iPhone & iPod Touch Now Uses Wi-Fi to Find Location
January 23, 2008 10:41 AM | Apple | Comments (0)
| Skyhook Wireless, provider of the Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS), recently announced that Apple is using its technology for the new Wi-Fi location positioning feature in its Maps application on both iPhone and iPod touch. Using WPS, iPhone and iPod touch users can now locate themselves in the popular Maps application with the tap of one button. (See Skyhook Wireless featured in the Macworld Keynote.) By mapping known Wi-Fi signals throughout entire metropolitan areas, Skyhook has built a database of over 23 million Wi-Fi access points with their locations. The patented technology behind WPS leverages that database to provide location information. Skyhook's software-only system offers high accuracy indoors and the ability to make location more precise for users. Skyhook Wireless was founded in 2003 to capitalize on the growth of Wi-Fi and the emerging market for location-based services. Skyhook's location coverage today includes 70% of the U.S. and Canadian populations, the top metropolitan areas of Europe and expanding coverage in Asia. |  |
For the latest coverage maps please visit http://www.skyhookwireless.com/howitworks/coverage.php
Location is one of the most desired features on mobile devices. With location, consumers can easily search for nearby merchants and destinations and get directions to whatever destinations they choose. Wi-Fi is growing in popularity on mobile devices with analyst firms like ABI Research projecting that almost 250 million consumer electronics devices and over 360 million handsets with Wi-Fi will be sold annually by 2011.
Skyhook Wireless was founded in 2003 and pioneered the development of the first-ever metro-area positioning system that leverages Wi-Fi rather than satellites or cell towers to deliver precise location data supporting the growing market for location-based services. The Skyhook Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) requires no new hardware, works indoors and outdoors, provides an instant location and is more accurate than current technologies in congested downtown areas. WPS serves over 70% of the US & Canadian populations and is expanding internationally.
Macworld 2008 Steve Jobs Apple Keynote Highlights
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