System.Device.Location Namespace

Allows application developers to easily access the computer's location by using a single API. Location information may come from multiple providers, such as GPS, Wi-Fi triangulation, and cell phone tower triangulation. The System.Device.Location classes provide a single API to encapsulate the multiple location providers on a computer and support seamless prioritization and transitioning between them. As a result, application developers who use this API do not need to tailor applications to specific hardware configurations.

Classes

CivicAddress	Represents a civic address. A civic address can include fields such as street address, postal code, state/province, and country or region.
CivicAddressResolver	Provides functionality for resolving a coordinate-based location to a civic address.
GeoCoordinate	Represents a geographical location that is determined by latitude and longitude coordinates. May also include altitude, accuracy, speed, and course information.
GeoCoordinateWatcher	Supplies location data that is based on latitude and longitude coordinates.
GeoPosition<T>	Contains location data of a type specified by the type parameter of the GeoPosition<T> class.
GeoPositionChangedEventArgs<T>	Provides data for the PositionChanged event.
GeoPositionStatusChangedEventArgs	Contains data for a GeoPositionStatusChanged event.
ResolveAddressCompletedEventArgs	Provides data for the ResolveAddressCompleted event.

Interfaces

ICivicAddressResolver	Provides a method that when implemented, resolves a latitude/longitude location to a civic address.
IGeoPositionWatcher<T>	Interface that can be implemented for providing accessing location data and receiving location updates.

Enums

GeoPositionAccuracy	Specifies the requested accuracy level for the location data that the application uses.
GeoPositionPermission	Indicates whether the calling application has permission to access location data.
GeoPositionStatus	Indicates the ability of the location provider to provide location updates.

Remarks

The GeoCoordinateWatcher class supplies location data that is based on latitude and longitude coordinates. The CivicAddressResolver and ICivicAddressResolver types provide the ability to resolve from a coordinate location to a civic address. Additionally, the IGeoPositionWatcher<T> interface can be implemented to extend the types of location data that are supplied.

In Windows 7, all the System.Device.Location classes are fully functional if a location provider is installed and can determine the computer's location. On Windows 7 Starter Edition, the Default Location Provider that can be set in Control Panel is the only location provider that is supported.

Note In versions of Windows prior to Windows 7, the following conditions apply:

• All System.Device.Location objects that have constructors can be created, but the Status property will always have the value Disabled.

• The location indicated by the Location property of Position will always be Unknown.

• No location events will be raised.