I've been searching for this but haven't been able to find a definitive answer.
How does the GPS actually work? And does it use your data or is it an extra fee?
Thanks
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
It depends how you are using it. If you use it with an online navigation like Google maps, it will charge you for internet. But if you use it with offline navigation like Sygic, iGo and others it will cost you nothing.
Thank You
Wondered myself about this thanks for clearing this up
The GPS system uses an array of satelites. Your phone uses these to establish its position. This involves no 2G/3G data connection to your service provider. As G-FACE then states various apps will then either uses this info on its own or combine it with downloaded data for sat nav etc.
Essential gps usage does not need data allowance unless you are using aGPS ([Settings] Assisted GPS that downloads some transmitter data (your network provider) enables you to find your location quicker). Google Maps as well as many of 3rd-party apps do use data to store temporary information and eg. browsing maps' layers in real-time.
Related
I am thinking about getting the car dock for the atrix.. but if I use google navigation does it take up a lot of data?
I don't want to waste so much data when I could use it for other things.
THANKS
The gps data doesn't use data but loading google maps does because it downloads tiles unless they've been cached. You can get an app called Navigon that includes preloaded maps and then it should use no data.
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk
Be careful.............GPS doesn't use data, it uses satellites not cell towers, but navigation can/does, and you will use data especially if using assisted GPS. Also, the carrier or phone manufacturer can make the phone go through cell towers if they want to. In addition, navigation can use cell towers for triangulation. The navigation program makes a difference also. As mentioned before, if you do not want to use data, make sure all the maps are loaded onto your phone, then you should be using satellites only. One way to check is turn off all cell phone capability, have only GPS on, and start your GPS and navigation program. If it can find your location, and updates on only GPS, you are fine. FYI..........If you do not have the maps loaded on your device, you can use as much as 1MB per mile of data, again dependent on device, carrier, and navigation software.
Hi,
I'm just wondering why my GPS doesn't work without internet connection. It just can't connect to any sattelite. I'm currently using PFGPS v2.0 FIX for my country (Poland) and I don't see any changes. What is wrong?
It requires Internet to load the maps
Can I load maps now to use GPS without internet connection if I'm not in wifi area?
Brajano95 said:
Can I load maps now to use GPS without internet connection if I'm not in wifi area?
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Click to collapse
how can you load maps without internet connection ??
I'm at home now so I can do it cause I have wifi here :/
Brajano95 said:
I'm at home now so I can do it cause I have wifi here :/
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Click to collapse
so you have wifi that means you are connected to the internet!!!
for GPS it can only find your position but can't display your location on a map without an internet connection so GPS needs one.
I will wait for answer from another person. Thank you.
There is an application on the market(related to sports/tracking) that allows you to download a portion of a map and then you can use your GPS offline(no data connection). When I get home I will look for it(I have it on my tablet).
Correct me if I am wrong but Brajano95 means that is it possible to load the maps on his wifi connection and keep then saved when he is out and about to allow the gps to connect. You used to be able to do this in the google labs section on google maps but they've since taken it away unless you look for an older version. Otherwise have a look for third party map app on the android market which allows downloading of map data to the phone
adsada arc said:
Correct me if I am wrong but Brajano95 means that is it possible to load the maps on his wifi connection and keep then saved when he is out and about to allow the gps to connect. You used to be able to do this in the google labs section on google maps but they've since taken it away unless you look for an older version. Otherwise have a look for third party map app on the android market which allows downloading of map data to the phone
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Thats exactly what I'm talking about! Now I'm downloading Sygic Aura (about 550 mb) and will test it later.
Because GPS and Maps on CM7 suck balls at best. Maps is using your I.P. for the GPS coordinates when on WIFI, without it Maps is counting on a reliable signal from your GPS; and that's just not going to happen with CM7.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
You can use iGo My Way
I know a fair bit about the GPS module in the Ace so i will comment. I think someone has already told you that it is possible to operate the Ace with preloaded maps. Likewise, i thought that the OP's choice of Sygic Navigation is a fair one.
Back to the original question in the title. GPS can operate with or without internet be it wifi or data e.g. 3G/2G. The difference is how fast you can obtain a GPS lock. Without using any positioning help from data connectivity, you are looking at a lock time of possibly 15 minutes thereabout.
There are 4 modes of operation possible for the GPS module in the Ace which is actually Qualcomm's GpsONE.
1.) Standalone (Slowest using positioning information in cache and smart polling)
2.) MS-Based (Sends data to nearby cell tower(s) and makes use of GPS transceivers in the cell tower(s)
3.) MS-Assisted (Similar to MS-Based BUT data connectivity is broken when GPS transceiver is online. I don't quite like that!)
4.) MS-Based/Hybrid (You need to have superb data connectivity probably cell tower signal strength should be in the -50dBm region. Not very useful in real life usage)
i have had my own thread for fixing GPS, so read up if you want to know more here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1320626
first you need the maps to use it offline, and the correct gps.conf for your location http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1284506, then you can use it without internet
Mapdroyd is a great app that allows you to download maps for offline use. Unfortunately there isn't offline navigation though..
Hi,
I've solved my problem, just install Sygic! Thanks for helping guys
btw u dont need too install anything.. go to google labs inside maps and add map cache.. now long press a location on map.. click the arrow on the address and u ll see an option to cache that area.. the steps may not be accurate as i tried it a long time back and dont have my phone with me but its possible and what u have to do will be more or less the same...
Greetings!
I am going to Turkey this Saturday with my school, and I am wondering if I am able to use my gps without huge costs?
My data will be disabled
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Last time checking...
GPS is free,
As for data ,
It really depends on the App you are using.
For example :
Google maps requires you to download the maps which would require data.
Try Maverick GPS app
Try Maverick, a GPS app without the need of data or wifi.
You can d/l the lite version for free off the market.
Wont give you a great navigation but it will do the job for free
Also try Navfree.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
You can pre-cache a 10milex10mile square in the google maps app but you'd have to know where you were going to go in advance to cache the areas but this can be done during a trip whenever you have wifi and know you're changing cities. No turn by turn or searching but at least you'd have a map you could plot your position on from the phone.
Well, most phones have A-gps, that stands for "assisted GPS": it is not the same as the common gps in Tom Tom devices and so on.
A-Gps has less power consumption, but a weaker receiver so, without the help of a data connection, it would turn to be quite useless, apart from the maps that should be loaded in advance.
GPS positioning data is always free..
You just need the right software to do turn by turn nav (Like Sygic or NavFree / etc)..
You can cache maps off of Google, but that won't give you turn by turn.
Sure GPS connection is free, but data run on 3g or 2g network to assist the GPS. May be it's not a big amount but, if you're travelling abroad, it won't be so cheap
I wonder if the main population will ever understand what a-gps are.
You can use iGO MyWay for android. Easy program and it dosn't connect to internet
Straight from Wikipedia. Now it'll be clear that a-gps needs data connection...
Standalone GPS provides first position in approximately 30-40 seconds. A Standalone GPS system needs orbital information of the satellites to calculate the current position. The data rate of the satellite signal is only 50 b/s, so downloading orbital information like ephemeris and almanac directly from satellites typically takes a long time, and if the satellite signals are lost during the acquisition of this information, it is discarded and the standalone system has to start from scratch. In AGPS, the Network Operator deploys an AGPS server. These AGPS servers download the orbital information from the satellite and store it in the database. An AGPS capable device can connect to these servers and download this information using Mobile Network radio bearers such as GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE or even using other wireless radio bearers such as Wi-Fi. Usually the data rate of these bearers is high, hence downloading orbital information takes less time.
AGPS downloads very little data and it doesn't even require cell service. I have a non activated Android device and using GPS Status it will download AGPS data over wifi. This data is pretty small in size and you only need it to initially lock on satellites faster. Without AGPS data you'll just have to wait longer to get a lock.
For an offline GPS app, I use Sygic since it uses TomTom maps and I've owned a TomTom unit before. But there are other good ones out there.
Yes, there's no contraddiction between all that has been said by both of us. Not a huge data amount but if you are abroad and a roaming area it won't be cheap, because the data flows any time a fix is needed... Just think of tunnels and areas where the GPS signal is weak. I mean, the fix is not one only, it may be 20 or even 100 during an hour of navigation.
Ok so I have a question. I got my GPS dongle yesterday (it works great!) however When I try to use it with google maps for navigation without wifi, maps says it needs a data connection to work. I'm not sure how some people here are using the TFP with the dongle for navigation without wifi. Can someone enlighten me?
gps needs data
The issue is that google maps and navigation needs to download maps and data. What you need is a navigation app with offline maps. For mapping try mapdroyd.
There are two sorts of GPS navigation apps - the sort that plan your road journey from A to B and give you turn by turn directions and the sort that display a map, show where you are and you can put in a "as the crow flies" route A to B to C which is for walking, sailing or flying
(there are many free maps for these apps and your country is relevant - available file formats . Suggest you google free gps maps + country )
I'd search for "gps map" in Google Play and see what catches the eye.
chucky7910 said:
Ok so I have a question. I got my GPS dongle yesterday (it works great!) however When I try to use it with google maps for navigation without wifi, maps says it needs a data connection to work. I'm not sure how some people here are using the TFP with the dongle for navigation without wifi. Can someone enlighten me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Maps allows for offline maps, just enable it in the LABS menu item.
Google Maps uses data to download the maps. You have to use a Navigation app that doesn't use data connection.
I personally use CoPilot Live Premium USA. Well worth the $20 w/ Live Traffic. The Maps are downloaded to your SD Card. For my region (So CAL) it was about 764mb. Once again, this app allows you to use your Primes GPS connection and no data required for operating.
There are plenty more Nav apps in the Market store...it's up to you which one is of your liking.
babymatteo said:
Google Maps uses data to download the maps. You have to use a Navigation app that doesn't use data connection.
I personally use CoPilot Live Premium USA. Well worth the $20 w/ Live Traffic. The Maps are downloaded to your SD Card. For my region (So CAL) it was about 764mb. Once again, this app allows you to use your Primes GPS connection and no data required for operating.
There are plenty more Nav apps in the Market store...it's up to you which one is of your liking.
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Click to collapse
I agree. CoPilot Live is the best. I've gone thru all the different ones in Google Play, and none could beat CoPilot live.
Bob
chucky7910 said:
Ok so I have a question. I got my GPS dongle yesterday (it works great!) however When I try to use it with google maps for navigation without wifi, maps says it needs a data connection to work. I'm not sure how some people here are using the TFP with the dongle for navigation without wifi. Can someone enlighten me?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The trick is to set the navigation destination while you have data service and let it start and make that blue route line. It will track all the way to the location, and if you cached the map area (settings > labs) even reroute if you go the wrong way, all without the initial data service.
Each pre-cached area is 10 square miles and is stored unless you wipe the cache. I'm in lower NY state so I just did my house, upper NJ, and NYC and it covers most all of the places I ever go without ever having to think about it again.
Going somewhere new just cache the route and location it will be there if you ever go back. Still better than having to pay for navigation in my book.
mikeypopps said:
The trick is to set the navigation destination while you have data service and let it start and make that blue route line. It will track all the way to the location, and if you cached the map area (settings > labs) even reroute if you go the wrong way, all without the initial data service.
Each pre-cached area is 10 square miles and is stored unless you wipe the cache. I'm in lower NY state so I just did my house, upper NJ, and NYC and it covers most all of the places I ever go without ever having to think about it again.
Going somewhere new just cache the route and location it will be there if you ever go back. Still better than having to pay for navigation in my book.
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That' exactly what I did to one of my GPS dongle videos. I used Google maps for navigation by using my Evo as data connection then cut it once it grabed the directions. Works without any problems.
Sent from my Transformer Prime TF201 using XDA Premium App
So I've had my phone for a year and rarely use the GPS feature.
In the past (stock) I've kept all my phone features on including Google location services, etc. Now that my phone is rooted and running AOKP, I turn off all the Google location services, report my location, etc, to save on battery.
My question is since this phone uses A-GPS (yes I wiki'd it) does it mean that it is REQUIRED to have these location services turned on in everywhere in the phone in order for GPS to work? I've tried using GPS without all these services but for some reason GPS didn't seem to work. It comes back with can't determine location, etc.
So do I need all these Google services to be running or should I just be able to enable GPS and have it work for turn by turn navi?
Should only have to have GPS turned on.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
jackal2001 said:
So I've had my phone for a year and rarely use the GPS feature.
In the past (stock) I've kept all my phone features on including Google location services, etc. Now that my phone is rooted and running AOKP, I turn off all the Google location services, report my location, etc, to save on battery.
My question is since this phone uses A-GPS (yes I wiki'd it) does it mean that it is REQUIRED to have these location services turned on in everywhere in the phone in order for GPS to work? I've tried using GPS without all these services but for some reason GPS didn't seem to work. It comes back with can't determine location, etc.
So do I need all these Google services to be running or should I just be able to enable GPS and have it work for turn by turn navi?
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Click to collapse
AFAIK agps just helps it obtain a lock faster.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
aGPS supplies the GPS the updated almanac and ephemeris data from the network, and allows faster lock by aligning the system clock using one of the clock servers.
If it sounds like Chinese - then google all the unknown terms, and eventually you'll be able to google the answer to your question.
I read some other article that stated you needed to have data turned on as it draws the maps. All the google maps are not stored to the device???
jackal2001 said:
I read some other article that stated you needed to have data turned on as it draws the maps. All the google maps are not stored to the device???
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Click to collapse
No. You need data. And either Google's location service or gps turned on.
Phalanx7621 said:
No. You need data. And either Google's location service or gps turned on.
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Click to collapse
So what does "make available offline" in the maps settings do? I guess I just can't turn on GPS and enable "offline maps" mode and that will work too.
This is why I ask these questions. Some people say you don't need anything other than GPS and other say you need to have location services on.
jackal2001 said:
So what does "make available offline" in the maps settings do? I guess I just can't turn on GPS and enable "offline maps" mode and that will work too.
This is why I ask these questions. Some people say you don't need anything other than GPS and other say you need to have location services on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you enable offline maps it's only for a small area.
Sent from Team Pirate! Using Tapatalk 2
jackal2001 said:
So what does "make available offline" in the maps settings do? I guess I just can't turn on GPS and enable "offline maps" mode and that will work too.
This is why I ask these questions. Some people say you don't need anything other than GPS and other say you need to have location services on.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Enabling offline maps tells the device to cache any routes you plot in nav or maps so that if you lose data connection navigation will continue to function. If you depart from that route without data connection, you'll lose nav.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
jackal2001 said:
I read some other article that stated you needed to have data turned on as it draws the maps. All the google maps are not stored to the device???
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Click to collapse
1. If you just want to use the GPS feature, then it must be TURNED ON. That's it. No other requirement, other apps asking for location services have nothing to do with GPS function of the phone.
2. About google maps and gps service on this phone.
a. the map itself is stored on their Google server, so in order to use map, you must have accessed internet, hence either wifi or mobil data required.
b. if you carry other maps that stored locally in the phone internal space such Tomtom, Sygic, .... you DO NOT need wifi or mobil data to use this function.
3. About the Google's OFFline maps. A lot of people do not fully understand the usage of it.
Back to step 2a above, I said "google maps stored on their server" so you need internet access. In this case, offline map is just a small cache (10 miles radius) and it does store in the phone memory. So yes, you do NOT need internet (wifi or mobil data) to use "offline maps" (of course, you must create one before hand)
What is the down side?
a. As mention, it is just a small cache.
b. If you define the term "GPS" as global position system then you know all it does is getting lock and determine your location and that's pretty much is. You CANNOT route the route. You CANNOT navigate from point A to point B. You CANNOT search for an address.