What is the difference between GPS and WIFI?

Question

Definitions would be great.

best answer= 10 pts

Answer 1

GPS - Global Positioning System.  A GPS receiver receives signals from a constellation of GPS satellites in space.  With at least 3 signals received, the receiver can triangulate where you are on earth.  Real simple explanation.  You can get a more detailed explanation elsewhere.

WiFi - Wireless Fidelity.  WiFi refers to radio signals emitted that carry data between computing devices.  Like from your computer to your wireless router or internet access point.

The difference is that WiFi can carry large amounts of data but cannot really be used for positioning (though latitude and longitude can be associated with WiFi access points and indirectly used for positioning).  WiFi signals are also terrestrial - they come from sources on the ground, not in space.