Here are terms you may see as part of our news and reviews. This glossary provides the definition of the term and puts it into context.
Definition of 3G mobile telephony protocol.
Global Positioning System receivers must have almanac and ephemeris data in memory in order to calculate position. GPS almanac explained.
Assisted GPS, also known as A-GPS or AGPS, enhances the performance of standard GPS in devices connected to the cellular network.
Definition, and information about basemaps included with GPS navigators.
Bearing: the compass direction from your current position to your intended destination
Defintion of Bluetooth, and how Bluetooth works with GPS
A capacitive touchscreen uses a finger's disruption of the electrostatic field to control devices such as the Apple iPod and iPhone.
Definition of coordinates as used in GPS navigation.
Definition and description of EXIF, the exchangeable image file format standard.
As more mobile devices add location-based services, more ways of deteriming users' locations are being introduced. "Fake GPS" simulates the power of the satellite-based global positioning system by other means.
Firmware definition, GPS glossary
The free Garmin Communicator plug-in permits Garmin brand GPS units, and many other brands of GPS navigators, exchange data with a Web browser and other programs.
Geocaching is an outdoor adventure game for GPS users
A geocoin is a uniquely numbered object that is hidden in geocache.
A Geographic Information System, or GIS, integrates, data, hardware, software and GPS to assist in the analysis and display of geographically referenced information.
Global Positioning System
General Packet Radio Service defined.
GPX - GPS Exchange Format defined.
Heading is the direction in which you are currently moving.
Definition of location-based service and examples.
The multi-touch display permits fine control of electronic devices. Here's how they work.
Most in-car portable GPS receivers have a pedestrian or walking mode. Here's more on how to access and use the pedestrian mode.
A portable navigation device, or PND, uses Global Positioning System satellite signals to provide position information and related data and services.
The Traffic Message Channel (TMC) is a technology for providing traffic and travel delay information to drivers. The complementary Radio Data System (RDS) broadcasts digital information carrying TMC updates.
How resistive touchscreens work.
An SD card provides quick upgrades and updates to GPS devices
Definition of text to speech in GPS devices
Time to First Fix (TTFF) describes the time and process required for a GPS device to acquire enough usable satellite signals and data to provide accurate navigation.
A topographic map shows elevation contour lines, in addition to detailed road, town, and physical characteristics of the landscape.
Travel bugs are numbered tags that are placed in geoaches as part of the GPS game of geocaching. Users may track travel bugs through www.travelbugs.com.
Trilateration - Definition of Trilateration in GPS
A waypoint is a reference point, or set of coordinates that precisely identify a location
Wide Area Augmentation System
Wi-Fi Positioning System is a term pioneered by Skyhook Wireless to describe its Wi-Fi-based location system.
