I realize this may have already been covered but I need to ask from a corporate standpoint.

Is the 7290 capable of doing GPS? If so is this a free service? Can someone recomend me one? Someone showed me a Nextel doing GPS and I do not want NEXTel in here .

Any suggestions?

good question?

Nextel is the only one with GPS on the current BBs

My question is whether the 7290 is GPS capable? If so, is the issue whether one's particular carrier (say T-Mobile) supports it? Or would 3rd party software be sufficient? I noticed that the BlackBerry FAQ states: "Later in 2005, even BlackBerries are starting to support Bluetooth GPS (under development right now - RedSky Mobile, ETA Spring-Summer 2005)."

The 7290 does not support GPS. It is only supported, today, on the 7520 from Nextel. It's a hardware issue.

Thanks NJ. Could a firmware update (or whatever they call it with BBs) make the 7290 GPS enabled? Or is this just Mission Impossible?

Mi.
Imho.

i thought the 7100s also had the requisite GPS hardware in 'em... no?

Nope just 7520s

I dont understand why a Cell phone cannot link up with a Satellite? It just doesn'pt make sense? You can get to websites with it, why can't you hook up to a GPS?

Special hardware, ie. GPS receiver, has to be incorporated into a phone to receive GPS signals. Using the logic that since a phone can browse websites, it shoud be capable of GPS is likened to thinking you should be able to get satellite tv without a dish because it still comes over the airwaves like regular broadcast TV.

Unless a phone has a GPS receiver built in, it will not receive a GPS signal.

We can put a man on the moon, why can't we put metal in the Microwave?
- Frasier Crane

Manufacturers build what the carriers want to sell. Nextel wants GPS receiver hardware. Other carriers don't.

But my PocketPC does not have a GPS receiver either. But it does support BlueTooth, and I use a BlueTooth GPS receiver, with the software on the PocketPC, and it works just fine.

So as long as the 7290 could establish a data link via BlueTooth with the GPS receiver, would not this be doable?

Excellent point, that in Theory should work, it would just take some programming to do I would imagine?

And has anyone established a Bluetooth data connection to anything yet? Coming soon, perhaps (see Thinprint), but right now there are no Bluetooth profiles for anything but audio!!!!

You guys are mixing up all sorts of things here. GPS on a BlackBerry (available today), and now connecting via BT from a BlackBerry to a BT enabled GPS receiver. Two different problems!

I agree that there are different BT profiles, and not all profiles will work with a BT GPS receiver. However, take a look at:

http://www.redskymobile.com/blackberry/
http://www.redskymobile.com/blackber...RedSkyMaps.pdf

The PDF claims that the 7200 series is supported as a map viewer (so far no big deal) AND that the 7290 is supported with full navigation using a 3rd party bluetooth GPS module.

Maybe I misunderstand this, or these folks are blowing smoke. However, since RedSky Mobile is mentioned in the BlackBerry FAQ, I thought this may have some validity. Any thoughts?

The question asked was the 7290 capable of doing GPS the answer to that question is NO 7520 is the only capable BB.


Now yes redsky will support the 7290 as stated but you will to wait it isnt available yet. below is straight from their site. So as stated before the 7520 is the only BB capable of GPS

Shop > Pre-Order

Shop
Preorder



Pre-order the RedSky GPS module now! No obligation, we will confirm with you via email once we are ready to accept orders.

If you would like a RedSky GPS module please fill in the form below. When we are ready to manufacturer we will email you with costs and the final specifications including shipping and you can order at that time. There is NO obiligation.

Pre-Order Now! $249.95 US.



the 7520 is true GPS capable as it is built in

Thanks Dawg. I guess the bottom line is "it's coming" (maybe) but is not here yet (if ever). Given the small TomTom GPS devices coming to market, I am not sure why I truly care; probably just more curiousity. Thanks again. Jeff

Actually, the Bluetooth-enabled Blackberry devices (7290, 7250, etc) also support the Serial Port profile, which is what Bluetooth GPS devices use.

I can pair my EMTAC BT GPS with my 7290, using the serial port profile. I simply don't have any software to actually do anything with it.

Essentially, the 7290/7250 are ready for external GPS support... Somebody just has to write the applications to support it (which is what RedSky and others seem to be working on).