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iphone GPS
- Thread starter Foz2001
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If you're only using wifi, you don't need AT&T's data plan as far as I know. However, you did say "usually in a wifi network" though, so you'll have to be wary of when you use the phone's data-intensive features. Speaking from experience, you'll find a fat usage charge on your bill even if you do simple things like check the weather if you don't have the data plan.
it's hard to tell, but i think you are describing the original iPhones "gps" (cellular triangulation)
the 3g iPhone has a dedicated GPS device, that uses gps satellites, not cell towers to find your location.
it will work along with google maps, on the iPhone and your not going to need a subscription or whatever like you do on some other phones/providers.
It's a little unclear if you are REQUIRED to have the data plan or not.
theDreamer
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With the original iPhone you had to have a data plan at the beginning, but I think after a few months they allowed customers to take it off their plan if they wished. Quoted from Apple's website:
Maps on iPhone 3G combines GPS, Wi-Fi, and cell tower location technology with the Multi-Touch interface to create the best mobile map application ever.
It seems it does have built in GPS, but if that does not work then it also can use cell tower and wifi to help pin point your location.
Maps on iPhone 3G combines GPS, Wi-Fi, and cell tower location technology with the Multi-Touch interface to create the best mobile map application ever.
It seems it does have built in GPS, but if that does not work then it also can use cell tower and wifi to help pin point your location.
theDreamer
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Well it sounds like Apple is not even going to sell the iPhone in Canadian Apple stores currently, or on launch day. So that means the only place to find one would be at a Roger's store, not from Canada so not sure that is the name of the store. Though last time the iPhone launched they were all sold out pretty quickly, but stock came back in within a couple days.
I believe you are required to purchase a date plan with the iPhone. With AT&T at least
*edit* at least with the origional model...i dont know if they will change it with the 3g
NightOps
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Whoa...wait a tic...the GPS on the iPhone 3G is NOT dedicated...it's A-GPS. If you don't have wifi or a cell signal, it won't work. It uses wifi/cell signal to gain general detection, and A-GPS to pinpoint your location.
Info about A-GPS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-GPS
To verify, go to http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html and go down to the 'GPS' section...note that it says 'Assisted GPS'.
I just don't want anyone to think that they can go out to BFE without any cell signal or wifi and think they are going to use the A-GPS to navigate themselves home...
Info about A-GPS: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-GPS
To verify, go to http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html and go down to the 'GPS' section...note that it says 'Assisted GPS'.
I just don't want anyone to think that they can go out to BFE without any cell signal or wifi and think they are going to use the A-GPS to navigate themselves home...
no it has real GPS, if you cannot get the normal GPS signal it will try hotspots and cell towers
NightOps
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Ok...GPS uses multiple satellite acquisition to determine location. Assisted GPS uses cell towers/wifi to gain detection, and (A-)GPS to pinpoint location, similar to GPS...but it can do so with only 1 satellite instead of multiples. Primary purpose of A-GPS over GPS: A-GPS allows for faster location determination in urban areas where tall structures often block or interfere with multiple satellite acquisition. It also uses less battery power to do so.
I'll temporarily recant on my statement concerning using A-GPS/iPhone 3G to navigate your way out of the woods in the depths of a forest, but considering there are no TOPO maps for the iPhone 3G (yet), and A-GPS doesn't support WAAS, then there's no way I'd depend on it for such a situation over a *real* GPS.
if it's like gps on every other cellphone i have owned, it downloads the maps from your data connection to the cellular network... if you don't have a cellphone signal, you don't have gps. It will give you lat. and longitude... but is that very helpful when you are navigating rural colorado ?
Maybe somebody will release a gps app for it, but be prepared to lose about 4gb of your precious memory to store all the maps.
Maybe somebody will release a gps app for it, but be prepared to lose about 4gb of your precious memory to store all the maps.
theDreamer
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The iPhone use Google maps, so no need to download any maps.
Noobtastic
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Except the maps that you download through Google Maps...
yes, because the magic bit fairies will get you Google Maps in the middle of butt-frak nowhere, with as many cell towers near as I have beautiful naked women dancing around me (read: none!).
ergo, try again?
Zardoz
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the iphone 3g has a real GPS chip unlike the first gen that only uses cell towers and wifi points to pont your location.
Nightops it's not A-GPS it's a "GPS" device.
To add to this it also still will use cell towers and wifi points to point your location. if the GPS is not able to as a fall back, this can be good on cloudy or rainy days, or if your in an area where GPS signals are not avail but one of the other two might be. i.e. in a building or around tall building, trees etc.
Nightops it's not A-GPS it's a "GPS" device.
To add to this it also still will use cell towers and wifi points to point your location. if the GPS is not able to as a fall back, this can be good on cloudy or rainy days, or if your in an area where GPS signals are not avail but one of the other two might be. i.e. in a building or around tall building, trees etc.
Zardoz
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I would think it would not turn the GPS off as the GPS does not send or broadcast anything.
w1retap
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On my Tilt I have all the updated TomTom maps on my microSD card, and it has real GPS which doesn't require a cell signal or data connection. Just letting you know there are options that are out there for cell phones..
Well, I can say the gps is fairly accurate.
my house is to the right of the dot. I was inside here, so it's not gonna be perfect.
it is even more accurate outside.
(yes, I was in a boat...)
in both those shots, that was exactly where we were, give or take the size of that blue dot. it's too damn big...
my house is to the right of the dot. I was inside here, so it's not gonna be perfect.
it is even more accurate outside.
(yes, I was in a boat...
)in both those shots, that was exactly where we were, give or take the size of that blue dot. it's too damn big...
DarkStar02
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I have Garmin Mobile XT on my Blackjack II with CA and surrounding maps and it only takes up like 100 mb of space.
Boltaction
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That's awesome, but I still think my 1st gen is better because I wasn't forced into a contract, and it has brushed aluminum.
NightOps
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Duplicate post.
NightOps
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Negative Zardoz, it's A-GPS. On Apple's iPhone site (http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html) it specifically lists "Assisted GPS". [/end of discussion]
And, playing with my iPhone 3G I bought (and only stood in line for 45 minutes to get) on the 11th, without cell signal, the A-GPS is pointless; A-GPS doesn't have a Lat/Long readout app for the iPhone, and won't even load up Google Maps (since it requires a data connection, not GPS to function).
With 'Location Services' (A-GPS) OFF, Google Maps will load and find your proximity based on location to the closest cell tower. With 'Location Services' ON and no cell signal, it will not load up Google Maps and find your location. With 'Location Services' ON and having a cell signal, all is well.
w1retap
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Well that's no good when you're out in the boonies without a cell signal and you're wanting to use GPS.
There's 2 things we're talking about. A-GPS, meaning it has to have a cell tower to function, and Assisted GPS, meaning it has to have a cell tower for maps/etc so it has a fricken clue where you are, but the GPS chip works. One is a true gps chip, the other is a pseudo one. The iphone has a real GPS from everything I've seen, but because the maps are all online only, it's totally useless without cell service - but it's ~not~ like the other AGPS devices that have to have cell service for the GPS to function at all. At least, that's how I understand it. Theoretically, in other words, emergency services ~might~ be able to see the GPS connection to figure out where it's coming from. theoretically.
edit: this is all an "I think"
edit: this is all an "I think"
NightOps
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@lopoetve: So what do you take the 'A-' in A-GPS to mean? According to every resource I've found, it's Assisted GPS...which would make them the same thing.
Gizmodo has a great explanation on all of this (http://gizmodo.com/5015930/giz-explains-what-you-didnt-know-about-the-iphone-3gs-gps). IMO a *true* GPS would utilize WAAS. However, the Assisted GPS on the iPhone 3G cannot make use of this. However, the Assisted GPS will find your general location quicker and will not consume as much battery life.
I think that apple is using the term wrong - They're not referring to it as an AGPS device, but as one that doesn't have maps without assitance. Maps vs. location finding - the GPS knows you're HERE, but it doesn't have a clue where HERE is (iphone), or the GPS doesn't know where you are - it has no cell signal to help refine the satellite signal (AGPS). At least, that's what I've read and found.
That make any more sense?
I'm digging into that giz article.
Kinda like the blackberries with GPS, not really useful without software and the data service.
However, Google Maps is free and does work with the GPS on the Blackberry, which is nice. AT&T's GPS service is $10 per month but I just use Google Maps. Works ok not great but is still useful. If it wasn't free I wouldn't bother.
Google Maps will not work without the data service as it has to update from the Internet based on your location. Local storage of a whole region like the USA would take at least 1GB of storage. I guess you could do that with an add-on microSD card but the application is not currently architected for it.
'
-how much did the TomTom maps cost?
-does it do text to speech? i.e., read street names?
-is there a monthly service charge or is it a 1 shot deal for the map download?
I would like to also do this with my BlackBerry!!
Thats what I want to know...does it have text to speech or any verbal directions for that matter. Also, does it automatically advance to the next set of directions? For instance, if it tells me to turn left in 300 ft, and I turn left, does it automatically move on to the next direction? Or do I have to hit the arrow?
w1retap
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The application is a free download for mobile devices somewhere.. I forget where I found it. But the maps you buy, then you get free updates whenever. It does text to speech, and you can also download different voice packs for free. I like the Stephen Hawking one. lol. There's no monthly fee and since the maps go on your microSD card, there's no need for a data connection unless you want traffic/construction updates and stuff while you're driving. I'd recommend at least 2GB of free space for the US map collection and detailed POI's.
w1retap
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It does everything automatically and also does on the fly route re-calculation. The funny thing is, my friend tests GPS devices for a Korean company that makes about 5 different brands, and my PDA phone does it quicker and more accurately, especially for secondary and terciary roads.
gzervali2006
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The iphone gps works pretty well, except for when I am up in New Hampshire.. I was very impressed.
It does everything automatically and also does on the fly route re-calculation. The funny thing is, my friend tests GPS devices for a Korean company that makes about 5 different brands, and my PDA phone does it quicker and more accurately, especially for secondary and terciary roads.
Beautiful! Thanks for the information!