Is there an add-on GPS receiver works with Windows 8 modern/store/metro apps and the high-level Geolocation APIs

Question

I have been unable to find a USB or Bluetooth GPS module that will work on Windows 8 modern/store/metro app. (There are some that will work with old-style desktop apps.) Can you recommend an add-on GPS receiver that works seamlessly with modern Windows 8 Metro/Store Apps?

Answer 1

Hi Squizfloats,

You may be better off asking for hardware recommendations in the Windows 8 forums on http://answers.microsoft.com . That said, I haven't tried it but I'm told the one from Microsoft Streets and Trips will work.

The Windows Store apps Forums are specifically about writing Windows Store apps. If you are writing an app then make sure set the Geolocator.DesiredAccuracy to High if you need high precision (like from a GPS). Otherwise it will likely fall back to lower accuracy methods

--Rob

Answer 2

Dear Squizfloats,

I do not really understand these things and maybe I am just making a fool of myself by replying.  But I have perhaps a problem very similar to yours .

The external GPS receiver with USB connection that I just bought for my tablet (Acer W700) with Windows 8 sends NMEA signals picked up by the computer via a simulated COM port and my position, speed etc can be seen with a support software shipped with the GPS receiver.

However, I want to use the GPS receiver with a navigation software (SeaPilot from Stockholm Radio) but that software does not see the NMEA data sent by the GPS receiver, the software requires data from Windows Location Provider. As far as I have understood it, all modern apps for Win 8 use position data from Windows Location Provider, the apps cannot use NMEA data sent directly from the GPS receiver.

The navigation software people told me look out for GPS receivers with drivers supporting Windows Location Provider instead of simulating a serial port.

Good luck!

Carl

Answer 3

I have been unable to find a USB or Bluetooth GPS module that will work on Windows 8 modern/store/metro app. (There are some that will work with old-style desktop apps.) Can you recommend an add-on GPS receiver that works seamlessly with modern Windows 8 Metro/Store Apps?

You can use this free driver that converts NMEA based USB + BT GPS devices to the modern API - works well. Unfortunately this doesn't work with Windows RT.

As the Windows 8.1 API will include support for BT & USB I expect that future "Metro" apps that are serious about GPS will start to support both legacy and in-built GPS devices (since MS can't get it right).