Database Users

what GPS software you recommend?

I noticed that there's no way to get free GPS software to work with my HD, so which ones you guys recommend? I heard the google maps charges way too much based on how many times it is used and data.
Can these softwares once bought provide different maps? I travel different places around the world.
thanks

The best GPS navigation software in my opinion is TomTom 7. However, it does not have maps in every country. Therefore, I have about 4 different GPS in my HD. For asian countries, the best one is MapKing.

Do need to have internet connection for GPS to work?
Does the GPS needs some data service to work? or does it work like a regular GPS?
Or is it based on the software used?
thanks,

stzd8 said:
Does the GPS needs some data service to work? or does it work like a regular GPS?
Or is it based on the software used?
thanks,
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No, you do not need internet connection for software such as TomTom, iGO, Mapking and Garmin. Only if you use such additional services (strictly optional) that such connections are needed. Most people use only the map data which resides on the device itself, unlike Google Map, which need to download the map data as you use it.

question on Garmin
I noticed Garmin might work for me in the US (don't know in Europe) but the packaging details that it comes with a cd and a memory card. So how am I supposed to use that if I got my 16gig memory on????
thanks,

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=514349

3D buildings in GPS navigation is so useless, your looking outside the windscreen so everything is 3D anyways.

Do you have to have data plan for GPS?

I have T-Mobile USA. Can I use the GPS without a data plan?

What is meant by data plan ?

azahidi said:
What is meant by data plan ?
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Internet Plan
I only have a plan with minutes and no internet.

DanRo80 said:
Internet Plan
I only have a plan with minutes and no internet.
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Some GPS applications, e.g. Garmin mobile and many freeware GPS apps, do not require internet connection. Google maps mobile requires internet connection, of course.

azahidi said:
Some GPS applications, e.g. Garmin mobile and many freeware GPS apps, do not require internet connection. Google maps mobile requires internet connection, of course.
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And you are not able to use QuickGPS for faster detection of the satellites.
But I do not know if this is necessary/useful for these programs.

MvBoe said:
And you are not able to use QuickGPS for faster detection of the satellites.
But I do not know if this is necessary/useful for these programs.
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True that QuickGPS is supposed to assist in faster GPS detection. However I am not sure how much faster, I mean by how many seconds faster (no empirical measure). From my experience, satellite detection without QuickGPS updated for a few weeks, is still quite fast, a few ten seconds - but still dependant on the sky/cloud condition. I am talking from where I live - equatorial. I am not sure about north of the tropics (Europe and N.America)

A definite no!
You do not need a data plan to use the GPS! Depending on which cellular company you go with, some of their people will try to tell or sell you on a plan. You do not need it.
For WM 5 and above, it is recommended that you let WM manage your GPS for all programs. To do this go to the System Settings tab and select the External GPS app (why it is called external is beyond me). Then move through the tabs to configure the GPS. Ideally, use a port that is not in use. I typically use 9. Then click the box to have WM manage the GPS for all programs that need data from it.
Now, you just need software and there is plenty of free programs out. One utility I recommend is GPS Toggle (http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-gps-toggle.html ). This small Today screen plug-in will turn on the Jade GPS to quote warm it up for you. If the GPS has not been turned on in awhile, it can take up to 10 minutes or longer to have it lock onto four satellites which is what is considered necessary for satellite navigation (satnav). During this period, the satellites will use your time signal as one of the primary pieces of info to sync your GPS. Then based upon the positon of the satellites, they will identify your location. Once they have downloaded enough data to the GPS and are in sync, your GPS will become satnav capable.
Another app you might to look at is GPSToday (http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-gpstoday-v0-9.html#). I recommend setting this app as separate one and not a Today screen plug-in but that is your choice after reviewing what it is capable of doing. I love that it can geotag pictures taken by Jade which basically takes quote dumb or pictures that do not have typical computer info written into them. You can even use it to mark where you parked your car (at a stadium or large event), store the coordinates and have it navigate back to your car. Another good use is for geocaching.
These are just two small apps. What you really want now is iGO8 (highly recommended), TomTom or another commercial software program.
__________________
WM 6.5 HTC T3232 (clone)
running iGO8

Everywhere I look it seems that iGO8 is only for iPhone, but people say they are using it. I am also in the United States.

DanRo80 said:
Everywhere I look it seems that iGO8 is only for iPhone, but people say they are using it. I am also in the United States.
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If you look here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=472110&highlight=gps+software), it might give you an idea. iGo8 has been used on Jade.

azahidi said:
If you look here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=472110&highlight=gps+software), it might give you an idea. iGo8 has been used on Jade.
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Yeah, I was in there. It's just that the website said that it was for the iPhone and it looked like it was for Europe only. Nevermind, I am just dopey. I see that it is also for America and Canada.

Nexus AGPS

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if the N1's AGPS radio is functional without an active mobile/cel connection? Would love to be able to turn the phone radio off when travelling abroad but still have access to GPS functionality.

GPS will work, but it'll lock in slower.. AGPS involves sending the data to a server somewhere else you get a faster lock, so you'll need a data connection for that.
You will of course not be able to see any maps without data also.

Turn on "Airplane" mode; GPS still works.
Cheers,
Kermee

Thanks for those answers. I used to keep a TyTnII around just for the GPS functionality while on vacation overseas, but if this works and I can find a suitable nav program, should be great =)

cliffy15 said:
Thanks for those answers. I used to keep a TyTnII around just for the GPS functionality while on vacation overseas, but if this works and I can find a suitable nav program, should be great =)
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Aye. You'd need the maps on SD if you don't have data connectivity. I don't even know if Google Maps + Nav works outside of the U.S. (with or without hacks) even if you were roaming on data...
Cheers,
Kermee

Kermee said:
Aye. You'd need the maps on SD if you don't have data connectivity. I don't even know if Google Maps + Nav works outside of the U.S. (with or without hacks) even if you were roaming on data...
Cheers,
Kermee
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I never used the audio nav feature, but the rest of it definitely did work for me in AUS. Although it cost me a pretty penny to use it ($15/1MB transfer fee) with international data roaming ...

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

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.

Do GPS work WITHOUT any internet/cellular data?

Sorry if question seems stupid, but i'm still waiting my Ideos to come, so i cannot test it. In gsmarena writes it has built-in gps..but.. i think gps is not gps if it need help from wi-fi or carriers.
Does this phone support GPS just via satellites?

yes it does.

iakoboss7 said:
yes it does.
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Thanks...i'm just found the answer in other forum. Just quote here to other people, like me D
This is because ordinary GPS's have the maps loaded onto them and therefore there is no need to download the map.
Google Navigation is based on Google Maps which, to my knowledge, needs a data connection to render an image.
With the latest release of Google Maps you can turn on caching which allows you to store tiles of maps you use.
As to your second point.....
Yes, you can turn off the data connection once your router has been calculated and downloaded.
However, if you take a wrong turn, your phone will not be able to recalculate a route.
Finally, you can get GPS that download the maps to your phone and therefore make it like a normal GPS.
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Just to clarify here, there are 2 modes of operation when using GPS navigation - Integrated and Assisted GPS.
If you use apps like Sygic, Navigon etc, you don't need data traffic and that's working on Satellite signal only.
If you're using Google Maps or Brut, then you need data for the maps mainly. The advantage with Google Maps or Brut is that if your satellite coverage is poor or unavailable, it switches automatically to assisted GPS (if you've got the option on), which uses the data network to triangulate the position.
I'm using this more than regular navigation because the signal strength of satellite signal is poor within the car and Assisted GPS works better/faster, but I've got a good data plan.

katu2006 said:
Just to clarify here, there are 2 modes of operation when using GPS navigation - Integrated and Assisted GPS.
If you use apps like Sygic, Navigon etc, you don't need data traffic and that's working on Satellite signal only.
If you're using Google Maps or Brut, then you need data for the maps mainly. The advantage with Google Maps or Brut is that if your satellite coverage is poor or unavailable, it switches automatically to assisted GPS (if you've got the option on), which uses the data network to triangulate the position.
I'm using this more than regular navigation because the signal strength of satellite signal is poor within the car and Assisted GPS works better/faster, but I've got a good data plan.
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I knew all that i just did not now do this phone has built-in GPS processor. Anyway i prefer GPS, not using data because my country is small map is only 13MB of size in navigon, and data plans are kinda not cheap and i don't need it so i just was upset if this phone only had A-GPS

Maps has a new feature, you can preload up to 10 maps, each with a 16km/10miles radius. Then you do not need umts for google maps anymore. Of course the radius is not that big.