Tablet GPS?

[Oliver Hardy]

I decided to buy a cheap tablet to run a sat nav on, was going to get a Tab 9 but ended up buying a Doogee U9 for £40, but having installed my software I don't think it has a GPS capability. However Google maps runs on it.

If it does not have a GPS capability how does Google maps run on it?

[Motorman74]

Location services doesn't just rely on GPS.

"Google uses BSSID information from your WLAN Access Point to get an approximation of where you are located, even with GPS and WiFi turned off. ...
So, essentially, when you ARE using WiFi and GPS, Google's database of BSSIDs is updated with a geographic location associated with that BSSID"

[Corso Marche]

Oliver Hardy said:

I decided to buy a cheap tablet to run a sat nav on, was going to get a Tab 9 but ended up buying a Doogee U9 for £40, but having installed my software I don't think it has a GPS capability. However Google maps runs on it.

If it does not have a GPS capability how does Google maps run on it?

In the same way it does if you were to open it on a laptop or desktop computer, which don't have GPS either. It detects your local network and connection to find your location, as Motorman74 says above.

Of course a tablet may also have an option enabled whereby even if WiFi is 'off' (it's not going to connect to a WiFi network) there's a chance it may have background WiFi scanning enabled so it scans nearby WiFi networks to estimate location.

[ARHarh]

Corso Marche said:

Oliver Hardy said:

I decided to buy a cheap tablet to run a sat nav on, was going to get a Tab 9 but ended up buying a Doogee U9 for £40, but having installed my software I don't think it has a GPS capability. However Google maps runs on it.

If it does not have a GPS capability how does Google maps run on it?

In the same way it does if you were to open it on a laptop or desktop computer, which don't have GPS either. It detects your local network and connection to find your location, as Motorman74 says above.

Of course a tablet may also have an option enabled whereby even if WiFi is 'off' (it's not going to connect to a WiFi network) there's a chance it may have background WiFi scanning enabled so it scans nearby WiFi networks to estimate location.

More than likely logged into the same google account your phone is connected to so as we all know google knows everything about you, especially where you are and what you might want to buy.

[cobra kid]

ARHarh said:

More than likely logged into the same google account your phone is connected to so as we all know google knows everything about you, especially where you are and what you might want to buy.

Why's that a problem? Do you go outdoors with a face mask and cover up what you buy in the shops??

[ARHarh]

cobra kid said:

ARHarh said:

More than likely logged into the same google account your phone is connected to so as we all know google knows everything about you, especially where you are and what you might want to buy.

Why's that a problem? Do you go outdoors with a face mask and cover up what you buy in the shops??

Sorry, I didn't say it was a problem, just made a comment. If I had an issue with this sort of stuff I wouldn't partake of it.

[cobra kid]

ARHarh said:

cobra kid said:

ARHarh said:

More than likely logged into the same google account your phone is connected to so as we all know google knows everything about you, especially where you are and what you might want to buy.

Why's that a problem? Do you go outdoors with a face mask and cover up what you buy in the shops??

Sorry, I didn't say it was a problem, just made a comment. If I had an issue with this sort of stuff I wouldn't partake of it.

It seemed a very specific thing to not have a problem with.......anyway.......

[Oliver Hardy]

Thanks everyone, should have thought it was WIFI.

Anyone recommend a cheap tablet with GPS, refurbished one will do.

cobra kid said:

ARHarh said:

More than likely logged into the same google account your phone is connected to so as we all know google knows everything about you, especially where you are and what you might want to buy.

Why's that a problem? Do you go outdoors with a face mask and cover up what you buy in the shops??

If I go out doors I don't get tracked by a company, which isn't a problem but it is.

[untakenname]

I use a Lenovo Tab 9 which costs around £100 and has GPS plus is updated regularly with software updates.



One thing I noticed when using android Auto I had to set it to use the tablet GPS as by default it was using my phones which wasn't ideal when it was in my coat or bag so perhaps you could still piggyback from your phones GPS if it's an Android, I believe with the adaptor I'm using (carlinkit) it will do the same for iphones when using Apples Carplay but haven't tested it.

[nvubu]

I've had a couple of Lenvovo 8 inch tablets in the past.

My current one is a Blackview Tab60 8.68 Inch - £99 on Amazon. It has room for a SIM card and a SD Card, rest of the spec is good as well. I carry it instead of a laptop when travelling. Watch films etc.

[bazza white]

If the tablet can take a SIM it will likely have GPS. Had the GPS headache when buying a tablet to run nav on a boat.

[judas]

If its just for use as satnav in a car, there are dedicated units for this that provide Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration with your phone over Bluetooth.

See https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...