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Dumb question: is the GPS worth it on the 3g iPhone?

j5045096 said:
Fine, let me add that several years ago before there was GPS in every car in America I used my $5 Atlas from Wal-Mart on more road trips through some of the most random places in the Southeast. I had TeleNav on a Nextel phone when it first came out and didn't like it compared to my Atlas (and my car's odometer - which gave me the satisfaction of being able to accomplish something without a computer unlike everything else in life we now do) -- I had Verizon after that and their VZ Navigator (which saved my life on an icy road in a very unfamiliar Grand Rapids, MI once so I can't totally knock it) and now the Garmin in my wife's car.

The iPhone & Google Maps reminds me of using at Atlas. It doesn't do EVERYTHING for you but it's a nice cheat and that is the experience I prefer. I don't want Jill the Garmin computer telling me to turn here here and here and I don't need to have my GPS constantly running just so I can feel special when I pull up to the stop light with the screen clearly visible for every other low-tech person to see, just so I can know for sure I'm going the right way to the grocery store that I've been to 612x before. Honestly that's why the Garmin is in my wife's car (we did not buy it by the way, it was a gift--and no I did not upload pictures and mp3's to it; stupidest feature they could have ever included, but you know there are people out there who see that and buy that model over a lower one without those features) ...I'd be embarassed to have it visible. It's not quite as bad as the people who have dual DVD screens in their minivans so that their kids aren't bored driving the 3 miles to and from school, but it's up there, in my book. So, you said it best - it's akin to a fold out map. That's exactly what I want. Now I don't have to carry around the giant map.
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LOL Excellent rant.. You sound exactly like me.
 
You know how a phone number gets given to you by somebody ringing you and then you save it as a contact and never make any attempt at remembering the number. That is not so bad...

But to take no notice of where you are and just do the turn by turn thing sounds silly to me.

The common person rarely travels outside their comfort zone anyway.

Basic navigation should be taught in schools... Maps are cool.
 
install the xGPS software and you have an almost fully functional gps for the iphone

http://xgps.xwaves.net/

works great, it shows your speed and everything, rotating map with a big blue arrow etc. Lots of functions, you can even download maps and use it offline.

the stock "gps" crapsoftware from apple just plainly sucks, dunno why anyone would use it and I don't understand why apple wouldn't fix it and make something like xGPS made by a 3rd party source.. the Iphone would be SOO much better.
 
Isn't that the app that gets terrible reviews from the App store? Or is it something else?


Also how does downloading maps work? Are they available for all areas?
 
kdarling said:
Without background processing, a lot of the neat things you can do with a GPS equipped phone, just aren't possible. Such as...

Having the phone automatically change profiles depending on location.

Automatically sending a text alert when you get close to picking up your kids from school.

Alerting you when you're near a restaurant you might like.

Warning you if you need to get moving to get to an appointment.

Retracing your steps all day to see how far you walked.

... and that's just the tip of the iceberg of things that other phones can do.
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im sorry but if you need your phone to text you when your near a restaurant you like then you've either got serious alzheimers or other serious issues.
 
kinkster said:
Isn't that the app that gets terrible reviews from the App store? Or is it something else?


Also how does downloading maps work? Are they available for all areas?
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This is a jailbreak app. I just downloaded it. Its how google maps should be.
 
The GPS has been very useful for me.

I asked my mate for his postcode so I could find his place, and worked out where I should get off the bus. But it was a bit of a trek from the bus stop, and without the GPS, I'd be checking road signs (which were sparse).

Plus I play golf, so the GPS can work out how far I've hit the ball by calculating how far I've walked from the tee to where my ball landed. I always think it is wrong though, I'm positive I can hit 300 yards! :)
 
no its not an appstore app, it's an app for the jailbroken iphones, as mentioned it's how the gps SHOULD be...

they have made an app for it called Map Manager... downloads google map areas for use with the app.
 
applemonkey said:
does the GPS need to have the data plan to be used?
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ya i have the question too cause if i hacked a 3g, and i had wi fi, i could still have gps right cause the gps just gives coordinates and the wifi will just download from google so in therory it should work.....but whats the actual mileage?
 
techfreak85 said:
ya i have the question too cause if i hacked a 3g, and i had wi fi, i could still have gps right cause the gps just gives coordinates and the wifi will just download from google so in therory it should work.....but whats the actual mileage?
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If you use WiFi, then the GPS will work with Google Maps in your scenario.
 
I upgraded the original iPhone to the 3G when it came out and I am glad I did. I find the 3g service much faster and I like that I can talk on the phone and use data at the same time.

I frequently use the gps and google maps. I just create the route in google maps and make sure the blue dot follows the purple line. You don't need to watch it every second as some imply. I find it easier and less distracting than trying to find and read street signs. I have gone on some excursions where my TomTom is talking the whole time telling me to go straight on. Really annoying.

I haven't tried switching the sim card back and forth but I think I have read on here that you have to re-activate the phone each time you do.
 
bstpierre said:
You don't need to watch it every second as some imply. I find it easier and less distracting than trying to find and read street signs. I have gone on some excursions where my TomTom is talking the whole time telling me to go straight on. Really annoying.
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The Garmin I've used doesn't "talk" the whole time. It will just warn of upcoming turns "in 500 feet", etc. Stays silent most of the time. Hard to believe the Tom Tom would be yapping "go straight...go straight...go straight..." the whole time. Used the Garmin throughout L.A. and it worked beautifully. Used the iPhone GPS throughout Napa and it sucked.

All of AT&T's GPS phones can have audible turn-by-turn. All except the iPhone. That's lame that the option isn't there for those that prefer turn-by-turn, map rotated to direction of travel, etc. Regardless of what one prefers (audible or not), there's no denying that the iPhone has a gimp'd GPS.
 
No, No, No.

GPS is definitely not worth having or using and do not buy any GPS apps or you will be frustrated at best or if you are driving while using any GPS apps including Google Maps, you are putting your self and those around you at risk.

GPS is dangerous and should not be allowed on the iPhone. The apps drop in and out and are never dependable. I have used and own several, all of which I have now deleted from my iPhone.
 
Yes. Worth it. For those with a decent Street View mapping around you, worth it even more. That and an in-car charger...
 
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