Trying to decide between buying an 8520 and an 8900. The main difference for me (besides screen resolution) is the GPS feature. I've never owned a Blackberry so I'm not very familiar with any of this stuff.

Do I have to subscribe to a data plan or any other extra cost for the GPS to work? Is it a worthwhile feature for getting directions, etc?

Thanks

The GPS receiver will work without extra cost, but without data plan, the GPS applications will not work because they use data to pull down the maps.

I use the Google Maps app all the time for traffic and sometimes directions.

I may be missing something and am new with the 8820 (AT&T) but I look in the GPS settings under the advanced Options and I can not select the Device_Gps like the demo shows. I attach a Holux bluetooth and I can see that one fine and it works with the maps, both AT&T and Google. But again my only options are None or the Holux, I have a BES data plan so can get to the internet. I go to AT&T maps and it shows screen for GPS source and my only option is BT. I read a while back that AT&T was 'nuetering' the GPS, then I read someone vehemently defending that they weren't. Can someone please tell me if I have a broken box or have fallen pray to the "Internet is true".

Perhaps your IT Policy blocks it? AT&T does not shut off GPS. They do try to deter the use of BBMaps however, and Google Maps is darn good alternative.

Under "Location Service" is GPS selected to "ON"? Need that to receive the signal. You also need to be outside with a clear view of the sky to be able to receive the ephemeris tables and for the BB to know where to look and which satellites to look for.

What do you mean "Internet is true"?

Hi, thanks, i mean believing what ever you read on the internet is fact, thats all. I have location as ON but can not set the device itself to on. I only see None or my Holux bluetooth device. Where would the IT policy shut off the actual GPS? I looked at the AT&T demo and it shows setting the GPS to Device_GPS. I don't get that entry at all.

By the way, go figure, I am in Southern NH as well. just east of Derry.

I am in the Nashua area. If you are on BES, you should ask your BES Admin and/or IT staff if they disable GPS with their corporate IT policy which is pushed to all BBs connected.

Thanks, they said they have not disabled it, or at least they do not think they have. Do you know, if they disable it, would that stop me from even being able to see and select the device in the GPS screen under options/ advanced/GPS ? I can not even see the device_GPS to select it.

It might. Just depends upon the IT policy on the device.