GPS technology has become universally available since its creation. Almost everyone has a smartphone with built-in GPS capabilities that enable a broad range of useful and unique functions.
Today’s GPS trackers are becoming increasingly advanced – and now, GPS works with smartphone apps and high-tech gadgets to make daily life easier, safer, and more productive. Here’s how you can take full advantage of GPS trackers with five unique uses.
1. Track Down Stolen Items
GPS trackers are an effective way to deter criminals from stealing your valuable property. Typically, thieves have just a couple of minutes to steal property before the police are called. Thieves don’t, therefore, have hours to comb valuable assets for GPS trackers before deciding to commit a robbery. If your valuables are equipped with GPS tracking technology, they’re both less likely to be stolen and more likely to be recovered.
Thanks to GPS tracking, vehicle theft has fallen by 88 percent since 1975 according to the Boston Globe¹. Nevertheless, there’s still some theft that takes occurs – so if your property gets stolen, you can use your GPS tracker to locate it. You can track down a stolen smartphone or tablet, a vehicle, a laptop, or even your handbag if you’ve placed a GPS tracker inside. As long as it’s equipped with or paired with GPS, any item can be tracked when stolen.
2. See Another Person’s Location
Trackers can be used to monitor the location of other people, and this technology has a broad range of use cases. Business managers, for example, can keep track of the progress of work teams out at job sites. Parents can track their children when they’re away from home, and elderly individuals can be monitored by loved ones and care providers.
The ability to track people using GPS technology can help to improve efficiency in a broad range of fields, and it can also keep loved ones safe. Parents can legally track their children, and employers to track their property and personnel in most states. If you’re worried about where your other half is, you can also use smartphone GPS trackers to see where they are. You should, however, be mindful of privacy considerations when using a GPS tracker to monitor other people. As long as you have the other party’s consent, it’s usually considered legal and moral to track them.
3. Tracking Pets
Pets that run away from home can find themselves in danger. Some cities will put down stray animals, and people who discover stray pets will sometimes keep them as their own. One of the best ways to keep your pets safe is to use a GPS tracker. Modern pet trackers provide easy access to information so you can track your pet from anywhere in the world. Most tracking apps also let you view historical information so that you can see where your pet has gone. Many pet owners are surprised to find that their pet has strayed off into neighboring properties or even down the road without their knowledge.
There are several options you can choose from to track your pet:
- Smart collars: The most popular option is to give your pet a collar that contains a GPS tracker. Smart collars are effective and inexpensive.
- GPS implants: Pet owners concerned about pets without collars should consider a GPS implant. Veterinarians can use a painless procedure to insert a permanent GPS tracker into your pet to ensure lifelong safety.
- Wi-Fi trackers: Wi-Fi trackers are often available with no service fees, and they can support highly detailed tracking that can be useful for finding pets indoors.
4. Keep Track of Business Assets
There are a diverse range of business applications for tracking valuables with the aid of GPS. Although many businesses turn to GPS technology to prevent theft, the reality is GPS can also optimize operational efficiency in numerous ways. Some entrepreneurs are even applying machine learning algorithms to discover opportunities for optimization from haystacks of GPS data. Location data can, for example, help entrepreneurs to predict when shortages will arise by precisely tracking shipments throughout the supply chain.
The Internet of things is introducing some of the most promising applications for GPS trackers in the business world. In future years, businesses will be able to integrate trackers and sensors into almost every product to discover opportunities for efficiency improvements. GPS trackers will, therefore, help to power modern life by enabling computers to take control of processes ordinarily managed by humans.
5. Log Mileage for Tax Purposes
People who are self-employed can receive a significant tax break for keeping track of the miles that they drive, but many people are too busy to take advantage of this opportunity. You can use your smartphone to track your mileage without having to spend valuable time logging each trip that you take.
Employers are also beginning to use GPS trackers to ensure that they are able to deduct each mile that their employees drive. Logging mileage can save significant money on tax bills while providing you with extra data you can use to analyze your historical performance.
Get a GPS to Learn More
GPS trackers can seem like fun toys, but they’re also valuable tools that can improve almost any aspect of your life. To learn more about how GPS trackers can make a difference in your life, you should consider getting your own GPS – or even utilizing your already available GPS trackers on smart devices in new, savvy ways. Owning a GPS can be a great way to keep up with the latest trends while potentially discovering new business opportunities.
Like anything, it’s always a good idea to be aware of the latest research. We recommend comparing at least 3 or 4 options before making a final decision. Doing a search online is typically the quickest, most thorough way to discover all the pros and cons you need to keep in mind.