Devicescape SoftGPS: Wi-Fi positioning service
Devicescape SoftGPS is a software-driven positioning service for devices and location-aware applications. SoftGPS uses Devicescape's global, high quality database of Wi-Fi access points in order to provide location in a uniquely cost effective manner.
Want to try out SoftGPS? Get an evaluation version here.
Capabilities
SoftGPS can be incorporated into Wi-Fi equipped mobile devices to provide location awareness without the need for GPS hardware. The surrounding Wi-Fi environment is used to determine location by querying the SoftGPS service over any form of connection. Uniquely, SoftGPS can function over many types of Wi-Fi network, including Devicescape's Easy Wi-Fi Network without full authentication. SoftGPS can also be embedded on the device to function in a completely standalone manner.
SoftGPS can also be utilized to translate Wi-Fi access locations (BSSIDs) to geocodes. This allows location data to be determined later by mobile and server-based applications.
For devices with GPS hardware, SoftGPS can be used to gain a rough location and reduce startup delays, and to provide location indoors and in other areas where the GPS signal is compromised.
Features and Benefits
The main capabilities are:
- Low cost: SoftGPS can provide location based services to any Wi-Fi enabled device, determining location from the surrounding Wi-Fi environment. SoftGPS can also function without need for paid Wi-Fi. This allows location-based applications to be developed for low cost devices avoiding the need for GPS or cellular hardware, or expensive global Wi-Fi access plans.
- Flexible implementation: the SoftGPS service can be queried dynamically, to lookup location in real-time, or the surrounding Wi-Fi environment can be stored so that location can be determined at a later time. Dynamic lookup can be implemented over any network connection, including many Wi-Fi networks, or by embedding the SoftGPS data on the device. Deferred lookup can be done by the mobile application when a network connection is available, or by another application entirely (e.g. a server or PC-based application).
- Large location database: SoftGPS uses Devicescape's high quality global database of several million Wi-Fi locations. These are created and maintained by monitoring of Wi-Fi accomplished by millions of Easy Wi-Fi clients. This approach provides for high quality data at a uniquely low cost. SoftGPS relies on the presence of Wi-Fi and cannot provide the full coverage and accuracy of true GPS. However, the Devicescape database provides for good coverage in many areas, particularly urban areas with dense Wi-Fi penetration.
Evaluate SoftGPS
Devicescape offers a flexible evaluation program for SoftGPS with a Windows binary available for immediate download, and a simple signup to try out SoftGPS on your device. Click here for details.
Learn More
SoftGPS Technical Overview (PDF)
Watch our Announcement Webinar from Sep 16, 2010
To learn more about Devicescape SoftGPS and Easy Wi-Fi Network Services, please contact us.