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

[Ben Scott]

On 1/25/06, Fred <puissante at lrc.puissante.com> wrote:
> Besides, GPS receivers need a *clear line of sight* to the
> satellites they're syncing with.

  OTOH, I've successfully used GPS devices indoors.  "Line of sight"
to a radio isn't always the same as to a person.

> How silly of me to assume that just because they call it "GPS" that it really
> *is* GPS.

  Heh heh heh.  Indeed.

  FWIW, this issue was discussed briefly last night at the
after-after-meeting.  The opinion of those around me was that my
el-cheapo Nextel phone -- a Motorola iDEN i530 -- does have real GPS. 
It has a menu option named "GPS" (which we know means nothing), but it
does give lat and long in degrees, estimated accuracy in feet, and
"number of satelites used".  OTOH, I have to let the phone sit
unmoving for a few minutes to get a fix.

-- Ben