One of features missing from the iPhone's rich feature list is a Global Positioning System (GPS), which is now rumored will be available only in the 2nd generation iPhone sometime next year along with 3G support. However, if you have already bought the iPhone and can't wait then there is some good news for you as an alternative is now available. The latest iPhone hack has made it possible to bring Navizon's Virtual GPS to the iPhone.
Update (1st Oct): Navizon's Virtual GPS native iPhone application is currently not working with firmware 1.1.1 like other third-party applications.
So for those of you who like me are not familiar with this Virtual GPS stuff, then here is some information you might find useful. Navizon is a software-only wireless positioning system which triangulates signals broadcasted from Wi-Fi access points and Cellular towers. It is based on a collaborative database where users who have a GPS device can contribute data on Cell towers and Wi-Fi access points so that other members of the community can simulate a Virtual GPS on their phone.
Interesting?? Want to know how to install it on your iPhone? Then here is some more good news, Navizon's Virtual GPS can be installed using the very cool Installer.app so installing it on your iPhone should not be too complicated.
In order to install "Navizon" on to your iPhone using Installer.app use the appropriate links below:
- Installing iPhone hacks made easy with hands-on tutorial - Windows Edition
- Installing iPhone hacks made easy with hands-on tutorial - MAC OS X Edition
Once you have Navizon installed on your iPhone, you need to first create an account at Navizon website which needs to be used to login using the Navizon application on your iPhone. All you then needs to do is just click on the "Locate Me" button and see where Navizon puts you on the map.
Based on the tests carried out by Gizmodo, it is off by a few hundred yards but I guess it is better than not having it at all. However, based on initial feedback since it is works on peer to peer positioning; it might not work well everywhere as some have complained of getting "Unable to Locate - Your location could not be identified. No Known Cells or Wi-Fi nodes in range" error messages. It is also recommended to try the "locate me" option twice (at least on the first attempt) since the Wi-Fi scanner takes some time to be fully operational.
After the 15 day fully functional trial period; you need to buy it for $24.99. The reason for the fee apparently is for the folks who collect the data without whom this service would not work (fair enough).
So folks if you are going to give this a try don't forget to let us know how well it worked for you in the comments.
Click here to go to Navizon's website for more details.
Update (1st Oct): Navizon is offering refunds to customers who signed up for its $24.95 iPhone service as their native iPhone application is currently not working with firmware 1.1.1 like other third-party applications.
Update: Here is the link to Navizon's support forum for iPhone users getting the "Cannot Locate and the Lockup" error message.
[via Gizmodo]
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I been trying it out since last night and I havent been able to get any results other than "Unable to locate".
I been trying everwhere that I have been to today.
Home
Daughters School
Mom's House
Brother's House
Work
Restaurant
Hospital
Community Park
Parking Structure "highest level"
all I get is "Unable to locate"
same with me…
been trying since this morning and nothing.. even from different locations..
i am off by 15 or so miles
It finally worked! But only like 50% of the time. Was right on where I was.
I also got it to work. It was off by about 1/2 of block and its also working half the time.
yeah, this thing isn't the greatest.
i've already deleted it from my phone.
it's quicker to look for a street sign
Worked twice for me today out of about 20 trys but it was only a half block off. Im in Miami so I wonder does it work better in other places or places that have many user?
I'm in NYC, surrounded by open wifi connections, and I still can't get it to locate me.
I have just updated the post with the link to Navizon's support forum for iPhone users, below is the link again for your benefit:
http://www.navizon.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1343
Thanks everyone for sharing your experience and do let us know if Navizon's support staff have been able to clarify/resolve your issues.
Just installed this app today. Hasn't worked so far, though I'm in a relatively rural area.
Just installed this app today. Hasn't worked so far, though I'm in a relatively rural area.
this depends on people using the regular navizon program and a gps device to map out areas and upload the data to the navizon servers. If your area isn't mapped out very well, then you'll either get inaccurate results or it won't be able to locate you at all. Once I get this working on my iPaq, I'm going to start using it to map my area.
This application is the worst hack I have ever seen. It does not work period and I live in NY City!!!
mmmm…. still wont work for me.. OH NOES MAI TRIAL IS GONNA EXPERAIRE.. haha sry i just got bored..
wonder how long it will take until somebody gets navizon working with the free GPS tracking in Atlas by Fresh Logic Studios (http://www.freshlogicstudios.com/Products/Atlas/).
I got it working and most of the time its off like 40 foot to half a mile but in my house its off like 15miles.
hello can anybody teach me hoe to hack admin/pls contact me my IM is
hello can anybody teach me hoe to hack admin/pls contact me my IM is
I downloaded this and it completly broke my iphone.. I could hit the button and get to the dock screen but as soon as i opened any app. i could not do anything! it would just freeze up(or the touch controls stopped working) and it would never go into sleep, the screen would dim a bit but never go completely black. I restored my phone and everything seems to be fine now. Maybe I did something wrong??
Neil Howard Telecoms has a fantastic selection of vehicle tracking systems to suit you and your business for less than 1 pound a day.
Not too good
Sam Shaw
iPhone Game Developer