[niik000]

Wirelessly posted

I was in a t mobile store today and I asked about GPS bacause I am thinking of upgradeing to a curve, and the lady told me t mobile has no GPS, is there a way around that? I can't switch carryers bacause I'm on a dirt cheep famaly plan right now. Am I out of luck in tearms of gps?

[CO_BBTechie]

You can get an aftermarket "puck" that will allow you to use your BB as a GPS device. It will just get the coordinates from an external GPS device. There's the Freedom key chain GPS puck that I've heard good things about.

[niik000]

Wirelessly posted

Wait, Are we talking about hardware or software?

[JSanders]

Or you can purchase a used 8310 or 8800 or 8110 model BlackBerry which have buil-in GPS, and have the device unlocked for use on the Tmo network.

[niik000]

Wirelessly posted

That's what I was planing to do, find an unloked 8310. But will the gps work? I thought gps went through your carryer for an extra charge.

[CO_BBTechie]

The GPS service itself is free. What you will need to pay for is a data plan. The data plan is needed so that maps are downloaded on the fly as your position moves. Otherwise all you get is the raw coordinates, which you likely won't be able to do much with. There are several GPS applications out there; some free some not. You "could" have a free GPS solution except for the data usage charges. Most people who decide to take advantage of their GPS end up getting an unlimited data package from their carrier.

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by niik000

I thought gps went through your carryer for an extra charge.

at&t users can select Telenav (or at&T nav as they have rebranded it) through at&t. They can also get Telenav directly from Telenav or use any other BB GPS app out there. Unless you're with VZW you don't have to pay your carrier for GPS.

CO_BBTechie's post pretty much explains GPS on the BB in general. I don't know why there's so much confusion over it. Perhaps we need a GPS on BB FAQ... To sum up, you need:

1. A GPS receiver (built-in or bluetooth).
2. Clear line of sight to the GPS satellites for positioning data.
3. A GPS app.
4. A data plan if your GPS app requires data services to download maps.

[ntrbc]

hi guys, i bought a new bb 8320 2 weeks ago from t-mobile. my wifi, gps and map have never worked yet, don't know what to do. i am in canada, using fido, don't have uma on right top corner of screen, but edge. pls help.

[buckod]

I just bought a Global sat bluetooth GPS reciever on ebay, and it works flawlessly. it syncs like any other bluetooth device.

T-mobile carries the 8320 which does not come with GPS built in. Keep in mind that even if you get a GPS you still have to have cell phone reception plus the internet service ($20 mo.) to make it all work... I'm in the process of finding a good "offline" Gps software that actually works. i ran across Trekbuddy but it is not very user friendly at all... if you have any questions, feel free to ask.

i recommend downloading Google maps for mobile software (has a lot of cool search features) in conjunction with the blackberry maps.

[funkym]

i really like amazon as you get the best hardware with good quality and an outstanding service.

[nyoder1]

Originally Posted by niik000

Wirelessly posted

I was in a t mobile store today and I asked about GPS bacause I am thinking of upgradeing to a curve, and the lady told me t mobile has no GPS, is there a way around that? I can't switch carryers bacause I'm on a dirt cheep famaly plan right now. Am I out of luck in tearms of gps?

You are not out of luck. You may obtain the phone and simply get an external (Blue tooth) GPS antenna. I know several that think highly of the "puck" product. I also have a family plan and have added the blackberry services and pay 9.99 a month for the telenav and it used to work great. Telenav's customer service has been less than stellar however. I have called 5 times for the same "cannot reach server issues [10] but they can not solve my problem!!! - Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help.