Google unveils GPS-less handset locator technology

If your smartphone came with a built-in GPS receiver, you can choose to just overlook Google's latest technology, but if your mobile is among the 85-percent (or so) out there lacking an integrated GPS module, listen up. The search giant has revealed new software (dubbed My Location) that enables non-GPS-equipped phones to be pinpointed within three miles of their actual location. Google is claiming that it can provide "neighborhood-level" data, and that pressing "0" while in the app will enable users to skip the task of entering in a starting address when looking up directions. Notably, the system is not set up to collect phone numbers or any other personal details, and for those still paranoid, it can indeed be switched off. Currently, the tracking database still has a few gaps to be filled -- namely locales in Europe and all of China / Japan -- but Google could very well use the location data to eventually provide targeted ads to those who use it.

[Image courtesy of TracyAndMatt, thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[klew @ Nov 29th 2007 12:23AM]

I installed it on my T-Mobile Dash this afternoon and couldn't get it to work, full reception in the San Francisco bay Area, said "your location is temporarily unavailable"

[JeffM @ Nov 29th 2007 1:02AM]

No response here in Santa Clara, CA - I'll try it tomorrow on Google's campus and see if it works there. :P

[Steven @ Nov 29th 2007 9:41PM]

Any one know if this could be used with the PSP GPS addon that would be cool

[imacmatt09 @ Nov 29th 2007 12:25AM]

What's funny is that the read link story was posted on Yahoo News.

[randy @ Nov 29th 2007 1:24AM]

Yeah, freaking hilarious. Now, seriously:

WHEN will we iPhone users get this? I want this NOW! Google and Apple: how dare you make me wait in line behind users of ancient Windows CE devices!

[andi @ Nov 29th 2007 4:50AM]

a smartphone is open and has upgradable apps, just like on the computer... the iphone is no smartphone. that easy... so, maybe with the next relocking punkbustin' software update? :))

[Jon @ Nov 29th 2007 9:45AM]

Next time buy a real phone.

[Alexander @ Nov 29th 2007 10:48AM]

To quote Donnie Baker (Bob and Tom guest):

Shut up Randy!

The iPhone is NOT a smart phone. It's actually a pretty dumb phone, with a couple of neat tricks that make it LOOK like a smart phone.

[sawaaaaaaan @ Nov 29th 2007 12:29AM]

Can't get it to work for me: PPC 6700 (w/ WM6) in Durham, NC on Sprint
'Your current location is temporarily unavailable'

[imacmatt09 @ Nov 29th 2007 12:35AM]

Come on man this is a family orientated blog. Let's keep it PG.

Damn spammer ;)

[jaysins @ Nov 29th 2007 12:46AM]

I was messing around wit it on my N95 and usually got around .4 to .2 miles off from my actual gps position which is pretty cool. Certainly helpful. Funny thing is google maps gets a faster gps lock on than nokia's on maps program.

[bachviet @ Nov 29th 2007 12:46AM]

Installed in my 5700 and it worked perfectly (Orange County - California).

[Common Core 2 Duo!! @ Nov 29th 2007 12:47AM]

Or a video for....kicks

http://www.google.com/gmm/mylocation.html?hl=en

[bachviet @ Nov 29th 2007 12:48AM]

Installed GMM in my Nokia 5700 and this feature worked perfectly in Orange County, California.

[BiG� @ Nov 29th 2007 12:50AM]

works well on my n73.

[Andrew Stone @ Nov 29th 2007 1:10AM]

Genius. How can we get this working on the iPhone?

[andi @ Nov 29th 2007 4:51AM]

not :)

[batfastad @ Nov 29th 2007 6:22AM]

Sell it and buy a smartphone :)

[Jon @ Nov 29th 2007 9:43AM]

Buy a smartphone that allows you to install native apps. Like Nokia's S60, WMs or even Treos.

[Common Core 2 Duo!! @ Nov 29th 2007 10:14AM]

Theres a similar program on Installer.app for the iPhone.


Works just like it.

Search for it.

[Andrew Stone @ Nov 29th 2007 10:19AM]

I love how you idiots (Core 2 excluded) ignore the question to say something completely unhelpful and unrelated. You are probably the same people hanging out over in the comments section of a windows story getting pissed at the apple kids for saying anything.

I actually have a moto q for work. I like it.

I hate the idiots who can't get over my desire to own and make use of my iPhone. Just as much as i hate the morons who FREAK cause i'm not completely enamored with its current featureset.

Get a life.

[Common Core 2 Duo!! @ Nov 29th 2007 10:22AM]

http://www.gpsreview.net/navizon-iphone-gps/


Enjoy

[Stoobiedoo @ Nov 29th 2007 1:11AM]

It crashes on startup with my sprint katana. I had to search around for a while to find a link to downgrade to an older version.

[ethan @ Nov 29th 2007 11:37PM]

i haven't tried to do it on my katana 2 yet. I have google maps, though, that I downloaded awhile ago.How do I get this new feature?

[Andres @ Dec 1st 2007 4:46AM]

I had the same problem on my Sprint samsung a900. I've been looking around for the previous version too. Do you possibly still have the link?

[Stoobiedoo @ Dec 1st 2007 11:54AM]

http://www.google.com/gmm/support.html has a link that points to
http://www.google.com/gmm/apps/v1.3.0/L1/gmaps-Generic-Advanced_WindowsCE_L1.jad

All the way back down to version 1.3.0 but it works and still has traffic. You might be able to reverse hack their folder scheme, but I didn't spend the time.

[michael @ Nov 29th 2007 1:13AM]

I think Live Maps already beat Google with this one.

Live Maps > Options > Location Finder > Locate Me

I haven't tried it, but I assume it works. So this doesn't seem new to me.

[Jeff @ Nov 29th 2007 1:20AM]

er... it's new to Google Maps.
so maybe it isn't new to you, but you're not Google Maps.

[michael @ Nov 29th 2007 1:26AM]

@Jeff:

Ok, like I said, I was just pointing out that this wasn't something brand new.

I bet there's also many 3rd party apps. to put a GPS function on your phone.

[Duscrom @ Nov 29th 2007 1:55AM]

Ironically Live maps, or Whatever WinMo's map program is supirior to Google Maps in almost every way. It's one of the things I miss on iPhone.

[michael @ Nov 29th 2007 2:02AM]

@Duscroom:

So Live Maps won't work on the iPhone? Is that what you're saying?

That's kind of sad. I thought iPhone's internet browser could pick up websites, even sites like Live Maps. So the iPhone can't pick up that? Does anything show up when you connect? I'm just wondering.

[Ike Turner @ Nov 29th 2007 4:01AM]

Wich version of Live Maps are you tlaking about?

[Freerefill @ Nov 29th 2007 7:39AM]

I use Live Maps and Google Earth on a nearly daily basis. Google Earth is far easier to use and has a very nice distance measuring feature (which I use often), Live Maps occasionally has better images and birds-eye photos, which are a great help. One better than the other? They both have their strong points, though I must say, Windows isn't the type to provide decent products for free. I'll bet you, Google Earth will leap clearly ahead eventually.

And while I'm at it, Google Earth is AMAZING software. For you astronomers out there, try it out!!! It's an interactive map of the skies with absolutely incredible clarity.

[Jeff @ Nov 29th 2007 1:19AM]

I installed it on my Samsung m610 this morning, and it says that "My Location is not supported on this phone" ...even though the phone has a (crappy) GPS...

I wonder if this is a GSM thing - anyone had any luck at all with this new feature on a CDMA network? (Sprint, specifically, or even verizon...)

[Derek @ Nov 29th 2007 1:27AM]

got the same thing on my sprint samsung A900

[Scott @ Nov 29th 2007 1:27AM]

I can't get my location here in Los Angeles. Is this a California problem or what?

[modenadude @ Nov 29th 2007 2:55AM]

I'm in the Valley and it's working for me on T-Mobile on my Nokia E61i - so I don't know who the problems are affecting... :(

[Trent @ Nov 29th 2007 11:09AM]

I am in San Diego on a Treo 700w and it's saying current location is temporarily unavaliable.

Anyone else having issues?

[eric Miller @ Nov 29th 2007 1:41AM]

Works great on my Blackberry 8830 here in Sacramento. Figures, I just added the 9.99 GPS service to my account and setup VZ navigator. Guess I should have held out for a few days. I like it!

[Kyle Barrow @ Nov 29th 2007 1:45AM]

It works OK in Osaka, Japan:
http://pukupi.com/blog/view.php?blog=3028

[Jon Briggs @ Nov 29th 2007 1:48AM]

I have this on my tilt and its just a matter of time before Navizon & Telenav eat it.

[azee1v1 @ Nov 29th 2007 2:06AM]

I just tried it on my Blackberry, Google Maps Mobile v. 2.0

It's pretty accurate, the only problem is if you live in an urban environment (like me) you would want more precise location to make it useful for location directions. Or else you will have to look for an address or cross street to manually enter in the directions feature when looking for driving directions.

[rndmnme @ Nov 29th 2007 8:16AM]

Mine was dead on, but on my blackberry 8830 the track ball did not scroll through the menus. Instead I had to use the number pad for an odd array of choices.

FYI BB users having this issue.
2: Exit
4: Search, Satellite, Show traffic (Press to again to cycle through)
5: Directions
6: Favorite
7: Zoom
9: Clear Map

[peterjon @ Nov 29th 2007 2:13AM]

Doesnt work on my treo 650 doesnt even install the 2.0.0 version.

[witsend @ Nov 29th 2007 2:39AM]

Doesn't work on 700p either. Despite the links indicating that you are downloading v2.0, it isn't available for the Treo yet. I searched the Google Maps for Mobile forum and it seems everyone is having the same issue. It would be nice if their website didn't tease us.

[Ryan @ Nov 29th 2007 2:35AM]

For all you iPhone users that want this to work on your iPhone, try the next best thing. Theres a program called "Navizon GPS" that can be downloaded through installer.app on your iphone (assuming you have a jailbroken iPhone). This has been out for months now and is basically the same thing. THIS IS NOT NEW TECHNOLOGY. By clicking on Navizon GPS, i can quickly have my location found (to within a couple hundered feet), and those coordinates plugged into the iPhones Google Maps Application. If you want more information on JailBreaking an iPhone check out ModMyiFone.com

[Chroma @ Nov 29th 2007 8:25AM]

I had that on my iPhone and it wouldn't work for me.

[digitalburro @ Nov 29th 2007 9:21AM]

I used Navizon until my trial expired. I found it to be very accurate while in New York, but when roaming it tended to be a bit flaky. I'd been debating actually buying the Navizon software, but knowing that Google has duplicated the functionality I'm content waiting for an update to the built in Google Maps App.

[jeff goodstein @ Nov 29th 2007 2:36AM]

Cool, the map shown in the example is my old neighborhood! Good ol' Washington Heights.

I still visit my mother there every few weekends.

[Gorjan @ Nov 29th 2007 2:55AM]

Wow, totally new technology! Haha, I have had this on my 3G phone on the 3 network here in Denmark for years now.