Navizon offers GPS without satellites

Crafty Wi-Fi triangulation cuts costs.

By Peter Cohen, Macworld.com
Published: 03:12 GMT, 10 July 07

Mexens Technology has released software it says can turn any Windows PC or Mac into a “virtual GPS”.

Its Navizon service, which works on any Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-equipped computer, is a positioning system that works by triangulating signals from public Wi-Fi hotspots and cellular towers.

It creates what the Mexens calls "virtual" Global Positioning System, even on devices that don't have a built-in GPS capability.

Europe launches free GPS system

The new version of Navizon is free to use, though you'll need to create an account and sign in order to use it. Navizon isn't limited to desktop computers or laptops. It also works on mobile phones, including Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, Symbian and many phones that support Java.

Features include the ability to see your position on a map, locate friends and family, get directions, and leave "spatial annotations" you can share with other Navizon users.

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Todd Hudspeth | Published: 01:27 GMT, 12 July 2007

The product doesn't appear to be free other than the 15 day evaluation period.

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