Mobile Google Maps to Bring GPS-Like Positioning to iPhone?
News.com's blog reports that Google is set to launch a new feature in Google Maps for Mobile that will automatically set our location even in phones that lack a global positioning system (GPS) device.
This "My Location" feature uses the same technology as Navizon and triangulates your location based on nearby cell phone towers. This positioning technology is said to be accurate within 10 city blocks.
Google Maps for Mobile is available for a number of phones including the iPhone. The iPhone's version, however, is not yet upgradable to this new beta version. Apple has indicated it plans on deploying new features to the iPhone over time, so it seems likely that this feature may find its way into a future iPhone software update.
A Youtube video demonstrates the new feature for Google Maps.
This "My Location" feature uses the same technology as Navizon and triangulates your location based on nearby cell phone towers. This positioning technology is said to be accurate within 10 city blocks.
The My Location feature "complements" GPS functionality, because it works indoors, doesn't drain the battery as much as GPS does, and is much faster (a few seconds compared with what can be a few minutes on GPS), according to Lee.
The new feature is launching as a "beta" as Google builds the database of cell towers from people using Google Maps.Google Maps for Mobile is available for a number of phones including the iPhone. The iPhone's version, however, is not yet upgradable to this new beta version. Apple has indicated it plans on deploying new features to the iPhone over time, so it seems likely that this feature may find its way into a future iPhone software update.
A Youtube video demonstrates the new feature for Google Maps.
Top Rated Comments
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55 months ago
Wow :eek:, this is really cool stuff. This will see significant refinements and improvements over the next few years. I wonder how (if at all) it may be used with the new platform Google is building for mobile phones.
55 months ago
The technology to do this has been around for ages, but I had always assumed it required co-operation from the network provider.
If Google find a way to do this without the explicit support of the network provider, then there's gonna be a lot of annoyed networks out there.
Go Google! :D
SL
If Google find a way to do this without the explicit support of the network provider, then there's gonna be a lot of annoyed networks out there.
Go Google! :D
SL
55 months ago
How Similar to Navizon? Lame, Google, Lame. I never forgave Apple for cloning Konfabulator, and I may never forgive you for cloning Navizon...
Oh who am I kidding. I love Google. I just wonder when they're going to pop... Seem to be spreading themselves a little thin, don't you think?
Regarless, redimentary GPS should be a requirement of any mobile mapping service, so I'm not complaining about this.
Now to attain a phone capable of accessing Google Maps...
-Clive
Oh who am I kidding. I love Google. I just wonder when they're going to pop... Seem to be spreading themselves a little thin, don't you think?
Regarless, redimentary GPS should be a requirement of any mobile mapping service, so I'm not complaining about this.
Now to attain a phone capable of accessing Google Maps...
-Clive
55 months ago
Remember, the government can track anyone they want through their cell-phones.
55 months ago
I want it on the website too though just for kicks :D
-=|Mgkwho
Interesting... Yeah, can't Google just query your IP and put your dot on the map? T'would make it easy for "from here" / "To here" directions...
-Clive
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