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kman42 · Sep 19, 2007, 07:53 PM

Check it out!
GPS application for the iPhone debuts: Brief review and screenshots – iPhone Atlas

It got me within a hundred feet or so. Very cool!

kman

kman42 · Sep 19, 2007, 07:54 PM

Technically it isn't real "GPS", but it is a lower-case "global positioning system". It uses cell towers and wifi addresses to triangulate your phone.

subego · Sep 19, 2007, 09:01 PM

Just tried it.

It listed my location as my old address from 3 years ago.

Methinks the database is a bit out of date, though that's just a first guess.

kman42 · Sep 19, 2007, 09:13 PM

?

I'm not sure what you mean. It is using the data from your phones current location based on cell towers and wifi. What does that have to do with your address?

theDreamer · Sep 19, 2007, 09:23 PM

Only downside to this is you have to pay for it after awhile.
Sorry, but I am sure someone will come out with one in a few weeks (or less time) that is free.

subego · Sep 19, 2007, 09:26 PM

Originally Posted by kman42

?

I'm not sure what you mean. It is using the data from your phones current location based on cell towers and wifi. What does that have to do with your address?

My guess is that it's getting its main lock off of my wifi network, which used to occupy a different physical location (my old apartment) in the past.

I dunno, you tell me. It's pretty odd that it locates me a mile away from where I am, exactly where I used to live.

kman42 · Sep 19, 2007, 09:31 PM

Could be. I'm not sure exactly how that part works. I know some people are reporting inaccuracies up to a few miles, but my test was within a hundred feet or so.

subego · Sep 19, 2007, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by kman42

Could be. I'm not sure exactly how that part works. I know some people are reporting inaccuracies up to a few miles, but my test was within a hundred feet or so.

I just thought it was "off", but when I zoomed in the fact it said I was at my old address seemed too improbable to be a coincidence.

Cold Warrior · Sep 19, 2007, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by kman42

Could be. I'm not sure exactly how that part works. I know some people are reporting inaccuracies up to a few miles, but my test was within a hundred feet or so.

In locales with more cell panels each serving relatively small areas, and with known wifi points at addresses, the app has more data to draw from. A cell panel serving a city block in range of Starbucks wifi 1234 helps narrow it to a couple hundred feet, max. It's a completely different story with no known wifi points and a "macro-cell."

SSharon · Sep 19, 2007, 10:18 PM

I tried it earlier today and it couldn't locate me at all in the 3 cities I tried it in (central islip, melville, and plainview).
How can I add locations if I don't have a gps unit? is there a simple interface to say when I am connected to XX wifi I am at 123 main street?

Xarthan · Sep 19, 2007, 11:21 PM

i tried it as well, pretty slow and not very accurate.

subego · Sep 20, 2007, 02:27 AM

Originally Posted by kman42

?

I'm not sure what you mean. It is using the data from your phones current location based on cell towers and wifi. What does that have to do with your address?

I read the thread again and realized how unclear I made this. Sorry.

I think my wifi network is listed in Navizon's database incorrectly, i.e. at my old address/apartment. When I moved, I didn't change my wifi network. I'm using the same network name on the same base station, so it has the same MAC address.

When the program tried to cross reference my wifi network with the location of that network in its database, it came up with a result that apparently hasn't been updated since 2004, or their system can't cope with the constantly changing nature of people's wifi, or something like that.

I'd hope that if I was registered in the database in two different locations, it would be smart enough to check some of the other networks (or a cell tower) to pinpoint me.

kdarling · Sep 20, 2007, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by subego

I think my wifi network is listed in Navizon's database incorrectly, i.e. at my old address/apartment.

Makes sense. Have you tried changing your network name now, and see how much better it does once it ignores your old reported location?

Railroader · Sep 20, 2007, 02:52 PM

I thought all cell phones made in the last year or so had to have GPS built in so as to help 911 calls from the phone be located. Is this site wrong? GPS Site : Cell Phone Gps

My super cheap 2 year old Verizon Motorola Vsomethingorother has GPS in it.

I would be amazed if the iPhone didn't.

TAZ · Sep 20, 2007, 04:58 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

I thought all cell phones made in the last year or so had to have GPS built in so as to help 911 calls from the phone be located. Is this site wrong? GPS Site : Cell Phone Gps

My super cheap 2 year old Verizon Motorola Vsomethingorother has GPS in it.

I would be amazed if the iPhone didn't.

My thoughts exactly. I would guess that the wording of the FCC ruling is such that it may not require GPS per say, but a method by which the phone can be located, so that tower triangulation may meet the requirement.

NaviZone's accuracy is pretty bad at 1/2 block, or 200 yds. If I am bleeding in some alley 200 yds pretty much means I am dead. I would like to think that the accuracy is software related and the 911 system can do better.

It is however a good start and hopefully they can improve upon it.

subego · Sep 21, 2007, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by kdarling

Makes sense. Have you tried changing your network name now, and see how much better it does once it ignores your old reported location?

Well, changing my network name would be a little extreme, but I intend to check it outside when I'm out of range.

Ultimately, my apartment is the place I least need it to work.