| Remember family vacations when you were a | | | | wireless communications. With Bluetooth |
| kid? Waiting in a stuffy car while mom and dad | | | | technology, two electronic devices are able to |
| pored over those massive road maps? Or, | | | | communicate by sending and retrieving signals and |
| watching as they tried to decipher the directions | | | | transferring data from as many as ten meters |
| given by the guy at the gas station? Makes us | | | | away. The information is transmitted without any |
| wonder how we ever found the cottage! | | | | wires at all. |
| Thankfully, modern travelers can use a GPS | | | | Bluetooth GPS Receivers |
| receiver to find their way quickly and easily. | | | | A Bluetooth GPS receiver is an electronic device |
| The need for traditional maps and navigational | | | | that uses wireless technology (namely, Bluetooth |
| devices has virtually disappeared since GPS | | | | electronics) to transmit GPS data. The data is |
| devices hit the market. Now, travelers can simply | | | | transmitted to a second wireless device, such as |
| refer to the GPS screen to access clear direction | | | | a PDA, that is capable of handling the technology. |
| on where they need to go. | | | | For example, a GPS receiver can wirelessly |
| GPS receivers are small electronic devices that | | | | transmit data to a PDA handset, but only if they |
| work by calculating your precise location on earth. | | | | are both enabled with Bluetooth capabilities. |
| This location is found by decoding signals received | | | | In addition to the ease and convenience of |
| from satellites in outer space. Using additional | | | | avoiding bulky CompactFlash cards and messy |
| electronics and software, it's then possible for the | | | | wires, there are other benefits to using Bluetooth |
| GPS to pinpoint an exact location on a map. This | | | | technology with your GPS/PDA combination: |
| incredible technology is available at a relatively | | | | Flexible Freedom |
| small price. | | | | Without wires to tie them down, you are free to |
| GPS receivers become even more useful and | | | | position your GPS receiver and PDA device where |
| convenient when paired with other mobile devices. | | | | it's most convenient for you. Many travelers |
| A PDA is a popular consumer product that is | | | | choose to place the GPS on the dashboard, |
| easily used along with a GPS. PDAs have hard | | | | allowing it to maintain a clear connection with |
| drive space to allow for map storage and colored | | | | satellites in the sky. The PDA is best mounted |
| screens to display maps, making them ideal | | | | right in front of the driver, where he or she can |
| technological GPS partners. When one takes into | | | | clearly see the directions on the screen. With |
| account the small size and weight of a compact | | | | Bluetooth technology there are no wires to limit |
| PDA as compared to options such as laptop | | | | the convenience or obstruct your view of the |
| computers, it's easy to see why PDAs are the | | | | screen. |
| choice of today's tech-savvy travelers. | | | | Added Storage |
| There is sometimes a problem with the | | | | If you are using Bluetooth technology to transmit |
| integration of GPS receivers with PDAs. | | | | data, you'll have no need to plug in a |
| Connection between the two units is usually made | | | | CompactFlash card. The empty CF slot, therefore, |
| using either conventional USB wires, or a | | | | can be used as a storage space for software or |
| CompactFlash (CF) CARD. The size of the GPS | | | | maps to further optimize the results of your GPS. |
| and PDA units together, and added to the added | | | | Bluetooth GPS manufacturers will offer further |
| bulk of the CF card, can create a cumbersome | | | | benefits with their equipment. For example, many |
| traveler's tool. On the other hand, using USB wires | | | | Bluetooth GPS receivers feature a POI (points of |
| is inconvenient and limits the overall usability of | | | | interest) database, pre-stored maps and route |
| the navigation device. Many people, therefore, are | | | | re-calculation function. |
| turning to Bluetooth technology as the perfect | | | | So, whether your travels are taking you to the |
| traveler's companion. | | | | next neighborhood or another country, don't leave |
| Rescued by Bluetooth | | | | home without your GPS and PDA bundled with |
| Bluetooth technology is the new standard for | | | | Bluetooth technology. |