[DaveTheA]

Dumb question time: Does [can?] the PB do GPS on its own?

Recently I downloaded the trial version of Magellan Compass for my Playbook. Seems like a pretty cool app, but it requires an internet connection to work. Reasonable, I guess...but if I'm lost in the boonies or driving around town trying to find an address, having to search out a Wi-Fi hotspot to use the app seems a little counterproductive.

Is it reasonable to hope for a PB GPS app that works with the bridge browser? Would it be RIM or the app developer that would spearhead the creation of such a system?

[Motorcycle Mama]

Yes, the PlayBook has a GPS receiver on its own. Currently, it doesn't work very well. RIM needs to tweak the OS.

I would think that it is doubtful that you will see a Bridge app for this. You likely would need to use a tethering solution.

And the Bridge Browser works painfully slowly so I wouldn't see that as a workable solution anyway.

[DaveTheA]

Hi Mama -- Thanks for your response[s] to my question. I had a look at the Playbook specs, but didn't see any reference to GPS capabilities...

I agree that the Bridge Browser is very slow, but we can always hope for improvement ;) . My main concern is that I can use GPS without having to seek out a hotspot to make it work. Perhaps I should start lobbying the Magellan people for an offline version of compass....

[Motorcycle Mama]

Again, I think you will need to use a tethered solution rather than a bridged one.

[daphne]

The GPS works a lot better now since the last two updates from my experience. Poynt finds me almost instantly when I'm inside my house without being bridged, Bing locates me accurately but it takes a little longer.