iPhone GPS questions

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Disrespective

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#24801 3-Aug-2008 09:59

Okay, so what i want to know from people more knowledgable than me is the GPS quality of the new iPhone.

I currently have an N82 running a Garmin Mobile XT with the free open source NZ maps.

Now, i understand that Garmin have been readying their Nuvi phone for the last god knows how long but is there any likelyhood that they will release a mobile iphone version any time soon?

Also, i went and tried to talk to someone at vodafone about the GPS capabilities and whether it had an actual GPS chip or whether it was solely Assisted and getting positioning information from cell towers. He said he had no idea other than that "the GPS system [was] not up and running" That lead me to think that the GPS system was cell tower only, but i can't believe Apple would release the phone without a proper chip in it...

I know there are several users here who have a new iPhone, can any of you enlighten me on the GPS capabilities? And whether anyone knows if Garmin are readying an iPhone app?

Disrespective

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#154005 4-Aug-2008 13:25

So nobody here has used their GPS on the iPhone or even knows if it is working in NZ?

Arithon

41 posts

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#154007 4-Aug-2008 13:37

Mine seems to place me with 5m of my actual location.

So that would suggest its a proper GPS chip.

Jon

wellygary

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#154021 4-Aug-2008 14:22

From all reports it does have a chip, but the APIs are fairly limited in terms of what can be used by other applications, TomTom are puportedly going to offer a Turn by turn Navi, but whether it will rely on pre loaded built-in maps, or pull them out of the ether (AKA google maps), is unclear.

psychrn

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#154047 4-Aug-2008 15:54

http://www.apple.com/iphone/specs.html

States Assited GPS in the above apple link.
So far I have found the maps quite accurate.
Then I use a Garmin Colorado for in car navigation so dont need to rely on it.
Usefull if im stuck in town and I want quick directions to a location however.
Be interestiong to see what comes out of the woodwork as far as maps go.

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nzbullet

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#154080 4-Aug-2008 18:13

As you can see from the photo below t is using an Infineon PMB2525 Hammerhead II GPS chip.

It is A-GPS (Assisted GPS) and I find it to be very accurate, it will pinpoint me when I'm moving around the back of my house, however it is not that great indoors (not tried other GPS units inside so I don't know if this is normal)

Not sure wether Garmin are creating an app, but I have heard that TomTom are. If/when this will be available is anyones guess really.

iPhone 3G Chip Board

Cheers
nzbullet
Note: My thoughts and comments are my own and not of anyone else including my employer

cranz

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#154087 4-Aug-2008 18:27

the next firmware upgrade (2.1) is rumoured to have enhanced GPS functions i.e. speed and direction which will allow tomtom's turn by turn application to be released

psychrn

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#154101 4-Aug-2008 19:09

Well the future is looking quite exciting then isnt it

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Disrespective

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#154108 4-Aug-2008 20:06

Thanks everyone for the responses, i don't often use the GPS on the N82 but it's handy to have... I don't really like the idea of having to use data in the network to see the maps though. Have there been any definitive studies of how much data the maps consume? I don't think i could justify another $30p/month on my already substantial bill for data...

psychrn

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#154113 4-Aug-2008 20:26

Now what I can try tomorrow is a wee experiment.
My data is due for renewal on the 11th of the month.
I got heaps left over so tomorrow Ill play around with the maps and see how much I can use up.
Ill go into town and look for a route to somewhere else in town. These use Google maps of course.
Ill be on foot.
Ill try keep track of time

Ill keep track of data to go and what I use in the time frame.

Would that be a usefull little excercise??

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rebeltrousers

230 posts

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#154114 4-Aug-2008 20:42

Sure would!

I find zooming-out the view means it doesn't have to load as much!

psychrn

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#154117 4-Aug-2008 20:50

So hopefully it means we can observe how much data is consumed when lookinjg at google maps within a certain time frame.
Im sure someone
has already scientifically worked this out !!

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Disrespective

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#154134 4-Aug-2008 21:59

psychrn: That sounds perfect. If you could keep us informed that would be great.

freitasm

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#154143 4-Aug-2008 22:28

nzbullet: As you can see from the photo below t is using an Infineon PMB2525 Hammerhead II GPS chip.

It is A-GPS (Assisted GPS) and I find it to be very accurate, it will pinpoint me when I'm moving around the back of my house, however it is not that great indoors (not tried other GPS units inside so I don't know if this is normal)

It's A-GPS and a GPS Receiver in a single chip. It will work if you have clear view of the sky, even without towers nearby.