Techcrunch is reporting Google’s launch of a new version of the Google Maps Mobile client that includes cell-tower location for those of us without GPS chips in our phone. Mapquest has had this functionality for all handsets with Sprint or Verizon service, but it requires a subscription that I’m not terribly interested in.
I tested the client on my Windows Mobile phone and AT&T service, traditionally one of the most challenging platforms and carriers on which to accomplish this feat. After installing the new version, the application started up and instantly loaded the map centered on my current location.
Google is the first of the big 4 (Google, Yahoo, MS, AOL) to make this service so available. There is no central database that includes tower and location information for all of the major carriers, which makes community data gathering tools like Navizon the tool of choice thus far. It works by logging the cell tower locations of users that have GPS and allowing other users to access that data. If Google used the same premise, it might be a while until their coverage is solid, but they’ll have me to help!
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I'm Dave and I like to share news about gadgets, gear, careers and design for a mobile world.
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