Existing users, 
GPS application for the iPhone debuts: Brief review and screenshots
Posted 19 September 2007 @ 10am in Uncategorized
A GPS (global positioning application) for the iPhone has debuted, and though it’s somewhat inaccurate, it works to fulfill one of the most contentious functionality gaps left by Apple, showing — in the iPhone’s Google Maps application — an approximation of exactly where your iPhone is located on the globe.
Dubbed Navizon and available through Installer.app under the “Network” section (see our guide for accessing the wealth of applications offered through this package manager), the applications works
Upon installing and launching the application, you are prompted to register with Navizon by launching the Safari (directly on the iPhone) and filling in a username and password. You can then go back to the application, enter your login credentials and click the “Locate” button. The location process takes a while — up to a minute — but works surprisingly well. Google Maps is automatically launched, pegging your current location. Simple and effective. The next time you launch Navizon, it will automatically find your location without any prompting. There is also a Directions button, which will simply launch Google Maps with your current location in the “Start” field.images
The tool is somewhat inaccurate. In our testing, Navizone pegged us directly across the river from our office — about a 200 yard discrepancy. Still, we’re impressed.
Navizon works by triangulating signals broadcasted from Wi-Fi access points and Cellular towers. According to the company Web site:
“The Navizon network is based on a collaborative database. Members with a GPS device can use Navizon to map the Wi-Fi and cellular landscape in their neighborhoods. Once they synchronize their data, it is made available to all the other users of the network. This way, users who don’t have a GPS device can benefit from a positioning system. And it’s free for personal use!”
Feedback? info@iphoneatlas.com.
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11 Comments
Posted by HighTechDad
19 September 2007 @ 10am
I just installed this (prior to seeing this post) and using WiFi, it was able to get my location within 1/2 block! Pretty accurate for me but I am in a heavy wifi area. My test with EDGE produced an “Unable to Locate” result, saying that “Your location could not be identified. No known Cells or WiFi nodes in range.” Guess it will take some time for the DB to build.
Pretty interesting concept though, collaborative database coupled with cell/wifi triangulation.
-HTD
Posted by eplantz
19 September 2007 @ 11am
does not work for me. Says “unable to determine location”. I have solid EDGE connection and WiFi.
Posted by alanstall
19 September 2007 @ 12pm
Would it be possible to do the same thing with a bluetooth GPS reciever? I use a Tom-Tom with my old Palm. Would be great to do that with iPhone. GPS is the one functioanlity I sorely miss on the iPhone.
Posted by iphoneatlass-alx
19 September 2007 @ 12pm
Wait…
“works surprisingly wellâ€
“The tool is somewhat inaccurateâ€
Make up your mind.
Posted by mike3k_dotmac
19 September 2007 @ 1pm
It didn’t work for me. I also got “unable to determine locationâ€. I’m connected via my home WiFi.
Posted by rluciano
20 September 2007 @ 6am
Unable to determine location in 5 different attempts ( at different locations) all in Austin, TX. I agree with alanstall I used to use a Treo 650 and the only thing I miss is GPS. I still have a bluetooth GPS, anyway to access this?
Posted by eplantz
20 September 2007 @ 11am
While this did not work at home with a solid EDGE connection and Wifi, I tried it in the car on the road and it worked great.
Posted by Aquia33
21 September 2007 @ 5am
I am also getting the “unable to determine location†message. An iPhone app that interfaces a BT GPS with google maps would be nirvana.
Posted by SerenityLodge
21 September 2007 @ 6am
I installed yesterday, Raleigh, NC. Can’t locate me. I tried on my way (I40) to and from Durham, NC yesterday, through the Research Triangle (heavily tech territory) and it never was able to locate me. So, doesn’t seem to work around here.
Posted by RobertS440
21 September 2007 @ 7pm
I have looked with the Installer.app on my iPhone, browsed the Navizon site with my iPhone and viewed the site with my Mac.
There is no longer a link present for the iPhone. The first time I looked this afternoon, it was there and I thought I had a wrong installer, I then went back to the site and all of the instructions for iPhone has disappeared…
Posted by RobertS440
30 September 2007 @ 9pm
Shortly after I posted the above message, I tried again. I downloaded v1.0.1 and tested it from my home which has marginal ATT connection. No surprise about the result. I tried several times and then suddenly when I was closer to civilization I got a hit. Funny. Many times I get five bars with the ATT signal indicator and yet no location. I checked the Navizon home page and found (after several clicks deep) that my coverage area included several Verizon towers. However, there are apparently no ATT towers? I find that I get NO location unless I connect to an AP also. Right now, I apparently only have two vector points, my AP and a Verizon tower within range and probably need third vector to locate me.
This all makes sense. I also found that the accuracy depends upon which access point, which tower, etc. I have two points about 1000 ft appart. One gives me a location about 150-200 ft SSE of my actual location. The other gives me a point about 200-300 ft N to NNW of my physical location.
Actually not bad if you can locate towers and ap’s in your area. NOT great for GPS work in nature.