Q: Does iPad 2 WiFi Really Have No GPS???

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.

Only the Android tablets with 3G and 4G capabilities have GPS built in, just tlike the iPad.

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.

I just bought a used wifi-only Xoom for my mom. It has GPS. I've heard of some cheap ( <$150 USD) off-brand Android tablets that have GPS as well.

No GPS maybe

Ok anyone can explaine why the GPS navigation work in the maps app when I'm paired with my iPhone  ?????

Since MAPS work navigon should be able the use the same Ressources NO?

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.

saleensuperstang wrote:

The Samsung does flash to.

Saying that it has flash is the same as saying that it has old technology, so not a selling point

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.

It is impossible to have what ifixit.com's teardown has shown is not physically installed in the wi-fi only iPad 2.

debbiefrommartinez wrote:

 

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.

If you'd read the thread, you'd understand, perhaps, that the WiFi only version uses a database of WiFi networks to provide location information. Yes, the WiFi only version has some location finding capabilities. No, it doesn't have a GPS transceiver.