Findin your way in Europe - map apps, GPS navigation and gadgets issues

" But a GPS signal only tells whatever thing your are using where you are (latitude/longitude/altitude) and nothing else" Not always true. I carry a GPS unit designed for hiking/geocaching, and I have maps installed that make the GPS like a little road atlas in your hand. It shows restaurants, gas stations, hospitals, etc., just like a car GPS. The signal itself only locates you, but the software of a GPS unit can provide much more. When I was in Spain in May, I simply replaced my North America maps with Western Europe maps. And the battery life of a handheld can be up to 18 hours under constant use, as opposed to a car GPS' 2-3 hours.

I'll start with some basic information that might help many people new to the electronic mapping era: GPS - the Global Positioning System is a satellite constellation maintained by US military. In a very simple line: it sends FREE signals to your device (GPS unit, cell phone, car, whatever) that allows the device to make a quick trigonometric calculation and find your exact position. GPS signals are FREE OF ANY CHARGE anywhere in the World. But a GPS signal only tells whatever thing your are using where you are (latitude/longitude/altitude) and nothing else. Data-based Map Apps - these are smartphone/tablet applications that rely on data traffic to "draw" an interactive map as you browse. It is like using Google Maps or Bing Maps on your home computer. It requires a lot of data traffic, which is usually VERY EXPENSIVE if you are using your smartphone/tablet abroad. It can use Wi-Fi as any other data use, but there is no country-wide Wi-Fi availability to guarantee. Offline Map Apps - some apps operate as offline maps, meaning you download all the map content at home, load it into your device, than you can use it without any data traffic, WITHOUT ANY DATA TRAFFIC. They WILL work even if you turn your cellphone/data/roaming capabilities off your device for peace of mind. There are paid and unpaid offline map apps, just browse iTunes or Google Play and you will find them. smartphone-based GPS apps - GPS navigational unit makers have been unveiling smartphone apps for their products (TomTom, Garmin etc.) This means you can use your phone or tablet as a GPS unit. Maps are uploaded offline (read above), thus IT COSTS NOTHING TO USE THEM ABROAD, besides the price you pay for the apps themselves. They are good replacements for GPS units if you are already taking a smartphone with you.

"...In a very simple line: it sends FREE signals to your device (GPS unit, cell phone, car, whatever) that allows the device to make a quick trigonometric calculation and find your exact position..." Not all devices use satellite based GPS. Most smartphones get location data by triangulating data from the cell towers. Devices like an Ipod Touch can get location data from some WiFi routers.