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Surely many have heard this word before. So what is locator on a phone?

Possibly referring to Latitude from Google- a service thanks to which users will be able to search for friends on a map supported by mobile devices based on Symbian, Android, iOS and Windows Phone.

However, our article is devoted to the service with the same name, which is offered by domestic operators. cellular communication... It is very convenient way find out the location of other people.

Locator service from MTS

• Thanks to this service, MTS subscribers will be able to easily find out location information mobile devices their friends online. For the first two weeks, this service is provided to customers free of charge.

  It works on any GSM mobile device without special configuration (2G or 3G).

• You can use the Locator service through the website, SMS commands, as well as through the application for our phone. When registering another subscriber in the network, its location is determined; no connection is required for this.
• For 100 location requests, we pay a fee of RUB 100 (excluding the above free first two weeks). We add that such a request can be made only with the consent of another subscriber.
• It is this service that users most often have in mind. If we want to find out where our friends and close people are, and we are an MTS subscriber, we are encouraged to try this service.
• To connect it, we send an SMS message with the name and phone number friend to number 6677. If he agreed, a message with the approximate location will be received in response. We add that only successful requests are charged.

"Locator" service from Beeline

• This service is actually similar to the service of the same name from the MTS company. With it, we will be able to find out the location of other people, as well as easily navigate the terrain.
• You can view the address in an SMS message. We add that it is determined as accurately as possible. Typically, the error is from 250 meters to 1 kilometer.
• The most convenient way to use this service is through a special mobile app... To do this, click on the search menu, select a subscriber and open the map.
• The link for installing the application on the phone is sent after dialing 09853. We add that it works on Android and iOS. You can also activate the service by sending an empty SMS-message to 5166.
• New users are offered free use of the service for a week. Payment for the Internet is made according to the tariff. There is also a daily subscription fee on a prepaid payment system in the amount of 3 rubles.

Modern smartphones have a lot of unique capabilities, one of which is geolocation. What is geolocation and what functions does it perform? You can find answers to these questions in this article.

Meaning of the word

Geolocation is the determination of the real location of an electronic device. This concept can describe the process of determining the location of the device itself, as well as its immediate location on a geographical map.

Geolocation data can be obtained through:

1. The IP address of the device.
2. GPS technology.
3. Wi-Fi technology.
4. Mobile networks.
5. User data by electronic device.

Each of these methods has its own characteristics, so in order to answer the question of what geolocation is, you need to consider them in more detail.

Determining geolocation using an IP address

For the first time, users learned what geolocation is, thanks to the technology of locating a device by its IP address. But, unfortunately, this method gives inaccurate geographic data, so today it is used extremely rarely.

This method consists in automatically determining the IP address and, accordingly, the individual to which it is registered. But since the IP address is usually provided by the ISP, the location is not determined either. specific device, but a company that provides Internet services.

Plus this method geolocation is that it is available anywhere, anytime. The data is processed on the server side.

Its cons:

• Low accuracy in determining geolocation. The location is limited to the locality where your ISP is located.
• High price.

Some web resources use your IP address when serving contextual advertisements. You will be able to discover this while staying outside your country, advertisements will display the services of local companies.

GPS technology

GPS technology is currently the most popular, and it is this method that gives an idea of ​​what geolocation is in the phone. . GPS technology is based on obtaining the most accurate data from navigation satellites. But it takes a certain amount of time to get the result of the location query, which is a small disadvantage of this technology. If you want to find out on the example of your smartphone what geolocation is (in a Lenovo phone, for example), then you need to execute the following commands: "Menu", "Tinctures", "Geolocation".

A definite plus this method is the high precision of the result.

• Low processing speed.
• Interruption of communication with the satellite in some rooms / metro / elevator.
• Sometimes installation is required special application on the gadget.

Now you understand what geolocation is in the phone, how to install this function.

Geolocation determination using Wi-Fi technology

This method is appropriate only in urban conditions, it is clear that in the forest there can be no talk of any "wi-fay". The results obtained by this method are also highly accurate, as well as the technology based on the use of GPS. But more often than not, these two methods of determining geolocation operate in conjunction with each other.

• High accuracy.
• Accessibility in any premises.
• High speed and economy.

• Wi-Fi adapter required.
• It is not possible to use this method in rural areas.

Determining geolocation by manually entering information

Instead of entrusting the determination of your location to a satellite or wireless Internet connection, if necessary, you can enter geolocation data yourself. This will help all kinds of applications, programs, browsers to provide you with up-to-date information about the services provided.

• High degree of accuracy.
• The ability to determine geolocation in any area.
• It takes the user much less time to enter their geolocation data than a special program will require.

What is geolocation for?

We figured out the definition of geolocation, now it's time to find out what geolocation is in the functional sense of the word. Many believe that she helps law enforcement agencies work. Allegedly, humanity is being driven under the total supervision of the authorities, etc. But if you do not suffer from persecution mania, then you can discover for yourself a number of useful geolocation functions. For example:

• Knowing what geolocation is, you can install an all-important application on your phone that will help you find your stolen or lost smartphone. By remotely locating your device, you can track it in real time.
• All navigators work only thanks to geolocation, since it is impossible to build a route without determining your current location.
• You can find out the latest information about the weather, services, advertising offers, understanding what geolocation is in the phone.
• Many social networks use geolocation to mark the location of the pictures you take. This eliminates the need for additional description of the photo.

These are just some of the useful features of this function of your smartphone. But if you still want to maintain your privacy, having a complete understanding of what geolocation is, on Android or iOS, you can easily disable this function by running a number of simple commands. As a rule, for this you need to go to the "Settings" of your phone, find the line "Geolocation" and prevent the device from automatically determining your location.

The word "geolocation" has been on everyone's lips for a long time. But most people only have general concepts about what it is. Let's take a closer look at what this service is and how it can be useful.

Geolocation

What is geolocation? Geolocation is data that informs in real time about the exact location of a computer, tablet or phone and, accordingly, its owner. Through this service data such as the country where the subscriber is located, city, street and house are set.

How it works

A prerequisite for the service is the connection of the device to the Internet. Each mobile device has special software installed to track its current geolocation.

Thanks to the Internet connection, the service locates the device using the current IP address of the subscriber. What is a geolocation service, we discussed above. Now you need to understand how it works.

What is it for

Now many programs developed for smartphones, tablets and personal computers, during registration, and some during use, they request the data of the current geolocation.

Some programs need this in order to place this data in the client's profile, other users could see his real location.

Applications designed for which request geolocation in order to tell the subscriber exactly where he is in this moment time, help to find the shortest route to the desired place.

Working with search queries

Geolocation is of great importance when processing search queries users. What is search engine geolocation and how does it help?

Depending on the location of the subscriber, search engines give appropriate responses to his requests. This is very convenient and saves time searching for the information you need.

So, for example, when asking about how much and where to buy a new car, the system will first of all show the sites that advertise the sale of cars in nearby cities.

On mobile devices

What is phone geolocation? The included service helps you determine where the nearest cafes, restaurants, theaters, fitness centers, and more are located.

In addition, the included geolocation system in the phone will help you find the device in case of loss or theft. This service will be valid even if the SIM card was replaced when the phone was stolen. The main thing is that the Internet continues to work. It can be both the Internet, working from a SIM card, and Wi-Fi.

Service cost

This service is completely free. The only thing that spends money or megabytes on is the traffic used to download the maps. If your phone uses exclusively the Internet cellular operator, then the payment will be charged according to the tariff to which the subscriber is connected.

If the mobile device uses exclusively Wi-Fi or is connected unlimited Internet from a mobile operator, only Internet traffic will be consumed.

For business

What is geolocation for business? How can she help in its development? By tracking the demand for certain goods in specific regions, the firm can change in its branches. So, for example, you can set lower prices for goods that are not in demand.

In addition, for the convenience of customers, you can specify prices for each region in the currency used for payment.

How to connect

What is geolocation in a smartphone? How to connect it and how to use it? On phones of the fourth series, to enable the function of determining your current location, you need to go to "Settings". In this menu you need to find an item called "Geolocation" and activate this function by sliding the key to the side.

After enabling this feature, you will be prompted to choose which programs you allow to use your location data.

What is geolocation on an iPhone? How does it connect? To enable this option on phones with an apple of the fifth series, you also need to go to the "Settings" section, from there go to the tab called "Privacy", where in the very first line there will be a function called "Geolocation Services".

After activating this function, the system will offer to do all the same steps as in the fourth model. You will need to choose which programs can use your location data and determine the time zone.

What is iAd geolocation? It has the same purpose as the iPhohe. Turns on this program universally.

The only difference that can be very useful is the ability to find a lost or stolen phone using a tablet on the same iOs platform.

To do this, you need to install special program called Find iPhone. You can download it for free through the AppStore application. Next, you need to register in this search program by entering there Apple data ID. Then you need to check that the "Find iPhone" function is enabled on your phone. In order to do this, you need to go to the "Settings" section, go to the tab called iCloud, in which you can activate this function.

In order for the service to work, you need to enable it and allow the use of geolocation.

Latest version software the fifth series offers additional service... In the same menu where the phone search function is connected, you can enable the function with which lost phone before being completely discharged, it will send data about its current location to the manufacturer.

To find a lost or stolen phone, you need to go to the "All devices" section from another device previously paired with it. Then go to the “My devices” tab, where the model of the lost one will be visible, after which the location of the requested device will be shown.

If the missing phone is turned off, you need to put a tick in the "Notify me about the find" section in the device from which the search is carried out. In this case, when the phone works again, you will know exactly where it is.

For the convenience of searching, this program has several useful functions. You can go to the settings of the "Find an iPhone" program and put a check mark next to the item "Play sound". If it is activated, when searching for the device, it will turn on with which you can easily find the lost device.

The second useful function programs - "Lost Mode". If you activate it, you can block the phone, and the number on which the person who found it can call you will be highlighted on its display.

The third function is called Erase iPhone. With its help, you can remotely erase all your stored on the lost device.

If the phone was lost, and all data was deleted from it, and then it was found or returned, you can easily restore all personal information using backup, which any device of this company makes every time it is connected to a personal computer.

Sometimes you may notice that your location on Google Maps is inaccurate or not at all (blue dot not shown). This article explains how to troubleshoot these issues.

Note. Finding your location more accurately will help improve your search results.

How to find out where you are

How Maps determine where you are

The location is determined by the following data:

• GPS. Satellite signal (accuracy - up to 20 meters). Note. If you are in a building or on the subway, the data may not be accurate.
• Wi-Fi. The closest source of the wireless network.
• Cell tower. Place of connection to the cellular network (accuracy - up to several kilometers).

How to increase the accuracy of geolocation

Follow these steps:

How else can you improve the accuracy of geolocation

If your location is still incorrect, follow the steps below.

Calibrate the compass

If the beam from the blue dot on the map is too wide or is pointing in the wrong direction, you need to calibrate the compass.

What does the blue dot mean

Your current location is indicated by a blue dot on the map. If Google Maps cannot determine exactly where you are at the moment, a blue circle will appear around the blue dot. The smaller the circle, the more accurate your coordinates.

Notes (edit)

• If there is no blue dot, or you see a gray dot, then Google Maps does not know where you are. The gray dot marks the last saved location.
• If there are obstacles between you and the cell tower, such as tall buildings, your location may not be accurate.

See your location on other sites and other apps

To view your location on Google Maps on other sites and apps, follow the instructions above. However, some things will be different:

• Site or app other than Google Maps will be used.
• The site or application you are using must first be granted access to the geodata.
• If you are using browsers Google chrome or Safari, your location will only appear on webpages that are protected with the https protocol.

Geolocation is the determination of the real location of an electronic device, which in our case is a smartphone or a phone. Geolocation is not tied to satellite systems, the location can be determined by the location of the stations cellular networks... Or, for example, using an Internet connection.

Why do you need geolocation? It may be necessary for positioning a person (smartphone). Imagine opening a map app on your smartphone and you need to get to a certain street. To get an accurate route, the app needs to know your exact location. Another example: you post a photo to social network and in order to establish the location where this snapshot was taken, it is necessary to use geolocation.

How to enable geolocation on Android smartphones?

Please note that mobile device manufacturers may use different firmware that change appearance shells, and often the names in the menu. We will show an example on stock Android version 4.4.

Go to "Settings".

Find the "My Location" or "Location" section.

Check the box next to "Access my geodata".

If necessary, select the definition of your location - by GPS satellites and / or by network coordinates.

If necessary, you can configure geolocation using an application that needs to know your location. When you click on the menu button in the application, you will be automatically redirected to desired section settings.