I recently got a HP iPaq 610 and today was my first time using the Google Maps feature. Although all the data and maps seem fairly accurate (although some areas were out of date, ie still under construction), I notice that the Pocket PC couldn't receive that data if the phone function was turned off.
That made one very big question come to my mind. Is GPS actually free? Or am I being charged by my phone carrier for the data received ?
GPS is free if you have the maps on your pda/phone (tomtom, Igo etc)
Google maps are downloaded from the internet as you need them so you pay the data charges
Core2Solo said:
I recently got a HP iPaq 610 and today was my first time using the Google Maps feature. Although all the data and maps seem fairly accurate (although some areas were out of date, ie still under construction), I notice that the Pocket PC couldn't receive that data if the phone function was turned off.
That made one very big question come to my mind. Is GPS actually free? Or am I being charged by my phone carrier for the data received ?
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Click to collapse
gps is absolutely free and there is no way to charge it because the gps satelites are emiting signals all the time all over the world
farukb said:
gps is absolutely free and there is no way to charge it because the gps satelites are emiting signals all the time all over the world
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Only true if you use a GPS receiver with the maps built in the application's database.
If you don't use a GPS receiver or even if you have one, GPS receiver alone cannot make-up the maps, it can only locate something on existing maps, be that from databases on your device or freshly acquired over the internet.
wovens said:
Only true if you use a GPS receiver with the maps built in the application's database.
If you don't use a GPS receiver or even if you have one, GPS receiver alone cannot make-up the maps, it can only locate something on existing maps, be that from databases on your device or freshly acquired over the internet.
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yes you can acquire the maps over internet (googlemaps) or you can allready have the maps on the device (iGO,Tomtom)
gps is just locating you and the app is pointing it on the map
Actually, GPS is not free to Americans, because it was their tax dollars that put and maintain the satellites up so all can get GPS.
The GPS satellite constellation is managed by the United States Air Force 50th Space Wing.
Similar satellite navigation systems include the Russian GLONASS (incomplete as of 2008), the upcoming European Galileo positioning system, the proposed COMPASS navigation system of China, and IRNSS of India.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System
Not all the gps is free, some are not.
I have a ATT Tilt and use google maps w/the gps for free.
Well i pay the data charges, but i have the unlimited so no surprises when the bill comes.
lenon said:
Not all the gps is free, some are not.
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what do u mean "all" and "some"... there is only what type of gps: microwave signals!
Related
I have an HTC Hermes (Cingular 8525) and have Google maps on it, I also have a bluetooth GPS receiver. Now, My problem is that I DO NOT HAVE A DATA PLAN... Yes, I have a smart-phone and no dataplan. My university has wall-to-wall (and even a little past the walls) Wifi, so I essentially had free wireless data anyway. Problem is, I'm taking a bit of a road-trip and won't have wireless in the car.
I need a program/app/utility so that I can enter my destination and origin, and it will save the route I'm going to travel on, so that I can have the map showing while driving with the gps updating my location without needing the constant internet connection.
It doesn't have to be google maps, just something that will run without internet.
Thanks!
tomtom is the obvious answer? Not free ofc, or at least, not free in any method I will mention on here..
I've searched a lot for some way of downloading parts of google maps cause i'm in the same situation as you, but with no success.. Seems odd, i would have thought it a really obvious feature to include?
I got myself a copy of tomtom navigator 6, brilliant for directions or just seeing where you are on your route, and no internet connection needed
I am curious if it is possible to use the built in GPS without a data plan.
I know that the QuickGPS (which keeps reminding me to download new data) makes use of the cell towers for downloading, but I was curious if I could, say, use Google Maps or TomTom or something.
IE, download the map software through the WiFi connection, and then just use the GPS (bypassing the cell towers).
espais said:
I am curious if it is possible to use the built in GPS without a data plan.
I know that the QuickGPS (which keeps reminding me to download new data) makes use of the cell towers for downloading, but I was curious if I could, say, use Google Maps or TomTom or something.
IE, download the map software through the WiFi connection, and then just use the GPS (bypassing the cell towers).
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you could use tomtom or igo without using data. google won't work without data though.
mr.jaguar said:
you could use tomtom or igo without using data. google won't work without data though.
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to expand on this, google doesn't have hte maps downloaded to your phone. the other two actually store the maps on the phone (memory card) so it doesn't need to use data to download the maps. the actual gps chip does not use data as it communicates with gps satellites to triangulate your position. The only problem with these programs is that htey cost money, so if you're willing to drop some cash, then you have your solution.
hi, i'm new to this forum.
i purchased a nexus one and im running it on ATT without edge (yet).
now i know that google navigation needs a connection through wifi or data to download the general directions, but does the gps service work through data also? i.e. does the gps connection cost money/ is done through the mobile carrier or is it a connection like a regular gps device that google provides free of charge?
I tried googling this first btw, but could find a clear answer.
thank you
The GPS itself doesn't use data, but loading the maps does.
You'd have to buy and download one of the GPS apps on the Market -- something that stores all the maps on your SD card. Google Maps and Google Navigation stream the maps to your phone through the data connection, so without a data connection you could find your coordinates (since the GPS still functions), but you'd have no idea where those coordinates are.
but the gps use is complementary? google provides the satellite connection for location free of charge?
I've had the gps tracking me while the phone was in airplane mode. I was using one of the GPS speedometers and it seemed to work. That was on my G1, haven't tried it on the nexus yet though.
GPS
GPS has nothing to do with Google or your carrier. GPS coordinate data is a free service provided by the US government to anyone with a compatible device. Like others are saying though, Google Navigation only caches a limited amount of map data on your route, not the whole thing so if you don't have a data connection, you need to buy a different app
i did not realize the US government provided gps services.
i must say i am very impressed by the nexus one a google so far.
Guys,
I jus bought Samsung Captivate. I am new to this.
Is data plan required to use Google maps/Google navigation/GPS on samsung captivate?
If yes, then what is meant by integrated GPS. On wirefly site it says pre-loaded google maps. Should not it behave like normal GPS then?
My GPS does not work unless 3G data or wi-fi (in short internet is on) enabled. I get the lock pretty fast if 3G data or wi-fi enabled. If I turn them off I keep getting message data connection lost.
I block my 3G data using APNDroid or JuiceDefender.
TIA.
ahh technically/theoretically? If you can get a maps program that has an offline cache of files, then no data wouldn't be required. I recall spotting some google map cachers and I think there was an extra android app or two you could use that utilize some sort of downloaded maps. MapDroyd looks like a familair name but I can't speak for any of them since I just stream with google and never tried anything offline anyhow.
kismmisk said:
Guys,
I jus bought Samsung Captivate. I am new to this.
Is data plan required to use Google maps/Google navigation/GPS on samsung captivate?
If yes, then what is meant by integrated GPS. On wirefly site it says pre-loaded google maps. Should not it behave like normal GPS then?
My GPS does not work unless 3G data or wi-fi (in short internet is on) enabled. I get the lock pretty fast if 3G data or wi-fi enabled. If I turn them off I keep getting message data connection lost.
I block my 3G data using APNDroid or JuiceDefender.
TIA.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The program "Google Maps" is preloaded, but Google Maps requires a data connection. The GPS chip itself is integrated and you can get your Latitude and Longitude without needing a data connection.
So, yes you have Integrated GPS and Google Maps, but you need a data connection to use Google Maps in real time navigation or just pulling up a map.
As mentioned above, if you want to do mapping without a data connection then you need a way to store maps on your phone - All of North America usually takes up few gigs of space depending on the application.
Att will automatically recognize your phone as a smart phone and will add a data plan. I don't think there is a way around it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
kismmisk said:
Guys, Is data plan required to use Google maps/Google navigation/GPS on samsung captivate?
If yes, then what is meant by integrated GPS. On wirefly site it says pre-loaded google maps. Should not it behave like normal GPS then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I do not know what 'preloaded' Google Maps is, but yes, Google Maps/Navigator does require data. If you want a GPS software that uses only the GPS chip (and no data), there are software that does that. Personally, I prefer CoPilot Live.
Thanks all for your replies and answers! It helped.
Hi all,
I'm going on holiday and would like to use my Android (Galaxy Tab) for offline navigation. I'd like to keep my GSM module switched off all the time to avoid data roaming charges. I'll do my surfing etc over WIFI where available.
I'd like to use AGPS for a quick satellite fix.
Can I download AGPS satellite data over WIFI, or does this require a GSM (GPRS/UMTS) connection?
How do I manually trigger AGPS download on Android?*
Help is much appreciated!
N.
* On the Windows Mobile devices of old there used to be a program calles "QuickGPS" or similar that would download AGPS satellite data, but I don't see any such option on Android - - ?
Android GPS requires a LIVE data connection to function with realtime navigation, if u are just using Wi-Fi this won't work.
On the other hand, assuming u have a hefty sdcard in your tablet, u could use "sygic GPS" from market, that WILL allow offline GPS.
icenight89,
I'm using Navigon, which keeps map data on board, no data connection required there. Sygic is another option. Google Navigation does require a live connection, but Navigon, Sygic and others do not. Storage required for on-board map data is not all that massive btw, my Navigon maps of Europe require ~ 2 GB.
My question was more on the point of assisted-GPS satellite data. How do I download current satellite data so that my GPS knows where to look (thus getting a quicker satellite fix) if I want to avoid a mobile data connection via GSM?
Once I have a GPS fix, offline satnav is no problem.
Any ideas there?
N.
Android downloads agps data automatically, there is no way to "force" an update. U could try connecting to wifi and then running android nav (google maps/navigation) with GPS enabled, that would cache the new data I presume. That's your only option really
On a side note, I consider 2gb for one sole app a lot, whether its maps or not lol
Um, GPS Test software lets you do this.
syl0n said:
Um, GPS Test software lets you do this.
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Click to collapse
Five years later, google lands me on this thread because I too was asking "can I update AGPS over wifi?". (Empirical evidence: I can, because at the trail-head I get a lock in about 10 seconds. On the other hand, maybe it didn't update, and the GPS hardware/antenna is just that good. )
And since answers were given without answering the question, I will keep looking.
But as for GPS Test, it is essential. Prior to using any nav app, I open GPS Test and watch it get a lock, or not, because the satellite display shows me exactly what is going on, as opposed to the nav apps, which just sit there maybe getting a lock maybe not and you have no effing idea why.