One of the unfortunate aspects of a Wi-Fi only iPad is the lack of a GPS chip, which is only included in the 3G models that cost $129 more. However, it appears that tethering your iPad to your iPhone allows the tablet to also receive accurate GPS data as well.
Cult of Mac is reporting that tethering a Wi-Fi only iPad 2 to your GPS-equipped iPhone 4 results in the connection transferring not only data but also the GPS signal as well, as one enterprising reader found out on a recent road trip.
Buyers of Apple’s Wi-Fi only iPad models can save $129 if they don’t need access to 3G data, but many don’t realize that they also forego the AGPS chip as well, which is exclusive to the 3G models. That means those big-screen navigation apps -- as well as the included Maps app -- have limited use for Wi-Fi only users.
However, a fellow by the name of Kyle Carmitchel recently discovered on a road trip that AGPS data from an iPhone is passed to a Wi-Fi only iPad while using the Personal Hotspot tethering feature introduced with iOS 4.3. While tethered, Kyle launched the Maps app and watched as it started tracking his route, exactly the same as it would have on the iPhone itself.
“As we got closer, I decided to get some directions to make sure we were on track,” Carmitchel reveals. “I launched the iPad’s Maps app, expecting to navigate the old fashioned way without GPS assistance -- knowing full well that GPS only comes in the 3G iPad models. Imagine my surprise when my iPad pinpointed exactly where we were on the road.”
Wi-Fi iPads are location aware to a point, receiving MAC addresses from the hotspots they use to match against a database of routers, but the accuracy of such location data often leaves much to be desired.
It would appear that an iPad tethered to an iPhone also receives hotspot data, but in this case it’s GPS data from the handset, which is far more accurate. This discovery should bring a sigh of relief to anyone who’s made the decision to skip the 3G iPad and save a few bucks, knowing that they’re just a flip of the Personal Hotspot switch away from having GPS anyway.
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(Image & video courtesy of Cult of Mac)
unzip7
March 16, 2011 at 3:33pm
Has anyone tried it with a Android Phone with 2.2 and a mobile Hotspot onboard such as the EVO 4G? I had the 3G model Ipad 1 and never used the 3G more than once or twice! Was thinking to just get the Wifi only version this go round but did not know it was lacking GPS. Let's hope someone tries this before I fine a Ipad 2.
