Location found with MiFi and iPod Touch

rrick · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 5

I can get my location on an iPod touch using only the Verizon MiFi. How is this? It seems to work fine driving down a highway frequently refreshing itself, but only in populated areas. Is this due to the iPod picking up other WiFi signals and using the Skyhook service built in? When I am more rural, my location will default back to my billing address. I know it can locate itself without actually connecting to a hotspot, even without the MiFi active.
_________________
mifi

rrick · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 5

Simple as turning off the MiFi while in the populated area and watching the location update without the internet. Yes, the iPod Touch Mapping has a firmware database of SSIDs and their geographic locations without needing to connect to any.
_________________
mifi

bukzin · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 8:08 pm Post subject: Location

What is 'Location' ?

Is this related to GPS ?

Is it pre-loaded on my Verizon MiFi card or a download?

Thanks!

rrick · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 5

iPod touch has an internet mapping app like maps.google.com. It locates itself using WiFi signals somewhat analogously to a "GPS" cell phone using tower signals.
At first I thought the MiFi was the source of my location, but after reading about iPod's system, it is not hard to notice my location is always my Verizon billing address whenever the MiFi is the only WiFi signal around. It was confusing because the iPod picks up the random other WiFi signals without ever connecting.
_________________
mifi

bukzin · Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2009 9:47 pm Post subject:

So what are folks using this software/service for?

Thanks again

rrick · EVDO Newbie Joined: 17 Sep 2009 Posts: 5

If I can get my location from other WiFi signals in the area, I can download that local map via my internet connection on the MiFi. It has been very useful, but with a hint of aggravation when "local" WiFi signals are lost and the map scrolls all the way back to my house.
_________________
mifi