Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced major software updates for its iPhone and iPod Touch devices. iPhone users now can send SMS messages to multiple people and iPod Touch users get access to several applications that have been available on the iPhone: Mail, maps, stock quotes, notes and weather reports.
Most significantly, however, is the addition of a GPS-like positioning feature: Rather than using a GPS receiver, Apple consulted with Google and Skyhook Wireless to come up with a technology that uses triangular Wi-Fi and cellular beacon layouts to determine the location of a device. iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature through the free iPhone software upgrade 1.1.3, while people who already have purchased an iPod Touch will have to shell out an extra $20 for the upgrade. All new iPod Touch devices will come with the positioning feature without extra cost.
News source: Toms Guide
Most significantly, however, is the addition of a GPS-like positioning feature: Rather than using a GPS receiver, Apple consulted with Google and Skyhook Wireless to come up with a technology that uses triangular Wi-Fi and cellular beacon layouts to determine the location of a device. iPhone users will be able to take advantage of the new feature through the free iPhone software upgrade 1.1.3, while people who already have purchased an iPod Touch will have to shell out an extra $20 for the upgrade. All new iPod Touch devices will come with the positioning feature without extra cost.
News source: Toms Guide
Exactly, you don't get anything if you don't have a signal. And the questions could go on... How would it "triangulate" a signal in regional areas which might have only 1 tower nearby? Worst "GPS" ever.
Last edited by noleafclover on 15 Jan 2008 - 23:28
umm you getthe map packs like almost ever other GPS software aplication..
Exactly, you don't get anything if you don't have a signal. And the questions could go on... How would it "triangulate" a signal in regional areas which might have only 1 tower nearby? Worst "GPS" ever.
With other phones + Mapping software you can download the maps to the phone thus cutting out the need for a data connection. My Nokia N95 for instance functions in this manner, although you have the option to stream them should you wish.
Last edited by Smigit on 16 Jan 2008 - 02:33
Yeah, that's with real GPS. My HTC TyTN II does this perfectly
Exactly. I have the same on my Dash. Really neat, as I fired it up one day, and I saw a blue circle on the screen, then I realized thats where I was, kinda freaked me out at first. Neat tech, imo.
Exactly, you don't get anything if you don't have a signal. And the questions could go on... How would it "triangulate" a signal in regional areas which might have only 1 tower nearby? Worst "GPS" ever.
I totaly agree that this is the 'worst GPS' ever but what you guys are forgetting is that this is an 'extra feature'
If apple wanted they could have kept it locked, so its better then nothing i guess. and over top of that there are cellphone towers all over the place, there are hardly any spots and dont have single so this should work under normal conditions. for those that have to pay $20 for this i think is a rip-off so i wouldn't bother but its nice to have if your getting it for free ^^
The answer, it isn't.
The answer, it isn't.
Read the article! - Also, the video at: http://www.apple.com/iphone/gettingstarted...ate2/small.html states the device can use nearby WI-FI base stations to receive location information which would mean the iPod Touch would be able to locate itself.
Last edited by Jedimark on 15 Jan 2008 - 22:35
The answer, it isn't.
Read the article! - Also, the video at: http://www.apple.com/iphone/gettingstarted...ate2/small.html states the device can use nearby WI-FI base stations to receive location information which would mean the iPod Touch would be able to locate itself.
so you have to be near at the very least 2 known WIFI base stations, which is why i am guessing it wont work in a lot of places...
The answer, it isn't.
Read the article! - Also, the video at: http://www.apple.com/iphone/gettingstarted...ate2/small.html states the device can use nearby WI-FI base stations to receive location information which would mean the iPod Touch would be able to locate itself.
so you have to be near at the very least 2 known WIFI base stations, which is why i am guessing it wont work in a lot of places...
No, you don't.
And if you couldn't, then you're really in trouble... And probably the sort of person who'd buy an iPod Touch, so hey, go for it.
agree, this is nowhere near the GPS quality but then again the ipod touch isn't meant to be a GPS. What everyone is forgetting is that this is an 'extra feature' so if you dont like it then go and get a REAL GPS for about $100-$300.
Sorry, come again.
would you like mail and other apps if so you can purchase. it's simple early adopters always pay a premium whichever way you look at it.
methinks, the idea would suddenly become marvelous
http://www.google.com/gmm/mylocation.html?hl=en
Last edited by verbal11 on 15 Jan 2008 - 23:36
Take a peek at Skyhooks website: http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/
There are actually one or two ways this has a slight advantage over GPS in metropolitan areas.
That is bull****.
Apple charges for it's service packs, you know.
Apple charges for it's service packs, you know.
I can't believe people still believe this myth. If Leopard, Tiger etc were just service packs, Macs would be running the same POS Mac OS X was in 2000. But instead numerous reporters say it's better than Vista and XP.
Apple charges for it's service packs, you know.
I can't believe people still believe this myth. If Leopard, Tiger etc were just service packs, Macs would be running the same POS Mac OS X was in 2000. But instead numerous reporters say it's better than Vista and XP.
Yeah, whatever. They're still charging you for a service pack.
Do you not understand that XP sp1 and sp2 were/are free? How about the four Win2K service packs? Did you pay for those? No? Then what are you on about?
Last edited by Croquant on 16 Jan 2008 - 00:51
Apple charges for it's service packs, you know.
I can't believe people still believe this myth. If Leopard, Tiger etc were just service packs, Macs would be running the same POS Mac OS X was in 2000. But instead numerous reporters say it's better than Vista and XP.
Yeah, whatever. They're still charging you for a service pack.
Do you not understand that XP sp1 and sp2 were/are free? How about the four Win2K service packs? Did you pay for those? No? Then what are you on about?
Now notice the drastic amount of changes in Leopard, Tiger ect and compare it to the changes in service packs... yeahhhh... quit crying about having to pay for something. No one if forcing you to buy an update and you bought a touch for what it is you had no clue that this sort of stuff would come around.... quit complaining about it.
Apple charges for it's service packs, you know.
I can't believe people still believe this myth. If Leopard, Tiger etc were just service packs, Macs would be running the same POS Mac OS X was in 2000. But instead numerous reporters say it's better than Vista and XP.
Yeah, whatever. They're still charging you for a service pack.
Do you not understand that XP sp1 and sp2 were/are free? How about the four Win2K service packs? Did you pay for those? No? Then what are you on about?
Now notice the drastic amount of changes in Leopard, Tiger ect and compare it to the changes in service packs... yeahhhh... quit crying about having to pay for something. No one if forcing you to buy an update and you bought a touch for what it is you had no clue that this sort of stuff would come around.... quit complaining about it.
umm did you ever install XP SP2?...
Apple charges for it's service packs, you know.
I can't believe people still believe this myth. If Leopard, Tiger etc were just service packs, Macs would be running the same POS Mac OS X was in 2000. But instead numerous reporters say it's better than Vista and XP.
Yeah, whatever. They're still charging you for a service pack.
Do you not understand that XP sp1 and sp2 were/are free? How about the four Win2K service packs? Did you pay for those? No? Then what are you on about?
Now notice the drastic amount of changes in Leopard, Tiger ect and compare it to the changes in service packs... yeahhhh... quit crying about having to pay for something. No one if forcing you to buy an update and you bought a touch for what it is you had no clue that this sort of stuff would come around.... quit complaining about it.
umm did you ever install XP SP2?...
Yes, and there was a hell of a lot more changes in the Jump from Tiger and Leopard, these were complete operating system upgrades, not service packs that SP2 was.
I have my HTC 8925 (ATT Tilt) and I have not looked back once since I got it. There is no substitute for TRUE GPS
Last edited by Ogmius on 16 Jan 2008 - 00:34
I have my HTC 8925 (ATT Tilt) and I have not looked back once since I got it. There is no substitute for TRUE GPS
What about listing reasons not to buy other products cause they all have their faults?
Or do you reserve that for Apple and ignore other companys faults?
Where do you call it a day?
Or do you reserve that for Apple and ignore other companys faults?
Where do you call it a day?
you save complaints of other products for the forums on the other products!!!
i call it a day when the suns up, when the sun is not up it becomes night
they have addressed the widely raised problem of a lack of GPS functionality on the iphone with a half measure that is easily (and cheaply) addressed.
in 200x (early) i bought a 10gb ipod and was glad that i didn't buy the original. however, in theory i'm livid that I didnt wait till the 160gb came out. in practice i utilised the service available to me at the time.
all this being said, i'm surprised that apple are charging legacy touch users to upgrade...
it is, to simplify, like advising someone to not buy a computer on the premise that in a years time you'll be able to buy a better one.
£0.02
It kind of reminds me of the time Apple charged people to enable wireless N on their laptops via a software update.
Anyway yes, it won't hurt them alot but the negative backlash will cost them some customers I think.
-Spenser
Sure, I'd like to update my Touch for free, but this is better than what used to happen.
Say What?
Wake up people, don't fall into the trap, do the research first and don't just buy apple because everyone else does.
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