Mobile Google Maps to Offer GPS-Like Positioning

MacRumors · 03:33 PM

News.com's blog reports that Google is set to launch a new feature in Google Maps for Mobile that will automatically set our location even in phones that lack a global positioning system (GPS) device.

This "My Location" feature uses the same technology as Navizon and triangulates your location based on nearby cell phone towers.

Quote:

The My Location feature "complements" GPS functionality, because it works indoors, doesn't drain the battery as much as GPS does, and is much faster (a few seconds compared with what can be a few minutes on GPS), according to Lee.

The new feature is launching as a "beta" as Google builds the database of cell towers from people using Google Maps and is said to be accurate within 10 city blocks.

Google Maps for Mobile is available for a number of phones including the iPhone. The iPhone's version, however, is not yet upgradable to this new beta version. Apple has indicated it plans on deploying new features to the iPhone over time, so it seems likely that this feature may find its way into a future iPhone software update.

Youtube video of new feature: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6gqipmbcok

Article Link

amac4me · Nov 28, 2007, 02:32 PM

Wow

, this is really cool stuff. This will see significant refinements and improvements over the next few years. I wonder how (if at all) it may be used with the new platform Google is building for mobile phones.

yoman · Nov 28, 2007, 02:32 PM

Good news!!! Hope it comes soon..

superleccy · Nov 28, 2007, 02:34 PM

The technology to do this has been around for ages, but I had always assumed it required co-operation from the network provider.

If Google find a way to do this without the explicit support of the network provider, then there's gonna be a lot of annoyed networks out there.

Go Google!

SL

Bye Bye Baby · Nov 28, 2007, 02:34 PM

Finally a reason to buy the iphone!

TheSpecialist · Nov 28, 2007, 02:34 PM

Wow this sounds neat! Brint it on

!!!

Mgkwho · Nov 28, 2007, 02:35 PM

I want it on the website too though just for kicks

-=|Mgkwho

Clive At Five · Nov 28, 2007, 02:35 PM

How Similar to Navizon? Lame, Google, Lame. I never forgave Apple for cloning Konfabulator, and I may never forgive you for cloning Navizon...

Oh who am I kidding. I love Google. I just wonder when they're going to pop... Seem to be spreading themselves a little thin, don't you think?

Regarless, redimentary GPS should be a requirement of any mobile mapping service, so I'm not complaining about this.

Now to attain a phone capable of accessing Google Maps...

-Clive

commonpeople · Nov 28, 2007, 02:37 PM

Remember, the government can track anyone they want through their cell-phones.

Clive At Five · Nov 28, 2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mgkwho

I want it on the website too though just for kicks

-=|Mgkwho

Interesting... Yeah, can't Google just query your IP and put your dot on the map? T'would make it easy for "from here" / "To here" directions...

-Clive

Popeye206 · Nov 28, 2007, 02:38 PM

Too Cool! Love it! Bring it on!

arn · Nov 28, 2007, 02:39 PM

Youtube video of the Google Maps "My Location" Feature and how it works

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6gqipmbcok

arn

raggedjimmi · Nov 28, 2007, 02:40 PM

Very good! I'm after a GPS functionality as I do a lot of climbing and walking over the moors.

Clive At Five · Nov 28, 2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by commonpeople

Remember, the government can track anyone they want through their cell-phones.

Which, if I were a wanted man, would make me nervous. But since I'm a law-abiding citizen, Big Brother can watch me drive from home to work and back and I could give a rat's ass.

-Clive

D4F · Nov 28, 2007, 02:40 PM

Sounds promising!

WildCowboy · Nov 28, 2007, 02:41 PM

10 city blocks is a pretty big error bar when you're trying to get directions to something in a city...but it's better than nothing.

aricher · Nov 28, 2007, 02:42 PM

I'm really hoping Apple gets this out there for the iPhone sooner than the February SDK release.

wake6830 · Nov 28, 2007, 02:43 PM

This is new? My Helio Ocean has had this exact same thing since I got it back in like May.

Clive At Five · Nov 28, 2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

Youtube video of the Google Maps "My Location" Feature and how it works

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6gqipmbcok

arn

Aha, a technical demonstration!

At least they admit that they can find out your Name and Phone number. It'll probably make some paranoid people think twice about using it...

-Clive

sananda · Nov 28, 2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedjimmi

Very good! I'm after a GPS functionality as I do a lot of climbing and walking over the moors.

many cell towers on the moors?

psychofreak · Nov 28, 2007, 02:44 PM

Navizon does EXACTLY this, even using iPhone's gMaps...hardly a new thing!

Came around 50m from me...

Telp · Nov 28, 2007, 02:47 PM

This is awesome!! I want it now. Theres nothing new under the sun, its great that google is adding this support. Great implanentation.

Roy Hobbs · Nov 28, 2007, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psychofreak

Navizon does EXACTLY this, even using iPhone's gMaps...hardly a new thing!

Came around 50m from me...

Navizon requires users to "map" out the tower locations

PlaceofDis · Nov 28, 2007, 02:47 PM

apple: implement this now.

Clive At Five · Nov 28, 2007, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WildCowboy

10 city blocks is a pretty big error bar when you're trying to get directions to something in a city...but it's better than nothing.

If you're in the middle of the city, you're probably 30 yards from a street sign...

I see this having more of a use if you get kidnapped and dropped off in the middle of nowhere along a country highway or something...

...or maybe a suburban maze of hell, hehehe. Oh come on, I love the suburbs...

-Clive

Nov 28, 2007, 02:32 PM	#2
amac4me macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2005	Wow , this is really cool stuff. This will see significant refinements and improvements over the next few years. I wonder how (if at all) it may be used with the new platform Google is building for mobile phones. __________________ Switch To A Mac http://switchtoamac.com

Nov 28, 2007, 02:32 PM	#3
yoman macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: In the Bowels of the Cosmos	Good news!!! Hope it comes soon.. __________________ My first computer was an Apple IIGS at the meager age of 6 1/2 years. I was raised with an APPLE and I will die with an APPLE.

Nov 28, 2007, 02:34 PM	#4
superleccy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: England	The technology to do this has been around for ages, but I had always assumed it required co-operation from the network provider. If Google find a way to do this without the explicit support of the network provider, then there's gonna be a lot of annoyed networks out there. Go Google! SL __________________ 15" MBP: 2.4GHz C2D SR; now 4GB RAM; 160GB 5400rpm HD; Matte; 20" Cinema Disp. 14" iBook G4: 1.33GHz; 768MB RAM; 80GB HD. Switched Nov '04.

Nov 28, 2007, 02:34 PM	#6
TheSpecialist macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: The Netherlands, Europe	Wow this sounds neat! Brint it on!!!

Nov 28, 2007, 02:35 PM	#7
Mgkwho macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cleveland (Home) Chicago (School)	I want it on the website too though just for kicks -=\|Mgkwho __________________ MacBook Pro 17"

Nov 28, 2007, 02:34 PM	#5
Bye Bye Baby macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Roma-Italia	Finally a reason to buy the iphone!

Nov 28, 2007, 02:35 PM	#8
Clive At Five macrumors 65816 Join Date: May 2004 Location: St. Paul, MN	How Similar to Navizon? Lame, Google, Lame. I never forgave Apple for cloning Konfabulator, and I may never forgive you for cloning Navizon... Oh who am I kidding. I love Google. I just wonder when they're going to pop... Seem to be spreading themselves a little thin, don't you think? Regarless, redimentary GPS should be a requirement of any mobile mapping service, so I'm not complaining about this. Now to attain a phone capable of accessing Google Maps... -Clive __________________ My Mod: G4 Cube + Atom 330 CPU + Wiimote = Ultimate HTPC!

Nov 28, 2007, 02:37 PM	#9
commonpeople macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2004	Remember, the government can track anyone they want through their cell-phones.

Nov 28, 2007, 02:38 PM	#11
Popeye206 macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2007	Too Cool! Love it! Bring it on!

Nov 28, 2007, 02:39 PM	#12
arn macrumors god Join Date: Apr 2001	Youtube video of the Google Maps "My Location" Feature and how it works http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6gqipmbcok arn

Nov 28, 2007, 02:40 PM	#13
raggedjimmi macrumors 604 Join Date: Jan 2005	Very good! I'm after a GPS functionality as I do a lot of climbing and walking over the moors. __________________ www.bossbaddie.com

Nov 28, 2007, 02:40 PM	#15
D4F macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Planet Earth	Sounds promising! __________________ 13" Macbook Pro

Nov 28, 2007, 02:41 PM	#16
WildCowboy macrumors god Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: nowhere near the infinite loop anymore	10 city blocks is a pretty big error bar when you're trying to get directions to something in a city...but it's better than nothing. __________________ 15" 2.4 GHz MacBook Pro -- 15" 1.67 GHz PowerBook -- 14" 1.2 GHz iBook

Nov 28, 2007, 02:42 PM	#17
aricher macrumors 68000 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chi-il	I'm really hoping Apple gets this out there for the iPhone sooner than the February SDK release.

Nov 28, 2007, 02:43 PM	#18
wake6830 macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2007	This is new? My Helio Ocean has had this exact same thing since I got it back in like May.

Nov 28, 2007, 02:44 PM	#21
psychofreak Retired Join Date: May 2006 Location: London	Navizon does EXACTLY this, even using iPhone's gMaps...hardly a new thing! Came around 50m from me...

Nov 28, 2007, 02:47 PM	#22
Telp macrumors 68030 Join Date: Feb 2007	This is awesome!! I want it now. Theres nothing new under the sun, its great that google is adding this support. Great implanentation. __________________ Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower. -Steve Jobs

Nov 28, 2007, 02:47 PM	#24
PlaceofDis macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago.	apple: implement this now.

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