The GPS or global positioning system has become a widely used facility today, thanks to the evolving technology. In the early stages GPS was used to monitor the movements of ships or planes. The technology was found effective to detect enemy movements by the Defence Authorities. When the use of GPS was introduced in the civil society it became very handy for the tourists to locate their routes as well as the destinations. The system attached to the cars helped the travelers to undertake long journeys in unfamiliar places. It also helped to locate who lost their ways as well as to find out hijacked vehicles.

A later development of GPS is its incorporation in the mobile phones. The portable device with GPS became a very popular utility. The mobile phones are now a multipurpose device sought by people in the hectic lifestyles of contemporary society. GPS helps the mobile phone user to monitor movements of the pedestrians or drivers of vehicles. Instead of a GPS attached car or handheld GPS, the mobile phone with GPS became a more convenient and user friendly device.

Maps in the mobile phones with GPS enable the users to view data and images to identify routes and destinations in any region familiar or otherwise. Maps database offer information on topography and geographical details in digital format which are the vital components in the GPS telephony. In fact performance of the GPS phone depends heavily on the quality of maps data base provided in the system. Digital representation of road network, address location, barriers existing on the roads, one way roads, directions, specific locations for services are indicated with accuracy to facilitate the user to make journeys without hassles and hazards. The system offers directions regarding turnings and diversions in specific routes and also helps to keep track of the traveler. Information about the exact position or location of the traveler at a given point of time and needful guidance to proceed further will be furnished. Those who drive will receive voice guided navigation.

There are many well known companies who provide sophisticated maps to equip the GPS telephony. Among them is Navteq, geographical information provider who have their own sources to collect and create database for the GPS devices. As a subsidiary of Nokia, Navteq map data base is used in all their mobile phones. Many other manufacturers of portable GPS devices use Navteq products to provide GPS.

Another provider of map database is TeleAtlas. The well known Google map is a free web mapping service provider. Apart from such data base providers there are many maps utilized by the GPS, which are smaller versions to be placed in a corner of the screens. The minimaps facilitate updating the data and function like a radar screen.

In the context of expanding needs of the society for navigational equipments, development of advanced digital map database has become very imperative. The industry is responding to this demanding task to cater the needs of ever increasing GPS phone users.

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