I was riding to lunch with a friend recently in his car. We were going to a lunch spot (Thai) that we both enjoy. We've both been there at least ten times and should know the way by heart. Yet, as I got into his car he pulled up his GPS device and programmed in the name of the street we were going to. Why? I asked. We both know where the restaurant is and how to get there. He shrugged and said, I've got it I may as well use it.
The Garmin/Tom-Tom usage in this country is an interesting one and symbolic of a phenomenon that extends information often beyond reasonable utility. Most of the GPS devices are used in cars that never travel more than 20-30 miles from their homes, so are used in areas where most people are already familiar with the directions and roads. Yet we see more and more usage of devices that extend real time information that often isn't even necessary.
Think back say ten to fifteen years ago. We were all traveling just about as much then, without the comfort of the GPS device, or even items like MapQuest and Google Maps. It may have taken a bit more time to plan the route then. You may have had to call someone and get directions, but for the most part we didn't suffer for traveling without the GPS or Google Maps. With the advent of Google Maps, MapQuest and other location mapping programs on the internet, you can almost immediately receive extact instructions on getting from point A to point B in the US, and if those instructions aren't to your liking you can vary the route to your satisfaction. You can now even drill down and see street views in Google Maps and Google Earth. Three minutes of computer time before you start your journey can equip you with everything you need, at NO CHARGE other than an internet connection.
So what do we do? We go out and buy a device that will provide step by step directions in real time, using the same maps and technologies that Google Maps does for our cars. Is it the belief that real time information is more valuable or more precise? Is it a tradeoff based on the time it would take to start the computer and get Google Map directions? Is it a novelty that's just cool to use? What drives us to use these devices to go places we already know how to get to, or to give us directions that we could have easily received from some other place. Note that event the GPS device manufacturers recognize these points and sell them on the ability to re-route you in case your primary arteries are jammed with traffic.
It's also interesting to realize that all the technology you need for a GPS device is located in your cell phone. The functionality that now sits in your car dashboard will probably one day soon be housed in your smartphone, which will be able to give you turn by turn directions and provide all of the other functionality as well. So in the near future we'll be removing the GPS devices from our dashboards and using the "latest" technology in our smartphones as technology continues to consolidate functions.
The question still remains, what's the right level of information and technology we need, and when does technology become superflorous? It would seem that in many cases, the GPS on the dashboard, used by individuals with internet access primarily in their own home towns is unnecessary, but that's just one man's opinion. If we extend this thinking however, we have to examine each instance of technology implementation and understand the reasonable use of information technology and the return on that value.
Great piece. I've actually talked to people about the notion that we turn off our brains when listening to the GPS and do not stay as actively engaged in our driving activity.
Posted by: Marty | January 10, 2010 at 02:58 PM
Where are the calls from the rabbid dog left for withdrawal? Where are their calls for am exit strategy? Where are their calls for a timeline?
Posted by: costa rica investments | July 31, 2010 at 02:51 PM