GPS discovery on G1! w/ out a sim card - G1 General

I just got a new phone (but Im still keeping my g1) so I inserted an a brand new unregistered sim card in my g1, so I dont get the "no sim inserted icon but I don't think this matters" , and I have it connect to the internet via wifi and I decide to turn on my gps and what do you know, it works.
I go google maps and and select "my location" and it works. It was able to find my location. Then I try copilot and that works too... wich means I can continue to use my g1 as a gps device since copilot has its maps preloaded.
Maybe you knew about it already but this is news to me. I just hope people will get some use out of this.
P.S
I also figured out that I cant text people through google voice (App) using wifi (and no active sim card) although this was a little more obvious of a discovery. I guess this is good for people who have their line cut off or for people like me who still want the g1 as a second phone.

I don't understand what's the big deal about GPS working without SIM. Why wouldn't it? Or maybe you're mixing up GPS and GPRS?

Karolis said:
I don't understand what's the big deal about GPS working without SIM. Why wouldn't it? Or maybe you're mixing up GPS and GPRS?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah same, GPS only relies on data to grab the map tiles, which you're recieving through WiFi...

Related

[Q] Google Maps with GPS

hi everyone ! can anyone tell me how i can use Google Maps with Gps technology ?? when i select "Use GPS" it says "Network Unavailable"
You're connected to the Internet?
An activated GPRS, EDGE or UMTS is necessary.
sharax said:
You're connected to the Internet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i'm not !
Dnst said:
An activated GPRS, EDGE or UMTS is necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you mean if i want to browse maps with gps, i have to connect to the internet ??
Oh yes the maps are not on your device they are downloaded!!
Google Maps gets your location from the GPS sensor, but then has to go online to download the actual map data for that area.
so if the map of the area we are in, was downloaded befor then i think there wont be any problem ! i think it would be just like the quick gps software in diamond ! am i right ?
I think that should be a way of download the map and use it offline. Some cracker should make it easy
diogoperas said:
I think that should be a way of download the map and use it offline. Some cracker should make it easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hehe, i tried 5 different apps and currently use gpsVP /w cached Gmaps imgs
pretty good for a free app, altho not totally easy to set up as there is no info...
since there is no maps for japan that i know of, never tried a commercial product, then again i prefer gmaps and my brain for navigation
diogoperas said:
I think that should be a way of download the map and use it offline. Some cracker should make it easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in the last few versions of gmaps just install it onto the storage card and then you can just save whats in the applicationdata\googlemaps folder and use that offline
Dnst said:
An activated GPRS, EDGE or UMTS is necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can also be Wifi.
hey everybody, first post here....
i read that i should not start new posts if theres one going already.
I got my diamond about a month ago, its an alltel cdma diamond with original ROM, no registry tweaks, pretty much stock.
the GPS is being finicky. ive tried atleast 10-15 different GPS applications (all freeware or trials) and they are alway hit or miss. sometimes i get a 6-12 sat lock in seconds, even indoors... but sometimes i cant lock on outside even after 15min or more (even if i had a lock on less then 8hrs earlier). Ive been trying to find a pattern to why it sometimes works (certain settings, maybe after a resets, quick gps, etc)
side note, i used the G-Watch app while in poland where i have no phone coverage. it worked perfectly everytime i turned it on with almost instant lockon. but back in florida every program i try sometimes works and sometimes doesnt, even if i turned the phone to airplane mode.
question 1- is this considered normal for the alltel diamond
question 2- does the software that costs money (ie tomtom) work any better/more consistently
question 3 - could there be something wrong with my phone
question 4 - any ideas how to make it more stable
thanx for the help
also, on some of the gps programs, it will say i have found up to 8 or so sats, but wont lock onto any of them...
thanx again

GPS and other settings

I have a blackstone and it was originally on the Orange network (UK) I now have it unlocked from orange and have a T-mobile uk sim in there.
I put tomtom sat nav on and havent done much else to it.
For some reason I cant use the tomtom app as it says no gps device, any idea whats going on, or how I fix this. I follew the tom tom installation correctly but it just doesnt pick up any satellites up.
Another thing is my MMS setting are out of wack completely, any idea how I get these fixed, t mobile are unable to help as they dont sell the phone through them.
Anyone got their mms worksing through t mobile uk?
any help would be appreciated
Yes..you have find a big bug in the new rom that you have installed...i think that you have burn the GPS antenna, or the second possibility is that you have to install a new Antenna software..i've a original rom and all is perfect.!!
i havent installed another rom, its the original one that was on the phone, so i couldnt have burnt anything out. i haveng modded the phone in any way just to confirm
I'd try this for the MMS settings:
Tmobile Settings by Email
For the TomTom problem, it is just a case of TomTom not displaying any Satellites, but still getting your location (the screen changes colour and shows your location, to indicate a satellite lock) or does it never give a fix.
Not to insult as I don't know your level of experience with GPS, but try it outside on a clear (not very heavy cloud) day, leaving it stationary for several (upto five I'd say) minutes, and see if it gets a fix?
thansk for the reply,
but the t-mobile link odesnt work as my phone isnt listed there and I cant move forward without selecting one.
The tom tom screen is grey as if it doesnt have any satellites connected to it, I have tried it on a clear day and same no luck.
In the connections tab under where you can switch the bluetooth, wifi etc on, does the data connection also have to be switched on, of is the data connection for something else?
For tomtom:
Go to settings/AGPS settings and make sure it is turned off - this used to stop tomtom working for me until I updated my ROM.
In tomtom, make sure you've selected 'Other NMEA GPS receiver' and COM4 (I found the baud rate does not matter and have it set to the highest value.
thanks all working now, great.
just on a general note, what costs are incurred when we use this, is it free for people with data plans etc
digo21 said:
thanks all working now, great.
just on a general note, what costs are incurred when we use this, is it free for people with data plans etc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS does not cost anything as you are receiving signals from GPS satellites. I don't think you even need a SIM in your phone to use it.
AGPS is data so will come out of your data plan if you have one.
digo21 said:
I have a blackstone and it was originally on the Orange network (UK) I now have it unlocked from orange and have a T-mobile uk sim in there.
I put tomtom sat nav on and havent done much else to it.
For some reason I cant use the tomtom app as it says no gps device, any idea whats going on, or how I fix this. I follew the tom tom installation correctly but it just doesnt pick up any satellites up.
Another thing is my MMS setting are out of wack completely, any idea how I get these fixed, t mobile are unable to help as they dont sell the phone through them.
Anyone got their mms worksing through t mobile uk?
any help would be appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tic the box in the GPS tab (see in the settings) for give the permission to the O.S for taking automatically the control of signal.?

gps wont find anything

so I bought a htc hd2 using it to type this, however gps wont lock (and kb Really is bad lol) im on o2
any ideas..
Re gps won't find anything
Hi,
A couple of questions. What software are you using? (like Google Maps). You say you can't get a lock, are you able to access any satellite? Have you selected Google Maps Use GPS Option. Have you enabled QuickGPS (Start/Tools/QuickGPS). There is a setting there to let you download Satellite data using your PC connection during Activesync which might help you if you have data issues.
Now, silly question, are you indoors or outdoors when you are trying to get a fix?. Im not always able to get a satellite fix from my living room).
Regards.
Re: gps won't find anything
Hi,
A couple of questions. What software are you using? (like Google Maps). You say you can't get a lock, are you able to access any satellite? Have you selected Google Maps Use GPS Option. Have you enabled QuickGPS (Start/Tools/QuickGPS). There is a setting there to let you download Satellite data using your PC connection during Activesync which might help you if you have data issues.
Now, silly question, are you indoors or outdoors when you are trying to get a fix?. Im not always able to get a satellite fix from my living room).
Regards.
sorry took so long to reply (keyboard really has issues ... or maybe i have the issues and just cant use it) so i came to pc to reply.
i was indoors at the time (trying to show my gf how great my phone is and shes with her iphone getting a gps location in seconds) so i was indoors , i have tried outside however and it dont seem to work, i had the same (and still do) with my xda ignito and just give up on it , but this is a new phone and i just want to be able to sit in my house and go oooh phone says im here haha.
i used quickgps however that has not helped
LOL, knowing that you couldn't get it working on your other phone might have helped in your original posting . Have you talked to O2?
gps does not care about the carrier...
BTW: What the iphone does (and your phone can do too) is the self positining using the google api. that works over the cellular network, using a table of positions where the antennas are lokated and not gps!
GPS indoors is not possible with a antenna like the HD2 or the Iphone has, aslong as you live in a "normal house" and not in some weird mobile home ect...
If it cant get a fix using google maps or tomtom outside of your house within 2minutes of not moving somewhere on the street, or the gps tuner did not even find one satellite, think of hard-resetting your phone and then try again.
if you sill can find anything your antenna might be broken so you need to return your phone to warrenty and get a new one, or yours fixed!
greetz
Intereseting, I've never actually seen a phone using nagigation software without data services from a carrier. I must live a really sheltered life. Good luck.
Usually, every GPS phone has trouble locking from inside houses, with the exception of when you are standing next to a window sometimes. My HD2 however locks in seconds when outside.
I would suggest running QuickGPS (or something along those lines) from Start->Tools, it updates the locations of the satellites so the GPS takes less to locate them when locking.
All the best,
shpatar.
cMMY69 said:
Intereseting, I've never actually seen a phone using nagigation software without data services from a carrier. I must live a really sheltered life. Good luck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what are you talking about? tomtom, garmin etc. never use the carrier to get a fixed gps position. thats why you call it gps, because it uses it and gps is not run by any phone carrier but by the us. forces... so you dont need any dataservice or even simcard to get your gps position with your gps-enabled phone...
larrytango said:
sorry took so long to reply (keyboard really has issues ... or maybe i have the issues and just cant use it) so i came to pc to reply.
i was indoors at the time (trying to show my gf how great my phone is and shes with her iphone getting a gps location in seconds) so i was indoors , i have tried outside however and it dont seem to work, i had the same (and still do) with my xda ignito and just give up on it , but this is a new phone and i just want to be able to sit in my house and go oooh phone says im here haha.
i used quickgps however that has not helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you using igo8? I know i had to manually set the correct com port (COM4) within igo settings before it would work.
Also you can manually set it in google maps. Try setting it to COM4 baud rate of 4800
The carrier locating in my area is useless when i am inside my house. Says i am like a mile away in the middle of a field! lol.
larrytango said:
sorry took so long to reply (keyboard really has issues ... or maybe i have the issues and just cant use it) so i came to pc to reply.
i was indoors at the time (trying to show my gf how great my phone is and shes with her iphone getting a gps location in seconds) so i was indoors , i have tried outside however and it dont seem to work, i had the same (and still do) with my xda ignito and just give up on it , but this is a new phone and i just want to be able to sit in my house and go oooh phone says im here haha.
i used quickgps however that has not helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As others have replied- the iPhone uses a different method of getting your position, as its GPS receiver is pretty poor (which is why TomTom needs its own GPS receiver in a dedicated cradle to work properly )
The HD2 has the best GPS receiver I've yet seen in a mobile device- no longer than 1 minute even from cold start in most cases- and I've used it in UK, Italy and Slovenia in the last 6 weeks. However, if you are indoors it will struggle.
Which software are you using to try and get a fix? Maybe it isn't initiating the GPS correctly.
The Ignito is also pretty good, so maybe you are in a 'dead' area? Have you tried in a different location?
brandi said:
gps does not care about the carrier...
BTW: What the iphone does (and your phone can do too) is the self positining using the google api. that works over the cellular network, using a table of positions where the antennas are lokated and not gps!
GPS indoors is not possible with a antenna like the HD2 or the Iphone has, aslong as you live in a "normal house" and not in some weird mobile home ect...
If it cant get a fix using google maps or tomtom outside of your house within 2minutes of not moving somewhere on the street, or the gps tuner did not even find one satellite, think of hard-resetting your phone and then try again.
if you sill can find anything your antenna might be broken so you need to return your phone to warrenty and get a new one, or yours fixed!
greetz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i said what network i was on to imply what rom i was on (was first day with hd2 and i was typing using it .. and i wanted to make it as small as possible - hate the kb lol)
and my gf iphone does actually pick up gps in the house , mine doesnt tho.
i got a signal once since i started this when outside after about 20 mins.
i understand what you mean with regards to cell network etc and obviously that works fine .. however gps seems to not like me

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.
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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?
Click to expand...
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.
Click to expand...
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 ?

[Q] Evo as just a media/nav system

OK so this may be a strange request but im sure its possible. Ive got an old evo at home because my girlfriend mad the jump to att for the Atrix 4g. so i was wondering in stead of selling this beautiful device could i make it just a mp3/mp4 player with gps. no iv purchased navigon so that should knock out the gps part. but is there any way to just remove everything else like the phone and phone radios...all i need is WiFi. the messaging and basically every thing not absolutely needed for it to function. I tried just removing everything with root explorer but as soon as i deleted the phone.apk i got constant force closes. So thinking i must go a different route. Any ideas any one?
Im not sure, I know you can keep it in airplane mode, that turns off all radios and data. You could still play musuc, games, and videos with it
thanks to your idea and my old samsung moment i now have a new mp3 player when i dont want to use my evo's battery lol
No prob, glad I could help
Youd be much much better off selling it since they go for around 400
I'd say airplane mode and or wifi only with 3g off. You could probably create a custom profile with any of the tools like "profile settings"
I'm using a family members first Iphone as mp3+gps as well so you aren't entirely crazy.
This is sort of what I plan to do with my Evo when I upgrade this year. As far as I can tell though you won't be able to use GPS as you'd need 3G to download the maps. Unless Navigon loads all the maps onto your SD card you won't be able to drive and navigate (without tapping into local wifi, at least).
I believe google maps will pull over wifi.
dabbill said:
I believe google maps will pull over wifi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but he can't do that on the go.
Hey OP, i agree with Knives. you'd be MUCH better off selling it and buying a 160gb ipod and a tomtom. You'd probably even make money on the deal. just my $0.02
Same thing with the Xoom
Google maps needs a data connection. And the GPS I believe is AGPS, or assisted GPS, so it still really wants some type of network connection to narrow down your location.
Bielinsk said:
Same thing with the Xoom
Google maps needs a data connection. And the GPS I believe is AGPS, or assisted GPS, so it still really wants some type of network connection to narrow down your location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it's a true GPS. i've used mine without cell service. it's still able to nail down my location perfectly.

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