Is the GPS free?

[sk8mash]

So who understands this? Does it use up your data to use GPS, or is it all done through the satellites like a tomtom? Just thinking of the unlockies.

 

[Diode]

So who understands this? Does it use up your data to use GPS, or is it all done through the satellites like a tomtom? Just thinking of the unlockies.

The A-GPS in the iphone uses satellites, the tower and wi-fi to determine your connection. It uses the tower/wifi sites to get a initial fix and tell the phone what satellites to look for.

 

[sk8mash]

Soooo does that mean you would have to have 3g or edge turned on?

 

[Aperture]

Soooo does that mean you would have to have 3g or edge turned on?

You shouldn't have to have either turned on. GPS is ran through a dedicated chip.

I seem to be mistaken. See below.

 

[gloss]

Soooo does that mean you would have to have 3g or edge turned on?

Yes. The maps themselves will be downloaded via data connection.

 

[sk8mash]

From this im gathering that no one really knows

 

[Diode]

Soooo does that mean you would have to have 3g or edge turned on?

Assuming you are using a app that doesn't need data to download a map then it will just take much longer (A minute or two vs. seconds ) to get a location fix.

 

[vega07]

will the 3G iphone have voice turn-by-turn directions? without voice commands, GPS is useless to me. I don't want to drive and look at my phone CONSTANTLY, waiting for the street where I turn to come.

 

[sk8mash]

Ok, I will simplify.

I have no data plan. If I open maps, and tell it to locate me via GPS, will I get raped by data charges?

 

[earnjam]

Ok, I will simplify.

I have no data plan. If I open maps, and tell it to locate me via GPS, will I get raped by data charges?

Raped might be a strong word, but in short, yes.

If you open Google Maps, it has to download the maps from somewhere. GPS satellites don't send maps, they just send a signal that the chip in your phone will interpret and display a location.

 

[jimf123]

Gps

I had a nokia n80 and nokia made maps free to download. However, if you wanted turn by turn voice navigation (ie a voice telling you turn left/right when you reached a turning for example) then that was a one off payment for (I think) 3 years...I have read others saying GPS on the iphone is too small, but in my experience, GPS on the old n80 with it's tiny screen was fine for me, so I see no problems with the large iphone screen...

I guess we have to wait for details re who will provide maps etc and at what cost...

 

[Krevnik]

Ok, I will simplify.

I have no data plan. If I open maps, and tell it to locate me via GPS, will I get raped by data charges?

For the GPS itself? No.
For the images Google Maps downloads to show you where you are? Yes.

 

[motoxpress]

My question is if the GPS feature is a h/w -s/w combination or s/w only?

-mx

 

[jimf123]

software as the hardware is built in to the new phone

 

[spamdumpster]

One thing that will be interesting to see is how at&t deals with the GPS issues. For example, on a blackberry the GPS works out of the box and is free (of course data is necessary to download map data). But, there are numerous applications that simply use GPS data to provide speed, directions, elevation, etc., and even to save tracks so that they can be viewed later on google earth and other apps.

However, at&t goes out of their way to disable the native blackberry maps application because they want to sell people subscriptions to telenav at an extra $9.99/month. Google maps is free, and I expect to remain free on the iPhone, but look out for at&t trying to prey on stupid people by selling them additional gps apps.

 

[hotzenplotz]

Probably a data plan usage-kind-of-a-deal.