The Geo Factor recently interviewed Tim Flight, who created and maintains the blog GPS Review. GPS Review has an impressive amount of information about GPS devices or all types. The site is fairly popular; ranking 41,762 on Technorati (anything in the top 100,000 is significant) and 117,124 on Alexa’s traffic ranking of all Web sites. Tim took a few moments out of his busy schedule to discuss why he started the blog and where he sees the GPS industry going.

TGF: What is GPS Review?

GPS Review [www.gpsreview.net] is a community website where people share information about consumer GPS navigation systems. While we provide reviews and news of GPS devices, we also receive tons of great information from other users.

TGF: Why did you start it? What do you hope to accomplish with the site? What have you already accomplished?

I started GPS Review to give a place for consumers to share their own information and reviews. With GPS just now having more mainstream uses for consumers, I thought it would be great to have a location where people can exchange information and ideas surrounding GPS.

We have accomplished quite a bit already. We personally help lots of people every day pick the best GPS receiver for their needs and application. Other people on the site provide great feedback for their peers as well. Users thank us [www.gpsreview.net/testimonials/] for the information we’ve provided them and ultimately that is how we measure our accomplishments.

We are continuing to expand what we offer visitors. Expect to hear at least two new major announcements from us in the next few weeks…..

TGF: What is your professional background?

I worked in Information Technology (IT) for a number of years, so computers, gadgets, and the like have always been part of my background. I have a bit of background as a website developer, database administrator, and have had a fascination with maps all of my life. GPS is a great cross between maps and technology.

TGF: What do you see as the most significant consumer uses of GPS devices?

Consumer use of GPS devices is primarily for auto navigation– finding the most efficient route from your current location to your destination. Recreational use of GPS is also quite popular as a backup to traditional map and compass navigation. The fitness use of GPS technology is expanding to allow athletes and recreational enthusiasts to receive statistical details about their activities.

TGF: What do you see as the most significant business uses of GPS devices?

Businesses have several applications for GPS technology. Being able to see where your fleet of vehicles is and dispatch the driver who is closest to your next pickup is a great asset to many businesses. Or for a real estate broker who needs to visit a dozen locations in one day and wants to figure out the most efficient route to visit each of them.

TGF: What is your dream GPS device, from a feature perspective?

You want me to put all of my good ideas out there for everyone to see? :) I’ll give you a few hints. I would like to see GPS devices which provide better convergence for multiple uses. I have way too many GPS receivers. I’ve got one for my car, another for my smartphone when I’m traveling in someone else’s car, a GPS that is strictly small and portable for use as a track/data logger, another GPS for recreational use, and a portable GPS for flying.

While there are some GPS devices on the market which have several of those features they always perform one of the tasks poorly. Sure you can use many handheld recreational GPS devices for road navigation but they are difficult to prop on the dash. And other auto GPS receivers that can have TOPO maps loaded on them are either not waterproof or are the wrong shape to comfortably hold in your hand when outdoors.

TGF: What do you think will be the biggest innovation in GPS devices in the next 12 months? Why?

You will have to come back in interview me again in 12 months to see if my predictions come true. :) I think the biggest thing we will see in the next 12 months (good or bad) is more two way information exchange between the GPS and the Internet. The GPS is going to become smarter about providing up to date information via the Internet. For example knowing that there is a professional sports event taking place in a particular city at a particular time and *predicting* there will be traffic issues before traffic builds.

We will also likely see more GPS based advertising. If my GPS recognizes I’m on the Interstate, I’m a long way from home, and it is getting late my GPS will probably offer to route me to a particular hotel who has paid for that advertising and possibly offer me a discount coupon.

Technologies like this exist now, but I think they will grow substantially over the next 12 months.

TGF: You mentioned traffic information – that seems to be a hot new area. What is your take on drivers receiving, and perhaps even sharing traffic information over cell phones and other GPS-enabled devices?

Certainly there are some people who object to the idea for privacy fears. They won’t want any company aggregating live traffic data from their phone or from their GPS. Perhaps someone will build a traffic system whereby if you are (anonymously) broadcasting your position then you can receive the information, and maybe at a reduced cost.

TGF: What are the biggest challenges facing the GPS device industry?

Pricing. Many GPS devices are still around the $1000 mark. I can buy an 80 GB MP3 player for $350 which has a 2.5 color screen (which I’ve been told are more expensive than 3.5 inch screens found on most GPS devices). Yet when it comes to GPS I have to spend over $1000 for some devices which only come with a 2 GB drive and are much larger than my MP3 player.

TGF: What are the biggest challenges facing the GPS device user community?

Outdated Maps [www.gpsreview.net/outdated-gps-maps/] continue to be the biggest customer complaint. More often than not the map supplier has the updated information and corrections, but it takes way too long to reach the devices of consumers and often costs them too much money. GPS manufacturers need to find a way to get updated maps into GPS receivers faster and for less money.