Countdown to iPad – Living GuideBook (Use Case 24)
Wednesday 10 March 2010 - Filed under gaps + mobile + Technology
You were going to buy a Kindle, but that geek husband of yours surprised you with an iPad. You love the color pictures and video, but it wasn’t till today’s hike that you really understood the value of his gift. Not only were you able to read about the lake trail, but iPad’s GPS got you right to the trail head. Having downloaded “Living Trail Guide,” then checking the weather and time of sunset, you knew it would be good hike and you’d be back by dark. All this and your husband never had to stop for directions! You couldn’t have done this with a Kindle – he may never let you live it down.
iPad: Takes you where the red fern grows
iPad - It’s alive!
Countdown to iPad Series – There are countless articles and posts citing what the iPad isn’t or won’t be good at. We think they are wrong. Join us as we celebrate the countdown to iPad’s debut by posting a daily iPad use case.
We have many iPad use case scenarios queued up, but could always use more. Please comment and share your iPad ideas below.
iPad – Copyright © 2010 Apple Inc. (www.apple.com)
2010-03-10 » Russ Leseberg
10 March 2010 @ 1:23 pm
iPad 3G features what Apple calls “assisted GPS”. The Wifi-only iPad doesn’t not include this feature. It is not clear if this uses an actual GPS satellite receiver or only uses cellular tower triangulation. Therefor is not yet clear what capabilities the iPad 3G will have. Without GPS satellite you may be out of luck at many trailheads which tend to be out of cell tower range.
10 March 2010 @ 4:17 pm
I was pretty sure this concept would work when I wrote the post, but after your comment, I decided to double check. I am in the Apple Store as I write this reply. The AGPS (Assisted GPS) in the iPad is the same as in the iPhone. Though it is assisted by other other data streams it is not reliant upon them. As long as the maps are pre loaded, as would be the case in my concept, everything should work fine. We just took the sim card out of an iPhone and turned off Wifi. The GPS works just fine and seems just as accurate as my handheld Sony GPS. You are correct that the Wifi only version of the iPad will not have GPS or AGPS.
10 March 2010 @ 10:12 pm
Russ, out of all your possible scenarios, I will never bring a Ipad to a nature hike or camping site. I am suppose to be one with nature, not with technology.
hehe
10 March 2010 @ 11:27 pm
Though I understand your point, I think it is important to make a distinction regarding tech in nature. Certainly tech can distract but used carefully it can also augment the experience. In my example we show the use of a living guidebook and used in that way I don’t see it as a distraction. On the otherhand, if I spent my time at the lake answering email on my ipad I would see that as a distraction.
20 October 2010 @ 8:10 am
some satellite receivers are not very good in tracking and receiving satellite signals–,