[ArmyGeorge]

Howdy all, I am doing a lot of traveling soon and was wondering how to keep my 8310 phone off but still use my 8310 to listen to MP3's and maybe even use my GPS (see my elevation?). I'd sure hate to have my phone go off and get mobbed by a bunch of passengers who believe I may cause the plane to plummet. What are some cool uses of my 8310 during flight? It would be cool to see a graph of my flight, time x elevation, would be cool to see...any apps for that? Thanks, AG

[sugar]

Go to manage connections, turn all connections off. Then you can listen to MP3 no problem.
I do not think you will be able to use your GPS as for a start you need a clear line access to sattelites for GPS use.

[PhillyGuy]

Not sure about GPS, but you can turn the wireless off and still use the media player.

Thank you for your service to our country and a big hello to Downingtown from Bucks County!

[nomoreq]

Tried the GPS last week and it would not work. Worked a little on the taxiway but not in the air at all. Tried the internal GPS and a puck neitherone worked.

[JSanders]

You will be able to use any of the BB that does not use data or radio. The GPS uses one or both, according to your application.

You can use all the PDA components (address book, etc., compose emails, NOT send or receive) and all the media functions (videos, music, etc.).

[ArmyGeorge]

Great thanks. Not sure why the GPS wouldn't work, at 30,000 feet we're closer to satellites. Yo PhillyGuy, howyadoin?

[JSanders]

Doesn't GPS require some sort of data communication between the device and the satellites? If all data and radio is off, as required by the airline...

[FF2]

Originally Posted by ArmyGeorge

Great thanks. Not sure why the GPS wouldn't work, at 30,000 feet we're closer to satellites. Yo PhillyGuy, howyadoin?

While there are a few gps applications that don't need data to function they would need the gps signal.

Unless you have a window view, the gps signals would be blocked by the aluminum skin of the plane. Gps signals are much weaker than other radio waves and won't penetrate. (my freedom puck is very sensitive and I might try it on a flight before the "turn off all devices..." is given)

I would have to guess that BLUETOOTH is also "unlawful" on a plane between a puck and the BB.

[takeshi]

Just turn off all connections via Manage Connections before powering down your BB before takeoff. When you power it back on the connections will still be off as required by the airline/FAA.

Originally Posted by JSanders

Doesn't GPS require some sort of data communication between the device and the satellites? If all data and radio is off, as required by the airline...

It requires signal from the GPS satellites. However, the GPS receiver in the BB is just a receiver. It does not transmit back to the satellites. GPS users have no control over the signals transmitted by the GPS satellites.

Assuming you could get line of sight to enough satellites you would get positioning data. However, most GPS apps require a data connection for mapping.

[WESTOF405]

There is a program out there at a site called gpsed dot com If you have a window seat the internal GPS antenna will pick up signal throughout the entire flight and actually tell you how many satellites you are picking up. Altitude, speed, distance, etc are all tracked for the whole flight and will keep track of max speed which is pretty cool. The only problem is when you try and upload it to your user account at their site it will not show the details of the flight. I am trying to find out more as to why.