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jjk454ss
07-29-2008, 06:21 PM
I thought I posted this, but can't find the topic, maybe it was somewhere else. Anyway, I am curious how the iPhone uses WiFi when it finds your location. I understand the GPS and the cell towers, but does the WiFi just use a list of known hotspots? What list, just AT&T locations? Anyone know more about this?
MileHighRob
07-30-2008, 01:34 AM
Where did you hear it uses WiFi to find your location? The new 3G phone can find your location whether you're on EDGE, WiFi or 3G network.
Youngbinks
07-30-2008, 03:08 AM
Yeah am with Rob on this one, are you talking about the GPS of your exact location? It uses technology similar to that in portable vehicle GPS units.
jlhollander
07-30-2008, 05:15 AM
The Assisted part of the A-GPS is what he is talking about. It is same theory like when there was no GPS. It uses cell towers and a specific list of Skyhook listed wi-fi hotspots, (not just at&t locations), along with the GPS to find your position. That is why it is able to lock onto you so fast and accuratley.
jjk454ss
07-30-2008, 10:53 AM
The Assisted part of the A-GPS is what he is talking about. It is same theory like when there was no GPS. It uses cell towers and a specific list of Skyhook listed wi-fi hotspots, (not just at&t locations), along with the GPS to find your position. That is why it is able to lock onto you so fast and accuratley.

Yeah, that is exactly what I needed, the Skyhook information. That just led me to this:

http://www.intomobile.com/2008/01/22/help-skyhook-map-wifi-hotspots-make-iphone-google-maps-my-location-more-accurate.html

And that is exactly what I wanted. I thought it would be cool to add my wifi to the list. That wau when I am home and inside where GPS does not get a signal, my phone knows I am home. The Cell Tower deal puts me about 3 miles away. Anyway, I am going to read the info from the iink above and see if I can do what I want.

Thanks for all the help.
jlhollander
07-31-2008, 05:12 AM
no problem!
kdarling
08-02-2008, 12:54 AM
The Assisted part of the A-GPS is what he is talking about. It is same theory like when there was no GPS. It uses cell towers and a specific list of Skyhook listed wi-fi hotspots, (not just at&t locations), along with the GPS to find your position. That is why it is able to lock onto you so fast and accuratley.

Correction:

The Assisted part of A-GPS is about providing detailed satellite information to the GPS component. That's what speeds up getting a GPS position.

WiFi or cell id or anything else, is not part of GPS, although they can be part of a hybrid locating approach.