Mitch <mitch@hawaii.rr> wrote in news:070720072339520188%mitch@hawaii.rr:


>
>
> 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?

What makes you think that it is a full GPS unit? It's quite likely that
only partial GPA functionality is built into the phone.

> Why aren't the cell makers building all GPS features into their
> already-capable phones? (Note that giving directions is not a GPS
> feature, but an application of GPS info.)

See above- they may not be putting all of the technology into the phone.to
take advantage of all features.

> Why are all GPS devices larger (some by several times) than all cell
> phones, when small size is just as useful to those?

There are small GPS units available on the market.


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

Maybe because it is a phone and not a GPS device as a primary function, and
building in additional functionality would increase the size of the phone.

>
> I think the reason is that they don't have GPS at all, but a simpler
> triangulation off cell antennas. 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.
> It's not a satellite system and it's not global and it doesn't deserve
> the acronym or the reputation.
>

Now you are assuming facts not in evidence. My CDMA GPS- enabled phone is
just that- GPS enabled. How do I know? Simple- I've used the GPS app in
areas where network triangulation is not possible and still received
accurate positional data.