Apple kills off GPS in Egyptian iPhone 3G

One of the Apple iPhone 3G‘s headlining features, aside from its support for 3G data connectivity, was its integrated GPS receiver. Using assisted GPS positioning, the iPhone 3G locks onto your precise location with ease.

Unfortunately for Egyptian iPhone 3G hopefuls, Apple has killed off GPS in the Egyptian iPhone. According to the New York Times, the Egyptian government forced Apple to do away with the GPS feature for fear that it would create a national security risk. Egypt argued that GPS positioning technology should be limited to military applications.

The move to disable GPS in the Egyptian iPhone 3G is being criticized as a faulty security policy at a time when Google Maps is capable of giving would-be terrorists a bird’s eye view of sensitive government locations. Egypt previously squashed a Facebook uprising that called for political reform, contradicting the uptake of new technologies.

Of even more concern is how this move affects human rights. Arvind Ganesan, director of the business and human rights program of Human Rights Watch, says that the decision to cripple the Egyptian iPhone 3G of GPS could impact freedom of speech. Ganesan asks, “Here is the big question for Apple: Is this an ad-hoc approach or is there a fundamental policy, balancing the freedom of expression and information with the demands of the government?”

[Via: NYT]

About The Author

Will Park

Will hails from The City of Angels - Los Angeles, California. He spends his time playing with his numerous gadgets and looking forward to seeing what future holds for mobile technology. An avid promoter of a fully "digital" life, he promotes the widespread adoption of truly mobile, paper-less living. He dreams of the day when he can go completely digital. No more snail mail, paper receipts, bound books, notepads/spiral notebooks, credit cards, hard currency. He's a digital warrior - fighting for the converged life. He is an idealist and a realist - he has a perfect view of what the world should be but knows that the world is not perfect. Can we ever hope to see Will's dream become reality? We'll see...

Ahmed Ghanem

Well, Nokia’s done the same with the N96, but I’ve unlocked it through changing the phone’s code and updating with the official gulf countries firmware ( to keep the arabic language ) .

In the case of the iPhone 3G, I’ve not found a method yet to un-lock the GPS, I’m not even sure the hardware chip, but if it’s locked through firmware, then I think I must wait for the iPhone Dev Team to provide the software unlock to be able to work with GPS.
digital_Sin

Totoally expected move, It was already well known that the only way for the iPhone to be legally sold in Egypt is that to remove GPS (maps application). It’s retarded I know, But it’s better than nothing.

What’s really strange is that eventhough we don’t allow GPS devices to be sold in Egypt, we have no laws against foreigners brining GPS devices with them when they come to Egypt for personal use (So that they can easily find their way around the country). So if you’re an American with a iPhone 3G with GPS for example, you can bring it in here no problems and use it. I’ve seen tons of imported N95s with GPS working here. That seems really backwards, retarded and funny at the same time. How the hell can foreigners have more privileges inside our own country than legal Egyptian citizens.

Anyways, I’m sure they’ll cave in soon. Pretty soon GPS is going to be standard in all phones (like cameras) and they WILL have to approve them, unless they’re planning on living in a mobile phones stone age.
TareX

Totally expected. As soon as I saw that iPhone ad in Cairo, I knew they stripped off GPS.

Another reason why you shouldn’t buy a high-tech phone from an official Egyptian outlet.
Ahmed Eltawil

The Egyption government is soo messed up. Their president is an unjust immortal douchebag. That being said, GPS wouldn’t work well in Egypt. Their road system…well, there is no system. A tremendous amount of roads won’t be on the map (including major ones). Residents rely on popular shops and scenery around them when it comes to their address (you can’t just say 123 Jefferson Rd, you have to also mention if it’s behind some popular shop, or infront of a ministry etc). GPS on the iPhone or any other device will be completely useless in Egypt (specially Cairo).
Maskar

Dear Ahmed. I thought of cairo roads and gps the same way you do. Untill i used nokia maps. You’ll be amazed with the accuracy of the road network maps that they provide. I now even find road and street names that was never put on the actual roads i’m not saying that cairo is designed in a good way but i’m saying that nokia maps is way too good in cairo, and might be the only sole provider for such quaility maps of cairo. Sure you should expect some un updated street cross sections or openings.
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