About Geolocation in HTML 5

Question

Google Maps can now pinpoint my location with street precision with the help of Firefox.

I understand this is a new feature of HTML 5 compatible browsers and that the location is fetched by using some sort of feature of the connected WiFi network (I hope I'm not making any silly assumptions).

What I intend to know is how this whole process exactly works:

• Why only in HTML 5?
• Why / how does Firefox ask me to share my location with Google Maps?
• What is the normal precision one can count on?
• How can I implement this feature in my websites?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

HTML5 supplies an API

which allows the web browser (and then hence the server-side of an web application) to query the location and related information such as speed (if relevant), in a standard, uniform, fashion.

The host and its web browser supply the "devices" which compute/estimate the geolocation per-se

For this API to be useful, requires that the underlying host and web browser
  a) allow the sharing of such info (note the privacy issue) and
  b) be somewhat equipped (either locally or by way of the network they are hooked-up to) to read or estimate the geolocation.

The techniques and devices involved in computing the actual location involves a combination of the following (not all apply of course), and is independent from the HTML 5 standard:

• GPS device (lots of phones now have them)
• Routing info at the level of the Cell phone network
• IP address / ISP routing information
• Wifi router info
• Fixed data, manually input (for pcs which are at a fixed location)
• ...

Therefore...
- HTML5 alone cannot figure out geolocation: upgrading to newer web browser, in of itself, won't be sufficient to get geolocation features in your applications etc.
- Geolocation data can be shared outside of the HTML5 API, allowing GPS-ready or GeoLocation-ready phones expose the geolocation data within other APIs.

Answer 2

How does it work?

When you visit a location-aware website in Firefox, the browser will ask you if you want to share your location.

If you consent, Firefox gathers information about nearby wireless access points and your computer’s IP address, and will get an estimate of your location by sending this information to Google Location Services (the default geolocation service in Firefox). That location estimate is then shared with the requesting website. (Source)

How accurate are the locations?

Accuracy varies greatly from location to location. In some places, the geolocation service providers may be able to provide a location to within a few meters. However, in other areas it might be much more than that. All locations are to be considered estimates as there is no guarantee on the accuracy of the locations provided. (Source)

In my case, Firefox reports that I am about 10km away from my real location.

How do I use this feature in my website?

You would do something like this:

if (navigator.geolocation) { 
    navigator.geolocation.getCurrentPosition(function(position) {  

        alert(position.coords.latitude + ", " + position.coords.longitude);

        // Use the latitude and location as you wish. You may set a marker
        // on Google Maps, for example.
    }); 
} 
else {
    alert("Geolocation services are not supported by your browser.");
}  

You can see an online demo here: Firefox HTML 5 Geolocation Demo (Requires a geolocation-aware browser such as Firefox 3.1b3.)

Answer 3

In addition to Daniel's reply, you can get the difference between HTML5 Geolocation powered by Google (Wireless Geolocation) and conventional IP-based Geolocation from the following site:

• IP2Location - Wireless Geolocation (HTML 5 Geolocation API) vs. IP Geolocation