electronics to transmit GPS data. This data is transmitted to a second mobile device that is capable of handling the same technology. In other words, a Bluetooth GPS receiver can send data to a PDA, provided that PDA is also equipped with built-in Bluetooth capabilities. Of course, this combination of devices offers many advantages to modern travelers. As an alternative to cumbersome USB wires or bulky CompactFlash, Bluetooth technology provides several benefits: Wireless Connection Without wires to tie them down, you are free to position your GPS receiver and PDA device where it's most convenient for you. Many travelers choose to place the GPS on the dashboard, allowing it to maintain a clear connection with satellites in the sky. The PDA is best mounted right in front of the driver, where he or she can clearly see the directions on the screen. With Bluetooth technology, there are no wires to limit the convenience or obstruct your view of the screen. CompactFlash Slot If you are using Bluetooth technology to transmit data, you'll have no need to plug in a CompactFlash card. The empty CF slot, therefore, can be used as a storage space for software or maps to further optimize the results of your GPS. Bluetooth GPS manufacturers will offer further benefits with their equipment. For example, many Bluetooth GPS receivers feature a POI (points of interest) database, pre-stored maps, and route re-calculation function. So, whether your travels are taking you to the next neighborhood or another country, don't leave home without your GPS and PDA bundled with Bluetooth technology. About the Author: Columnist Rainer Cassell writes for several well-known web sites, on shopping and consumer products subjects. Article Source: 1st Rate Articles - http://1stRateArticles.com |
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