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Gps

P

parkds

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jan 23, 2003
329
203
Am I correct in seeing that on the tech specs page, it states that the 3G version will have assisted GPS? Is this the same GPS tech that the iPhone currently uses?
 
It would be like the first gen iphones(i think)

unlike the iphone 3g and 3gs, the iPad has no real GPS chip, but it uses triangulation based on Cell towers.
 
You don't get real gps at all you get a-gps going by the specs which as above uses cell towers and known wifi spots.
 
So, I'm guessing that in order for GPS to work, you'll have to have not only the 3G model, but have a 3G data contract? Probably?
 
Assited GPS. Exactly the same that they are using in iPhone 3G and 3GS. should have GPS function even without the data connection...
 
vista.john said:
Assited GPS. Exactly the same that they are using in iPhone 3G and 3GS. should have GPS function even without the data connection...
Click to expand...


Unfortunately, the iPad lacks the GPS chip that's built into the 3G and 3Gs.

At least according to the tech specs, I don't see a GPS chip listed..
 
MadGoat said:
Unfortunately, the iPad lacks the GPS chip that's built into the 3G and 3Gs.

At least according to the tech specs, I don't see a GPS chip listed..
Click to expand...

look more carefully, here it is : :)

Location
Wi-Fi
Digital compass
Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model)
Cellular (Wi-Fi + 3G model)
 
Assisted GPS (A-GPS) is real GPS, folks, that uses a GPS receiver combined with cellular triangulation to assist in obtaining a lock faster. It's exactly what the iPhone 3G/3GS has...look up the specs.

-- Nathan
 
Assisted GPS can mean a lot of things, not all assisted GPS can work standalone. Guess we'll have to wait and see for sure.
 
Two things I DON"T like. a 1024x768 resolution. Almost every laptop now days gets shot down for not having a high enough resolution screen. This thing was made for the internet? Ha! When was the last time you viewed the web at that low of a resolution and you wern't on a phone?

And two. GPS. I would love this device if GPS was in it. Load up something like TomTom and it would've been awsome. So now I read here and it at least has a possibility of having a built-in GPS. But you need to spend close to $900 for it. Ouch.
 
'Assisted GPS'

Assisted GPS definitely IS gps...

There's no need to 'wait and see'. Its the real deal.

If it didn't use the satellite signals it wouldn't use the terminology 'GPS'.

As pointed out earlier the assistance comes from cell tower/wifi triangulation which can greatly speed up acquisition times.

Hope this helps

Paul
 
Assisted GPS

I'm not so sure. The iPhone 3G and 3GS do list Assisted GPS but no parenthetical qualifiers. Apple seems to have felt it necessary to add (Wi-Fi + 3G model) to the iPad. GPS ability was conspicuously absent during the presentation, even during the map demo.
 
vista.john said:
Assited GPS. Exactly the same that they are using in iPhone 3G and 3GS. should have GPS function even without the data connection...
Click to expand...
That's my guess, too.

The GPS on iPhone 3G worked fine last Summer when I was on holiday in the UK and I have disabled data roaming bot on the iPhone and with my carrier.

It was pretty useless once we moved out of the cached Google maps, and only saw the blue "locked" dot on a uniform gray background on parts of the map (at certain zoom levels), but the GPS part was working flawlessly... :D

That's why I got NDrive for whenever I'm abroad next. ;)
 
I'm not so sure. The iPhone 3G and 3GS do list Assisted GPS but no parenthetical qualifiers. Apple seems to have felt it necessary to add (Wi-Fi + 3G model) to the iPad. GPS ability was conspicuously absent during the presentation, even during the map demo.
Click to expand...
"Wi-Fi + 3G" is the name of the model that includes 3G. The parenthetical is just to clarify that there's no assisted GPS in the non-3G models.
 
But assisted GPS does (well it doesn't need it...but it uses it to massively speed up a lock on).

I'd say its another differential between models - Wifi + 3G is the 'top-end' version and so gets the fancier kit (GPS).

Could be wrong of course....
 
starstreak said:
Two things I DON"T like. a 1024x768 resolution. Almost every laptop now days gets shot down for not having a high enough resolution screen. This thing was made for the internet? Ha! When was the last time you viewed the web at that low of a resolution and you wern't on a phone?

And two. GPS. I would love this device if GPS was in it. Load up something like TomTom and it would've been awsome. So now I read here and it at least has a possibility of having a built-in GPS. But you need to spend close to $900 for it. Ouch.
Click to expand...

You do realize that it has a 9.7" screen? Which means it has a pixel density that is higher than my 30" ACD.

And you only need to spend $629 for a model with A-GPS.
 
I don't understand the need of the iPad to do more, when it is overwhelmingly apparent that most people are really just stupid anyway. Giving an idiot more tools doesn't make him less of an idiot.
 
MadGoat said:
It would be like the first gen iphones(i think)

unlike the iphone 3g and 3gs, the iPad has no real GPS chip, but it uses triangulation based on Cell towers.
Click to expand...

This is of course incorrect because you can't call it GPS unless you use the Global Positioning Satellites. The original iPhone don't have or say GPS and only used triangulation. Assisted GPS is GPS with triangulation added to increase speed and accuracy.
 
Perfect to mount in my car with Navigon Mobile app. Watch videos, browse the web, listen to music, & navigation. It's a PERFECT mobile computer.
 
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