Kindle Based GPS

I have to take issue with your assessment of the cell antenna based triangulation functions of Google Maps for Mobile.

I agree that it is not very accurate, but I wouldn't blame that on Google. If emergency services can't find you when you call 911 from your cell phone yet, they why should we expect any better from Google using the same information, or maybe even less! When I've been able to play with it on the street, I've had no problem searching for the street names I can see, and coming back with positive results to adjust my current position. For that level of functionality, it comes in awful handy.

In my own cheapness, I can't justify getting a bluetooth GPS to go with my cell phone any more, now that I can use Google Maps this way. When there is an application or firmware update to automatically geotag photos from a SE K790a, I'll get the add-on GPS.

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Ken,

The bottom line is that the My Location usefulness is pretty low at this point as a replacement for a GPS. Blame the triangulation on the technology if you want, I still stand by my assessment. With that said, I would imagine that if Google has anything to do with it, I trust that they will improve the capability.

I had the software give my position within 1700 meters in downtown Boston, which pretty much covers 60% of the downtown area. If you are trying to navigate somewhere with this level of accuracy to begin with, your results aren't going to be all that great. So as a replacement for navigating with a GPS; Google Maps and My location is not an obvious and easy replacement.

Using the Google Map capability the way you describe, can be great, and I expect the usefulness to get even better as Google expands into the wireless and mobile phone (GPhone) space.

-Scott