Broadcom dips its chips in Skyhook WiFi positioning tech
by Nilay Patel 
posted Oct 2nd 2008 at 3:23PM
Skyhook's WiFi positioning service hasn't really appeared in many devices despite its high-profile usage in the iPhone, but now it looks like it's set to become downright ubiquitous -- Broadcom is planning on building it directly into its extremely popular WiFi chipsets. Just like Skyhook's deal with SiRF, the idea is to use WiFi positioning to supplement GPS in mobile devices, allowing location-based services to function indoors and in densely-built cities where GPS doesn't always work well. No word on when we might see any devices with Skyhook-enabled chips in them, but given Broadcom's reach in the market, we'd guess it won't be too long.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:38PM
This is that Dark Knight Wifi device that calls in an airplane to swoop you away when you press a button right?
AlekZander @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:14PM
I hope they know what they're doing. Since it was first announced, this system has struck me as rather suspect. What if a new wireless network with the same SSID appears on the other side of the city? What if they just move the access point? I assume they're working on these problems, but still.
Zombiotic @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:50PM
Is the founder of the company Lucious Foxx?
horizontaleight @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:14PM
Have someone's MAC address? Find their location with Skyhook...
Luke @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:20PM
Batman used Skyhook in The Dark Knight to escape from Chinese people.
lawyer bird @ Oct 2nd 2008 5:13PM
that's what I was thinking too...
Wasabi @ Oct 2nd 2008 4:32PM
Based on my personal experience with the Itouch, it's never once worked for me with any of the built-in or 3rd party location based apps and I know at least 2 other people who have the same experience as I. I've even gone so far as to add my router's MAC addy and GSAT locations into SkyNe...hook's database and still no luck at all. I don't see this replacing GPS in its current incarnation at all, but supplementing an existing GPS chip as it is with the Iphone for example would seem a good fit; Especially in dense urban areas where it appears to function best.
Julian Bond @ Oct 4th 2008 2:55AM
Skyhook, Loki has been around for what? 2 years now?
And it *still* doesn't have real support for anywhere outside USA/Canada. Gah!
Please deliver us from location based services that are USA only.