Nokia Maps 'Network Based' Positioning

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › Nokia Maps 'Network Based' Positioning

ashtonaut

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#37385 12-Jul-2009 22:08

(I've recently upgraded to Ovi Maps 3.0, but this issue occurs in both 2.0 and 3.0).

My phone (Nokia 6220 Classic) allegedly supports 'Network Based' positioning. I can select this option in addition to 'Assisted GPS' and 'Integrated GPS', and 'Bluetooth GPS' in my settings.

My understanding of 'network based' positioning is that it uses cell tower signal strength and geographic location to roughtly triangulate position quickly. When I run Google Maps on my phone, this is exactly what happens - within a few seconds I get an approximate position shown, regardless of how long it takes for the GPS to lock on (if at all).

When I run Nokia Maps, I never get an approximate location displayed. Nokia Maps user guides and help files make vague reference to 'network positioning', alluding to functionality as described above (if supported by the network).

My question is this: why does network positioning appear to work in Google Maps, but not Nokia Maps?

Cheers,

Ash

NZtechfreak

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#234619 13-Jul-2009 11:16

A-GPS is the same thing as 'network positioning' - it works on your Nokia to reduce time to a hard lock, it just doesn't display an approximate position in the interim.

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ashtonaut

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#234667 13-Jul-2009 12:39

Are they really the same thing? Everything I've read about network positioning indicates that it is the functionality I described from Google Maps above (an approximate position triangulated from cell towers). Why would my phone have independent settings for 'A-GPS' and 'network positioning' if they are the same thing?

From Nokia Beta Labs:

"The main new feature since the beta is Network based positioning. It will position you really fast, usually within 5 to 10 seconds. It works indoors, on a bus or train.
Network based positioning cannot be used for navigation since it is not accurate enough. However it works just fine for showing where you are (roughly) on the map. A pink circle in the map shows the accuracy of the position. When GPS fix is achieved, this is used instead of the Network based position, and the pink ring disappears.
Network based positioning is now enabled on all A-GPS enabled devices."

BrentR

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#234682 13-Jul-2009 13:04

Yes they are one and the same.

However, Network based positioning in the future will be deployed over networks outside of the cellular nature.

There is currently a trial running in the Kampii Mall in Finland whereas the Nokia S60 handset user is able to get their position within the mall using the malls wifi network. The possibilities for this are endless also, from navigating through the mall, to navigating around the Smithsonian Museum, to finding the nearest printer within an office environment

Are you using Maps 3.0 in "Online" Mode? If not then the handset will be using the standalone GPS network and will take up to a few minutes to get a lock (when the handset has line of sight to the sky)

ashtonaut

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#234899 13-Jul-2009 20:21

Interesting. One of the big advantages of Google Maps is that if my phone takes a long time to get a satellite lock (as it often does), I still know approximately where I am within seconds with the My Location feature. I guess this uses some Google tricks that Nokia Maps is not able to do yet...

Edit: This thread seems to indicate that this feature does work in Nokia Maps, maybe it depends on which country you are in...

BrentR

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#234922 13-Jul-2009 20:54

Its works here (New Zealand) and with the many Nokia handsets I have. A-GPS isn't supported by all networks (XT for example)

ashtonaut

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#234964 13-Jul-2009 22:15

When you say "it works", do you mean that if you turn off your integrated GPS and A-GPS, Nokia Maps will still display an approximate position?