I have little use for my data plan. I find anytime I can sit down and play on the web, I’m not far from a WIFI hot spot. I do like Google navigation as a flawed but useful GPS system.
-The question is, does Google maps and Navigation require constant data communication through my data plan, or can I simply park in front of a WIFI coffee shop, plan my route, download maps. Then logout, and be on my way.
-If not, any workarounds? Get all the maps and use them with some other free-ish gps system?
-Has the advent of Google Nav. made any other 3rd party, turn by turn, GPS apps more affordable?
-What else am I likely to miss (Google has so many tentacles into my phone…and me I wonder)
Thanks In advance
Hello,
I think only google maps only require data connection as it downloads maps from there server so thats why, the app is small. May be there are similar app.
As of tomtom, garmin and etc, thay don't require data connection but just the gps connection where you can get easily. And as you see, these apps are bigger and you have to buy the map to use the app. Of course the app also.
Best Regards
I use navicomputer http://navicomputer.com/ no data required after you download your maps.
google navigation downloads the whole route when u calculate it. if you get off track though, you may be out of luck. it will only zoom out and show u where the route is so you can get back on track. unless ur destination has data, you wont be able to reverse the route either.
i would recommend getting tomtom, garmin or similar programs.
Interesting, thanks guys
I guess I was think most about “Google Navigation” most. It doesn’t take a lot of data to describe a 3d intersection or a lot of CPU/gpu horsepower to drive through it on the screen. I don’t really know how much an android has.
Navicomp looks great for some things I do but for navigating new places, 3d type gps really works well for me. Last time I looked, TomTom and Garmin weren’t available for Android.
I think I’ll just test Navigation if I remember tomorrow, plan a route, get going, turn the data off (if I can figure that out) and see what happens.
I’ll report back,
PK
I take it he got lost then?!!
look into ndrive or my fav. copilot
Lol i couldn't imagine my phone without a data plan I need to use the web constantly
Sent from my SPH-M910 X kernel using XDA App
NAVIGATION COMPUTER Reply
Looks like "NaviComputer" as suggested above would be your best bet if you've got the space for it. If you're on a Sprint device, you could switch to Boost Mobile which has unlimited free internet with all its plans from PayAsYouGo to Monthly Unlimited. Granted EvDo is always pretty darn slow, so depending on how much free space you've got inside, you may wish to go with NaviComputer, plus you won't have to deal with signal issues either.
Best of Luck.
- 2 Bunny
I use IGO 8 and love it better than tom tom or google maps
PM me and I can give you the links for it with all world maps or individual state maps
I use mapdroyd its free and you can download the whole world (5gb) also free, but it is not able to give you turn by turn navigation but you can follow the root
and gives you off-road support to.
CoPilot is AWESOME.
check youtube for videos.
It stores the maps on your sdcard.
It works great with 2.3 gingerbread too and 2.2.
I can't say enough.
The simple fact that you touch a point of interest and it will show you the phone # and give you the option to press call.
VERY easy to use and great display.
Thanks, I had a look and it looks interesting, might give it a try.
Regards, PK
Copilot all the way.
Sent from my Desire HD using XDA Premium App
looks nice and the price is sure right, I think I'll have to check it out.
Thanks, PK
pk2 said:
I have little use for my data plan. I find anytime I can sit down and play on the web, I’m not far from a WIFI hot spot. I do like Google navigation as a flawed but useful GPS system.
-The question is, does Google maps and Navigation require constant data communication through my data plan, or can I simply park in front of a WIFI coffee shop, plan my route, download maps. Then logout, and be on my way.
-If not, any workarounds? Get all the maps and use them with some other free-ish gps system?
-Has the advent of Google Nav. made any other 3rd party, turn by turn, GPS apps more affordable?
-What else am I likely to miss (Google has so many tentacles into my phone…and me I wonder)
Thanks In advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you're a heavy gps user (like me) data is essential. I mean there are alternatives that you can pre download maps on your sd card, but they fill up your storage quick, and aren't as convenient. also you need to manually update them which is a pain. With google maps you have real time traffic updating, business hours and what not. It is pretty convenient, I average over 400 miles of driving a week within my city (my job requires me to travel around), and tell you what I haven't missed one exit using google nav.
As far as the pricing of the data, you can always ask for student discount, employee discounts, or even a preferred loyalty plan. I am actually getting unlimited 4g from tmo (5gb data cap) for $20 a month while one of my friend only gets 200mb for $15 a month....
DATA Reply
_ice_ said:
if you're a heavy gps user (like me) data is essential. I mean there are alternatives that you can pre download maps on your sd card, but they fill up your storage quick, and aren't as convenient. also you need to manually update them which is a pain. With google maps you have real time traffic updating, business hours and what not. It is pretty convenient, I average over 400 miles of driving a week within my city (my job requires me to travel around), and tell you what I haven't missed one exit using google nav.
As far as the pricing of the data, you can always ask for student discount, employee discounts, or even a preferred loyalty plan. I am actually getting unlimited 4g from tmo (5gb data cap) for $20 a month while one of my friend only gets 200mb for $15 a month....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Boost Mobile has always unlimited data too for situations like these. If you are just shooting for data only, using the pay as you go plan with just one or two calls/messages every once in a while will help you go far.
- 2 Bunny
_ice_ said:
if you're a heavy gps user (like me)...you can pre download maps on your sd card, but they fill up your storage quick, ...I average over 400 miles of driving a week within my city ... google nav. .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually don’t drive that much, but when I do, north or south of home (Orange county CA) I’m a babe in the woods, GPS is really nice. I also feel it should be an integral part of my ride.
_ice_ said:
As far as the pricing of the data, you can always ask for student discount, employee discounts, or even a preferred loyalty plan. I am actually getting unlimited 4g from tmo (5gb data cap) for $20 a month while one of my friend only gets 200mb for $15 a month....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what does it take to be come a “student” (some basic photoshop & a document layout program skills?) And definitely, what does it take to become a preferred loyalty plan?
I pay $30+ unlimited. One issue I have is I could go on a “per kb” plan. The problem is I haven’t a clue how many kb say, 10 miles of google nav will use or, the occasional web search for an address or web site requires in Kb’s (and $’s). I’ve look for an app that could count the kb’s to see if it's cost effective, but no luck.
(I had one phone I picked up and unlocked. It Made $800 worth the 3g calls all by itself overnight.)
pk2 said:
I actually don’t drive that much, but when I do, north or south of home (Orange county CA) I’m a babe in the woods, GPS is really nice. I also feel it should be an integral part of my ride.
So what does it take to be come a “student” (some basic photoshop & a document layout program skills?) And definitely, what does it take to become a preferred loyalty plan?
I pay $30+ unlimited. One issue I have is I could go on a “per kb” plan. The problem is I haven’t a clue how many kb say, 10 miles of google nav will use or, the occasional web search for an address or web site requires in Kb’s (and $’s). I’ve look for an app that could count the kb’s to see if it's cost effective, but no luck.
(I had one phone I picked up and unlocked. It Made $800 worth the 3g calls all by itself overnight.)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a student discount means you have to actually attend a college or university that can be verified by the loyalty department.
also you can ask for a grandfathered plan if you have been a customer for awhile.
if you have an android which I believe you do according to your signature. get the 3g watchdog app if you're running on a limited data plan. it automatically shuts off your data (4g supported now I believe) and changes your APN settings to prevent virtually anything from connecting to the data network (MMS won't work unless you do the spoof workaround). but as far as per kb$ don't get the plan it just a train wreck, depending on the background apps, ROM, type of apps you get the data usage can range from 1kb-2 mb an hour per app.
For instance HTC sense uses more data (per kb/mb) than an AOSP rom. why? friendstream and all that junk that stays on, as opposed to no junk on aosp.
So do some more research and testing and you will find the best service for your buck (took me about 3 months to lower my bill to a suitable amount) but now its well worth it
Related
RE: GPS, Data Plan, & Costs
I'm getting ready to buy an HTC X7501. I have a couple of questions regarding GPS. Once I buy a full GPS program like TomTom for instance, is there any cost involved in using the GPS on my X7501? For instance, does it make use of a data plan or do you need some other service to download maps?
The reason I ask is because I'm considering skipping the data plan since 90% of the time I'm in a WiFi area...
Thanks.
no software is all u need ...
unless u want traffic updates
if not than the software is fine
boinger66 said:
no software is all u need ...
unless u want traffic updates
if not than the software is fine
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So are traffic updates a part of your wireless data service then?
Thanks for the reply!
whoster69 said:
So are traffic updates a part of your wireless data service then?
Thanks for the reply!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, GPS isn't but traffic comes over GPRS (or Edge/3G/HSDPA) which is .
Confucious said:
Yes, GPS isn't but traffic comes over GPRS (or Edge/3G/HSDPA) which is .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good to know. Now I'll have to decide if I want it for the data plan. Any guess on how many MB it takes up? My guess would be that it would take up enough to make me want to go with an unlimited plan if I used it much...
Thanks again for the help.
The QuickGPS downloads are done over any available internet connection.
It could be GPRS, 3G or WiFi.
So, no, you do not need a data plan.
traffic updates for a month if you use it ONLY for that shouldnt be more than a 100MB
I find the average downloads when using traffic are 100K per hour, this is using a 15 min update interval. (This is based over a few months where I took notes of the daily downloads)
This means that 10 hours driving equates to 1MB, no more than 30MB per month - Mike
I have an unlimited data plan - the Athena cries out for one. You say you are within WiFi range most of the time , I have never used WiFi on my Athena, when I did on my Universal it drained the battery so much I gave up.
Here in the UK 3G coverage is great and HSDPA coverage is pretty good so I have connection wherever I go for less than £10/month. It does depend on cost/coverage but I'd recommend 3G/HSDPA over WiFi hen you just don't need to worry about it
Confucious said:
I have an unlimited data plan - the Athena cries out for one. You say you are within WiFi range most of the time , I have never used WiFi on my Athena, when I did on my Universal it drained the battery so much I gave up.
Here in the UK 3G coverage is great and HSDPA coverage is pretty good so I have connection wherever I go for less than £10/month. It does depend on cost/coverage but I'd recommend 3G/HSDPA over WiFi hen you just don't need to worry about it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sadly here where I live in California, we really only have one company with the coverage, AT&T. Their data plan is about $50 per month for unlimited, which is a lot. Since I can get WiFi at home and work for free, I will probably go with that and skip any data plan.
Thanks to all who replied. That gives me a much better idea of what to expect.
I have a bluetooth gps reciever but no mapping software. I don't pay for internet (just use the wifi) with t-mobile so I cannot use google maps. Does anyone know of any free mapping software that I can download to my SD card?
twflys said:
I have a bluetooth gps reciever but no mapping software. I don't pay for internet (just use the wifi) with t-mobile so I cannot use google maps. Does anyone know of any free mapping software that I can download to my SD card?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im not bashing in anyway, but why buy a PPC let alone a GPS reciever and not get internet? But since the post is up already, Im looking to get a reciever in the next week, im looking at the OnCourse Bluetooth GPS Receiver Edition 3
http://www.buygpsnow.com/OnCourse-Bluetooth-GPS-Receiver-Edition-3-(WAAS-enabled)_882.aspx
Anyone have any other suggestions on reciever? And any comments on GoogleMaps which is my first pick, or any other suggestions for Nav programs on a Wing with its limited storage?
Gimpy
Not freee. But i love TomTom 6.xxx
For german user it is fantastic - because streets here in germany are sooooo smalllll that you pass 5 streets in 2 minutes while driving 5MpH
Hahahahaah......
actually, I pay for t-mobile web. Which is limited internet to basically be able to just download my emails. It's $15 extra a month to upgrade to full internet. I don't really use the internet THAT much to justify it, I think.
twflys said:
actually, I pay for t-mobile web. Which is limited internet to basically be able to just download my emails. It's $15 extra a month to upgrade to full internet. I don't really use the internet THAT much to justify it, I think.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You might if you had it to use. lol
I was paying sprint $150 a month, so i went all out with Tmobile and im still like 60 bucks cheaper a month. Will the 9.99 net not get google maps to work?
Gimpy
papamopps said:
Not freee. But i love TomTom 6.xxx
For german user it is fantastic - because streets here in germany are sooooo smalllll that you pass 5 streets in 2 minutes while driving 5MpH
Hahahahaah......
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
papa is tomtom a system hog tho? Is it a better match for gps with the voices and all? Can you give me any info on user impresstions?
Gimpy
9.99?? I pay 4.99 I think for the "web" application that does NOT include free internet... so, are you saying for 5 more bucks I can have FULL internet with it? Maybe I need to double check t-mobile's website.
I wish I knew the name of the BT GPS that I am using (it's at home)... However, it works great!
twflys said:
9.99?? I pay 4.99 I think for the "web" application that does NOT include free internet... so, are you saying for 5 more bucks I can have FULL internet with it? Maybe I need to double check t-mobile's website.
I wish I knew the name of the BT GPS that I am using (it's at home)... However, it works great!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When I got my wing, which wasnt long ago, I thought they had a small web package for 10 bucks. I could be wrong. I pay 40 for unlimited everything.
Gimpy
Airman Gimpy, T-mobile now offers unlimited internet for the Wing for $19.99/month. The plan is called T-Mobile Total Internet Add-on.
If your on T-Mobile US, get the T-Zones plan and setup the proxy (info all over xda-dev) then you can have internet, email, and use google maps and live search. the new google maps doesnt need a gps as they do cell based triangulation (my location) which is usuall pretty close.
db130 said:
Airman Gimpy, T-mobile now offers unlimited internet for the Wing for $19.99/month. The plan is called T-Mobile Total Internet Add-on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the unlimited net with hot spots for 19.99 and then unlimited text and junk for another 14.99, so it comes out to 33.99 for my PPC package.
check out navizon.com 25$ and get wifi positioning (mock gps)
theformula said:
If your on T-Mobile US, get the T-Zones plan and setup the proxy (info all over xda-dev) then you can have internet, email, and use google maps and live search. the new google maps doesnt need a gps as they do cell based triangulation (my location) which is usuall pretty close.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
pretty close is 1700 circuliar meters. Thats not close to me.
Here's the deal: I'm a big fan of prepaid pay-as-you-go contract-less cell phone service. I currently use a T-Mobile ToGo SIM in a Sansung Omnia, and for voice, it works great. Unfortunately, ToGo doesn't currently have a data option. Since I'm in range of a WiFi network 99% of the time, up til now, data hasn't been a problem. However, on a recent trip it would have been nice to occasional check e-mail and browse a web page when no WiFi network was available. So I'm thinking of making a change.
As far as I know AT&T offers the only prepaid plan with data in the US: GoPhone with MEdia Net. Also, since the unlocked HTC Diamond offered through Best Buy happens to support the AT&T 3G bands, I'm thinking of trading my Omnia for a Diamond. (Note: 3G isn't a requirement, I'd be more than happy with Edge speeds.)
My data requirements of MEdia Net are modest. First, I must be able to access my pop3 mail server through MEdia Net, preferably using the Mobile Outlook e-mail client. Last, I need to occasionally browse an arbitrary web page like Google Maps, preferably using the Diamond's default Opera web browser. As you might have guessed, I have no interest in the Internet "services" touted at the AT&T web site.
Searching this forum and AT&T's web site gives the impression all this may be possible, but I'm not convinced. I don't want to call AT&T sales because I doubt they'll give me the information I need.
Please help; any information or even opinion will be appreciated!
Go Phone with Tilt
I have only had a pocket PC for a couple of weeks, but have spent a lot of time reading and testing. Whatever you can do with a Diamond, should be the same with a Tilt. The Diamond is only a faster device and costs more money.
Here is what I am able to do: I put the Sim from my obsolete LG AT&T phone in the Tilt that I bought used on Ebay for $200. My Sim has funds from a $25. per 90 day Go Phone account. With the Tilt's WiFi I access the internet free. With the built-in GPS and google maps, I can track and locate my position. However as google maps requires a continuous internet connection, it keeps saying the connection is lost as I drive around, closing that window when it pops up, keeps things going. I am testing other software that doesn't require a constant connection. But you didn't indicate any interest in GPS.
The voice phone and text messaging works fine. It makes a really nice pocket computer, does everything and when connected to the desk top computer you can easily manipulate files. I bought a double capacity battery for it and it runs everything all day with power left over.
What I can not do is receive instant messages. I never used that service before anyway. If you want internet anywhere, AT&T wants $30. per month for the data plan (media net) and if you want navigation anywhere, that is another $10. per month. I think I understood them to say that these features and not available with a Go Phone plan, but you can ask. A store told me it was and telephone support mentioned it wasn't.
I have my phone configured to never use media net. One forum user made some tests and ran up a bill for a couple hundred dollars real fast with a pre-pay plan. Go Phone or AT&T? I don't recall.
I plan to use the pre-paid MEDia Net sparingly. By some accounts, it's over 100 times more expensive than some equivalent European plans. If someone was using pre-paid like they might use a contract plan, I'm not surprised they'd run up a big bill.
Any way, I'm going to try this since it's costs next to nothing to get a GoPhone SIM with a few minutes; enough to download an e-mail and browse a few web pages if everything goes right.
I am going to be in Germany, Austria and Italy in the near future and likely won't have data (unless I can find a reasonably priced SIM with data). Are there any GPS apps for the HD2 that don't require a data plan?
Thanks in advance.
dornstar said:
I am going to be in Germany, Austria and Italy in the near future and likely won't have data (unless I can find a reasonably priced SIM with data). Are there any GPS apps for the HD2 that don't require a data plan?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
there are a bunch of them. garmin,igo and more, just use that lil search button up top. and you need to turn off Agps.
leemoss84 said:
there are a bunch of them. garmin,igo and more, just use that lil search button up top. and you need to turn off Agps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what about turning off agps? The assisted part of AGP doesn't use any data, it just gets passively info from the GSM signal, that's all.
Also, for the top, almost every navigation software has its own maps to copy on a memory card, so you don't need to connect to online maps.
Navicomputer is not a navigation software, but more of a tracking one, and it can download maps off openstreetmap through a pc companion.
tom tom tom tom tom tom tom tom
Roaming data calls
Just in case you don't know this:
LEO somehow finds its way to make data connections no matter what you do, and it may result in the bill you don't want to see...
I haven't tried it, but people here are suggesting "Modaco nodata" as a safe solution. I would suggest you to google it, if you haven't already.
I wouldn't even risk it with a contact sim. either leave your sim at home or trial a pay as you go sim card before you leave
lakeland said:
I wouldn't even risk it with a contact sim. either leave your sim at home or trial a pay as you go sim card before you leave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is by far the smartest solution, or you can also put in a dummy SIM to avoid the "NO SIM" message.
lakeland said:
I wouldn't even risk it with a contact sim. either leave your sim at home or trial a pay as you go sim card before you leave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 here. when I think again, everything else is experimenting.
Thanks for all the advice everyone. Much appreciated.
Use TomTom. Not data needed.
Get Dynamic+1's NoDataInRoaming. It will automatically turn off and keep off your data connection as soon as the phone starts to roam. It works great. I use it all the time when I go over the border to the Excited States.
InRBigness said:
Use TomTom. Not data needed.
Get Dynamic+1's NoDataInRoaming. It will automatically turn off and keep off your data connection as soon as the phone starts to roam. It works great. I use it all the time when I go over the border to the Excited States.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
According to this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=503131&page=33
it doesn't yet work with HTC HD2, until radio update. Or does it?
Been using NoData for months, works flawlessly. Just remember to re-disable any connections if you do change the SIM card.
Apparently not according to the guy who wrote it. I have a Tilt2/Rhodium and guess just assumed that it would work. Good catch. When he gets it working its a great little app.
avoid iguidance, won't work with hd2 (usa). although it worked with my tytn2.
- tom
.....i'm still searching for a product that is confirmed to work.
- tom
I know from a friend of mine it's possible to use google maps without the data connection if you download the maps on your phone/storage card (but he has an Iphone, so I am not sure if this works on the HD 2)...
And if you want to be safe to not have any data bill from abroad, you should install Mocom NoData and make an 'offline' profile on your phone, so it won't have any data server to connect too...
CoPilot
How about CoPilot Live 8? They have a link to videos posted on YouTube showing a guy running the app on an TMOUS HD2 in Washington State.
A one time fee of $30 sounds a lot better than paying TeleNav $9.99 a month.
alk dot com/copilot/#
schibs said:
How about CoPilot Live 8? They have a link to videos posted on YouTube showing a guy running the app on an TMOUS HD2 in Washington State.
A one time fee of $30 sounds a lot better than paying TeleNav $9.99 a month.
alk dot com/copilot/#
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been using Co Pilot Live for some time now...Works great, does not require data, and not having to worry about a monthly fee is also great.
I even ran it in airplane mode to show my wife that it does not require a data signal to work (she was worried about using it on road trips)
(I was a little bugged that I had to pay another 30.00 to download it for my HD2 when I had paid 30.00 to put it on my MT3G...but it still beats having a monthly fee...my next test will be to see if I can use the same key to install it on my wifes HD2 once se gets hers)
If you travel abroad...your fees will vary as they charge per map...ex: The North America map is $30.00 and covers all of Canada, U.S. and Mexico.
I use Co-Pilot Live. Maps are downloaded to SD card. Not sure if they have European maps though.
dornstar said:
I am going to be in Germany, Austria and Italy in the near future and likely won't have data (unless I can find a reasonably priced SIM with data). Are there any GPS apps for the HD2 that don't require a data plan?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no because the device doesnt hav an independent gps built into it
Does the GPS require internet (Sprint Data Usage) or is there an app that can use the gps chip so I can use the evo when im in mexico without charging me a billion dollars Thanks Renz
I do not know the answer to your question, but I do know how to get it.
Turn on Airplane mode, or simply turn off the phone radios. Then turn on GPS and test it.
FYI: Google maps requires data, so you would need a 3rd party app that loads the maps to your phone.
Right im definately thinking I need a 3rd party app i did some searching for a garmin app but no luck I found mapDroyd for offline map viewing but theres no place for routes or directions I really hate to be lost in mexico city lol Thanks
i think copilot live keeps maps on device, meaning works offline. not sure if it has mexico maps though.
I sent them an email i saw on another site someone said Mexico was included with north America but waiting for official verification. On another note I see TomTom has an app for Iphone and soon to have on for Android but not yet and I am going on the 18th. Thanks Wade
Copilot has Mexico maps. It works pretty well if you can stand copilots slow ass interface. My dad bought Copilot frankly I don't know why anyone would want to waste money on a separate navigation program aside from Google maps...even in Mexico dude I suggest just getting a gia roji...
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
Google is advertising bing mobile as a navigation tool. I think you can connect to the bing website you should be able to get navigation. Not sure how it works but look it up, you should find some stuff.
The problem is no internet or I would jjust use the navigation but Thanks for the idea Renegadez
If your going to cancun, you can use your sprint phone there.
I was there last November, and my phone worked fine. (even though the sprint rep said it wouldnt work there)
You just have to dial 01 then the area code to the us.
It about $1 a minute though on my sprint bill, so be careful.
WHen you arrive, sprint will send you a a text message "welcome to mexico" then you know your in business.