Mitch <mitch@hawaii.rr> wrote:
> In article
> <kurtullman-283B6A.00075808072007@customer-201-125-217-207.uninet.net.mx>
> , Kurt Ullman <kurtullman@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>>
>> As of 2005, the government mandated GPS in the cell phones for 911
>> reasons.
>> http://www.maps-gps-info.com/gpcp.html
>
> But the government did NOT mandate GPS; it mandated a locating system
> and its needed accuracy.
> Simply giving a location is NOT GPS. It's the other way around;
> sometimes the way to know the location is through GPS. Then it may be
> given to E911 or whomever.
>
>>>> Though you're more likely to get an answer from the makers
>>>> of the Neo1973 -http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/Neo1973
>>>> or from http://howstuffworks.com
>>>
>>> How Stuff Works gave a good start, then gave up when it got to my
>>> part of the question -- does it really use GPS satellites and
>>> calculations to build the location?
>>
>> Most, although from my reading on google, seems as though some
>> companies might be using a triangulation method from the cell towers.
>
>
> Here's the reason for my question:
> if these phones actually use GPS, and are therefore
> full GPS units, why is anyone trying to sell GPS units?

For the same reason that we see cellphones with built in media
players and cameras and separate media players and cameras too.

> Why aren't the cell makers building all GPS
> features into their already-capable phones?

Because app accessible GPS isnt the same as what satisfys the
legal requirement for location good enough for the 911 service etc.

> (Note that giving directions is not a GPS
> feature, but an application of GPS info.)
> Why are all GPS devices larger (some by several times)
> than all cell phones, when small size is just as useful to those?

Mainly because mapping needs a better screen than the smallest cellphone screens.

There are satnavs that are otherwise as small as cellphones.

> Why aren't better GPS features appearing in cell phones?

They are, most obviously with the Nokia N95 which has full routing just like a satnav.

> I think the reason is that they don't have GPS
> at all, but a simpler triangulation off cell antennas.

You're just plain wrong. If that was true, they wouldnt be able to show the
number of GPS satellites currently in view, and they can and do show that.

> That may be enough for E911, maybe even for giving directions,
> but it doesn't give them the right to call it GPS or take advantage
> of the popular assumption of GPS accuracy.

They have real GPS anyway.

> It's not a satellite system and it's not global and it
> doesn't deserve the acronym or the reputation.

Pity about the cellphones which have real app accessible
GPS and show the number of GPS satellites currently in view.