Google Maps Now Does Location By Tower Triangulation

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Ironic that we saw this over at our sister-site iPhone Blog, Phone different, since it doesn't yet work on the iPhone, but here's the skinny. The newest version of Google Maps will now take a shot at guessing your current location by looking at the relative signal strength of the cell towers around you. You can watch a cutesy YouTube Video to get an idea of how it works. No GPS necessary, baby!

This basically puts Google Maps a leg up on Windows Live Search, which had been our previous favorite map solution. Hopefully Microsoft will catch up soon, because we do prefer their directions and other features like movie times and gas prices. We also like WLS's voice search option, we just wish it worked a little more reliably.

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WC Staff
WC Staff
15 Comments
  • According to PCWorld article, My Location does not work with BlackJack, Treo 700w, or Q. I can confirm with my BlackJack that it does not work.
  • I can confirm that "My Location" doesn't work on my 700WX either. At least not with Sprint service. Google is very vague about what phones it does work on. Simply claiming those phones with Windows mobile, etc, etc.
  • It works on my Treo 750, AT&T WM6 ROW.
  • The service does not work for CDMA phones. (if you don't believe me ask anyone from sprint or verizon)
  • It works on my palm pre on sprint.
  • THe new version loads on my Q, but My Location doesn't work. "Temporarily unavailable," it says.
  • The service does not work for CDMA phones. (if you don't believe me ask anyone from sprint or verizon)
    How would someone from Sprint or Verizon know whether or not a Google application works? They barely know how their own stuff works. :eek:
    On another note, there was a post in the Google forums that an individual got his Treo to work with "My Location" by switching it(the phone) from 3G to 2G. I think he was in Europe though and so I don't even know if that is applicable to us?
  • How would someone from Sprint or Verizon know whether or not a Google application works? They barely know how their own stuff works. :eek:
    On another note, there was a post in the Google forums that an individual got his Treo to work with "My Location" by switching it(the phone) from 3G to 2G. I think he was in Europe though and so I don't even know if that is applicable to us?
    Funny. But it "sort of works." I have a CDMA Blackberry 8830 with Sprint and you would figure they would at least have this complement each other: use real GPS outside and A-GPS inside or where it's faster and more accurate. But nope, they choose A-GPS most of the time and it's wayyyy off, like miles off. It sucks. I want my old Google Maps but I can't find it anywhere.
  • Do you need to select the internal GPS to make GMM uses those coordinates since it was just installed? After installing 2.0 on my Curve, it defaulted to triangulation until I told it to use my BT GPS puck. Once I did that, it stopped using triangulation.
    I stopped/restarted GMM a few times to test and it always uses triangulation if my puck isn't connected. As soon as it is, it uses the puck coordinates. That's just the way I'd expect it to work.
  • It works on my treo 750 on gsm and umts. I can also say it works on verizon blackberry 8730e in Tampa Bay.
  • My Tilt doesn't seem to work.
  • By my Treo 750 does.
  • It kinda works on my TyTN II, but it pulled up a location about 3 minutes away from where I am now. Thats pretty good if you do not have gps,,,,,,,,,,, But since I do :D :D :D
    The GPS on my Kaiser is always within 20 feet of spot on :cool: :p :D
  • P.S. Im unlocked on att
  • Support of the Lou Zhu, Lou Zhu worked hard
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