data and gps

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sonex

37 posts

Geek

#24552 27-Jul-2008 15:49

Hey I've just read through the whole thread and i have a quick question about the GPS on the iphone.
I currently dont own an iphone (but ill get one :D) so just tell me if i got this right:

1)The gps will work on the prepay iphone that doesnt have data enabled, but it will only show your location on the 'blank' screen without the map right?

2) If i use unlockit.co.nz to make my prepay iphone use data, will the gps then download the map through data aswell? If this is so, how many mb's of data do you think is used to get 1 picture of the map, say for ex you are standing somewhere on queen street in auckland?

3)Does the phone always need to download new maps, or can you for eg. download the whole map of auckland through wifi at home, so that you do not need data when 'on the go' to see your location?

4) last question, i dont really get this even though someone else already asked this question, but if i go to a country in europe and change my simcard, will i have to change the APN on my phone to allow data usage there, or is it only vodafone nz that blocks data usage for prepay customers?

Hope you can help me out

wanion

31 posts

Geek

#151832 27-Jul-2008 16:17

1) yes, it just shows your location on a blank white map, if it manages to get a fix at all (the A-GPS seems to get a much faster fix with data)

2) yes, it'll download the map, no idea how much data

3) it caches small bits of maps, but you can't download a map for offline use (it'll need data when you zoom in, for example)

4) it's up to the carrier - I expect most don't block data for prepay customers, and some may even have options to buy data on prepay like Optus does in Australia, but I really don't know

Arithon

41 posts

Geek

#152393 29-Jul-2008 13:02

To add to a couple of wanion's responses:

1) I've had no issues getting fast fixes on my iPhone. I have no mobile data plan, I tend to cache the data I neeed while on Wifi and then it works brilliantly.

3) The Map application is smart enough to zoom in and out well enough using what cached information it has on hand. Sometimes a tweak to the zoom will be required for it to use what it has, as I believe it caches the data with zoom extents parameters, ie an allowable zoom range for any given piece of data.

Jon

sonex

37 posts

Geek

#152483 29-Jul-2008 17:48

thanks for all the replies :)

just another quick question though

would a site like www.instantchess.com work on an iphone? i think it requres java or something similar so thats why I'm asking..
If the answer is no, would a site like the one above work on a jailbroken iphone??

thanks in advance!

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1
Inactive user

#152572 29-Jul-2008 22:56

www.instantchess.com is Flash... so no will not work.

Cannot answer on jailbreak as not my thing...

MattD

663 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 1
Inactive user

#152577 29-Jul-2008 23:12

1) Although the GPS may not show up in Maps, it will also work in other location aware apps. Having said that, a number of these also require a data connection to be able to load the relevant data. Geotagging photos should not affect... but I should check features in apps like Omnifocus with location aware perspectives / p

2) Google Maps has been known to consume vast amounts of data in short time.. do not use satellite images for that reason. Might need to google what the amount consumed in 5mins or 15mins would be. Recall seeing something high.. but could not find again.

3) Found it did not cache much content at all. Not sure on size of cache or if shared with safari, but a whole map of Auckland sounds a stretch. Do not get that for little old CHCH.

4) APN is typically set for each carrier or a default of "internet". You should find out what is that setting and download a profile and email to yourself beforehand, or just get on a wifi network when you get the new sim and set it then. Other option is to wait and buy it in Europe if you are planning a longer visit overseas, as you may get a better deal locally with plan/data included.

sonex

37 posts

Geek

#152631 30-Jul-2008 10:24

yea that all makes sense. So if i went to Europe and my internet doesnt work i would have to find out the APN from the provider and put in in myself. Likewise if i find out that the data is being used too much i can just put a fake apn in and hopefully it will stop using the data??

Hmm its too bad instantchess.com doesnt work cause all i wanted to do on iphone was play online chess on the bus :D
maybe flash for iphone comes out soon though :/

How about MSN Messenger?? anyone know if its possible to have that on iphone, or any voip programs like skype or voipbuster?

Thanks