Mobile broadband devices drive GPS shipments

Portable computing devices such as tablet PCs are not only driving the markets for embedded and external broadband modems; they are also spurring on the GPS segment.

The technologies complement one another, as positioning capabilities allow the content - and particularly advertisements - served over mobile broadband connections to be tailored to the recipient's geographic location.

However, during the 2008-09 economic turbulence, precision GPS components saw subdued performance, says ABI Research.

Dominique Bonte, practice director for the analyst, comments: "Alternative location has emerged as another must-have in 2011-12.

"This is partly to support a better user experience, but also to enable customers to address the growing location-based services and location-based advertising markets."

As a result, the researcher suggests the future of mobile devices such as tablet PCs, cameras and fitness equipment could depend on more than one location technology.

This could ultimately see Wi-Fi broadband connections provide one means of locating an individual and GPS another.