Handheld GPS units

The Beginning - Handheld GPS units
Until fairly recently, there was only one real choice for a handheld GPS. While they were made by different manufacturers, and came in different shapes and colors, they all basically did the same thing - give you a position, and allow you to plan where you would like to go (through a route) and mark where you have been (through marks and tracks). Most include some rudimentary map or other display to show the routes, marks, and tracks; with "better" maps available - some even in color. Fundamentally, however, these types of GPS units are limited by their memory and custom "firmware" (the operating system software embedded in the GPS that controls the display, etc.) Customization (beyond those features provided by the manufacturer) is basically out of the question on dedicated handheld GPS units.


The Next Step - Handheld Computers
As handheld computers (Palm, PocketPC) became more powerful, a new option became available. Since Palm and PocketPCs are real computers (with a relatively "open" operating system) anyone can write a software program that will run on those devices. Their displays tend to be bigger and brighter than those found on a handheld GPS, yet are about the same physical size. Because cabling between a handheld GPS (for position) and a handheld computer (for display) is tricky and very cumbersome, it was only a matter of time before various people started making GPS units that plug directly into (or otherwise attach themselves) to the various handheld computers. At first, getting the right GPS card/sleeve was tricky at best; fortunately, things are starting to settle down in this regard.

The natural progression of this technology would be a handheld GPS that is also a handheld computer (no external attachments, sleeves, etc.) Garmin has released this, its iQue. The iQue comes in two configurations: either as a Palm or PocketPC handheld device. However, it also has built into it a GPS receiver. This receiver is configured such that any Palm or PocketPC software product that can communicate with a GPS, can work on the iQue.

And the technology continues; there are cell phones that are also Palm Handheld devices that also have built-in GPS receivers. Again, the beauty of this design is that these devices can run any Palm-compatible software product - from mapping applications, to spreadsheets, to solitaire, to address books, to wireless web/email, to… (you get the point.)