Steve looks at the technology behind assisted GPS (A-GPS) and describes how it can be used to speed up lock on times before asking what potential benefits there are for a smartphone that always knows where it is.
Read on in the full article.
Assisted GPS and the importance of location
"It's true that few of these GPS receivers have been at anywhere near the performance level of standalone accessories, but the trend is fairly clear and the convenience benefits of integral GPS can't be denied."
This is the key point that fans of separate devices miss. Yes, separate cameras and GPS units and games consoles will always do a better job, but they're still separate, and that separation is a burden. It means having to carry several gadgets, and having to keep several gadgets charged before hitting the road.
Most cameras have clearly gone down the converged path, despite cheap $150 separate cameras still being higher quality than the most expensive $700 cameraphones. This seems extremely likely to happen with GPS too, as a phone is something that people carry with them everywhere and satellite navigation has such universal appeal.
Interesting article, Steve. Bluetooth GPS wins for me at the moment (better receiver, separate battery, ability to place GPS separately with better view of the sky eg. in car) but it sounds like the next generation of technology can offset most of these.
"Or what about a standalone 'Where am I?' icon/app, prominent in the top menu,"
I'd vote for a standalone Where Am I button on the keypad, which I suppose is what the 6110 has introduced to S60.
If the maps start getting really accurate (especially with pedestrian areas, where they're currently weak) GPS navigation could be as big as text messaging, something everyone does all the time without even thinking about it.
Sat Nav is pricey at the moment but that will go down just as all phone technologies have, because manufacturing processes become more efficient, and because more people are buying the devices so the cost per device is lower.
Given that T-Mobile still want �7.50 per MB if I nip over to France, it's vital that this feature can be turned off.