Latest iPhone Hack brings Navizon's Virtual GPS to iPhone

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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