GPS and Google Maps

[howie]

If there is a question like this already out there please point me to it. I searched and did not find anything.

Ok my question is has anyone had problems with the GPS not seeing were you are correctly? Mine show's me about 2 to 3 blocks off from where I am. I'm just wondering if this has been a problem and if I need to get a new phone or if there my be a fix.

[dkw0417]

It is probably finding you with Cell towers and that is not exact. Turn the option for cell towers and wifi location off and only let it use the actual GPS.

[jtcarlovr]

just give it a good minute or two and maybe try restarting the google maps and it should update itself. Mine does that too but after a minute it changes and is less than 10 feet off.

[kommodore]

Before RC30, my GPS would locate me out in a field in bum**** West Texas somewhere (I live smack in the center of Houston).

[f4phantomii]

Yes, the GPS takes a few minutes to figure out where you are. Basically it has to scan for which satellites are overhead and which ones it can see. Then it has to wait for a signal lock on at least three to get a 2D position fix. This process can take anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes.

Although I have to admit that I've been pretty impressed with the quality of the GPS receiver in the G1. I think it's a SiRFStar III receiver, which is absolutely one of the best on the market.

In any case, while the GPS chip is doing it's thing, the phone will attempt an approximate location based on the cell tower approximate position and signal strength. It's not as accurate (obviously) but is near instantaneous. This is good in that it give the GPS receiver a rough starting point so that it at least know which satellites to be looking for. This is why it's know as "Assisted" GPS.

I know on my older Garmin GPS, if I start it up cold after being off for a couple of weeks, it has to do a full sky search to figure out where in the heck it is. That could sometimes take up to 5 minutes.

[kommodore]

Wow... some helpful, useful information.

So little of that around here. Thanks =)

[jtcarlovr]

yes very helpful. you took my reply and stomped it in the dirt.. haha

[Wrytch]

I noticed the same thing the first time I turned on GPS, but as has been detailed above - it should lock in after a few minutes. It's been very accurate and more real-time than I expected - keeps up while driving etc (not that I look down at my phone while I'm driving; that would be dangerous).

[kommodore]

Update. I just walked outside and tried to get the GPS to find my location. My map turnd into the full world map (showing all the continents) and it located me floating in the ocean off the coast of Japan.

While I would like nothing more than to be doing that, I was however standing next to my office building in Houston, TX.

Congratulations Google Maps, you have successfully confirmed that I am indeed somewhere on planet earth.

[rynosaur]

Update. I just walked outside and tried to get the GPS to find my location. My map turnd into the full world map (showing all the continents) and it located me floating in the ocean off the coast of Japan.

While I would like nothing more than to be doing that, I was however standing next to my office building in Houston, TX.

Congratulations Google Maps, you have successfully confirmed that I am indeed somewhere on planet earth.

Wait, how are you sure that you're not in the Sea of Japan or in West Texas? I mean how do you really know? Maybe you and all the rest of us are living in this thing called "the matrix" and really, we're just connected to a giant computer while our bodies are kept alive for the enjoyment of giant, insect-like robots.

Think about it!