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Using GPS with NoData Running

hello everyone.
Since I don't have a data plan with AT&T, I use the program NoData which stops the transfer of any data from AT&T MediaNet or AT&T GPRS.
If I have those running, would I not be able to use my GPS? I have Google Maps installed and I'm looking to buy a TomTom software. If I have either of those, can I still use GPS without having to turn on Data?
Also, is it possible to download the directions and maps from Google Maps Mobile so that the phone just uses the GPS and updates the directions without the need to have an active data transfer?
Thanks

Google maps has to have data at all times. Tomtom has all the maps and POI on a storage card so it doesn't need data at all.

theomni said:
hello everyone.
Since I don't have a data plan with AT&T, I use the program NoData which stops the transfer of any data from AT&T MediaNet or AT&T GPRS.
If I have those running, would I not be able to use my GPS? I have Google Maps installed and I'm looking to buy a TomTom software. If I have either of those, can I still use GPS without having to turn on Data?
Also, is it possible to download the directions and maps from Google Maps Mobile so that the phone just uses the GPS and updates the directions without the need to have an active data transfer?
Thanks
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You can't use Google Maps without having data on (either AT&T data or WiFi) because it downloads the maps on the fly.
With TomTom, GPS should work just fine without any data because the maps are stored on your storage card.
I also use the NoData program and have no problems with Garmin Mobile XT (which works like TomTom).

all right. So even with NoData running, the GPS signal and network should work fine, right? And this if I use the GPS, I won't get charged extra from AT&T, will I?

You can't even use Google Maps on a Wifi-only connection?? Well that sucks.

theomni said:
all right. So even with NoData running, the GPS signal and network should work fine, right? And this if I use the GPS, I won't get charged extra from AT&T, will I?
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Yes it will work, no you won't get charged.

theomni said:
all right. So even with NoData running, the GPS signal and network should work fine, right? And this if I use the GPS, I won't get charged extra from AT&T, will I?
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Yes it will work, no you won't get charged.
You can put the phone in "Airplane mode" and turn the cellular radio off completely, and it will still work.
AT&T doesn't charge you for using the GPS. They charge you for using their Telenav program and maps. Completely different.

vicjan88 said:
You can't even use Google Maps on a Wifi-only connection?? Well that sucks.
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You can use google maps just fine with wifi...it just needs some sort of data access so any internet connection will do.

motionmind said:
You can use google maps just fine with wifi...it just needs some sort of data access so any internet connection will do.
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Works for me, too. I turned Wifi on, turned GPS on, turned cellular radio off... worked just fine.

GPS Questions for Fuze

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.

Google Maps without any data plan/GPS

Just like it's in the iPhone. The GMaps app downloads a certain map area, and then using cell phone triangulation, pin points the location of the phone, and then gives directions etc.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_tracking)
Is such a thing possible on Windows Mobile? It should be, I feel, because there's no special hardware required for it.
GMaps for WinMo, *does* pin point point almost the exact location, but if the data/wifi connection is cut, the map disappears.

Cell Phone Triangulation works OK in the Google Maps latest version (and earlier too) for Window Mobile. The problem is you need a data connection to download the map to the phone. Google Maps does not allow to save the map for offline use or even thru Wifi, AFAIK. For that you will need another program like Google Navigator, which I think is better than Google mobile, but VERY EXPENSIVE. There are other freeware program alternatives that allow offline map saving and usage, but I haven't tested them. Hope this helps.

dgaud007 said:
Cell Phone Triangulation works OK in the Google Maps latest version (and earlier too) for Window Mobile. The problem is you need a data connection to download the map to the phone. Google Maps does not allow to save the map for offline use or even thru Wifi, AFAIK. For that you will need another program like Google Navigator, which I think is better than Google mobile, but VERY EXPENSIVE. There are other freeware program alternatives that allow offline map saving and usage, but I haven't tested them. Hope this helps.
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Wait. So are you positive that google navigator allows this? Download map once and then browse on it offline while your position is calculated using triangulation...?. Also what freewares are you talking about?

Have to tried Bing Maps app for WinMo ? I have got the directions when there's wifi and it caches the whole route. I once drove from Atlanta to Charlotte...only thing you have to do to kinda force it to cache by going over the entire route when you have finished setting up the directions from point A to B...

I downloaded the trial version of Google Navigator. I cannot figure out how to use it! With my WiFi connected, I tried zooming in, and it just doesn't load the map!

It should work thru wifi and cell phone triangulation, unless the demo is crippled or something. I know I used it in Buenos Aires. However, you may want to disregard Google Navigator since it looks like they are no longer in business. Some time ago I also tried these free alternatives, but it was a pain to download the maps,
MGMaps
Terracrosser

Yes, it's showing my location alright, with a Blue dot. But after that it doesn't load anything.
Do those other two apps support cell phone triangulation?

Just researched a bit, they don't.
So is there *no* way I can do what I'm trying to do? Sounds absurd! Why do iPhone users get cache supported GMaps and we dont?

great
that would be great, tell me how this works? or isn't it possible?
thanks

No help? There has to be a way!

If you have a program which will store the maps, (someone mentioned MGMaps and Terracrosser), then you can use cell tower triangulation with VirtualGPS.

EDIT: Nope. It is asking for internet connection for GSM Triangulation; for some reason. I don't understand why would Internet be required for *GSM* Cellular tower Triangulation.

cyanide911 said:
EDIT: Nope. It is asking for internet connection for GSM Triangulation; for some reason. I don't understand why would Internet be required for *GSM* Cellular tower Triangulation.
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because it needs to query a database of cell towers, that database is on the internet. either buy an unlimited data plan or don't bother I think all methods of finding location use a data connection apart from gps. gsm location is very inacurate anyway and they dont triangulate they just assume your position from the 1 cell tower you are connected to
also just a note the iphone uses skyhook to determin location when its not using gps so even if it does dowload the maps before hand it still needs to use a dataconnection if it finds a new access point or cell tower.

Okay, I understand. But then, even though such an app doesn't exist; it must be possible. Considering the app downloads the Map and cellular tower data for a particular area that we select. Then, it will not need any kind of interaction with an other server.
Also, it *is* triangulation. And it is accurate if you live in an urban area.

cyanide911 said:
Okay, I understand. But then, even though such an app doesn't exist; it must be possible. Considering the app downloads the Map and cellular tower data for a particular area that we select. Then, it will not need any kind of interaction with an other server.
Also, it *is* triangulation. And it is accurate if you live in an urban area.
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Yes it would be possible if it downloaded map and cell tower data.
Got any proof about it being triangulation? From what I understand although it is possible for a phone to connect to more than one cell tower wm at least has no managed or native functions which give you access to their cell ids.
Im not 100% if google mobile maps uses wifi but if it does that is triangulation if enough access points can be seen.

Question regarding Google maps navigation

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.

[Q] AGPS over WIFI on Android?

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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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.