[AndrewAZ]

Is the 8830 are true GPS? or is it AGPS? I am thinking its AGPS since it works inside my house in a closed location that even my Sirf III receiver cant pick up a signal.

[test54]

true GPS, once it acquires the satelites it does not need a strong signal to keep tracking. I'm no expert but when a device shows that its acquired a # of satellites then it is not AGPS as the AGPS would not justconnect to satellites, rather it works with towers.

edit: As I said Im not expert and i guess im wrong about AGPS

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Huh??? My understanding of what I read is assisted gps devices get the satellite info, send it to server, and then the server does all the number crunching and sends final result back to the device; whereas, the autonomous gps does it all on the device. Which is "true" and which isn't?

[parisot]

Originally Posted by aiharkness

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

Huh??? My understanding of what I read is assisted gps devices get the satellite info, send it to server, and then the server does all the number crunching and sends final result back to the device; whereas, the autonomous gps does it all on the device. Which is "true" and which isn't?

Wikipedia does a very good job of explaining it.
wikipedia AGPS

[test54]

a google search shows that it looks like they have had aGPS since the 8703 was released. It looks like most gps phones now are coming out are aGPS

[aiharkness]

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

test54, the first part of what you wrote is true in my experience, and have read it commented on by others.



Andrew, I don't know enough to say whether a SIRF III is a SIRF III is a SIRF III. But to be sure of your suspicion on the sensitivity comparison without knowing actual specs on the two uits so as to compare, you need to test the 8830 side by side at the same time, exactly the same way, multiple times (if you haven't already).

[birddog]

I have noticed here (on this board -- in other threads) that an assumption was made that the 8830 was AGPS because VZW apparently has the ability to disable the GPS feature (which to the best of my knowledge, can't be enabled without a fix from VZW).

The assumption was that, because AGPS (by definition) needs help from the tower to work, the 8830 must be AGPS. While that theory does offer a good (maybe even probable) explanation as to how VZW is able to cripple the GPS feature; I have yet to see anything definitive that states that the 8830 is AGPS.

Personally, I think that RIM explicitly provided a feature that enables the carrier to enable/disable the GPS feature so that the carrier can charge a subscription fee. AGPS is one way that they could have done it, but there are others.

I too would like to know for sure.

[JRSCCivic98]

The BlackBerry 8830 smartphone houses a proprietary, autonomous GPS receiver. This
receiver is able to calculate the handheld's location relying solely on GPS
satellites with no input from cellular towers. While the device does have assisted
GPS, i.e. A-GPS capability, it houses a "full" GPS system similar in nature
to GPS systems used by GPS-only car kits and mobile devices. This is designed to
be accessible by second- and third-party applications such as BlackBerry Maps, Google
Maps, and TeleNav. Such programs do need a wireless data signal to download mapping
information, though they can figure out where the BlackBerry is in terms of latitude
and longitude with just the GPS signal.

The BlackBerry 8830 smartphone as released by Verizon has had this "full"
GPS capability disabled at a software level. Verizon has indicated that they plan
to release their own proprietary GPS mapping solution at a later time; possibly
VZ Navigator. AT&T and T-Mobile have both taken similar routes with their 8800
series handhelds; locking out GPS access for 3rd party programs and only enabling
access to the built-in receiver to the TeleNav program that they sell themselves.

If you would like Verizon to enable GPS functionality on the BlackBerry 8830, I
suggest you contact them and advise them as much.

Thank you again for contacting us, Dennis. If you have any questions or comments,
feel free to contact us.

Sincerely,

Adam
BlackBerry Customer Support
Research In Motion Limited

[birddog]

Cool.. Thanks!

[test54]

Originally Posted by JRSCCivic98

AT&T and T-Mobile have both taken similar routes with their 8800
series handhelds; locking out GPS access for 3rd party programs and only enabling
access to the built-in receiver to the TeleNav program that they sell themselves.
Sincerely,

Adam
BlackBerry Customer Support
Research In Motion Limited

guess he missed the memo on that one.

[JRSCCivic98]

Originally Posted by test54

guess he missed the memo on that one.

That email was sent a long time ago. Right after VZW release the 8830 with crippled GPS.

[test54]

Well the 8800 was never locked down like he suggests, and it came out long before the 8830. Very strange that he would say that and yet be very knowledgeable about the 8830, strange.

[AndrewAZ]

Thanks for all the info. I assume the phone gets the GPS almanac via the cell phone towers and thats why it can lock so quick compared to a stand alone GPS unit which can take 5seconds to 45 seconds to lock onto your location. I guess the downfall of the phone is not being able to have maps pre loaded on a memory card so you really cant use the true GPS.

[test54]

yeah everyone asks about the maps on the memory card, especially Canadians. There is a new Garmin app in the works that might be worth checking out.

[AndrewAZ]

Originally Posted by test54

yeah everyone asks about the maps on the memory card, especially Canadians. There is a new Garmin app in the works that might be worth checking out.

isnt it server based like tele nav?

I am coming from a treo line and I had TomTom Navigator 6 on the phone and loved the fact that on long trips I could use it without the phone needing a data connection, which helps out in areas that have no cell phone coverage.

[test54]

yes, it looks like it will be just like telenav, needing the data connection.