Noob question about iPhone 3G.

[blurredvision]

I've had my iPhone 3G for a week now, and I'm loving it. However, I have a noob question about the GPS. When an app asks to use your "current location", is it using the GPS when available, and when not, just tower triangulation? Do app developers and users have full access to the phone's GPS receiver at no extra charge?

 

[TheStu]

Yes, i believe so.

 

[ric1287]

yeah they can access all that stuff now (camera, maps, gps) and use it within the app itself.

 

[ViviTheMage]

Yup, pretty sure it is..I leave that turned off now, haha. Sucks my battery!

 

[Rottie]

Why camera need to know the current location when taking photo? And I am curious is compass is a GPS?

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Rottie
Why camera need to know the current location when taking photo? And I am curious is compass is a GPS?

The camera GeoTags your photos so when you upload them to your computer and use compatible software, it will map where you took the shots.

The compass is hardware based.

 

[alevasseur14]

The 3G doesn't have a compass. You must be talking about the 3GS?

 

[Rottie]

Yes that's correct I am talking about 3GS

 

[Rottie]

I'm sorry what do you mean by compass is hardware based?

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Rottie
I'm sorry what do you mean by compass is hardware based?

There is a hardware magnometer inside the device, it doesn't base your heading off of the GPS.

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: Rottie
I'm sorry what do you mean by compass is hardware based?

There is a hardware magnometer inside the device, it doesn't base your heading off of the GPS.

If it could base your heading off of the GPS, the iPhone 3G would be able to have a compass. However, the iPhone 3G can base your heading off of the GPS as long as you keep moving.