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 Pre-announcement Webinar from Jul 20, 2010
Register for our next Webinar on Sep 16, 2010
To learn more about Devicescape SoftGPS and Easy Wi-Fi Network Services, please contact us.