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
    2012-11-20T03:05:36+00:00

    I don't understand the talk about Wi-Fi at the same time as talk about the GPS. They use different circuits, antennas with totally different functions.Google maps will work without a constant connection for navigation but yuou do need a GPS.  for just a couple dollars more they could have included a GPS but inexplicably they appear to have not done so.

    My wife and I have a samsung 7" and an Acer 10" Android tablet and both do nav perfectly without a fulltime connection to the internet. I'm an IT consultant and a Microsoft Partner and i ws anxious to get a Surface, BUT THIS KILLS IT FOR ME. I would still have to carry an android tablet for nav.

    This doesn't make sense, almost every little $80 android tablet has a GPS, why would Microsoft leave this out.

    Very frustrating.

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