Does Microsoft Surface have GPS?

Anonymous
2012-10-16T16:40:26+00:00

Simple question, cannot find the answer.  A couple of websites states that GPS is there, however I find nothing on www.surface.com.  The website that state that GPS is there have said that since june and I don't know how they would know?

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Anonymous
2012-12-12T16:23:17+00:00

There is no GPS on the Surface. It uses location services based on the internet connection.

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btbt 11,841 Reputation points
2012-10-16T18:47:26+00:00

As it's a WiFi only device, there is no GPS, but it does have location services as part of the operating system.

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Anonymous
2012-12-26T22:54:36+00:00

Hi,

Surface for Windows RT does not support an external GPS device such as the one you refer to.

Surface for Windows RT can look up your location based on WiFi signals in your vicinity, as long as the Surface is also Internet-connected.  Apps such as Maps or Weather, or web sites through Internet Explorer, can use this information.

Hope this helps

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Anonymous
2013-04-02T19:11:00+00:00

Hello Myron,

Surface RT does not have GPS, however it does have Location Services which allows certain programs to know your location based on IP address.

Was there a specific app you needed to use with GPS?

Best regards.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-03-19T19:25:49+00:00

    Well, I've had my surface pro for about a week. (128gb ssd).

    Personally, I'm blown away by it... I'm running cs6 programs about three times faster than my old desktop could handle it! So its simply an awesome desktop replacement for me (powering my 24 inch monitor, running on my bt keyboard, with bt mouse, saving my files to the 64gb microsdxc card and backing up to my wireless 2T network drive).

    So I've got nothing to complain about. I would have liked gps built in, but for all this complaining I've just read, I'm surprised. What's the problem with buying a Bluetooth gps unit (there are thousands out there, for as low as $50) and leaving it in the car? When the surface is in the car, they pair and off you go.

    While there may be issues (different software may or not work with different gps devices), I'm willing to bet money I can buy Delorme's Earthmate with their own BT device (I know it works on w7) for under $100 and have it work just fine on w8. With the little bt gps dongle in the glove compartment, no wires etc.

    So what's the problem? If I needed gps on a daily basis, I'd probably buy a garmin device, but for the occasional trip, I look forward to testing out the surface pro when I can find a good dash mount.

    Also the bluestacks software which emulates any android app on windows 8 should also be able to let you use any android phone mapping software on the surface, straight from your gps enabled phone. I'd be very surprised if Nokia's windows 8 phone mapping software couldn't also be ported to the surface.

    So it seems to me that there are a bunch of ways to get real gps mapping on the surface, without a lot of hassle.

    Next year of course the Surface Pro II will have gps, and Mac will probably release a MacBook Air tablet too.

    But if you want the bleeding edge, and don't want to wait... the surface pro is it. And yes, you'll have to find a way to work around the very few things it does NOT come equipped to do...

    Of course, all this talk of gps is funny considering there is no 12v car power supply for the surface pro on the market.... :)

    Guess while you're complaining of having to hook up bt gps or plug in a usb gps to the surface, you'll have to add that 100 watt inverter on the front seat as well!!

    Me? I'm sold. Awesome job, Microsoft!

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