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Does it 'really' need a GPS?

hakuryuu said:
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.
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Even with my iPhone I'm still excited about the prospect of GPS Apps with iPad. In fact, my Local LTD app uses the GPS function and I'm currently working on upsizing/enhancing it for the ipad. I can't wait for this 3G model. It can't come soon enough.
 
I think not having GPS on the non 3g iPad is a pretty big flaw... Outside of mapping there are a ton of apps that use gps to provide services based on location.

Just looking over my current apps:

Safari: Web apps can use GPS, provides google local search results.
Camera: Geo tagging, sure the ipad doesn't have a camera, but maybe a camera accessory will come some time down the road?
Tweetie: "Nearby tweets" and tweet my location
Weather: Local results
iheartradio: Local stations
Fandango: Local theaters
Urbanspoon: Local restaurants
iTV: Local TV listings
Playmaker: (its a control app so you can play those triva/poker games in bars without getting the blue box from the bar) Uses gps to figure out what bar you're at then puts you in the local game.

Just a few example... Sure some of these can be fixed by putting in a zip code, but thats inconvenient and shouldn't be required when receivers are so cheep these days, sometimes zipcodes are unknown when traveling as well.
 
UCF Sam said:
I think not having GPS on the non 3g iPad is a pretty big flaw... Outside of mapping there are a ton of apps that use gps to provide services based on location.

Just looking over my current apps:

Safari: Web apps can use GPS, provides google local search results.
Camera: Geo tagging, sure the ipad doesn't have a camera, but maybe a camera accessory will come some time down the road?
Tweetie: "Nearby tweets" and tweet my location
Weather: Local results
iheartradio: Local stations
Fandango: Local theaters
Urbanspoon: Local restaurants
iTV: Local TV listings
Playmaker: (its a control app so you can play those triva/poker games in bars without getting the blue box from the bar) Uses gps to figure out what bar you're at then puts you in the local game.

Just a few example... Sure some of these can be fixed by putting in a zip code, but thats inconvenient and shouldn't be required when receivers are so cheep these days, sometimes zipcodes are unknown when traveling as well.
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Having said that, they should at least make an API that allows the iPad to grab GPS location from your iphone over bluetooth. Would be very simple to implement.
 
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!
.
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I was about to drop $500 for a garmin GPS. I think I'll wait. If the right app is available. I may not need it.

Someone will come out with a "map case" for the Ipad.
 
Robin4 said:
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.
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Just out of curiosity how will you recharge it out on your hike? Is there a good solar type of charger or... what options are their for hiking. I've not been on many overnight hikes but the wife and I have gone on some day trips when we go to Colorado or places like Yellowstone. Battery packs only last so long and from our 09 Yellowstone trip we were using a GPS app and taking a few pics.. found ourselves low on battery by mid afternoon.
 
The Tom Tom dock adds GPS to the iPod Touch, right? Or at least enhances the GPS in the iPhone. What are the odds there could be an iPad dongle (similar in size to the SD reader) to add it?
 
nwxtl88 said:
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.
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what ever happened to the good old days of using a map and a compass haha. I wouldnt really want to take the ipad on any mountain trips i go on. It would probably get broken from a fall or wet from a rainstorm or something. Im pretty rough with my bag when i go hiking, and i wouldnt want to have to worry about an ipad. maybe with a shock resistant case i would take it for a day, but not for any time i would go camping climbing 14ers.
 
bossxii said:
Just out of curiosity how will you recharge it out on your hike? Is there a good solar type of charger or... what options are their for hiking. I've not been on many overnight hikes but the wife and I have gone on some day trips when we go to Colorado or places like Yellowstone. Battery packs only last so long and from our 09 Yellowstone trip we were using a GPS app and taking a few pics.. found ourselves low on battery by mid afternoon.
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There are refugios and overnight hostels along the way especially set up for the hikers. Cellphones, etc can be charged at will.

You've got me thinking though, some hikers have reported using German solar powered battery chargers with great success. I'll have to research that a bit.
 
Out of curiosity, has anyone thought of using the WiFi only version of the iPad with a GPS enabled MiFi? I am still up in the air on this one, but like a poster above, I use lots of GPS related apps on my iPhone but am torn between the two options.
 
Elzlaik said:
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.
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Walking around with a expensive 10" device, looking all "touristy" is also a pretty handy way of getting mugged.
 
zipa said:
Walking around with a expensive 10" device, looking all "touristy" is also a pretty handy way of getting mugged.
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A smart tourist would not be parading around iPad in hand flaunting his/her brand new toy. I can see me sitting in a cafe, pulling my "book" and reading my maps, travel guides, etc. It would be in a protective case anyway.

I've done it with the iPhone when it was the hottest thing. Never had a problem.
 
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