Quote:
Originally Posted by RBOnline
What I mean is, why do I have to pay to even get my GPS location?
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You don't.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RBOnline
Surely that should be free?
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Getting location and coordinates should be rather easy, if that's all you want to do. I think this functionality is even built right into the BlackBerry.
Navigation assistance is a bit more involved, and can "sometimes" be free.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RBOnline
What if I pay to download the maps of my city, and just use them. Would it cost me money each time I wanted to plan a route?
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I don't think you understand how GPS navigation on the BlackBerry works.
Yes, it has a "real" GPS receiver in it... however the maps themselves aren't stored on your device.
Most (if not all) GPS software on the BlackBerry downloads the maps in real-time, as you're using the GPS software.
Google Maps, BB Maps, Telenav, etc. work this way.
You need a data plan to be able to download the maps.
The GPS software gets loaded on your BlackBerry, and stays there.... but the maps do not.
The cost of using GPS on the BlackBerry depends largely on the software you choose to provide GPS navigation functions.
There's free applications out there. Try them out. If they don't suit your needs, then you should consider using a more polished GPS app such as Telenav. It'll run you about $10 a month and provide a fully-featured GPS navigation interface. (Still need a data plan to pull the maps though!)