New feature found - Geofencing!


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Geofencing makes all sorts of sense for computing on the move, and thus ties into both social apps and several of the built-ins (such as Cortana and Maps).  While it's MOST leveraged in smartphones and tablets, there is nothing blocking other hardware that has the capability (such as notebooks, laptops, or even desktops - remember, geofencing was originally demoed in the Windows 8 Consumer Preview - hence all the screaming about privacy).  Because it's also individually adjustable, you can even disable it where (and when) it makes no sense (such as Facebook when you are traveling only within a specific state or county).  Sounds like more "It's about time!" to me.

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I would just like to point out that this is not a new feature and was introduced in Windows 8.1.

And it was demoed even earlier, Ian.

 

The hooraw over geofencing had to do with privacy - not capabilities.

 

Geofencing is standard in cell phones - smart and otherwise.

 

The jaw-dropper was finding that geofencing was possible in desktop PCs.

 

We actually can (and do rather readily) accept geofencing when on the move.  Geofenced when NOT moving? Horrors!

 

However, chew on several studies from the Nuclear Energy Institute considering background radiation (strictly from natural sources, including our fellow humans) in various parts of the United States.

 

Would you ever WILLINGLY go to New York City once you find out exactly how much background radiation you are exposed to merely by visiting Yankee Stadium?  Central Park?  One World Trade?

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And it was demoed even earlier, Ian.

 

The hooraw over geofencing had to do with privacy - not capabilities.

 

Geofencing is standard in cell phones - smart and otherwise.

 

The jaw-dropper was finding that geofencing was possible in desktop PCs.

 

We actually can (and do rather readily) accept geofencing when on the move.  Geofenced when NOT moving? Horrors!

 

However, chew on several studies from the Nuclear Energy Institute considering background radiation (strictly from natural sources, including our fellow humans) in various parts of the United States.

 

Would you ever WILLINGLY go to New York City once you find out exactly how much background radiation you are exposed to merely by visiting Yankee Stadium?  Central Park?  One World Trade?

Perhaps you are thinking of geolocation, PGHammer? I am unable to find any documentation which suggests that geofencing was available before Windows 8.1; however, Windows 8 did support geolocation.

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Perhaps you are thinking of geolocation, PGHammer? I am unable to find any documentation which suggests that geofencing was available before Windows 8.1; however, Windows 8 did support geolocation.

Ian - if geolocation is possible, then so is geofencing.  Geofencing *requires* geolocation to work.  (In fact, geolocation is how a cellular phone - or a tablet that uses wireless cellular towers - locates the *correct* tower to use.) Given the tendency of advertisers - and those purchasing the ad space - being regional in nature, both geolocation AND geofencing make tons of sense from that standpoint alone.  (That is also the reason why I get the need/want/desire for geofencing - even for desktop PCs - who wants ads for a store in Pike Place Market - when I'm in the Shaw neighborhood in Washington, DC?  That is one possible- but decidedly bogus - possibility of skewed geofencing due to bad data.)

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Ian - if geolocation is possible, then so is geofencing.  Geofencing *requires* geolocation to work.  (In fact, geolocation is how a cellular phone - or a tablet that uses wireless cellular towers - locates the *correct* tower to use.) Given the tendency of advertisers - and those purchasing the ad space - being regional in nature, both geolocation AND geofencing make tons of sense from that standpoint alone.  (That is also the reason why I get the need/want/desire for geofencing - even for desktop PCs - who wants ads for a store in Pike Place Market - when I'm in the Shaw neighborhood in Washington, DC?  That is one possible- but decidedly bogus - possibility of skewed geofencing due to bad data.)

If this is true, PGHammer, then why does Microsoft itself differentiate the two features?

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If this is true, PGHammer, then why does Microsoft itself differentiate the two features?

Because geofencing is most desired by advertisers - hence all the screaming about privacy by users. (Rather amusingly, the biggest user of geofencing by advertisers is by those advertisers on mobile platforms - that is where Google Advertising - not Bing - is king. Geolocation is more generic - it doesn't even require personal data at all. Geofencing, however - and especially for use by advertisers - leads to targeted ads - the biggest USE for geofencing by advertisers, and especially Google.)

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 (In fact, geolocation is how a cellular phone - or a tablet that uses wireless cellular towers - locates the *correct* tower to use.) 

 

umm, no it isn't. its basic rssi.

 

A-GPS does however use rough location it learns because it knows what tower it's connected to, which also knows it's location, to get a faster satellite lock.

 

after all, phones find towers just fine with no gps :)

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