Asus has a fix for GPS!

rsarno · Apr 9, 2012

Just read asus will let us register on the 16th and 2 weeks later will ship us a gpa dongle

It will plug into our charging port. That's perfect for me, but sucks of you use the dock I suppose

Thought?

Kudos for them not just forgetting about us

davidchsw · Apr 9, 2012

ASUS placates Transformer Prime owners with free GPS Extension Kit add-on -- Engadget

LateNiteMike · Apr 9, 2012

Well, I for one have to give Asus credit and a 'thumbs up' for going the extra mile in coming up with this free 'dongle' to help users deal with the GPS issue.

However, I'm still wondering if PERHAPS they could have merely provided another 'back' for the tablet (like the TF700) that (probably) would have dealt with the issue as well as this dongle,....or maybe even better. Furthermore, perhaps a new 'back' might have improved the wifi as well. I guess we'll never know now.

ylexot · Apr 9, 2012

LateNiteMike said:
However, I'm still wondering if PERHAPS they could have merely provided another 'back' for the tablet (like the TF700) that (probably) would have dealt with the issue as well as this dongle,....or maybe even better. Furthermore, perhaps a new 'back' might have improved the wifi as well. I guess we'll never know now.

It's nowhere near easy to change the back panel...
AnandTech - ASUS Eee Pad Transformer Prime Teardown

So, every one of them would have to go back to ASUS and have them changed out by hand.

Ramzes13 · Apr 9, 2012

i think the back plate is a small issue compared to the fact that Asus left out key parts of their GPS driver, the Primalicious rom proves this. I and Lostsorrow, both have had the GPS issue...until we rooted and went with the rom. the dev who worked on it proved this and moved the gps drivers from another tablet with the same GPS module. With wifi off and driving 50 miles i got 9 active sats with 15 viewable and fully functioning compass verified using gps test from the market.

it is great that Asus is doing this for people with stock, non rooted tablets, but if it is the case that they simply left drivers out of the kernel, then that's a shame.

ylexot · Apr 9, 2012

I wonder if there's a way to make the modifications with just root. I don't really want to unlock the bootloader just yet.

Lyvewire · Apr 9, 2012

what is a "dongle" exactly??

ylexot · Apr 9, 2012

According to this thread, it might be possible to do it manually on a rooted Prime.
[MOD] GPS Patch for Prime - xda-developers

I might have to try it out.

ylexot · Apr 9, 2012

Lyvewire said:
what is a "dongle" exactly??

Basically, it's something that plugs into a port.

Here's a good definition:
Originally slang for a plug-in module to copy protect software (see hardware key), the term is used for any small module that plugs in and sticks out of a socket; for example, USB flash memory drives and other USB devices such as a wireless mouse receiver or cellular air card. If it uses a very short cable, it may still be called a dongle.

Lyvewire · Apr 9, 2012

Thanks I appreciate you explaining it. Never heard the term. I have no regrets in not returning my Asus. They seem to be making the effort to satisfy the customers least...

davidchsw · Apr 9, 2012

I have to assume if they could have fixed it with software they would have. It will be much more expensive to make and ship the dongle. Thanks to Asus for coming up with a solution.

Linx · Apr 9, 2012

And where do we sign up for this?

ylexot · Apr 9, 2012

They are supposed to go live with it next week and it will be available at the same website where you go to register the device.

sgosnell · Apr 9, 2012

IMO the best way to get good GPS is with a bluetooth receiver. You can put it where it gets a good signal, and it uses its own battery, so the tablet's battery lasts longer. If you're in a car, you won't get a good signal in the middle of it, only in the windshield, and some windshields have coatings which block the GPS signals anyway. With a bluetooth unit you can put it anywhere a good signal is present, and the tablet anywhere you can see and use it easily, and not worry about it, plus you don't block the charging port. They go for ~US$15 on ebay.

rdalev · Apr 10, 2012

Don't understand why Asus is worried about it. They stated that the Prime was never intended to be a fully functioning GPS device and the peeps who kept theirs, I'm not one of them, said they didn't really want or care about GPS functionality ! :thinking:

So now you have a "Dongle" and an SD card that sticks out of the device !

JAy3001 · Apr 10, 2012

This is great news. I did contact Asus and they stated they are not currently offering a GPS dongle for any transformer units. But if I would like to keep up with the latest news refer to Asus.com

With regards to the GPS Dongle,

We are currently not offering any GPS dongles for the Transformer device, and have made no official statements at this time.

If you would like to keep up to date on recent news from ASUS, please refer to ASUS.com, as this will be where to find any announcements which are made.

Regards Kevin UK Support Hotline: +44 (0) 870 1208 340 ASUS ASUSTek (UK) Ltd.

Treknologist · Apr 10, 2012

JAy3001 said:
This is great news. I did contact Asus and they stated they are not currently offering a GPS dongle for any transformer units. But if I would like to keep up with the latest news refer to Asus.com

That's because they haven't released an official statement yet. This was leaked "accidentally" by a tech support rep. The latest updates are on XDA:
Unofficial by Official ASUS Thread - Product Updates - xda-developers
Gary, the official ASUS rep on XDA, keeps updating the first post with new information. Based on yesterday's update, they will have an official word on this next week.

By the way, there are 3 threads on this topic now. Maybe the mods can merge them?

davidchsw · Apr 10, 2012

rdalev said:
Don't understand why Asus is worried about it. They stated that the Prime was never intended to be a fully functioning GPS device and the peeps who kept theirs, I'm not one of them, said they didn't really want or care about GPS functionality !

So now you have a "Dongle" and an SD card that sticks out of the device !

Where did you see that Asus is worried about it?

siggy1964 · Apr 10, 2012

This is great news to me. Thanks guys. I really didn't want to send my prime back.

ODog2323 · Apr 15, 2012

Guess this is what the attachment will look like.

Transformer Prime's GPS fix turns out to be less of a dongle, more of a growth | Android Central

Not exactly subtle, but as long as it works it's cool. Plus the price is right.

JAy3001 · Apr 16, 2012

Well thats a nice new hinge.

HiphopAndroid · Apr 16, 2012

I just ordered my GPS Dongle from the Asus member site this morning, i also saw a picture of the GPS kit on another website, if that is truly it, its not flush with the tablet and very ugly, but kudos to Asus for offering it and its free. GPS i don't use with my wi-fi off. I hope this works for those that do want to use it?

jmt9779 · Apr 16, 2012

HiphopAndroid said:
I just ordered my GPS Dongle from the Asus member site this morning, i also saw a picture of the GPS kit on another website, if that is truly it, its not flush with the tablet and very ugly, but kudos to Asus for offering it and its free. GPS i don't use with my wi-fi off. I hope this works for those that do want to use it?

where exactly do you go on the asus member site? i'm not finding it anywhere.

TIA.

Treknologist · Apr 16, 2012

jmt9779 said:
where exactly do you go on the asus member site? i'm not finding it anywhere.

TIA.

When you log in, look at the menu on the left. The fourth item from the bottom is the dongle info: TF201 GPS Extension Kit Apply & Inquire

davidchsw · Apr 16, 2012

https://vip.asus.com/login.aspx

I think this is it.

Asus has a fix for GPS!

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