Speedometer app using GPS: does it use data?

[dlee1001]

I downloaded a speedometer app from the Android market. The app requires that the GPS on my phone be turned on. But I got a bit worried about whether the app would use data when I'm not on Wi-fi. I got assurance that the GPS itself doesn't use data, but that apps that use GPS can. Do speedometer apps use data with GPS turned on?

 

[vosg]

Speedometer apps don't need data, just GPS. I suggest you look at the app's permissions to make sure.

 

[dlee1001]

I checked the app's permissions and it said:

1. Your location--coarse (network-based) location, fine (GPS) location
2. Network communication--full Internet access
3. Phone calls--read phone state
4. System tools--prevent phone from sleeping

 

[RyanB]

Given that it requires internet access, it very well may be using data. It might be just to pull down ads (assuming it's an ad supported app), but at the end of the day, data is data.

 

[Gorf123]

I've noticed a few of these apps that need access to phone data, internet, camera etc when it's not immediately apparent why. Is it safe to assume that the developer just wrote it and left the default access requests rather than thinking about which ones are utilised?

 

[takeshi]

Depends on the specific app. There's no need for data to calculate your speed but that doesn't mean that all speedo apps don't use data. You can't make assumptions like in the OP. Broad, sweeping generalizations are of limited use.