macnn

04/11/2008, 3:05pm, EDT

Friday, April 11th

GPS confirmed in iPhone 2.0?

A MacNN reader has discovered nearly conclusive proof that Apple is implementing GPS support in the next iPhone, with notes on the developer site mentioning altitude measurements – something that is impractical with current cell tower-based positioning due to accuracy. The note says little else regarding the "verticalAccuracy" variable, besides noting that it can be a positive or negative value, measured in meters, and that it is available in iPhone OS 2.0 or later.

The document relates to the "CLLocation Class Reference", and can be found on the Apple Developer Connection website.


Filed under: iPhone, industry, developer
Other story tags: GPS, ADC

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hayesk
Maybe
0
04/11, 4:15pm, EDT
That indicates software for it. It doesn't necessarily indicate it will have it build in.

iTunes had a WMA icon too, but that doesn't mean it played WMA files.

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Constable Odo
Conclusive proof?
0
04/11, 6:37pm, EDT
I'll wait until Walt Mossberg says the iPhone has built-in GPS, then I'll have my conclusive proof.

On second thought, maybe I should wait until I have one in my hands for conclusive proof.
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Joined Aug 2007
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Guest
GPS?
0
04/11, 7:15pm, EDT
Altitude could be provided by a sensor of atmospheric pressure. Even watches have this capability. It could be sophisticated enough to download current weather data to correct for changes in barometric pressure.
rytc
WMA
0
04/12, 10:36am, EDT
Under Windows iTunes could play WMA, well it was able to convert them to .ac3. The presence of this icon in the Mac version was probably from shared icon sets between the platforms.
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Joined Jan 2001
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sgs123
Don't forget Bluetooth
0
04/13, 9:12pm, EDT
I don't see how this is "conclusive" proof -- there are many available Bluetooth GPS receivers and it would make total sense to allow an iPhone to pair with one if available.

This would not require adding hardware or reducing the battery life of the iPhone.
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TylerDurdenesk
Headline
0
04/14, 4:17pm, EDT
Personally I like the question mark at the end of the headline.

Similar to others I've seen that read, "Apple to sidestep hackers with new firmware bricking feature?"

Both of these features may not see any implementation yet non-coding journalists are reporting based on what some homebrew hacker has "discovered" in non-finalized firmware.
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smokeonit

what about WPS?

0
05/30, 2:02pm, EDT

the article refers to cell tower triangulation, but not to WPS locating with data supplied by skyhook wireless...

the WPS feature on the iphone is pretty darn precise in areas that have been scanned by skyhook...

i think the reference in the iphone osX 2.0 is to the WPS feature and not to GPS... pairing with a bluetooth receiver makes uch more sense since the external receiver can be placed somewhere with a clear view to the sky!

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