[OSM-newbies] AGPS as GPS

[André Riedel]

2010/5/29 H.S.Rai <hs at raiandrai.com>:
> For mapping mobiles with GPS are seems to be good resource. My question is:
>
> It seems that Android will rule and Linux bases mobiles may not become
> a reality.
>
> Can A-GPS be used as GPS?
>
> Background of this question is as:
>
> In market there are many Android based mobiles (In India):
>
> LG GW620 Rs. 15500/-
> Samsung Glaxy Spica GT i5700 13000/-
> Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 31500/-
>
> All are having A-GPS, and sales man says one need to subscribe and pay
> monthly for use of navigational through A-GPS.
>
> However, my impression is that A-GPS should also be able to used as
> GPS (not working indoor and long fixing time), but sales person can
> confirm that.
>
> Is there anyone who uses A-GPS as GPS and confirm that A-GPS on such
> mobiles can be used as GPS or vendor has restricted that option.

It is an normal GPS receiver. But in advantage your first fix will be
much faster because your position is calculated by your mobile phone
network, too. To do this your phone sends all current connected phone
cell ids to an server and receives an approximately position. Because
of different roaming prices you are able to turn this service off.

See:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS

Ciao André