[Philby]

Good morning
I've just purchased my first Blackberry - a Pearl 9100. One feature I looked forward to was the GPS/Maps but it seems to not be installed.

It has a GPS feature that locates satellites and gives me my longitude/latitude, but that's it. I watched a Youtube video which shows a "Maps" icon on the main menu - I don't have that.

Do I have to download this feature? If so, can someone direct me to the exact one from the Blackberry apps? There seem to be so many GPS-related apps that I don't know which to choose.

I understand some providers don't support GPS/Maps. I'm with Amaysim (Australia). Clearly, there is support with them for GPS because I'm getting the longitude/latitude details.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Mark.

[aiharkness]

Some carriers hide the native mapping and navigation app, BlackBerry Maps. They don't block the GPS function on the device, just the app. That could be the situation you are in.

If BlackBerry Maps is not installed (check list of installed apps in options), you can install it using Desktop Manager.

If BlackBerry Maps is hidden and you want to use it, there are workarounds. It has been discussed numerous times. Just search.

An alternative is to use a third-party app. Google Maps is probably the popular favorite, and it is free.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[Philby]

Thankyou. It appears to not be installed - which I guess is good news. I've search the apps but can't find "Blackberry Maps". Can I trouble you to post a link?

Also, do Blackberry Maps give audible instructions to destinations or just visual, like Google Maps?

Thanks,
Mark.

[aiharkness]

Just graphic. No spoken turn-by-turn.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[Philby]

No worries. So, can you provide a link? I can't track it down. Thanks.

[aiharkness]

Check the list of installed apps in device options. If BlackBerry Maps is listed, then it is installed.

If BlackBerry Maps is not installed, Download Desktop Manager to your computer from blackberry.com and install it. It may be labeled desktop software.

After you install Desktop Manager, connect your BlackBerry and go through the prompts. Then select device software to add and remove applications and follow instructions.

I don't know the link for google maps. Look in the GPS and/or after-market software forums and I'm sure you'll find it.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[Dubdub]

Use Google itself to download and install Google Maps. But keep in mind that you MUST have a Blackberry data plan active on your account for any map app to work.

[Philby]

It turns out "Blackberry Maps" is installed though no icon, etc. It does seem to be that I don't have the Blackberry Data Plan and I don't know if Amaysim can do that. I'll give them a ring.

Without it, I understand then that no map "application" will work? But, as a last resort, I can still browse the Google Maps webpage? I can't check yet as I'm still having trouble to even get online . . . but that's another story. Thanks for all your help.

Mark.

[Dubdub]

You need data to get to a web page.

[aiharkness]

Ahhhh, I messed up. Should have asked up front about data plan.

Hopefully your carrier does support BlackBerrys.

But if not, and if you do have a regular mobile data plan, see How to use BlackBerry on Generic Data Plan - BlackBerryFAQ and try an after-market browser such as opera or bolt.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile

[Philby]

Well, my carrier doesn't support Blackberry. I appreciate there are some work-arounds, but I must say, I'm a bit dirty on Blackberry now. As far as I know, every other phone maker in the world allows you to just connect to any carrier without additional fees. But Blackberry want you to fork over extra for the "privilege" of using their product.

When I bought this particular phone, I was juggling between it and a Nokia E71 - Blackberry won by a tiny bit due to it's feel and navigation which I preferred. So I'm going to go to Nokia.

Thanks for all your help,
Mark.

[aiharkness]

The BlackBerry data plan is typically in place of and not in addition to another mobile data plan. And in my experience it is more or less the same price. The real problem is your carrier doesn't support BlackBerrys.

Good luck.
Posted via BlackBerryForums.com Mobile