Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Does it 'really' need a GPS?

S

shark-bait

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Mar 1, 2010
10
0
Just a thought. Due to its size I can't envisage walking around using the iPad as a map (got an iphone for that) as I think you may look a little 'special'.

Bit of a mute point for me anyway as I'm going for a non-3g. :rolleyes:
 
Does it really need GPS

Abso-BLOODY-lutely!

To use a word common amognst the teenagers here -

it'd be awesome

a 10" GPS

Think about it?

Obviously you didn't? :cool:
 
Would this not be one of the best applications for the iPad?
I don't see why someone would just count out the use of something because they have an iPhone. Did you know your iPhone can also do everything the iPad can do? I guess Apple might as well not bother with it based on that charming analagy.

I think having the iPad as a complete portable solution to any situation would be awesome. I dont personally see any reason for me to have an iPad, but if its functionality was as complete as the iPhone then I would consider one for controlling my entire home.
 
"Need" is rather subject. 100% depends on the user. Regardless, choice is good. Personally, I don't "need" GPS and won't be buying that model. Just the same if Apple tossed in GPS on all models I wouldn't find a "need" to complain about it.
 
Personally, that's one of the main reasons I'm going to get the 3G version.

1. In the car as a passenger, with a 10" GPS Map, that would be amazing.
2. You know any of those star-gazing programs? Pumped to see this working on 10".
3. My app (Local LTD) uses GPS to find locations around you.
4. Lots of programs (I think) will take advantage of the CoreLocation API, and that obviously works best with GPS

I don't like buying a product and feeling gimped. Hence why I bought the iPhone, iPhone 3G, and iPhone 3GS. So it makes sense that I would go for the model of the iPad with all the features rather than hinder my experience because I cheaped out on $130.
 
I've heard a theory that the GPS functionality is built into the 3G chipset. So Apple essentially gets GPS by default on the 3G model.
 
I agree

blackNBUK said:
I've heard a theory that the GPS functionality is built into the 3G chipset. So Apple essentially gets GPS by default on the 3G model.
Click to expand...

This is my understanding as well. The 3G models will give you 'enhanced GPS', where they use the cell signals to triangulate your position, giving GPS a boost in accuracy (or speed perhaps?).

Having said that, for iPad V1 I'm going to go WiFi only. If I find I miss what 3G brings to the table I will upgrade later.
 
Well first of all - no one "needs" an iPad.
Then you can add that sentence to any feature. Do you really "need" a color screen. Does it "really" need to have a calculator. Does it "really" need to be able to rotate views.

But it comes back to my original statement - since the iPad itself isn't "needed" - everything else is gravy.
 
Absolutely it does. I think we can expect most portable devices to know where you are from now on, especially ones that serve as information devices. Many apps use GPS to deliver location aware data. Also, look at the Penguin ebook presentation. If you have an interactive travel book on the iPad, it is pretty handy to have a GPS leading you around to all the sites in Paris, or showing you where you are in relation to the best restaurants/hotels.

Yes, GPS is a must and thank goodness it isn't going to have wait for the first revision like a camera (I'm talking normal camera not front-facing, I don't know when that's coming).
 
I don't think anybody actually "need" the gps but there will be planty of apps that will relay on the gps, for me is worth waiting until I save enough money for the 3g model, if I'm already making an investment I migth just put a litlle more money to get the full function
 
I have a question. Since your 3g access is month to month and you can turn it off whenever you want, will the GPS work while your 3g access is off or will it be disabled?
 
shark-bait said:
Just a thought. Due to its size I can't envisage walking around using the iPad as a map (got an iphone for that) as I think you may look a little 'special'.

Bit of a mute point for me anyway as I'm going for a non-3g. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Uh... have you ever seen the size of a real map? If you had this in the case it would be like holding a notepad.

http://www.barebones.ca/Canmore/2007_Map.jpg
http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/garmin-update-2.jpg
http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_344/1229358126LAZV6o.jpg
 
Raegor said:
I have a question. Since your 3g access is month to month and you can turn it off whenever you want, will the GPS work while your 3g access is off or will it be disabled?
Click to expand...

Yes you can turn 3g off at anytime and gps will work without data the only problem is you need data to populate google maps and location aware searches. If you buy an app with built in maps you will be fine without 3g.
 
shark-bait said:
Just a thought. Due to its size I can't envisage walking around using the iPad as a map (got an iphone for that) as I think you may look a little 'special'.

Bit of a mute point for me anyway as I'm going for a non-3g. :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Cool. My opinion is precisely opposite to yours. I think it will be great to use as a map.
 
I thought about the same thing. I was gonna get the 64 gb 3g but i decided that i really dont need it. Google maps is the best navigation around, its free, and of course apple doesnt have it on the app store. If i need to be connected, i can tether off my droid. I just cant justify $130 for gps that will never be used and a 3g chip for the company with a smaller 3g area than my cell phone.
 
And most of you seem to be ignoring the fact that there are some people who actually use maps, a lot. Many of us use a handheld GPS with maps (typically crappy maps) for business and pleasure. I was very happy to get an app for my Touch that allows me to import and use real US Geological Survey topo maps. Fantastic. Obviously with the Touch, there isn't a GPS in it, but the program will provide the coordinates of a spot where the cross hairs are placed, which works for those who know how to read a map and figure out where you really are standing or looking. Now, I'm excited, when the map program is redesigned for the iPad, there will be a larger area of the map displayed and a GPS built in. Computers are actually getting more and more useful all the time!

Those of you who use the map apps in the iPhone to see where you are standing in New York, or where the nearest pizza parlor is located aren't the only ones who use maps. Some of us want to be standing on a mountain somewhere and know just where we are standing on a map displayed large enough to really be useful.
 
nwxtl88 said:
And most of you seem to be ignoring the fact that there are some people who actually use maps, a lot. Many of us use a handheld GPS with maps (typically crappy maps) for business and pleasure. I was very happy to get an app for my Touch that allows me to import and use real US Geological Survey topo maps. Fantastic. Obviously with the Touch, there isn't a GPS in it, but the program will provide the coordinates of a spot where the cross hairs are placed, which works for those who know how to read a map and figure out where you really are standing or looking. Now, I'm excited, when the map program is redesigned for the iPad, there will be a larger area of the map displayed and a GPS built in. Computers are actually getting more and more useful all the time!

Those of you who use the map apps in the iPhone to see where you are standing in New York, or where the nearest pizza parlor is located aren't the only ones who use maps. Some of us want to be standing on a mountain somewhere and know just where we are standing on a map displayed large enough to really be useful.
Click to expand...

Yep. This answered my questions. I am going on a 500 mile hike in northern Spain next year. The iPad might be the most important part of my gear.
 
My biggest fear is that these ipads with GPS actually do find their way up on windshield mounts! Only an idiot would want a 10" blindspot in front of them while driving. I see too many people with stand alone GPS units right in the line of site or where it causes a blind spot. My gps is mounted down on the dash and only rely on the text to speech and listen to the next input. I am one of the few that hope that front facing cameras never gain ground. We have too many distracted drivers already with talking or texting while driving.
 
nwxtl88 said:
And most of you seem to be ignoring the fact that there are some people who actually use maps, a lot. Many of us use a handheld GPS with maps (typically crappy maps) for business and pleasure. I was very happy to get an app for my Touch that allows me to import and use real US Geological Survey topo maps. Fantastic. Obviously with the Touch, there isn't a GPS in it, but the program will provide the coordinates of a spot where the cross hairs are placed, which works for those who know how to read a map and figure out where you really are standing or looking. Now, I'm excited, when the map program is redesigned for the iPad, there will be a larger area of the map displayed and a GPS built in. Computers are actually getting more and more useful all the time!

Those of you who use the map apps in the iPhone to see where you are standing in New York, or where the nearest pizza parlor is located aren't the only ones who use maps. Some of us want to be standing on a mountain somewhere and know just where we are standing on a map displayed large enough to really be useful.
Click to expand...

Hopefully we will also be able to get those great National Geographic park maps on iPad, as well as the US Geological Survey maps. The bigger screen should make these a pleasure to use!
 
The GPS function is the entire reason I am going to wait instead of getting a wifi only version. At home I obviously don't care about gps, but when traveling it will be amazing. And even when driving around if we want to find a place to eat or check out the location aware apps will make finding these places amazing. I don't actually think it will replace my cheap gps unit in my car for long trips or when I am alone in the car but whether my wife likes it or not she is going to realize how nice it is.

Now, if I had an iPhone I wouldn't be nearly as excited. But I don't and won't until it ends up on Verizon.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back