Idea: Find location by cell towers and WiFi access points (e.g. using Mozilla Location Service)

[richardfuchs]

Idea:

Improve finding the location using external data like the location of cell towers and WiFi access points. A possible solution for this is the open-source service Mozilla Location Service (MLS).

Mozilla Location Service (MLS)

"The Mozilla Location Service (MLS) is an open service which lets devices determine their location based on network infrastructure like Bluetooth beacons, cell towers and WiFi access points. This network based location service complements satellite based navigation systems like A-GPS." [source]

• Website
• API-Documentation
• Example coverage map of munich
• Costs: "The service is currently provided as-is, free of charge, without any guarantee on availability, accuracy of results or continued existence. We don't offer any commercial plans for the service and have no plans to provide such." [source]

[Phantast]

Thanks Richard. I'll take a look.

[bam80]

Christian, what do you think about network based location services? How it compares with your step-based method regarding energy saving?

[Phantast]

Hi @bam80 , SmartNavi is already using cell, wifi and GPS locationing for the initial first position and if the user enabled it, also for the ongoing AutoCorrection. I guess Mozilla offers the same here. Feel free to experiment with SmartNavi and the Mozilla location service. Looking forward to Pull-requests at some time? :) Regarding energy saving: bluetooth, cell and wifi locationing could also be used for energy saving methods, thats right. The question is just, how reliable and how accurate they are ... worldwide. Hard to say that without some results. ;)

[bam80]

Looking forward to Pull-requests at some time?

Only if you return back to F-Droid :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye: