[spblat]

Wow. My new BB 8320 has a Map application from RIM that's a huge improvement. I've edited the review. Google Maps is now my second choice!

rjk, sorry for the very late response. Oops.

1) You can make a call while using GPS, but you'll lose data connectivity and so you won't be able to load maps as you move.

2) GPS functionality is available from pole to pole.

3) You'll still get location data from the GPS satellites, but without data coverage, you won't be able to load maps.