Delivering seamless location-based experiences seems really simple, until your user steps into a concrete subway or an urban canyon and their blue dot completely vanishes. In this session, we’ll strip away the mystery behind the modern location stack, breaking down how everything from satellite positioning (GPS/GNSS), GeoIP, WiFi, Bluetooth beacons, and Ultra-Wideband (UWB) actually works under the hood. We will also look at what future positioning technologies are on the horizon, and when we can expect them to land on iOS and Android devices.

Tailored for all mobile frameworks, PMs, and designers alike, this talk tackles the trade-offs between pinpoint accuracy, battery life, user experience, and privacy, alongside the messy realities of indoor positioning. You’ll walk away knowing which technology to leverage for your specific use case, how to design a robust solution, and how to build location-aware apps that delight users.