Android free service alternatives - GPS / Maps & Tethering

[CurseTheSky]

Updated my original title to reflect my new questions (post #6).

Hey guys,

Yet another dumb question, as I've had my Droid X for less than a month: is the GPS / maps feature completely free (other than data)? This was the "Navigation" App (blue arrow symbol), and it turns on the "Use GPS satellites" setting, not the "Enable Assisted GPS" ($$$?) setting.

I was told that it is 100% free, and finally got around to using it for the first time last night. It was absolutely phenomenal and scarily accurate.

While we're on the subject, are there any apps that will incur charges if I'm not careful? I'm not an idiot, so I'll be purposely avoiding things like visual voice mail, etc. but I want to make sure that Verizon doesn't sneak in hidden charges like AT&T just did with my last statement (seriously, I bought a multimedia phone for work use, and they signed me up for Mobile TV at $10 / month without saying a word).

Thanks.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Yep, 100% free.

 

[vshah]

even assisted GPS should be free, AFAIK. it will help you get a lock faster in some situations, although if it works fine without it then it doesn't really matter. VZ navigator or whatever verizon's thing is called is the one you would have to pay for.

also, use google voice for free visual voicemail

 

[Strk]

even assisted GPS should be free, AFAIK. it will help you get a lock faster in some situations, although if it works fine without it then it doesn't really matter. VZ navigator or whatever verizon's thing is called is the one you would have to pay for.

also, use google voice for free visual voicemail

Assisted GPS should be, although it technically does use a tiny bit of data. I guess you can technically view that as a charge if you have limited data.

 

[gsaldivar]

100% free, although you will want to keep an eye on data use if you aren't on an unlimited data plan.

Google Maps/Navigator blows away any standalone GPS unit I've ever used.

Services/apps that require payment: VZ Navigator (sucks compared to Google Maps anyway I've heard), Visual Voicemail (use Google Voice instead), 3G Mobile Hotspot (while there are free tethering methods out there, the official hotspot app included with Android 2.2 on Verizon phones is a pay service).

 

[CurseTheSky]

100% free, although you will want to keep an eye on data use if you aren't on an unlimited data plan.

Google Maps/Navigator blows away any standalone GPS unit I've ever used.

Services/apps that require payment: VZ Navigator (sucks compared to Google Maps anyway I've heard), Visual Voicemail (use Google Voice instead), 3G Mobile Hotspot (while there are free tethering methods out there, the official hotspot app included with Android 2.2 on Verizon phones is a pay service).

Thanks for the list, and thanks for the help to you and everyone else.

Originally I was against the idea of using PDANet, since I'll be using my laptop / connection primarily for my business and I DON'T want to be in violation of any contracts, but I'm starting to warm up to the idea. Is there anything I should know about it, such as risks or other caveats (other than going over the "unlimited" 5GB data cap, of course), or should I just give it a shot and go for it?

 

[sjwaste]

If you're tethering for business, just pay for the service and not worry about the (probably remote) chance that they'll shut you off or something. If it's for business, your company should pay for it anyway. If you're self-employed, the company should still pay for it and then write it as a business expense, right?

If I'm using something to generate income, I'm probably inclined to pay for it both because it's ethical (you want others to pay you for your services, right?) and because I want the guarantees and support that come with it. New version of Wifi Tether doesn't work with your phone? Tough shit, nobody to call. Paying for it? "Hello, Verizon? I'm calling to bitch, you're costing me money!"

 

[rudeguy]

Thanks for the list, and thanks for the help to you and everyone else.

Originally I was against the idea of using PDANet, since I'll be using my laptop / connection primarily for my business and I DON'T want to be in violation of any contracts, but I'm starting to warm up to the idea. Is there anything I should know about it, such as risks or other caveats (other than going over the "unlimited" 5GB data cap, of course), or should I just give it a shot and go for it?

My rule I live by:

Its better to beg for forgiveness than to ask for permission.

Tether that bad boy and fire up some torrents

 

[Oyeve]

Woah, so using pdanet and tethering is not kosher? I use it all the time on my vibrant.....

 

[rudeguy]

Woah, so using pdanet and tethering is not kosher? I use it all the time on my vibrant.....

Tmo doesn't care as long as you don't go over 5 gigs or whatever the limit is. They are the least uptight out of all the carriers. They don't even give me a hard time when I wrect my phones by screwing something up with rooting.

 

[sjwaste]

You also have no recourse if something doesn't work. Fine if its personal, but if it's your business, it's probably better to cover your ass and pay for it on the off chance something breaks.

 

[CurseTheSky]

Thanks for the thoughts guys.

I actually have two accounts - Verizon for personal use (with data), and AT&T for business use, without data. I'm currently employed in webdesign / programming, but I'm also in the process of starting my own business. I will primarily want the data access for my own business, though it won't be absolutely essential.

I'll probably just wait until I have the business up and running, and then pay for tethering. Like you said sjwaste, it's really not a good idea to take the risk when it can be the difference between getting a job done (and getting paid) or having to walk away because I have no Internet access at that moment.

 

[gsaldivar]

I've used PDAnet for years and I've found it to be fast, convenient, and reliable. If you don't have the tethering/hotspot upgrade on your account, I would use it sparingly. Carriers have thus far turned a blind eye to all but the heaviest bandwidth users. However, if you plan to keep your account in good standing, torrents and other large downloads (videos, music) would definitely be off limits.

Good luck!