Google Inc. apparently got so fed up waiting for more GPS-enabled devices to hit the market that it has taken matters into its own hands. Google Maps for Mobile users can now have their location automatically set, with or without GPS.
The search behemoth added a new My Location feature that takes information broadcast from nearby mobile towers to approximate the user’s location. Users simply click the “0” button on their keypad to have the application calculate their location.
Google said the data from cellular towers typically puts the user’s location within 1,000 meters. The feature can also take advantage of GPS-equipped devices to provide more accurate data.
The My Location feature is available for most Web-enabled mobile phones, including Java, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian devices. The feature is not yet available on Apple Inc.’s iPhone.
Google said the feature is still in beta and it is continuing to work to improve the accuracy.
