Exposed: GPS for iPhone interview

Posted March 14, 2008 at 10:37 AM by JG Mason

Section: Communications, Cellphones, Smartphones, Mobile, Gadgets / Other, GPS/Navigation, Features, Interviews

I was able to catch up briefly with the PosiMotion team and learned just a little bit more about their idea to bring an external GPS receiver data to the iPhone.  Since Apple doesn’t seem to be freeing up bluetooth for anything but the headset and the SDK isn’t allowing software to talk through the dock, just how do you get GPS data into the phone as there is no on-board GPS?  PosiMotion’s answer is via WiFi, allowing the GPS receiver to communicate with the phone over WiFi.  Clever.

Here the Q&A:

Gadgetell:  The world got to see your concept before the iphone SDK was announced.  In light of the delivered SDK, are you continuing as planned?

PosiMotion: The iPhone SDK was announced before (earlier on the same day) we officially announced our product - this strategy confirmed and ensured compatibility of our product with the iPhone.

Gadgetell:  Your site explains your software and hardware will work with both iPhone and touch; how will you overcome the touch’s lack of a speaker?

PosiMotion: A speaker is not required for our system and, as such, is not a limitation for the iPod Touch.

Gadgetell:  To me, it would seem very risky to build something Apple may not allow, how do you minimize this risk?

PosiMotion: We are in the process of gaining Apple product certification

PosiMotion says more information will become available regarding the functionality and availability on their website shortly.

Product site [PosiMotion]