iOS 8 Using external GPS

Question

I am currently working on an external bluetooth GPS (Garmin Glo)(MFi approved) for iPhone.

Once it is get connected. I tried to use EAAccessory framework to read the NMEA data, I only get 15 bytes incoming data then no more stream data come in.

I am wondering if iOS already forwarded all the data to the CLLocationManager?

If the external GPS is connected, the location data I get via CLLocationManager is from internal GPS or external GPS?

I would appreciate if someone can explain me the logic behind. Thanks!

Answer 1

Here is an interesting external GPS serial-to-Bluetooth product. I have no association with this device or company, only in interest in iOS development and GPS.

Aman Enterprises - NMEA-BT

• It is an Apple MFI certified Bluetooth dongle that connects to NMEA GPS via serial
• No jailbreak required.
• No iOS special iOS app required to use it since it injects data into the iOS devices Core Location API.

FAQ

Q: What apps can I use with the cable?

A: The GPS Cable provides data to an iOS app using the Core Location API. Since the Core Location API is the standard way that a location aware iOS app obtains positioning data, the cable is expected to work any location aware iOS app.

I am interested in learning how it works as I have an experimental app that parses NMEA strings from a Bluetooth External Accessory.

Is it possible for an iOS app to override Core Location API to become the Core Location provides for all apps installed on the device?