[Q] integrated GPS on both Rogers and AT&T Focus - Focus General

Does both Rogers and AT&T Samsung Focus have a built in GPS (don't need a data plan)? Ever site I've looked at for the specs gives conflicting information.

fastmhc said:
Does both Rogers and AT&T Samsung Focus have a built in GPS (don't need a data plan)? Ever site I've looked at for the specs gives conflicting information.
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As I understand, my focus at&t has built in GPS that can be used with and without a data plan. It just depends what GPS software you are using for instance any GPS software that uses realtime updates or online maps requires data to be used while GPS is enabled...some 3rd party software use stored on device offline maps that would not require a data plan. As for specific programs that use online and offline maps I don't know. I use a data plan so I don't have to worry about that stuff.
This is my understanding so if anyone has better insight be my guest

All WP7 phones have a GPS, just like they all have a camera, three front buttons, a gravity sensor, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor and a compass. There are free GPS apps that are on the Marketplace that will allow you to see the GPS does work.
In time, there will be standalone gps navigation apps for sale on the Marketplace, it just takes a little patience.

I just don't want assisted GPS (A-GPS). I want an integrated GPS chip. All phones dont' have a built in GPS (I think older iphones). I currently have a Samsung i8910 and it has an integrated GPS. I bought Garmin software to use the GPS maps and when I am overseas I just need to buy the maps for that region to access the maps. If you have A-GPS you have to buy a data plan from that country's carrier and using their network, you access the internet (google maps) to get your maps. I hope that is clear??

You totally misunderstood what A-GPS is.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App

Maybe I don't? this is a quote for the wiki page for GPS navigation for phones
" Some phones with GPS capability work by assisted GPS (A-GPS) only, and do not function when out of range of their carrier's cell towers. "

WP7's have A-GPS. They use both radio towers and satellites to obtain a fix on your location.
So yes, once a proper mapping application is released, you can travel to other countries without needing a data plan.

From wiki, sums it up pretty well i would say:
""Standalone" or "Autonomous" GPS operation use radio signals from satellites alone. A-GPS additionally uses network resources to locate and utilize the satellites faster as well as better in poor signal conditions."
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS

fastmhc said:
Maybe I don't? this is a quote for the wiki page for GPS navigation for phones
" Some phones with GPS capability work by assisted GPS (A-GPS) only, and do not function when out of range of their carrier's cell towers. "
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Most of today's cell phone GPS chips can work either in standalone mode or Assited mode. A(ssited)-GPS helps to speed up your initial satellite lock by downloading satellite information from network. If you have no data connection, the chip will fall back to standalone mode. With A-GPS properly working, you can achive first lock within 10 seconds. Without it, you may have to wait for couple minutes for your first lock. After the initial lock these GPS chips work autonomously unless you use MS-Assited A-GPS mode. With the power of today's Smartphone, there is zero reason for using MS-Assisted mode unless you're using it in E911 situations.
It is ultimately the navigation software you choose determines whether or not you need cell data connection. Currently standalone navigation software on WP7 is quite limited or non-existent. If that is important to you, you may want to look for other Smartphones like iPhone or Android phones. Your old WM software won't work in WP7.

Related

agps rogers

how do i enable agps on my rogers elf plz help
Sadly Rogers touch Elf does not have GPS capabilities. The Vogue is the one with GPS. See Bell CDMA Touch otherwise known as the Vogue.
i know they dont have gps but i heard with 6.1 its to have agps
assisted gps ... which uses gprs not sat
Yes It Does
hotrod101 said:
Sadly Rogers touch Elf does not have GPS capabilities. The Vogue is the one with GPS. See Bell CDMA Touch otherwise known as the Vogue.
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hi i do have software ,is call imobium,i dont know how to send it to u ,but it is such a gps on htc touch elf GSM from rogers. i bought one of those phones and i'm using imobium.
replay if u have another channel where i can send u the specs of the program and the posibility of sending u the program it self.
Good Luck.
Yami
If agps uses gprs not sat then would you incur heavy data use charges? I don't have any type of data plan (they are rediculous in price) besides, where I live, there is pretty much an open wifi hotspot anywhere I go so I have just been using the WIFI whenever I need to. I am interested in learning more. I did some googling and my understanding was that AGPS still required GPS. IF AGPS can work using GPRS Only, what can you do with that? Can you still use navigation software on the device and have turn by turn directions etc..., Can you use it to tell your speed altitude etc.. while driving? If you drive through a zone with no coverage, then AGPS would not work? There are several of these "Dead Zones" in my area in the North of Ontario Canada. (Dead zones for all cell phones no matter who your carrier is)
From what I have read there are a lot of phones that have AGPS however, most have it completely locked up so that there is no way to use it though. (Providers use it for their own purposes I guess - TO SPY ON US) I don't know about the Elf though. Haven't done that much research on it yet. Since there is no official WM 6.1 Rom release (For the Elf) to release the AGPS capabilities, maybe one of the custom roms from this site can do it. If it can be opened up for use with a ROM that is.
Assisted GPS, generally abbreviated as A-GPS, enhances the startup performance of a GPS satellite-based positioning system. It is used extensively with GPS-capable cellular phones..... Taken from WIKI
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_GPS
Funnily enough, A-GPS did actually come out as a data based gps solution back when EDGE came to the scene.
But suddenly phones started coming out with their own GPS units installed. UH OH, the carriers said. This imense source of data revenue, is now going to go away.
What to do? What to do?
I GOT IT! We redefine what A-GPS is. Instead of being simply data capable phone tracking system, we take phones with existing, and fully functioning GPS units, convince people that we are actually "helping" the performance of the GPS units with our networks and VOILA, we make even more money than before.
FYI, A-GPS was actually basically the same technology that Google Maps now uses for their "My Location" which is to normalize or coordinate, your location from several cell towers, and have a pretty good approximation of where you are.
All that was required was software (ie MAPS) that could take advantage of this technology that existed from when cell phones came into being.
That is why if you were one of the early adopters of set technology (originally came out with CDMA 2000) companies, you would have noticed that your so called "A-GPS" was as good as your reception was.
So really the more modern A-GPS, should be called GPS-A-CellCOMPANIESmakeMONEY.
But my suggested name did not fly so they decided to stick with A-GPS.

GPS

Hey guys, can someone confirm that when using the GPS function it does or does not use data plan? I know some phones such as the iPhone and Blackberry uses data for GPS, and I know the Touch HD is not required as it has the GPS receiver in the device. If someone can confirm this that would be appreciated.
Thanks
Hi!
No the phone has built in GPS Receiver
Awesome, I'm glad that they don't use data for the GPS function, that would be such a killer on data. Thanks for clarifying.
A GPS by definition must not use data. There are other methods of determining location besides GPS, but they are definitely not called GPS. Note that your device, though equipped with a GPS can ALSO use the cell network for finding its location.
So in the case of the iPhone 3g, what would you call that? My dad uses his "GPS" quite a bit but of course uses the data to download the maps. I'm assuming that the HTC Magic has the maps downloaded on the phone already therefore not needing data. Also when the cellphone uses the cell network to triangulate your position, that is not using data correct? I appreciate all the responses and clarification.
Thanks!
I have no knowledge or interest in apple junk.
However, you seem to be confusing the GPS with *what you do with* the data from the GPS. In your example, to me it sounds like it probably has a normal GPS that does NOT use data. GPS does NOT provide maps, pictures, or anything of the sort. GPS provides locational information by comparing the signals from several satellites to generate information like latitude, longitude, altitude, and bearing. This is all a bunch of numbers that the typical user won't be able to make much use of, so along with the GPS itself, you have some program that *does something* with the data. If you use google maps, then your phone will pull appropriate information from google's servers based on the information retrieved from the GPS. Another program that you could use, for example, is "gps status" (available on the market, use "gps status 2" for android 1.5 equipped devices), this will display the GPS information (and accelerometer) withOUT the maps/pictures/etc., and thus will NOT use any data from your data plan.
Regarding the cell tower location method... it doesn't use any data plan data, however, that does not mean that it is free.... check with your provider for specifics. Generally, cell tower location is crude whereas GPS is fine.
Does that help to clarify things?
Yes it does, thanks for your reply.
Other questions... CAn I use GPS software without Internet connection? Or I need all time internet to magic downlaod maps and info? It is any program Tomtom style for android? Thanks.
if someone has, or does release an application that contains its own map tiles, it will be entirely free to use, but will probably cost a fair amount to buy (the map tiles don't come cheap to the developers). Also I would expect such an app to be fairly large, and (if it does even fit) would eat up most or all of the 512 MB you can store your software in.
thinking about it, they could always give you an sd card with the maps and only have a fairly small app in the phone memory. although that's another matter
As long as an app uses google maps (or other online map resources), it will cost you data to use it.

[Q] aGPS question

Hi
Does aGPS require you to have a cellular data connection in order for it to work? Or will it work with any internet connection (eg. using my laptop's connection through wifi)? I'm asking because I don't have a data plan (yet), and my phone has locked only _once_ since I bought it a month or so ago. I've tried switching to MS based in LbsTestmode, changing the supl server to supl-google-com and supl-nokia-com (can't post links yet).
The one time it did lock was when I was testing the GPS without an internet connection, and I entered a WiFi covered area and it suddenly locked (5-10m accuracy). It wasn't WiFi-based positioning because it was my laptop's WiFi hotspot. And I was using the default settings at that time (www-spirent-lcs-com, Standalone mode). Since then I've tried different combinations of settings but it hasn't ever locked.
Another question: What's the difference between MS based and MS assisted modes?
My phone is an I9000 Galaxy S.
ssj4Gogeta1 said:
Hi
Does aGPS require you to have a cellular data connection in order for it to work? Or will it work with any internet connection (eg. using my laptop's connection through wifi)? I'm asking because I don't have a data plan (yet), and my phone has locked only _once_ since I bought it a month or so ago. I've tried switching to MS based in LbsTestmode, changing the supl server to supl-google-com and supl-nokia-com (can't post links yet).
The one time it did lock was when I was testing the GPS without an internet connection, and I entered a WiFi covered area and it suddenly locked (5-10m accuracy). It wasn't WiFi-based positioning because it was my laptop's WiFi hotspot. And I was using the default settings at that time (www-spirent-lcs-com, Standalone mode). Since then I've tried different combinations of settings but it hasn't ever locked.
Another question: What's the difference between MS based and MS assisted modes?
My phone is an I9000 Galaxy S.
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Correct me if i am wrong, but as i know aGPS doesn´t need any Data Connection to make the triangulation between the GSM Antennas. So no need for Internet Connection to use aGPS.
TMReuffurth said:
Correct me if i am wrong, but as i know aGPS doesn´t need any Data Connection to make the triangulation between the GSM Antennas. So no need for Internet Connection to use aGPS.
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AFAIK aGPS is different from cellular triangulation. It refers to downloading satellite information from a server for a quicker fix.
ssj4Gogeta1 said:
AFAIK aGPS is different from cellular triangulation. It refers to downloading satellite information from a server for a quicker fix.
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Click to collapse
I thought it would make a triangulation between the next availabe antennas in range and get over a dedicated channel (not data channel as mentioned above) localisation informations. Because my Nokia N80 had aGPS but not real GPS and in the manual they said something about this triangulation.
But of course i know the download of the actual satelite coordenates from my Touch HD in Windows Mobile with a dedicated App. Just thougth it is something diferent.
TMReuffurth said:
I thought it would make a triangulation between the next availabe antennas in range and get over a dedicated channel (not data channel as mentioned above) localisation informations. Because my Nokia N80 had aGPS but not real GPS and in the manual they said something about this triangulation.
But of course i know the download of the actual satelite coordenates from my Touch HD in Windows Mobile with a dedicated App. Just thougth it is something diferent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
aGPS is a technology that downloads satellite data from agps servers at realtime (that is the time you are using the GPS): WIKI article
I guess that the app you are refering to, the one you used on the HTC, is Quick GPS. This program doesn't download satellite postition data in realtime but once in a while. (I believe the data are vallid for 48h) With Quick GPS one can still enjoy the features of aGPS while one hasn't a data connection with a aGPS server.
The Galaxy S GPS (BCM4751) seems to have both, aGPS and a sort of Quick GPS. Only the last is called LTO by broadcom. (see: http://www.broadcom.com/press/release.php?id=s443754 about BCM4571 specs and see here about LTO.
aGPS uses cell tower triangulation, and information from a server, in addition to satellite radio signals, to quickly assist in determining the coordinates of a phone's location. Since cell tower sites are precisely surveyed, they are a reliable source for locational data. A data connection is required. All modern cell phones, at least here in the United States, are required to have aGPS service for use in locating a phone by emergency responders. This is a part of the E911 and is required by FCC mandate. Data is used in tracking down the phone, but it happens behind the scenes and is paid for by fees charged to cellular users on their bills for E911 compliance.
On phones that allow the user to make use of the aGPS chip, there will generally be a setting that allows you to set for E911 use only, or for what is commonly referred to as "location based services." On my Android phones, there are actually two settings, both found in Location & Security Settings. One allows for location based upon use of wireless networks, and the other allowing a fix via GPS satellites. Even with any location based services turned off, emergency responders can still find the phone. The difference being that you cannot use it.
While it is technically possible for you to use your phone's aGPS without a data connection, your chances of getting a signal are sketchy, and your chances of getting a really accurate signal are, under most circumstances, slim to none. Much of the computational work in determining your location is done by the assistance server, and guess how that information moves to and from your phone? Yep, you guessed it, data!
GPS signals sent from satellites are simply radio signals, and your local pop music radio station probably sends its signals with more force. As they are radio signals, they have to contend with everything a radio signal has to deal with, and a large percentage of that is man-made. Signals confusingly bounce off of buildings, are weakened by passing through walls and foliage, or can even be absorbed in some cases by different materials.
Some aGPS chips cannot function as stand alone GPS, and will not work at all without a data connection.
Try this, turn off your cellular radio. Make sure that your WiFi is also off. Now, fire up Google Maps and ask it to start navigation. How did it work?
appelflap said:
I guess that the app you are refering to, the one you used on the HTC, is Quick GPS. This program doesn't download satellite postition data in realtime but once in a while. (I believe the data are vallid for 48h) With Quick GPS one can still enjoy the features of aGPS while one hasn't a data connection with a aGPS server.
.
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Yeah, that i was talking about. Didn´t know this all I love this forum, you always learn more and more.
rasmith3530 said:
Try this, turn off your cellular radio. Make sure that your WiFi is also off. Now, fire up Google Maps and ask it to start navigation. How did it work?
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Well, using Google Maps would not be a valid test, of course, since you need data connection to download the local map anyway. If you want to test whether data connection is requires by aGPS, you need to use an offline GPS application.
Thank you for your guys replies.
@rasmith3530: So can that data be downloaded over wifi? (My common sense says yes, just trying to confirm.) If it can, then aGPS isn't working for me at all. I see at max 2-3 satellites in LbsTestMode, without a lock on any of them.
No one said aGPS is working on SGS. They are broken and no fixes yet.
foxbat121 said:
No one said aGPS is working on SGS. They are broken and no fixes yet.
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I think you're right. The fact that there are no ephemeris and almanac data recorded for satellites let me think that it may be the case that with a certain informed guess aGPS and the advertised LTO function doesn't work on none of the firmwares.
Other people seem to have locking/accuracy problems, they can at least see those satellites. Mine normally shows 0 or 1, so I thought maybe I'm doing something wrong.
ssj4Gogeta1 said:
Other people seem to have locking/accuracy problems, they can at least see those satellites. Mine normally shows 0 or 1, so I thought maybe I'm doing something wrong.
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In JM1-JG5, I had that issue (couldn't lock onto anything). Switching to JM5 fixed that..

GPS.....A-GPS SCAM?? The gps drama sequel....

****************************************************************
"EDIT" UPDATE (7 oct. 2010)
Well you dont need to go actually much further then this first post!
Things got out of context over here, furthermore I decided to give
my external gps receiver a break and run some more tests with
the internal one of my SGS.
And the results I got were much better than any
other phone I tested before. Except the ones with a build-in SirfstarIII chipset.
If you have Gps issues,Just move on to this thread:
2nd edit (20 Oct, 2010): That thread was removed without any warning or explanation so I posted the videos in another thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=8903056#post8903056
END EDIT
RCinFLA said:
Like to share my experience as cellphone chipset designer and my dealing with various parties involved with GPS in phones.
Many of the issues are caused by business interests involved and there are quite a few parties plying to control location based services revenue stream.
SUPL, secure user plane protocol AGPS was created by network operators interest in mine, with the objective of putting them in the controlling position when it comes to extracting revenue from location based applications on their network.
Control plane AGPS is a general system where network operator independent entities can create a assist server along with possible services offering. They can encrypt their access to allow only subcribed (paying) users to access their service. The network operators has little control over this scheme.
With SUPL, in most cases, network operators outsource the location server function. Network operator hold location of their cell tower, as a total database, in close confidence. The network tower locations are also very dynamic over time. I believe the AGPS contractors don't get reliable and timely updates from the network operators.
Then there are third party business like 'Skyhook' which is trying to work around the network operator roadblocks by establishing a 'ponzi scheme' server database. If your phone has a good GPS location lock and detects a WiFi network, Skyhook's background app will have your phone send a message to their server reporting the SSID of the WiFi and its location. They then sell their server AGPS service to other companies, like Motorola, for inclusion in their phone software. Motorola may run into conflict with network operators. A network operator might refuse to buy a Motorola phone model with Skyhook installed on it. I noticed from the Captivate forum that the ATT version of Galaxy S has Skyhook capability.
Google is the 900 pound gorilla and is trying to wrestle control of location based services from network operators.
Finally there are the GPS chip manufacturers. Almost all of them have an AGPS server scheme of their own and try to promote it. The frontend processing (up to recovery of raw 50 bps satellite data) has unique hardware and firmware that are considered proprietary by the GPS chip manufacturer. In most cases a phone manufacturers like Samsung or Motorola are not allowed to have the software source code for this firmware or information on the actual interface protocol to the GPS chip. They are given a bundled binary file that the phone manufacturer software just dumps to the GPS chip at startup.
It is now up to the phone manufacturer to implement the GPS chip and antenna systems (along with WiFI, Bluetooth, Near Field Comm, and multi-band cellular) and provide software interfaces and drivers necessary to run the GPS function.
For size and cost reasons most recent GPS chips rely on the main application processor within the phone to actually do the GPS fix calculations. The software for this is provided by the GPS chip supplier but it must be coordinated with the particular applications processor chip used by the phone. It must share processing time slicing with the apps processor and work with operating system software resources such as RAM and ROM management running on the phone.
This is the first obsticle as most of the GPS chip suppliers have little expertise in the OS's that may be used (like Android or Symbian). The phone manufacturer usually has to provide help to create and debug the GPS driver software but the drivers are responsible/owned by the GPS chip supplier. There can be unique hardware/software interfaces that must be dealt with, like providing GPS TCXO calibration and cellular corrected frequency timebase to the GPS chip.
Then there is the OS's GPS interface. There can be translation software layers involved here. One such interface is based on GPS NMEA protocol but with additional hooks for things unique to phone operation like battery saver power strobing, and the complicated Secure User Plane or Control plane interface.
The AGPS system design landscape is litered with intellectual properties (patents) by many parties. Qualcomm is a dominate player here since their aquistion of SnapTrak company years ago. Royalties are paid to Qualcomm for every WCDMA phone sold, not only in AGPS area, but on basic CDMA patents used in a UMTS (Wideband CDMA) phones.
Now as to Samsung Galaxy S implementation of Broadcom GPS.
I think there is a lot of evidence that Samsung had early issues with the GPS antenna contact hardware. This has probably been corrected on recently manufactured phones.
I think the firmware supplied by Broadcom has the bandwidth of the correlators tighted down to provide greater sensitivity. This is great as long as there is a very good AGPS system to provide initial satellite ephemeris data. Without a good AGPS network providing satellite information the initial search and lock can take a very long time with narrow bandwidth frequency bins.
I have not seen evidence with my experience that my two Vibrants are receiving any reliable AGPS information from the T-Mobile network. They do seem to get rough Almanac satellite info from Google or other third party apps. These may be based on WiFi detection more then T-Mobile cell tower locations.
In LBStest I noticed that GPS Operational Mode has been set to 'Standalone'. I interpret this to mean AGPS is deactived. I don't see any difference when I switch to MS based assist, and clear the GPS saved memory to prevent it from prejudicing time to first fix lock test. Switching SUPL server to supl.google.com and port 7276 (with MS based operational setting) just seems to make my phone lockup for short periods of time.
Once phone does get full lock on satellites its performance is quite good. (my two Vibrant's were purchased in early Feb 2011). It rivals my Garmin SiRFstar III based GPS unit in locked on sensitivity while inside a building.
I think the AGPS system issues will get worked out over time.
The Qualcomm based CDMA2000 systems (like Verizon) will likely have better initial coordination on AGPS system operation. CDMA2000 also provides network timebase directly compatible with GPS.
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All this nagging about GPS.....that it is not working in many devices and it's working in other many.....and of course I am talking about those ones who still would go for ONLINE gps navigation.....
In my humble opinion, what you guys should be asking yourselfs and the big corporations is, why nowadays, 99% of the smartphones(so not just sgs), even the most expensive ones are build with weak, less capable internal gps receivers, forcing users to go online(celular network /a-gps) or using external bluetooth gps receivers to get stable satellite fixes that means stable navigation.
Years ago, many of the first smartphones came with sirfstar chipsets or alike , so once again, why not now? That's the question that should not be ignored or forgotten.
A friend of mine, that would not dare to pay more than a 100 box for a phone, bought an ancient ETEN device on a sale for 40 box with that old windows mobile 5 and guess what...the internal gps get fast fixes just like any standalone gps device because it got the same sirfstarIII chipset
Why the heck, the expensive so called high-end smartphones of today are not build with better gps chipsets? Why A-gps? So we are forced to get data accounts?
And what happens when I want to navigate abroad? Roaming?
For data transfer and internet I use wifi; I have it at home and I find hotspots everywhere...I will save those extra 120 euros(or more) per year (data account costs)
And nobody will force me to get one(internet/data account); not even for gps navigation that I so much use..
I use gps navigation only offline, using a external bluetooth device on a daily basis and, many times abroad; it works like a charm on my SGS; and I am talking about serious GPS car navigation software like iGo, Sygic, Navigon etc. .
Don't even use Google maps or alike.
I cannot tell you how my sgs is doing on online navigation, I dont have a data account so I wont even try it.
But once Samsung get this online gps navigation thing fixed, you guys should concentrate your energy on the real issue:
The A-gps scam
And for all the corporations out there: Just deliver a device with a capable gps chipset and you will sell millions..
And for all the users out there: Just get a good compact external bluetooth gps receiver and stop nagging....
Thanks to 3rd party developers, the Android OS on my SGS can be "fooled" and I can connect any navigation software to my bluetooth gps receiver threw programs like Bluetooth Gps Mouse Unlimited and Gps Provider.
I do have to " allow mock locations" at settings first...
« »
¿Ein? You don need data to get GPS fix, A-GPS is only an aid to get faster fixes
I thtink you're a littel misinformed
LOL.. o boy.. the AGPS is to help say if your indoors so you can get a faster lock... the phone will work without it.
Ummm I can see why you would think what you think, but I do believe you are wrong.
Firstly: as far as I'm aware, the SGS has the same GPS chip as the latest TomTom standalone unit.
Secondly: I guess AGPS is a data feature, it uses the triangulation of cell towers and pulls information to assist a sat lock, but it is not really a different way of using GPS. Ultimately you still need to get a sat lock to use a GPS App.
So it may speed up this lock, but it won't replace it. It just means it'll take you a little longer to get a sat lock than without it.
So you have the choice use it or don;t use it, no-one is forcing you to use data.
Logicalstep
Oletros said:
¿Ein? You don need data to get GPS fix, A-GPS is only an aid to get faster fixes
I thtink you're a littel misinformed
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Lol those online translators dont work that smoothly...
I don't need a data/internet account to use celular networks aid, that means a-gps.That mean going online via 3g or 2g...
But IF I don.t have a data/internet account added to my phone subscription, my phone costs will be much higher depending on my use....
You are missing the point anyway...
betoNL said:
Lol those online translators dont work that smoothly...
I don't need a data/internet account to use celular networks aid, that means a-gps.That mean going online via 3g or 2g...
But IF I don.t have a data/internet account added to my phone subscription, my phone costs will be much higher depending on my use....
You are missing the point anyway...
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Click to collapse
No, you're missing the point, you don't need any kind of data connection to use GPS, you can use it offline
Exactly...already the first line of Wikipedia says it: "Assisted GPS, generally abbreviated as A-GPS, is a system which can improve the startup performance of a GPS satellite-based positioning system."
There is, however, a related issue w/r/t A-GPS and a data account. Back on WinMo, I could download the ephemeris data to speed up the GPS fix for one week in advance (I think it was called QuickGPS or something on my HTC TouchHD, also had sth. like it on an old Eten). This allowed you to get a quick fix for said week, even without a data connection. Android, on the other hand, seems to download this data on the fly - meaning that if you don't have a data account you will experience a slow fix until your almanac has been filled "naturally" by the satellites you're seeing. I experienced that while on vacation this year without a roaming data contract - it took me a good 3-5 minutes to get the first fix and it was good from there on (well, as good as the SGS GPS gets ). I'd love to have some tool that does exactly what QuickGPS did, but I am not aware of anything like it.
TriC_101 said:
LOL.. o boy.. the AGPS is to help say if your indoors so you can get a faster lock... the phone will work without it.
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Click to collapse
I have always smile in my face when someone thinks he can get a lock indoors..
Yes in a cartoon box you can. Not in real building I'm afraid.
And for all those who think SGS's GPS is usable without A.
Try it.
You will see.
Dont post things you just caught on wikipedia.
xan said:
I have always smile in my face when someone thinks he can get a lock indoors..
Yes in a cartoon box you can. Not in real building I'm afraid.
And for all those who think SGS's GPS is usable without A.
Try it.
You will see.
Dont post things you just caught on wikipedia.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can get a lock on 6-7 Sat no problem inside.... and so can lots of others.. don't know what your doing wrong but its not hard to get a lock inside.
Pics or it didnt happen
seems you all are little misinformed as to how the gps on android specifically sgs works. It is actually three systems at work here. Gps standalone without gprs and cell triangulation which gets lock within a minute same as standalone bluetooth units (they also take up to a minute from cold boot but because generally it is plugged in the car lighter and always on people think its blazing fast).then you have agps that downloads preloads data regarding satellite location in regards to your position via network instead of downloading same data directly from satellite thereby saving time. Both these can be used without checking network location in settings so to recap if your network location is unchecked you are still using agps as long as you have network connection (data connection that is).and samsungs system for agps being better than others cause it downloads data for while week as opposed to others downloading data everyone gps is turned on. Third level is network triangulation via cell towers that gets you that instant lock at the cost of accuracy useful mainly to let apps get your general location without having to engage real gps thereby saving power as well as give maps a chance to start calculating route while gps is still getting lock therefore appearing to operate faster.
Idan73 said:
Gps standalone without gprs and cell triangulation which gets lock within a minute same as standalone bluetooth units (they also take up to a minute from cold boot but because generally it is plugged in the car lighter and always on people think its blazing fast)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Standalone gps's got their batterys, and thus they start "warm".
Thing is, standalone SRIF3/4 gps gets a warm lock without any AGPS nor network triangulation within 5-10 seconds. SGS (and bunch of top-of-the pack devices) cant come even close to that.
the GPS on the SGS works fine offline
i don't even have data on when going on long road trips
you just need an offline GPS software with maps, like CoPilot or some other one you like
xan said:
Standalone gps's got their batterys, and thus they start "warm".
Thing is, standalone SRIF3/4 gps gets a warm lock without any AGPS nor network triangulation within 5-10 seconds. SGS (and bunch of top-of-the pack devices) cant come even close to that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure they do. Sgs warm lock is 5 to 10 seconds as well. To test get the lock first then turn of data and network lock then start gps.restart of the phone same as restart of the standalone counts as a cold boot and takes about minute.
xan said:
Pics or it didnt happen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here ya go.... I don't have to prove anything just look on youtube.. This is the phone on for just 10sec.. if I had waited it would get down to about 10 feet... this pic was taken in a room where I get the lowest signal. and I live in a Condo with 2 foot concrete walls.. I don't have a digital camera.. this was taken with my old Samsung dumb phone.. but it does prove you can get a lock inside no problem.. also if i'm in a house I can get 6-7 sats to lock in the condo 5 at the most in that room.
only 3 sats and maybe the walls are thin
Polarfuchs said:
only 3 sats and maybe the walls are thin
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL Trust me the walls and not thin.. i'm on the 10th floor of a 25 floor Condo complex. I get alot more signal is a house.. Now my X10 can get about 7 Sats locked in the same room. and down to 5 feet. but the point was you can get a lock inside..
I'll try it.
I live in a 3 stories house at ground floor. The shutters are down and I'm 1 meter away from the windows.
After 3 Minutes I get 5 sats in view but none used.
I'll hang on.
Even after 10 Minutes I only have 5 satellites in View and zero in Use.
So no fix for me.
The numbers on top of the bars are from 15 to 25.
Logicalstep said:
Ummm I can see why you would think what you think, but I do believe you are wrong.
Firstly: as far as I'm aware, the SGS has the same GPS chip as the latest TomTom standalone unit.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Most of Tomtom devices got a SiRFstarIII™ GPS chipset
If the GS got such one the amount of GPS threads in this Forum would be reduced considerably
What is your awareness based on?
Oletros said:
No, you're missing the point, you don't need any kind of data connection to use GPS, you can use it offline
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Idan73 said:
seems you all are little misinformed as to how the gps on android specifically sgs works. It is actually three systems at work here. Gps standalone without gprs and cell triangulation which gets lock within a minute same as standalone bluetooth units (they also take up to a minute from cold boot but because generally it is plugged in the car lighter and always on people think its blazing fast).then you have agps that downloads preloads data regarding satellite location in regards to your position via network instead of downloading same data directly from satellite thereby saving time. Both these can be used without checking network location in settings so to recap if your network location is unchecked you are still using agps as long as you have network connection (data connection that is).and samsungs system for agps being better than others cause it downloads data for while week as opposed to others downloading data everyone gps is turned on. Third level is network triangulation via cell towers that gets you that instant lock at the cost of accuracy useful mainly to let apps get your general location without having to engage real gps thereby saving power as well as give maps a chance to start calculating route while gps is still getting lock therefore appearing to operate faster.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL... Lets put things in perspective :
1) Wich car navigation software do you use
2) when you UNcheck wireless networks =a-gps(in location and security) and you CHECk "use GPS satellites = build-in gps receiver and then you go outside, you start your car navigation software in you gs( taking into consideration that you have the righ map installed) how long does it take to get a fix so you can start driving?
3) Do you know the difference between a cold and warm start? Why the heck some of you mention car lighters????
Please just answer me these 3 questions and meanwhile I will post some educative information

[Q] What's the best GPS Navigation map for the DVP?

I'm here at the US and I've seen some gps navigation apps that I can use offline in the marketplace and the different reviews on each one of them but I really want feedback here at xda. Is it Navigon USA/Canada, Turn by Turn, or something else?
One side question related to this. I know that DVP only has AGPS. Is it capable of offline gps navigation without using any data from the carrier? I don't have unlimited data plan.
You must be confusing what AGPS means, it's GPS + optional tower support to accelerate lock ons. All AGPS devices by definition also support GPS.
Besides that it depends on if you have an app that has cached/downloaded maps. It depends entirely on the app to support downloading maps ahead of time.
Try Navigon(Garmin), it doesnt req. gprs connected, good map's covarage/inteface.
TheManii said:
You must be confusing what AGPS means, it's GPS + optional tower support to accelerate lock ons. All AGPS devices by definition also support GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for clarifying. I thought AGPS is just cellular tower support.
gmaps from the marketplace works well
I use Gmaps for long range navigation and Turn By Turn (free) once I get there(and locally) due to the limited mile radius of the free version. I considered the pricier options but this setup works fine for me.
Is there any free app to use in offline mode? Any of them working in Venezuela? I miss so much that feature that I had on my nokia n82
gps
joshzzz2001 said:
Thanks for clarifying. I thought AGPS is just cellular tower support.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess, mine just work with A-GPS ... i buy the navigon, it seems very nice, but my gps antena, i guess its the problem, doesnt work... Somebody have the same problem?
thanks by the way...

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