S60 Users: Google Maps recieves an upgrade, virtual GPS added!

Google Maps for S60 is now up to version 2.0.3 and now has the ability to show your general location based on the cell towers around you. I’ve verified this on my Nokia E61i, a device which most positively does not have GPS.

Google has also changed how you zoom in and out, now using the 1 and 3 keys on your keypad instead of the center dpad and right soft key, a very unwelcome change.

How well does the virtual GPS work? Well here is where the GPS in my Nokia N82 thinks my apartment is:

That is highly accurate, I’m right by that roundabout.

Here is where my E61i, with Google Maps 2.0, puts me as living:

Now I know 1700 meters doesn’t sound accurate, but check out what happens when I zoom in:

That is pretty damn close! Try it on your S60 devices and let me know how it works for you.

To download it go to http://www.google.com/gmm in your mobile web browser. By the way, that “virtual GPS” lock took less than a second. Impressive.

Update: There is now a video from Google showing how the service works, hat tip to Ars Technica.

About The Author

Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu (@WhatTheBit on Twitter) has loved technology since as far back as he can remember. It started with computers, but in the past few years his passion has turned to mobile devices. As a mobile phone enthusiast who lives and breathes devices that connect to the internet, he knows he is not alone with this radical fascination of all things wireless. He is strongly opinionated and enjoys a good debate so leave comments in his posts and he’ll get back to you! Stefan began blogging as a hobby in the fall of 2006 and joined IntoMobile in the summer of 2007. Later he got a job at Nokia in March 2008, but as of June 2009 he has rejoined the IntoMobile team. He is currently based out of Helsinki, Finland.

Finn

Nice indeed! By the way, does N82 have better GPS than N95?

You seem to live pretty near, nice place you have.
Stefan Constantinescu

N82 locks on faster than the N95 yes and the antenna is in a much better position than before.
Chris P

Thats nice. Now if only Google could combine both – ie for google to use cell phone towers where GPS isnt available (or the GPS has yet to connect).

Infact – is this the way is works now, can anyone confirm?
Stefan Constantinescu

I don’t understand. Yes you can still use GPS if you want to or switch to pure cell tower ID.
Chris P

I mean it would automatically detect if a GPS signal is present – so if it wasnt (ie at startup) it would use cell tower info. This would cover the (sometimes) couple of mins it takes for the GPS to get a lock on at startup or lack of GPS inside buildings in built up areas.
Ken

Hi Stefan , one qweston can this gps app be used with N81? cheers
Amir

it’s not bad with EDGE (E61i @ US), It would be a nice to addition to 3G phones without a GPS chip (N75 in the US)… I assume you’d get better accuracy with 3G over EDGE.
Jouni

Chris P: you just described how AGPS works (Assisted GPS). Yep, supported by Nokia.

Stefan: wow, great tip! I’m now in Budapest Hungary, using E61i with Finnish operator SIM card. Google Maps shows my location within about 100m where I really am
Chris P

Jouni – no I havent, AGPS assists the GPS using the cell towers to speed up the ‘lock’. What I am proposing is the location found from the cell towers to be shown on google maps before GPS is fixed, or if there is not connection. This way you wouldnt need to swtich between the 2 options (cell tower location or GPS location) it would be seemless. (a logo could show which position system is used.
geekonimus

@Chris P: tried it on the E90, and it found my location within 600 meters, while still trying to lock on to GPS ( I was indoors at the time). Then when I was out, after getting a lock I went into a store where I lost GPS signal but Google Maps re-found my location. So it does appear to be hand-over type of set up. Pretty smooth.
Chris P

geekonimus – Cheers:) I just installed it an it works as you explain – v smooth indeed! Would be good if Nokia could implement this in their Nokia maps. This is the think with Nokia – the detail, they make all the difference. Google/apple seem to be good at the details (thats not saying they are perfect because they arent).
thomwihah

Well, I live in a very rual area and it gives my location within 5000 meters at best. I seleted to allow information to be sent to google inorder to improve location services via towers. Anyone know if how that works? Is Google able to compare my GPS loction to their tower based location? I may be the only one within 100mi using google maps w/ GPS. I’ll post back here if I notice any improvment.
Taneli Kaivola

Works nicely. Missed by about 150m on first try. I live in eastern part of Helsinki..
chris @ gleemy

I tried it on an N95 in Sydney. I turned off GPS and it was accurate to about 5000 metres. Zoomed in, but it was no more accurate. Would be cool to see it on S40 – I believe there’s a JSR that supports retrieving the cell tower id.
varun

suppub………..!
but if any option for naming my location in my mobile at least and also to save the picture
ReNo

Some one knows is the googlemaps works in some way with PALM OS, cause I bought a TREO that brings the program, when it starts to open it ask to upgrade your version with no else option than upgrading or quiting. When I press upgrade thaks me to my Blazer browser to a death end, page can be found check the adress.

Thanks for you answers… ReNo.