Finding Yourself without GPS

[iMav]

Google's new technology could enable location-finding services on cell phones that lack GPS.
By Kate Greene


http://www.technologyreview.com/files/13799/googlephone_x220.jpg
Location without GPS: Google’s new feature on Google Maps, called My Location, can locate a cell phone within about 1,000 meters by interrogating the nearest cell-phone tower.


Last week Google added a new feature, called My Location, to its Web-based mapping service. My Location collects information from the nearest cell-phone tower to estimate a person's location within a distance of about 1,000 meters. This resolution is obviously not sufficient for driving directions, but it can be fine for searching for a restaurant or a store. "A common use of Google Maps is to search nearby," says Steve Lee, product manager for Google Maps, who likened the approach to searching for something within an urban zip code, but without knowing that code. "In a new city, you might not know the zip code, or even if you know it, it takes time to enter it and then to zoom in and pan around the map."


Many phones support software that is able to read the unique identification of a cell-phone tower and the coverage area that surrounds it is usually split into three regions. Lee explains that My Location uses such software to learn which tower is serving the phone--and which coverage area the cell phone is operating in. Google also uses data from cell phones in the area that do have GPS to help estimate the locations of the devices without it. In this way, Google adds geographic information to the cell-phone tower's identifiers that the company stores in a database.

More Info (http://www.technologyreview.com/Infotech/19809/?a=f)

[Batistabomb]

good idea but iam not sure implementation is exact like some Mobile Tracking Softwares

[blueshift]

Did anybody tried it?
I downloaded app from google site but didnt saw any 'my location' option.

[preshit.net]

Unfortunately, it doesn't work in India so far... atleast not where I live.

[din]

WOW

This is really great and useful I think.

Downloaded in my SE K550i and checked it.

Showed my place correctly and also nearby places !!!

Restaurants may not work for this place I think, but its useful in finding roads etc I think as I see many places, roads etc.

Unfortunately, it doesn't work in India so far... atleast not where I live.
No, it worked perfectly for me

Trying to take a pic using my cam, will post if its clear...

[Gigacore]

hey where to download it http://gigasmilies.googlepages.com/7.gif

[din]

More info at

http://www.google.com/gmm/index.html

Download Maps at www.google.com/gmm

on your mobile web browser

I was trying with my digital cam but it didn't work :(

Cousin bought a new scanner, so thought of taking scan instaed ;)

Kept a transparent sheet on scanner and put mobile on that lol, did not want to make scratches on his scanner on the first day !!

Will see how it goes ...

Ok, here it is

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9636/googlegmm1cb7.th.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=googlegmm1cb7.jpg)
(click to enlarge the image)

That is not phone cover, but the plastic paper I used lol

[blueshift]

wth..
i downloaded it again.. but where is MY LOCATION option ?

[Gigacore]

does this require GPRS ?

[din]

In SE, run it, then press 0 (zero), it will show your location - with a small circle. And using the menu, you can use all map functions as well.

does this require GPRS ?
Yes, this need GPRS, as it shows map through internet connection.

[blueshift]

where is beta download link?
Pressing 0 doesnt work.
how much time does it take for locating position?

[A11B1ack]

Just downloaded google map from google's website in my mobile and its working fine but the my location option is not available for my mobile phone(N72).
Go to help option of google map and then select my location o(beta)...its showing "sorry,My location is not available on this device." :confused::(

[din]

where is beta download link?
Pressing 0 doesnt work.
how much time does it take for locating position?

Download the app from - www.google.com/gmm - directly to your mobile using the mobile's web browser.

Pressing 0 is for SE, I am not sure whether it is same for Nokia.

Time - the location loaded very fast, like 3-4 seconds only for me - I am on GPRS, not EDGE, still the speed while using the map is ok kinda (not fast).

Didn't work on my cousin's Nokia, not sure which are all mobiles are supported ..

[naveen_reloaded]

Awesome it showed mine too ..thanks.i had earth before...
Anyway thanks

[blueshift]

did the same din.
i guess it is not available for my mob. w300i

[din]

Hey iMav

I forgot to thank yah !!!

Thanks a lot for sharing this info.

[casanova]

Thats a great service. I doubt if it would work with Airtel Live.

[iMav]

Hey iMav

I forgot to thank yah !!!

Thanks a lot for sharing this info. hehe no probs bro ... ur welcome ... :p

[din]

Thats a great service. I doubt if it would work with Airtel Live.

I am using Airtel MO. It is working perfect. So it should work on Live too ?

[Cool G5]

Looks good.
Let me see how is it.

[aku]

nope, it isn't working with 3230, 6600, 6630 and n72

btw. @din... man, y did ya put your cell inside a plastic pouch?

[mediator]

My late hutch used to show locations in mah cellfone, but now Vodaphone shows bloody ads! WTF. Can anybody confirm if I'm the chosen one?

[din]

btw. @din... man, y did ya put your cell inside a plastic pouch?

LOL, was expecting this question :D

I never put mobile in any type of cover / pouch.

I wanted to take a photo showing the map and my location. Tried with the camera, but the pic came was not good. So I decided to put the mobile in my cousin's scanner and take a scan instead. He bought the scanner today morning only, and I didn't want to put scratches on it, so placed a plastic cover (actually some magazine CD cover lol) and placed mobile phone over it and scanned !!

My late hutch used to show locations in mah cellfone, but now Vodaphone shows bloody ads! WTF. Can anybody confirm if I'm the chosen one?

Airtel showed scrolling ads instaed of location for 1-2 days last month, but they removed it after that. Yes, some providers put ads instaed of the location info :( Really sux

[gxsaurav]

I used this service on my BSNL GPRS based K750I, other then "My Location" everything else worked fine. Though it needed to download lots of data so unlimited GPRS or EDGE is a must. I had to pay Rs 12 in just finding my home.

[blueshift]

mediator: yeah it is showing ads.

gx: lol ..they already have warned about this that it needs unlimited gprs connection or a heavy wallet.

my W300i is not supported. will try on my friends K550i.

[mediator]

Thats Disgusting. Any info. on how we can change it to defaults i.e location view?

[din]

GX, I think BSNL has unlimited GPRS plan, affordable I think. I use Airtel unlimited GPRS/EDGE. Rs.125 per month.

[Ganeshkumar]

Thanks for sharing :)

Yet to try...

[fun2sh]

hey! "my location" option doesnot work for me too. i m usin K700i.

[rockthegod]

I have tried this after disabling the GPS unit of my AT&T Tilt. This requires an active 3G/HSDPA connection and worked excellently on HSDPA. Didn't try it over GPRS though.