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Geolocation without a GPS (codeberg.org)
submitted 3 months ago by to c/android@lemmy.world
21 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

It turns out you can get a location just by scanning nearby wifi and cell tower signals!

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[–] 15 points 3 months ago* (5 children)

Yes, because Google scans and logs everything in your area. You can do this on stock Android, but it probably requires Google location services.

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  • [–] [S] 6 points 3 months ago (4 children)

    you don't need google services, as this app proves.

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  • [–] 9 points 3 months ago (3 children)

    Just so long as BeaconDB can keep its data relatively up-to-date (which requires many users contributing via running another FOSS app in the background on their phones), never mind trusting them any more than Google.

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  • [–] [S] 4 points 3 months ago (2 children)

    I tried it in my city, geolocation accuracy is really good. MicroG also uses BeaconDB, so they collect a lot of data.

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    • [–] 3 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    ITT people not understanding that non-de-googled android phones use that method for localization by default, falling back to GPS only when WiFi trilateration fails.

    It is a smart robust way for localization and beacondb breaks the data monopoly.

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    • [–] 4 points 3 months ago (11 children)

    Yeah of course you can, but why?

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  • [–] 5 points 3 months ago* (1 child)

    It can help with location when you're on a device that doesn't have a GPS receiver. Like a laptop.

    It might also help with initial positioning since it can take several seconds or minutes to get a GPS lock.

    Edit: For anyone who want to contribute to BeaconDB there is NeoStumbler on F-Droid

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  • [–] 9 points 3 months ago (1 child)

    I'm not sure why anyone thinks receiving GPS data is "bad".

    If you're somewhere where GPS is frequently jammed (such as a warzone, etc.) then it could be useful.

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  • [–] [S] 2 points 3 months ago

    Receiving GPS data is not bad. Apps like this are more for demonstrating cool technology, not for practical use (though it seems to be working really well as well).

    That being said, MicroG does use BeaconDB as a network location provider, so there is a lot of utility there as well.

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  • [–] 2 points 3 months ago (2 children)

    Power consumption is way lower and satellite acquisition takes time (or you keep your GPS running and warm/hot-start, but that draws even more power)

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    • [–] 0 points 3 months ago*

    There is an API where you can put in a phone number and you get the location by triangulation. You need proof you need it. Ask your provider

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