However, since I am going to be moving from the Crapberry to an Android phone, a buddy told me that the Android phone actually has a GPS on it that works just like a Tom Tom or Garmin, with turn by turn directions, routes, destinations, gas stations, etc.
Is that true? How well does the GPS on an Android phone work?
Pretty much like GPS on any other smartphone, including the Blackberry. What you're lumping all together as "GPS" actually consists of 2 separate entities on your device: the
GPS receiver (the hardware built into your device) and the
GPS app(s). It's important to understand the distinction. The GPS receiver only determines your location (latitude, longitude, altitude, time). Everything else you're asking about is determined by the specific app you're using. Google Maps Nav is stock on most devices but, like other smartphones, it's not the only GPS nav app out there. The other usual suspects have already been mentioned in this thread.
Some GPS apps require data for maps. Others store map data locally. The GPS receiver doesn't need data to determine your location. You app may or may not. If you need/want locally stored maps then make sure that you look into GPS nav apps that do so. Google Maps Nav does not. It offers precaching but that's not a practical solution IMO. That said, plenty of others find it acceptable.
But if on trips, etc - can you ask it to find gas stations, restaurants, like U can with a Tom Tom?
That's an app question, not a device question. Most of the GPS nav apps offer POI searching.
Does anyone know how much data is consumed per hour when using a nav app with an android phone? Short trips are one thing, but all day navigation is another. For some users, based on their data plan, this could be an important concern. A stand alone GPS device may still be the best solution.
Again, depends on the app. Apps that store maps locally will tend to use less data for obvious reasons. As stated above though, even apps that store map data locally may use data for traffic and other information. Your question doesn't have a one-size-fits-all answer. The different apps have different data requirements and their own map data. Some use vector maps which are smaller and therefore use less data. Others are non-vector and will use more data. Your particular trip will also affect data usage. Any question of usage (whether GPS or any other topic) will not have a one-size-fits-all answer. You need to monitor your particular usage if you're concerned about it or use an app that stores maps locally (and possibly disable/prevent data access when using the app).
This is my experience using Android Huawei, gps wont work without the 55$ Android plan I used to use a mogul, 35$ cricket plan and gps and internet all worked fine. I activated my Huawei staying with the 35$ plan I still get internet but some functions wont work like gps unless your hooked up to wifi, Im not sure if there are any kind of modifications to make it work without paying the extra 20$ per month.
Data requirements are based on the app, not the device. The GPS receiver doesn't need data. The app may or may not. Again, it depends on the specific app you're talking about.
Depending on your provider will determine how well gps will be.
Carrier has no effect on GPS. GPS uses the GPS satellites. The carrier isn't involved except for downloading assistance data for aGPS.
& Also the device. if it has true gps or agps (assisted Gps)
...and this is a common misunderstanding. aGPS is "true" GPS. If a method of determining your location doesn't use the GPS satellites to determine your location then it's not GPS by definition. I know a lot of people tend to use "GPS" to mean any method of determining location, including tower triangulation, WiFi, etc but GPS specifically refers to GPS and nothing else.
The only difference between aGPS and standalone mode GPS is that aGPS uses assistance data for a faster initial fix. That's it. Most aGPS receivers will fall back on standalone mode if assistance data isn't available.
aGPS is not tower triangulation. As I stated above, tower triangulation isn't GPS either.
The assisted gps needs a data connection WIFI or data To get map update for directions.
No, it needs data to retrieve assistance data which is used for a faster GPS fix. The GPS receiver does not handle or need map data. Again, map data is handled by the GPS app. Your GPS app takes your location determined by the GPS receiver and then takes that location data and pairs it with the map data and other features that utilize your location. There's no universal store of map data to pull from. Google Maps Nav uses Google Maps map data. Navigon uses Navigon's map data, etc.
