Sony recently announced the Xperia S, the first of its next-generation Xperia smartphones and the first Xperia mobile to have a dual-core processor.

It's also the first to support GLONASS , which is a Russian-run alternative to GPS. Just like GPS it works out your location using satellites, so you might ask why we need two technologies essentially the same.

Well, we're sure that like us you often have delays and problems with your GPS device finding your location, so adding another technology and more satellites should help !

GPS currently uses 31 active satellites to find your location and the addition of GLONASS adds a further 24 into the mix. Apparently, that will improve the accuracy of location-results by up to 50 per cent.

Cleverly, GLONASS will only be activated in problem ares such as hugely built-up cities which ensures it doesn't unnecessarily drain power, which is already consumed by 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS amongst other things.

GLONASS will be incorporated in future app releases on the Android platform. Interestingly, GLONASS is also supported on older Sony Ericsson devices including the Xperia Arc, Arc S, Xperia Neo, Xperia Play, Xperia Pro, Xperia Live with Walkman and the Xperia Active.