Wifi only iPads do NOT have GPS satellite receiving capability. You're 100% wrong about this.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
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URGENT: What other possible uses for a GPS-enabled iPad?
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Wifi only iPads do NOT have GPS satellite receiving capability. You're 100% wrong about this.
http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/
I had my iPhone stolen from me while I was at the gym. my locker was broken into. I had "find my iPhone" enabled. I quickly logged into my mobile me account using the gym managers computer, and was able to track the phone via GPS and google maps. I called the cops, told them where it was. I could actually watch the phone travel down the streets, going into stores, then go to the local bus terminal. I was on the phone with the cops telling them what I was seeing, street names etc. then all of the sudden the cop says "okay, we have an officer on foot pursuit" and then there was a struggle, and they arrested the guy right while I was on the phone with them. They said the guy took off running and they chased, tackled him, and he ended up in hospital. I got my phone back, my wallet and my coat, which he also stole, and tried to ditch while running. Couldn't be happier with the tracking of the iPhone. the cops all were enabling "find my iPhone" on their personal phones while I was making my statement, haha.
I wrote a long letter to apple explaining exactly what happened, but never heard back.
I was totally amazed at how the whole thing came together, and the police acted so quick, and caught the guy. They threw the book at the scum bag too. he was known to the police, and had no fixed address. basically a career their. apparently still in jail now too. This took place last winter.
edited to add: When I got the phone back about 20 minutes after the arrest it had only 1% battery left, then died before I could even turn it on.
I wrote a long letter to apple explaining exactly what happened, but never heard back.
I was totally amazed at how the whole thing came together, and the police acted so quick, and caught the guy. They threw the book at the scum bag too. he was known to the police, and had no fixed address. basically a career their. apparently still in jail now too. This took place last winter.
edited to add: When I got the phone back about 20 minutes after the arrest it had only 1% battery left, then died before I could even turn it on.
Umm, no, sorry, but no GPS. See Apple's specs page and the teardowns such as by ifixit. No cellular triangulation on a wifi only device either, how would it possibly work?
You're getting confused by the level of localization available from Google and Skyhook. Did you think Google is *only* photographing streets?
Go to maps.google.com on your computer and click on "Show my Location" (little circle by zoom controls). Think your computer has GPS now too?
I use the gps feature with foreflight, its an aviation app that I use for pilot. its incredible how powerful an ipad is in the cockpit....
ewo1992
macrumors regular
Haha I know I love that freaking app!
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Just curious, how long does your iPad last while running foreflight in the cockpit using gps. Mine doesnt fare to well if I'm using the gps constantly
Government wants to crack down on GPS/gadget users and people want to put a 10 inch ipad in their cars for use as a GPS device! Try explaining that to the judge.
RetiredInFl
macrumors 68020
When I flew from EWR to FLL a couple months ago I sat in a window seat and was able to track the flight and speed 90% of the way. If that's not worth the $130 nothing is. 😉
Why would that be worth $130 unless you're flying the plane? I mean, I understand the cool factor being able to track your position and speed, but honestly you could have done that for less than $15 if the plane offered in-flight internet as well.
Unfortunately I returned my iPad because of a bad screen and now I'm just waiting a little bit till any issues get ironed out so I didn't get a chance to test it on long xc flights. Although I did use it on the highway with the maps app and occasionally looking at ff just for fun and I didn't experience out of the ordinary battery loss... It could be that you left data services on so when you fly the iPad it constantly struggleling to find reception and trying to triangulate signals at what not and that takes A LOT of battery. So try turning cellular data off and try again... Might help a lot
ewo1992
macrumors regular
I always have data off, as I am not currently signed up for a plan. But the way it was discharging it seemed like I was only going to get 4 to 6 hours out of it. Plenty long for most legs or flights of mine but I would always have to make sure it is fully charged if thats all the battery life I can get while flying.
RetiredInFl
macrumors 68020
Are you serious! I have so much money to burn it would have been worth $630. In fact, on one flight I paid a guy sitting next to me $498.67 for the individual cup of Motts Applesauce he was serving to his 2yr old kid. Money is no object. Thank you for your "interest" (no pun intended) on how I spend my money.
BornAgainMac
macrumors 604
PracticalMac
macrumors 68030
Had little issue getting wind and weather updates on iPad 2 enroute at 7500ft.
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Ever try Pilot-My Cast? I prefer over FF, but only just.
Took 8 hour flight, still had over 50% power (55%?) after each flight.
Had smart cover that put it to "sleep" mode so was not "on" the entire time, but it instantly displayed latest stats (both apps).
I have and its a great app, just wish they would refine it just a bit and it would be perfect... I've found that some of their airport info is outdated while foreflight is more up to date, and I like that foreflight have more "seamless" VFR charts and a notepad. for 30$ less. Nevertheless I still like My-Cast's layout a lot better, I love how customizable it is I just wish they would refine it just a tad and I would switch.
What carrier do you use BTW and in what state mostly? to get weather at 7500ft? I'm very curious since I'm trying to decide on a carrier
Strange I'm a frequent flier and I could never get my gps to work on the plane even with preloaded maps
Explain
Op- pic of the wife
PracticalMac
macrumors 68030
Check out the Scoche adapter?
http://www.scosche.com/consumer-tech/product/1921
24V support according to spec.
RetiredInFl
macrumors 68020
I believe the aicraft I was flying was made of plastic so it didn't interfere with the GPS.
No idea why. It (iPad 2 GPS, haven't flown with the "3" yet) has worked back and forth between EWR and FLL numerous times flying CO/UA using Navigon when I get a window seat. The various cell phones I have owned, also using Navigon, have never worked even holding them directly to the window. On occasion it loses sync (I guess due to the speed of the aircraft) but other than that works great. The "speed" indication rarely goes away.
PracticalMac
macrumors 68030
AT&T.
Was getting signal up to 9500ft! That said, not sure if I got data at that height. Getting signal and reliable data are 2 different factors.
Not that it matters much, T-Mobile was totally different. Moment I lift off, lost phone signal.
No experience with Verizon or Sprint.
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Reason you do or do not receive GPS is proximity to SOUTH window on airliner.
Except for 787, all airliners are aluminum body, enough to significantly reduce signal reception.
On an E-W flight USA to Japan, i was sitting by SOUTH facing window, where the GSP satellite signals had a straight shot at my Garmin GPS.
On return flight I was on NORTH facing window, where GSP had to go though fuselage, and had ZERO reception.
Remember, Earth is round. 😉
I've had my iPad 3 4G since the release date. I take it with me when I'm out and about. At least a dozen times so far I've thought to myself, thank goodness I got the 4G model!
Anecdote: A friend of mine debated about getting the WiFi-only model or a 4G model. I reminded him that the WiFi-only model doesn't have the GPS. He said he didn't think he'd ever need the GPS. Fast forward a week after release and he emails me to recommend a cool app called Emerald Observatory. I bought the app (it is, indeed, a very cool app) and he later called to talk about the app's features. He talked about how he used his computer to look up the exact coordinates (lat and long) of his home so he could input it into the Emerald Observatory app. He asked me how I looked up the coordinates for my home's location. Answer: I didn't. Since I have a GPS-equipped iPad, Emerald Observatory got the exact coordinates from the iPad.
I still don't think he really feels the need to have the GPS model but the conversation underscored the benefits of having a GPS equipped iPad.
Mark
Anecdote: A friend of mine debated about getting the WiFi-only model or a 4G model. I reminded him that the WiFi-only model doesn't have the GPS. He said he didn't think he'd ever need the GPS. Fast forward a week after release and he emails me to recommend a cool app called Emerald Observatory. I bought the app (it is, indeed, a very cool app) and he later called to talk about the app's features. He talked about how he used his computer to look up the exact coordinates (lat and long) of his home so he could input it into the Emerald Observatory app. He asked me how I looked up the coordinates for my home's location. Answer: I didn't. Since I have a GPS-equipped iPad, Emerald Observatory got the exact coordinates from the iPad.
I still don't think he really feels the need to have the GPS model but the conversation underscored the benefits of having a GPS equipped iPad.
Mark
Same as any GPS-enabled iOS device. The possibilities are countless and it's ridiculous to expect people to spoon feed you every single one. Take some initiative and search around to see what others have done.
No, it does not. I have TomTom and Navigon on my iPad2 and there's no "limiting the point". In any case, "the point" is always highly subjective.
Nope. Read posts above. Additionally, depending on the method of tethering it's possible that the iPad is using your phone's GPS receiver.
Worth is always subjective. That's why.
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Relax. Just asking, that's all. Nothing wrong with spending money frivolously if you've got it. I pull in a decent income myself and do similar things. But if you're going to brag about stuff like this in a public forum and claim that spending the extra $130 just so you can track your flight on a plane is worth it, don't be surprised when people question your priorities.
Getting a GPS signal lock on a plane will require several things. When you're seated next to a window, you only have access to less than 50% of the sky, so you will also need at least 3-4 GPS satellites positioned in the sky where the GPS receiver can 'see' them. Obviously, the more satellites are in view the better, and since these satellites are not geosynchronous it will depend on the time and day. The signal strength must also be optimal.