GPS Software

Upgrade your GPS software

The beauty of modern GPS platforms is that they can interface with computer operating systems such as Windows or Mac OS X. This has allowed both manufactures and creative individuals to develop software that will allow you to get the most out of your GPS unit. While some manufactures offer updates to their existing software for free, most upgrades or added features end up costing you more money. Not everyone is ruled by the almighty dollar, however, so there is a large amount of free GPS software available on the Internet, often written by third-party individuals who love their GPS and want to make it do more.

You can find GPS software for XP or GPS navigation software for Windows Mobile if you have a desktop computer or pocket PC and want to connect them to the global positioning system. Once you have the software, all you have to do is pick up a GPS receiver and you’re in business.

Software for Your Mobile Device

Many mobile devices such as Smartphones actually come with a GPS receiver already installed. For those mobile devices that do not have a receiver, they are actually very cheap to buy and all of them come with a software package to get you started. This software is very basic and only offers a direct presentation of your location without any other useful features. Fortunately, there is a lot of free GPS software for Smartphones available for download, and you can find all kinds of neat features to suit your needs. There are programs that offer navigation tips—some that are user-generated, meaning application owners do all the mapping and send real-time info to a server, and some that provide road maps or marine maps, and even some that provide real-time weather and traffic conditions—the list goes on and on. Whatever feature you would like to have for your GPS system, you will likely be able to find it in a free GPS software package somewhere online.

Open Source GPS Mapping Software

Open source software is software that has been written for free distribution between individuals. This is software that is typically written by hobbyists who want to enhance what their GPS units are capable of. The vast majority of free GPS software falls under this category, and with thousands of minds at work, innovations are made every day. This free software does have some risks, however; it does not have to go through the rigorous testing that most professional software does, so it can have a few kinks. When obtaining free GPS software, find as much feedback on it as you can to make sure it is a polished product and will not make you regret installing it.