OYSTER BAY, N.Y.-The market for global positioning system applications is on the rise thanks to GPS functionality being applied to more recreational objects, according to new studies released by ABI Research.
According to the studies, new markets are emerging, such as machine control in the construction and agriculture industries, and people-tracking applications are expanding to include animals as well as people. Cellular phones equipped with GPS capabilities are now widespread, said the reports.
“Mobile phones, PDAs and digital cameras are becoming GPS ready,” said Philip Solis, ABI Research’s senior analyst for wireless connectivity. “Hikers, sports people and even small-aircraft pilots are discovering the benefits of accurate instant-location finding through small and relatively inexpensive devices.”
The studies pointed to two devices that illustrate the growing popularity of GPS. Garmin’s iQue 3600a builds on the company’s PalmOS-based 3600 GPS-enabled PDA but is adapted specifically for light aviation use. And Ricoh has released a digital camera that embeds captured images with GPS coordinates.
