Skyhook promises one second location

A SYSTEM which enables a geo-location to become available within a mobile handset in a mere second rather than minutes has just been launched into Europe by Skyhook.

The European launch follows a major upgrade to Skyhook's released software – XPS 2.0. In essence, Skyhook now blends information from three separate sources: - GPS, cell location and
Skyhook's own Wi-fi Positioning System (WPS).

WPS is the source of its unique positioning capability. It monitors signals from Wi-fi access points (WAP) to help locate the users.

Rather than rely on user-generated input, Skyhook sends out teams of dedicated drive-by engineers to gather information on the precise location of WAPs.

Basically this WAP information is added to standard data supplied by the network operators through Cell Location. More than that, however, is 2.0's capability to incorporate information from built-in GPS chips.

The demo given to the INQ appeared incredibly accurate. Hardly surprising really given that Skyhook's technology has been embedded right into the heart of Apple's Iphone OS.

There are also version of Skyhook for Symbian and Windows Mobile. The only significant omission is a variant that would run on RIM's Crackberry.

Skyhook has just announced that its software will now be embedded into CSR's Wi-fi and GPS chips both of which are popular with handset vendors.

According to Skyhook's CEO, Ted Morgan, the company has already signed up some 1,500 developers. The big advantage over rival systems being that there's no need to go through a third party aggregator or the cellular network operators – the location data comes directly from Skyhook.

Skyhook is employing around 200 people to drive around the major conurbations in Europe gathering data. The main emphasis has been on the UK, Germany and France – the original markets for Apple's Iphone. µ

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