Location based services

[underdream69]

Hello,

After a careful read of http://www.forum.nokia.com/main/0,6566,1_23,00.html , I am a bit confused.
If I understand correctly, the vast majority of device models require an External gps module in order to use lbs, regardless of the specific API (Java or other).
I want to write software which will work without attaching external hardware to the cell phone. So it seems that my support is limited only to those 5 models which use "Network-based positioning". Is this a correct assessment?
Is there any way to utilize location based services on any other model without an external hardware? (for example, is it possible to achieve that by using some low-level api to get the cell id, and use a pre-build map of anntenas to translate it to coords?)

[dcrocha]

Hi,

According to the very Java spec, the method used for discovering and positioning is transparent to the API. What you'll get is the qualified coordinantes according to the criteria specified by you.

So, if a particular model claims supporting JSR 179, you should assume that it will have a GPS module embedded or it will use network-based or even Bluetooth-based positioning. The message here is that you should not care very much about the underlying mechanism; just call the APIs and you'll get the results you need.

Daniel

[juarezjunior]

See also:

J2ME and Location-Based Services
http://developers.sun.com/jsp_utils/...%2Flocation%2F

Java and GIS, Part 2: Mobile LBS - Cool!
http://today.java.net/pub/a/today/2004/04/01/gis.html

JSR-179
http://www.forum.nokia.com/java/jsr179#jsr179

[ajr]

Hi,

Wondering if you had any luck with this information. I am looking to do the same thing you are describing and I'm a bit lost.

Thanks!

[juarezjunior]

Hi ajr,

What are the problems you're having to cope with? Which device and operator are you targeting?

Please post clear questions with enough information about your issues and requirements so that buddies here can help you

BR,

Juarez Jr

[ajr]

Hi Juarez,

I would like to write an LBS app that does not require an external GPS unit. I am targeting an S60 v3 phone, the Nokia e70.

From the research I've done I see that I can use the Location API with network-based positioning but I have no idea where to go from there. I found one post on this board that says you need 1), the API and 2), a carrier which provides this information. I use Cingular but I haven't had any luck finding out directly from them if they send that information.

So, my questions:

1. Is there a way to use network-based positioning using my current phone/carrier combination? Is there an API function that I can use to query my carrier for this information? If not, what are the barriers?

2. If I can't do what I want right now, are there other options I can consider that do not involve an external GPS receiver? For example, the e70 is WiFi enabled and I have read of several groups using this to determine position (Skyhook Wireless, Navizon, PlaceLab). PlaceLab seems to be the only thing that I could use w/ my phone and I have not had any luck enabling it.

Thanks!

[juarezjunior]

Hi ajr,

Ok, the Nokia E70 does support JSR-179 - Location API. But you need to make sure that the operator you're targeting provides location information.

"I use Cingular but I haven't had any luck finding out directly from them if they send that information."
I think this is the best way to get this information and make sure what's available and what's not.

"1. Is there a way to use network-based positioning using my current phone/carrier combination? Is there an API function that I can use to query my carrier for this information? If not, what are the barriers?"
I advise you to read this document and example by Forum Nokia and you will have the big picture for JSR-179, in case you haven't done so.

MIDP: Location API Developer's Guide
http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.n..._0_en.pdf.html

MIDP: Location API Example - Tourist Route
http://www.forum.nokia.com/info/sw.n..._v1_0.zip.html

"2. If I can't do what I want right now, are there other options I can consider that do not involve an external GPS receiver? For example, the e70 is WiFi enabled and I have read of several groups using this to determine position (Skyhook Wireless, Navizon, PlaceLab). PlaceLab seems to be the only thing that I could use w/ my phone and I have not had any luck enabling it."
I cannot help on that unfortunately. I've never heard of such solutions.

Hope this helps!

Juarez Junior

[hartti]

1) To my knowledge, Cingular does not yet provide locationing information. This info is a couple of months old, so the situation might have changed, but I have not heard anything though...

2) Placelab works on pre-3rd Edition devices. There is not yet a 3rd Edition version for PlaceLab.

Hartti

[ajr]

Thanks juarezjunior and hartti for the info.

It's interesting that I've hit a deadend, or at least a pause, in every path that I've gone down as I try to make sense of all the LBS options. I supposed I could just plan around a GPS receiver or user-initiated positioning info, but the coolness of network-based and wifi-based is just too much for me to let go of. As of now, there seem to be pros and cons for every platform/chipset out there. I went w/ Symbian 'cause I loved the whole open source approach and Nokia has some great supporting docs available. I almost went w/ a Qualcomm gpsOne/BREW solution to avoid the positioning challenge but I figured it would be more fun to work on Symbian - hope I made the right choice!

From what Cingular says, they're not releasing this positioning data just yet, but I'm not convinced that whoever I spoke to really knew.

hartti - thanks for the heads up on the S60 v3 limitation. I caught that they only targeted v2 but had hopes since that info seemed dated. Oh well.

juarezjunior - thanks for the links. I actually installed that Tourst Route sample a few days ago. I'll get a chance to pick it apart this wknd to see how exactly they built it.

Back to the drawing board!