Anyone Care to Comment on the Phone's GPS Capabilities

[JamesC]

One seemingly neglected aspect in most people's reviews is the phone's GPS. Of course, it's not the first thing you'd go to when you get your fun new toy. But if anyone can find the time to comment on the phone's GPS antenna (accuracy, etc.) it'd be much appreciated.

Specifically, I'm curious whether it works without an internet connection. I.e. no data or wifi connection. I understand AGPS utilizes data, but some AGPS chips are enabled to also work without the data connection, albeit slower. There are programs to cache maps on the phones, so using those without a connection is not a problem. If someone knows the answer to this first hand it'd be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Earthsiege]

I can't recall where I read it, so I can't provide a link to the source, as I've read so many N1 related things lately, but it looks as though it only works when you have a data signal.

 

[JamesC]

I've seen people insisting that is definitely would work, but I've also seen one person having difficult getting it to work (though I think they even had a wifi connection, so I don't know if there was something else at play, too). I'm just looking for solid confirmation from someone with phone in-hand. I'm in the same boat though, sourcing anything I read can be rather difficult, and so much is hearsay.

 

[Earthsiege]

I'll be getting mine on Friday, so if no one else answers, I'll be sure to let you know.

 

[MartinS]

I understood it had A-GPS? Which means that it works by "seeing" satellites, and if you have a data connection that helps boost the pick up on location etc...

 

[jpw]

GPS works as follows (all tested on my way home on my Nexus One): If you have a data connection, you can plan a route. Then if you have a GPS connection, GPS works as usual.

If you lose the data connection, but maintain your GPS connection, GPS works as usual. If you lose the data connection and your GPS connection, then regain your GPS connection, GPS works as usual.

If you try to to make a new route with no data connection, you get an error. You can go back to the GPS route in progress.

 

[willymcd]

GPS works as follows (all tested on my way home on my Nexus One): If you have a data connection, you can plan a route. Then if you have a GPS connection, GPS works as usual. If you lose the data connection, but maintain your GPS connection, GPS works as usual. If you lose the data connection and your GPS connection, then regain your GPS connection, GPS works as usual. If you try to to make a new route with no data connection, you get an error. You can go back to the GPS route in progress.

AGPS can either be network enhanced GPS that needs a network to work or doesn't need a network to work. It sounds like from your description that the AGPS unit in the N1 doesn't need a network to work, which is what everyone wants.... we just wanted to know if you can get a gps fix without any network connection.... It would also be nice to know how long it takes for it to get a gps fix, and how powerful the antena is, can you get a fix indoors?

 

[jpw]

You have to have a data connection to start a new GPS route. If you lose your data connection while already traveling on your GPS route, the GPS route continues with turn-by-turn directions and real time map coordinates. But you cannot then start a new GPS route. If you lose your GPS connection while traveling, the GPS connection can return even without a data connection.

The GPS fix happens pretty quick (less than a minute or two) but on my way home my GPS signal was lost twice whereas it is never lost on my actual GPS unit (Mio). And indoor reception was the same as my GPS unit, meaning none where I'm at.

 

[cigar3tte]

It won't work. The map data is from the cloud through Google Maps. Your GPS might know your coordinates, but it wouldn't know where you are based on it w/o a map.

 

[willymcd]

this has nothing to do with google maps, just GPS, of course you need data for google maps to work. we are talking about does the GPS get a fix with out data?

 

[cigar3tte]

this has nothing to do with google maps, just GPS, of course you need data for google maps to work. we are talking about does the GPS get a fix with out data?

What's the point? Is there something that can be used by the GPS w/o data?

I guess someone can test with Locale?

 

[integra891]

i have the nexus one and I also have copilot live installed on the device. i was able to get a gps lock through copilot and route a course to work and back with no problem. no access of the data connection necessary in copilot live as all data is stored on memory card. i dont know if this answers your question or not. gps works fine, i got a lock pretty quickly (within 2 minutes) and stayed locked on. I even got a lock inside my house, which is one story.

 

[MartinS]

i have the nexus one and I also have copilot live installed on the device. i was able to get a gps lock through copilot and route a course to work and back with no problem. no access of the data connection necessary in copilot live as all data is stored on memory card. i dont know if this answers your question or not. gps works fine, i got a lock pretty quickly (within 2 minutes) and stayed locked on. I even got a lock inside my house, which is one story.

Well answered - it's what I was trying to say with my explanation of how AGPS works on this device.

Most mobile phone GPS I've come across work without a data connection (like a simple Tomtom Go etc) it's only software like Google maps which does not have the map stored on the phone which causes the problem.

 

[rynowhi]

Today, my map was loaded, I lost my data connection for a second (AT&T grrr, two more days of contract), but the GPS continued down the street with me and followed my turn.

It did absolutely drain my battery in no time. Used turn by turn for ~2 hours (outside sales) with some other phone usage and battery was < 10% by noon. Ouch. Needs a car dock badly.