Google location services reports that I am in Cisco Texas when I am really in California. It only happens when I am home and have wifi on. I've had the same problem with multiple ROMs from CM 9 to PACman (4.1). If I turn off wifi my location is reported correctly. I've changed my wifi ssid and deleted maps data but that didn't help.
I searched the web and found that others have had the same problem, often erroneously showing them to be in Cisco Texas when they are in diverse locations from Denmark to Oregon. Google's mobile help forum had a thread on the problem but it was closed without a solution due to inactivity.
It is hard to plan my day when I am getting weather data for a location 1500 miles away.
I've posted the problem to google's help forums, but I have more faith in you folks than in the people over there. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
Edit: My Touchpad running CM 9 or a CM 10 derivative at the same location does not have the same problem.
TBH, the only thing you can really do is give it time. Google location works by extrapolating your position from the WiFi you can see cross referenced to a face l database at Google. It doesn't know where you WiFi really is, so is putting it there. Eventually, it will figure out where it really is and update it, but that relies on running other location sources that or can check against. Run GPS a lot, especially when you coming and going and it'll figure it out.
When I moved from Montgomery to Atlanta, it took a few months for Google to update my WiFi location, but it eventually happened.
Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2
Thanks for the quick reply, Shrike.
Guess I'll wait for Google to remap my neighborhood.
Skyhook?
Try this...
http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/submit_ap.php
bwthor20 said:
Try this...
http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/submit_ap.php
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Android doesn't use Skyhook. It uses Google's location service. Skyhook maps things by driving around in vans that scan for AP's. Google relies on user devices to build their Wifi maps.
shrike1978 said:
Android doesn't use Skyhook. It uses Google's location service. Skyhook maps things by driving around in vans that scan for AP's. Google relies on user devices to build their Wifi maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I registered the MAC of my Wi-Fi router with Skyhook back when I got my first iPad 2 Wi-Fi so it could be located. Now if I have both my GPS and mobile data off on my phone, my location is provided by Wi-Fi, exactly at my house. I know Skyhook worked for my iPad 2.
Also, I think that Google does the same thing by using your GPS and logging AP's locations you are on.
Either way, it wouldn't hurt to try if the location isn't working for you. Could be that somehow your GPS was wonky and reported your AP location incorrectly and it just hasn't been updated in Google's system.
Related
Has anyone else had issues with your tab finding your location via wifi? It finds it on some networks (like my home and a hotel I was in a week ago), but unable on others (mainly at my workplace and my in-laws house). I didn't notice it until I flashed new TW roms. Google maps says location unavailable, Beautiful Widgets stays on last known location, etc.
Could this be a wifi network issue or a tab issue?
Edit: I flashed back to my original stock backup and I still couldn't get a location. I;m at work, where is hasnt been able to find my location.
tallgrasshawk said:
Has anyone else had issues with your tab finding your location via wifi? It finds it on some networks (like my home and a hotel I was in a week ago), but unable on others (mainly at my workplace and my in-laws house). I didn't notice it until I flashed new TW roms. Google maps says location unavailable, Beautiful Widgets stays on last known location, etc.
Could this be a wifi network issue or a tab issue?
Edit: I flashed back to my original stock backup and I still couldn't get a location. I;m at work, where is hasnt been able to find my location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most likely your work's wifi network is far enough from the street that it isn't in Google's database.
Same for the inlaws. In their case - is there Street View coverage in their area? If not, it's far less likely that wifi APs in that area will be in Google's database, as the Street View trucks are the main way they build the DB.
Ah. That makes sense as both are rural and my home is not. I didn't realize that was google's work. Figured the location was through the isp or something.
Hi all im trying to use my GPS on navigation and it doesnt seem to be working one bit i even downloaded a gps app and that wasnt picking it up also any idea's what's wrong?
TipTopFlipFlop said:
Hi all im trying to use my GPS on navigation and it doesnt seem to be working one bit i even downloaded a gps app and that wasnt picking it up also any idea's what's wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
EDIT: the only real GPS dead zones are underground and on a very rare occurence when your time and date aren't synchronized with that of the GPS sattelite. Other then that, have you tried to enable GPS in settings (would be weird if it was disabled by default). It also matters if you have a data connection when using some apps (I have never gotten google maps to show me where I am when I have no data).
Hope some of this is useful to you
Dyskmaster said:
EDIT: the only real GPS dead zones are underground and on a very rare occurence when your time and date aren't synchronized with that of the GPS sattelite. Other then that, have you tried to enable GPS in settings (would be weird if it was disabled by default). It also matters if you have a data connection when using some apps (I have never gotten google maps to show me where I am when I have no data).
Hope some of this is useful to you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank's for the reply the GPS is enabled still no luck,you cant get data on the Galaxy Player anyway i think.
Other people must be having this problem too the thread has had about 200 view's does anyone know anything about this problem?
TipTopFlipFlop said:
Thank's for the reply the GPS is enabled still no luck,you cant get data on the Galaxy Player anyway i think.
Other people must be having this problem too the thread has had about 200 view's does anyone know anything about this problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By data connection he means a wifi connection.
GPS uses data always. So it needs a data stream to get and use location services and maps.
On a phone it uses cellular or wifi but on an ipod style device or the galaxy player it needs wifi.
Without wifi it will never work unless your gps config files are modified; which is something i learned when trying to get the Acer Iconia GPS to work. And even then its probably not going to work.
Turn on wifi. I bet it works.
You now may be thinking "then what good is gps when i do not have a data connection!!?" - and my answer is exactly!!!
Gps on these devices is a gimmick and really only works when wifi is available.
True gps like a tom tom device doesnt need a wifi connection because it uses the gps link iyself for the limited data it needs plus the maps are built in.
On the galaxy player and phones the maps are downloaded at needed because they are hundreds of megs .
v_lestat said:
{snip}
True gps like a tom tom device doesnt need a wifi connection because it uses the gps link iyself for the limited data it needs plus the maps are built in.
On the galaxy player and phones the maps are downloaded at needed because they are hundreds of megs .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Galaxy Player works fine as a standalone GPS without need of a wifi connection if you have the right kind of app. I use Sygic but there are several others. You download maps from Sygic to your player so they are available on your device. Works fine on my 5" Galaxy Player. Also there are apps like speedometers which use the GPS and work fine without a wifi connection.
I use Sygic. And also use pre recorded areas in Google Maps when I need it. No need to WI-FI, etc..
It is a good GPS 5 ".
In fact, very good.
Until now no problems experienced with GPS. If you do not connect may be related to your area.
v_lestat said:
By data connection he means a wifi connection.
GPS uses data always. So it needs a data stream to get and use location services and maps.
On a phone it uses cellular or wifi but on an ipod style device or the galaxy player it needs wifi.
Without wifi it will never work unless your gps config files are modified; which is something i learned when trying to get the Acer Iconia GPS to work. And even then its probably not going to work.
Turn on wifi. I bet it works.
You now may be thinking "then what good is gps when i do not have a data connection!!?" - and my answer is exactly!!!
Gps on these devices is a gimmick and really only works when wifi is available.
True gps like a tom tom device doesnt need a wifi connection because it uses the gps link iyself for the limited data it needs plus the maps are built in.
On the galaxy player and phones the maps are downloaded at needed because they are hundreds of megs .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GPS technology works perfectly fine without data connection. To speed up the first fix, aGPS was developped and uses a data connection when available, but data connection is not mandatory. It's what is used in most if not all smartphones (search for "assisted gps" in wikipedia).
Data connection are required by some navigation software because they need to download the maps or for some obscure reasons. It's the case with google navigation for example.
But you can use a software that doesn't require data connection and store all its map on the device and only uses the GPS signal to do the fix, as gotok pointed out correctly. An android device with a good navigation software is no different than what you call a "true gps like tomtom".
I think you just don't make the difference between GPS (the technology) and navigation software.
I agree that the samsung S wifi's GPS capabilities are not very useful "out of the box" with the limitations of google navigation, but it can work perfectly fine with a good software. Don't blame this device (or any other one) for the shortcomings of google navigation and some other software.
MervinMinky said:
I agree that the samsung S wifi's GPS capabilities are not very useful "out of the box" with the limitations of google navigation, but it can work perfectly fine with a good software. Don't blame this device (or any other one) for the shortcomings of google navigation and some other software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The software is definitely an issue. The SGP i got for christmas couldn't utilize its GPS at all. Regardless of what app tried to use GPS location services, i always got a location error (E.G. Location unavailable at this time.) After doing a little searching, i found that someone had an app that fixed a similar problem. I downloaded "GPS Status & Toolbox" and let it run. Its primary use is a compass and getting information about location, but after i opened it and let it download GPS configuration information, everything worked perfectly. Maps showed where i was, Facebook gave me nearby locations and so on.
Dont know if everyone figured this out already or not, but after reading over most of the thread, i didn't see a definitive solution. Just thought I'd share what i had found.
MervinMinky said:
The GPS technology works perfectly fine without data connection. To speed up the first fix, aGPS was developped and uses a data connection when available, but data connection is not mandatory. It's what is used in most if not all smartphones (search for "assisted gps" in wikipedia).
Data connection are required by some navigation software because they need to download the maps or for some obscure reasons. It's the case with google navigation for example.
But you can use a software that doesn't require data connection and store all its map on the device and only uses the GPS signal to do the fix, as gotok pointed out correctly. An android device with a good navigation software is no different than what you call a "true gps like tomtom".
I think you just don't make the difference between GPS (the technology) and navigation software.
I agree that the samsung S wifi's GPS capabilities are not very useful "out of the box" with the limitations of google navigation, but it can work perfectly fine with a good software. Don't blame this device (or any other one) for the shortcomings of google navigation and some other software.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Data connection is never "mandatory" but with some GPS chipsets, it effectively is.
Some chipsets are so crippled they are almost never able to get a lock without assistance.
See the original GalaxyS phones as one example.
The Infuse is improved but not much better.
The Galaxy S II is VERY good at standalone operation.
Galaxy Players - ???, no clue
The GPS works fine, without wifi, on the Galaxy Player 5.0. To test it, get GPS Test (free). Of all the devices I have ever had with GPS (including Nokia phones, LG Android and HTC phones, Garmin) the GPS is the fastest I have experienced. Locks indoors and on moving trains very fast.
I use CoPilot mapping and navigation program and it works great.
I use "Mapdroid" (Free) and "Navdroid" (purchased) and both work great as stand-alone apps. The maps are open source maps and can be had for pretty much anywhere in the world.
Just like a real stand-alone GPSr the accuracy and speed of start up depends on a clear view of the sky, enough time to builds it's almanac of Sats and how far you are from the location you last accessed the app ( moving great distances between uses is almost the same as being turned on for the first time). The same can be said if too much time has gone by between use (such as months).
The Sat almanac gets built when your gpsr is turned on for the first time and is used as a predictive way identifying which Sats should be overhead at the current time you turn your GPSr on. Four or more Sataltites locked in gives you a higher degree of accuracy.
John
Hi,
I'm just wondering why my GPS doesn't work without internet connection. It just can't connect to any sattelite. I'm currently using PFGPS v2.0 FIX for my country (Poland) and I don't see any changes. What is wrong?
It requires Internet to load the maps
Can I load maps now to use GPS without internet connection if I'm not in wifi area?
Brajano95 said:
Can I load maps now to use GPS without internet connection if I'm not in wifi area?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
how can you load maps without internet connection ??
I'm at home now so I can do it cause I have wifi here :/
Brajano95 said:
I'm at home now so I can do it cause I have wifi here :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so you have wifi that means you are connected to the internet!!!
for GPS it can only find your position but can't display your location on a map without an internet connection so GPS needs one.
I will wait for answer from another person. Thank you.
There is an application on the market(related to sports/tracking) that allows you to download a portion of a map and then you can use your GPS offline(no data connection). When I get home I will look for it(I have it on my tablet).
Correct me if I am wrong but Brajano95 means that is it possible to load the maps on his wifi connection and keep then saved when he is out and about to allow the gps to connect. You used to be able to do this in the google labs section on google maps but they've since taken it away unless you look for an older version. Otherwise have a look for third party map app on the android market which allows downloading of map data to the phone
adsada arc said:
Correct me if I am wrong but Brajano95 means that is it possible to load the maps on his wifi connection and keep then saved when he is out and about to allow the gps to connect. You used to be able to do this in the google labs section on google maps but they've since taken it away unless you look for an older version. Otherwise have a look for third party map app on the android market which allows downloading of map data to the phone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats exactly what I'm talking about! Now I'm downloading Sygic Aura (about 550 mb) and will test it later.
Because GPS and Maps on CM7 suck balls at best. Maps is using your I.P. for the GPS coordinates when on WIFI, without it Maps is counting on a reliable signal from your GPS; and that's just not going to happen with CM7.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
You can use iGo My Way
I know a fair bit about the GPS module in the Ace so i will comment. I think someone has already told you that it is possible to operate the Ace with preloaded maps. Likewise, i thought that the OP's choice of Sygic Navigation is a fair one.
Back to the original question in the title. GPS can operate with or without internet be it wifi or data e.g. 3G/2G. The difference is how fast you can obtain a GPS lock. Without using any positioning help from data connectivity, you are looking at a lock time of possibly 15 minutes thereabout.
There are 4 modes of operation possible for the GPS module in the Ace which is actually Qualcomm's GpsONE.
1.) Standalone (Slowest using positioning information in cache and smart polling)
2.) MS-Based (Sends data to nearby cell tower(s) and makes use of GPS transceivers in the cell tower(s)
3.) MS-Assisted (Similar to MS-Based BUT data connectivity is broken when GPS transceiver is online. I don't quite like that!)
4.) MS-Based/Hybrid (You need to have superb data connectivity probably cell tower signal strength should be in the -50dBm region. Not very useful in real life usage)
i have had my own thread for fixing GPS, so read up if you want to know more here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1320626
first you need the maps to use it offline, and the correct gps.conf for your location http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1284506, then you can use it without internet
Mapdroyd is a great app that allows you to download maps for offline use. Unfortunately there isn't offline navigation though..
Hi,
I've solved my problem, just install Sygic! Thanks for helping guys
btw u dont need too install anything.. go to google labs inside maps and add map cache.. now long press a location on map.. click the arrow on the address and u ll see an option to cache that area.. the steps may not be accurate as i tried it a long time back and dont have my phone with me but its possible and what u have to do will be more or less the same...
Google Now gave me a rather interesting message: For better location, please enable Wifi. This works even when not connected to a network.
How can the phone figure out my location by using the Wifi antenna without connecting to any networks?
Here's how I originally thought it worked: The phone sees what cell towers are available, then uses data or Wifi to look them up in a database and determines a likely location. But now the app is telling me it really just wants the wifi antenna on. Why?
Because its like when you turn on your Bluetooth it scans near by devices..you connect with them or not its not the question but you can know that how many devices are in your range got it..
Same like when you turn on wifi it searches near by connection you connect or not Google find out your near by wifi networks.. By using that nearby wifi network already registered they find you approximately locations..
we all should be polite enough to press thanks for anyone who helped US.
Oh. Then Google records the location of Wifi networks, so visible networks can be used for location lookups?
Actually, that makes sense. I remember a couple years ago they got in trouble for wardriving and said it was unintentional. It could have been related to an effort to record the location of all visible networks.
That makes sense, but I'm running JellyTime on an Inspire, and it doesn't have the biggest battery. I don't want to leave wifi on all the time. Would it make sense to use Tasker to turn wifi on for a few minutes every hour, or would Google Now even be able to gather enough location info in such a short time?
Longstreet said:
That makes sense, but I'm running JellyTime on an Inspire, and it doesn't have the biggest battery. I don't want to leave wifi on all the time. Would it make sense to use Tasker to turn wifi on for a few minutes every hour, or would Google Now even be able to gather enough location info in such a short time?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why not test it without Wifi? Leave google maps open with Wifi/GPS disabled while you're traveling. If that looks reasonably accurate, just leave them off.
As for timing, the phone can tell your location pretty quickly, but I don't know how Google Now is written. It would probably need to have specific logic that says "check location whenever wifi gets enabled". I'm not sure whether it does.
fenstre said:
Why not test it without Wifi? Leave google maps open with Wifi/GPS disabled while you're traveling. If that looks reasonably accurate, just leave them off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's what I've been doing. It works so far, I was just wondering if there was a better way.
It just doesn't seem to do much beyond weather and sports. Maybe I haven't used it long enough. Or maybe my life is so freaking boring it doesn't have a lot to work with!:laugh:
As for timing, the phone can tell your location pretty quickly, but I don't know how Google Now is written. It would probably need to have specific logic that says "check location whenever wifi gets enabled". I'm not sure whether it does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm wondering. There's a lot of info out there on what it does and how it does it. But I'd be interested in the nuts and bolts, finding out exactly what it's doing and when and how.
It is kinda neat. But kinda unsettling too.
Hi,
I currently have the problem, that since a couple months now I apparently have a new neighbor that brought his router with him. Apparently this router was previously located in another country, because since that time the Google geolocation places me somewhere in Germany (instead of Austria, where I live) - and this slowly drives me mad because it makes every app relying on geolocation more or less unusable while I am at home. Google Maps support ignored several reports sent via the Google Maps app, Google Enterprise support not gives a **** because they don't care about Google Maps and want a json call which reproduces the issue (and I cannot find the according MAC causing the problem)
Appart from that the internet suggests to get a GPS signal as often and as good as possible to fix such an issue. Unfortunately that doesn't work for the areas in my apartment where I have this problem. Therefore I bought a bluetooth GPS receiver. The idea was to put it outside onto the terrace, while my phone connects to the receiver from inside of the apartment (near the wifi ap). This way - so I thought - I would be able to bombard Google with the f*ink data, that I don't live at this f*ing place in Germany. Turns out, that the bluetooth range was too small for that and that I have to use "mock location" in the dev options to do that, which also seems to make Google make ignore its data.
That is also my problem with the various 'Fake GPS' apps. They use the mock location option and therefore get ignored. So now my question: What is the best way to fake the location, which also cannot be detected by Google? So that I can use that on the inside of my apartment to provide Google with the data needed to finally correct this wrong data. Currently I am trying out this xposed module https://repo.xposed.info/module/com.fakemygps.android Does anyone know about a better way?
So no secret druid knowledge of faking gps present in this forum?