topic Re: Google Maps in Tech Help - Software/Hardware etc

Google Maps

jab1 — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 12:45:56 GMT

Here's one for the clever people. If I use Google maps on my iPad, it places me exactly where I am - at home (at the moment). However, if I open exactly the same program on my laptop, I am somewhere in Ealing, West London. Why?

And before you ask, both the laptop and iPad are on Wi-Fi, with location services enabled.

Re: Google Maps

Baldrick1 — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 12:49:22 GMT

Your IPad will use either GPS or mobile masts, depending on the model, not WiFi, to determine your location, not ‘WiFi ‘.

Re: Google Maps

jab1 — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:04:25 GMT

Good point @Baldrick1 - I had half-forgotten that, 😀 However, it still doesn't explain why the laptop thinks I'm in Ealing. It has never been anywhere near there, and although it is at least currently consistent, I have 'been' to Leicester, Derby and Chester in the past.

I am on a static IP (for the past four+ years) and at the moment am on one of Zen's Manchester PoP's

Re: Google Maps

outcast — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:33:17 GMT

Just guess -

Zen do use a transit provider that has a data centre that is near Ealing.

Re: Google Maps

jab1 — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 13:39:36 GMT

Thanks, @outcast - I'll check your graphic when or if it is released.

Re: Google Maps

jab1 — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:25:55 GMT

Seen it now, @outcast . I get what you mean, but if I'm connected to Manchester, do I need to go via London? - bear in mind I'm no network expert, but...

I did a quick mtr to the BBC, but as I'M on IPv6, the hops after the Mcr PoP were just IPv6 strings, and I CBA to look them up.

Re: Google Maps

outcast — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:51:08 GMT

Have you seen this news story today ? - Zen Internet ... 400 Gbps upgrade between Manchester and London

Re: Google Maps

jab1 — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 14:58:25 GMT

I hadn't seen it - I don't visit TBB every day - but it makes sense. The only bit that worries me is the reference to AI, but there again, I'm not a great believer in the almost total reverence that technology is held by some.😀

Re: Google Maps

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 22:42:24 GMT

Has your mobile device ever used the internet connection which your lappie has?

Re: Google Maps

mwwagain — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 00:22:10 GMT

Google maps website only knows your IP address, so guesses based on that. It means the AI is being singularly unsucessful at locating you which is probably a good thing.

Half the time Bing thinks I'm in Ealing, the rest in Leeds while Google says Reading. That is for a fixed IP on fixed equipment - in Essex.

The fixed IP and equipment in Scotland is also usually thought to be in London - or sometimes Glasgow

Re: Google Maps

jab1 — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 06:37:34 GMT

Fair enough, @mwwagain . The thing is, I move between Ealing, Nottingham, Leicester and somewhere in, I think Lincolnshire. However, I think @outcast has answered my question, and the query was only meant half-jokingly anyway - not a life-threatening situation. 😀

Re: Google Maps

Townman — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:26:12 GMT

This is another example of imprecise IP geolocation data. Devices with GPS (phones and tablets) locate from real data. Laptops or more to the point the service being used, relies on geolocation information related to the IP address … which especially if it’s a dynamic address, can be additionally variable.

Some services are smart enough to co-link connecting IP addresses with the GPS location of the connected device. Which is fine until the address is reassigned.

Re: Google Maps

jab1 — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 18:36:53 GMT

@Townman , merely for information, I am on a static ipv4 address - but - I suspect my ipv6 address, which is the one all my kit seems to prefer, is dynamic and does change occasionally, although even that used to locate me well away from Sheffield, but not always quite as far away as Ealing.