Ok, here comes a huge spoiler: I don’t think handheld GPS systems are going anywhere. Smartphones are awesome and have their place. I think building GPS receivers into them is a good idea provided it can be done cheaply, and when the price point is good enough I’ll probably get a phone that has a GPS built in as well. That said, it’ll never fully replace my standalone GPS.
The reason is that they’ll perform two different functions. Its kind of like cameras, we all have them in our phones now, but did that stop us from also purchasing standalone cameras? For most, the answer is no. There are certainly times when I don’t have my camera with me that I’ll want to snap a quick pic, just like there are times when I won’t have my GPS with me and I’ll want to grab some quick directions or record a location. However, if I know I’m going to be shooting a lot of pictures I’m taking my camera with me, just like if I know I’m going to be out in the woods relying on a GPS for directions I’m going to take my GPS with me.
A lot of the smartphone momentum is based around marketers capitalizing on the tough economic times, and there is certainly going to be a market for people that don’t want to shell out for handheld GPS systems when they can kill two birds with one stone by buying one built into their phone. However, that does not by any means comprise the vast majority of people who buy a standalone GPS. I just cannot foresee a time when geocachers, hunters, fishermen, etc do not want the features that a handheld provides.
You also have to consider ergonomic factors. To return to the camera analogy, you are inherently going to be able to get a control layout that is more optimal for the specific task when you are dealing with a dedicated device. Since it doesn’t have to worry about being used for everything from texting to making calls to recording video, your dedicated GPS is always going to have a more pleasing control layout and larger screen.
To recap, yes smartphones will be adding in GPS and many of us will use them. No, this won’t kill off dedicated handheld GPS systems, they are here to stay!
