Database Users

T-Mobile MDA (Wizard) GPS

New to the forums, and betting this is a stupid Question, but I was wondering if there was anyway to tap into the GPS locater(built in for emergency calls such as 911) and use that for a GPS application, If the Wizard even has one built in, I would imagine that it does, but anways wondering if its possible, and if anyone has any incite into how to use this/turn it on?

There's no GPS in the wizard.

markgamber said:
There's no GPS in the wizard.
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Click to collapse
Emergency services can locate your phone fairly accurately using triangulation from the gsm phone masts, using network data. There was a company selling a tracking service such as this for mobile users a while back, but I forget the details.

yeah ran into that service a while back, but the main way to get to it was to buy two handsets and pay for their cheap data service and put the other handset in someones car or whatever and use the 1st handset to track them...

I think that navizon.com has a program like that. theres a trial version for free. Doesnt google maps also use that technology?

hmm try google map 2.0 they show u wat ur location is without GPS
try http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=349188

I've tried both of these apps and both aren't worth a crap to me. They get my location in the right state, heck even the right city...almost. But I can't get it to be consistent let alone even half right.
I tried em both out and would like to know what I have been doing wrong since everyone else says that they are "great."
Thanks,
Ivan

It's already been said, but get Google Map 2.0...I installed it a few days ago, and it's not bad. I'm usually within 2000ft. of the calculated location.
Bad Karma said:
I've tried both of these apps and both aren't worth a crap to me. They get my location in the right state, heck even the right city...almost. But I can't get it to be consistent let alone even half right.
I tried em both out and would like to know what I have been doing wrong since everyone else says that they are "great."
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only thing you did wrong was expect triangulation to work like you're watching CSI. In the real world, there is signal bounce, interference from trees, buildings, and other radio transmissions, and a whole host of other nameless error-creating problems. Radio triangulation is severely limited, but considering this sort of feature wasn't even available as a free application (much less being built into a mapping software as robust as GMaps) until VERY recently, it's pretty good, if you don't have GPS. You can buy a dongle to attach to your MDA, or you can suck it up, and deal with generally inaccurate location.

Trying it again...I thought that I had 2.0 but maybe not...I'll let you know either way how it comes out this time.
-Ivan

Ok much better...however it is still like 4 miles!!! off.
Does it update when in travel or how/when will it become more accurate??
Thanks agian,
Ivan

Google Maps 2 has "My location"
I dunno if you knew but Google Maps has been updated now and it offers My location - which is pretty close what GPS does. It gets your position through cellular towers and then it locates you within half a mile if I'm not mistaken...
Try it and c if it works 4 u

Myrddin Wyllt said:
It's already been said, but get Google Map 2.0...I installed it a few days ago, and it's not bad. I'm usually within 2000ft. of the calculated location.
The only thing you did wrong was expect triangulation to work like you're watching CSI. In the real world, there is signal bounce, interference from trees, buildings, and other radio transmissions, and a whole host of other nameless error-creating problems. Radio triangulation is severely limited, but considering this sort of feature wasn't even available as a free application (much less being built into a mapping software as robust as GMaps) until VERY recently, it's pretty good, if you don't have GPS. You can buy a dongle to attach to your MDA, or you can suck it up, and deal with generally inaccurate location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually google maps DOES NOT use triangulation..it will just show ur position based on a single cell tower and the signal strength being calculated by your phone..

So I tried my Google Maps 2.0 on the fly today...
It told me that it wouldn't work because I did not have a "data connection" and that I needed to contact my "service provider" to be able to utilize that function... (Or some crap like that)
What am I doing wrong now??
Thanks guys,
Ivan

GPS - Software, Performance

Now that Verizon finally has unlocked the GPS on a new device, I am curious about what navigation software and performance everyone is seeing. I tried TomTom 7 on my Imagio and it is lagging about 10 seconds. I haven't had time to really give it a good test, however it was a little concerning. How is your GPS working for you?

Same with me, Navigator is too laggy to work. I've installed Nav4All (free at nav4all.com) and it works great but is very rudimentary.
Goggle Maps works fine but not TTS so the search continues...

Interesting, I was using version ttn7.915.9196 for the record. I saw somewhere that there is a newer version for the TP2 out but i think it only added the ability to use the keyboard. I noticed that on the TomTom sight it only shows the Iphone edition I wonder if they are tweaking it for the new rev of WM phone. I think i might buy Copilot 8 if we can't find a fix considering its only something like $35.

Copilot 8 works great!

I use Ostia from pharosgps.com.
It was lightning fast to locate me, compared to using my old Tilt.
This is my third phone using Ostia and have to say currently liking it best.

GPS
You must first use HTCs Quick GPS. It speeds up the lock on the satellites. Google maps finds my location within seconds and Bing in less than a minute

Hormazdd said:
You must first use HTCs Quick GPS. It speeds up the lock on the satellites. Google maps finds my location within seconds and Bing in less than a minute
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Is QuickGPS a memory hog? And is it always on? I'm a little afraid to install it.
In the meantime, I have always like Garmin software. Garmin XT works very well on the Imagio. I got it off of ebay for about $25. It's also got lots of connected services, like nearby gas prices, flight times, google search, weather etc.

no quick gps isn't a memory hog and should already be on your device. The way it works is:
The GPS chip receives a synchronized timed signal from the satellites (birds) the US DoD launched into orbit. Each bird uses a different channel. With a good signal from three or more birds, GPS starts to get a fix. It does this by calculating the time difference between the reception of the different signals, then calculating the relative distances to each of the birds, then figuring out where it sits in the middle of the birds.
The GPS calculates four spheres, and its located somewhere on the surface of each of these spheres. There is only one point where these four spheres intersect. That's you.
If you're good at geometry, you might think that it needs 4 birds to get a fix, but in fact, if the GPS assumes that you are on earth, that provides another sphere, so it only requires 3 birds to get a decent fix. More adds altitude and accuracy.
But the GPS needs to know where each of the birds is before it can decide where IT is. That information is not calculated, but is available in a detailed download of orbital data provided by the DoD called ephemeris data. It is transmitted...from the bird to your GPS. For a cold start, your GPS needs to download the entire file, without interruptions in the signal - BEFORE it can even start getting a fix. In fact, the GPS may not even know which channels to tune into, since it doesn't yet know which birds are currently overhead. This causes a slow first fix.
Quick GPS, is simple. Ephemeris data is passed thru WiFi or cellular data connection ahead of time, and you never have to wait for it to download over the satellite. Awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I'm using IGo8 and it works perfectly.

I'v been happy with Bing for Maps/Turn-by-Turn GPS, with the bigger screen of the Imagio it's more than adequate for my needs. It also has gas prices, movies, and speech recognition which is very nice. Use Quick GPS to cache satellite info and it locks very quickly after that.

makryger said:
Is QuickGPS a memory hog? And is it always on? I'm a little afraid to install it.
In the meantime, I have always like Garmin software. Garmin XT works very well on the Imagio. I got it off of ebay for about $25. It's also got lots of connected services, like nearby gas prices, flight times, google search, weather etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't Quick GPS already on the Imagio. I don't remember installing it on mine and its been working great.

Boss428man said:
Isn't Quick GPS already on the Imagio. I don't remember installing it on mine and its been working great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is if you go into the All Applications area from the TouchFlo Start Menu.

Boss428man said:
Isn't Quick GPS already on the Imagio. I don't remember installing it on mine and its been working great.
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Click to collapse
I was confused, when I opened up QuickGPS, it said "Download", so I assumed it was like the Windows Marketplace icon, and that you actually had to download the program first. I was wrong- download means download GPS Data.

makryger said:
I was confused, when I opened up QuickGPS, it said "Download", so I assumed it was like the Windows Marketplace icon, and that you actually had to download the program first. I was wrong- download means download GPS Data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, and it will auto-close after as it's not needed to stay running to work, just download cache files and exit.

Give it a try it has always worked will for me

IGO 8 is by far the best navigation software takes some tweaking to get it to work but if you do some searching you can find what your looking for on the net. Garmin XT uses a bit less program memory and still works well but not near as slick as IGO. Make sure you use latest possible release and maps.

Is it Igo 8 or OnCourse 8 in the US. I went to the site and found it a little confusing. Looked pretty nice either way.

Can't get Tomtom to work
On the topic of GPS programs, I have used Tomtom Navigator 6 (purchased version) for some time. Worked great on my AT&T fuze, but when I tried to install it on the imagio, it looks like everything is smooshed to the top of the screen, and is unusable. I contacted Tomtom, but they replied simply that it was an unsupported phone. I guess I'll have to try a different program. Anybody else had issues?

sdph said:
On the topic of GPS programs, I have used Tomtom Navigator 6 (purchased version) for some time. Worked great on my AT&T fuze, but when I tried to install it on the imagio, it looks like everything is smooshed to the top of the screen, and is unusable. I contacted Tomtom, but they replied simply that it was an unsupported phone. I guess I'll have to try a different program. Anybody else had issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using TomTom for years too. On my PDA's and winmo phones. I didn't install it on the Imagio because I was going to get the latest maps from TomTom and see if they had any software updates. But all they have on their site now is iPhone and zip for winmo, so it looked to me like they were dropping windows support, so I dropped them.
I can get by with Google Maps and/or Windows Live Search (Bing) - and for turn by turn I'm now using the $35 CoPilot 8. Works real well, but I have very limited time on it so far.
I was going to switch to Garmin XT, but you need a completely dedicated microSD for that - that's a deal breaker.

My friend installed wm 6.5 on his wing and he is having a similar problem with TOMTOM being very laggy. I think its a wm 6.5 issue and not and Imagio!

GPS Wrong - Google Map Not Accurate

Why does Google Map tell me that I'm 1000m from my current location? It's useless if I need street directions.

a_ok2me said:
Why does Google Map tell me that I'm 1000m from my current location? It's useless if I need street directions.
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Click to collapse
This is strange. I have the same problem with my Rhodium. My HD2 has the best GPS I have ever owned.
I use Waze not Google maps though. Last night I was on the highest bridge of a multi road exchange and took a 90 degree turn that confuses every GPS device I have ever used but this time Waze made the turn with me.
Are you using the stock ROM?
Does Google maps support GPS?

Snarksneeze said:
This is strange. I have the same problem with my Rhodium. My HD2 has the best GPS I have ever owned.
I use Waze not Google maps though. Last night I was on the highest bridge of a multi road exchange and took a 90 degree turn that confuses every GPS device I have ever used but this time Waze made the turn with me.
Are you using the stock ROM?
Does Google maps support GPS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well...I no longer have the hd2 because it does not pick up 3G 95% of the time and it can't find a GPS satellite. Google Map supports GPS. It was also stock ROM. I must have done a million hard resets. Basically, it didn't work for $450 + $50 tax.

Did you even turn on the GPS option in Google maps? If not then it was finding your location throught GPRS which is triangulation from cell towers.
I have both a Fuze and HD2 and both work just fine for me. Also when was the last time you tried runner Quick GPS to update the tracking files?

Google Maps, by default, won't connect with GPS, but find your estimates location from cell towers. that's why you're always a little off.
press menu and use GPS, and the GPS will track your location accurately from there on.

rickyoon.vegas said:
Google Maps, by default, won't connect with GPS, but find your estimates location from cell towers. that's why you're always a little off.
press menu and use GPS, and the GPS will track your location accurately from there on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Close but the newer version is Menu/Options/GPS

Wil Badger said:
Did you even turn on the GPS option in Google maps? If not then it was finding your location throught GPRS which is triangulation from cell towers.
I have both a Fuze and HD2 and both work just fine for me. Also when was the last time you tried runner Quick GPS to update the tracking files?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
rickyoon.vegas said:
Google Maps, by default, won't connect with GPS, but find your estimates location from cell towers. that's why you're always a little off.
press menu and use GPS, and the GPS will track your location accurately from there on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes I turned on the Google GPS option. It just tries to find a tower forever, but never finds anything. I also ran Quick GPS after the Google GPS option didn't work. Similarly, I rarely ever get 3G. But, stick in my sim card to my old phone and everything is fine.
I think there is a big issue with the HD2.

a_ok2me said:
Yes I turned on the Google GPS option. It just tries to find a tower forever, but never finds anything. I also ran Quick GPS after the Google GPS option didn't work. Similarly, I rarely ever get 3G. But, stick in my sim card to my old phone and everything is fine.
I think there is a big issue with the HD2.
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Click to collapse
I have read that leather cases have something to do with this sometimes. Are you using one?

MirasHD2 said:
I have read that leather cases have something to do with this sometimes. Are you using one?
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Click to collapse
Yes & no. Yes, I do when I'm on the road. But, no because I would try it at home - without any case - to see if it's accurate but it can't pick up any satellites.
I was only able to get a reading of my home position the first 2 days of owning it.

a_ok2me said:
I think there is a big issue with the HD2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think you mean with your particular HD2. Because as I said before, I've never had a better GPS device... ever. Any GPS device that can actually follow me on a 90-degree turn without missing a beat is just lightyears beyond anything else I've found so far.
Even with stock ROM there could be a number of things causing trouble:
You could have a bad phone. It happens. Manufacturer's defects will occur in even the best runs, that's why there are warranties to cover it.
Something may be interfering with your GPS receiver. Even if other devices perform flawlessly in the same location in your vehicle, one device may be more succeptible to radio interference than others.
You could have battery issues. A bad battery can cause all sorts of problems. When your phone can't get a good cell reception, it just boosts juice to the hardware, which in turn drains your battery faster. A bad battery just can't keep up. Again, this is why there are warranties.
Please don't just assume that the HD2 is a bad phone just because you had problems with yours. I've heard of people curse a phone maker because they got two or three bad phones in a row. The thing to remember is that when a plant makes a bad batch, the entire shift's production could easily be sent to the same area, meaning that multiple returns for the same issue from one customer are not unheard of.
I would return it and get a replacement. It may take a few times of swapping around, but you should get things worked out. Trust me, this is the best phone on the market today. Hands down.
#ListMaster

Snarksneeze said:
I think you mean with your particular HD2. Because as I said before, I've never had a better GPS device... ever.
Please don't just assume that the HD2 is a bad phone just because you had problems with yours. I've heard of people curse a phone maker because they got two or three bad phones in a row.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well...conversely, you can't assume the other direction because many, not only my phone, can't get 3G. Further, my phone can't pick up satellites even after many hard resets and no non-OEM apps installed. As I keep on reading threads, it tells me the HD2 is poor with reception. There's something to be said about this.
After selling my phone, I'm tempted to buy another one. But I'll hold out for awhile as more feedbacks come in.

MirasHD2 said:
I have read that leather cases have something to do with this sometimes. Are you using one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
[OFF-TOPIC] Congratulations on your 100th post! You're a Senior Member now [/OFF-TOPIC]

a_ok2me said:
Well...conversely, you can't assume the other direction because many, not only my phone, can't get 3G. Further, my phone can't pick up satellites even after many hard resets and no non-OEM apps installed. As I keep on reading threads, it tells me the HD2 is poor with reception. There's something to be said about this.
After selling my phone, I'm tempted to buy another one. But I'll hold out for awhile as more feedbacks come in.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The lack of 3G can't be blamed on the phone, you know. I live in the center of Austin, TX and my 3G is constant. I've driven 100 miles south to a small community there and couldn't get anything higher than Edge.
Also, T-Mobile won't kick you from a tower that doesn't belong to them. At least, I've never been able to catch them doing it. I always get the closest tower and best reception possible. Problem is, T-Mobile simply doesn't have enough money to ensure that every corner of every city has third-generation towers.
This is the same gripe coming from iPhone users; they say that AT&T just isn't investing enough in putting out more towers.

Snarksneeze said:
The lack of 3G can't be blamed on the phone, you know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but the thing is - as I originally mentioned - I get 3G on my BlueAngel using the same sim card. Without this test, I would not have been able to point my finger at the HD2. The BlueAngel is something like the first PDA/phone ever and I still get 3G with it. I can't believe PDA technology has not advanced so much until now that I'm still using it after all these years.

a_ok2me said:
Yeah, but the thing is - as I originally mentioned - I get 3G on my BlueAngel using the same sim card. Without this test, I would not have been able to point my finger at the HD2. The BlueAngel is something like the first PDA/phone ever and I still get 3G with it. I can't believe PDA technology has not advanced so much until now that I'm still using it after all these years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see. Well, I certainly can't say what the problem is. As I said before, you may have just gotten a bad phone, which would suck but it does happen.
I've never dropped 3G here in Austin since I've gotten my HD2 in. Of course, the icon switches between [3] and [H] all the time, but it won't drop to [E] unless I manually turn off the "Data connection" toggle under Settings->Comm Manager.

Sorry but, our GPS on our Hd2 only works when in 3g? Just wondering because im on Edge at home and it dont work. havent tried in 3g coverage yet though.

starkall said:
Sorry but, our GPS on our Hd2 only works when in 3g? Just wondering because im on Edge at home and it dont work. havent tried in 3g coverage yet though.
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Click to collapse
I don't know. I was associating poor 3G reception with my phone's inability to find a satellite.

i live in long beach, ca and my phone finds gps even on edge. It also connects to 3g and has a stable connection. try replacing ur phone by using ur warranty.

starkall said:
Sorry but, our GPS on our Hd2 only works when in 3g? Just wondering because im on Edge at home and it dont work. havent tried in 3g coverage yet though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, GPS has nothing to do with 3g or your cellular connection. The GPS will work even if you have no sim card in and don't use it as a phone.
Also, I have to say, the GPS on my HD2 is one of the best I've used. I've had 4 other GPS enabled phones, 2 handheld standalone GPS devices, and 3 different bluetooth gps devices and the HD2 is definitely as good or better than all of them. I was very impressed... never thought a phone could work so well with gps.

google maps
GPS CONNECTION ERROR??!
am i the only one ?
No GPS receiver was found maake sure you have a gps receiver (built in or bluetooth that is turned on and configured towork with google maps for mobile. ??
UMM? is this so that i can bluetooth a tomtom or something like that and use their satelites ? cuz i ran quick gps why wouldnt gmaps use that ? my location is a little off but i am inside a brick apartment building. and its only off several blocks?
any way to configure gps to gmaps ?

how does gps work on da phone

oi guys ive had a look at a few of those suggested threads about gps and yeah nah they dont really answer my question so feel free to link me to a thread if it answers my question
ok so, what the go.. the phone has gps.. but it doesnt work like a gps device eg navman, tomtom etc.. or does it? i've tried stock froyo and cyanogenmod using that google car app and then going to navigation, but it just keeps searching for a signal for ever. i dont want to use data cause it costs money and defeats the purpose of having a gps.. that is if the phone gps actually works like a gps device. if not then thats pretty bad advertising. anyways let me know, cheers

Mine gets connected to satelites on few seconds,performs as good as my Tom Tom does,i am using Navigon app&maps.

the latest google maps has offline support so you wouldnt need data...

what??! thats rediculous! i left mine in that navigation mode where it was looking for navigation or something like that and the gps symbol was flashing for like 15 min straight as i drove to work and nothing! is it meant to take that long?
EDIT: ok i opened up maps with wifi and it went through all that first time use crap. and so it was using wifi and gps it looked like and that was working. but then when i disabled wifi none of the maps load. only the maps that i had previously loaded while on wifi. wtf? arent maps installed..????????? therefore it should just load them.. what the #%^% im starting to get really pissed off with how stupid this design is. the maps are there, cause theyre installed, and the gps is there so.............. what the ^%#* is its problem?

your right it will only save maps you have browsed while on wifi...i believe there is a setting that overrides this though...

nolook said:
your right it will only save maps you have browsed while on wifi...i believe there is a setting that overrides this though...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
do you know where this setting is? oh and i got the gps to work ie i got it to find me and all that. i did some reading and with gps on most phones the first time they connect it takes a while cause its gotta do all this satellite scanning and then eventually it goes yep ok hes in this part of the country, lets set him up with these satellites and so from then on it connects with gps a lot faster

First of all: the design is just great, you are the stupid.
How GPS work on dah phone ? well just like any other GPS: it receives signal from a few satellites around and it find your position based on the time laps between the reception of each signal (signal come with a time sync).
Now, how WELL does the Legend's GPS work ? as good as any other GPS: very nice in a car or outdoor, but very badly indoor and if it was unable to find your position for 15 minute I'm pretty sure you were indoor (or maybe outdoor in a big city).
Also on smartphone's GPS the data connection can help the GPS itself by downloading some data which will speed up the localisation by satellite, but this is not mandatory and if you're not connected you will end up being positionned. It will only take a few minutes (less than 15)
Finally about the navigation system (which is a bit different of GPS itself) Google's is fairly different than other software because it doesn't come with maps but it download them as you need them:
pros:
-maps are always up to date
-you don't have to waste 2Gb or more on your microSD to store them
-it's free !
cons:
-requires data connection (unlimited download recommanded)
If you prefer usual navigation software, feel free to use co-pilot or navigon or tomtom or any of the other regular software. But you'll have to pay (or crack) them.

Nashan said:
First of all: the design is just great, you are the stupid.
How GPS work on dah phone ? well just like any other GPS: it receives signal from a few satellites around and it find your position based on the time laps between the reception of each signal (signal come with a time sync).
Now, how WELL does the Legend's GPS work ? as good as any other GPS: very nice in a car or outdoor, but very badly indoor and if it was unable to find your position for 15 minute I'm pretty sure you were indoor (or maybe outdoor in a big city).
Also on smartphone's GPS the data connection can help the GPS itself by downloading some data which will speed up the localisation by satellite, but this is not mandatory and if you're not connected you will end up being positionned. It will only take a few minutes (less than 15)
Finally about the navigation system (which is a bit different of GPS itself) Google's is fairly different than other software because it doesn't come with maps but it download them as you need them:
pros:
-maps are always up to date
-you don't have to waste 2Gb or more on your microSD to store them
-it's free !
cons:
-requires data connection (unlimited download recommanded)
If you prefer usual navigation software, feel free to use co-pilot or navigon or tomtom or any of the other regular software. But you'll have to pay (or crack) them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
whoa whoa whoa hang on now. lets not go throwing the word stupid around especially if you didnt even understand what i meant or you assumed i didnt know how gps works in the first place.
my general question was that it wasnt connecting to gps and the maps werent showing so im thinking you need data for the maps to show even though you have the maps installed, and secondly im thinking something is wrong with my gps or maybe it doesnt work like a normal device navman, tomtom etc because its been half an hour and still no connectivity. then i answered my own question as usual via the internet from other forums i found using google which explained what i said above.
basically with normal gps devices they are already setup with a region.. thingy or whatever it is built into the gps device. this means the first time you connect its actually quite quick because it already has an idea where you are in the world. however with phones, they apparently dont have this so the process of connecting for the first time can range from 3 min, instantly or up to 3 hours like numerous people claimed it had taken for their phones. as for mine it took just over half an hour and now it works fine.
the only question left over now is apparently you can get the maps to show without a data connection through some option change in the settings as someone mentioned a bit earlier.
dont go throwing stupid around mate or assuming anything cause now who looks stupid. besides the design is quite silly since none of this was explained. when they say the phone has gps people (like me) generally go oh wow like those car gps' and expect them to work like that. so when they dont we become a bit skeptical and i was right to do so because look at all this crap ^^^that ive discovered. anyways like i said theres still one stupid thing left about all this which is why data is needed to view maps that are already installed. its like those video games that you install and require you to be on the net to play

You were the one throwing stupid at the design while you still seem to misunderstand how google nav (quit calling it GPS please) works.
Maps are not completely loaded, they're only stored in the cache and that's true only for one scale, and around one place. You can hardly use that to explore the map offline not even mentionning navigating.
The new feature only allow google nav to keep guiding you if you lose connection for a little while. But you can't really use it offline.
I think that design is just awesome, although I have an unlimited data connection. If you don't have that kind of service you should take a look at usual GPS softwares.
And I'm not assuming anything, you asked "how GPS works" not "how google nav works"

Nashan said:
You were the one throwing stupid at the design while you still seem to misunderstand how google nav (quit calling it GPS please) works.
Maps are not completely loaded, they're only stored in the cache and that's true only for one scale, and around one place. You can hardly use that to explore the map offline not even mentionning navigating.
The new feature only allow google nav to keep guiding you if you lose connection for a little while. But you can't really use it offline.
I think that design is just awesome, although I have an unlimited data connection. If you don't have that kind of service you should take a look at usual GPS softwares.
And I'm not assuming anything, you asked "how GPS works" not "how google nav works"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ugh forget it, i already answered my own question and now you're just being picky and all technical when no one really cares. i think 99% get what i mean so i dont care

GPS is working great. Google Maps is the "problem", more precisely not a real problem but the way it was designed. Unlike other GPS navigation software, the maps are not stored locally but in a cache. The latest version seems to have an offline mode but I didn't tested so I can't say if it's totally offline or not. If you want navigation without using your data connection or WiFi, switch to TomTom, iGO, or similar instead.
That's why Google Maps has only couple of MB and iGO for ex. has over 2 GB with all maps loaded...the difference is the space occupied by the maps.
P.S. And yes, first GPS lock is acquired a little bit later.

Rapier said:
GPS is working great. Google Maps is the "problem", more precisely not a real problem but the way it was designed. Unlike other GPS navigation software, the maps are not stored locally but in a cache. The latest version seems to have an offline mode but I didn't tested so I can't say if it's totally offline or not. If you want navigation without using your data connection or WiFi, switch to TomTom, iGO, or similar instead.
That's why Google Maps has only couple of MB and iGO for ex. has over 2 GB with all maps loaded...the difference is the space occupied by the maps.
P.S. And yes, first GPS lock is acquired a little bit later.
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Click to collapse
thank you. that clears it all up
now to that other guy, wouldnt it have been easier to just say that ^

I use Igo for my offline nav. It works just like a tom tom. For my geocaching needs, I use geobeagle.
Sent from my HTC Legend using XDA App

GPS on the XOOM

For you guys who already have the xoom please chime in.
I have a IPAD (dont judge me lol) and the "GPS" does not work while airborne; this is a big deal for me as i am a pilot.
Does the xoom gps only work when in cellphone range like the ipad or does it have a no kidding GPS chip?
On a side not i have no clue how apple gets away with selling the ipad as having GPS when it clearly is not TRUE GPS.

Since the wifi version will contain GPS as well, my guess is that it should work. I'll let you know once I get it in hand today.

When you look up on the Motorola website it states "aGPS" which is assisted GPS. IMO this means it uses regular GPS and other signals in addition. How that translates to airborne IDK. But surely the XOOM shouldn't be used for airplane navigation There's probably an iPad app for that ROFL

pyrator said:
For you guys who already have the xoom please chime in.
I have a IPAD (dont judge me lol) and the "GPS" does not work while airborne; this is a big deal for me as i am a pilot.
Does the xoom gps only work when in cellphone range like the ipad or does it have a no kidding GPS chip?
On a side not i have no clue how apple gets away with selling the ipad as having GPS when it clearly is not TRUE GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xoom has the same gps. The chip works fine for following without a cell/wifi connection. To get actually directions you have to have a connection.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

its got its own gps chip. and it locks on instantly. and i mean instant. accurate to 4 meters according to google maps.
the only problem you would run into are the maps.
you would need the maps saved on the xoom. google maps can and does cache maps while on wifi, but if you deviate off the set path during the trip you won't be able to load any additional maps during the trip unless you can get a wifi or data connection.
so you would need a gps app that stores the maps on the device if you want it to function like a standard gps. i know there are some for the iphone, but i haven't looked into android 3rd party gps apps.

I think it depends on what you want to use it for. If you want google maps, then the maps program requires data use to show your location on the map. If you simply want Longitude and Latitude, then I'm sure you can get that with the GPS chip in the Xoom.
I've got the Xoom, and the GPS is a true GPS, not relying on cell towers or wifi to determine location. However, I don't know how well GPS works in a plane since I've never tried using a GPS device in a plane (I thought that wasn't allowed?)
Again, unless you have maps STORED on your device, data access is needed to download the maps in real time. Applications like TomTom store the maps on your device, but require an additional and substantial fee.

bwcorvus said:
Xoom has the same gps. The chip works fine for following without a cell/wifi connection. To get actually directions you have to have a connection.
Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so what can you do with the gps chip with no connection?
is there anway to save a preloaded map and use your gps chip to locate yourself on the previously saved map?
EDIT: So then theoretically I can dev an app that will have maps saved on the phone for use with no signal?

You should be able to get an app that gives you the GPS coordinates. Everything else is based of stored data, like others mentioned.

RadDudeTommy said:
so what can you do with the gps chip with no connection?
is there anway to save a preloaded map and use your gps chip to locate yourself on the previously saved map?
EDIT: So then theoretically I can dev an app that will have maps saved on the phone for use with no signal?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhmm, theoretically sure, but good luck getting the maps you're going to need, and starting from scratch would be hella painful. You would be better off purchasing a stand alone application with the maps. They usually run around $100, but I'm not sure what ones are available for Android.
They aren't normal maps, they're maps that contain location data, gps coordinates, etc.
Again, you can use a GPS app to pull your coordinates. Just do that and use a paper map to determine where you are? hehe

you might check out http://www.mapdroyd.com/

pyrator said:
For you guys who already have the xoom please chime in.
I have a IPAD (dont judge me lol) and the "GPS" does not work while airborne; this is a big deal for me as i am a pilot.
Does the xoom gps only work when in cellphone range like the ipad or does it have a no kidding GPS chip?
On a side not i have no clue how apple gets away with selling the ipad as having GPS when it clearly is not TRUE GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You really want to know why you can't use the GPS (of your mobile device) while you're flying?
You're not a commercial pilot I hope!
I'm sorry I'm just having a hard time picturing my Continental Airlines pilot asking for directions from texas to california because he forgot his Ipad at home.

I know the app AlpineQuest uses maps that you yourself create from a list of already available maps and then you load them onto your device and select them from the application. Its primarily for hiking since some terrain does not offer a 3g signal. But I recommend you check that out.

Does you tried IGO ???
(propably no plane support )

Thanx
ok got my answer thank you!
Also the GPS on a device will not interfere with any aircraft electronics and is 100% ok during flight. AKA when not flying and riding along everyday for 4+ hours with nothing to do.

cwizardtx said:
You really want to know why you can't use the GPS (of your mobile device) while you're flying?
You're not a commercial pilot I hope!
I'm sorry I'm just having a hard time picturing my Continental Airlines pilot asking for directions from texas to california because he forgot his Ipad at home.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually I am a FAA certified Commercial pilot, i have a degree from Embry-Riddle in Professional Aeronautics with dual minors in safety and business, over 275 combat hours alone just here in Afghanistan, so no that does not automatically mean you fly for the airlines.
Also you cannot use an unapproved system for your primary means of navigation. The only GPS you may use is an IFR approved unit with a current database. Also if you choose to go that route you must have a backup (VOR, NDB, etc).
See:
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2011/02/faa-ipad/
http://www.wired.com/autopia/2010/06/new-airplane-should-motivate-apple-fanboys-to-be-pilots/
(just needs to be android not ipad)
The reason i ask is because when im not flying aka in the back aka a passenger, im bored and would like to be able to see where i am at on a map.
But thank you for contributing nothing to this post other than to launch a personnel attack against my creditability.
Rant over:
To everyone else who actually contributed to the post THANK YOU! I will try probably all of those apps lol. I just wish there was a FalconView port for android (open source DoD app designed for windows).

may it's out of civilian range, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System#Restrictions_on_civilian_use

Hi pyrator,
I too am a pilot (mind you, not FAA but on the other side of the pond) and I'm also very interested in using Android tabs for aviation.
Of course not IFR, but as a backup information in VFR should the Garmin fail (never did so far)
It would be very interesting to find out what the real capabilities of the onboard sensors are.
Take the gyro for example: if it doesn't drift, it might be an interesting source for a poor man's EADI (attitude indicator) should your vacuum pump quit. It all depends if it is influenced by accelerated flight (I've looked at a few apps that wanted to simulate an AI but they relied on the accelerometers and, in a coordinated turn, you got zilch)
I'm a programmer so I guess writing an application would be an option, but its much more fun if you're not alone....
What do you think?

GPS in the Xoom is standalone. It works with wifi and 3g off. I installed copilot and it works as well as all the tomtoms and garmins that I have used. U get a beautiful 10 inch gps.
Agps is based on cellular signals.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA Premium App

1. Non-commercial VFR (in the US) you can use anything you want. You don't even need a chart. If you have a chart, it must be current. This may apply to map data.
2. The prohibition against using Cell Phones, etc while flying (in the US) is not a FAA rule but a FCC rule. If your 3G unit is transmitting from a high altitude the Cell(s) on the ground have a hard time figuring out which cell you're in.
3. As a Pax aloft, put the Xoom in airplane mode (turns off the 3G) after you've loaded up map data for your intended area and (fuselage skin notwithstanding) you should be able to follow along just fine. Keeping the unit near a window may be necessary.

GPS in my xoom does not work without wifi.
I have read the threads and I am unable to make it work without wifi like driving. I have the maps incache, but the GPS signal does not show. The ipad does because I have use it multiple times. What to do. Many hours wasted.