3 ms·
This is amazing! I didn't know I or they had access to this data. I scrolled back to a vacation in Amsterdam a few months ago, on that trip I did not have data
by Kequc 13y ago
This is amazing! I didn't know I or they had access to this data. I scrolled back to a vacation in Amsterdam a few months ago, on that trip I did not have data on my phone. I remember this because it was a huge pain in the ass. Sure enough all of my movements are there.
That means the phone is storing this information (based on wifi signals) then uploading it after it connects to the internet.
- lewispollard 13y agoCould still be using GPS - getting GPS co-ordinates doesn't use any mobile data, you just need it to download map images.
- Kequc 13y agoI wasn't aware. I thought coordinates were drawn from wifi as accuracy plummets if I turn that off. Or stops working entirely when its off as well as data. Maybe I've been imagining things.
- RossM 13y agoIt's a bit of both. It can use less power to poll the nearby WiFi networks (assuming the WiFi chip is already on) and compare them against Google's database collected by StreetView than to fire up the GPS chip. Though I assume that uses more storage space as you're storing a list of SSIDs/MACs rather than a GPS coordinate pair.
- kalleboo 13y agoIt uses a mix of cell towers, wifi networks and GPS satellites. GPS is the only one that doesn't require data (cell tower and wifi location requires lookups in an online database). GPS will use data to get a quicker satellite fix if it can (look up A-GPS), but it doesn't require it.
- lewispollard 13y agoTry opening maps and enabling GPS with no data connection - the map images won't be downloaded, but your location will still be pinpointed and will move. Wifi/cell triangulation will usually seem more accurate initially as it can take a minute to get a GPS fix.