Look, you know what GPS is. It's not that tough.

But do you know what you can do with it?

It's been nearly seven years since the first geocachers, armed with global positioning system devices, started using satellite signals to traverse the world and play their hide-and-seek game. Combined with the Internet, other services - LoJack, OnStar and MapQuest - were spawned, adding a new layer to the GPS market.

Industry analysts now are looking at an emerging partnership between industries, one that could propel GPS applications into the homes of billions worldwide.

According to market research firm Gartner Inc., nearly 40 percent of all worldwide mobile devices, such as mobile telephones and personal digital assistants, will be equipped with GPS-tracking microchips by 2010.

In North America last year, 55 percent of mobile devices were equipped with GPS chips, or approximately 90 million. By 2010, sales of GPS-enabled mobile telephones in the region will reach nearly 90 percent of the market, or more than 178 million.

This has GPS software developers chomping at the bit to unveil the next big thing in mobile telephone applications.

Chandler-based (Arizona) Inilex recently leapt to the forefront of the GPS automotive device market when it unveiled the Kepler Advantage, a mobile asset location device that sends messages to users through e-mail and text messages.

Once the small GPS locator is installed in an automobile, the user, via a Web site, can create a series of "geo-fences" which, when entered, will instantly send a message to the user.

"Let's just say you have a teenager and you don't want him or her to enter a certain area of town. If they drive into one of the predetermined areas, you will receive a message instantly on your cell phone," said Scott Ferguson, Inilex chief executive.

In February, the company presented the Kepler Advantage at the 2007 DEMO conference in Palm Desert, Calif., joining 60 other technology-based companies in the exclusive product showcase. Kepler Advantage took home the "DEMOgod" award, one of six given out during the conference. It honors products that captivated the audience at the event.

Kepler Advantage users also can create a "quick-fence" around their vehicles with a simple keystroke from their mobile telephones, providing an anti-theft device perfect for mall parking lots or on-street parking, Ferguson said. If a thief steals a car and drives it out of the geo-fence perimeter surrounding the

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about Global Positioning System (GPS) explained?
We want to hear your view. Write now!