LiveViewGPS, Inc. is proud to announce that our 2012 GPS tracking catalog is completed and currently available for download – GPS Tracking Catalog.  Clients may also request a print version which will be available on Feb. 7, 2012.  The LiveViewGPS 2012 GPS tracking catalog features some of the latest technology in the GPS tracking industry.

On Monday, January 23, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that law enforcement authorities are disallowed from placing a GPS tracking device on a suspect’s automobile in order to track movement without first having a warrant.

This first of its kind ruling will likely shape the privacy rights that Americans will expect to see in the future in an era of new generation wireless electronics. It’s the first time the issue of use of GPS devices in criminal investigations was addressed in a ruling. Down the road, we may see more developments in the tracking of mobile phones and other technology devices.

The decision on the police’s use of GPS tracking devices on a person’s car without a warrant highlights the technology that police had in monitoring Americans’ day-to-day habits and activities. Typically without a warrant and under the cover of darkness, up until now, police had been able to install a GPS device under a suspect’s car to aid their investigations.

Based on the premise that the a vehicle’s movements was protected under the U.S. Constitution, which covers protections against unreasonable seizures and searches of evidence, the Supreme Court ruled that a GPS tracking devices cannot be used for tracking suspects without a warrant. This major ruling on privacy in the digital age was made as an unanimous Supreme Court decision.

Originally created for military operations, a global positioning system (GPS) relies on satellites to transmit to receivers. These receivers calculate longitude and latitude to derive a location. The navigation satellite-based system is made up of a large network of 24 satellites place in space by the U.S. Department of Defense. The United States government allowed GPS devices to be used by civilians in 1980. GPS devices work all day and all night, and in any kind of weather.

The case that is to set precedence is United States v. Jones, 10-1259. In the case, a GPS device assisted law enforcement authorities to link Antoine Jones, a nightclub owner, to a house in the suburbs. It was there the suspect stashed drugs and cash. Jones was originally sentenced to life in prison.

To solve the case, police installed a GPS device on Jones’ vehicle to track his movements over a period of a month. During a federal court appeal, Jones’ drug conspiracy conviction was overturned. The Supreme Court agreed with this overturned conviction.

That’s not to say law enforcement won’t continue to use GPS devices, but any use of a GPS electronic surveillance device to monitor an American citizen’s movement will need a search warrant.

Have you ever had the experience of standing in the rain while waiting for the bus to arrive on schedule? Knowing real-time bus locations would make it much more convenient for individuals who need to track bus fleet locations or are simply hoping to catch the bus on time. Large companies who use bus or other vehicle fleets would be able to effectively manage the location of their drivers with real-time GPS tracking.

Real-time vehicle tracking provides a number of benefits. You’ll have the ability to affordably manage company vehicle fleets, receive accurate position updates, protect your business and personal property, and much more. Not only is real-time GPS tracking ideal for business and personal use, but many universities have begun taking advantage of this technology.

Duke University just recently announced that they would be launching a real-time tracking system for their bus fleet. They hope the technology will enable students, staff, faculty and campus visitors to locate a Duke University Bus in real-time at any of their 113 stops on and around the campus. The vehicle tracking device will allow them to conveniently see bus locations down to the second.

There are a number of benefits to using real-time GPS vehicle tracking devices and many have begun to take advantage of this convenient technology.  If you’re tracking a vehicle fleet, let GPS vehicle tracking provide you with an affordable way to conveniently track their location for efficient management.