Does iPad mini Wifi come with GPS

I suspect you're just asking about location services, and not GPS receivers specifically. WiFi enabled iPads (and Macs) have some location awareness from the WiFi folks. It's not as precise as a GPS receiver, and it varies depending on the WiFi provider and region, but it is more than zero.

No, the iPad Mini Wi-Fi varieties will not include GPS functionality. According to Apple's website, only the cellular models will. You can view this post for follow-up information: http://detectapple.com/ipad-mini-wi-fi-model-lack-gps-functionality/

What cellular?

Xy007 wrote:

But I am not convinced since there are so many cell phones without GPS function in the market and havd not heard anyone get sued so far.

Actually, there are NO, NADA, ZERO, ZILCH, BUPKUS cell phones without GPS. It's not a matter of a lawsuit, it's a federal criminal offense.

Guys, the iPad mini with WiFi only(no GPS chip or more technically speaking, no A-GPS chip) is a standard for the iPad lineup, so don't be cautioned. All WiFi only iPads are this way...

On any iPad (including the new iPad mini) with 3G/4G - The A-GPS chips coming from Broadcom & Qualcom is what gives you the GNSS signal/coordinate when you are not within WiFi range. Within WiFi your GNSS coordinate is quickly determined by your IP address determined with your WiFi router/modem. Out of WiFi range, your 3G,4G, EDGE, etc then can even more accurately find you with the Data capabilities by using a 3-Cell Tower approximation.

So, in essence, Apple has not changed their product lineup protocol at all... some of you just have to understand what GPS vs A-GPS is, and how ultimately you get a GNSS coordinate with or without WiFi using most mobile devices with the help of A-GPS... those chips are only found in iPad models with 3G/4G and are found in every iPhone, but still never an iPod, mainly the iPod Touch.

Although sooner than later, Qualcomm & Broadcom who manufacturer chips for Apple, will eventually not need A-GPS chips, and just need GPS chips, so hopefully one day, the iPod Touch will feasibly be able to have GNSS coordinates without Data(3G/4G)!!! Just like a TomTom or Garmin, etc in your car or boat... 😎

The other thing to note is GPS is America's GNSS system... one thing Apple just did, mainly to avoid a Tariff from Russian, is implement GLONASS in some iOS devices, which is Russia's version of our GPS.

Philly_Phan wrote:

Actually, there are NO, NADA, ZERO, ZILCH, BUPKUS cell phones without GPS. It's not a matter of a lawsuit, it's a federal criminal offense.

There is no such law. An FCC order regarding enhanced 911 was misinterpreted to mean that all cellphones would be required to have GPS by 2018 to meet the requirements for location accuracy for emergency providers. The FCC has since clarified that as long as network triangulation meets the necessary accuracy, something apparently well within possibilty, GPS will not be necessary, though cellphone providers may elect to provide GPS in more phones to make meeting the accuracy requirement easier.

I looked it up and you're correct. There is a slight difference in accuracy requirements (100 feet vs. 50 feet).

Realistically, how many cell phones do not have GPS?

Mine don't. But it's irrelevant to the original issue which is the lack of GPS in WiFi-only iPads. Let's keep to that subject, please.

varjak paw wrote:

Let's keep to that subject, please.

There's nothing wrong with learning some ancillary information.

The Apple Support Communities are an international user to user technical support forum. As a man from Mexico, Spanish is my native tongue. I do not speak English very well, however, I do write in English with the aid of the Mac OS X spelling and grammar checks. I also live in a culture perhaps very very different from your own. When offering advice in the ASC, my comments are not meant to be anything more than helpful and certainly not to be taken as insults.

Why would Apple ever go to a GPS only chip? Assisted GPS is better, especially in the city where buildings can obstruct the satelite signal.

It is not able to be done technically, but you do get a GNSS/GPS position when in WiFi range per se.

Right now, there is no GPS receivers for phones, you need A-GPS chips/receivers to get a GNSS coordinate while utilizing a mobile device. A lot of the need for A-GPS on a mobile device, is because of battery life, and then another important factor, is quicker relevancy because of the Data utilized with A-GPS chips over a GPS chip. To get the initial fix on a map with only GPS & not A-GPS is a battery hog...

But that may soon change with chip manufactures making strides by the GPS chip/receiver needing less battery/power for functionality, especially the initial fix. And, basically, my earlier point in my earlier post, is that Qualcomm & Broadcom are making leaps right now in GPS chips, so sooner than later, these GPS chips will work with low battery needs & be able to get a quick-fix on a GNNS coordinates, so maybe in a couple or several years, the iPod Touch will have GPS... which is pretty cool in my opinion.

But, a lot of the credit should go to the chip manufacturer, and then, of course, Apple for the amazing integration.

You are 100% correct Dahveed!

Philly_Phan wrote:

There's nothing wrong with learning some ancillary information.

There certainly is when it distracts from the original poster's question, which chatter about what is and is not required on a cellphone does.

You mean that it does exactly what you did just now?