by S. Graveson

Created on: January 19, 2011

GPS is a tool we all seem to be using. Be it when we’re driving and looking for some assistance as to how to get to where we want to be or using it to explore a new city or even just to trace where you’re going in an unfamiliar place, we all seem to love it. Though at times it can be in correct and misleading generally GPS (or Global Positioning Satellite) is accurate and shows you exactly where you are. Though the stand alone car systems can cost around £150 (or around $220), a relatively expense bit of kit for what you could feel was just a glorified map for idiots, so with newer phones coming with GPS built in we can use the phones instead of a stand alone device.

With the HTC Wildfire, amongst many other phones the GPS links in brilliantly with things like google maps to show you where you are, tracks where you go and allows you to find places of interest, such as restaurants, or specific shops, but how do we get it to work?

Firstly open up the menu on the phone (press the menu button) then the settings option. From here scroll to “Location” and click on the “Use GPS satellites”. Load up your apps and you’ll see “maps” (if not you may need to download it for free from the market). With “maps” open you should be able to see a map of your general area as long as the phone can receive a GPS signal. The main reason it wouldn’t be able to receive one is if you are in a building and not close enough to a window to receive a signal. If this is the case then just go outside and you soon get exactly where you are shown on your phone. If you press on the thing that looks like a compass it will show where you are (if for whatever reason it’s stopped). Whilst on maps keep watching the screen and you will see the screen updating as you move, this however will be using your internet allowance to load up the map and traffic updates.

To find where the nearest shops and things are whilst you’re still using the maps app click on the left icon at the top of the screen (that looks like a light bulb) and click on one of the available items to be linked to those. Alternatively type a place into the menu and you’ll again be given a route to find it. For someone in a new area this is a brilliant little toy that allows you to navigate around any city with out needing to spend money on a really expensive new toy, what’s there not to love about it? Go outside and give it a try, you’ll love it to.

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