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Posts with tag my location

Palm launches unlocked Centro, gets Google Maps "My Location"


We've seen the Centro in its Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon (to name a few) iterations, but global roamers and free agents of all sorts will be delighted to know that Palm's increasingly popular little smartphone is now available in a delicious unlocked GSM flavor. The device sports all the same specs as AT&T's model, but clocks in with a $299 price tag and plain gray numberpad instead of the telco version's shocking lime green variation. Alongside the carrier-free phone, Centros will also be nabbing a version of Google Maps with its "My Location" feature (long absent from GMaps on Palm phones). Current AT&T and Verizon customers as well as new unlocked owners will be able to download the app tomorrow, with a software update for Sprint later this Summer. Finally, you'll all know where you are.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Google Maps for mobile gets native on UIQ


There you go, now all you UIQ3 types can finally raise your mobiles and celebrate a bit of native love by way of Google Maps for mobile designed specifically for your devices. For those that don't know -- or don't care -- the native app will likely be able to take advantage of your device's touchscreen, full screen mode, and will support My Location. Sure, we know that Palm, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian S60, and iPhone have had this for just about forever in mobile terms -- since months is this biz is like years in others. Though, we feel that the UIQers left out in the cold deserve their day in the sun. So, go forth, install, and get properly oriented Google-style.

GSM Treos get Google My Location functionality via MyLocation

An enterprising developer named Razix, when frustrated with the lack of support for the Palm Treo 600, 650 and 680 in Google Map's My Location -- for those not in the know, that's GPS-like magic sans GPS -- functionality decided to build his own. Piggybacking on top of the Google Maps app, MyLocation performs the same feats of mystery, intrigue, and cell tower triangulation that most other platforms are already enjoying and there's no need to wait for Palm to get it in a pile to do so. The program is free but ad driven, so if you want to do away with the location-based adds, you'll need to cough up $10 or more to end your suffering. We've not tried it but would love to see how you all get along, so if you do drop us a line, let's make a game of whose reported locale is closest to bein' true.

[Via PalmInfoCenter]

Google unveils GPS-less handset locator technology

If your smartphone came with a built-in GPS receiver, you can choose to just overlook Google's latest technology, but if your mobile is among the 85-percent (or so) out there lacking an integrated GPS module, listen up. The search giant has revealed new software (dubbed My Location) that enables non-GPS-equipped phones to be pinpointed within three miles of their actual location. Google is claiming that it can provide "neighborhood-level" data, and that pressing "0" while in the app will enable users to skip the task of entering in a starting address when looking up directions. Notably, the system is not set up to collect phone numbers or any other personal details, and for those still paranoid, it can indeed be switched off. Currently, the tracking database still has a few gaps to be filled -- namely locales in Europe and all of China / Japan -- but Google could very well use the location data to eventually provide targeted ads to those who use it.

[Image courtesy of TracyAndMatt, thanks to everyone who sent this in]




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