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iPod touch iPod Touch GPS add-on???

M

moomac

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 15, 2008
6
0
Does anyone know if any GPS company out there is about to release GPS add-on (or receiver) for iPod Touch or iPhone? From quick Googling, I only found some rumors of beta-testing and what not, newest one posted in April 2008.

I'm craving for an iPod Touch but my husband is not letting me buy one unless Touch has promised GPS capability :( Please help me out here!
 
YodaEXE said:
Smack him around a bit and then go out and buy one. Put him in his place. :D
Click to expand...

haha. He's a hard-core PC, unfortunately. He doesn't get the great engineering of Apple :(

Anyhow, I personally would like an option of GPS on iPod Touch. Anyone with any updates/rumors???
 
moomac said:
haha. He's a hard-core PC, unfortunately. He doesn't get the great engineering of Apple :(

Anyhow, I personally would like an option of GPS on iPod Touch. Anyone with any updates/rumors???
Click to expand...

at this point in time, gps on a touch would be worthless as when you need it is when you are not in wifi most of time. right now you need internet to get maps for gps

the only way that is possible right now is with a data plan. so unless apple offers a map package that is preloaded, gps will not be integrated into an ipod touch
 
dukebound85 said:
at this point in time, gps on a touch would be worthless as when you need it is when you are not in wifi most of time. right now you need internet to get maps for gps

the only way that is possible right now is with a data plan. so unless apple offers a map package that is preloaded, gps will not be integrated into an ipod touch
Click to expand...

I believe there is an App that will save your directions to the Touch so you can have them on the touch when you're off wifi.
 
moomac said:
haha. He's a hard-core PC, unfortunately. He doesn't get the great engineering of Apple :(

Anyhow, I personally would like an option of GPS on iPod Touch. Anyone with any updates/rumors???
Click to expand...

Hey, what's wrong with that? I use Windows and much prefer it over OS X. Also a Mac IS A PC. Goodness sake people. :p PC stands for Personal Computer. What the heck is your Mac if it's not a PC? A toilet seat?
 
dukebound85 said:
at this point in time, gps on a touch would be worthless as when you need it is when you are not in wifi most of time. right now you need internet to get maps for gps

the only way that is possible right now is with a data plan. so unless apple offers a map package that is preloaded, gps will not be integrated into an ipod touch
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone for responses :)
I was thinking about preloaded map package (of nearby area, depending on the resolution of course) and a satellite signal communicator add-on (much like radio transmitter that you hook up to an iPod) combination for iPod Touch to be a GPS-equivalent without Wi-Fi. Or the add-on may have an integrated flash-drive for storing map source. I think it's possible... or am I stupid? Is anyone making something like this?
 
YodaEXE said:
Hey, what's wrong with that? I use Windows and much prefer it over OS X. Also a Mac IS A PC. Goodness sake people. :p PC stands for Personal Computer. What the heck is your Mac if it's not a PC? A toilet seat?
Click to expand...

no an EC (expensive computer)
 
I dunno if there's a market for one- if there is it'd have to be very cheap. Standalone Sat-Navs are so cheap now developing one to accompany what is essentially a media player maybe not at the front of peoples minds :)

I may be wrong and no doubt time will prove it so.
Anyways, I'm not allowed a SatNav. I was looking at them in a motor store once and my Dad grabbed me by the collar (no mean feat- I'm miles bigger than he is!) and said "You don't need that crap. You've got a brain and an A to Z!" :D
 
maybe we won't see like an actual GPS receiver in the ipod touch for many generations to come, but as stated ^^^^^^above, some companies are making GPS Plug-ins so you attach it under the ipod touch and the receiver works as a GPS chip.
 
jmelick07 said:
does anyone know who makes that case with the GPS? if thats anything around $100 i will have to have that... GPS>camera
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The wired article says its made by dual electronics, thought I cant find any info about it on their web site. I sent them and email. will post of I get any thing back
 
Personally, I would love if they made the iPod Touch into a netbook type computer. Basically an iPhone without the phone capability. You can always Skype it for a phone if needed but I just want to be able to use the internet whenever I want. I don't need a phone. I would be all over an iPod Touch data package type deal if it ever happens. Woo!! Come on GSM chip for iPod Touch!
 
I recall a company releasing a add on via dock connector that was a GPS back in march. . . I cannot remember the name of it, but will post back when I find it.
 
iRawkMac said:
Personally, I would love if they made the iPod Touch into a netbook type computer. Basically an iPhone without the phone capability. You can always Skype it for a phone if needed but I just want to be able to use the internet whenever I want. I don't need a phone. I would be all over an iPod Touch data package type deal if it ever happens. Woo!! Come on GSM chip for iPod Touch!
Click to expand...

If the rumours are correct, there's going to be a 3G chip in an upcoming Apple tablet device. The tablet is supposedly going to be based on the same software framework as the iPhone/iPod touch OS, but with a bigger screen. Supposedly, there's going to be the option to work with either HSPA (3G GSM) or EV-DO (3G CDMA).

Granted, it wouldn't be a replacement for a 3G-connected iPod touch: the form factor would be larger, probably closer to the size of a netbook rather than a PDA.
 
peteo said:
Some more info from CES 2010

http://www.appletell.com/apple/comment/dual-announces-gps-navigation-battery-cradle/

Another article says it will be available on amazon in February, but the price is $180. The car nav app is free and should work with any iPod touch app with GPS support. I does come with a battery pack & car doc/charger so this might help with the price sting.
Click to expand...

$180? Geez...you might as well get a real GPS for that price. This product does look promising, but that price point is a stinger
 
Wow, that looks like quite the product. What I don't get is how it manages to work with ALL GPS-aware apps from the App Store, and not just the one that the manufacturer had written for it! (I wonder if the claim is actually true.)

Surely it won't also work with the built-in Google Maps app, such that it works like the iPhone 3G's does...? That would be something.

In the meantime, I'm fairly confident that I read that the latest version of TomTom from the App Store will work with an iPod Touch docked on the TomTom docking station, which is already available for purchase and has a built-in GPS receiver.

-- Nathan
 
NathanA said:
Wow, that looks like quite the product. What I don't get is how it manages to work with ALL GPS-aware apps from the App Store, and not just the one that the manufacturer had written for it! (I wonder if the claim is actually true.)

Surely it won't also work with the built-in Google Maps app, such that it works like the iPhone 3G's does...? That would be something.
Click to expand...
It may not be as far-fetched as you think. The Core Location API is responsible for collecting all the available geolocation data sources, comparing them to determine which of them has the best fix on your position, and then transparently forwarding the most reliable information to any App that requests it.

If any accessory maker comes up with a new method of geolocation, and has Apple's permission to plug in to Core Location's back-end as an alternative data source, then every Core Location-based App on the iPod touch or iPhone would automatically be able to make use of that new data source without the need to modify the App at all.
 
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