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One of the very cool things about the iPhone is that it can locate you almost instantly because it uses SkyHook's database of geolocated WiFi locattions (exclus

One of the very cool things about the iPhone is that it can locate you almost instantly because it uses SkyHook's database of geolocated WiFi locattions (exclusively maybe? anyone else know of a mobile device that uses SkyHook for location?) I see it as Apple trying to defend that instant location feature from Microsoft adding it to it's new mobile OS. Apple isn't suing them, but no sense in helping them make their device work better with an app running on an Apple device.

jonknee 17y ago
GPS and tower triangulation make location by WiFi not as useful on a phone. Phones by law have to be able to know where they are (for e911) and a WiFi database doesn't meet the level of accuracy.
- asmithmd1 17y ago
  So why do you think Apple use WiFi positioning on the iPhone? GPS can take minutes (or never come back with a location if you are inside) and tower triangulation has never lived up to the accuracy claims that they made.
  - jonknee 17y ago
    It's a nice backup and is very useful in the iPod Touch.
- bbatsell 17y ago
  Tower triangulation is really just not very precise (at the moment). If I'm in an area with no wi-fi networks and attempt to get my position without GPS, then I'm given a pretty huge range of coordinates I can be in (at least a square mile). If I give it enough time, AGPS can kick in and get me closer, but if I am in range of a couple of wi-fi networks, I'm usually within 50-100 feet or so in a couple of seconds. The majority of APs seem to be in Skyhook nowadays. I understand why Skyhook can't be used for e911 — APs can move, or the information can be inaccurate from the start. So, in that respect, AGPS is more accurate, but not as precise. In my daily usage, precision is more important to me.
- DenisM 17y ago
  citation needed
- xsmasher 17y ago
  WiFi location is fast and works indoors and in the concrete jungle, that's the advantage. It may not be accurate but it could be self-correcting - the iPhone could feed info back into the skyhook system about the location of a new hotspot after it gets the call tower and GPS info. I have no proof that it does, but I have an anecdote. The first time I plugged in my WiFi point at a new address, the phone connected and thought I was at the old address - until 5 minutes later when if shot me across the country. Never happened again.
PanMan 17y ago
Skyhook is no-way exclusive on the iPhone. You can use it in your Android or WinMobile app, I think it's included in the Droid, and it's in other Wifi products.

jonknee 17y ago

GPS and tower triangulation make location by WiFi not as useful on a phone. Phones by law have to be able to know where they are (for e911) and a WiFi database doesn't meet the level of accuracy.

asmithmd1 17y ago
So why do you think Apple use WiFi positioning on the iPhone? GPS can take minutes (or never come back with a location if you are inside) and tower triangulation has never lived up to the accuracy claims that they made.
- jonknee 17y ago
  It's a nice backup and is very useful in the iPod Touch.
bbatsell 17y ago
Tower triangulation is really just not very precise (at the moment). If I'm in an area with no wi-fi networks and attempt to get my position without GPS, then I'm given a pretty huge range of coordinates I can be in (at least a square mile). If I give it enough time, AGPS can kick in and get me closer, but if I am in range of a couple of wi-fi networks, I'm usually within 50-100 feet or so in a couple of seconds. The majority of APs seem to be in Skyhook nowadays. I understand why Skyhook can't be used for e911 — APs can move, or the information can be inaccurate from the start. So, in that respect, AGPS is more accurate, but not as precise. In my daily usage, precision is more important to me.
DenisM 17y ago
citation needed
xsmasher 17y ago
WiFi location is fast and works indoors and in the concrete jungle, that's the advantage. It may not be accurate but it could be self-correcting - the iPhone could feed info back into the skyhook system about the location of a new hotspot after it gets the call tower and GPS info. I have no proof that it does, but I have an anecdote. The first time I plugged in my WiFi point at a new address, the phone connected and thought I was at the old address - until 5 minutes later when if shot me across the country. Never happened again.

PanMan 17y ago

Skyhook is no-way exclusive on the iPhone. You can use it in your Android or WinMobile app, I think it's included in the Droid, and it's in other Wifi products.