According to my online research GPS has been available on cell phones for several years. Unfortunately, as stated by more than one AT&T customer service representative, AT&T does not want you to have full use of it on their cell phones. AT&T offers AT&T Navigator, which appears to be focused for use while driving. Just as the name implies, it is for navigation, with other services available as well. Probably a good service. However, it has a very important shortcoming, especially for people who like to get away. If there is no cell signal available then it does not work. If you go hiking or camping and get far enough away from civilization to lose your cell signal, or multiple tower signals (used for triangulation) then your GPS will not function. Some phones have the GPS hardware built into the phone by the manufacturer and AT&T disables access to that GPS hardware so that the phone cannot be used as a primary, nor backup, GPS in remote areas. Do you like to sail? Be forewarned, if you get too far from shore the GPS on an AT&T GPS phone will stop working. Do not trust your safety to an AT&T GPS cell phone.
Yeah sadly it is only meant for roads, this goes with all carriers
gerio Posts: 477
Phone Model: (Long sigh) 'Nother iPhone (keeping my Moto Q, though)
Service Provider: AT&T & Cellular South
Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:27 am
First, people have been hiking and traveling for years without GPS, WTF is it all of a sudden that this generation of people can't find their way to the bathroom without a GPS? I chose AT&T because of the telephone service, not whether or not it can help me find my ass with both hands.
Second, if I find myself so debilitated that I must have a stupid little box with a sweet woman's voice telling me which way to go to Grandma's house, I'll buy a device that is made specifically to do so. That's why I own a digital camera, an iPod, and a real computer, although I will admit to enjoying the internet and email features of my Moto Q9h Global. Which, by the way, does have a decent GPS function that works great with Google Maps. Yes, I tried it once. Still didn't need it.
The fact that someone wants to make a federal case of the fact that the toy GPS features found in telephones doesn't work as well as the real GPS makes me question your sanity, your intelligence, or, frankly, BOTH. When you grow up and get a job, try buying your electronic hardware somewhere besides Toys R' Us. And quit bitching about the fact that your phone doesn't tell you the way to San Jose, make your coffee, take your family portraits, or wash your clothes. That's what Rand-McNally, Folger's, Olan Mills, and Tide is for. The phone is for PHONE CALLS.
Geri "not fed up with whiners or anything" O
computerslayer Posts: 143
Phone Model: Blackberry 8820
Service Provider: AT&T
Wed Jan 28, 2009 7:56 am
AT&T does not block GPS access on its phone. I own a BlackBerry 8820 - which has GPS built in - and have a non-AT&T program using that GPS hardware with no problem. That worked without any hacks or changes to the phone.
Respectfully,
Deacon Maurer
randa0283 Posts: 129
Phone Model: LG Shine (Yeah! I got it back!)
Service Provider: AT&T
Tue Feb 10, 2009 3:14 pm
Well said Geri "not fed up with whiners or anything" O.
Maybe we should change your name to Geri "Don't tick me off" O, or Geri "I tell it like it is, so don't sound like a moron in my presence" O. LoL
Just some humorous ideas. Or maybe not so humorous, depending on how you look at it.
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