Does Maps app on ipod touch need open wifi?

[santuitman]

Hello
I'm hoping to get an ipod touch and doing some research at the same time. I know they come with an app called maps and it uses wifi for a "fix" on your location. I am wondering if it needs an open wifi to get the location or does it somehow bypass protection on a wifi network to get a location? In other words if you travel with an ipod touch do you have to constantly find open wifi to get the right maps?
I hope this makes sense...
Thanks
Brian

 

[Kmax82]

Hello
I'm hoping to get an ipod touch and doing some research at the same time. I know they come with an app called maps and it uses wifi for a "fix" on your location. I am wondering if it needs an open wifi to get the location or does it somehow bypass protection on a wifi network to get a location? In other words if you travel with an ipod touch do you have to constantly find open wifi to get the right maps?
I hope this makes sense...
Thanks
Brian

Yes.. Maps is an online tool, so you have to have WiFi. You can however get a GPS app (Navigon, Tom Tom, Co Pilot, etc.. ) which has offline maps.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

You don't need an open wifi connection. Just any wifi connection.

 

[santuitman]

Okay so if you have it at home and all set up with your own wifi you could travel with it and it would grab random wifi spots on the way to reorientate itself and it would not need an "open" wifi to do this with.

 

[Kmax82]

Okay so if you have it at home and all set up with your own wifi you could travel with it and it would grab random wifi spots on the way to reorientate itself and it would not need an "open" wifi to do this with.

Correct, you just need an internet connection.

 

[santuitman]

Great, Thanks for the help!!!
Brian

 

[Spicedaddy]

The iPod Touch doesn't have a GPS, so it's basically like loading Google Maps on a laptop. You can search stuff, but it won't tell you where you are or guide you...

It's alot more useful on an iPhone, which has GPS and 3G data instead of having to connect to WiFi.

 

[manly]

honestly, there are 2 or 3 different answers here. 🙂 What santuitman asked, and ChAoTiCpInOy answered, is if the Skyhook Wireless-based location service requires the i-Device to connect to the WiFi hotspot. In other words, if he maps a specific route at home, can he follow just that route on the go with an updating current location.

The other answers refer to Google Maps requiring an Internet connection to search, or build a (new) route.