[proussak]

Is there a way to get Google Maps (v 3.0.2) on my 8900 to use GPS? I prefer G-Maps to the native BB map app but GPS would make it a lot more accurate. Or does TMO disable this? Thanks

[raja_3012]

Do you have a data plan on your berry?

If yes, open the browser, type 'm.google.com/maps', download and install it and you should be good to go. Google maps also work over wifi but that would be just useless when you move out of the wifi zone.

Wonder when US will become a fully wifi country. I once went to Taiwan and found that the whole country is on open wifi and network speed was amazingly fast.

[proussak]

I do have v3.0.2 installed already, but when I go to "My Location" it's off by a mile whether I'm on wi-fi or EDGE (more than on my old 8700 for some reason) and keeps giving me a message "Waiting for GPS". If TMO has disabled GPS on google maps, it might as well say Waiting for Godot!

[raja_3012]

T-Mobile has not or cannot disable GPS on Google maps. GPS is a hardware feature on your device which you are leveraging using a 3rd party. Of course, I remember reading on my post that the service provider had disabled GPS on the 8900's. I am not sure how correct that post was.

Sometime it takes more than 20 min to get a lock on the GPS from the satellites. You may want to stand under clear sky and try again.

[LaoMayer]

Sorry to post here, if there's need I'll start another topic: does anybody know why when I go to download Blackberry Maps from BB website it says that my device does not support BB Maps?

[proussak]

You're right, it just took time for the satellite connection to kick in. Now it's accurate (it tells me) to within 3m. Cool. But I think you're wrong in assuming its a hardware feature TMO has no control over - I've read that VZ has disabled it on the Storm, for example.

[TXLady]

Originally Posted by LaoMayer

Sorry to post here, if there's need I'll start another topic: does anybody know why when I go to download Blackberry Maps from BB website it says that my device does not support BB Maps?

You should not need to download anything -- it's part of the OS. You do need a BB data plan for it to work.

[Deadmau5]

Just takes awhile to kick in.. All depends on where you are.

One thing I found that helps is when you're done using Google Maps, don't actually "quit" the app through the menu, just hit the "end" or "back" key, and the next time you open it up, it takes much less time for the GPS to locate a satellite. Now I don't know why that is, but it seems to work for me every time...

[raja_3012]

Originally Posted by proussak

You're right, it just took time for the satellite connection to kick in. Now it's accurate (it tells me) to within 3m. Cool. But I think you're wrong in assuming its a hardware feature TMO has no control over - I've read that VZ has disabled it on the Storm, for example.

What I meant to say is that the carrier cannot disable the GPS feature. RIM has to disable it by using software on a particular carriers requirement. I bet 9530 has full GPS capabilities but RIM has disabled it per Verizon requirement.

[hondacrvaz]

Wonder when US will become a fully wifi country. I once went to Taiwan and found that the whole country is on open wifi and network speed was amazingly fast.

Well considering the size of Taiwan that is no surprise really. Maybe RI, CT or DE would be good candidates. Could you imagine the cost to roll out WiFi nationwide?

[raja_3012]

Originally Posted by hondacrvaz

Well considering the size of Taiwan that is no surprise really. Maybe RI, CT or DE would be good candidates. Could you imagine the cost to roll out WiFi nationwide?

You are correct that size of Taiwan cannot be compared to US.. but look at the size of the economy.. America's GDP is 20 times that of Taiwan.. (USA's GDP is 13.84 trillion, Taiwan's GDP is 686 billion.

[hondacrvaz]

Originally Posted by raja_3012

You are correct that size of Taiwan cannot be compared to US.. but look at the size of the economy.. America's GDP is 20 times that of Taiwan.. (USA's GDP is 13.84 trillion, Taiwan's GDP is 686 billion.

I don't see how GDP has any bearing, this is a density/size equation not GDP comparison.

You might need a trilllion dollars to rollout wifi in the US especially if Obama turns it into a public works project! Shhh don't mention that too loud it might happen...

[raja_3012]

Originally Posted by hondacrvaz

You might need a trilllion dollars to rollout wifi in the US especially if Obama turns it into a public works project! Shhh don't mention that too loud it might happen...

That would be nice. ain't it??

[vinmontRD]

This is amazing. I'm sitting in my home office and just downloaded and fired up version 3.02. Took about 30 seconds, and then, using the satellite view, I was able to zoom in on my house -- and the blinking dot was placed *perfectly* on the photo of my house over the location of my office (Google Maps also noted that my location was accurate within 3 meters). Incredible! Looking forward to trying this when on foot in NYC.

[virtue007]

can we use maps without data connection? (maybe another program will do? like garmin maps)

i mean when the phone is off or without sim card i want to use it as gps device only when i travel, i use to load nokia maps to device before i travel and i can use it without connection to wifi or data plan

[raja_3012]

Originally Posted by virtue007

can we use maps without data connection? (maybe another program will do? like garmin maps)

i mean when the phone is of or without sim card i want to use it as gps device only when i travel, i use to load nokia maps to device before i travel and i can use it without connection to wifi or data plan

I do not think maps would work without a data connection.. unlike other GPS devices, Blackberry downloads the maps realtime and it needs a data plan to do that.

Without a SIM card it is also out of question.. because you cannot use the data plan without the SIM card in your phone.

Does that answer you question?

[usernametooshort]

Originally Posted by raja_3012

Do you have a data plan on your berry?

If yes, open the browser, type 'm.google.com/maps', download and install it and you should be good to go. Google maps also work over wifi but that would be just useless when you move out of the wifi zone.

Wonder when US will become a fully wifi country. I once went to Taiwan and found that the whole country is on open wifi and network speed was amazingly fast.

you can not compare USA toTaiwan, not just because US is big and Taiwan is small. Taiwan is even not a country.

[proussak]

I'm finding that the GPS takes so long to connect it's useless in practice. And meanwhile, the location finder through EDGE or wi-fi is all over the place (everywhere except where I actually am), much less accurate than it had been for the last few months on my 8700. Disappointing.

[don.new]

Mine connected in about a minute the first time, and faster after that.