iPhone Knows Ottawa, But Google Doesn't — Why?
The iPhone correctly identifies the number +1 (613) 745-1576 as being in Ottawa, while Google's phone number library fails to do the same. The number is linked to a government entity, suggesting official records might offer more precise location data.
Commenters debate whether the iPhone's ability to pinpoint Ottawa relies solely on the area code (613) or additional data from carriers or location services. zabadoh argues that the area code identifies Eastern Ontario, and the second three digits (745) traditionally point to a specific area, though mobile numbers disrupt this pattern. Thesupertechie questions how the iPhone specifically identifies Ottawa when 613 only refers to a broader region, suggesting the iPhone may use carrier or location data beyond the number itself.
The consensus is that area codes and exchange numbers help determine a phone number's general location, but the iPhone's precision hints at more complex data sources. The debate highlights a divide between those who believe the area code alone suffices and those who think the iPhone uses additional, proprietary information to identify specific cities.
Key Points
#1The iPhone identifies the number +1 (613) 745-1576 as being in Ottawa, while Google's library does not.
Thesupertechie noted this discrepancy, suggesting the iPhone may use carrier or location data beyond the number itself.
#2The area code (613) identifies Eastern Ontario, but the second three digits (745) traditionally indicate a specific area within the area code.
zabadoh explained this, though they acknowledged mobile numbers have disrupted traditional area code assignments.
#3The iPhone's ability to identify specific cities like Ottawa may rely on data from carriers or location services, not just the area code.
Thesupertechie argued this, questioning how the iPhone specifically identifies Ottawa when 613 only refers to a broader region.
#4The number linked is a government number, suggesting that official records might provide more precise location data.
Thesupertechie raised this insight, highlighting the potential value of official records over public databases.
Source Discussions (3)
This report was synthesized from the following Lemmy discussions, ranked by community score.