Will GPS and WiFi work in Europe?...

[MikeAg]

Hello Everyone:

I plan on going to Europe (Italy) this summer. I don't care if the cell phone works on my Droid Eris (Verizon), but I sure would like to be able to use the GPS and have internet access via the WiFi function.

I know the cell phone function won't work, but will the other two?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[erisuser1]

Yes.

Although, if you are planning on using Google for navigation, you sort of need a connection to the outside world for the map content - spotty WiFi won't cut it in that case, even if the GPS is working perfectly.

You might want an app that has maps stored locally on the phone.

 

[ScarcelyAware]

I'm all for an application that support preloaded world maps on an microSD card.

 

[willdogs]

Wifi: I don't see why not. Should be fine.

GPS: Sorry to say, but Probably NOT

See my Experience here: http://androidforums.com/htc-droid-eris/38621-eris-gps-not-working-outisde-mainland-usa.html

I tried everything, but my GPS and Network Location were completely DEAD while my Blackberry's Google Maps using Network Location worked just fine.

Both my Eris and Blackberry Curve are Verizon Devices, so why would one work and the other not?

Good luck and am curious to see how you make out in Europe with the Eris

 

[Deleted User]

This is great information: I was about to ask the same thing. I'm going to Europe (also Italy) this summer and wanted to know if wi-fi would work to check email, etc. I read somewhere that this can get expensive - why is that? Are data plans affected by being in Europe? I've got a Verizon Motorola Droid - not the Eris - will wi-fi still work?

Also, although the cell service won't work, can I install Skype, or Google Voice or something and use that instead?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Eric2]

WiFi works in Europe. Or at least it did in France when I was just over there recently.

Don't know about GPS...didn't try it.

I also wanted to use Skype via WiFi, but Verizon won't allow it to go over WiFi. There are some alternatives, which I didn't try because there was some other service provider you have to have to run any of the VOIP things, as I understand it.

 

[Demache]

WiFi is a world standard so I can't see why want.

Gps should also work fine.

Sent from my Eris using Tapatalk

 

[bwanna]

My Android (Droid) GPS is working in Europe (Spain, France, Amsterdam, London, Scotland, Ireland). However, I had to revert back to v2.1 - GPS does not work with Froyo v2.2... as least on my Droid it didn't.

Also, I noticed that it took a while to acquire it's location. It also seemed that sometimes I had to turn the Airplane mode on and off, turn GPS on and off. wireless on and off. I don't know if it really did anything or if the acquire time is just LONG... hard to tell.

But anyway, for those thinking of using their Droid without a CDMA cell system IT IS POSSIBLE.

Good luck!

 

[Demache]

My Android (Droid) GPS is working in Europe (Spain, France, Amsterdam, London, Scotland, Ireland). However, I had to revert back to v2.1 - GPS does not work with Froyo v2.2... as least on my Droid it didn't.

Also, I noticed that it took a while to acquire it's location. It also seemed that sometimes I had to turn the Airplane mode on and off, turn GPS on and off. wireless on and off. I don't know if it really did anything or if the acquire time is just LONG... hard to tell.

But anyway, for those thinking of using their Droid without a CDMA cell system IT IS POSSIBLE.

Good luck!

Its probably because it can't use A-GPS (Assisted). Normally it will acquire a rough idea of where its at, based on information from the cellular network, to help improve the startup time of the GPS. So now it has to figure it out where it solely on GPS, and this can take a LONG time. Our Garmin GPS, since it obviously can't use cellular networks, can sometimes take 2-3 minutes to find your current location accurately.

 

[bwanna]

Its probably because it can't use A-GPS (Assisted). Normally it will acquire a rough idea of where its at, based on information from the cellular network, to help improve the startup time of the GPS. So now it has to figure it out where it solely on GPS, and this can take a LONG time. Our Garmin GPS, since it obviously can't use cellular networks, can sometimes take 2-3 minutes to find your current location accurately.

Ok. I remember reading about that. It makes sense. That would also explain why it takes an equally long time when I put in a new battery.

At least it works, right!?

Thanks for the added information!

 

[L0stS0ul]

I was just in germany and I kept my phone in airplane mode with the GPS and WIFI turned on and both worked just fine. It took a LONG time for the GPS to lock but once it did it would relock quickly.

With the phone in airplane mode so the cell network and cell radio were off the phone lasted like 4 days on one charge with pretty heavy usage.

 

[bwanna]

I was just in germany and I kept my phone in airplane mode with the GPS and WIFI turned on and both worked just fine. It took a LONG time for the GPS to lock but once it did it would relock quickly.

With the phone in airplane mode so the cell network and cell radio were off the phone lasted like 4 days on one charge with pretty heavy usage.

I had the same thing. Never realized how much CDMA eats a battery. I also noticed it with the GSM phone I got for this trip. Lasts days on a single charge.

 

[Hiroshika]

The gps will work as long as your on earth. Now, the problem is finding a map app that will work in the foreign land.

 

[nomarsgirl]

Navdroyd (available in the market) will give you nav anywhere on earth with no data connection. Download maps to your sd card before you go. It can be a little difficult to enter address, but it does work. Just used it on a trip to canada. It did choose rather strange routes near the border though.

 

[tdkramer]

Navdroyd (available in the market) will give you nav anywhere on earth with no data connection. Download maps to your sd card before you go. It can be a little difficult to enter address, but it does work. Just used it on a trip to canada. It did choose rather strange routes near the border though.

Are there any special requirements for downloaded maps to be compatible with GPS in Europe? In other word, can I download any good map of a city and will the GPS figure out how to use it?

 

[Demache]

Are there any special requirements for downloaded maps to be compatible with GPS in Europe? In other word, can I download any good map of a city and will the GPS figure out how to use it?

GPS is the same all around the world bro. All your phone has to do is calculate where you are based on the satellites above.

It will work. As long as you have a good GPS signal anyway.

 

[btkgator]

GPS is the same all around the world bro. All your phone has to do is calculate where you are based on the satellites above.

It will work. As long as you have a good GPS signal anyway.

So, do I need to download a map (Ireland), or if I use Google Nav the maps will pull up?