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You are here: MacNN Forums > Hardware - Troubleshooting and Discussion > iPhone, iPad & iPod > How does my Wi-Fi iPad so accurately know where I am?

How does my Wi-Fi iPad so accurately know where I am?
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Atheist
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Sep 2, 2010, 12:39 AM
 
Yes I've googled... but I'm at a loss how my Wi-Fi iPad is as accurate as my iPhone 4 in determining my location. I live in the middle of nowhere in a freakin' 3rd world country. There are no public access points around me. My own Airport Extreme is the only Wi-Fi in range of my condo yet when I go into google maps on the iPad, it shows my location exactly where it shows in google maps on my iPhone 4 (about 25 feet north of my actual location). It's almost as though Apple is allowing my iPhone to somehow broadcast the location to other devices... now that would be creepy.
     
Wiskedjak
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Sep 2, 2010, 12:43 AM
 
It'll be using the ip address of your access point to geolocate you. That can often be quite accurate.
     
Atheist  (op)
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Sep 2, 2010, 01:36 AM
 
I've got WiMAX so what would be my access point. The transmission source of my service is miles from my condo.
     
Spheric Harlot
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Sep 2, 2010, 02:25 AM
 
Quite possibly, it's mapped your own wireless network.
     
hyteckit
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Sep 2, 2010, 03:35 AM
 
It uses triangulation and known wifi access point near you.

The more known access points near you and the closer between each of the known access points, the more accurate it is able to triangulate your location.

It big cities, it's pretty accurate to within 100ft.
Bush Tax Cuts == Job Killer
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Spheric Harlot
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Sep 2, 2010, 03:41 AM
 
If there's only one access point near you, it will be accurate to within range of that network (assuming your neighborhood has been mapped, which it appears to have been).
     
hyteckit
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Sep 2, 2010, 05:43 AM
 
Here is an article about WiFi triangulation.

How the iPhone's Wi-Fi location works | Digital Home | TechRadar UK
Bush Tax Cuts == Job Killer
June 2001: 132,047,000 employed
June 2003: 129,839,000 employed
2.21 million jobs were LOST after 2 years of Bush Tax Cuts.
     
chabig
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Sep 2, 2010, 05:52 AM
 
I can't believe you're all missing it! The Wi-fi iPad has GPS built-in. Yeah, it does triangulation when it needs to. So do the iPhones. But primarily it's using GPS.
     
Wiskedjak
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Sep 2, 2010, 08:23 AM
 
Originally Posted by chabig View Post
I can't believe you're all missing it! The Wi-fi iPad has GPS built-in. Yeah, it does triangulation when it needs to. So do the iPhones. But primarily it's using GPS.
GPS is only on the WiFi+3G model. The WiFi only iPad doesn't have GPS.
Apple (Canada) - iPad - Technical specifications and accessories for iPad.
     
Cold Warrior
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Sep 2, 2010, 08:59 AM
 
It uses an Apple database of WAP locations (if you are using the latest iOS for your iDevice). WAPs don't have to be public/open -- they can be located regardless.
     
Atheist  (op)
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Sep 2, 2010, 12:06 PM
 
Well this has certainly piqued my curiosity because if you saw where I live you'd be surprised to think there are existing mapped WAPs within range of my iPad.
     
chabig
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Sep 2, 2010, 01:59 PM
 
Can you all see my tail between my legs? I completely misread the post and was sure we were talking about the 3G model...tired, early morning...I'm sorry.
     
Cold Warrior
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Sep 2, 2010, 05:55 PM
 
If you've used your iPhone 4 to get your location, it's likely that Apple stored nearby WAP MAC addresses against iPhone-provided GPS coordinates. IIRC it was part of their updated policy and features with iOS 3.2 and later when they moved away from skyhook into their own in-house database.
     
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Sep 2, 2010, 06:12 PM
 
     
Atheist  (op)
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Sep 2, 2010, 11:23 PM
 
Originally Posted by Cold Warrior View Post
If you've used your iPhone 4 to get your location, it's likely that Apple stored nearby WAP MAC addresses against iPhone-provided GPS coordinates. IIRC it was part of their updated policy and features with iOS 3.2 and later when they moved away from skyhook into their own in-house database.
So that explains everything. Thanks
     
charlituna
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Sep 5, 2010, 01:03 PM
 
i'm a tad confused. Are you saying that it knows where you are when you are at home. Or anywhere you are. Because at home you are in range of your wifi network so that isn't a total shock, plus since you have an iphone it could be using that at a triangulation point.

If you are talking about anywhere you are, even out in the middle of nowhere, you might want to wrap that baby in some tinfoil. cause someone is tracking you.
     
turtle777
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Sep 5, 2010, 02:46 PM
 
He's talking about at home, mainly.

-t
     
Atheist  (op)
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Sep 5, 2010, 07:42 PM
 
Yes... I was speaking of home. And now I know that my iPhone transmitted my routers MAC address and location up to big brother... which explains how my iPad was able to provide such accurate information.
     
Railroader
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Sep 8, 2010, 02:25 PM
 
It gets our location with in about 5 feet at home. Amazingly accurate.
     
mac_dk
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Sep 15, 2010, 05:28 AM
 
I agree with Railroader, it's seems that 5 feet is real.
     
   
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