Chipmaker Broadcom is adding Wi-Fi positioning technology from Skyhook Wireless to its semiconductors to help provide more accurate location-based services.
Broadcom — which makes many of the GPS, Wi-Fi and other types of chips that go into many mobile phones — plans to use GPS (Global Positioning System) and Wi-Fi to help provide accurate location-based information for mobile devices, the company said.
Location-based services are becoming increasingly popular, especially since the launch of Apple's iPhone 3G, which comes with GPS. The location applications that use GPS have been among the most popular applications downloaded from Apple's App Store.
However, GPS has its limitations. Skyhook's Wi-Fi location technology can use known Wi-Fi hotspots to augment GPS. The service works well in densely populated areas where there are many Wi-Fi radios transmitting signals. The service is also useful for locating places indoors or in cities with a lot of tall buildings — all places where satellite-based GPS technology has difficulty getting a location fix.
