How GPS Has Changed Technology, Culture and Our Minds?
GPS has incredibly changed the lives of us people in the areas of technology, culture and our thinking. It has become an integral part of everyone's lives and is available everywhere today, be it on your mobile devices, cars or other gadgets. It has helped out businesses thrive, eased navigation and changed how we live and communicate.
As has been the case with many inventions, there are shortcomings that come with GPS use in our lives. Even so, the shortcomings are far outweighed by the benefits. Below are some of the popular ways GPS has affected our lives.
1. Navigation
This is an area where GPS has had a significant impact. GPS receivers can give drivers exact driving directions and instructions. It has also helped tourists and travelers to move to all the nooks and crannies where they want to travel without needing to find a guide or revise the map locations.
GPS data is able to indicate to drivers which routes have the least traffic jams and which ones to avoid. This navigation feature of GPS has generated a form of overreliance as only a few care about studying maps and city streets.
When they are confronted with a situation where they need to have the actual geographical knowledge, they might have a long trouble getting back home without a GPS.
On top of that, the navigation has been a real boon for solo travelers, hikers and anglers who move out in the wild all alone to get close to the nature. Apart from just locating themselves, anglers can locate fish with the help of the best fish finders that technology has provided and what not?
From fishing to diving, hiking to hunting, everything has become more secure and easy, all thanks to the navigation that GPS provides.
2. Tracking
When your mobile phones, tablets or other gadgets are fitted with GPS you can easily get their location or movement history. This is very helpful for those who have misplaced their phones or those who want to track other people.
Security agencies in their rescue missions or crime investigations may use GPS tracking. The go through GPS data to pinpoint certain locations of victims or suspects. Parents who want to monitor their children can easily install a GPS on their children's mobile devices.
Businesses are able to track the movement of their goods, vessels and trucks for safety and profitability. If something goes amiss during transportation the owners can notice in a moment and respond accordingly.
Somehow this tracking ability of GPS may be a shortcoming as stalkers can easily follow your movements. Many people feel like their privacy is violated when they are being tracked.
3. Local joints
GPS is great in helping people find nearby locations like restaurants, malls, casinos and other interesting places. This has helped local businesses thrive.
People can find nearby hospitals in emergency situations, they can find local spots of entertainment and many are able to build relationships when they come together this way.
Many companies are changing their marketing designs as they now include GPS maps in their advertisements.
4. Fitness
GPS focused running watches today come with full connectivity that enables you to monitor day to day activities. The watches use GPS data to provide an athlete with metrics such as calories burnt, heart rate and inclination.
Once you have selected the exercise mode on these kinds of watches, they start looking for GPS lock. Once locked to the GPS, the running watch goes to the data page and starts recording your exercise.
What other areas do you think have been impacted by GPS today?
