Faster GPS fix in Android

Question

I have noticed that applications like GPS Status get a fix pretty quickly. When I try to get a fix within my own application it takes more time. Does anybody know why is this happening? Do they use a hidden part of the API to force the GPS to connect faster?

Here's what I use

LocationManager loc = (LocationManager) context
            .getSystemService(Context.LOCATION_SERVICE);
loc.requestLocationUpdates(LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER, 0, 0,
            listener);

I want the GPS to give results as frequent as possible because I need it for an AR app :) Although I putting settings like 1000 ms and 1 m for the update frequency with no perceivable difference in speed of fix.

Answer 1

Could be one of several approaches:

• Using LocationManager.getLastKnownLocation (which, given how many apps use location data, should generally be 'close enough' if not dead accurate.)
• Using LocationManager.NETWORK_PROVIDER instead of LocationManager.GPS_PROVIDER to get an immediate rough fix, then refining with GPS (if available).
• Running a service in the background that periodically gets the latest position and caches it (basically the same as LocationManager.getLastKnownLocation, but doing it yourself)

Answer 2

Here's my strategy : check this StackOverflow answer.