AGIS NAVFDrive in the news

Gleaming, shiny, intuitive and impressive. Kudos to our developers for a piece of engineering brilliance!

Why does the location keep jumping on NAVFone?

Recently, there has been 1-star reviews and feedback that the NAVFone apps for iPhone is lousy because the GPS is not working properly. So we investigated and tested and finally decided we better attempt to answer the question: Why does the location keep jumping on NAVFone?

GPS position is calculated based on signals from satellites in the sky. Generally 3-12 satellites can be visible by the GPS chip in the mobile devices. When the chip is receiving less than 4 signals, the GPS position becomes invalid or highly inaccurate.

Inaccuracy has also been experienced when there are many glass façade buildings in the vicinity. GPS signals get reflected off the glass panels and when received by the GPS receivers, produce inaccurate results. This can happen in areas with tall glass façade buildings.

Bad weather and thick tree cover also reduce the accuracy of the GPS signals, causing a delayed response on the navigation apps. Sometimes, the location is delayed up to 3 sec during rain storms.

Specifically for iPhone, the Location Service is provided by phone. It is very much beyond the control of the developers. Besides the limitation of the GPS position as highlighted above, when there is no GPS, the iPhone Location Service switches automatically to the AGPS position.

The AGPS position is normally the mobile or WiFi base station which the mobile phone is connected to. Hence whenever there is no GPS position, it bounces from building to building, or landmark to landmark. All apps utilising the Location Service face the same problems. When that happens, you can observe inaccuracy of up to several hundred metres from the actual location. This is commonly terms as a 'location jump'.
In our testing, we have experienced these occurrences when:
(1) Inside tunnel such as CTE and KPE
(2) Underground or covered carpark and driveways
(3) Along highly built up areas with tall buildings, such as the Shenton Way, Robinson Road, Cecil Street and the Raffles Place vicinity.

AGIS has tested the apps on several iPhone devices with the same result. We also tested the NAVFone with other navigational software and noticed the same location error.

Nonetheless, we are still looking into the issues and coming up with solutions that could filter or minimise the inaccuracy. Meanwhile, we hope to get the understanding and support of our users - we are working to improve our apps all the time.

At least for one thing, you can be assured NAVFone or NAVFDrive would bring you to your destination :)

Spyshots: NAVFone GPS Navigation on the iPad?

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NAVFone makes the news!

NAVFone Singapore GPS Navigation was featured in The Straits Times ROAM section on the 10th of August as being one of the most practical home-grown Singapore apps for the iPhone!

KPE: To SPEED or NOT to Speed!

I have been driving on the KPE regularly for the last one month.  It has been an interesting observation for me.  Having heard of the many drivers who were caught speeding after the tunnel was open, I noticed that the speed level has gone up from 70km/h to about 80km/h or more!

Not wanting to be caught on camera, I have been the law abiding citizen keeping to the speed limit.  However, I noticed other cars tailgating me, making me feel like a road hogger on the highway.  On top of that, being at the edge of the speed limit, I am unable to filter into lane 2 as everybody else is running at about the same speed. 

As to whether they are caught by the camera, I doubt so.  

Although there are many cameras in the tunnel, these drivers are aware of which cameras actually capture the speed.  They are able to take a higher speed, making feel like I am just holding them back if I were in Lane 1. 

There are certain sections of the Tunnel that gives the warning, “Speed Camera Ahead”.  I do see some braking at these sections, but how can we be sure which are the sections where I could take up a little more speed and filter into the next lane?

Thus, the question to Speed or Not on KPE will be best answered by those of you who have at least received a warning.

Dayal Krishnan

Chief Operating Officer (LBS)