[BulletSponge62485]

I sent VZW a question regarding the use of the GPS within the device. Here is the response that I got:

Dear Derek Bottorff,



Thank you for contacting our Verizon Wireless website. We are happy to assist you with your inquiry regarding the GPS functionality of the BlackBerry Storm.



We greatly value your business. We understand that you have made an investment in Verizon Wireless and resolving your concern is our number one priority. We apologize for the delayed response to your email and for any inconvenience this may have caused. We are experiencing higher than normal email volumes at this time. However, we are working diligently to reply to each customers email in a timely manner and we appreciate your patience.



Verizon Wireless is committed to providing the very latest in products and services. Verizon Wireless does not provide support for 3rd party software or applications that would be required to make full use of the BlackBerry Storm's GPS capabilities. As a result, the Storm's GPS functionality has not been enabled so that we are able to provide a standardized level of functionality and support for our advanced devices. We are unable to state if or when additional GPS functionality will be enabled on the Verizon Wireless BlackBerry Storm. We understand and apologize for any frustration regarding this but we are only able to provide information regarding products or services that we are currently offering. We are unable to disclose any unconfirmed information because it would be subject to change and could raise expectations that may not be met.



If you would like to receive e-mail updates regarding new products and services, please click on "Sign up for email updates" from the "Support" tab located at the top of our New Cell Phones, CPO Cell Phones, Prepaid Cell Phones, Cell Phone Plans - Verizon Wireless homepage.



We hope you find this information helpful. Troubleshooting tips and helpful product information can be found at www.verizonwireless.com/data. It has been a pleasure assisting you today. We make it our personal goal to resolve all of your concerns. We sincerely hope that you feel we have done that today. Should you feel your current concerns are not fully resolved, please reply back to this email or call us at 1-800-922-0204 and we will happily address them for you. We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Verizon Wireless.



Sincerely,



Neil

Verizon Wireless

Data Technical Support


**To me this seems completely bogus. Is there any way that I can enable the GPS device within my phone? I do not remember seeing a plan that said "Unlimited GPS" when I purchased this plan.

[CO_BBTechie]

The GPS device in your phone is already active. Verizon has just chosen to limit the applications that are able to communicate with the GPS radio. Fair or not, that's what they do and your options are very limited. You can get an external bluetooth GPS device and use any application you wish. Perhaps you shouldn't have to, but you do.

This is also a very old and very talked about topic, and therefore certainly nothing new.

[BulletSponge62485]

It is new to me. Is there no way to go in and change the limits on the GPS device?

[TruBlu01]

I think you have to pay for the VZNavigator to turn on the GPS.

[CO_BBTechie]

Originally Posted by TruBlu01

I think you have to pay for the VZNavigator to turn on the GPS.

No, you don't. The GPS works fine. It just doesn't communicate with all GPS applications that are capable of running on the device. You may choose to buy the subscription to VZ Nav, and that will give you the audible turn-by-turn directions for ~$10/mo.

[CO_BBTechie]

Originally Posted by BulletSponge62485

It is new to me. Is there no way to go in and change the limits on the GPS device?

Many have tried, and AFAIK nobody has been able to produce anything viable.

[TruBlu01]

Ahh, gotcha! I did the free trial for a month and it worked damn good.

[peteyspambucket]

That's odd. I used the latest version of Google Maps last week and it was using the GPS. I also use WeatherBug which also makes use of GPS.

[jmwking]

You might look at the BBF GPS forum. Lots of good info there.

I have a 9530 on VZW and the GPS works fine with Google maps (v3.0.2). VZW blocks GPS access from some older blackberries, and VZW still doesn't (as far as I know) allow access to the towers' GPS assistance signal.

-jk

[CO_BBTechie]

Originally Posted by peteyspambucket

That's odd. I used the latest version of Google Maps last week and it was using the GPS. I also use WeatherBug which also makes use of GPS.

As I said, it doesn't work with everything. You may find apps that work OK, such as GM, or BBM. Weatherbug is a new one to me.

[TruBlu01]

Originally Posted by peteyspambucket

That's odd. I used the latest version of Google Maps last week and it was using the GPS. I also use WeatherBug which also makes use of GPS.

Are you paying for VZNav?

[akosnitzky]

BB Maps GPS will work on vzw

[BulletSponge62485]

I am trying to us Nav4all and it is completely unable to pick up any GPS signal..

[CO_BBTechie]

Originally Posted by BulletSponge62485

I am trying to us Nav4all and it is completely unable to pick up any GPS signal..

Yup don't waste your time. VZW devices don't seem to work with that.

I believe if you have a Storm, you can use Google Maps, but otherwise I think you are limited to using BlackBerry maps, unless you decide to get their VZNav product.

[BulletSponge62485]

I guess I am not sure what BB Maps is....
lol

[CO_BBTechie]

BB maps is BlackBerry maps and should already be on your device.

[tt408]

Verizon GPS works with Telenav as well.

[jtornone]

Wirelessly posted

I'm on a storm with verizon.
I'm running .122
I have nav4all on my storm and it works with no issues.
I also have several apps that use gps and they also work.

[CO_BBTechie]

Originally Posted by jtornone

Wirelessly posted

I'm on a storm with verizon.
I'm running .122
I have nav4all on my storm and it works with no issues.
I also have several apps that use gps and they also work.

Fantastic, perhaps you can help the OP then....

[jtornone]

Wirelessly posted

http://www.nav4all.com/mobi/eng/install.php?alng=en-US&aaid=install&auid=1241126359_1714636915&adev=Bl ackBerry:blackberry9530&wlng=eng&build=

This is the link for the latest version.
What os version are you running?
Under gps make sure you change it to location on instead of e911 only.