Google Maps with My Location for mobile devices allows you to approximate your location even if your phone does not have GPS capabilities. It utilizes information from your cell phone and proximity to cell phone towers to approximate your location. It works with most mobile phones and will allow you to search for places based on your current location.The video below explains how it works...
It currently is not available on the Google Maps application that comes with the iPhone but Google support indicated that is will be available soon. For iPhone users who have unlocked their phones, a similar tool from Navizon is available for download. It basically does the same thing.
For example this morning I took my daughter to an appointment. I had to wait around so wanted to grab a cup of coffee. I launched the Navizon application and it found my approximate location (within about 2 blocks....) and then I searched for "Coffee" and found a shop within just a few blocks. From my limited experience it works well in areas with a high concentration of cell phone towers. As this kind of thing gets better, the need to have a power draining GPS unit on a mobile phone will diminish.
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