| Versions |
  |
|
| Author |
 Topic  |
|
gpspassion
93389 Posts |
 Posted - 08 juin 2009 : 21:46:07
|
UPDATED 20091025 - Just upgraded from a 3G and I must say I am very impressed by the performance of the 3GS, it is not the subtle upgrade I had perceived at the time of announcement. Everything is much faster, the largest source for the boost likely being due to the doubling of the RAM. Now to see if that has an impact on the performance of the internal GPS...
The keynote at the Apple Developper 2009 Conference (WWDC 2009) has just ended :
New items of GPS Interest :
- "iPhone 3GS", S = Speed, the fastest iPhone in the 3G format. It includes a compass. Electronic of course, not sure if it's 2D or 3D, 2D only works if held flat. Available starting mid-June.
- "iPhone OS 3.0", available June 17th, 2009. Free for the iPhones, $9.95 for the iPod touch.
- "TomTom Navigator for iPhone" available this summer. Compatible "iPhone 3G" and "iPhone 3GS". A special "TomTom EasyPort for iPhone" active holder (to power the iPhone) will be available as an option. Dynamic voice guidance of course and portrait and lanscape modes, more details to follow hopefully !
In the meantime here is a site set up by TomTom to get updates : http://iphone.tomtom.com/index.html
 |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
|
|
Ads
|
|
|
Boyd
USA
1639 Posts |
|
|
wco81
USA
222 Posts |
Posted - 09 juin 2009 : 00:03:14
|
So the obvious questions are:
1. Pricing?
2. What is the pricing model on newer maps or additional maps?
3. Is a data connection required?
4. Will there be a beanbag mount (windshield mounts are illegal in some US states, including CA)?
Hope Garmin and others jump into it too. |
 |
|
|
gatorguy
USA
648 Posts |
Posted - 09 juin 2009 : 01:20:29
|
| There's several including Sygic, Telenav, Navigon and a half dozen others that I'm aware of. Garmin isn't one of them, at least so far. |
Garmin 1695 / 760 / 255 / Navigon for Android / Navigon 8100T / Garmin Dakota 10 / Geomate |
|
|
|
gpspassion
93389 Posts |
Posted - 09 juin 2009 : 12:17:26
|
Going back to the iPhone 3GS phone, I'm curious as to its battery life, especially with the increased speed and the new electronic compass. It's supposed to be "improved", but how so ? Physically with a larger battery or less power hungry 3G/WiFi/GPS components ? That's the only real way to increase battery life, the rest is just "standby mode tweaking" like Car MPG, no one ever reaches the rated number ;-)
I have yet to see a mobile device, be it Windows Mobile, Blackberry, Nokia, Android or iPhone that can last more than 2/3 hours on its standard battery with continuous use of 3G, or WiFi, or GPS, and that to me is a problem for a phone you need to potentially rely on for an emergency. As a result I carry a powerful phone (HTC Touch Dual) I use only to make and receive calls and in case I need data for a few minutes and have an iPhone 3G as a (great) multimedia device. |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
|
|
|
gatorguy
USA
648 Posts |
Posted - 09 juin 2009 : 15:17:15
|
| Doesn't the TT dock also serve as a charger via mini-usb? With an included GPS receiver I would think so. |
Garmin 1695 / 760 / 255 / Navigon for Android / Navigon 8100T / Garmin Dakota 10 / Geomate |
|
|
|
Dewi
617 Posts |
|
|
gpspassion
93389 Posts |
Posted - 10 juin 2009 : 12:05:21
|
I'll believe these claims about 50%+ WiFi battery life when I see them, naturally they could have added a "low power" setting a HTC do on their Smartphones, problem is that in that mode speed is slow and it disconnects all the time ;-)
@gatorguy - yes the TT dock is an active dock so you can charge your iPhone on the road, won't help for pedestrian use though. I wouldn't think it includes a GPS receiver though, maybe an antenna since they claim "enhanced GPS performance", but the Globallocate Hammerhead v2 chipset inside the 3G is capable enough as users of the iPhone 3G like myself will have been able to verify, full AGPS doesn't hurt either for TTFF. The lower perfomance Hammerhead v1 is used by TomTom on the ONE and XL models and does a good jobeven compared to SiRFstarIII -> Compared : TomTom ONE GPS - SiRFstarIII vs Globallocate
UPDATED : so I contacted TomTom about this and they are indeed confirming there is a "GPS chipset" inside the cradle, although my contact didn't have any specifics at this time.
That's really odd about having a full receiver in the cradle, you'd think the Hammerhead v2 with an external antenna would do the trick, it works ok as it is on my 3G. Maybe it wasn't possible to get the antenna signal into the iPhone via the existing connector? That can't be good for the cost of the cradle, maybe a simple one will come out later? |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
|
|
|
wco81
USA
222 Posts |
|
|
gpspassion
93389 Posts |
|
|
Timon
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - 12 juin 2009 : 22:55:41
|
quote:
Originally posted by wco81
So the obvious questions are:
4. Will there be a beanbag mount (windshield mounts are illegal in some US states, including CA)?
As of Jan 1 windshield mounts are legal in California as long as it's on the drivers left and not blocking his view of the road. CA finally figured that forcing it below the dash caused more issues than allowing it where the driver can see it without taking his eyes off the road.
If they TT did a good job I'll likely get one. |
Edited by - Timon on 12 juin 2009 22:58:48 |
|
|
|
wco81
USA
222 Posts |
Posted - 13 juin 2009 : 00:04:08
|
Wow, didn't know that. I thought CA outlawed them just a couple of years ago.
But that cradle is going to be expensive with its own GPS chip.
There are plenty of mounts and chargers for the iPhone. Curious about the Navigon system. Isn't that the one which uses data from other users to show real-time traffic?
Hopefully there is more competition than just these two. THe UI on PNDs leave a lot to be desired, at least the Garmin Nuvi is pretty bad compared to most iPhone apps.
I mean, rather than search a limited POI database, searching on Google Maps yields much better results. Plus you have things like Yelp, which will list and display various other local services. That data is likely to be more useful than a static POI database. |
|
|
|
raven2000
72 Posts |
|
|
gatorguy
USA
648 Posts |
Posted - 20 juin 2009 : 14:38:46
|
| I can't prove this yet, but I strongly suspect that Apple's 3GS is using Infineon/Epson's XPOSYS chip. The clues: Comparing photos of the 3G and 3GS board, the newer board looks to have a smaller chip. Early user reports also mention improved tracking results on the 3GS. Apple also claims improved battery use. These all match the XPOSYS description of the smallest available gps chip, increased signal sensitivity and lower power requirements. Add to that Broadcomm buying Global Locate( the Hammerhead II producer), which sent Infineon looking for a new partner in Epson who just happens to produce the XPOSYS, and it's looking very likely that a chip change has taken place between the old and new iPhones. |
Garmin 1695 / 760 / 255 / Navigon for Android / Navigon 8100T / Garmin Dakota 10 / Geomate |
|
|
|
gpspassion
93389 Posts |
Posted - 21 juin 2009 : 11:42:28
|
Interesting, do you have a side by side picture comparison ? A smaller chip could indeed mean lower power although it's unlikely to be significant as they're probably still using a hosted design that relies on the main CPU for power.
As for how the various components are put together, it's hard to tell really, I somehow doubt that Apple (or their ODM) would go to Infineon and ask for a GPS solution, but rather shop for a proven GPS solution, in the case of the 3G it was Globallocate's Hammerhead v2 and find out what hardware they can use to implement it.
When it comes to GPS performance, the know-how and value is really in the software more than the hardware and the two best games in town are SiRFstarIII, Hammerhead v2 and Glonav, I doubt Apple would go to Epson who never got very far with their own designs, although they tried a few times.
If we can finally get an app to log raw NMEA data on OS 3.0 it will be a good opportunity to reopen the GPS Performance Comparisons file ;-) |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
|
|
|
gatorguy
USA
648 Posts |
|
|
Topic |
|
|
|
| This page was generated in 0,45 seconds. |
 |
|
- 
- 
[TOPIC] iPhone 3GS with Compass - User Reviews
