More Smartphones Than GPS devices

The number of mobile phones with built in global positioning systems (GPS) is growing so fast that they'll become more popular than dedicated portable navigation devices by 2014, research firm iSuppli says in a report out today.

The firm predicts that, as Internet-connected smartphones become more popular, about 80% of all phones shipped at the end of 2011 will include GPS capabilities. That's up from 57.8% in the second quarter of 2010.

In addition, iSuppli says that 18% of all laptop computers and 42% of portable game players will come with GPS in 2014.

Apple, Google, and countless advertisers are betting big that people will glom on to applications that pinpoint where they are and tell them about nearby products, services, and attractions.

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