101 replies to this topic

[PaulOBrien]

Google have just updated their 'Google Maps' application for Windows Mobile, with the most significant addition being cell tower based positioning!

Pictured to the right reporting my current location in Amsterdam using my T-Mobile Shadow (spot on by the way!), the new version of the software reports your position with varying degrees of accuracy depending on your surroundings, the density of towers in you area etc. On this basis, the positioning in metropolitan areas is expected to be more accurate than out in t'country

You can download the application - free of course - right now by pointing your device at http://www.google.com/gmm, and you can read more details at http://www.google.co...mylocation.html.

It's not clear which devices / operators are currently supported, so let us know how you get on!

P

[Happy Dave]

works great on a Vario II with T-Mobile, accuracy to about 30m and I'm surrounded by tower blocks

[PaulOBrien]

Awesome!

Google, give us an API

P

[sc0user_75]

Happy Dave, on Nov 29 2007, 13:11, said:

works great on a Vario II with T-Mobile, accuracy to about 30m and I'm surrounded by tower blocks

Erm, am I missing something here I just downloaded this to my VIII and it's absolute rubbish. a) It tells me that I am on a completely different road to where I actually am - approx 150 metres out! b ) After a few seconds it places me at the centre of charing cross - which is the other side of the river to where I am (black friars). c) It takes FOREVER to locate any satelites and my location!

The last version was a lot more accurate and faster than this one!

Edited by sc0user_75, 29 November 2007 - 12:24 PM.

[PaulOBrien]

The new version has functionality for either GPS (which you've used before) or using cell tower signals (which is new!)

P

[Happy Dave]

Paul (MVP), on Nov 29 2007, 12:18, said:

Awesome!

Google, give us an API

P

strange, just moved a bit and its not as accurate now, its maybe 200m out but still close enough to recognise where you are

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[tusitala]

Installed it on my S710 and got within a half mile of my location -- would it be better if I weren't on SunCom...?

A half mile's not great, but it's not bad considering it's using tower triangulation instead of GPS.

[PaulOBrien]

Look at the potential tho, for 'where's my nearest' type applications it'll be awesome!

P

[sc0user_75]

Paul (MVP), on Nov 29 2007, 13:25, said:

The new version has functionality for either GPS (which you've used before) or using cell tower signals (which is new!)

P

Do I need to adjust any settings to use Cell Tower Signals?

Oh, and on the Menu I've got this "Satellite View (2). What does that mean? Is that a default? Or have I messed around with something?

Sorry for all the q's guys!

[Wombleuk]

Paul (MVP), on Nov 29 2007, 13:18, said:

Awesome!

Google, give us an API

P

On my Vox, I just get the terms and conditions appearing.
I see menu items, but nothing happens when I click them.
The previous version worked fine.

Edited by Wombleuk, 29 November 2007 - 12:39 PM.

[dearsina]

Wombleuk, on Nov 29 2007, 12:37, said:

On my Vox, I just get the terms and conditions appearing.
I see menu items, but nothing happens when I click them.
The previous version worked fine.

@Wombleuk, restart your phone. I had the same problem as you, but works fine after a quick restart.

Pretty accurate on T-Mobile too. I remember we tried a similar thing here on Modaco a while back, with naming all the cellphone towers, since we couldn't get an accurate list of them all, I presume Google got (or bought) such a list? It's an excellent application of triangulation. Not perfectly precise, but considering that it adds no overhead whatsoever to the battery, it's pretty sweet.

[PaulOBrien]

Yeah, it does what it needs to do! Good work Google!

P

[Wombleuk]

dearsina, on Nov 29 2007, 14:08, said:

@Wombleuk, restart your phone. I had the same problem as you, but works fine after a quick restart.

Pretty accurate on T-Mobile too. I remember we tried a similar thing here on Modaco a while back, with naming all the cellphone towers, since we couldn't get an accurate list of them all, I presume Google got (or bought) such a list? It's an excellent application of triangulation. Not perfectly precise, but considering that it adds no overhead whatsoever to the battery, it's pretty sweet.

That worked fine - thanks.
However, when I select my location, it says 'Your location is temporarily unavailable'.
Yet I have a full signal and am browsing maps via AS with no problem.

[PaulOBrien]

Maybe your network isn't supported?

P

[jpclark]

I also get "Your current location is temporarily unavailable"

Using an SPV C550 on Orange UK - Does anyone have it working on Orange UK?

Am in London by the way

Jonathan

[Candidhat]

Weird, I'm getting the same on T-Mobile in the Midlands. I've restarted, with no effect. It still says "Current location temporarily unavailable"

Top marks Google on the idea.

Wonder if it's something I've done...

Edited by Candidhat, 29 November 2007 - 01:42 PM.

[MAK11]

Works on my P3600 but not on my LG KS20 sitting next to it on the same netwrok (SFR aka Vodafone France..)lol. Doesn't make sense...

[PaulOBrien]

So handset dependent then?

Let's have a list of working / not working phones / networks peeps!

P

[Happy Dave]

I cant seem to switch to satellite view either

[sc0user_75]

T Mobile - VIII not working too well. Places me well and truely away from where I actually am!
Also cant seem to find the Cell Tower Signals option?!?!?!

Edited by sc0user_75, 29 November 2007 - 02:20 PM.