Yeah, let’s nip this one in the bud. There’ve been increasing susurrations in the Apple underground community that the iPhone is going to have GPS built in. I’m going to say that there’s a better chance that the device is going to work as a combination garage door opener and pumice stone.
But, GPS functionality? Pretty darn unlikely, for a few reasons. Let’s start with the biggy: as others, including Senor Gruber, have pointed out, the iPhone’s already passed its FCC exams, with nary a mention of GPS. They can’t just shove a GPS chip in—that’d require getting the device recertified, which they’re not going to do this close to launch.
And if the iPhone did have GPS functionality, you can bet that Apple’d be talking it up. They gave us all the other specs at Macworld, why not mention it now? One site pointed towards the fact that Google Maps on the iPhone has a “directions” function as proof positive that it has GPS, leading to me wonder if the writers have ever used Google Maps. What makes them think that such a link doesn’t just prompt you to enter your current location? That’s like saying that since the iPhone has the ability to dial phone numbers, you’ll be able to send faxes from it.
Well, Apple did ask the FCC to withhold some information about the iphone from their publishing. It could very well be a GPS function. Do some background check first before posting next time.