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Originally Posted by netguydave
I don't get it. If I have to buy a seperate Bluetooth GPS device just to get GPS coordinates on my 8830? Why do they state that the 8830 is GPS enabled? Is this just a sales ploy? What am I missing? I should be able to load any mapping software I want (that is ported for BB) and the internal GPS should be able to use it - with or without data connection. GPS signals are free and BB states this device is GPS enabled so....again...what am I missing? Thanks.
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This is tricky. Verizon hasn't (at least in the last year), advertised GPS in the 8830. Their ads and the web site never use the term "GPS." What they do say is that the are "VZNavigator capable" and then they have fine print that says that some features cost extra.
RIM's specs say that there is GPS in the 8830, but they also say that capabilities vary by carrier.
So, no one ever said that your Verizon 8830 was "GPS enabled." At least, no one that has a stake in this (Verizon and RIM) and has lawyers.
That aside, there IS a GPS unit in the 8830. Verizon enables it for E911 use and they use it (along with other technologies) to support VZN. It cannot be accessed by other programs, such as Google Maps or Blackberry Maps. So far, I've not heard of anyone figuring a way to hack it.
What is the "other technologies"? Verizon uses "assisted GPS," where they get additional information from sources other than GPS satellites to get more accuracy. I won't go into the details here, but the "assisted" part uses Verizon's network. As such, they can claim (whether we agree or not) that third party GPS products pose a security risk. So far, this statement (and the lack of any advertisements that say that 3rd party GPS apps can be used) has kept them from losing any lawsuits.
As someone else explained, Google Maps can also use cell tower triangulation. In a dense tower area, this can work reasonably well. But it's not as accurate as GPS (or assisted GPS, which is even more accurate). It's good enough for getting a basic sense of where you are.
The nice thing about triangulation is that it works as long as you have access to the towers. GPS requires a view of the satellite, and therefore doesn't work indoors or under thick tree cover. In theory, if you can get voice service, triangulation can work. Your mileage may vary, though.
If you don't have a data plan or can't get data access (e.g., roaming in certain areas), then software like Google Maps won't work anyone. The maps are not stored locally. As such, even if you had GPS, it wouldn't do you any good, if you wanted the maps. On the other hand, as a hiker, you may be carrying maps with you in another form (paper) and all you need may be to get lat/long coordinates. Alternatively, Garmin sells software that stores maps locally on your Blackberry. To use it with Verizon, you'll need an external Bluetooth GPS "puck."
In the end, if you're a hiker that relies on a GPS unit to keep from starving, don't rely on a cell phone. Get yourself a self-contained Garmin or other manufacturer's device. There are many models, ranging from ones that simply give you coordinates to ones that have detailed maps devoted to hikers. Remember, Google Maps and the like only show roads. They do not show any details regarding what's going on in the woods or other places where their cartography supplier hasn't physically driven.
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I haven't had the BB up that high yet so I'm not sure about the data service.
