What does GPS actually require to work? - EVO 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

This might be a noob question, but I have a question regarding the GPS.
Does it require data to work? Or does it require data to work for certain GPS features?
I am going to Europe and need to decide if I will need to take my N85 unlocked and try and get a local SIM card there. I want to geotag my photos but don't know if you can since the EVO has no international roaming capabilities.
Does Geotagging (or any other GPS feature) require data to work or can some GPS functions work by connecting directly to the satellites?

pekosROB said:
This might be a noob question, but I have a question regarding the GPS.
Does it require data to work? Or does it require data to work for certain GPS features?
I am going to Europe and need to decide if I will need to take my N85 unlocked and try and get a local SIM card there. I want to geotag my photos but don't know if you can since the EVO has no international roaming capabilities.
Does Geotagging (or any other GPS feature) require data to work or can some GPS functions work by connecting directly to the satellites?
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Click to collapse
GPS will require data, especially if you plan on using some form of Geotagging.
Definitely take your N85 unlocked and have a SIM card -- leave your EVO at home, since the EVO is CDMA based and almost all networks in Europe are GSM based, your EVO won't be doing any calling/texting -- that is unless you want to get a huge ass bill for roaming every second?
I'm not 100% positive, but the way it works is that the GPS on the phone will try to connect to your carriers tower first and get all the information it needs from there... then any information it can't retrieve or has to upload (maps, geotag, etc) it'll use a universal satellites. These satellites are the ones that your phone connects to if it has to be tracked if you get lost (via 911) and are also the same ones Google probably uses for Maps, Navigation, etc -- since they provide a large amount of information.
Hope that helps.

pseudoremora said:
GPS will require data, especially if you plan on using some form of Geotagging.
Definitely take your N85 unlocked and have a SIM card -- leave your EVO at home, since the EVO is CDMA based and almost all networks in Europe are GSM based, your EVO won't be doing any calling/texting -- that is unless you want to get a huge ass bill for roaming every second?
I'm not 100% positive, but the way it works is that the GPS on the phone will try to connect to your carriers tower first and get all the information it needs from there... then any information it can't retrieve or has to upload (maps, geotag, etc) it'll use a universal satellites. These satellites are the ones that your phone connects to if it has to be tracked if you get lost (via 911) and are also the same ones Google probably uses for Maps, Navigation, etc -- since they provide a large amount of information.
Hope that helps.
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Click to collapse
Above information on GPS is wrong, I am not sure where to start to correct it. Lets not, and simply respond to the original question:
GPS is a global network, and works without any data. In fact a GPS device is receive only device, so it cannot even send. If you have a GPS device, it will work all over the world, though it may take a while in clear sky to get a cold fix for the first time after you crossed the Atlantic.
There is something called AGPS or assisted-GPS, which does use data by first requesting a rough fix from the phone network as well as the current position of all the GPS sats, which will speed up the first fix of the GPS a lot, but that is not needed per se, so if you have no phone signal, or no data roaming, GPS still works, just the first fix may take a bit longer.
Mind you, some phones have a broken AGPS implementation, which behaves strange on some phone networks, so you may want to configure it not to even try to use AGPS when abroad. Have it fall back to regular GPS. Then there will be no roaming or attempted roaming on behave of the GPS. GPS will never provide a (navigation) map, it will only ever give you a position, but for tagging, that is all you need.
As to your specific phones, I do not know the EVO specifically, but assuming Sprint did not put in some program to completely bock the phone when out of its network, since it is Android it will simply let you make pictures and GPS tag them without any network.
You do want to bring your Nokia though if you want to call people, Europe is indeed close to 100% GSM based on the 900 and 1800 Mhz frequencies.

cybermaus said:
Above information on GPS is wrong, I am not sure where to start to correct it. Lets not, and simply respond to the original question:
GPS is a global network, and works without any data. In fact a GPS device is receive only device, so it cannot even send. If you have a GPS device, it will work all over the world, though it may take a while in clear sky to get a cold fix for the first time after you crossed the Atlantic.
There is something called AGPS or assisted-GPS, which does use data by first requesting a rough fix from the phone network as well as the current position of all the GPS sats, which will speed up the first fix of the GPS a lot, but that is not needed per se, so if you have no phone signal, or no data roaming, GPS still works, just the first fix may take a bit longer.
Mind you, some phones have a broken AGPS implementation, which behaves strange on some phone networks, so you may want to configure it not to even try to use AGPS when abroad. Have it fall back to regular GPS. Then there will be no roaming or attempted roaming on behave of the GPS. GPS will never provide a (navigation) map, it will only ever give you a position, but for tagging, that is all you need.
As to your specific phones, I do not know the EVO specifically, but assuming Sprint did not put in some program to completely bock the phone when out of its network, since it is Android it will simply let you make pictures and GPS tag them without any network.
You do want to bring your Nokia though if you want to call people, Europe is indeed close to 100% GSM based on the 900 and 1800 Mhz frequencies.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I figured I was wrong, I stand corrected.

Related

Does Verizon GPS use data?

i know that when i set up the GPS to work on my phone i had to put in some IP adresses and such. does this mean it is using my data? i have an unlimited plan so it doesnt matter here in the states. i travel though so i would like to leave my phone in airplane mode but still use the GPS. i have IGO8 on there so it doesnt need internet like google maps does. i want it in airplaine mode so i dont get calls or texts, i just want GPS, thats all.
I don't believe that the GPS will work in airplane mode & I know that mine will not. Airplane mode is designed not to transmit anything. You can however simply turn of the radio via the comm manager
yup
unless you unlock you will be using data for gps. search for the unlocks to figure that one out. otherwise use your data plan for gps
is it not already unloaked? how could it work at all on Verizon if it were not unlocked?
most carriers have the GPS locked on the phone and you have to pay a fee (mines telus and i think its 10$), but after i unlocked my phone and flashed it with NFS rom then it "free" becuase GPS does not use data to transmit info it, uses the radio and that a "free of charge". Most people that have verizon, there is a special way of getting the GPS to work, search the forums and for sure you will find info to how to unlock and properly get the GPS to work.
Latest rom from bell uses unlocked radio, tried with stock rom from bell and GPS runs fine (phone wasn't activated when I tried)
Telus' rom uses the same radio, so I asume that if you'd load the latest *official rom and installed Garmin (or any other GPS soft) it would work.
But while you're at it, why not crack that badboy so you can run any rom out there!
Latest release, either WM6.1 or 6.5, are pretty neat!

Simultaneous call and data

Just started using my Desire last night! Feeling good.
However...
Was just on a call, tried to use the Android Marketplace. Couldn't.
Got curious, and tried to use Google Maps mid call. Couldn't.
Tried to use the internet during the call. Couldn't.
Now, I'm on T-Mobile (UK) and have just come from a Nokia E71. With my E71 I could make a call and use Google Maps.
Am I missing something or is this bit of multitasking somehow not possible???
Please tell me I'm missing something!
Cleargrey said:
Just started using my Desire last night! Feeling good.
However...
Was just on a call, tried to use the Android Marketplace. Couldn't.
Got curious, and tried to use Google Maps mid call. Couldn't.
Tried to use the internet during the call. Couldn't.
Now, I'm on T-Mobile (UK) and have just come from a Nokia E71. With my E71 I could make a call and use Google Maps.
Am I missing something or is this bit of multitasking somehow not possible???
Please tell me I'm missing something!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A lot of carriers don't currently support simultaneous data and voice. For example, I have Sprint and it has no support for this - very annoying.
AT&T is the only one I'm personally aware that supports both talking and using data at the same time.
If it doesn't work for you, you're out of luck with your carrier.
Archon810 said:
A lot of carriers don't currently support simultaneous data and voice. For example, I have Sprint and it has no support for this - very annoying.
AT&T is the only one I'm personally aware that supports both talking and using data at the same time.
If it doesn't work for you, you're out of luck with your carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sprint is a CDMA network, and most CDMA networks don't currently support simultaneous voice and data.
Most GSM networks do support this when you have a 3G connection. The voice call is routed over 2G and the data over 3G. If your data connection drops down to GPRS or EDGE, you will lose data connectivity because most networks do not support simultaneous voice and data over 2G, though I'm told that they can be set up to do so, so I guess it's more down to bandwidth.
Regards,
Dave
I know that Sprint's CDMA has an issue with simultaneous data and voice. Which suck. And I know they are making good attempts to sort this out for the EVO, which is good.
But again, I've been doing this fine on my E71. The only thing I can think of, in relation to Dave's comments, is that for some reason, because the Desire can suck up more data, T-mobile have restricted it. Which would suprise me because, as Dave said, simultaneous voice and data is a feature of most GSM networks and has been for a while.
I have just tested that and it's true - the phone doesn't have simultaneous data and voice connection
Now normally I don't need that because if I talk, I talk and not browse the web, but even my freaking G1 could do both things at the same time. What the heck? It must be something HTC did.
One more reason to eagerly wait for root...
I don't see how this is a big deal. Why would you need to make a call AND browse the market place or look at maps etc? Surely it's something that can be done after the call even if it is receiving directions or whatever.
ephumuris said:
I don't see how this is a big deal. Why would you need to make a call AND browse the market place or look at maps etc? Surely it's something that can be done after the call even if it is receiving directions or whatever.
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Click to collapse
It's a big deal because:
1. HTC (or T-Mobile) has obviously done something to disable it because Android with GSM should have such functionality;
2. Older Android phones and even some "dumbphones" have that functionality
3. No point in browsing market while talking, but what about looking up maps while talking? - That was even one of G1's selling points.
I have often been on a call and used the internet or searched Maps. So it's something that I am quite used to doing.
Though I thought I'd get an answer straight from the horses mouth and have emailed HTC support just now. I'm hoping they give me good news...
False alarm. This only happens on GPRS, which is normal. Simultaneous data and voice connection can only happen on 3G as explained in Android Forums.
and of course correctly explained by Dave in post #3 here.
rhedgehog said:
and of course correctly explained by Dave in post #3 here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Missed that. Sorry
ephumuris said:
I don't see how this is a big deal. Why would you need to make a call AND browse the market place or look at maps etc? Surely it's something that can be done after the call even if it is receiving directions or whatever.
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Click to collapse
Kind of tired of explaining this one but here are the 2 use cases:
- you're talking with someone on the phone and they ask you for directions, look something up on the internet, see if you received their email, etc, etc
- and even more importantly, when my rooted phone acts as a WiFi access point with android-wifi-tether and someone calls me, my freaking Inet disappears until I'm off the phone. This is the more annoying of the 2 use cases.
Well, this was their reply:
"If you start the call being connected through 2G, then yes the internet will then work. But as soon as the signal goes over to 3G then the internet connection and usuage will be turned off.
When it comes to wifi, if you are in a call and you are connected to wifi, then you should be able to surf.
Hope this answers your questions.
Thank you for contacting HTC. "
I did get concerned for a second. I've just tried the wifi and call which worked. And I just tried a call again, with wifi turned off and it worked, even though it didn't work before.
I just hope it routes voice and data in a way that doesn't trip me up in the future. I.e. voice over 2G if I'm trying to access data.
So yes, false alarm.
And funnily enough I just now got a call from Carphonewarehouse asking me if I'm having a problem sending texts as some Desires do indeed have a software fault where they have no Service Centre number for messages. For once, I've skipped the faulty units!
Cheers guys. Sorry scare anyone.
lol.
Whoever it was at HTC got their 2G and 3G mixed up.
what they meant to say was if it goes down to 2G then it'll stop.
You'll be ok in general, as long as you have 3G signal wherever you are. If you've only got 2G, you'll have to hang up, find out and then call back!
the SMSC shouldn't be a problem though, just program it in manually. Not worth sending a phone back for unless it fails then as well.
Even if I'm on 3G/HSPA, when I call someone, as soon as the call is connected, my data connection disappears (only shows bars, no G, 3G, or H) and I can't browse the web or use maps while in-call :-/
ok, well that's not right. The bars should only disappear if you turn the mobile data off. it should not get turned off by a call. Even if i try it when in G, the bars stay showing, just no data comes till i hang up the call.
If the bars are disappearing, something else is going on.
It could be a local network issue. maybe it's an old transmitter that missed an update or something...?could possibly be a full tower.
I know that a few years ago, the towers would kick off data connections to allow more airtime for voice calls which have priority, but i don't know if that's still relevant on 3G.
This was a hot discussion back when the Hero came out as well.
In the end I think it comes down to the network of your carrier. Some people report they can internet and call at the same time. Others say when they are internetting on their phone, a call is directly forwarded to their voicemail etc.
I'm afraid it's a combination between how your carrier configures their network and on what connection you are on (3g, 2g etc).
Yeah it's false alarm no #2 -- must be a spotty 3G at my house. I went to the city centre and tried it there -- worked like a charm.
Though it's a bit weird as 3G speed is not bad at all at my house, but when I call, data connection goes off :-/
Maybe at the city center you got more cells in range than in your house. Means your carrier got more available bandwith
I think reception gets spotty. Sometimes voice and data works, sometimes it doesn't. At home in my bedroom I can get H connection, 20 meters away I can't.
I think the important thing is that the phone is capable. The rest is just pinning down exactly the situation that we want to avoid.

Google Sky

Off on holiday next week with both my Desires (wife and phone!!!). As I am outside the UK I don't want to incur any roaming charges so will turn off all mobile networks/automatic updates/roaming. (if I need to turn off anything else PLEASE let me know).
However if I use Google Sky outside a wi-fi reception area am I going to incur charges for using say GPS satellites (in location services)?
Thanks.
hwvlover said:
As I am outside the UK I don't want to incur any roaming charges so will turn off all mobile networks/automatic updates/roaming. (if I need to turn off anything else PLEASE let me know).
However if I use Google Sky outside a wi-fi reception area am I going to incur charges for using say GPS satellites (in location services)?
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Click to collapse
If you have actively disabled cell-radio (3G, GSM, etc) then I don't see how there should be any way to incur charges. Note however that mobile phones use A-GPS which connects over the data connection to get satellite information. Without this service it might take a while (read: a couple of minutes) to get a fix.
Normal GPS is strictly a downlink service, the phone never talks to the satellites.
I am not sure just how long into the future the A-GPS gets info though, so you might not notice any changes.
Google sky maps needs no data or GPS to work. The "map" of the sky is allready on your phone and the location you can alter yourself in the settings. (when entering a cityname, it does need a data connection, but when you enter it before you travel, or use coordinates, no data is needed to enjoy this extremely nice app)

GPS & A-GPS

Hey,
I have some Q's on the topic GPS & A-GPS, coz im gettin kinda confused over these sayings... What is the exact difference on GPS ( f.ex. Car GPS) and A-GPS (Assisted GPS)? The reason why im asking is coz on my Touch Diamond i have GPS: GPS & A-GPS-Ready nd my Desire has A-GPS.
What exactly am i missing?
A quick google would have sufficed.
http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/gps_vs_agps_a_quick_tutorial.html
nabiladeeb said:
A quick google would have sufficed.
http://www.wmexperts.com/articles/gps_vs_agps_a_quick_tutorial.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that article actually gave me some nice info on the topic, but even though im still a bit confused with the A-GPS, coz as it says in the article :
But when you use assisted GPS this whole process is much faster. Very often cellular network towers have GPS receivers (or a base station nearby) and those receivers are constantly pulling down satellite information and computing the data. This data is then passed on to the cellular phone (when requested) and acts like a “cheat” since the relevant satellites to your location are already identified and all that GPS computations is handled by 3rd party computers.
So the A-GPS is pulling data from the network, and this must mean you need some sort of data subscribtion, if you dont wanna get screwed by your carrier, or am i mistaking?

[Q] no signal drains phone quick

I work in a building that is well shielded in most places and get no signal. My phone drains incredibly quick when this is the case. Is there a way to reduce the polling frequency that it looks for a tower to stop this? I thought juicedefender might but I can't figure a way to do this.
Rom: Fresh 4.0.0.4b
Kernel: netarchy 4.3.1.4 cfs have no sbc
hw version 0003
juicedefender ultimate
setcpu 200-1152MHz, smartass governor
Thanks!
When I'm in an area where I roam or have very poor signal I notice increased drain rate as well. This was the same with my TP2. I've always just understood that when the phone is constantly seeking signal and cycling back and forth between roam/3G/1x the battery drains faster.
Your best option, is to utilize "airplane mode" when you know you're going to be in an area that had no signal/you won't be able to use it. I hate to do it because I don't like my family not being able to reach me in case of an emergency, but it is one option for you.
I second the airplane option. Also, WiFi is available while in airplane mode. Perhaps your building has WiFi you can connect to and you can keep something like AIM or Facebook or Google Voice/Talk open and instruct those who might need you in an emergency to reach you through the method of your choice so that you may call out from a landline or step away from the building if there is an emergency.
Just a thought.
See if you can get in on the new Google voice option where you can make your sprint # your Google voice number. Once you have done that you can have your work # as one of your forwarding numbers if your work allows. Or airplane mode with a 2nd charger for work.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA Premium App
Yep, Airplane mode is the ONLY way to turn off the cell radio. Otherwise, it will be constantly polling for a tower.
Dial ##3282# from a froyo sense rom and it will bring up a menu where you can change how often it polls the tower. It's Going to affect how long it takes your phone to receive calls though.
Sent from my EVO
If you know you're not getting reception, why not just use airplane mode? I mean, if you don't have reception you're not getting contacted anyway.
If you want to go the airplane mode route, Tasker is a great app that lets you control lots of things. You should be able to turn off your radios at set times during the day and have them enable after you get out of work.
I just loaded the 2.1 EPST and run a Verizon PRL when I am at work. I get a crappy Sprint signal at work. However your issue seems to be different as the walls/windows may be blocking all signals? Verizon seems to penetrate better though.
With Tasker, you can also set your phone to airplane mode during work hours, but automatically turn it off and enable data every fifteen minutes (or however long) to check for text messages, voicemails, etc. That is assuming that you get any signal at work... if you don't have a signal at all, just turn airplane mode on yourself.
To answer your question:
Yes, not having a signal will drain your battery. The phone will keep increasing the radio strength to lock onto a tower. Opposite is true to, if you have a strong signal, the radio will decrease the power level thus saving battery power.
You might want to contact Sprint ([email protected]) and let them know that you don't get service in your work building. They gave me a airwave device, but have to have Internet connection for it to work. The only other option might be to have some type of power booster/repeater that are typically very expensive. Not sure how your employer would feel about these suggestions - but never hurts to ask.
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
tomplatz said:
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In that case, if you don't already have Tasker, I'd just turn airplane mode on yourself when you get to work & turn it off when you leave. Or there are free apps that will do it automatically that aren't as complex as Tasker. Unless you find another use for it, then go ahead.
Would roam control work to try verizon towers? I think they have a stronger signal locally.
tomplatz said:
I am military and work on a base. The entire internet is locked down except for official military business, so an Airave device wouldn't work.
No internet, no cell signal and neither AM or FM penetrates. Maximum pain.
I'll try tasker, thanks guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL you said it yourself. If the military doesn't want you getting signal, you're not getting signal. In general, if you can't get radio signal you can't get cell phone signal. Early cell phones operated on FM (type: frequency modulation) radio and what we're using now is basically a digital-type FM radio. In the end it's all EM waves and you're likely in a giant Faraday cage of a military base. I say avoid even trying to fix your problem and just go airplane mode.

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