AlwaysOnGPS: bridging GPS and WiFi
by Barb Dybwad 
posted Jun 10th 2005 at 5:27AM
One of the more common issues with using GPS is its line of sight requirements — if you're in an urban area with
substantial skyline, indoors or elsewhere without a good line to the sky, you could be out of luck in the accurate
coordinates department. The AlwaysOnGPS service is designed to bridge that gap in global positioning by automagically
switching your WiFi enabled PocketPC or PDA over to a WiFi Positioning System, obviating those line of sight
requirements. It's simply a piece of software and not a third-party service, so it's a one time licensing fee of $19.95
to purchase the application; 30-day trial available, as well.
[Thanks, Emily]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
flava @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM
This sounds like great use for the growing number of wifi access points and it may just be the solution for the annoying wait for for gps fix aquisition. Wonder what the accuracy will is like.
Bruce Carroll @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM
Doesn't this service break some sort of law? Long ago I remember reading an article about GPS and why it does not work indoors. It had something to do with national security and the military. While it is neat I am sorry, there is no reason that anyone needs to know where they are in a building within x feet etc.
Chasqui @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM
Bruce, I don't think you have a clear understanding of how the tech. works. With GPS your unit needs to have decent "view" of the satelites above to calculate its position based on the difference in the signal timings it receives.
The whole secutity thing came in because the gov. limited the accuracy of the timing data. I belive that is no longer the case.
Anywho - I also have to wonder about the accuracy of using wi-fi to position to any great (sub-meter?) accuracy. The site does not say what kind of accuracy it delivers - just that its their pattented technology.
I can see how useful a map with live positions of personnel and assets might be. Think "Marauder's Map" from the Harry Potter series.
frank @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM
I'm just gonna go ahead and ask the question most of you are embarassed to... How does this work? I understand how GPS works but how does getting on an internet connection tell you where you are?
Emily @ Dec 19th 2005 1:23AM
This from their forum:
http://www.alwaysongps.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=3
It should answer your question.