Cell phone built in GPS - not (Was: Open Source vs. Closed Source)

[Fred]

On Tuesday 24 January 2006 09:55, Bill Freeman wrote:
> Fred writes:
>  > And while we are on the subject -- some PDA "smart phones" come
>  > equipped with their own GPS chip, but it seems this is never made
>  > use of by mapping software, forcing one to buy a separate GPS
>  > device anyway. Is there a way to access the built-in GPS chip for
>  > application use? Or are the manufactures deliberately closing off
>  > or restricting access to it?
>
> 	Just one data point from a conversation with a Verizon tech:
> Some of what gets called GPS isn't.  This is all because of the E-911
> stuff where the cell providers must pass along you location.  Most
> carriers don't actually use GPS for this, but do clever
> "triangulation" (not really that either) from multiple cell towers.
> It seems that the phone has to do a couple of extra tricks for this to
> work well, so some older phones don't have the capability.  These
> carriers (at least Verizon the last time that I replaced a phone)
> calls this feature "GPS" in their marketing literature, rather than
> come up with a new name that they'd have to explain to the average
> customer.

Marketing games again.  Gee, I feel so stupid. Besides, GPS receivers need a 
*clear line of sight* to the satellites they're syncing with.  In an 
"emergency" situation this may not be possible.

How silly of me to assume that just because they call it "GPS" that it really 
*is* GPS. How naive I am. Well, I'll never make that mistake again. And that 
explains why I can't find much on using the "GPS chip" in these devices -- 
because in many cases there is no such.

-Fred