Develop Bugs

how to use gps?

Hello all...
I've been using a HTC Prophet since it's been "misplaced" 2 weeks ago. I've then decided to go for an unlocked TP2 and been marveling at it since
So, here's the deal. I live in Mauritius and since this is my first GPS device, I have absolutely no clue on how to use it. The only two things I have GPS related is Google Maps and a QuickGPS app. First, I have to ask. Do I need a data connection for the GPS to work?
If I connect through wifi at home and launch Google Maps, I get a completely wrong fix on my location, sometimes Bolivia and sometimes India. I've tried using the QuickGPS and after it successfully downloads the update, I'm still pointed to a wrong location. I've tried enabling "Use GPS" in Google Maps and I get no satellite connections.
But if I'm on the road, is it right that I should have a data connection for the GPS to work? And what about the wrong location given out by Google Maps?
Thanks for helping me out here

Hi Jedi,
I'll try to help you out here...
So, the phone has a GPS receiver built in. This receiver will work independently of a data connection (GPRS, EDGE, 3G, WiFi) and will get a location fix from the satellites. The phone is also capable of A-GPS (Assissted GPS) which uses the mobile network to assist the GPS in acquiring a location fix. The QuickGPS application will download the latest satellite data to the phone which can help decrease the time it takes to get a location fix.
Now, if you are using Google Maps, you will need a data connection because the application does not store the maps on the phone but actually downloads them as needed. Your inconsistencies with the location fix is most likely because of the WiFi connection you are using. If you have a data plan on your account, you will have much better results getting an accurate location fix using the wireless data from your service provider. Also, if you are inside, the GPS may not be getting good signal from the satellites, so try it again next time you are outside.
Additionally, if you use an application such as Garmin Mobile XT, the maps are stored on the memory card and you do not need any data service to navigate. For example, I have used the Garmin app on my Touch Pro 2 to navigate in my car without a SIM card in the phone or any WiFi connection.
Hope this helps

Following up on Nick's post . .
Make sure your GPS is set to "On" in the location settings under phone. By default, it's probably set to "911". You'll have to do a reset and you'll get a warning about the GPS being enabled (on the first reset only).
In Google Maps, make sure the GPS is selected (Menu, Use GPS) and go outside for the GPS to get it's first lock. You may have to leave the phone outside for a while (half hour or so) to get your first lock, but locks should be within 30 seconds or so after that.

thanks a lot nick for all those helpful info! I'll try to find Garmin Mobile XT but I doubt that they'll have a Mauritius map...

Hi SecretAgentMan. If I go in the Phone settings in TP2, I don't see a GPS settings. I only have Phone (Ring Type, Ring Tone, etc...), Services (Call Barring etc...), Network (Automatic), Band (Auto), Pin1/Pin2, Time Zones, More (Auto pickup etc...) and Advanced (Reject call with message etc...) but no "Location" setting where I can set GPS to "On" and nothing where I can see "911". In Google Maps, I've already set "Use GPS" and will try to leave the phone outside for that long...
Thanks again!

hi all! it works beautifully! I've been using it with Google Maps and I have to keep an open data connection cause of the map updates but it works very well. I got around 5,6 and sometimes 10 sats. It keeps on tracking though even after the data cut which means the GPS is fully functional and it's just google maps that's not being updated so everything's cool. Thanks a lot to you all!

Hi Jedi,
I'm glad to see you got your GPS working. Google maps is great but the Garmin app has superior routing with turn by turn directions and voice prompts. I looked online and they do have maps for Mauritius but I'm not sure the cost. You can do a google search for "Garmin Mauritius" and you may find what you are looking for.

What does GPS actually require to work?

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.
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Click to collapse
I figured I was wrong, I stand corrected.

[Q] Stand Alone GPS or A-GPS only.

Recent, convert from Android. I got the LG Quantum from ATT. On specs it says GPS and A-GPS but it doesn't have option to turn on GPS in settings only location on and off. Anyone knows how I can figure out whether the phone actually comes with a standalone GPS chip or A-GPS only? It's important cause I am waiting for 3rd party navigation apps to come out.

it's all managed under "location". it's both GPS and A-GPS. It uses A-GPS for quick general positioning, and the GPS to fix the lock on. so when you turn on/off location, both get turned on/off with it.

Thx for the reply. I guess the real question is if all Windows Phone 7 phones have a dedicated GPS chip not just using cell phone tower triangulation for location calculation (AKA A-GPS).

I think so. GPS chip was a requirement for WP7 handsets. And the accuracy of my Focus makes me think it does have a real chip.

Yes, all Windows Phone 7 devices has a real dedicated GPS chip inside. Although, A-GPS is used as an assist. Actually, on LG devices you can set the A-GPS to use 2G, 3G, or both, and what purpose each would play. I think this is why the tracking and positioning on WP7 devices are faster and more accurate than most other phones.

[Q] Possible to use GPS with no network service?

So I'll be in Japan until mid April, and I temporarily discontinued my cell plan. I'm just curious if anyone knows of a way to use the GPS without having any network support what so ever? I mainly use it for an application that tracks the distance and pace that I run, but turn by turn would be nice to have as well. Any help would be wonderful!!

Depends on if the app you have uses a local or network map.. i know with google maps (and maybe google navigation) you can dl map data for use while off network. GPS data is separate afaik (meaning pulling the times from the gps sats to get your location) so that should still work.
Assimilated using the interface that interacts with the advanced internet.

benmatlock said:
Depends on if the app you have uses a local or network map.. i know with google maps (and maybe google navigation) you can dl map data for use while off network. GPS data is separate afaik (meaning pulling the times from the gps sats to get your location) so that should still work.
Assimilated using the interface that interacts with the advanced internet.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply. i'm pretty sure i'm out of luck here, Google maps thinks i'm in Hawaii and the wifi I connect to has a mean firewall and I can't get on half the websites I can back home (stupid government). I suppose I can live without GPS. .

simpkill said:
Thanks for the reply. i'm pretty sure i'm out of luck here, Google maps thinks i'm in Hawaii and the wifi I connect to has a mean firewall and I can't get on half the websites I can back home (stupid government). I suppose I can live without GPS. .
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Click to collapse
With the Optimus S i had no data connection whatsoever but still manage to get GPS. I used maps to pre-cache the place i wanted to go. It worked well. Just have GPS satellites on under settings.

Try navfee

Problems with GPS signal loss

Good afternoon.
Guys, I've been very angry with Google Maps.
When using turn-by-turn navigation, inside the urban perimeter works fine, but when I move to the rural area I have constant problems of "GPS signal loss".
I noticed that by losing the data signal (4G / 3G), Maps stops navigating. Do you have any way around it? Having a GPS dependent data signal is very infeasible.
Thank you.

Have you tried putting the location mode to "High Precision" or "Device only" in the location settings pane? Sounds like you're not using GPS, but cellular location....

I have already tried both modes and in both the problem is the same.
This problem comes from the time I had a Nexus 5, at the time thought was problem in his hardware, but start to be a bug of the Android itself.

Did you install the app GPS status? If not, please do. It will show an overview of your GPS receiving, and download the latest A-GPS library's.
However put the setting of location on Device only. That's important, it will use the internal receiver instead of network masts.