[RBOnline]

Hi guys. This may seem like a dumb question to some of you, but I've never used GPS before. Obviously, if you have a GPS system in your car it just works. No data charges, nothing. I now have the 8310, and would like to use the GPS. However, are Vodafone going to try and charge me some silly fee for something that really should be free? They're very unclear about it on paper.

Any help appreciated!

[penguin3107]

I assume you mean 8310. There is no 8810.
GPS is free if you choose to use free software with it.
There are also paid services such as Telenav.

All GPS software uses data from your BlackBerry data plan (and a lot of it.)
Make sure you have an unlimited BlackBerry data plan with your carrier if you intend to use GPS applications.

[RBOnline]

Originally Posted by penguin3107

I assume you mean 8310. There is no 8810.
GPS is free if you choose to use free software with it.
There are also paid services such as Telenav.

All GPS software uses data from your BlackBerry data plan (and a lot of it.)
Make sure you have an unlimited BlackBerry data plan with your carrier if you intend to use GPS applications.

I do mean the 8310, my mistake.

That's pretty crappy. Is there any known reason why it can't be free, just like a standalone GPS device?

[DigitalX]

Basically, there is a bit of a captive audience scenario going on. The carriers (AT&T, Verizon, Vodaphone, etc.) with lots of subscribers and good networks are looking for ways to milk more money. While there is probably no valid technical reason for the cost, those big carriers see it as an easy revenue stream. Most business people can get a $9.99/month fee absorbed by their company or at least right it off on their taxes as a business expense, so the companies push these services to make more money.

Some, like Verizon, actually cripple GPS competitors on their networks to funnel customers to their service. But, carriers with less customers or weaker networks need to compete on price, and are unlikely to artificially jack up the price on non-essential things like GPS service.

But, those big carriers see it as a way to extract more money from those with the ability to pay and a desire/need to remain on that network. Perhaps I'm cynical, but that's how I see it.

Oh yeah, there are alternatives, such as Infospace's FindIt! program, Google Maps, and of course BlackBerry Maps. While they may not have all the bells and whistles, they can help fill that niche for free.

[CanuckBB]

Originally Posted by RBOnline

I do mean the 8310, my mistake.

That's pretty shitty. Is there any known reason why it can't be free, just like a standalone GPS device?

Stand alone GPS appds are NOT free.

You have to purchase the app, which also covers the cost of the maps. Then you have to upgrade on a near-yearly basis to get the updated maps. Apps like TomTom and iGuidance will cost you over $100 per year to keep up to date. And the 'new' maps are always behind the times.

With a subscription based service, your maps are always as up to date as possible, and it does not work out to be more expensive. The only main difference is the data costs.

[RBOnline]

What I mean is, why do I have to pay to even get my GPS location? Surely that should be free? What if I pay to download the maps of my city, and just use them. Would it cost me money each time I wanted to plan a route?

[penguin3107]

Originally Posted by RBOnline

What I mean is, why do I have to pay to even get my GPS location?

You don't.

Originally Posted by RBOnline

Surely that should be free?

Getting location and coordinates should be rather easy, if that's all you want to do. I think this functionality is even built right into the BlackBerry.
Navigation assistance is a bit more involved, and can "sometimes" be free.

Originally Posted by RBOnline

What if I pay to download the maps of my city, and just use them. Would it cost me money each time I wanted to plan a route?

I don't think you understand how GPS navigation on the BlackBerry works.
Yes, it has a "real" GPS receiver in it... however the maps themselves aren't stored on your device.
Most (if not all) GPS software on the BlackBerry downloads the maps in real-time, as you're using the GPS software.
Google Maps, BB Maps, Telenav, etc. work this way.

You need a data plan to be able to download the maps.
The GPS software gets loaded on your BlackBerry, and stays there.... but the maps do not.

The cost of using GPS on the BlackBerry depends largely on the software you choose to provide GPS navigation functions.
There's free applications out there. Try them out. If they don't suit your needs, then you should consider using a more polished GPS app such as Telenav. It'll run you about $10 a month and provide a fully-featured GPS navigation interface. (Still need a data plan to pull the maps though!)

[JSanders]

RBOnline--it is what it is. You have to pay for a Data Plan. You can get some GPS apps for free. If you want the best like TeleNav, as Penguin stated it will cost you.

If you ONLY want your GPS location, you can go to Options > Advanced > GPS and find your lat/long location.

[RBOnline]

Penguin, JSanders, much appreciated. My confusion did indeed lie in the fact I thought the maps were stored on your device (not the whole world obviously, but regions), and all it had to do was give you your GPS coordinates.

Thanks guys.

[NJBlackBerry]

GPS is big money - did you see how much Nokia paid for Navteq!

[JSanders]

One Meelyon Dollars?

[NJBlackBerry]

$8.1 billion..

Nokia - ShowPressRelease

[Casper TFG]

So can pedestrians make good use of GPS now (like with a keyring bluetooth thingy ala Holux GPSlim 240)

Could a stranger waliking around a big city get by with it?

(I am not joking btw, a serious question..)

Thanks

[JSanders]

Casper, absolutely yes.

[Casper TFG]

wow!

thats v cool..

Thanks..

[JSanders]

Casper, there is a list of some bluetooth GPS pucks that have been tried and tested on BBs...look in the Sticky Notes at the top of this GPS section.

[Casper TFG]

Awesome..

[Cypher25]

GPS does NOT use your data plan UNLESS you are using the TeleNav. But, you do need to install Google Maps. Here is a great website that tells you exactly what to do to make it free. Yeah, you will have to use some data to install Google maps...but well worth it in the end.

Matthias Zeller Memento · Using Blackberry Curve 8310 GPS with Google Maps

Enjoy!

[Sith_Apprentice]

Originally Posted by Cypher25

GPS does NOT use your data plan UNLESS you are using the TeleNav. But, you do need to install Google Maps. Here is a great website that tells you exactly what to do to make it free. Yeah, you will have to use some data to install Google maps...but well worth it in the end.

Matthias Zeller Memento · Using Blackberry Curve 8310 GPS with Google Maps

Enjoy!

that is absolutely wrong. to get the maps downloaded your device over the air uses data. Google maps uses data. GPS coordinates are free and do not require data, and unless you have a program that reads maps from the microSD card, those coordinates you will get are all you will have without using data.

[funkym]

gps = free; no data service needed
maps = free (bb maps, google maps, etc) and not free (telenav); data service needed -> charges apply on per kB usage