Yeah, I did notice the menu was different.

You know...I didn't get my 8830 with the expectation that the GPS would be enabled. I had done my research and knew what I was getting. Verizon does piss me off. I *hate* their proprietary UI, and that they disable the more advanced technologies that handset makers have put in the hardware in order to squeeze more $$ from their customers. Like many others, I stick with them for the reliability, superior network coverage, and the fact that most of my friends and coworkers area also on Verizon.

I currently have one of their "premium" plans with unlimited messaging, so I'm hoping that if/when they implement the VZW Navigator service, it will just be included in my plan.

Impatiently waiting...

That is what I am hoping for too. The person I spoke to on the phone a couple of weeks ago said that "based on my plan: the GPS access would be included free of charge"

Hey I'm lost - maybe one of all these people milling around can point me in the right direction? Think so. What a plan!

I spoke with a Verizon BB tech today about a phonebook issue and I asked about GPS. She told me that in the 8830, GPS is activated but I need to purchase 3rd party software. She couldn't tell me the name of the software since it was not supported by Verizon.

Did she just flat out lie to me?

I have looked at Mobile Tracker and others but still am unsure.

^^^ Yeah, she did. Seems they started stating that GPS was just for 911 because that's what was supported. Now they state that GPS is fully enabled, but you need to buy software for it to work. (Key point... the software will be VZNavigator.) When that comes out they will tell you it's the only software that supports it because of the way the phone was designed. Someone please shoot VZW now!

Now that the 2 weeks are over, has Brittonx received the promised "patch" from RIM to enable the GPS function???

I will be calling them Friday to check on the status ;^)

we are all waiting!!! my friend!

I just talked to my Verizon rep and he said that there will be a software update in October that will allow the GPS to work with VZNavigator for an extra $10 a month. I believe this is what is going to happen. I do not know if the GPS will work with other mapping programs, since it seems that the GPS is unlocked via software and if Verizon will allow this.

Well, gee whiz VZW. This does a hell of a lot of good for those of us who travel. As far as I know, VZN is a US-based piece of software, right? Yet the 8830 is a world phone. VZW sells an unlimited data world plan. But when it comes to actually knowing where you are in the world, well, we can't have that.

Did you hear anything from rim?

Verizon is also doing a pretty good job of "false representation of product capabilities" when it sends it to public reviewers which test the product and publish their findings to boost sales for VZW. Check out this thread. RIM BlackBerry 8830 World Edition Review - Brighthand.com Smartphone and PDA Discussion Forums

Which Verizon plan do you have?

you get a kick outta that?

check this out

http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...-8830-gps.html

As we all know, Verizon has some serious problems with enabling the already built-in GPS receiver in their BlackBerry devices. We saw that at the 8703e as well as at the 8800.

I just can't understand why so much people stay with Verizon. They seem to be *****. Would be great if someone can enlight me. Perhaps they provide other benefits

Why did you move my question?!? It is not about the topic of this thread! Can't you read? I don't want to know why Verizon deactivated GPS! I want to know why Verizon customers stay with Verizon!

OH, gosh! Maybe I should have moved it here:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...-8830-gps.html

Here:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...here-rant.html

Here:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/rant...rld-phone.html

Here:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/rant...tion-plan.html

or maybe even here:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...-features.html

Just take your pick.

For me it's because family and friends also have them and I don't have to burn my minutes to talk to those folks. Honestly, the coverage is just reliable. If I need to make or take a call I know all I have to do is hit Send and it'll go through. The bad part... I can't use the "Oh, my phone wouldn't get a signal" excuse too often. If it wasn't for that they really wouldn't have anything else to make it worth my time.

I didn't. I already got a new AT&T plan. I will be ending my VZW service as soon as my contract expires later this week.

I stay becuase the CS is great service is great phones are great and its not sprint

I have read the threads on the GPS issue and the attacks and defenses on/of Verizon. I am the idiot in this case but I am glad I am not alone. PRIOR to purchasing the 8830 I spoke with the world support and local techs and they informed me the GPS would work. I called because I was confused by the RIM features advertised and did not discover until after I had the phone and Verizon Techs transferred me to RIM that they had disabled the feature. Incidentally, the Verizon Tech rep disappeared during that conversation. But, like others have said, I am the idiot 9customer). All I have to do is return the phone and say up yours to Verizon. I wanted an International Phone because I have a T-Mobile Razor for such uses, desired a portable GPS, and felt I would dump my moto Q (from Verizon) and upgrade. It is not so easy to change carriers but I am disappointed at how much of my time was wasted. On the other hand, it is the coolest phone I have ever owned.

did you really expect anything less from Verizon? I was with verizon and have ALWAYS used smartphones. They have ALWAYS hobbled their phones. They are known for it, so I don't know why people are angry about this. This is absolutely normal for Verizon. So, either put up with it, or switch to a different carrier. If VZW does come out and people are happy with it ... you will only get pissed off again when the next generation of phones come out, and is YET AGAIN hobbled by Verizon.

Again ... this is normal for Verizon. Why are we all surprised? This happens very frequently with them and has been for years. It will never change.

Go with Cingular. That phone can be used Internationally. My parents use Cingular during their travels back and forth from the Philippines and it is perfect.

And unlike Verizon, they dont hobble all of their phones. I was with Verizon for years, and actually still have it ... but it is used by my son only with a Treo 650. Verizon has been doing this for years man ... for SEVERAL phones. As soon as my contract is done ... im moving my son to a family plan on AT&T and I am never going back to VZW that likes to rip you off by hobbling their devices to maximize profit on their end while screwing their customers. Thats the thing with VZW. That absolutely do not care about their customers whatsoever. They remove your ability to choose for yourself, and force you into using only licensed software/service. They are absolute crap.

so why is this such a big stink on the 8830? VZW restricted GPS on the 8703e as well, and it definately works on SprintPCS with Blackberry maps.

so where is this update to turn it on promised a few weeks ago? I suspect that was not the truth...

I see he is no longer registered. Is this a sign of departure?

Did you have any success in contacting VZ? I talked to my local VZ store and am of the opinion that either a.) the modifications that VZ is trying to extract extra cash is screwing up the 8830 or b.) a rudderless ship has no clear path.

This thread is very confusing. I am still LOST, and JC hasn't come to my rescue. What good are pilots that can't find their way. Maybe if I drop it in the ocean, the built in sonar chip will activate. Or is that disabled too.

Now I am wondering what you are saying. My comment about a rudderless ship was brought on by the conversation I had with a manager and a "senior" salesperson of the local VZ store. I got the opinion that they were unhappy as some of the 8830 customers had got verbally abusive with them and they were not able to answer what was going on, what the time frame was for something to happen as it appeared that they had been given bad information by VZ management and how to handle the customers. The VZ employees were lost on the wireless ocean and it appears that they had no direction from above.

I was polite and not sarcastic as I felt sorry for them.

In related news on one of the other threads it appears that Dawg may be the prez of VZ! LOL

Let's just say you don't want it to say "No Longer Registered" under your username.

(Stins just likes to flame me any chance he gets. He's jealous he can't fly a plane )

No worries - I was just messin with JC and adding some humor to the thread. I wonder if that damn fish finder is disabled too on VZ.

Okay, here we go...

I contacted Verizon today to check on the status of the GPS Enablement patch.

First a note to say that the person on the phone, Kama, was very helpful. I do not hold Verizon's strategy against her.

Se checked with people at Verizon and they said they were not aware of any upcoming enablement for the GPS capability on the 8830.

Then she checked with RIM about the supposed patch. According to RIM, the only patch they were aware of was the "Calendar Patch" which doees not have anything to do with the GPS.

So, I asked if, to the best of her knowledge, was the GPS going to be enabled and she said no.

I had her confirm that my trial period was extended to mid-august. She said that a supervisor's approval was needed which she obtained.

I have her name & ID and the supervisor's first & last name.

I will be ordering a Sprint 8830 later today.

Good! Sorry to hear the news, brittonx, but I am glad you are bailing on them. It's often not the fault of the reps you talk to, but they are clearly trained to withhold information and obscure the facts (as are customer service reps at most companies, sadly). Hopefully your action will put them just under a goal for the quarter, and that in turn will send their stock on a freefall.

PS: Dawg, stop being an a$$ and picking fights with people. I suppose I should expect you to start cursing me out as well, now. Instead, why don't you stick your where the sun don't

Excellent first post, metro98k. I see you're off to a great and friendly start with this forum and I'm sure people will simply be tripping over themselves to help you out when you actually need some assistance.

Bravo.

me picking the fights ok if thats what you think enjoy your time on the forum by the way I feel so proud I made it into your first post. I bet if they check your IP I bet it matches someone elses

Metro,
Please do not insult other members.

Edit: Let this be a warning for all. Any more insulting of members in this thread and it will be closed. We've received more reported posts from this thread (and the other Verizon GPS thread) than any other thread I can remember.

Thanks,
JC

...

I agree

Different IP's.

well we all know that IPs can be done away with but its all good.