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April 23, 2008 12:52 PM PDT

Poll: Are you for GPS convergence?

Posted by Bonnie Cha
Nokia N95

Nokia N95

(Credit: Nokia)

I've had this question on my mind for quite some time now. Covering both GPS and smartphones for CNET, it's been interesting to watch these two areas of technology converge. More and more smartphones (such as RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130, Nokia N95, and Samsung BlackJack II) offer integrated GPS, and it seems people want this functionality in their phone...or so I thought.

You see, back in early April, I attended CTIA 2008, and I participated in a panel discussion where we discussed the "next big thing" in the wireless industry. One of the topics we covered was convergence, specifically cell phone/GPS convergence, and we had several industry experts from Nokia, TeleAtlas, and Garmin on stage to share their thoughts. Now, with all three companies having invested quite some time and money into the melding of the two technologies, it wasn't surprising that they were all for it. However, we also conducted an audience poll where we asked the question: What will consumers most want converged into their cell phones? They were given multiple-choice answers--TV, GPS navigation, media player, or full Web browser--and could text in their vote. When we got the results, I was simultaneously surprised and not surprised.

Only 4 percent of the audience thought GPS was the next big thing for cell phones, while a full Web browser won overwhelmingly with 80 percent of the vote. I was a little shocked at the low number, but I've said it before; I don't think a majority of consumers are ready for the GPS-cell phone convergence yet--not when they're still trying to wrap their heads around standalone portable navigation devices. This isn't to say it won't change in the future, and I certainly see the benefits of having GPS on your cell phone. Just the other day I used my RIM BlackBerry Curve 8310 to find the location a restaurant to meet a friend, but will it take over the GPS industry? I say no way. I'm not just picking on GPS and cellular technology. I'm also weary, though a little less so, of integrating navigation into portable video players and conversely, I think adding multimedia capabilities to PNDs is a complete waste of time. (You can hear my rant about this topic on last week's MP3 Insider podcast.)

So all that said, back to the original question I had in mind. Are you for GPS convergence? Or maybe the better question is what will make the marriage of all these technologies a success and make you want to buy a converged device? I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on this and want it to be an open discussion, so please share your comments below.

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Add a Comment (Log in or register) 29 comments (Page 1 of 3)
by jeraymondjr April 23, 2008 1:07 PM PDT
I can buy a GPS unit, turn it on, and begin using it. I can't say that for the one on my Blackberry. First, the software is crippled. If you want decent navigation software you need to pay extra. What happens if I stay with my cell carrier but switch to another phone? Why should I have to pay extra to access satellites that are open to the public who own their own units? Since the maps are not loaded on the phones, you use the GPS for location but rely on your data plan to actually see the maps. That's BS.
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by acsguitar April 23, 2008 2:05 PM PDT
The problem is that American consumers are a broad spectrum with the majority still wondering how to use the Internet on normal computers. For me, an N95, owner the GPS is one of the greatest features of the Phone. In fact its something I use more then even cell phone minutes it seems. The public doesn't seem to realize the spectrum of things you can do with cellphone gps. From Mounting it in your car for GPS directions (Done via the excellent bracketron window mount), to recording your speed/altitude/distance/and route and then exporting it to google earth for safe keeping to taking pictures with GPS Tagged EXIF data and posting it in a flash to FLICKR where it is stored on a map (Or exported to Googlemaps or google earth) GPS in phones is extremely versatile. The problem is there aren't many ads out there stressing its awesome abilities.

NOKIA has done a pathetic job advertising the N95 (or any of their super high end phones). These phones are absolutely amazing and imagine a commercial showing the things you can do with their GPS Beta Software (supplied for free by their website). It would blow peoples minds.

Still lets all remember that the American public is blown away by touch screens (which have been around for years) on a less then SMART Edge speed smartphone.

There are also excellent free programs that use Voice Nav for the N95 such as AMAZE GPS and NAV4ALL.

Anyways GPS is amazing yet something most of the public has no clue about. Its for more then just navigating. And considering most of the public's techy side focus's on editing their myspace page we may need to wait a while for GPS in phones to become super popular.

Anyways cool article thanks!
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by Joe Campbell April 24, 2008 7:11 AM PDT
I am waiting for 'complete' convergence: minimum 10 megapixel still camera; video with enough capacity (and quality) for at least an hour's worth of taping; definitely GPS capability with real-time traffic updates/warnings/reroutings with both North American and European mapping; web browser, of course; world phone capability; the list goes on. I'd like to travel with one electronic device only that does everything. We're getting there, but not quite yet.
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by kgoodyman April 24, 2008 7:17 AM PDT
I want a full size browswer so much I could scream or what i plan on doing is buying a ipod touch yes just for the browser i carry a GPS crippled 8130 from verizon that i like very much except that it's GPS is crippled and that im loosing my eyesite from squinting at that little screen. I work in sales and am constantly driving around looking for someplace to be and there are times I could use GPS . to have it on my phone would mean that i could have one device and not more than one and could use its functionality anywhere i am and not just in the car. Im already looking into carrying around a phone and a touch thats more than enough for me although i wil get one for my car before i pay verizon anymore money than i have to.
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by avictorino April 24, 2008 7:35 AM PDT
Two words: Google Maps. I recently moved to Europe and have been using my blackberry 8800 as my guide for that entire time. Honestly if I didn't have GPS and google maps, I would spend a large amount of time lost. If you travel a lot or have recently moved to a new city or even just move around quite a bit, the ability to locate things with GPS is major. It is not yet really convenient for driving, mostly for walking/biking to where I am trying to get. If google ever incorporates voice-prompts, my BB could easily replace the Garmin GPS I use in my car. That said, as soon as iPhone/blackberry have 3G available, I will upgrade and want a good browser. The only thing I do more than try to get myself un-lost with GPS is try to look up details, address, phone number etc. of a restaurant or other spot on the internet. The BB is horribly slow and the browser is borderline unreadable.
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by alicepuy April 24, 2008 9:16 AM PDT
I"m all for it. except at this time, I guess the technology is not that perfect yet. but for someone who is in a new place, it definitely is very useful. One reason why I bought Nokia N95 was the integrated technology of Cellphone, GPS, MP3 Player, web Browsing and now i have dowloaded Slingbox, I also watch TV. Greet all in one technology, Perfect for me. But one thing is still hard to use the GPS, I just wish it would be as easy like a stand along GPS. Unless i'm using a wrong aoftware. But over all, I hope they keep up the ideal of "all in One" phone and fine tune everything.
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by johnrobie April 24, 2008 9:43 AM PDT
I'd love GPS for the mobile phone, certainly more than another media player, as long as I could be sure that I could turn the GPS function on and off and that the thing wasn't sending my location/movement info to Michael Chertoff.
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by axion711 April 24, 2008 10:07 AM PDT
There are more than a few GPS enabled smartphones out in the market like HTC Cruise, and others. Its up to the users to pick them.
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by Saabfellow April 24, 2008 10:39 AM PDT
GPS or simple location (ala iPhone) I own both an N95 and an iPhone. I have found the GPS / Location abilities to be very important with a large caveat: the iPhone (google) system will tell you things that aren't true and the N95 GPs will take forever to find where I am if it ever does (I do have the first version).

Is it the next big thing? The *next* yes. But it has to be faster and more accurate for the GPs to make it. I can't say much bad about Apple's approach as I can quickly find theaters/pizza joints/ restaurants in a strange city and get there quickly but when I try to travel using it local navigation can be off.
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by Larry5874 April 24, 2008 11:04 AM PDT
I have an LG Voyager through Verizon Wireless. Their GPS module is outstanding. The text to speech is so accurate that I rarely have to actually look at the phone. Soon, they'll be upgrading to give real-time traffic updates and allow you to search for the cheapest gas station where you're at. No need to worry about updating software or maps with this service. I sold my TomTom ONE XL-S. I much prefer having it on my phone so it is always with me.
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  • About Miss Direction

  • Bonnie Cha is a senior editor at CNET.com, covering PDAs, smart phones, and GPS. Though she didn't grow up in an era where GPS was widely used or readily available, she really wishes she had. Perhaps then she wouldn't have gone through the horrifying experience of her dad putting the car in reverse on busy I-95 just to make the exit for Disney World. In Miss Direction, Cha answers your questions about GPS, discusses the latest industry news and trends, and shares her tales from the road.

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