GPS and Google Maps

[howie]

If there is a question like this already out there please point me to it. I searched and did not find anything.

Ok my question is has anyone had problems with the GPS not seeing were you are correctly? Mine show's me about 2 to 3 blocks off from where I am. I'm just wondering if this has been a problem and if I need to get a new phone or if there my be a fix.

[dkw0417]

It is probably finding you with Cell towers and that is not exact. Turn the option for cell towers and wifi location off and only let it use the actual GPS.

[jtcarlovr]

just give it a good minute or two and maybe try restarting the google maps and it should update itself. Mine does that too but after a minute it changes and is less than 10 feet off.

[kommodore]

Before RC30, my GPS would locate me out in a field in bum**** West Texas somewhere (I live smack in the center of Houston).

[f4phantomii]

Yes, the GPS takes a few minutes to figure out where you are. Basically it has to scan for which satellites are overhead and which ones it can see. Then it has to wait for a signal lock on at least three to get a 2D position fix. This process can take anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes.

Although I have to admit that I've been pretty impressed with the quality of the GPS receiver in the G1. I think it's a SiRFStar III receiver, which is absolutely one of the best on the market.

In any case, while the GPS chip is doing it's thing, the phone will attempt an approximate location based on the cell tower approximate position and signal strength. It's not as accurate (obviously) but is near instantaneous. This is good in that it give the GPS receiver a rough starting point so that it at least know which satellites to be looking for. This is why it's know as "Assisted" GPS.

I know on my older Garmin GPS, if I start it up cold after being off for a couple of weeks, it has to do a full sky search to figure out where in the heck it is. That could sometimes take up to 5 minutes.

[kommodore]

Wow... some helpful, useful information.

So little of that around here. Thanks =)

[jtcarlovr]

yes very helpful. you took my reply and stomped it in the dirt.. haha

[Wrytch]

I noticed the same thing the first time I turned on GPS, but as has been detailed above - it should lock in after a few minutes. It's been very accurate and more real-time than I expected - keeps up while driving etc (not that I look down at my phone while I'm driving; that would be dangerous).

[kommodore]

Update. I just walked outside and tried to get the GPS to find my location. My map turnd into the full world map (showing all the continents) and it located me floating in the ocean off the coast of Japan.

While I would like nothing more than to be doing that, I was however standing next to my office building in Houston, TX.

Congratulations Google Maps, you have successfully confirmed that I am indeed somewhere on planet earth.

[rynosaur]

Update. I just walked outside and tried to get the GPS to find my location. My map turnd into the full world map (showing all the continents) and it located me floating in the ocean off the coast of Japan.

While I would like nothing more than to be doing that, I was however standing next to my office building in Houston, TX.

Congratulations Google Maps, you have successfully confirmed that I am indeed somewhere on planet earth.


Wait, how are you sure that you're not in the Sea of Japan or in West Texas? I mean how do you really know? Maybe you and all the rest of us are living in this thing called "the matrix" and really, we're just connected to a giant computer while our bodies are kept alive for the enjoyment of giant, insect-like robots.

Think about it!

[kommodore]

Wait, how are you sure that you're not in the Sea of Japan or in West Texas? I mean how do you really know? Maybe you and all the rest of us are living in this thing called "the matrix" and really, we're just connected to a giant computer while our bodies are kept alive for the enjoyment of giant, insect-like robots.

Think about it!

As sound as your theory appears to be, it's not relieving any of the frustration.

Thanks, though... rly...

=)

[hgigh]

i look down at my phone while driving... into a ditch hahaha

[kommodore]

i look down at my phone while driving... into a ditch hahaha

I practice safe text; I use both hands.... and drive with my knee.

**edit: That's so awesome, it's going in my sig**

[rynosaur]

Here's my serious answer: clear your Maps application cache in the apps menu.

The way I get my GPS to home-in correctly, and faster, without turning off the "A" part of our AGPS, is to hit "my location" on the menu every 15 seconds or so. Hasn't failed me yet, but maybe my intervention does nothing.

If that doesn't cure the FACT that you are halfway around the globe, I recommend moving to another state. For all you know, they scrambled the GPS in Texas so you can never, never leave without finding a paper map and/or reading several road signs.

[dkvitus]

My GPS works very well, I try to play hide and seek with it but it spots me all the time with a lot of ease...

[Infinatenothing]

Wait, how are you sure that you're not in the Sea of Japan or in West Texas? I mean how do you really know? Maybe you and all the rest of us are living in this thing called "the matrix" and really, we're just connected to a giant computer while our bodies are kept alive for the enjoyment of giant, insect-like robots.

Think about it!
I knew I should have taken the blue pill dammit

[rynosaur]

There is no spoon . . .

and your battery is NOT down to 67% after you used your G1 for 5 minutes, Neo.

[howie]

It is probably finding you with Cell towers and that is not exact. Turn the option for cell towers and wifi location off and only let it use the actual GPS.


FTW This is exactly what the problem was. As soon as I turned "Use wireless networks" off, bingo it works. Thanks for all the great feedback.

[hgigh]

I practice safe text; I use both hands.... and drive with my knee.

**edit: That's so awesome, it's going in my sig**
safe text hahaha. i like that.

[JaceMan]

I practice safe text; I use both hands....

Ummm, gee -- you must have a big phone.

[kommodore]

Ummm, gee -- you must have a big phone.

No. I just have small hands.

(I have to pile on clothes like a homeless woman just to get the scale to read 105)

[JaceMan]

No. I just have small hands.

(I have to pile on clothes like a homeless woman just to get the scale to read 105)

Since you have the clothes to spare, it might be a nice gesture to donate some of those clothes to an ACTUAL homeless woman. Dontcha think?

[kommodore]

Since you have the clothes to spare, it might be a nice gesture to donate some of those clothes to an ACTUAL homeless woman. Dontcha think?

Me and my bf recently donated like 3 heavy duty trashbags of clothes to Goodwill. And by recently I mean last week.

=)

[JaceMan]

How very "bleeding heart" of you!

[kommodore]

Ha ha **** you! lol

You're a sassy one! I like you...

[jrokwitdacapitals18]

The maps and street view is pretty awful . Everytime I put it in street view , I never find street views . The only time I got street views is when I searched for ny and the playboy masion in ca. The iPhone maps is by far better and faster at locating me . I'm sick of scrolling and it's a checkerboard. Also how do u use compass mode or does the am just suck?

[Onlychevy6]

I think us Houston area folk are just doomed. It tells me i am a couple of mile from where i am sitting. I live in Magnolia and it show me in like plantersville. out by the Renaissance fair. And i live off of 1488 and 1774. Weird. Now my old blackberry found me right away. not 700m away.

[B_Man]

GPS sees what side of my house I am in. I will bet the people that cant get it to work dont have there setting correct.

Street view is great! when in street view hit menu and turn on compas and move around. GREAT APP

[zombiesohno]

my gps used to suck completely before i turned on the option to enable gps satellites. before then it used to say i was in the lake a mile away from my house. haha.

[zombiesohno]

I think us Houston area folk are just doomed. It tells me i am a couple of mile from where i am sitting. I live in Magnolia and it show me in like plantersville. out by the Renaissance fair. And i live off of 1488 and 1774. Weird. Now my old blackberry found me right away. not 700m away.

haha, yeah. i live in houston as well, actually sugar land. try enabling the gps satellites option it helps a lot. i never have that problem anymore now.

[Bascule]

A quick question from a prospective G1 buyer. Still umming and erring at the moment!

I've only heard mention of the compass in association with the Street View feature. Can anyone advise me if the compass can be enabled in Maps so that maps will automatically orient themselves so that they are aligned with your actual surroundings?