Google Phone

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rayonline

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#61894 25-May-2010 19:18

This new google phone. Does GPS work without mobile data? If so, could you walk to your address and be guided without significant delays? Or would I really need mobile data?

Cheers.

Disrespective

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#334742 25-May-2010 20:02

Yes but only if you have the maps already installed on your device. As in, you have a third party map app installed or have pre-cached the google maps you'd need.

freitasm

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#334745 25-May-2010 20:12

If you se Google Maps then you need a mobile data connection because maps are downloaded as you need them. Other software gives you will the option of installing all maps on your device (or an SD card).

The problem with that is the Google Maps are constantly updated...

Linuxluver

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#334779 25-May-2010 21:32

rayonline: This new google phone. Does GPS work without mobile data? If so, could you walk to your address and be guided without significant delays? Or would I really need mobile data?
Cheers.

If you buy Co-Pilot or similar, you have the maps on your sdcard and it works with the GPS on the phone....but it will cost you a few hundred dollars to get the software and the maps.

If you use Google Maps (stock or hacked for global nav) then you do need mobile data.

I'm on a "Smart80" plan with Vodafone. Nominally it has 250MB of data, but they have had a rolling "promo" since July last year allowing up to 3GB / month as the cap....which should be HEAPS for using your phone for almost anything but streaming video for extended periods. Even streaming mp3 content via Shoutcast clients only uses about 10MB-20MB / hour (depending on quality of stream).

If you got the Sony Xperia 10 on a plan, you'd get the phone much cheaper and the 3GB of data / month (until July 1st - when it will be replaced or extended).

I also have a month-by-month Broadband Pro account that gives me up to 6GB for $89/month (or 3GB for $79). Between the two plans, I have 9GB of data for $160-ish when that amount of data on any other basis would cost me $400-$800 / month. This also gives a decent backup quota for use with wifi tethering when the DSL dies....which seems to happen a lot.

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rayonline

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#334815 25-May-2010 22:39

Thanks for that. Could you download the maps and use the GPS device withotu mobile data? Just out of interest.

Don't need GPS here, will be for travel :D

freitasm

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#334826 25-May-2010 22:56

As LinuxLuver said, buy CoPilot and you won't need mobile data while using it.

rayonline

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#334833 25-May-2010 23:03

But you gotta pay :D Expensive for a week holiday. I have a handheld Garmin in that regard.

So nothing like reading freebie maps off a SD card and using a non assisted GPS .... thanks .....

freitasm

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#334834 25-May-2010 23:04

Of course you have to pay... There are some free map software around though with maps maintained by the community. You might find that coverage may not be the same and might not have higher end functionality.

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Linuxluver

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#334895 26-May-2010 08:34

rayonline: Thanks for that. Could you download the maps and use the GPS device withotu mobile data? Just out of interest.

Don't need GPS here, will be for travel :D

If you just want static maps, you can download them on your PC and copy them to your phone. But to be able to see streets properly, you'll either have to download a LOT of maps (and organise them VERY well) or just buy a paper map.

If you have a Garmin handheld, then use that.

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Dingbatt

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#334908 26-May-2010 09:08

I use a free map program called MapDroyd (available on Market). While not as detailed as Google maps it allows you to download maps to your SD card.
I use a NZ data plan and Google maps within NZ, but have used MapDroyd successfully in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.
Mapdroyd uses GPS to locate you on the map.

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rayonline

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#335018 26-May-2010 12:57

Looks like maybe a mobile data from a simcard sourced locally overseas might be the ecnomical way.

Yesh - Garmin but the maps cost $300 or so .. each for a short holiday :D
Only a few are from overseas. Incl the Great NZ one.

For the google phone given it is quite new maybe there is not much maps available as yet for other countries (plural).

lchiu7

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#335035 26-May-2010 13:22

If I recall I paid about NZ$80 for CoPilot live which came with NZ and OZ maps. For me that was a good deal. I can't attest to how well it works in Oz since I haven't been there since getting my N1 but it works pretty well here. I tend to alternate betweeen CoPilot and Google Maps (the hacked version with Navigator) depending on my mood!

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