Geolocation - what it is and how it works

Posted 2022-02-24 22:06:25

Geolocation is an important part of modern electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets or computers. It is used almost everywhere. GPS pinpointing is used by many software applications to improve the user experience in managing their device.

What is geolocation

Geolocation (geoposition, geolocation) is the determination of the exact location of an electronic device using GPS technology or via the Internet. Any device on which a GPS sensor is installed supports the geolocation function, these are: smartphones, tablets, navigators and other devices. Also, the location can be determined by IP, WiFi and cellular network, and other data, while accuracy may suffer greatly.

Geolocation on your phone is a service that enables you to locate your device using the GPS satellite navigation system. Additionally, in the Android settings, the user can enable the function of more accurate determination of coordinates, when data from mobile communication stations and the Internet are additionally connected to search for a geolocation. On iPhones and iPads, this feature is enabled by default.

The term itself is usually used in three meanings:

· Location process

· The location itself on the map

· Feature in smartphone or computer software

In this case, the geolocation can be shown both by the position on the map (geographical coordinates) and by the exact postal address. In most cases, the second option is more convenient and preferable.

Important! The work of the geolocation does not depend on an Internet connection, the function can work without it, because. GPS technology will be used first. It is on this principle that car navigators work. But in order to transfer your coordinates to another device, you will already need an Internet connection.

Interesting! We discussed in detail about turning this service on and off in the settings of your smartphone or tablet in the materials: how to enable geolocation on iPhone - for IOS, and how to enable geolocation on Android.

Application:

· For route planning

· To find lost devices - find phone

· Cargo Tracking - Logistics

· Improving user experience in management: in programs, applications, sites

· Photo tags

· Coordination

How geolocation is determined

1. The best determination of coordinates occurs through the use of GPS or GLONASS satellite navigation systems. In this case, the accuracy usually does not exceed 2 meters.

2. If the satellite system is not available, then the information of mobile base stations is used, but only an approximate location can be determined in this way.

3. Also used to find the location on the Internet by IP address and MAC address. By IP via WHOIS, the server is requested for the physical address of its owner.

But, since most providers connect their subscribers via dynamic IPs (when several users use one IP at once), the accuracy of determining coordinates is very lame. Usually, only the city can be recognized this way. Additionally, the approximate location can be found by which Wi-Fi network the device is connected to.

4. The iPhone and iPad additionally uses Bluetooth information . So, if you lose your smartphone, if GPS does not work, it will connect via bluetooth to other iPhones or iPads and ask them for its location.

How is it used - why is it needed?

A lot of software on smartphones and tablets, websites on the Internet, programs on a computer / laptop - ask the user to access the geolocation. This is necessary first of all to improve the user experience, for its own comfort.

So, for example, when you enter an online store, it will accurately determine your country and city of residence and show only current offers. When creating an account / registering, there will be no need to fill in additional fields. It's really convenient.

The program or applications will immediately adapt to your language and will also show only relevant information for you and your location, for example, weather applications will immediately display an accurate forecast for the city where you are. And the same INSTAGRAM uses geolocation to put tags on your photos where you took them.

Search engines Google and Yandex use your location data to display in the search, first of all, information that is relevant for your city. So you don't have to type it all in manually.

Interesting! This data is also used for analytics purposes. So, companies find out where there are more active users of their products, what they are interested in when they come in, their age. This is how they collect a lot of data in order to better understand what the needs of their visitors / potential customers are.

Geolocation allows (examples):

· Determine the location of visitors to any Internet resource

· Immediately know who and where to be right on the map

· Rescuers find lost people faster

· Create entire geofences in which certain content will be shown

· Collect a lot of information about the user, including their interests. Where it happens, where it sleeps, what it does

· Banks use it to determine where the transaction is made on the card

· Set up geo-referenced ads

· View on the map the nearest: shops, restaurants, medical institutions and other institutions

· Control the use of vehicles, prevent their theft

· Track your child's movements in real time

· Marketers find potential customers who are in close proximity

· Automatically find job offers that are closest to you

· and much more

Finally

This was the main information on this topic. It is a really handy tool that makes surfing the internet and managing programs/applications even more convenient. Continue reading

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