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I just received my Xperia X1, its an amazing device.
The interface is very smooth.
But I cant get the GPS working. I tried already a few thing.
1)In google maps setting the GPS configuration at COM4 (all speeds tried)
It keeps saying "There is no GPS receiver found" (translated from dutch)
2)Using the Quick fix program and than retried google maps
3)Configurating the external GPS function but when I pres ok, I have the idea that the configuration isn't saved. When I restart the app It shows up like before.
4)Running GPS test: It just keeps scanning
The device is SIM-lock free with a standard duth ROM.
I hope sombody kan help me because I wont like to send it back to the shop.
Sorry for my bad english.
I don't know what exactly you are setting up there but you don't need a COM-Port for the built in GPS. Just let Windows handle the settings (Point one to choose in the GPS-Setup in Google Maps).
But you have to activate the GPS in Google Maps with "Menu --> use GPS".
Then you need to go outside to let the satellites get a view (after a minute Google Maps should have found you.)
And "Use GPS" is NEVER saved. You always have to select it every single time you load Google Maps.
Pretty annoying really but I do not think there is anything you can do about it.
Alex Atkin UK said:
And "Use GPS" is NEVER saved. You always have to select it every single time you load Google Maps.
Pretty annoying really but I do not think there is anything you can do about it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't say I do not like this...I use google maps just to look around the area or to search a nice spot for the next vacation or simply to play around. The battery would drain very fast if GPS was enabled all the time. Of course, if you use google maps to navigate this can be quite annoying. But for me, I use TomTom to navigate and don't need GPS in google maps. (Okay, the one time I was standing somewhere on a mountain and wanted to get a overview of the landscape from above -therefore the GPS was useful )
But referring to the question:
Do your GPS now work?
I am also having problems trying to get GPS signal using Google map. Then, i was told by SE support that it will require a data connection (WIFI or GPRS) for it to work. Is this correct?
You will need a data connection to receive the maps. You shouldn't need it for the GPS to work, however you will appear in the middle of nowhere as there are no graphics of the area you are in.
I got it working, I tried it again today.
I did just the same as yesterday and now it works.
What do I love self healing devices
Have absolutely no idea what is different??
I only installed the TF3D cab but that cant make a diference.
Well it could just be the weather. Understandably it takes a lot longer to get a lock in poor weather conditions. You did not mention how long you gave it to start working when you tried before.
Google Maps often seems to take a lot longer than Tom Tom to get a lock. Also, QuickGPS does make a HUGE difference so I would recommend keeping that up to date when it asks you (every week, or at least right before you intend to use GPS).
I have been reading around and talking to friends about the Touch phone, and could use a little more assistance on enabling the GPS in my phone. Can someone please point me in the right direction?
Thanks,
Robbie
have you upgraded to windows mobile 6.1??
if so, then go to start > settings > Phone > Services tab > make sure location setting is highlighted, click get settings >then make sure it is set to on.
that will make sure that applications are allowed to use your gps signal.
then once you have done that,
open your gps, if you use google maps you have to click menu, use gps.
I have upgraded to the official verizion 6.1 rom. My question is, does gps use data? Is the gps a real gps that connects to satellites or is it some pseudo gps that approximates my location by triangulating distances between my phone and the nearest couple cell towers? I don't have a data plan and don't want an unpleasant suprise on my next bill.
jrb_82 said:
I have upgraded to the official verizion 6.1 rom. My question is, does gps use data? Is the gps a real gps that connects to satellites or is it some pseudo gps that approximates my location by triangulating distances between my phone and the nearest couple cell towers? I don't have a data plan and don't want an unpleasant suprise on my next bill.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, the Vogue has a real GPS antena. If you read through the forums you'll find verizon users have to do a bit of tweaking to get it working.
It can be confusing, because our phones also support "agps". This stands for assisted gps. AGPS uses cell phone tower triangulation to get a position.
GPS has inherent errors, in the aviation world there is a system called diffrential GPS. This uses a ground based system to correct the time diffrential error in the sattelites for greater accuracy. Without dgps you cannot use the gps inputs for a precision approach, only enroute, terminal and overlay. We use other systems such as vor/dme. This uses ground based "towers" to get a position using radial and distance information. This is very similiar to what agps does.
to answer the question does it use data?
the answer is yes.
it has to have a data connection in order to receive the gps data.
atleast thats my understanding, as a data connection does start and maintain during my gps sessions.
codybear said:
to answer the question does it use data?
the answer is yes.
it has to have a data connection in order to receive the gps data.
atleast thats my understanding, as a data connection does start and maintain during my gps sessions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it shouldn't. The data connection you're seeing is probably initiated by the application that needs the internet for transferring maps like Google maps or MS Live search.
If you load up any independent GPS app that uses locally stored maps like TomTom or Garmin, then it shouldn't initiate any data connections.
thanks method man for correcting me.
i didn't think about it that way. haha.
Also a Newbie
I was wondering whether there was an app that I would need to install on my xv6900 to get the GPS working or do i need an external device like the TomTom Go series to get the GPS up and running.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thankyou
How to get GPS to work
acidreflux1 said:
I was wondering whether there was an app that I would need to install on my xv6900 to get the GPS working or do i need an external device like the TomTom Go series to get the GPS up and running.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thankyou
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The reason it dont work is because GPS tries to connect one way, i belive its phone as modem. and when you browse the internet, it tries to connect as Sprint PCS.
now i might be wrong in that, but just lisen.
in order to fix it you need to do a registry change. get a free program to edit the registry. like PHM RegEdit.
got it downloaded? installed? good. lets move on.
open it up
click on My Device
+HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
+Comm
+ConnMgr
+Providers
+{7C4B7A38-somethingsomethingsomething}
+Phone as Modem.
go into that setting, make sure that the key AlwaysOn is set to 0
THIS IS THE IMPORTANT PART
go down a setting from phone as modem to
+SprintPCS
the key inside doesnt have to be set to Always On, but you can enable it if you want.
now close it up. count to 20 and do a restart on the phone
next time you try to run any GPS app it should work. use GoogleMaps though.
also while you are in here you can go into ConnectionSharing. a key above ConnMgr. and make it so you can use your phone as a modem for your laptop. the option was removed in the 6.1 update. let me know if you wish to know how.
6.1 ROM? and GPS
jrb_82 said:
I have upgraded to the official verizion 6.1 rom.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I called Verizon regarding the WM 6.1 upgrade and they told me to go to Microsoft's website and download it. Microsoft says go to the carrier's website. I'm confused. I'm using a Verizon XV6900 running Windows Mobile 6 Professional. Are we talking the same thing? Is there a newer version (6.1) than 6 Professional? If so, where can I get it?
Also, I've read about enabling the internal GPS antenna, which appeals to me, but there is so much info with different instructions, talking about Sprint and Alltel, radios, etc. Is there a good (read: easy) set of instructions for this? Also, a list of the possible problems encountered (function, data loss, etc.)? I don't want to be a pain in the rear, but this is not my specialty. But I could really use the GPS capability with my work (real estate) w/o needing an exterior unit. I currently use a DeLorme bluetooth unit, but its a pain.
Thanks in advance, Jim.
jimonfly said:
I called Verizon regarding the WM 6.1 upgrade and they told me to go to Microsoft's website and download it. Microsoft says go to the carrier's website. I'm confused. I'm using a Verizon XV6900 running Windows Mobile 6 Professional. Are we talking the same thing? Is there a newer version (6.1) than 6 Professional? If so, where can I get it?
Also, I've read about enabling the internal GPS antenna, which appeals to me, but there is so much info with different instructions, talking about Sprint and Alltel, radios, etc. Is there a good (read: easy) set of instructions for this? Also, a list of the possible problems encountered (function, data loss, etc.)? I don't want to be a pain in the rear, but this is not my specialty. But I could really use the GPS capability with my work (real estate) w/o needing an exterior unit. I currently use a DeLorme bluetooth unit, but its a pain.
Thanks in advance, Jim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is the link to the offical WM6.1 ROM
http://www.pcdphones.com/phone_downloads.aspx?bid=95&cid=1&mid=302&carrier=Verizon Wireless
1. sync your phone with Outlook. You will loose everything on your phone when you flash the new ROM. Files on your memory card will be safe.
2. Unlock your phone with 2.31 & refer to the links below.
http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=20370
http://www.atwistedweb.com/xv6900/index.html
3. connect your phone to your computer via activesync & run the ROM file you download. Simply follow the instructions.
4. Your phone will hard reset once the flash is complete. You will have to align the screen & such. The very last screen will ask you to tap the screen to begin using your device. You have to be ready to soft reset your phone as soon as you tap the screen. DO NOT LET THE CUSTOMIZATIONS RUN OR YOU WILL BE SCREWED FOR SURE.
5.Settings--->Phone--->Services Tab select location settings & then hit the get settings button. Make sure Location On is selected.
6. Download the Holus GPS viewer & install.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=434408&highlight=holux+gps+viewer
post #3
7. Once the GPS viewer open hit the scan button. This will tell you what port & at what baud you GPS is at. It should be com 4 @ 4800.
8. Hit the open GPS button & hopefully you will get a lock.
phone keeps scanning for satellites
Is this normal? The GPS program ran and continues to search for satellites. Its alomst like it can't find any. I ran it just the way you listed. Anything else I can try?
If you are using Holux GPS viewer and you see red dots then be happy your GPS is working. Usually first lock takes longer. try it on an open place hopefully you will get a lock. The red dots you see on Holux are the satellites that your GPS is seeing, Once it gets a lock you will see blue dots and that's a fix. If it continues to flash red dots, I would try closing and opening port once, that wud restart the GPS.
Once you get a lock, use any 3rd party software like Garmin Mobile XT or Tomtom Navigator 7 if you don't have a data plan. If you have a dataplan then you can use goolemaps too.
Hope it helps..
bwolsen said:
Is this normal? The GPS program ran and continues to search for satellites. Its alomst like it can't find any. I ran it just the way you listed. Anything else I can try?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
MethodMan said:
No it shouldn't. The data connection you're seeing is probably initiated by the application that needs the internet for transferring maps like Google maps or MS Live search.
If you load up any independent GPS app that uses locally stored maps like TomTom or Garmin, then it shouldn't initiate any data connections.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No that isn't true at all,
I have both Tomtom and Igo with map files on the sd card. The phone needs the internet to get the agps information otherwise the GPS programs can't get a lock. It doesn't use much adata at all as I was roaming in the states (from canada) for around 10 days , I used the gps everyday and was only charged under $3 for the whole 10 days.
jimonfly said:
I called Verizon regarding the WM 6.1 upgrade and they told me to go to Microsoft's website and download it. Microsoft says go to the carrier's website. I'm confused. I'm using a Verizon XV6900 running Windows Mobile 6 Professional. Are we talking the same thing? Is there a newer version (6.1) than 6 Professional? If so, where can I get it?
Also, I've read about enabling the internal GPS antenna, which appeals to me, but there is so much info with different instructions, talking about Sprint and Alltel, radios, etc. Is there a good (read: easy) set of instructions for this? Also, a list of the possible problems encountered (function, data loss, etc.)? I don't want to be a pain in the rear, but this is not my specialty. But I could really use the GPS capability with my work (real estate) w/o needing an exterior unit. I currently use a DeLorme bluetooth unit, but its a pain.
Thanks in advance, Jim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.pcdphones.com/phone_downloads.aspx?bid=95&cid=1&mid=302&carrier=Verizon Wireless
Here is the update you are looking for, now.... For the love of the lord, DO NOT LET CUSTOMIZATION RUN!!!
Update your device as directed in the file, when the device updates and restarts, you will see a message that says something like "Running Customization in... 3,2,1 Seconds" or something like that, when you see that, stick the stylus in the hole at the bottom of the device and you will avoid a big pain in the @ss.
EDIT: Oops, i'm too late LOL, didn't refresh thepage while searching the update.
Can't get a lock
I just followed all the steps and installed GPS viewer and could not get a lock. I used the Verizon MR1 rom. Since that did not work I tried installing Valhalla GPS Server to see if that would help. No luck. Any Ideas?
mfpreach said:
No that isn't true at all,
I have both Tomtom and Igo with map files on the sd card. The phone needs the internet to get the agps information otherwise the GPS programs can't get a lock. It doesn't use much adata at all as I was roaming in the states (from canada) for around 10 days , I used the gps everyday and was only charged under $3 for the whole 10 days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have data blocked on my phone and the GPS worked fine up until about a month ago. Whatever Verizon did blocked my GPS and I have not been able to get is working since. I can still run GPS viewer and see satellites but I can't get a fix on them.
I have everything working now. Thanks.
Just so I have it straight...
When I unlock the phone with 2.31, do I let customizations run? The ppcgeeks thread doesn't specify, but the atwistedweb thread says let them run. What does 2.31 do? Just unlock the phone so I can install the next ROM? Also, the ppc post talks about disabling USB while the other does not. Is there a preference?
When I install the new WM6.1 ROM, the atwistedweb post says to install it from the SD card, while the this thread says via USB. Once again, any preference?
I understand not to let the customizations run for this ROM and by putting the stylus in the bottom hole it resets the machine. After it comes up again, will the phone be (should be) upgraded and ready to use?
Lastly, if my phone gets "bricked" (I guess that means it turns into a battery powered paperweight), you guy can help me out, right?
Man, all of this just to get GPS and Verizon service. Still nervous! And Verizon won't shut my service off or stop tech support?
Thanks again. Trying to get all the info up front so I don't have to later. Jim
jimonfly said:
Just so I have it straight...
When I unlock the phone with 2.31, do I let customizations run? The ppcgeeks thread doesn't specify, but the atwistedweb thread says let them run. What does 2.31 do? Just unlock the phone so I can install the next ROM? Also, the ppc post talks about disabling USB while the other does not. Is there a preference?
When I install the new WM6.1 ROM, the atwistedweb post says to install it from the SD card, while the this thread says via USB. Once again, any preference?
I understand not to let the customizations run for this ROM and by putting the stylus in the bottom hole it resets the machine. After it comes up again, will the phone be (should be) upgraded and ready to use?
Lastly, if my phone gets "bricked" (I guess that means it turns into a battery powered paperweight), you guy can help me out, right?
Man, all of this just to get GPS and Verizon service. Still nervous! And Verizon won't shut my service off or stop tech support?
Thanks again. Trying to get all the info up front so I don't have to later. Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Make sure you have backed up everything. First you need to unlock with the .40 unlocker. Then flash to the sprint pre-GPS ROM (This will downgrade your radio which is said to be dangerous but I have never heard of anyone hurting their phone while doing it correctly. This will also require you to call Verizon and get a new A-key. If they ask you what happened just tell them that you had to hard reset your device because of a bad program. Go through all of their steps and it will all get fixed. You have to call Verizon because you wont be able to make calls.) DO NOT LET CUSTOMIZATIONS RUN! You'll know they're about to run beacuse there will be a pop up saying they're going to run in 3 seconds (or something like that). As soon as you see that pop up stick your stylus in the reset hole. Then unlock with the 2.31 unlocker. After you use this unlocker you wont have to unlock again. Ok now you flash back to the Verizon MR1 ROM. DO NOT LET CUSTOMIZATIONS RUN! Once again you'll know they're about to run beacuse there will be a pop up saying they're going to run in 3 seconds (or something like that). Now after you do this your GPS should be working but I was never able to get it to work with the Verizon MR1 ROM. So I recommend using NSFFAN's 6.5 ROM. Now when I unlock and flash ROM's I don't disable the USB thing your talking about. I also flash everything through my computer (USB) and not through the SD card. There is a small chance you can brick your phone but if you do everything carefully and correctly it's a very very small chance. Just make sure you are doing everything right before moving on to each next step. If a phone is bricked I don't think it can be recovered but i'm not 100% sure. Lots of times when there are problems though it's not a bricked phone and just a glitch so if you have anything that doesn't seem right just come on here and ask for help. Verizon won't do anything with your service except fix your phone like I said earlier unless you tell them what your actually doing. I don't know what happens then and I don't want to find out.. What they don't know won't hurt them Feel free to PM me if you have any questions or need any help.
ok i asked this in thread before
1. how can i make it so callers names are displayed when they call me, im talking about callers that are not on my contact list, my previous phone displayed name of callers that werent stored in my contacts, that exactly what i want
2. i have setup garmin mobile gps, everything functions fine, but i dont seem to get satellite signals, im guessing the problem is with how i have the settings connected, in external gps its in port com4..is this correct? or do i need to change it
my quickgps is also updated so that shouldnt be a problem
can some one help me what settings i need to change to recieve satelite signals
thank you
1) If your phone does not have the name of the caller, then it won't display. You can only display callers names if the phone number is in your contact list. I don't know how your previous phone would have been able to show the callers name, for it's impossible.
2) Is google maps working properly? That is to make sure that your GPS on itself works. If so, I guess that your settings inside garmin should somehow be set to "internal GPS" (I can do that in TomTom). Unless you're using an external GPS dongle ofc.
Angelusz said:
1) If your phone does not have the name of the caller, then it won't display. You can only display callers names if the phone number is in your contact list. I don't know how your previous phone would have been able to show the callers name, for it's impossible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it is very possible, i had most of my phones in the past show caller names, without being contacts
2. google maps work fine, gps worked fine in there also
just garmin cant seem to find signals when i open up garmin app,, weird that its garmin im using in google maps as gps, i think it worked in there
lol how is that possible, don't see any logic in that. the only logic i see is if the contact exist in either the phone or sim.
well any help with the gps please?
in garmin settings i have selected com4, same thing in external gps settings
but maybe i need to change or apply more settings? please help
any one who has garmin on their x1, can you please me tell me what settings you have, how your getting the signals
thank you
any help please?
Well, even if I have not installed Garmin in my xperia, I remember reading something about a problem like this, can't remember if it was garmin specific, but, it regarded the way xperia handles both of the gps functionalities it uses, Agps (assisted gps), uses the gsm radio towers to get a fix of your aproximate position much faster than the standard gps, then the standard gps can calculate with more accurancy -albeit slower- some time later, we're talkin about several minutes here from a "cold" start, any kind of gps applications shoudl work in this way, but not many have adapted yet.
Enough said, there should be a system application to exclude the Agps -that sometimes confuses some gps applications-, in this way you might correct your problem, I think that this utility comes only with the new roms.
Sorry if I can't remember the exact name, but if you search the xperia sub-forum with the gps word, you will find it.
Good luck
i was also just about to refute the names being displayed without being in the contact list but i had a quick look and in canada its a service offered by "rogers" (which i notice gritikal has a logo for) it appears to normally be a paid for service and not all phones will support it. (the iphone doesnt either) basically they act like an intermidary and when a call is made its routed through them and if the details are known they will then transmit the caller name instead of the phone number. if its not workin on the xperia already then i would imagine its not supported, its something that should automatically come up. maybe Rogers would know more...
anothadave said:
i was also just about to refute the names being displayed without being in the contact list but i had a quick look and in canada its a service offered by "rogers" (which i notice gritikal has a logo for) it appears to normally be a paid for service and not all phones will support it. (the iphone doesnt either) basically they act like an intermidary and when a call is made its routed through them and if the details are known they will then transmit the caller name instead of the phone number. if its not workin on the xperia already then i would imagine its not supported, its something that should automatically come up. maybe Rogers would know more...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
a detailed explantion but correct
i think its could be that phone doesnt supportit, xperia is brand new smartphone i expected it to be little friendly towards this features, but your right i should contact rogers. thank you
kecido said:
Well, even if I have not installed Garmin in my xperia, I remember reading something about a problem like this, can't remember if it was garmin specific, but, it regarded the way xperia handles both of the gps functionalities it uses, Agps (assisted gps), uses the gsm radio towers to get a fix of your aproximate position much faster than the standard gps, then the standard gps can calculate with more accurancy -albeit slower- some time later, we're talkin about several minutes here from a "cold" start, any kind of gps applications shoudl work in this way, but not many have adapted yet.
Enough said, there should be a system application to exclude the Agps -that sometimes confuses some gps applications-, in this way you might correct your problem, I think that this utility comes only with the new roms.
Sorry if I can't remember the exact name, but if you search the xperia sub-forum with the gps word, you will find it.
Good luck
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
searched couldnt really find anything related to my problem
any easy steps i can take,,change the port or something?
xperia is built for gps, google maps work fine with gps, i cant just seem to get signals on garmin, google map does get satelittle signals
any one that has garmin installed on their xperia perhaps could help me, i think its just the settings i might have to change
much thanks thought
When you start Garmin, what status bar do you see on the top-left corner? A satellite or signal bar?
If you see a satellite instead of the status bar, then you need to contact garmin about activation details. Your external gps settings or com port on 3,4,5,6,7 doesn't have ANYTHING to do with this.
And IF you want to quickly test your gps working properly, download and install GPStoday (i use for geotagging pictures) and see if you get signal on the GPS.
And make sure you do this outdoors too.
qritikal said:
ok i asked this in thread before
1. how can i make it so callers names are displayed when they call me, im talking about callers that are not on my contact list, my previous phone displayed name of callers that werent stored in my contacts, that exactly what i want
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't know if this is what you are looking for
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=475561
or maybe this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=482872
let me know
cheers
anaadoul said:
i don't know if this is what you are looking for
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=475561
or maybe this
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=482872
let me know
cheers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its close but not exactly, this searchs the webbook or something full of numbers...most people wont even be displayed
im looking for esomthing where the network detects callers and shows their names
i heard that the xperia is not capable of this, some phones are some arent
like most nokia phones do display names on my network
qritikal said:
its close but not exactly, this searchs the webbook or something full of numbers...most people wont even be displayed
im looking for esomthing where the network detects callers and shows their names
i heard that the xperia is not capable of this, some phones are some arent
like most nokia phones do display names on my network
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, i have never heared of such a feature or service!
can u provide more information about it so atleast i can search for something?
qritikal said:
2. i have setup garmin mobile gps, everything functions fine, but i dont seem to get satellite signals, im guessing the problem is with how i have the settings connected, in external gps its in port com4..is this correct? or do i need to change it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What ROM are you using? And what radio?
I installed Garmin Mobile XT on my fresh out-of-the-box Xperia and couldn't get it to work, Garmin couldn't detect the phone's GPS, even if Google Maps could. (was really pissed since I needed the GPS to find the church for a friends wedding) Then I found this forum and flashed the Generic R2 (NAM), then reinstalled Garmin. Worked like a charm. I have Touch-it 4.0 now (Didn't re-install Garmin since I installed it to the SD card after flashing to R2)
So try uninstalling and reinstalling Garmin, updating ROM, or doing a hard reset then reinstalling. Or even try getting a new installer. Up to now I still don't know why Garmin didn't work the first time, bet I suspect it was either a bad install or the old ROM.
By the way, in my personal experience I've found that QuickGPS and aGPS work well together, I get a satellite lock in 3-5 seconds, and I'm in SE Asia! Probably because we have more cel towers per capita here. I've read conflicting reports on this forum, though, so try and experiment with turning aGPS on/off and using/not using QuickGPS.
Im a poor student which means I dont have any money. ever.
As a result, im not on any type of contract providing me with internet when im out and about. The only way of getting onto the web on my elfin is to use the wireless in my home or at my church where i do volunteer work.
So, using google maps wouldnt be very good you might think?
wrong.
I downloaded a cab which installs an exe which can be ran from the start menu which just turns the wifi on or off. Its called "akamin aktogglewifi"
I then changed the settings so the camera button used this exe to turn on and off the wifi.
If i need to get directions using google maps, i just turn on my wifi, load google maps and then get the directions as normal.
Then i just press the camera button to turn the wireless off again.
The written instructions therefore stay on screen to be read.
Sadly you cant use the map view, as that would require the internet again.
Just an obvious thing, but i just wanted to mention it.
Being able to turn on and off the wireless so easily is a blessing
Thanks for the tip, and thats why big map companies like tomtom and MapKing is able to make so much revenue.
Hi there.
Well, first of all, I am (hopefully) not insane. Second, I'm a network engineer for 20+ years, so my technical skills are not subject to any doubt. Third, I'm absolutely new to android, thus I don't exactly know the API and especially hardware interfaces.
OK.
I bought a Fire, axed the native shell, installed TWRP2 and CM7. Downloaded a nice ereader, a video player, and a local maps application, called Yandex Maps, I like it for instant and quite precise traffic info. Tapped the location button and found the crossfire within 30 meters around the actual location.
Then I drove to work and, while checking with traffic info, pressed "locate me" again. And the Maps has found me right in place.
"GPS is working" I said to myself.... and some days after, browsing this forum, found out that Fire HAS NO GPS SENSOR.
Need to say that I have the same IP network at home and at work (I'm the ISP in both places). And even if its location can be found via RIPE, it is declared to reside in my office. Not my home, which is 12km away.
Digging further, I installed Google Maps. This app refused to find my location. Tried Navitel - same result. But Yandex does its best - in an anonymous internet cafe (third place!) with free wifi it pinned me RIGHT on the building.
I googled for the radio chip of the kindle. According to ifixit, it's a hybrid with TI WL1271 inside. According to TI, WL1283, the chip that does have GPS in addition to wifi and BT, is pin-compatible with older WL1271 - so there *is* a small chance that WL1271 is replaced with 1283/81 in most recent devices.
That's the ONLY explanation I can believe in. Otherwise I'm totally lost. I even have posted the same issue to BT/GPS thread. Heard no answer there.
Your ideas?!
cu6apum said:
Hi there.
Well, first of all, I am (hopefully) not insane. Second, I'm a network engineer for 20+ years, so my technical skills are not subject to any doubt. Third, I'm absolutely new to android, thus I don't exactly know the API and especially hardware interfaces.
OK.
I bought a Fire, axed the native shell, installed TWRP2 and CM7. Downloaded a nice ereader, a video player, and a local maps application, called Yandex Maps, I like it for instant and quite precise traffic info. Tapped the location button and found the crossfire within 30 meters around the actual location.
Then I drove to work and, while checking with traffic info, pressed "locate me" again. And the Maps has found me right in place.
"GPS is working" I said to myself.... and some days after, browsing this forum, found out that Fire HAS NO GPS SENSOR.
Need to say that I have the same IP network at home and at work (I'm the ISP in both places). And even if its location can be found via RIPE, it is declared to reside in my office. Not my home, which is 12km away.
Digging further, I installed Google Maps. This app refused to find my location. Tried Navitel - same result. But Yandex does its best - in an anonymous internet cafe (third place!) with free wifi it pinned me RIGHT on the building.
I googled for the radio chip of the kindle. According to ifixit, it's a hybrid with TI WL1271 inside. According to TI, WL1283, the chip that does have GPS in addition to wifi and BT, is pin-compatible with older WL1271 - so there *is* a small chance that WL1271 is replaced with 1283/81 in most recent devices.
That's the ONLY explanation I can believe in. Otherwise I'm totally lost. I even have posted the same issue to BT/GPS thread. Heard no answer there.
Your ideas?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried doing this with wifi turned off? Do you get the same results?
Just to clarify, you say your map app is showing you your current location without any wifi connection? i.e it updates as you drive?
From my own experience, apps like google maps can approximate your location based off your wifi. (I assume this is done because google collects wifi locations.)
Your assumptions that the kindle fire may have GPS could infact be correct. We know that the chipset does infact have BT even though there may never be working drivers for it.
Also, since amazon doesn't spec the KF for either BT or GPS the chips they get could be of lower quality. Since the only thing they need working is the wifi. This could mean the even if there is GPS or BT, there is no guarantee that they would even work. and if they did, they wouldn't work on everyone's KF.
airmaxx23 said:
Have you tried doing this with wifi turned off? Do you get the same results?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
airmaxx23, unfortunately this is the only app that shows my location correctly, AND does not have offline map cache; even if I fill the cache manually, it requires internet connection to start. As of now, I cannot find a hacked version to try. Still looking for an alternative.
Sambena , no. Still no offline experience, see the post. Google can't locate, for the wifi at home does NOT have my location info.
Is there any way in CM7 to display exact hardware config without desoldering the device? As I suggest from above, the standard GPS API is unavailable (Google, Navitel) but Yandex is able to find some low-level interface (famous Russian coders!)
You could get into a shell and look at lspci > lspci.txt
You could also run dmesg > dmesg.txt& and then try to find your location via your maps app. Between that and a location, you should be able to see what's going on.
Sent from my PG86100 using XDA App
cu6apum said:
Hi there.
Well, first of all, I am (hopefully) not insane. Second, I'm a network engineer for 20+ years, so my technical skills are not subject to any doubt. Third, I'm absolutely new to android, thus I don't exactly know the API and especially hardware interfaces.
OK.
I bought a Fire, axed the native shell, installed TWRP2 and CM7. Downloaded a nice ereader, a video player, and a local maps application, called Yandex Maps, I like it for instant and quite precise traffic info. Tapped the location button and found the crossfire within 30 meters around the actual location.
Then I drove to work and, while checking with traffic info, pressed "locate me" again. And the Maps has found me right in place.
"GPS is working" I said to myself.... and some days after, browsing this forum, found out that Fire HAS NO GPS SENSOR.
Need to say that I have the same IP network at home and at work (I'm the ISP in both places). And even if its location can be found via RIPE, it is declared to reside in my office. Not my home, which is 12km away.
Digging further, I installed Google Maps. This app refused to find my location. Tried Navitel - same result. But Yandex does its best - in an anonymous internet cafe (third place!) with free wifi it pinned me RIGHT on the building.
I googled for the radio chip of the kindle. According to ifixit, it's a hybrid with TI WL1271 inside. According to TI, WL1283, the chip that does have GPS in addition to wifi and BT, is pin-compatible with older WL1271 - so there *is* a small chance that WL1271 is replaced with 1283/81 in most recent devices.
That's the ONLY explanation I can believe in. Otherwise I'm totally lost. I even have posted the same issue to BT/GPS thread. Heard no answer there.
Your ideas?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry to burst your beautiful little bubble here but the kfire doesn't have any GPS. What you are seeing is Google being a clever bigger. You see, when they rolled down nearly all the steers in North America, they took snapstops of the wifi, and coordinated with the GPS location. The reason you can transfer between your home network and your work with the same IP is because they used they use the Mac addresses of the networks in range, and cross reference it with their database to give you an approximation of where you are
tldr; android uses the Mac address of in range also to approximate where you are
I will have no disappointment even if my fire has no gps. I was buying the cheapest 7" tablet and I'm fine with it.
Please keep in mind that I'm almost an antipode to North America: Moscow Russia here. So neither Google, nor Amazon are aware of my IP, MAC, or even street address. I can imagine (although it's hardly probable) that Yandex is polling public wifi places for their locations, but none of mine are public!
The VERY only lifelike hypothesis that goes in groove with your idea is that Yandex cached the location of my iphone at home (the phone does have GPS and Yandex maps installed) and locates me based on the IP subnet. But: a) I never used the phone to locate the cafe I mentioned before. b) I cannot even imagine the cache size that Yandex has to have in this case.
I think this time you missed the goal. Any other thoughts?
It doesn't matter if Google knows your MAC or not when you have WiFi on it polls for acess points and bases your location off the signal strength of all of them.
You cracked the case!!!
Maybe you can teach me also, why it does NOT work here?!
afazel said:
You could get into a shell and look at lspci > lspci.txt
You could also run dmesg...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed, thank you.
dmesg says it's a TI WL-1273, sadly... ven=0x104c, dev=0x9066. Well, at least it's proven to support BT and FM radio.
Kindle has no GPS, and Yandex is smart enough to cache locations even in NATted networks. Thanks for attention.
Starfire70 said:
It doesn't matter if Google knows your MAC or not when you have WiFi on it polls for acess points and bases your location off the signal strength of all of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not the Mac address of your device, it's the Mac address of the APs, they broadcast it with the probe signals. Its also more reliable to go on than the name of their AP. People change the name all the time, but who would change the Mac?