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09-28-2008, 08:48 AM
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#1
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Arcade, NY
Model: Storm
PIN: 305EF621
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Posts: 77
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Verizon GPS Question...
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Okay, so I subscribe to VZNav, it's a great deal, never have to pay for map updates, etc... However, it does not support finding a location based on coords, which means it won't work for geocaching...
So.. My question...
I hear there is a way to launch VZNav, set it to follow me, and then minimize it and use other apps...
Is this true??
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated...
Thanks,
-Corey
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09-28-2008, 09:19 AM
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#2
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Crimson Tide Moderator
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: North of the moss line
Model: Z30
OS: 7.0sumtin
PIN: t low
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 41,921
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Yes, that does work for some, not all.
It costs about $10/month.
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09-28-2008, 02:00 PM
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#3
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Arcade, NY
Model: Storm
PIN: 305EF621
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Posts: 77
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Okay, another stupid question...
How do I minimize the app? When I hit End it closes...?
Thanks,
-Corey
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09-28-2008, 02:01 PM
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#4
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BBF Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2005
Model: Z30
OS: 10.2.1.x
PIN: s & needles
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 34,720
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If you hit the red phone key, it should continue to run in the background.
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09-28-2008, 02:04 PM
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#5
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Arcade, NY
Model: Storm
PIN: 305EF621
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Posts: 77
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I think I found the method, but not working.. Here's what I'm doing...
I have VZNaz on follow me...
I hit a side button to launch an app
Hit End
I'm back to my home screen now
Open Google Maps
However, it says GPS Temporarily Unavailable... So I'm afraid it's not working for me...
This sucks, lol...
-Corey
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09-28-2008, 02:09 PM
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#6
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Arcade, NY
Model: Storm
PIN: 305EF621
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Clark
If you hit the red phone key, it should continue to run in the background.
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Nope... When I hit the red phone key (End) it closes the app...
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09-28-2008, 02:18 PM
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#7
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BBF Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2005
Model: Z30
OS: 10.2.1.x
PIN: s & needles
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 34,720
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Well, I've never used it so I can't help much more than that. If the red phone button ends it then there may not be anything else you can do. I'd go through the settings of VZNav and see if there is a setting for that.
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09-28-2008, 02:21 PM
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#8
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Arcade, NY
Model: Storm
PIN: 305EF621
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John Clark
Well, I've never used it so I can't help much more than that. If the red phone button ends it then there may not be anything else you can do. I'd go through the settings of VZNav and see if there is a setting for that.
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Yeah, looked for one already.. Ugh... Why must Verizon make it so difficult!!
Lol.. Ohh well.. Guess I'll use the puck for Geocaching...
Thanks anyway J...
-Corey
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09-28-2008, 02:22 PM
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#9
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BBF Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2005
Model: Z30
OS: 10.2.1.x
PIN: s & needles
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 34,720
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I'm sure someone who uses VZNav will be along and can shed more light.
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09-28-2008, 02:26 PM
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#10
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Chicago, IL
Model: 9530
PIN: 304fcd63
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 408
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You probably still have version 2.9. Download version 4.1 to replace it and you can leave it running in the background without having to use the application switcher.
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Need a Blackberry or plan change? Shoot me a email and I can help!
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09-28-2008, 02:28 PM
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#11
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BBF Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2005
Model: Z30
OS: 10.2.1.x
PIN: s & needles
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 34,720
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Wirelessly posted (BB 11020)
Thanks!!
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09-28-2008, 06:10 PM
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#12
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Thumbs Must Hurt
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Arcade, NY
Model: Storm
PIN: 305EF621
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Posts: 77
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Demon
You probably still have version 2.9. Download version 4.1 to replace it and you can leave it running in the background without having to use the application switcher.
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I'm using 4.1.0 just updated it some point last week... Just doesn't want to work for me.. VZNav works fine, but nothing else does...
I guess I'll just keep my puck around for geocaching.. Kind of sucks that I have a GPS enabled phone and I pay VZW $10/month and I still can't use the damn GPS the way it was designed!
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09-28-2008, 08:39 PM
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#13
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Jan 2008
Model: 8130
OS: 4.5.0.131
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 1,598
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I know this sounds crazy...but have you considered calling Verizon to find out if they meant for it to not allow you to use other GPS SW?
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09-29-2008, 09:20 AM
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#14
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BlackBerry Mensa
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Houston
Model: 8310
Carrier: at&t
Posts: 7,741
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I think we know the answer to that ($$)...
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09-30-2008, 11:45 AM
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#15
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Jan 2008
Model: 8130
OS: 4.5.0.131
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 1,598
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There really isn't any reason for VZW to care what GPS software he's using, once he is paying the $10 a month...they have his money, what could they care whether he uses VZNav or Google Maps, or WLS, etc.?
That doesn't make sense...it's like renting someone a house, and then telling them they can only use dishes and flatware that you supply them. Who cares?!
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09-30-2008, 12:06 PM
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#16
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Denver
Model: 8310
Carrier: AT&T
Posts: 2,044
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Call it what you want, but it's what they do. So it doesn't make sense to you... perhaps you don't know why the policy is in place. Why didn't Apple want anyone making apps for the iPhone? Because they didn't want "other people's stuff" running on their device (IMO.) They have to approve each and every app that is added to the app store before making it available to their masses.
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Treat your password like your toothbrush. Don't let anybody else use it, and get a new one every six months.
Clifford Stoll
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10-17-2008, 09:31 AM
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#17
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Knows Where the Search Button Is
Join Date: Oct 2008
Model: 8330
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 32
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CO_BBTechie
Call it what you want, but it's what they do. So it doesn't make sense to you... perhaps you don't know why the policy is in place. Why didn't Apple want anyone making apps for the iPhone? Because they didn't want "other people's stuff" running on their device (IMO.) They have to approve each and every app that is added to the app store before making it available to their masses.
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OK, so reading this thread, I think I understand now the issue I was having.
I have an 8330 with GPS. I downloaded Google Maps, works fine, I set all permissions to Allow, and it still can't see the GPS. Changed all the various advanced options to have Locate On, still no luck. Tried the built-in Blackberry Maps, same deal - works, except for GPS, despite full permissions. I downloaded VZNav, works great, WITH THE GPS. Tried the other Apps, still no GPS access.
Am I understanding this correctly, that Verizon is somehow preventing me from using the GPS with anything other than VZNav? Because that is just incredibly frustrating. Like, early AOL frustrating. So ridiculous.
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10-17-2008, 09:54 AM
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#18
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BlackBerry Extraordinaire
Join Date: Jan 2008
Model: 8130
OS: 4.5.0.131
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 1,598
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CO_BBTechie
Call it what you want, but it's what they do. So it doesn't make sense to you... perhaps you don't know why the policy is in place. Why didn't Apple want anyone making apps for the iPhone? Because they didn't want "other people's stuff" running on their device (IMO.) They have to approve each and every app that is added to the app store before making it available to their masses.
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I was responding primarily to Takeshi's post that $ was involved:
Quote:
Originally Posted by takeshi
I think we know the answer to that ($$)...
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There is no additional $$ gain to Verizon in blocking use of other GPS apps after they already have someone's VZNav subscription $$.
Apple's approach to 3rd part app developers on the iPhone is completely understandable from their corp history and approach to managing the software side of their HW platforms...I get that in their context, didn't surprise me at all, made fun of my iPhone owning friends about having to get their apps from their "Apple-mommy." ;)
I still don't see any $ reason for Verizon to intentionally lock out using other GPS apps once they have someone's $10 a month. I wouldn't even be surprised if it was unintentional...could as likely be that their vendor just coded the app that way. That's why I suggested calling Verizon to ask (not that it's terribly likely a CSR would actually know, but that's another issue...)
If anyone has an idea on why Verizon would do this intentionally, it would be interesting to hear it. I'm genuinely curious what they would have to gain...the only potential I see is if they were going to try to get some ad or partner revenue out of VZNav - I haven't seen anything like that (yet!) when I've used VZNav.
Last edited by Redflea; 10-17-2008 at 11:05 AM..
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10-20-2008, 02:53 PM
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#19
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chicopee, MA
Model: 9630
OS: 4.7.1.53
PIN: ********
Carrier: Verizon
Posts: 292
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What would be the benefit of runniing VZNavigator over an application like Beyond411 which will pull up directions from a search result using Google Maps, I think. Its worked perfectly for finding locations for me. Does VZNavigator have voice directions or something?
Chris
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10-20-2008, 03:33 PM
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#20
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Talking BlackBerry Encyclopedia
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Model: Z10
OS: 10.0.9.42
PIN: N/A
Carrier: Verizon Wireless
Posts: 348
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Yes, VZNav has voice directions. Version 4.1 also has traffic info and alternate routes (to bypass the traffic).
--Ariel
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