Apple Store phone, 800-my-Apple, suggested iPad 2 has GPS chip in the WiFi-only version (see discussion thread on this point). Connection to internet is essential to see GPS output, therefore if moving about one would probably want/need a mobile hotspot. An advantage to this approach would be flexibility to follow upgrades in cell network data improvements (moving to G4 or G5 etc.) as tower systems, or whatever may feed WiFi hotspot devices, come along. The cost to get 3G in the iPad 2 may roughly equal the cost of a current and available 3G/4G WiFi mobile hotspot device.
Your post makes no sense. If Apple told you the iPad wifi only version includes GPS and needs a wifi connection and/or Internet connection to use GPS they are wrong. GPS uses satellite to determine position. Wifi can be off and you'll still receive satellite GPS signals.
But as already stated, the wifi only iPad does not have a GPS receiver so it is impossible to use GPS location or any other GPS services (navigation, elevation, geocaching, marathon training, trekking, etc.)
I'm not sure if you got the answer you were seeking in the other posts, so I'll give it a try. All iPads have a GPS feature. This feature, however, cannot be used without a service (3g or internet) by which you can search for your GPS location. If you have a wifi-only version, you'll need a wifi connection.
Just a bit more info...
The GPS location will be for the device sending out the connection signal (i.e. the 3g iPad or the internet source to which the wifi iPad is connected).
Correction.
All iPads have a locations services feature.
The 3G iPad only has GPS. The wifi only iPad does not have GPS.
The wifi only iPad uses wifi locations in the Apple location services database.
you're right in that you get GPS signals without requiring wifi, it wouldn't do you any good without a data connection for the actual map data.
There are many maps available that are downloaded to your iPad. The GPS interacts with these maps. There is no need to be connected to wifi or 3G in order to use GPS and mapping apps. This is similar to your car's GPS. You do not need to have an Internet connection to use turn-by-turn GPS and maps.
MBBM wrote:
I'm not sure if you got the answer you were seeking in the other posts, so I'll give it a try. All iPads have a GPS feature. This feature, however, cannot be used without a service (3g or internet) by which you can search for your GPS location. If you have a wifi-only version, you'll need a wifi connection.
Just a bit more info...
The GPS location will be for the device sending out the connection signal (i.e. the 3g iPad or the internet source to which the wifi iPad is connected).
Does this help?
No it does not help since it provides incorrect information. GPS is only available on the wifi+3G iPad since this is the only version of iPad that has a GPS receiver. You are confusing location services provided by cell towers and routers with GPS which is provided by satellite.
Okay, it seems that everyone got part of the facts... :/
iPad Wifi = there is NO physical GPS chip inside. It uses Wifi triangulation, just like MacBooks. (wiki for more info) It doesn't search a database (Apple or anyone else's).
iPad 3G + Wifi = there IS a physical GPS chip inside. You can use it for apps (like the built-in Google Maps) even if you aren't paying for a data plan. And also, there is a month-to-month prepaid data plan available for the iPad 3G + Wifi, no phone or messaging plans.
a)I have a Ipad wifi I can locate myself only if I have a Internet connection (there is no real GPS inside )
b) I need the 3Gs version to have a real working gps even if I am not connected.
c) I need the 3 GS cellular account to be able to send my GPS data for online/realtime tracking ( when no cellular = not able to send data (no tracking but the GPS works ))
d) I'm using a software that streems map over internet but also puts them in a cache for offline use, it also permits to add your own personnal or commercial raster maps
When I inquired of Apple, "Will ALL versions of the iPad 2 have a GPS chip?" I was told, "Yes, all versions will have GPS."
For all those claiming the WiFi versions will NOT have a GPS chip, are you assuming the iPad 2 will replicate the GPS capabilities (limitations) of the iPad, or do you have some factual data to support your opinion?
Yes, I know Apple's telephone folks give out incorrect data at times, but absent some factual basis for the assertion of no GPS on WiFi only models, Apple would seem to be the more reliable source of info.