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iPhone 4 with Improved GPS Accuracy and Speed over 3GS

I got an iphone4. I'm on a trip from Monterey to Burbank. Using tomtom (I wish there was a way to see how many sat locks I have) I lost GPS at least 8 times. Open skies. I was holding the unit 90% of the time.

I'm one of those people who if you hold it wrong, the signal drops.

I can only guess, for that same reason, when I held it a certain way, I kept loosing GPS.

BTW, this is my first iphone. I had a HD2. The HD2 got a locks in about 10 seconds. The iphone takes about 10-20 seconds.
 
NeroAZ said:
I've noticed this as well. my new iPhone 4 gets location really fast, my 3G was damn slow.
Click to expand...

This is so odd. I never knew anyone had any issues. My 3GS can track me walking around the house, even in the basement. It's always pretty dead on - as much as any ohter GPS device, and I never noticed any wait. Turn on maps, hit locate and there I am.
 
starstreak said:
I got an iphone4. I'm on a trip from Monterey to Burbank. Using tomtom (I wish there was a way to see how many sat locks I have) I lost GPS at least 8 times. Open skies. I was holding the unit 90% of the time.

I'm one of those people who if you hold it wrong, the signal drops.

I can only guess, for that same reason, when I held it a certain way, I kept loosing GPS.

BTW, this is my first iphone. I had a HD2. The HD2 got a locks in about 10 seconds. The iphone takes about 10-20 seconds.
Click to expand...

How accurate was the gps in your hd2?
 
JPark said:
I haven't tried it outdoors yet, but in my house the 3G and 4 equally inaccurate--they both think I'm over at my neighbor's.
Click to expand...

This must be a mapping issue not a GPS issue because I've been spot on with my 3Gs and IP4.
 
I like this trend of switching to broadcom chips

-- an infineon power hungry/inaccurate gps to this great new one
--Marvell wifi (failed on me a few times...) to a single broadcom chip that can do FM and Wifi N
-- what's next?
 
I dunno if the 3GS was any different from the 3G, but coming from a 3G it was very obvious the GPS was faster. I mean it locked on almost instantly compared to my 3G.
 
Really?

I noticed my iPhone 4 was fast using Navigon but using TomTom it sucks even on the TomTom car kit my iPhone 4 barely has a signal. I hope they fix this tomtom software soon I just paid 54.00 for it today!
 
I used to be able to sometimes get a lock in my room on the outer rim of the house on my 3G...now I can get a lock with my iPhone in my den on the inside of my maze of a house!
 
Rooftop voter said:
How accurate was the gps in your hd2?
Click to expand...
I had a HTC Touch Pro2, It lagged behind by about 5 seconds from where I really was. Took anywhere from 10 seconds to 5 minutes to get a lock. The HD2 Got locks around 10-20 seconds. And spot on.
The iPhone4, is almost like the HD2. It seemed accurate and got lock in about about the same time, except for when I lost lock. I'm hoping it has to do with me holding it. And once Apple gives a bumper to fix that issue, it'll be fine.

AlterTheEnding said:
I noticed my iPhone 4 was fast using Navigon but using TomTom it sucks even on the TomTom car kit my iPhone 4 barely has a signal. I hope they fix this tomtom software soon I just paid 54.00 for it today!
Click to expand...
I paid for TomTom too because my fav GPS program was CoPilot8live, but from what I read, it wasn't ready for IOS4, and I NEEDED a gps program NOW.
In TomTom, I had it actually jump to a side street when driving on a freeway next to the street. Did that twice and at the worst times. I almost missed a turn-off.
 
JPark said:
Cynical much? I really don't think any ad agency cares whether I'm located in front of my house or in front of my neighbor's house.
Click to expand...

Oh yes indeed. They'd love to know what friend's houses you visit regularly, so they can data-match the addresses to know what cable/gas/power company your friend is with and then sell targeted ads to other companies that use your name in Facebook 'your friend JPark recommends cable company X' ads.

(Yes, I know, that's pushing it, but don't think they haven't thought about it.)

tangerineyum said:
when on satellite view my iphone is now accurate enough to tell when i am in my room or when I walk into the living room.
Click to expand...

And they said we'd have to implant chips in you to know where you were at all times!
 
starstreak said:
I paid for TomTom too because my fav GPS program was CoPilot8live, but from what I read, it wasn't ready for IOS4, and I NEEDED a gps program NOW.
In TomTom, I had it actually jump to a side street when driving on a freeway next to the street. Did that twice and at the worst times. I almost missed a turn-off.
Click to expand...

Depends on the version. 1.3 would crash on iOS 4, but 1.4 seems fine. I'm ditching the TomTom car kit because the iPhone 4 doesn't seem to need it compared to the 3GS.
 
i noticed this too today its way more accurate... even walking from my bedroom to my bathroom it knows lol
 
GPS is weak on my 3Gs.

It is worse than what used to have on my HTC Trinity from about 4 years ago.

I sure hope the iPhone 4 has improved on it.
 
TomTom's performance on my 3G S was absolutely horrific - "Poor GPS Reception" most of the time, practically unusable.

Went on an hour's drive into Glasgow city centre last night to see StreetDance 3D with my missus (don't bother!) using TomTom on my iPhone 4 and it was spot on.
 
SirOmega said:
Yeah, it does seem to be more accurate - it knows what house I'm in on my street. I'm used to dealing with decimeter (10cm) accurate GPS at work so its not accurate enough for me. :)
Click to expand...

i.mac said:
10 cm only? Are you kidding?

I get sub-cm all the time. In fact, if !(SEP < 100mm @ 99.999% HAL), it is not good enough.
Click to expand...

that is nothing, i get 5 mm accuracy, seriously now under half a meter (50cm) gps accuracy does not actually exist

also :
"iFixit's teardown revealed that the iPhone 4 shares the same Broadcom BCM4750 chip as the iPad" 3G (ipad wifi does not have such a chip)
 
jclardy said:
I tried watching Google Maps while my friend was driving today, and the icon actually stayed on the road. My 3GS was typically about 20-30 feet off the road.
Click to expand...

I've lost track of how often I'd use "Directions from Current Location" and it'd tell me to make a u-turn, thinking I was on the southbound when already on the northbound, etc.
 
Google Map

I was traveling from Bristol to London the other day by Train. It was amazing how accurate it stayed on the Rail and followed the speed. I never had this experience with 3GS. I always use Google Map in London, iPhone 4 is a huge improvement and I can say is perfect. In all my test in my hand (with Bumper) never lag or slow down or show incorrect place.
 
most definitely noticeable improvement on the iP4. thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.:eek:
 
markmcrobie said:
TomTom's performance on my 3G S was absolutely horrific - "Poor GPS Reception" most of the time, practically unusable.

Went on an hour's drive into Glasgow city centre last night to see StreetDance 3D with my missus (don't bother!) using TomTom on my iPhone 4 and it was spot on.
Click to expand...

You did bluetooth connect/pair to the TomTom craddle because it does have a GPS reciever as well... didn't you? The difference between connecting and not connecting, and the subsequent reliability is very noticable.
 
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