PartFoundry has just posted a video demonstration of a combined software/hardware GPS add-on for the iPhone that will be released February after Apple releases their SDK to developers. Currently GPS features have been limited to cell tower triangulation which is not that accurate. PartFoundry is using the SiRF Star III unit which is one of the best out. It plugs right into the bottom of the iPhone and takes about 60 seconds to initialize at startup.
Once you launch their program and find your position you then click the “Show Map” button and are redirected to Google Maps which displays your current location with a variance of 5 to 10 meters. The current price is stated to be $90 and may change before the final release.
Features:
| Chip: | SiRF Star III |
| Channels: | 20 |
| Update Rate: | 1 sample / second |
| Acquisition Time: | Hot start (open sky): <1s |
| Hot Start (indoors): <15s | |
| Cold Start(open sky): <35s | |
| Serial Output: | TTL Serial, 4800 baud Ascii, 38000 baud using SiRF Binary |
| Position Accuracy : | 5m-10m |
| Charging: | Integrated mini-USB connector for pass thru iphone charging. |
| Protocol Support: | NMEA 0183 ver 3.0 |
| Iphone Software: | Requires Jail Broken Phone (tested on firmware version 1.1.2). Software will be open source/community based |
| Ipod Touch : | TBD, currently testing, more info on Dec 21. |
** Specifications subject to change without notice.
Please voice your opinions on what you would like to see in their first major GPS application for the iPhone. If you would like to develop applications for locoGPS, please contact them for more information.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY8OxHeNKfY 425 355]
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