Final answer:
GPS receivers in smartphones serve for triangulation, timekeeping, and navigation, enabling precise location-based services and functions. They rely on satellite signals and physics principles to provide accurate positioning and timing, which enhances the usability of smartphones.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of GPS receivers embedded in smartphones is primarily for triangulation, timekeeping, and navigation. The technology facilitates location-based services which are critical in various applications, including emergency services, transportation, and personal convenience. GPS units derive their accuracy from the signals of satellites equipped with precise atomic clocks, taking into account the effects of relativity for timing accuracy. Manufacturers embed GPS in smartphones to offer features such as live location tracking, accurate time settings, and navigational assistance, enhancing the overall functionality of the device and improving user experience.
From a technological perspective, GPS uses the principles of physics, including equations related to the speed of an object, the distance it travels, and the time it takes to travel that distance. This helps determine travel times and precise locations, which are vital for various smartphone functionalities such as mapping routes, tagging locations on social media, and accessing location-based services.