For users of the Nokia N97 flagship handset, some might be painfully aware of the bad GPS reception on this particular handset along with other issues such as the camera slider.
Having bad GPS reception simply defies the usage of OVI Maps (which I use quite often) or social GPS applications such as Waze. I’m therefore very happy to see the Maps Booster application from Skyhook Wireless.
What’s neat about this application is that in addition to using a GPS device and A-GPS it uses surrounding WiFi networks to pinpoint your location. What this means is that even if you are in an area where there are a lot of buildings you’ll still get a location fix. As this is a separate application, you can use Maps Booster along with any other location based applications and still get a fixed GPS signal.
As the application also uses WiFi signals to pinpoint your location, this is both its strength and its weakness. You are in other words dependent on how many WiFi hotspots there are in your area and the locations in Skyhooks databases to gain maximum benefit of it.
If you didn’t understand how the application works, don’t worry as you can consult their FAQ with a video explaining it all nice and easy. For coverages in your area you can head over to this website.
The application is only available for purchase through the OVI store for $2.99 and is available for Symbian-powered handsets running S60 3rd and 5th Edition. I know I’ll be buying this one for my N97 (when it’s back from repairs for GPS problems).
Is this an application you would buy to strengthen the GPS on your Symbian-powered handset or do you tend to use other options?
