| Both the words GPS and Sat Nav have gradually | | | | information to direct you to, say, the nearest |
| crept into everyday use. They are are often used | | | | Italian restaurant. Some digital cameras even have |
| interchangeably. Is there a difference between | | | | a GPS. They can use it record exactly where the |
| them and if so, what is the difference? | | | | photo was taken. |
| Firstly, yes there is a difference. | | | | A sat nav (short for satellite navigation) is really |
| GPS is short for Global Positioning System. It is | | | | some very special software that uses the GPS |
| the collective name for a group of satellites that | | | | signal. It takes the co-ordinates provided by the |
| are in orbit around the Earth. They were placed | | | | GPS and combines that with a comprehensive |
| there by the US Government decades ago and | | | | map. Then, given a destination, the sat nav |
| made publicly available during the administration of | | | | software will calculate a route for you to your |
| President Reagan. | | | | destination. As the GPS signal is constantly |
| Using a GPS receiver (a small device that can | | | | updated, the sat nav can give you step-by-step |
| send and receive signals from any satellite within | | | | instructions on where you are and when you |
| range) you can get your precise location. This | | | | need to make a turn. |
| location is provided as a set of co-ordinates. | | | | TomTom and Garmin are probably two of the |
| Using this information and the co-ordinates of | | | | best known brands when it comes to GPS and |
| your destination, many GPS receivers can 'guide' | | | | sat nav equipment. TomTom is a European |
| you to the destination using a compass-like arrow. | | | | company, that mainly produces sat nav devices |
| In theory, if you have the GPS co-ordinates of | | | | for motor vehicles along with software for |
| your home, using a GPS receiver you can find | | | | smartphones. Garmin, and American company, |
| your way home from even the remotest place in | | | | have a much broader product range: everything |
| the world. | | | | from aircraft GPS systems to GPS watches to |
| The GPS receiver has become a common item | | | | help athletes improve their performance. |
| that is fitted to many devices, such as your | | | | Both of these technologies are improving and |
| mobile phone or the security system in your car. | | | | advancing and it will be interesting to see how |
| Many smartphones, such as the iPhone, have a | | | | they evolve. |
| GPS built-in. If allowed, applications can use this | | | | |