GPS Devices on the Verge of Extinction?

Traditional GPS devices or the navigation devices are in a deliberate danger of getting out of production. Launched almost seven years back, the devices that could be fixed on the dashboard of the car have evolved with the latest technology. 

These days, GPS comes handy accumulated as an application in the leading smartphones, tablets and laptops.

Experts say the satellite tracking technology has been absorbed by the engineers in cellphones and automobiles.

A research was conducted over the navigation industry by a Swedish company, Berg Insight. It estimated the number of personal navigation devices supplied at the global level will reach up to 42 million in the year 2011. But, soon after, the industry will face a slow decline ruling out the application of conventional GPS devices. 

Berg forecasted the annual supply of GPS devices will fall up to 30 million in 2015. 

Giving his views over the research results, an analyst in a Dutch bank, Tom Slob said the basic reason for the downfall of the sale would be the smartphone. He said Google’s and Nokia’s decision to offer the technology free of cost will have a negative impact on the GPS device market. 

Auto navigation industry has been sent on a backfoot by the smartphone market. Leading GPS device makers, such as TomTom and Garmin, though, are trying to stand high amidst of all the competition. 

Both the companies are fighting against the odds and are coming up with in-built dash navigators for various car makers, such as Fiat, Renault and Mazda. 

Chief financial officer of Garmin, Kevin Rauckman said the technology has been utilized by the smartphone makers. He, however, denies the reports of downfall of the business. Rauckman told the competition is tough but that does not mean end to the road of business for GPS device makers.