How to Turn Your Phone Into a GPS

Stand-alone GPS devices such as this are expensive. An alternative: You can use your smartphone as a GPS unit.

Global positioning systems (GPS) and navigation devices have made driving a lot easier for many people. Not only will the user-friendly devices tell you the fastest route to your destination, but they also can get you around traffic jams and construction blocks. The drawback: The devices can be expensive. However, if you have a smartphone (BlackBerry or iPhone), you can simply download an application to use your phone as a GPS device.

Things You'll Need

• BlackBerry
• iPhone

Instructions

BlackBerry

1. Press the "BlackBerry" button to open your Main Menu. The BlackBerry button is to the left of your trackball or trackpad.

2. Click on "BlackBerry App World" from your Main Menu.

3. Click on the "Magnifying Glass" icon at the bottom of the screen to conduct an App World Search.

4. Type "GPS" in the search box. Click your trackball or trackpad to start the search.

5. Scroll through the different GPS applications. Click on the one that you want to download. Keep in mind that some of the GPS applications require a fee.

6. Select "Download."

7. Click on the GPS app icon from the BlackBerry Main Menu once it has finished downloading. Once opened, you can type in where you want to go, and let the GPS app do the rest.

iPhone

1. Click on "Apple iTunes Store" icon on your iPhone. You can also access the Apple iTunes Store from your iPhone's web browser.

2. Type "GPS" or "Navigation" in the Search Box.

3. Click on the GPS application you'd like to download onto your phone. Keep in mind that many of the GPS applications require a fee.

4. Log out of your iTunes Store, and click on your newly downloaded GPS app.

5. Type in the location that you need GPS directions for and click "OK."

References

• BlackBerry: App World
• Apple iPhone: Maps + Compass
• Apple iPhone: iTunes Preview