Play with and understand WiFi Positioning System
A few months ago, Mozilla generated lots of buzz through its Geode extension, which locates users through the WiFi access point they were using. Other popular tools have similar features, such as ‘Locate me’ on iPod Touches.
So, a very interesting question is how does such technology work?
They consult a service called Skyhook Wireless. They drive around settlements in several countries and record the GPS co-ordinates of where they pick up certain wireless access points, so when users send the access point’s MAC to them, it can return the co-ordinates. Many areas aren’t covered but if you would still like to use it, and let others use it, one can manually add details to the system. The same system is used to correct erroneous listings.
Many services already make use of WiFi-based location services.
For example, GPS units may struggle to provide an accurate location indoors or in an urban environment, but Skyhook [...]
