How does location based services work

The Global Positioning System is an array of satellites that exist solely to help find things across the planet. Any device with a GPS receiver which includes most smartphones can ping the satellites with that receiver. This will cause it to communicate with at least four satellites, and the satellites can compare the signal delay to pinpoint where the signal originated. This allows your phone to know exactly where you are and provide turn-by-turn navigation.

A common business use case is GPS fleet tracking software , which businesses use to remotely keep tabs on their company vehicles and their drivers' performance. Wi-Fi location tracking is a bit different from other methods.

Typically, a device only connects to one Wi-Fi network at a time. This eliminates the possibility of triangulation.

Instead, this form of location tracking uses IP addresses. Every network has a physical IP address that allows the greater internet to know where it is. This is necessary for it to accurately send information across internet infrastructure.

When your phone connects to a Wi-Fi network, it pairs with the physical IP of that network. That allows location services to know your current address. Cellular tracking works much like GPS. Instead of connecting to satellites, though, your device is connecting to cellular towers. Generally speaking, you will be in range of at least two towers, which is enough for the system to use triangulation to find your location.

Quick-response QR tracking is close to Wi-Fi in principle. When a dynamic QR code is scanned, it logs information related to the scan. When the QR code is established, its physical location can be recorded. That location can then be tagged anytime the code is scanned. RFID tracking is effectively a combination of these other methods. The RFID scanner typically has a static location.

When it pings off of other networks, the location of the scanner can be logged. When the RFID scanner is activated, it can tag its location when it records the access. This can identify the location of the device accessing the scanner. Key takeaway: There are multiple methods for gathering location data, enabling a wide range of geotargeted functions for businesses, from tracking assets to generating leads. Many app developers lack the resources to develop software that can interpret a smartphone's location, so they use existing solutions through an API to save time and money.

Many of these companies liaise with wireless carriers to connect businesses with smartphone users' locations. They provide tools to increase user engagement and connect with the most mobile phone users possible.

Hailing a cab from your phone relies on the power of location-based services. Wouldn't it be annoying to manually enter your address into your favorite ridesharing app every time you're in a rush to get somewhere?

With location-based services, your ridesharing app immediately knows where you are. Although most location-based services are turned on by default, you might have to elect to give these apps permission to access your location. For example, if you have an app for an online store where you enjoy shopping, you might have to enable location-based services to see where to view those products in person.

Location-Based Services: Definition and Examples. Business News Daily Editor. Location-based services use real-time geo-data from a smartphone to provide information, entertainment or security. From displaying weather forecasts to recommending restaurants near you, location-based services provide conveniences to many people every day. There are many features users miss out on by opting out of location-based services.

Location-based services are not just about maps and travel; in some cases, they help with security and safety when crime and natural disasters strike. What are location-based services? Why are location-based services important? Uses of location-based services Companies have found several ways to use a device's location: Store locators. Using location-based intelligence, retail customers can quickly find the nearest store location. Proximity-based marketing. Local companies can push ads only to individuals within the same geographic location.

Location-based mobile marketing delivers ads to potential customers within that city who might actually act on the information. Travel information. A location-based service can deliver real-time information, such as traffic updates and weather reports, to the smartphone so the user can plan accordingly.

Roadside assistance. Many roadside assistance companies provide an app that allows them to track your exact location so you don't have to give directions in the event of a blown tire or vehicle accident. Mobile workforce management. There is one situation where your location is still shared on both Android and iOS though, even with location tracking off: When you call emergency services. For example, you might want to let Airbnb know where you are but not Facebook.

Again, this might break some app functions that require location information. Use the Never option to block tracking completely, or While Using the App to block background tracking so location information is only logged when the app is actually running.

This is one way of stopping apps logging your location in the way highlighted by the recent AP report : You can see little dots on the map where apps have been fired up on the device and then get a location fix at the same time. Every app is different of course, and will have its own privacy policy on what it does with your location data. Remember though that some of these apps have a long reach. Google, though, seems far more aggressive about it, and far keener to share location data across all its products.