[Q] Does GPS use data? - Atrix 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I am thinking about getting the car dock for the atrix.. but if I use google navigation does it take up a lot of data?
I don't want to waste so much data when I could use it for other things.
THANKS

The gps data doesn't use data but loading google maps does because it downloads tiles unless they've been cached. You can get an app called Navigon that includes preloaded maps and then it should use no data.
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Be careful.............GPS doesn't use data, it uses satellites not cell towers, but navigation can/does, and you will use data especially if using assisted GPS. Also, the carrier or phone manufacturer can make the phone go through cell towers if they want to. In addition, navigation can use cell towers for triangulation. The navigation program makes a difference also. As mentioned before, if you do not want to use data, make sure all the maps are loaded onto your phone, then you should be using satellites only. One way to check is turn off all cell phone capability, have only GPS on, and start your GPS and navigation program. If it can find your location, and updates on only GPS, you are fine. FYI..........If you do not have the maps loaded on your device, you can use as much as 1MB per mile of data, again dependent on device, carrier, and navigation software.

Related

Navigation app?

do we get charged foe using the satellite gps on the phone? i uninstalled the at&t navigator.
Pretty impressive post.
I think this is what you are asking along with the answers:
GPS: no
Data: depends on your data plan and if you have hit your plan limits.
Sent from my MB860 using XDA App
You can use Google's Navigation for free as much as you want.
*NOTE*
GPS still uses a data plan to download the maps, so make sure you don't use all of your data if you don' have unlimited.
Install offline navigation softwares like Ndrive or IGO
just to clarify, the GPS radio itself wont' use data, but the apps will as they update their maps and as for routes.
dont' use the AT&T BS, use google maps or mapquest if you don't care about data use since both are free.
what about if im using wifi rather then the data plan? i have it toggled off on my phone
fRenZy-_- said:
what about if im using wifi rather then the data plan? i have it toggled off on my phone
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And you're going to have Wifi in your car how?
Even if you did, (I do know a few cars have wifi hotspots as features), they all come with GPS navigation standard in those packages AFAIK.

Does GPS use data?

I've been searching for this but haven't been able to find a definitive answer.
How does the GPS actually work? And does it use your data or is it an extra fee?
Thanks
Sent from my X10i using XDA App
It depends how you are using it. If you use it with an online navigation like Google maps, it will charge you for internet. But if you use it with offline navigation like Sygic, iGo and others it will cost you nothing.
Thank You
Wondered myself about this thanks for clearing this up
The GPS system uses an array of satelites. Your phone uses these to establish its position. This involves no 2G/3G data connection to your service provider. As G-FACE then states various apps will then either uses this info on its own or combine it with downloaded data for sat nav etc.
Essential gps usage does not need data allowance unless you are using aGPS ([Settings] Assisted GPS that downloads some transmitter data (your network provider) enables you to find your location quicker). Google Maps as well as many of 3rd-party apps do use data to store temporary information and eg. browsing maps' layers in real-time.

[Q] Why GPS doesn't work without internet?

Hi,
I'm just wondering why my GPS doesn't work without internet connection. It just can't connect to any sattelite. I'm currently using PFGPS v2.0 FIX for my country (Poland) and I don't see any changes. What is wrong?
It requires Internet to load the maps
Can I load maps now to use GPS without internet connection if I'm not in wifi area?
Brajano95 said:
Can I load maps now to use GPS without internet connection if I'm not in wifi area?
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how can you load maps without internet connection ??
I'm at home now so I can do it cause I have wifi here :/
Brajano95 said:
I'm at home now so I can do it cause I have wifi here :/
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so you have wifi that means you are connected to the internet!!!
for GPS it can only find your position but can't display your location on a map without an internet connection so GPS needs one.
I will wait for answer from another person. Thank you.
There is an application on the market(related to sports/tracking) that allows you to download a portion of a map and then you can use your GPS offline(no data connection). When I get home I will look for it(I have it on my tablet).
Correct me if I am wrong but Brajano95 means that is it possible to load the maps on his wifi connection and keep then saved when he is out and about to allow the gps to connect. You used to be able to do this in the google labs section on google maps but they've since taken it away unless you look for an older version. Otherwise have a look for third party map app on the android market which allows downloading of map data to the phone
adsada arc said:
Correct me if I am wrong but Brajano95 means that is it possible to load the maps on his wifi connection and keep then saved when he is out and about to allow the gps to connect. You used to be able to do this in the google labs section on google maps but they've since taken it away unless you look for an older version. Otherwise have a look for third party map app on the android market which allows downloading of map data to the phone
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Thats exactly what I'm talking about! Now I'm downloading Sygic Aura (about 550 mb) and will test it later.
Because GPS and Maps on CM7 suck balls at best. Maps is using your I.P. for the GPS coordinates when on WIFI, without it Maps is counting on a reliable signal from your GPS; and that's just not going to happen with CM7.
Sent from my GT-S5830 using xda premium
You can use iGo My Way
I know a fair bit about the GPS module in the Ace so i will comment. I think someone has already told you that it is possible to operate the Ace with preloaded maps. Likewise, i thought that the OP's choice of Sygic Navigation is a fair one.
Back to the original question in the title. GPS can operate with or without internet be it wifi or data e.g. 3G/2G. The difference is how fast you can obtain a GPS lock. Without using any positioning help from data connectivity, you are looking at a lock time of possibly 15 minutes thereabout.
There are 4 modes of operation possible for the GPS module in the Ace which is actually Qualcomm's GpsONE.
1.) Standalone (Slowest using positioning information in cache and smart polling)
2.) MS-Based (Sends data to nearby cell tower(s) and makes use of GPS transceivers in the cell tower(s)
3.) MS-Assisted (Similar to MS-Based BUT data connectivity is broken when GPS transceiver is online. I don't quite like that!)
4.) MS-Based/Hybrid (You need to have superb data connectivity probably cell tower signal strength should be in the -50dBm region. Not very useful in real life usage)
i have had my own thread for fixing GPS, so read up if you want to know more here.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1320626
first you need the maps to use it offline, and the correct gps.conf for your location http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1284506, then you can use it without internet
Mapdroyd is a great app that allows you to download maps for offline use. Unfortunately there isn't offline navigation though..
Hi,
I've solved my problem, just install Sygic! Thanks for helping guys
btw u dont need too install anything.. go to google labs inside maps and add map cache.. now long press a location on map.. click the arrow on the address and u ll see an option to cache that area.. the steps may not be accurate as i tried it a long time back and dont have my phone with me but its possible and what u have to do will be more or less the same...

Using GPS when traveling?

Greetings!
I am going to Turkey this Saturday with my school, and I am wondering if I am able to use my gps without huge costs?
My data will be disabled
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA
Last time checking...
GPS is free,
As for data ,
It really depends on the App you are using.
For example :
Google maps requires you to download the maps which would require data.
Try Maverick GPS app
Try Maverick, a GPS app without the need of data or wifi.
You can d/l the lite version for free off the market.
Wont give you a great navigation but it will do the job for free
Also try Navfree.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.navfree.android.OSM.ALL
Sent from my Desire HD using xda premium
You can pre-cache a 10milex10mile square in the google maps app but you'd have to know where you were going to go in advance to cache the areas but this can be done during a trip whenever you have wifi and know you're changing cities. No turn by turn or searching but at least you'd have a map you could plot your position on from the phone.
Well, most phones have A-gps, that stands for "assisted GPS": it is not the same as the common gps in Tom Tom devices and so on.
A-Gps has less power consumption, but a weaker receiver so, without the help of a data connection, it would turn to be quite useless, apart from the maps that should be loaded in advance.
GPS positioning data is always free..
You just need the right software to do turn by turn nav (Like Sygic or NavFree / etc)..
You can cache maps off of Google, but that won't give you turn by turn.
Sure GPS connection is free, but data run on 3g or 2g network to assist the GPS. May be it's not a big amount but, if you're travelling abroad, it won't be so cheap
I wonder if the main population will ever understand what a-gps are.
You can use iGO MyWay for android. Easy program and it dosn't connect to internet
Straight from Wikipedia. Now it'll be clear that a-gps needs data connection...
Standalone GPS provides first position in approximately 30-40 seconds. A Standalone GPS system needs orbital information of the satellites to calculate the current position. The data rate of the satellite signal is only 50 b/s, so downloading orbital information like ephemeris and almanac directly from satellites typically takes a long time, and if the satellite signals are lost during the acquisition of this information, it is discarded and the standalone system has to start from scratch. In AGPS, the Network Operator deploys an AGPS server. These AGPS servers download the orbital information from the satellite and store it in the database. An AGPS capable device can connect to these servers and download this information using Mobile Network radio bearers such as GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, LTE or even using other wireless radio bearers such as Wi-Fi. Usually the data rate of these bearers is high, hence downloading orbital information takes less time.
AGPS downloads very little data and it doesn't even require cell service. I have a non activated Android device and using GPS Status it will download AGPS data over wifi. This data is pretty small in size and you only need it to initially lock on satellites faster. Without AGPS data you'll just have to wait longer to get a lock.
For an offline GPS app, I use Sygic since it uses TomTom maps and I've owned a TomTom unit before. But there are other good ones out there.
Yes, there's no contraddiction between all that has been said by both of us. Not a huge data amount but if you are abroad and a roaming area it won't be cheap, because the data flows any time a fix is needed... Just think of tunnels and areas where the GPS signal is weak. I mean, the fix is not one only, it may be 20 or even 100 during an hour of navigation.

[Q] Question in regards to using the GPS dongle for navigation

Ok so I have a question. I got my GPS dongle yesterday (it works great!) however When I try to use it with google maps for navigation without wifi, maps says it needs a data connection to work. I'm not sure how some people here are using the TFP with the dongle for navigation without wifi. Can someone enlighten me?
gps needs data
The issue is that google maps and navigation needs to download maps and data. What you need is a navigation app with offline maps. For mapping try mapdroyd.
There are two sorts of GPS navigation apps - the sort that plan your road journey from A to B and give you turn by turn directions and the sort that display a map, show where you are and you can put in a "as the crow flies" route A to B to C which is for walking, sailing or flying
(there are many free maps for these apps and your country is relevant - available file formats . Suggest you google free gps maps + country )
I'd search for "gps map" in Google Play and see what catches the eye.
chucky7910 said:
Ok so I have a question. I got my GPS dongle yesterday (it works great!) however When I try to use it with google maps for navigation without wifi, maps says it needs a data connection to work. I'm not sure how some people here are using the TFP with the dongle for navigation without wifi. Can someone enlighten me?
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Click to collapse
Google Maps allows for offline maps, just enable it in the LABS menu item.
Google Maps uses data to download the maps. You have to use a Navigation app that doesn't use data connection.
I personally use CoPilot Live Premium USA. Well worth the $20 w/ Live Traffic. The Maps are downloaded to your SD Card. For my region (So CAL) it was about 764mb. Once again, this app allows you to use your Primes GPS connection and no data required for operating.
There are plenty more Nav apps in the Market store...it's up to you which one is of your liking.
babymatteo said:
Google Maps uses data to download the maps. You have to use a Navigation app that doesn't use data connection.
I personally use CoPilot Live Premium USA. Well worth the $20 w/ Live Traffic. The Maps are downloaded to your SD Card. For my region (So CAL) it was about 764mb. Once again, this app allows you to use your Primes GPS connection and no data required for operating.
There are plenty more Nav apps in the Market store...it's up to you which one is of your liking.
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I agree. CoPilot Live is the best. I've gone thru all the different ones in Google Play, and none could beat CoPilot live.
Bob
chucky7910 said:
Ok so I have a question. I got my GPS dongle yesterday (it works great!) however When I try to use it with google maps for navigation without wifi, maps says it needs a data connection to work. I'm not sure how some people here are using the TFP with the dongle for navigation without wifi. Can someone enlighten me?
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Click to collapse
The trick is to set the navigation destination while you have data service and let it start and make that blue route line. It will track all the way to the location, and if you cached the map area (settings > labs) even reroute if you go the wrong way, all without the initial data service.
Each pre-cached area is 10 square miles and is stored unless you wipe the cache. I'm in lower NY state so I just did my house, upper NJ, and NYC and it covers most all of the places I ever go without ever having to think about it again.
Going somewhere new just cache the route and location it will be there if you ever go back. Still better than having to pay for navigation in my book.
mikeypopps said:
The trick is to set the navigation destination while you have data service and let it start and make that blue route line. It will track all the way to the location, and if you cached the map area (settings > labs) even reroute if you go the wrong way, all without the initial data service.
Each pre-cached area is 10 square miles and is stored unless you wipe the cache. I'm in lower NY state so I just did my house, upper NJ, and NYC and it covers most all of the places I ever go without ever having to think about it again.
Going somewhere new just cache the route and location it will be there if you ever go back. Still better than having to pay for navigation in my book.
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That' exactly what I did to one of my GPS dongle videos. I used Google maps for navigation by using my Evo as data connection then cut it once it grabed the directions. Works without any problems.
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