dponte, I think you misunderstand how the location services in these devices work. In the cell model of iPad, there IS a GPS receiver (sat nav). Apparently the wifi only version leaves this out, but that version would not work for navigation at all without a 3rd party app that provides offline maps. With the cell version the only downside to losing cell coverage would be if you ran out of cached map files and you could no longer see the map, it would get nearly as reliable a location signal as a dedicated nav unit. Short outages of cell data would not be noticed by the user at all.
The only reason it might be slightly less is if it has a smaller antenna (likely), and the fact that it is mounted in the dash which would attenuate the GPS signal slightly.
OK, thanks for the clarification on that. The 3G/cell versions of the iPads seem to include GPS (as well as the Russian version, GLONASS).
I have used an iPhone 3GS in my car for years, as a supplement for my satellite GPS. I used google maps while I was on the road...and of course, sometimes the iPhone radio receiver loses where I am for a time in low 3G strength or 2G areas, or takes a LONG time trying to render the screen, and traffic details, etc...perhaps the location is still OK (?). Of course, this is based on an old iPhone.
I'll concede the GPS...if it works well enough. I don't know, the satellite Navman/in-car seems more reliable overall. The rest of my points stand though. Thanks for the clarification though.
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All this talk of built in navigation and video screens in cars frankly sounds like rich people's toys from the future. Seriously, a car has always just been transportation to me, not an entertainment center.
Once again:
Navigation: I've never owned a GPS and I continue to get along very well without one. GPS in your car is not a necessity.
Contacts: You already have this on your phone.
Music: I don't listen to music in my car. My radio broke back in 2004. Since I never used it, I never bothered to replace it. I have no audio input options. So I think about stuff when I'm driving. I'm never bored.
Don't put an iPad in your car. Don't go to the trouble, don't spend the money.
I too somewhat agree to the general point...I do NOT see the overall value in doing this, since most new cars are equipped with similar if not all the best bells and whistles you'd ever use anyone with an iPad.
But, your rationale is bunk...people use GPS, listen to music...and that's that. Those are big deals these days. Music has always been a big deal. If I was a teenager, I'd be looking to do this to my crappy old car, just to make it cooler and to perhaps utilize bells and whistles that a crappy car would not have.
That being said...most cars these days (even cheap ones) include all of this and will in the near future. So, again, I don't see the point of it when you weigh it all together. But, again, you're rationales are trite and are for you and a small percentage of people in 2012. No music? really?
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Not sure what part of my post you missed. I already do this - using CELL data (do you think I have constant wifi speeding down the freeway? lol) - on my iPhone. I wouldn't be using any additional data with an iPad.
I didnt miss a thing. You are using 5GB a month...you pay for it, unless 'unlimited', then you are throttled at 3GB for most carriers. I guess T-Mobile or Sprint or someone doesnt apparently do this, so it will depend who you have, i'll concede that.
No, of course you don't have wifi on the highway...when did I allude to that? And, yes, of course an iPad doesn't mean you are using more data...where did I allude to that?
I've used an iPhone on the road, like I stated...if I used Pandora OFTEN or ConcertVault or some streaming video (with an iPad, since the iPhone is way too damn small for that...while driving...which is another reason why I am replacing it with a Note 2), THEN you'd be racking up the data usage on cell.