GPS on the Nokia N82 - June 28, 2008
Seems like there are quite a few misconceptions these days about the various GPS options one gets on the Nokia N82 or the Nokia N95, so I’ve asked a Nokia rep at their Customer Care Center to clarify the different GPS options that’s available on the phone.
You can go to Tools >> Settings >> General >> Positioning >> Positioning Methods to either enable or disable the different GPS methods the N82 supports.
Bluetooth GPS: This should be pretty much straightforward; if you set it to enabled, it allows for a Bluetooth GPS receiver to be paired with the Nokia N82. Instead of using the phone’s integrated GPS chip, it’ll be using the Bluetooth GPS to get a fix on your current location.
Assisted GPS: Otherwise known as A-GPS, this works by getting data from an assistance server, and then comparing the satellite fix on the assistance server with the fragments of GPS data the phone is receiving. A position can then be fixed based on the data supplied by the server to the phone. You can read more about it here; however it is important to note that it uses small amounts of data (less than 10 kb) to get a fix on your location. While this may be acceptable for local use, it is rather costly if you end up roaming and using AGPS to determine your location.
Integrated GPS: Needs no further elaboration. It’s the integrated GPS chip that allows your phone to get a GPS fix. Without AGPS turned on, it might be minutes before you get a fix, providing that you’re not obstructed by buildings, trees or any objects blocking the line between you and the GPS satellite.
Network Based: This collects data from the mobile phone towers your phone is connected to and gives an approximate location based on the tower’s supplied data. Note that it’s not the same as AGPS as it receives no GPS data – rather it’s just based on your connection with mobile phone towers to triangulate and get an approximation of where you are. It does not utilise any data in getting your position – and hence its safe for use when roaming in foreign countries. Think of the LocateMe app from the original iPhone…
Hope this does clear up any questions or misconceptions people had on the various GPS settings the Nokia N82 offers. If you’ve got any comments or have any doubts about the above, feel free to leave it in the comments. I will be getting back to the Nokia rep soon, so I’ll pass that on for him to further clarify.
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