Would you ever buy a car that was missing the engine? Not likely. In the world of mobile technology, data is the engine that drives your device. Without data, your smartphone is just a simple calling device capable of so much more.

What are the benefits of data? Let’s start with the obvious: email. Sending and receiving email on the go is a basic necessity for most of us. And then there’s social networking. With data, you can quickly check in on your social feeds (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) wherever you are. In other words, all the things you do on your laptop, you can also do on your mobile device.

But there’s more to data than email and social networking. Your data-equipped smartphone is also your portable GPS, allowing you to launch Google Maps, for example, to view a map of your surroundings. With a quick tap, you can see nearby amenities such as coffee shops, restaurants, stores and bus stops. Same goes for searches relating to weather, finance, sports scores and breaking news – you name it. Without this stuff, your smartphone, well, just isn’t that smart.

As we’ll explore in this ongoing learning series, we’ll be discussing how data on your smartphone lets you do incredibly useful things through GPS navigation (see right). Besides receiving turn-by-turn directions (in a car, on foot), GPS – through useful apps – also lets you conduct local searches to find your exact coordinates and the world around you – including nearby shops and services, public transportation and more.

In the next issue, we’ll be providing our how-to tutorial on turning your smartphone into a Wi-Fi hotspot, so that you can get your laptop or tablet online, using your smartphone’s mobile data connection, without having to connect to a potentially weak public Wi-Fi hotspot.

Data puts a world of smartphone apps and the combined intelligence of the World Wide Web in your pocket. It’s an efficient internet-connected engine for your digital life. Whether you’re an iPhone fan, an Android enthusiast or a BlackBerry devotee, mobile data unlocks the built-in, ready-to-be-unleashed power of a smartphone in your pocket.

Your smartphone can give you live, real-time maps and location services that help you find everything from where you are to where you want to go. It’s all about data.

GPS & Location Services

1. Find it fast

GPS and mobile data on your smartphone lets you search Google Maps or other point-of-interest apps to find local business listings (plus info such as hours of operation and phone numbers). Simply tap to get driving, walking, cycling or public transit directions. Some apps, such as Where To? (see below) also allow you to access user reviews and tips, perfect for when you’re deciding where to eat.

Try this app: Where To? | iOS | $3

2. Augmented reality

Augmented reality apps such as Layar let you see nearby landmarks such as shops, restaurants, museums, libraries and so on. The app works by using your phone’s camera, GPS and data connection. Hold your phone up, point it at something (say, a nearby museum) and you’ll see how far away and in what direction it is. Move and your results update in real time showing other close by points of interest.

Try this app: Layar | iOS, An | free

3. Turn-by-turn directions

If you have an Android smartphone, you already have a free turn-by-turn GPS in hand in the form of Navigation, part of the Google Maps app. You just need a wireless data connection to unlock its potential. Get verbal directions including distance to next instruction along with a scrolling view of your travels onscreen. Tap to update the map with points of interest such as gas stations.

Try this app: Google Maps | iOS, BB, An, WP7 | free

For more on data, visit rogers.com/dataguide