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iPhone 3G S GPS performance
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hailstorm
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:32 pm    Post subject: iPhone 3G S GPS performance Reply with quote

I don't know if anyone else has had a play with the GPS on the new iPhone 3G S. I've found results to be really encouraging. It seems to achieve a lock far quicker than my 3G.

Most impressive is that it seems to able pick up a lock in the house. Never had this before with the 3G.

I still need to try it out in the car and see how well it tracks position.

Can't wait to see how the navigation apps run that are coming out soon.
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Darren
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

It's definitely better than the 3G. I run MotionX GPS in log mode and the 3G tracks were frequently wandering off or losing fix. The 3G S has so far proved bang on accurate. I can now use MotionX for OpenStreetMap logging.

Very pleased also with the much zippier OS, everything happens very quickly.

Now how quickly can I fill the 32GB!
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gatorguy6996
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So the added gps chip in the TT live dock might not be of much benefit on the new iPhone in your opinion? If so, that would open up some (probably) less expensive mount alternatives from companies like Brodit.
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Darren
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:37 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

gatorguy6996 wrote:
So the added gps chip in the TT live dock might not be of much benefit on the new iPhone in your opinion? If so, that would open up some (probably) less expensive mount alternatives from companies like Brodit.

A little early to say for sure but I'll be surprised it it is necessary given the performance I've seen so far.

As soon as the first turn-by-turn app we can test is launched we'll know for sure. Looks like that might be Sygic who already have Oz/Nz and Singapore/Thailand/Indonesia packs in the appstore. C'mon Apple, pull yer fingers out!
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gatorguy6996
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Am I correct that it's a Hammerhead II chip in the iPhone?
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PaulB2005
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:54 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Which one?

Old iPhone - yes

New one - can't find confirmation...
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Darren
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:57 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

gatorguy6996 wrote:
Am I correct that it's a Hammerhead II chip in the iPhone?

Oooh I don't know, haven't seen that? Comparing Paul's linked image with a high-res of the 3G S board I can't ID the chip in the place where the Hammerhead is on the 3G here but it says APPLE.

Would be interesting to know if the chip has changed or not.
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Last edited by Darren on Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
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gatorguy6996
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:05 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Yes, I was asking about the new 3G. And I guess I shouldn't have asked if I was correct. At another forum a poster with over 80,000 posts who will go un-named ( Wink ) mentioned the 3G is using that chip, but it's the only mention I've seen. I thought I had seen spec's somewhere/someplace that indicated another chipset was selected for the 3G.
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Darren
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PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well if the GPS chip is in the same location on the 3G S as the 3G it certainly looks to be a different chip. Might be a later Hammerhead but its pure speculation as I haven't a clue!
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Darren
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 10:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well it transpires it is also an Infineon/Hammerhead in the 3G S. Which model chipset has not yet been discovered.

The 3G had the PMB 2525, but I haven't been able to find a high-res pic of the 3G mainboard that is clear enough to enable me to read the chip code so I can compare with the 3G S.
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gatorguy6996
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 12:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I strongly suspect it's their XPOSYS, a much smaller chip with increased signal sensitivity. The timing would be about right. Mass production of that chip should have started in the last 30-60 days, but it's been available in smaller quantities for a few months. Infineon had been partnering with GlobalLocate for Hammerhead II chipset. Broadcom bought Global Locate, so Infineon got a new partner in Epson, who just happens to produce the XPOSYS. If there's an Infineon ID, IMHO it would likely be Epson's design especially if the chip looks to be significantly smaller than previously, or the number 2540 appears anywhere on the chip, it absolutely is.
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gatorguy6996
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Another clue just struck me. Apple is claiming improved battery use on the 3GS. Is it happenstance that the Infineon/Epson chip (reportedly) uses 50% less power than the Hammerhead II?
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Darren
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 2:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Apple are claiming improved battery life during video and playback as well as during web browsing so this could be a coincidence.
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gatorguy6996
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:30 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

True.

But I would think that one of the traditionally higher power draws was from the gps chip. Reducing that need would go a long way towards helping battery life. Did you say you don't have a hi-res pic of both the 3G and 3GS board?
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Darren
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PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:41 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

gatorguy6996 wrote:
True.

But I would think that one of the traditionally higher power draws was from the gps chip. Reducing that need would go a long way towards helping battery life. Did you say you don't have a hi-res pic of both the 3G and 3GS board?

Fair comment, that's good point.

Strange though that the power comparisons show no difference for talk or standby time, only web, video, audio which suggest the savings are perhaps due to a more efficient processor. But I'm way out of my technical experience comfort zones here!

Got hi-res pics, the 3G S one is linked above and the 3G is in hi-res [url=http://www.mr-gadget.de/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/iphone_mainboard.jpg]here[/url.

Bit on the 3G board either the markings on the GPS chip are not discernable.
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