[DZD]

I recently moved from an AT&T 8800 to a Verizon 8330 with a later version of the OS. What is odd is that on my old phone, when I used Google Maps and went to "My location" I was always within a few meters (30 or so) and it was fairly reliable.

On my new phone, selecting my location gets me to within 800 or 1000 meters or greater! In some cases, when using the feature, I'm off by blocks.

I thought GPS was independant of the carrier.

Has anyone else noticed this? Or better yet, have a solution?

Thanks.

[Dubdub]

The initial "fix" in Google Maps is done using cell tower triangulation which makes the location in error by up to 2500 meters (most that I have seen anyway). Once you get a GPS lock of at least 3 satellites, it will refine the position to as close as 10 meters.

It just takes a bit to find the satellites as they are not in a geo orbit so the BB has to know where to look.

Not sure why the difference from ATT to VZW however. Maybe you had GPS running constantly on your 8800 and not on the 8330?

[FF2]

Unfortunately, Verizon has locked up the gps. It may only be used with Verizon's Navigator program ($10/month) or, with the 4.5 OS, it may be used with BBMaps. With google, it will only use cell tower triangulation.

Or you can purchase a separate GPS bluetooth puck and get around the lock limitation.

[Dubdub]

I thought they issued a "fix" for that and released the GPS for other applications such as GoogleMaps? Wasn't it done via a *228 update?

[DZD]

Originally Posted by FF2

Unfortunately, Verizon has locked up the gps. It may only be used with Verizon's Navigator program ($10/month) or, with the 4.5 OS, it may be used with BBMaps. With google, it will only use cell tower triangulation.

Or you can purchase a separate GPS bluetooth puck and get around the lock limitation.

Ah! That's it! I just tested it and at my house and BB Maps is spot on; Google Maps is off by 2400 meters (with AT&T it was spot on).

Thanks everyone.

[DZD]

Originally Posted by Dubdub

I thought they issued a "fix" for that and released the GPS for other applications such as GoogleMaps? Wasn't it done via a *228 update?

I'm running 4.5.0.77 - does a later version "fix" this for Google Maps? Thanks again.

[pshift]

Nope. I have 4.5.0.138 and the GPS on my Curve is still errant using the interlal GPS and Google Maps. I use a BT puck so all is well but it is annoying that VZW does this. I believe on the later models that this does not apply and the GPS is fully unlocked on later devices.

It's a crock, I know but 'big red' knows how to try to milk us for every 'feature' that we thought that we were paying for. BTW, their VZ Navigator stinks. Use amAze GPS and get the same, if not better results for free.