Four Must-Have Features of a Good GPS App

GPS apps have slowly become the part and parcel of hikers, backcountry explorers, delivery drivers, and of course every individual. This technology has been advancing rapidly and we cannot imagine our lives without a GPS navigation system.A few years ago, all a GPS navigation system needed to do was get you from point A to point B—preferably alive and in one piece.Today, simply getting you from point A to point B is considered the functionality of a GPS at its most basic level. The best GPS apps come with advanced features such as location marking, route tracking, and data synchronization, among others. Here are the 4 must-have features of a good GPS app.1. Location MarkingEveryone finds “points of interest” when they are outdoors. It could be a perfect campsite near a lake, an isolated location where antelopes always hang out, or even an elevated ground perfect for aerial or panoramic photography.Should you come across such a place, you’ll want to mark it so you can easily find it again. A good GPS app should have the functionality to mark locations and points of interest. The top GPS apps available today have this functionality but don’t expect much from the free options.2. Route Tracking and OptimizationRoute tracking is very important, especially for delivery drivers.Sometimes, more than one route is available for getting to the destination point, and a delivery driver will want a route that will save time and fuel. A good navigation app should help you pick the optimal route by analyzing both distances and traffic data.But the available software - like Google Maps - isn’t always enough to optimize the route for delivery drivers, especially with multiple stops.A GPS app may tell the driver where they are but it doesn’t always relay that information to dispatch. With a GPS app like Circuit, you can do more than just utilize the fastest route; you’ll be able to send delivery updates to customers, optimize multi-stop routes, and even capture proof of delivery.3. Offline MapsHikers and outdoor explorers spend a lot of time off the grid and in areas with no reception, but still, need to access maps even when offline.As such, it’s critical for any GPS app they use to have offline maps. This way, they’re able to access saved maps when in areas with no access to the internet. In addition to offline maps, a good GPS app should be able to track your location and mark points when offline.4. Data SynchronizationYou’ll likely change your phone once in a while to stay on top of the top smartphone trends. When you get a new phone, you’ll want to gain access to all the GPS data (locations, points of interest, facilities, etc.) you had collected with your previous phone.If your GPS app automatically syncs data, then getting this info shouldn’t be hard. You just need to download the app, log in, and wait for the app to sync the data to your new device.Wrapping UpToday, GPS apps have become mainstream and are evolving with tech trends and user needs. The top navigation apps even go the extra mile to connect with third-party service providers to provide additional services such as ordering food right within the GPS app.But if you’re looking for a simple GPS app that will meet all your daily needs, an app with the above features will not disappoint.