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Google adds cell tower based positioning to Google Maps

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Started by PaulOBrien , Nov 29 2007 12:04 PM

101 replies to this topic

#41
jchamier
Posted 29 November 2007 - 07:40 PM

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Works quite well here on T-mobile, (Vario II upgraded to WM6 with HTC Asia/dopod rom).

Although its about 0.5 mile out, but there are not many towers around here, its quite flat.

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#42
Happy Dave
Posted 29 November 2007 - 07:42 PM

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View PostTim, on Nov 29 2007, 18:04, said:

It worked brilliantly on my HTC Touch at work in Central London but once I tried to use it at points on the way home I couldn't get it to refresh where I was and it insisted I was still at work. Only way I could get it to refresh was to reboot the phone!

yes same here, seems to be a lot more accurate now though and some menus have become available that were greyed out before, in fact its a totally different menu structure. Sat view is available again. It may need a soft reset after every use to get it going again!

#43
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Posted 29 November 2007 - 08:39 PM

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It appears to be entirely network dependant, or maybe upon which masts are in Google's database.  I tried using MyLocation on my Nokia N80 which is connected to the 3UK network and with a signal from 3 it said not available, so I tried changing to their roaming partner o2 and it still said not available, but then I switched it to their other roaming partner orange and it worked, albeit about a mile out.

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#44
doctormetal
Posted 29 November 2007 - 08:44 PM

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Tried the new google maps mobile on my tytn II and it works great.
Tried both the cell tower and gps to get my location.
The cell tower option was only off by about 5 meters.

I live in the netherlands and use Hi as my operator.

#45
Derekdd23
Posted 29 November 2007 - 08:47 PM

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AT&T Tilt working perfectly in Rochester NY USA

Its crazy accurate for me, roughly within 100 yards or so. It will never beat my gps, but is a cool gimmick.


Although i might have to buy one of these...
http://gizmodo.com/g...urne-327933.php

#46
encece
Posted 29 November 2007 - 08:49 PM

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#47
encece
Posted 29 November 2007 - 08:50 PM

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  • Interests:The details of my life are quite inconsequential... very well, where do I begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen year old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize, he would drink. He would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it.
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Not WM...but it works on the Blackberry Pearl on T-Mobile (USA)

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#48
jinner
Posted 29 November 2007 - 10:45 PM

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According to Google Help Center

Quote

If you have a Java-enabled (J2ME) device, BlackBerry or Windows Mobile device, you can easily check whether or not My Location (beta) is available. Just to go "Help" > "About" from the application. If the box contains "myl: N/A," it means your device isn't reporting a cell. "

I have a C550 on T-mobile web'n'walk - I get 'Your current location is temporarily unavailable' and myl: N/A under Help.

It's not clear whether myl: N/A means your device cannot report a cell or it is temporarily not reporting a cell...

#49
Transform
Posted 30 November 2007 - 12:10 AM

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using gps is spot on but with the new method it was about half a mile out. does this new method work in a simular way that phoneAlarm works to find out where you are?


update:

i just exited the app and started it again now it says 'your current location is temporarily unavailable'!

Edited by Transform, 30 November 2007 - 12:13 AM.

#50
Tony W
Posted 30 November 2007 - 05:59 AM

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Working for me on T-Mobile near Swindon (UK).  Accuracy here within 1 mile.  There seems to be some misunderstanding by some on how this works.  Some of the factors that determine whether it works and the level of accuracy that can be expected are:

- Whether Google know the cell tower postions in your area - there are lots of networks with lots of options to cover.
- The density of cell towers will determine the accuracy achievable.  In built-up areas there will be many and location predictions within metres should be possible (as reported by some).  In low density areas, typically away from towns, the accuracy will be much lower.
- Any GSM or 3G signal should suffice (if the tower is in the Google database)
- Wifi is of no relevance - it is the mobile phone signal that is being used to determine your location.
- A data connection is only required to show you a map.  The application could be used by Google without a data connection to send your lat/long (position) for use elsewhere - 'send my location' type commands as already available with some GPS apps.
- If Google do not have a complete cell tower plot for your area then accuracy will be improved as they add more cell phone masts (for each operator) into their database.
- Whether moving or not this should work.

Hope this helps - the Google video on the new map capability is good and explains much of this.  Those with a Kaiser (built-in GPS) may well think this is rubbish but for those without a GPS this is better than nothing.  There will also be times where no GPS signal can be received and this will work!

Another excellent field leader from Google - and it's free.

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#51
tasman
Posted 30 November 2007 - 07:45 AM

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in Holborn, London today and all working fine now and very accurate as well. initially got the unavailable message but after about 30secs the map refreshed and my location was displayed.

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#52
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Posted 30 November 2007 - 08:45 AM

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View PostPaul (MVP), on Nov 29 2007, 12:36, said:

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

P

And that's the whole point for me.  It's NOT GPS guys!  It works great on the Touch 256Mb, great work google! :(

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#53
FORCEFOXFIVE
Posted 30 November 2007 - 09:04 AM

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No luck on Orange with my Trinity :D Ive looked in the HELP>ABOUT menu which shows numbers/coords at the bottom line 'myl:....' :(

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#54
pd.ryder
Posted 30 November 2007 - 09:23 AM

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No luck at all with "My Location..." this morning - "temporarily unavailable..." despite having data listed in Help>About>myl.
I have also noticed a complete alteration to the menu system following a soft reset.

:(

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#55
FragMeister
Posted 30 November 2007 - 09:23 AM

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It works on my T-Mobile UK Vario II (WM6) at home where I have a 2G reception, but not at work where 3G signal.

This might just be an issue with the transmitter near work being known to google, so will try a few more locations and report back

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#56
Monolithix
Posted 30 November 2007 - 10:13 AM

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View Postjohncody, on Nov 29 2007, 16:25, said:

This is exactly what your developer contest was all about!

I wonder how they obtained all the info of where each cell tower ID is located?

Its publically available information in the UK (for now at least...)

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#57
PaulOBrien
Posted 30 November 2007 - 10:23 AM

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Is it? With GPS co-ords and Cell ID? Where?

P

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#58
Monolithix
Posted 30 November 2007 - 10:28 AM

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http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/

Punch in your postcode and away you go.  Dunno if you can download actual coords, might need to contact ofcom directly?

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#59
dearsina
Posted 30 November 2007 - 10:38 AM

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View PostMonolithix, on Nov 30 2007, 10:28, said:

http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/

Punch in your postcode and away you go.  Dunno if you can download actual coords, might need to contact ofcom directly?

I remember when we were playing around with triangulation last time, that a complete list was unavailable (to Joe Public anyway), maybe things have changed since then.

Also, does anybody else have the sneaking feeling that this isn't triangulation, but simply the location of the nearest tower?

#60
PaulOBrien
Posted 30 November 2007 - 10:40 AM

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So that gives me a triangle, no lat / long, no cell ID, no use!

P

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