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.
Navizon had released its Virtual GPS product "Navizon" as a native iPhone application as an alternative to the lack of the GPS feature. However, after the 15 day fully functional trial period; you need to buy it for $24.99.
They have now released a freeware version of one of the popular native iPhone applications called Navizon Lite, which they claim is accurate to about 1500 meters (1 mile).
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 Lite can be installed using the very cool Installer.app so installing it on your iPhone should not be too complicated.
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.
Navizon claims that this version of Virtual GPS will let you get your position using the closest cell towers around you with an accuracy of approximately 1500 meters (1 mile), something similar to what Google Maps offers with its "My location" feature.
If you are looking at more accuracy then you can check out Navizon (full version) as it includes the power of Wi-Fi positioning combined with Cellular positioning, offering you an accuracy of approximately 10 to 30 meters in an urban setting. The full version will set you back by $24.99.
However, based on initial feedback on Virtual GPS 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.
Here is the link to Navizon's support forum for iPhone users getting the "Cannot Locate and the Lockup" error message.
Since it is available for free you can definitely try it out to see if it works well in your vicinity and as always don't forget to leave your feedback the native iPhone app in the comments.
[via Sherloc's Blog]
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i am lost..wait! let me check my iphone gps…. lets see i am standing next to a lake in front of a house off reed street but it says i am in a small town on the otherside of the river off route 202… could it be that the lake dried up and the highway was built last year and the gps maps werent updated…
one day it tells you where you are the next the gps system gets lost and has no idea where it is but is kind enough to give you a location..all you have to do is believe you are there, click your heals three times and say there is no place like home.
let me know if it works…
Its stupid
It doesnt work. I can't count on this if i'm lost.
Its nice it works well in phoenix AZ but of course dont count on it its not the REAL thing.. good idea!!!
Yea its neat but has me about 10 or so miles off.
What is the frickin' point of this? Are that many users so lame that they can't read the street sign and number to find out where they are?
If you're driving in the car, GPS is pointless unless it is accurate to within a few meters and can give real time turn by turn directions, otherwise, why bother. If you're walkng and don't know where you are, that's pretty lame too.
It is now telling me I need to buy it. I am not buying something that doesn't work sure it's kinda neet but as far as accuracy about 20 miles off LOL would be wonderfull if it really worked and could give turn by turn directions from where you are now to where you want to be. Theres my two cents but like I said only free for thirty days or so then wants money LOL
Video recording on Iphone upto 45 fps
go to
http://monsterandfriends.com/?q=node/50
or
http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/news/comments/iphone-app-confirms-video-recording-capability/12062
Google has a Beta feature for their Mobile Goole Maps that does the exact same thing. Just wait a couple months and you can have this for free.
This works.
I'm in Tallinn Estoia and can locate no problem using gsm towers and wifi points.
As well i can get driving directions between points here.
Hey Kush, have a link for the virtual GPS google maps is working on? If anyone could get a massive database of towers and hotspots itd be google. Theyre coming out with a hardware gps reciever that would plug into the bottom of the iphone, but itll cost $90, proabably drain the battery when in use, and adds bulk. I would be very interested to see if google can make virtual gps with similar performance to the real deal.
Alright well in case anyone else was interested in the competing google component, I answered my above questions. The new feature is called 'My Location' and is already implemented on google maps for many phones. To date, it is not available on the iphone's version google maps, but will be soon. My Location is similar to navizon in that it uses cell towers to triangulate your position. It does not however rely on wifi spots. Current accuracy is only 1000m, but knowing google, their database will grow and accuracy will improve significantly. I would wait for 'My Location' to be offered on the Iphone before spending $$ on Navizon.
Alright well in case anyone else was interested in the competing google component, I answered my above questions. The new feature is called 'My Location' and is already implemented on google maps for many phones. To date, it is not available on the iphone's version google maps, but will be soon. My Location is similar to navizon in that it uses cell towers to triangulate your position. It does not however rely on wifi spots. Current accuracy is only 1000m, but knowing google, their database will grow and accuracy will improve significantly. I would wait for 'My Location' to be offered on the Iphone before spending $$ on Navizon.
Sorry, but this app simply blows. I am consistently located 10 miles south of my true location, and recently have been located not only 10 miles south but about 5 miles out in the ocean! In its current iteration, much as I love the concept, it is totally useless and a waste of space.