How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

Is the GPS on the Nokia900 as good as something like a proper TomTom car sat nav device? Or is the GPS on mobile phones usually a lot worse?

Also how does the GPS compare to other phones?

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

http://www.nokiausers.net/N-Series/O...-N97-5800.html
this video might give you a few answers but remember the n900 is a preview unit up against full commercially released units.
I have also read people saying on twitter saying GPS on n900 is awesome

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

There is no digital compass, so it is not possible for it to be quite like a TomTom, where it gives you directional voice instructions. It's a 2D map rather than 3D.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

I've found the GPS hit and miss.

If there is a web connection it's fast, but I've not had the chance to try it on a 3G network yet though. So have no idea if the 'network positioning' through the location server will work on that as well as a fixed internet connection.

The effectiveness of GPS on phones varies between phones. (Some use pseudo GPS based on triangulating on the cellular network tower.) I found it more 'accurate' than the e71. That is more precise and often less of a vague red blur of a position that the e71's software was giving me.

I think the ovi maps software could be better bundled. The software updater should prompt a link to download the 'map loader', which is nice when roaming -- as you can download on the cheap to your PC and not on the roaming charges.

What is annoying about the n900 is that it will keep asking to select connection -- I assume because I had left 'network positioning' on. But I haven't tested this.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

S60 phones seems to be able to give you directional voice instructions perfectly fine without a compass.

I am however very surprised it wasnt included in the N900, for maps and especially augmented reality.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

There's no need for a digital compass for that, and the TomTom devices I'm familiar with don't have any. There's an accelerator detection device in stand-alone units though, but it's only used for dead reckoning - i.e. giving some kind of tracking when you're driving in a tunnel.

I use TomTom on a Palm PDA, and you get directional advice/turn-by-turn descriptions because you're in motion, and when you're in motion a standard GPS receiver is sufficient.

EDIT: A digital compass is still very useful though, and indeed a must-have for any kind of augmented reality apps.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

I assumed that TomToms must have a digital compass, as my TomTom ONE knows when I have made a U-turn.

It's still a 2D overhead view on the N900, and not a angled 3D view like on a TomTom, am I right?

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

As long as you're moving your GPS is sensitive enough to know that you're U-turning. It works just fine on my PDA which doesn't even have an accelerometer. There's one in your TT One though. [EDIT: Actually I can't confirm this. There were some GO models without an accelerometer, and I can't at the moment say for sure that there's one in your One. In any case you don't even need anything else than just the GPS for turn-by-turn (or U-turn) navigation. My PDA tells me when I'm at the correct part of the roundabout to leave, for example.]

Other's will have to answer the 2D vs. 3D question though, but in general there's not many navigation applications around that are up to TT standards :)

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

Default, 2D view:


3D view, toggled via the on-screen compass:

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

I believe the Tom Tom software would work very well on the N900 if it were available for the N900. Garmin, Route 66 and many other GPS programs are available for S60 phones. I believe they will be ported to Maemo as Maemo becomes more common. Tom Tom is available for iPhone and Windows Mobile. Someone should ask them to develop a version for Maemo.

A compass is very important if you are standing still pointing your phone at things in augmented reality. But for driving directions the GPS knows what direction you are moving.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

Btw, do you know if Ovi Maps has 3d buildings in N900? If so, could you provide a screenshot?

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

http://maemo.nokia.com/features/ovi-maps/

Seems like 3D buildings are included..

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

The N900's GPS chip is the TI Navilink 6.0 (the same as Omnia HD), which provides Bluetooth, FM receiver/transceiver, A-GPS and supports 802.11 b/g/n.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

Thanks. But that seems to be an angled map, and not a first person perspective like on a TomTom:

http://www.gpsmagazine.com/assets/re..._garmin_05.gif

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

Interesting, but up so far I've not seen any report from any device holder.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

There's toggle On/Off button with an icon of a building on it, but it does not make little 3D buildings appear on the map though, no.

The closest alternative appears to be satellite view:


I'm not arguing Ovi Maps has features equal to TomTom or any other competitor. I'm just trying to answer questions.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

I would imagine it would work like in Ovi Maps on S60, i.e., only selected well-known buildings/landmarks are shown in 3D. What if you try the city center of some major city like Barcelona or London?

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

Ah, I see, though I don't see the utility. Anyway, I tried two of the preloaded searches: the Empire State Building and Oxford Street, London. No little buildings. Perhaps they'll be coming later in an update.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

That's just an angled map too, isn't it?

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

Although the performance of the GPS on the N900 has been sublime when an internet connection is available, it has been terrible without one. I have taken my N900 on a three day trip abroad and have not been able to get a fix once. Can others confirm this?

As for the 3D buildings, they are there on my device. The attached screenshot is shows the city hall and stock exchange of Brussels.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

No, it's from a first (actually, third) person perspective, that is always pointing down the road you are travelling. I do not think that the Ovi map does this (it does not on the E71 anyway).

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

Concerning the GPS performance without an internet connection, seems like other people have noticed it too: bug #5337

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

I thought that the phone needs a GSM signal to triangulate its location to get a GPS lock quickly, and not an internet connection. Isn't what A-GPS (Assisted GPS) is?

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

On OpenTom.org wiki there is an (incomplete) list of hardware features of TomTom hardware. Link. By far not all TomTom products have a digital compass, and I'm positive this is not required for accurate result. At least, not on TomTom products I've used.

Not sure but I imagine this:

1) AGPS is used.
2) Updated via 3G.
3) User moves more than 300 km.
4) AGPS data out of date.
5) *argh*

So, I'd try to:

1) Select different spot for AGPS (at least possible with AGPS on N810)
2) Disable AGPS and test what kind of difference this setting makes.
3) As workaround, get those few kB required for AGPS using roaming or WiFi.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

Pretty much the case for me too.

I resorted to navigation from a visual fix irl and using the route 'set from map'.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

looks like a vector based map to me.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

I have no idea about what context you were using the word 'vector'.

If you meant a spatial vector, as in engineering, then yes, I suppose, as the view perspective is in the direction you are heading - sort of what I was saying.

If you meant vector as in vector graphics (as opposed to bitmap), then yes, the map data would be vector data, and the display would be rendered from that information, but that seems beside the point - it would be the same case for Ovi too.

What did you mean?

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

I have actually had this issue with other phones that use agps. Usually a software patch fixes the issue or I had to turn off AGPS entirely

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

What is the GPS data refresh rate? Many are 1HZ which is sufficient for most traveling. A faster sampling rate (without interpolation) or at least an option would be nice though.

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

Vector vs. bitmap maps. Map data stored in some vector format is more compact and can find routes, etc. In contrast, programs that only download and save bitmap tiles don't really have any awareness of streets, etc.

It's a pretty specific distinction when talking about mapping software.

@Jason

A-GPS means using a server to do the number crunching with the GPS signal data. Using the GSM towers for rough position triangulation is different. In the preview i read of the N900, the phone was able to get a GPS position fix in 30 seconds or less consistently when using A-GPS (via Nokia's provided server URL). When he tested with A-GPS disabled at my request, it took about 6 minutes to get the initial (cold) fix.

I've written about this in another thread on the N900's GPS here already. I recommend browsing that thread for details on the GPS...

Re: How does the GPS compare to other devices?
 

,

None of them have one.. but many of them have an accelerometer, which isn't the same thing. It's used for dead reckoning when there's no signal (in a tunnel, for example).

As for all the AGPS stuff, anyone with a decent GPS won't ever have to worry about that.. :) (/me glances at the Holux M1200 BT keychain GPS :D)