Does iPad 2 WiFi Really Have No GPS???

While WiFi can be used for the purpose I don't know of any device manufacturers that are using WiFi with A-GPS, with the problem being maintaining a correct database of location information regarding the location of the routers. I know for a fact that Apple does not use WiFi as part of A-GPS, which is why non-3G ipads and the iPod Touch do not list this capability.

I do agree, tethering can pass on location information and as was pointed out far earlier in this thread you can use BT GPS devices with the iPad WiFi for location information.

Deggie,

I have a feeling your reading all this online now as the thread grows and without thinking posting the knowledge you have gained.

People here say they got a location lock on their WiFi devices, I believe them.

I also also tested iPods, iPads with WiFi only to test the WiFi A-GPS server.

It locks on.

If I could Deggie/Chris, I would just have the original poster give you the 10 points so you would stop contradicting people.

People here say they got a location lock on their WiFi devices, I believe them.

I believe them also as I have a location lock right now on my wifi only iPad.

I also also tested iPods, iPads with WiFi only to test the WiFi A-GPS server.

You have access to a "WiFi A-GPS Server"?

As noted, we are two different people.

Read through the thread carefully and you may learn something.

You want me to read it again after having read it like 30 times already?

Please read pages 2-4 when I expalin a bit more detail about A-GPS.

It's impossible having a mature conversation with you.

Not sure why you feel this way.

You post incorrect info and we ask for clarification but you don't post it.

You have access to a "WiFi A-GPS Server"?

What exaclty is this? Got a make/model #?

MultiplePerspectives wrote:

Chris/Deggie or what other accounts you may have.

Read through the thread carefully and you may learn something.

It's impossible having a mature conversation with you.

1. Almost everything you say is either misleading, incomplete, or totally incorrect.

2. Almost everything you think you know, you don't.

3. 'Nuff said.

Actually this is a common misconception. AGPS is not at all used to achieve better coverage than GPS can provide. A-GPS is used to triangulate your position and make the decision on which GPS satelite to use after you have gotten your geo coordinate. So if you get no GPS signal there is no way that A-GPS will work either.

Oh and as to why the wi-fi only iPad has no GPS ... without the cellular signal you cannot get the GPS to work either. You do not however need to have a sim in the slot or an active data plan. All towers broadcast their location to any device that is listening and triangulation is in fact done on the device (iPad) and not the tower.

sigh...

grouver wrote:

Oh and as to why the wi-fi only iPad has no GPS

Becuase Apple did not put a GPS receiver (of any kind) inot the wifi only iPad.

without the cellular signal you cannot get the GPS to work either.

You don't need a cellular signal to use GPS. Even A-GPS will work fine with no cell signal.

In response to Apple:

Why would anyone want GPS when not connected to the internet. Because there are maping apps in the I store which do not require you to be on the internet to use app like navionics. When I am out on my boat at sea there are no cell phone towers so I need a GPS inside the ipad that works independent from a phone. THAT IS WHY!!!!!!! So I guess I will buy an Android tablet instead it has a GPS.

The only statement that you make in your comment that is partially true is this;

A-GPS is used to triangulate your position and make the decision on which GPS satelite to use after you have gotten your geo coordinate.

Apple verifies its partial accuracy; Verify that you have a cellular or Wi-Fi network connection. This allows the Assisted GPS (A-GPS) on the device to locate visible GPS satellites faster, in addition to providing initial location information using the Wi-Fi or cellular networks.

The remainder of Apple's statement howerver shows you are in error regarding;

So if you get no GPS signal there is no way that A-GPS will work either.

This allows the Assisted GPS (A-GPS) on the device to locate visible GPS satellites faster, in addition to providing initial location information using the Wi-Fi or cellular networks.

Maintain a clear view of the horizon in several directions. Keep in mind that walls, vehicle roofs, tall buildings, mountains, and other obstructions can block line of sight to GPS satellites. When this occurs, your device will automatically use Wi-Fi or cellular networks to determine your position, until the GPS satellites are visible again.

iOS 5: Understanding Location Services; http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4995

One of the reasons that Chris, Deggie and I volunteer to assist here is not because we know everything that there is to know about Apple products, I learn things in these forums everyday, but we are long term users and well experienced. I usually try not to comment if I think I am unfamiliar with the topic and not versed in what I share here. So it would be nice if certain new users stopped trying to show us up for some reason.

If you want the GPS feature on a WIFI iPad you should look into a bluethooth GPS

http://www.gns-gmbh.com/index.php?id=194&L=1

This works really well I use it in an airplane. If you have an app which downloads the map into your local memory (16,32 oe 64GB) you can pepare a trip that way and just use the bluetootth GPS.

If you have a hotspot through a smart phone or a MIFI you can go along with the map or weather info being downloded/updated as you go and the more precise GPS coordinates displayed on that map There are some altitude restrictions though with the data access via cellphone/MIFI for the map, not for the GPS.

So the safest way is to have a map or chart stored in your WIFI iPad and navigate with an external GPS.

There is no GPS in the iPad WIFI only, it is all metall in the back which would actually reduce a satellite connection.

There is a relatively new device commonly referred to as a "GPS Mouse".

I have seen prices as low as $39. This device can be connected to a computer or Ipad to provide GPS capability.

There are many GPS mouse devices on the market. Do careful research and find one with good tech support, a recognized name brand, do a tech support trial support call and see how quickly you get a person, and how much that person can help with a GPS mouse.

Not many people know of these GPS mouse devices yet - particularly Apple people. You can ask the GPS mouse vendor if their device is useable with Apple Ipad.

GPS devices like the GPS mouse can connect directly with GPS satellites (there are many of them up there now). They do NOT use wifi or Internet. They do NOT use phone companies (although phone companies may offer GPS type tracking when they connect with the satellite signal then through 3G connect that signal to your device).

soonfromsanta maria wrote:

There is a relatively new device commonly referred to as a "GPS Mouse".

I have seen prices as low as $39. This device can be connected to a computer or Ipad to provide GPS capability. ...

Not many people know of these GPS mouse devices yet - particularly Apple people. You can ask the GPS mouse vendor if their device is useable with Apple Ipad.

Since you seem to know quite a bit about them and know they can be connected to an iPad, how about a link or a brand or a model number?

soonfromsanta maria wrote:

There is a relatively new device commonly referred to as a "GPS Mouse".

...........

Not many people know of these GPS mouse devices yet - particularly Apple people. .............

The only thing new about these devices is the name now commonly applied to them. In fact, the same things were being discussed in these forums 8 months ago, as a way to either get GPS capability with a non-3G iPad or to get better GPS performance for use with any of a variety of aviation and marine navigation apps.

The Samsung 10.1 Wi Fi only model has GPS. I paid 4.99 for the app with maps and it works as good or better than a garmin, tom tom etc. I find I am using the Ipad less and less and we have both. The Samsung does flash to. I have come to think that most people buy Apple to say they have a Apple.

This interesting thread has run 13 pages. (No I did not read them all.) All theoretical, all about Apple support says this, Apple docs say that, NASA says another thing, etc., etc., etc.

Took my Wi-Fi ONLY IPad2 out for a WALK today.

Tracked my route around the neighborhood just fine, within the limits of gps. Small dark circle shows where the GPS thinks you are. Larger pale blue circle varies in diameter to give indications of uncertainty. (If the larger circle is to be believed,the uncertainty is around 75 meters -- not really very good in comparison to my EIGHT YEAR OLD MAGELLAN, which routinely runs less than 15 meters, often less than 5.)

Ground-truth walking around test. TheWi-Fi IPad 2 HAS GPS.

Cheers.

p.s., The "test" took less time than reading a single page of this discussion.