Well Broadcom has started working on integrating Wi-Fi connectivity into its wide range of GPS navigation chips making cellphones and other devices capable of using the local network for positioning.

Whenever GPS is unreliable or unavailable, it starts triangulating the Wi-Fi access points into a rough map location helping people to generate a GPS lock faster in urban areas, tunnels and other similar places where the GPS gets blocked. Not to forget that this technique draws on a license from Skyhook.

This certainly burgeons the use of short-range networking for positioning in cellphones equipped with both GPS and Wi-Fi in the same device. Apple iPhone 3G so far is one of the few smartphones that currently makes use of this feature. Truly a great add up considering the significance of location-tracking as a feature on phones, laptops and other consumer devices.