Can GPS receiver/logger be connected via USB to android tablet?

[a277674]

I have a small GPS receiver / logger based on the MTK chipset, similar to products such as iBlue, Holux, Qstarz and Photomate (I have the Photomate 887). These have USB interface to allow the device to stream real-time GPS coordinates through the USB or bluetooth to a PC (or compatible camera).

Is it at all possible for an Android tablet with USB port to receive GPS data from these devices and plot your position on (some) available mapping program - to essentially turn the tablet into the equivalent of a Garmin or Tomtom (etc) GPS trip navigator?

Would an android app do the actual "talking" directly through the USB to the receiver, or is that something that the OS itself would (or must) do?

A second question is - are there any android tablets with actual GPS receivers built into them?

A third question - for an android tablet that doesn't have internal bluetooth, can bluetooth be added via USB adapter?

 

[John Bean]

Second answer: lots of tablets do have built in GPS, like my Nexus 7 for example.

Can't answer your other questions, sorry.

 

[a277674]

Just FYI - there are many small tablets (7", 8" screens) that retail for less than $100 that don't have internal GPS or bluetooth - but they usually have mini-usb, and some even have HDMI output to connect to tv or monitor.

 

[John Bean]

No arguments from me. You asked if any tablets have GPS built in and I said that there are many, including my Nexus 7, which is a simple statement of fact in reply to your question.

"Many" doesn't imply "all", so of course there are also lots of tablets without GPS... but I thought that was pretty obvious from your question