Skyhook’s Wifi Location technology explained

The new MyLocation feature on the Google Maps application in the iPhone and iPod Touch allow users to find their location. Many thought that this technology only uses cell triangulation to locate where the phone is. However, Apple has partnered with Skyhook Wireless to allow iPod Touch users to find their location as well. Skyhook uses a database of Wifi hotspots to determine your location.

“Every Wi-Fi access point, whether public or private, sends out a signal every second or so, like a lighthouse. We pick up those signals and use our technology to calculate your exact location.”

Skyhook has been driving around North America documenting all the wifi hotspots in both Canada and the US. So far, they believe they have documented 70% of North America, and are planning to expand to Europe and Asia in the future. Also, Skyhook charges a one-time fee for usage of their technology which may have something to do with the $20 fee charged to iPod Touch users for the January Software Upgrade.

Via [Macrumors]