Google Maps "My Location" GPS Question
 

Hey Guys,

I downloaded the Google Maps app for the first time last night.

The "My Location" feature doesn't return where I actually am. When I hit the 0 hot key it shows a spot on the map where I assume a near cell tower is and says "your location within 1600 meters".

I have the "My Location" feature enabled within the program and I hit yes when installing the program when it asks you whether or not to allow the program radio access. I have Verizon wireless and I remember when my I got my phone they told my father they needed to activate his VZ Navigator in store as opposed to over the air like normal phones. I don't have navigator this I didn't have this done. Could this be why?

Wirelessly posted (Lets Go Canes!)

I can't see your profile. If you don't have a Tour or Storm, you will only get cell phone tower triangulation. If you don't have a Tour or Storm, check out BB Maps.

Profile indicates he has the 8330, which I thought was reported to work using true GPS, not cell tower triangulation. I could be wrong, but I thought VZW enabled that on the 8330 back last December.

Wirelessly posted (Lets Go Canes!)

For Verizon, the 8330 is only unlocked for BB Maps.

Thank you guys, I did not know that. Now knowing that... it makes a lot of sense.

I've opened BB maps once or twice but didn't like how it looked visually. I've heard just about everyone on here mention Google so I decided to download that. Looks great.. big time bummer, but still a great app for the non-gps capabilities.

Depending on what you are trying to do, Google maps with cell tower location can see create a general route or locate other things near the cell tower.

Google uses cell tower data to initially locate you while waiting for GPS to initialize and get a fix, hence the "Your location within 1600 meters". If you don't get a good enough GPS signal/fix, you won't be able to resolve your location much closer than that.

Now when I use BB Maps can I find my exact location like I was trying to do with Google Maps? I was looking today and it doesn't seem you can.

You may have to use the Menu key to start GPS manually with BB maps when you open it.