Google Maps Cell Triangulation on VZW TP2

Kushiel · #1 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 08:21 PM

Did anyone else notice that Google Maps cell triangulation works incredibly well on the VZW TP2? I got off the metro, pulled up Google Maps, and it instantly knew where I had come out of the tunnel. About 10 seconds later it got a GPS lock and narrowed down my location even further!

Even better, the whole "Continue to share you location with Latitude" actually seems to work and is updating my location even when I'm not running Google Maps! I don't know how it affects the battery life, but I must say I love my TP2

SKS06460 · #2 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 08:37 PM

I have the Sprint TP2. In a totally unscientific study of only one point, my home, the cell triangulation was pretty far off, but it only claimed to be within a 1400 yard radius.
The GPS was very close.

Kushiel · #3 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 09:39 PM

Ok, so the triangulation isn't totally accurate, but it is still a first that you can triangulate using a windows mobile CDMA phone! I think that the GSM radio is still on even when using CDMA and it is using that to figure out where it is. Cool, huh?

Meanee · #4 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 09:46 PM

About 400 feet usually indoors. Tried multiple locations, 400 was the average.

By the way, my GSM radio is turned off, I am on CDMA only.

8notime · #5 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushiel

Did anyone else notice that Google Maps cell triangulation works incredibly well on the VZW TP2? I got off the metro, pulled up Google Maps, and it instantly knew where I had come out of the tunnel. About 10 seconds later it got a GPS lock and narrowed down my location even further!

Even better, the whole "Continue to share you location with Latitude" actually seems to work and is updating my location even when I'm not running Google Maps! I don't know how it affects the battery life, but I must say I love my TP2

It works equally well with Bing maps also.

Kushiel · #6 (**permalink**) 09-21-2009, 11:08 PM

Ok, so I was wondering if it was just an update to Google Maps Mobile, but I just tried the latest version on my wife's Touch Pro and the cell id triangulation doesn't work. It must be something new in the radio drivers of the TP2...

Protonus · #7 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 03:41 AM

I just got the latest google maps the other day. It's probably a stupid question but how did you know when it was using cell triangulation vs GPS. Also in the old version I was used too on my Titan it would say how many satellites it was locked too, I've yet to see that in this version? I have a terrible feeling I'm missing something simple.

ramborami · #8 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 11:28 AM

Try updating your QuickGPS application download- weekly, and you will get relatively instant GPS locks!

lallen3 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-22-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushiel

Ok, so the triangulation isn't totally accurate, but it is still a first that you can triangulate using a windows mobile CDMA phone! I think that the GSM radio is still on even when using CDMA and it is using that to figure out where it is. Cool, huh?

It uses tower based ping time to triangulate, while at the same time GPS's your phone. The result is fast locating of the handset. I have Sprint, and so far it works MUCH better than TP1 did.

**bedoig** · #10 (**permalink**) 09-23-2009, 05:58 PM

It's working on a Sprint TP(1) with NRGZ28's latest ROM as well. I wonder exactly what is allowing us access now. Is it just a matter of having correct server settings, or is there actually a service on the device that is communicating securely with the towers to access the AFLT data. Anyone have the details?

Outside of a handful of phones (Palm Pre for example) tower based location services haven't been available from CDMA carriers. I wonder if they're finally opening up access. Well, hopefully now that there are a few WM phones offering it we can port it to others. Sweet, I've been waiting for this for a long time. Cell ID info has been available on GSM networks forever, but it seems that our local CDMA carriers have been trying to find ways to monetize it. Maybe they're giving up.