Sprint Hero and GPS

[Tinwoodsman]

When using GPS on my Hero, will I still be able to make and receive calls. Also, will the GPS screen stay on during the trip or do I have to change a setting?

 

[Grinder16]

When using GPS on my Hero, will I still be able to make and receive calls. Also, will the GPS screen stay on during the trip or do I have to change a setting?

Yes you can still make and receive calls while using Nav.. the process will continue to run in the background. If you make or receive a call, just long press the home button after the call ends and select nav to get back into the program

 

[Deleted User]

I assume you are using Sprint Navigation? Is that what you mean by GPS screen? Since Sprint cannot do voice and data at the same time, if you are in the middle of a route (with Sprint Nav on the screen), you can still get a call, but the maps won't update while you are on the call, since getting maps uses data.

When you finish with the call, you should be able to start getting the maps again. I guess the GPS stays on the whole time, but it isn't much use if it can't get data to show you where on the map you are....

 

[cooolone2]

I'm pretty sure the Hero has dedicated GPS chipset and antenna, and although it will use network proximity in conjunction with the GPS if you select that setting, it will work independently say if you are handsfree with BT or other headset and can view the screen at the same time you can actually background the call and view GPS!

Someone can confirm this???

 

[Deleted User]

I'm pretty sure the Hero has dedicated GPS chipset and antenna, and although it will use network proximity in conjunction with the GPS if you select that setting, it will work independently say if you are handsfree with BT or other headset and can view the screen at the same time you can actually background the call and view GPS!

Someone can confirm this???

What do you mean by "view GPS"? What application are you using that uses the GPS? For example, if you are using Sprint Navigation or Google Maps, you cannot update the maps while you are on a call, since that uses data.

 

[cooolone2]

What do you mean by "view GPS"? What application are you using that uses the GPS? For example, if you are using Sprint Navigation or Google Maps, you cannot update the maps while you are on a call, since that uses data.

No the GPS is not DATA in that sense, it has an independent internal GPS antenna which means that the location data via GPS is not dependent upon connection to the network, now, if you travel over a great distance, and you do NOT have network connection, I think you will run out of map room in the app for it to indicate you location, wild right! That is why a true INDEPENDENT GPS app with preloaded maps is a different animal. (I read one is coming to the Android soon, with maps stored on the SD card...)

So, we're both right in a way... the GPS will work independently but at some point while moving it will need DATA to update the map. I'm pretty sure this is the way it works.

I hope that answers the OP question???

 

[Deleted User]

So, we're both right in a way... the GPS will work independently but at some point while moving it will need DATA to update the map. I'm pretty sure this is the way it works.

Yeah, we are on the same page. I just haven't seen any apps that have preloaded maps. I know Garmin had maps on an SD card for Windows Mobile phones. In that case you wouldn't need a data connection to display maps / your position. I haven't looked to see if anything similar is available for Android.

 

[cooolone2]

hahaha, yeah...

Here's one I found quick, but I don't think it's on market yet???

iGO My way for Android - The ultimate navigation for Android

Looks interesting, anyone know more about network independent GPS app's for Android?

From what I read (quickly) is the GPS-a Antenna is free to use from the phone, but the MAPS themselves demand huge royalty's and Google's own EULA prohibit it's maps from being used for turn based directions by 3rd parties, lol...

Google maps is good enough for me, I especially like the traffic update/info., also, I would just pull over if I had to take a call while needing to follow a GPS at the same time as I agree, following both at the same time might lead to turning onto train tracks or into someone's pool as has been shown on the news, lol...

Anyway, good question OP, now I'm stuck in this mode and have to find out everything I can about this GPS stuff, lol, I'll be reading till 3am... thanks...
hahaha (just kidding) I enjoy it...

Edited to add:

True offline maps for your Android - unplugged ! | MapDroyd

 

[Tinwoodsman]

Coolone2, please do your research and let me know the results. I am going to bed.

 

[dhero]

hahaha, yeah...

Here's one I found quick, but I don't think it's on market yet???

iGO My way for Android - The ultimate navigation for Android

Looks like it's coming soon for Android, but it costs $55 for the iPhone N. America version ...