[FlynnT]

I have just purchased my first smartphone, the Curve 8330. I am interested in the GPS function but I have NO idea how to get started.

I have seen raves about "Garmin Mobile for US & Canada (Bold, Lifetime of device) by Garmin International " for $100, but what else do I need? e.g.

1. Does it eat into m 50 minutes a month plan?
2. Do I need to buy a data plan (not sure if this is the right term)?

The blurb says that it "transforms your GPS-enabled BlackBerry into a full-featured personal navigator."
1. Is my 8330 GPS-enabled?
2. If not can I enable it?

Thanks, in advance, for your help.

[Motorcycle Mama]

Garmin Mobile uses DATA.

If you don't have a data plan, it either 1) won't work at all or 2) you will pay your carrier per kilobyte/megabyte (and this is usually an extremely high price).

The 8330 has a GPS receiver. You need to check with your carrier to see if they block it or not.

[MidnightDraven]

You need a blackberry data plan to use a blackberry for any type of data (email, IM, browsing etc)

[Dubdub]

Please go to the top of the GPS section and read the yellow sticky with reviews of most of the GPS map packages out there.

The majority of the map applications require a BB data plan since maps are downloaded as needed and not stored on the device. I believe you can purchase a Garmin license and can store the maps ont he SD card. One of only a few few that allows you to do that. The review I mentioned will provide that info.

AFAIK, the 8330 is GPS enabled, however some carriers elected to block its use. Need to check with your carrier to make sure it is enabled. I think Verizon issued a software update to do it, but not 100% certain which devices were affected.

[takeshi]

Originally Posted by FlynnT

1. Is my 8330 GPS-enabled?
2. If not can I enable it?

1. Yes - see the caveats posted above and verify limitations with your carrier.
2. No. Either a device has a GPS receiver or it doesn't. There's nothing to enable with the latter. In many cases where there isn't a receiver or it's restricted to the carrier's app you can use a BT GPS receiver.