News Google maps down

[FelixDeCat]

And I don't know where I am.

 

[nakedfrog]

Help! I'm somewhere where I don't know where I am!

 

[dullard]

You are at forums.anandtech.com

Google Maps is that way ----->

 

[BudAshes]

And I don't know where I am.

Mapquest's time to shine!

 

[Red Squirrel]

Use Apple Maps, your destination is a mystery every time! Think different(TM).

 

[pete6032]

I noticed the poor performance earlier today. Crazy how essential it has become to my daily life.

 

[Captante]

I have that problem all the time GPS on or not!

Google maps is however working perfectly.

 

[Captante]

I noticed the poor performance earlier today. Crazy how essential it has become to my daily life.

There's a reason I keep my "$10 on Craigslist" Garmin GPS up to date!

Not only is it more reliable especially in remote areas, the navigation is just better then Google maps when your driving. (I did slightly prefer my old Magellan though)

 

[nakedfrog]

There's a reason I keep my "$10 on Craigslist" Garmin GPS up to date!

Not only is it more reliable especially in remote areas, the navigation is just better then Google maps when your driving. (I did slightly prefer my old Magellan though)

In my "nice" car, I use a Garmin with a 6.5" screen, and I do overall prefer it to Google Maps for directions. Definitely nice not being reliant on an external service while you're travelling.

 

[ultimatebob]

There's a reason I keep my "$10 on Craigslist" Garmin GPS up to date!

Not only is it more reliable especially in remote areas, the navigation is just better then Google maps when your driving. (I did slightly prefer my old Magellan though)

Doesn't Garmin still charge out the wazoo for map updates? If they were free, I'd probably still be using one now.

 

[nakedfrog]

Doesn't Garmin still charge out the wazoo for map updates? If they were free, I'd probably still be using one now.

Mine came with free lifetime map updates, and I got it on eBay.
It has live traffic, too. I can either let it work from... I don't know what via an antenna built into the stock car adapter, or sync it with my phone (which I do).

 

[Captante]

Doesn't Garmin still charge out the wazoo for map updates? If they were free, I'd probably still be using one now.

If the GPS you bought doesn't include lifetime-updates they do. (mine does)

 

[ultimatebob]

If the GPS you bought doesn't include lifetime-updates they do. (mine does)

Yeah, I plugged in my old Nuvi just for Haha's. They wanted $50 to update it. Apparently it can be reflashed with open source maps, though?

 

[lxskllr]

OsmAnd~ | F-Droid - Free and Open Source Android App Repository

Global Mobile Map Viewing & Navigation for Offline and Online OSM Maps

f-droid.org

 

[MrSquished]

Google offline maps directions should work for driving when when offline - just not for cycling or transit.

Got offline maps downloaded for the whole regional area here on ze phone. Plus already downloaded maps for Crete and Santorini for this summer. Hoping that does the ticket

 

[Captante]

Yeah, I plugged in my old Nuvi just for Haha's. They wanted $50 to update it. Apparently it can be reflashed with open source maps, though?

Or be on the lookout for a cheap used Garmin or Magellan on CL.... might be easier!

OSM Map On Garmin (Wiki)

 

[Captante]

Google offline maps directions should work for driving when when offline - just not for cycling or transit.

Got offline maps downloaded for the whole regional area here on ze phone. Plus already downloaded maps for Crete and Santorini for this summer. Hoping that does the ticket

Google maps IS vastly improved and works well for "casual" navigation but if you need to use your GPS and your phone at the same time all the time you still want a stand-alone dashboard unit.

A problem with Google maps/Android smartphones is that the GPS requires a data signal to be accurate even if you have the offline maps stored locally. Of course you can still use them to navigate the old fashioned way like a mini paper map!

 

[MrSquished]

Google maps IS vastly improved and works well for "casual" navigation but if you need to use your GPS and your phone at the same time all the time you still want a stand-alone dashboard unit.

A problem with Google maps/Android smartphones is that the GPS requires a data signal to be accurate even if you have the offline maps stored locally. Of course you can still use them to navigate the old fashioned way like a mini paper map!

I will test that theory tomorrow. I'll put my phone on airplane mode and drive somewhere with navigation on.

 

[lxskllr]

A problem with Google maps/Android smartphones is that the GPS requires a data signal to be accurate even if you have the offline maps stored locally.

I haven't found that to be the case. Might give a *faster lock having data on, but navigation is the same.

*Probably not even anymore. That's from the bad old days of gps only. My phone has glonass, gps, and galileo. I don't think has baidu beidou, but some do. More satellites = faster lock and more accuracy.

edit:
just looked it up, and my phone does support beidou(sp)

 

[Captante]

I will test that theory tomorrow. I'll put my phone on airplane mode and drive somewhere with navigation on.

It was a big "selling point" for Windows phones back in the day that you could still use the GPS without data or phone signal.

It's also possible that the issue has been fixed in newer phones but not to the best of my knowledge ... frankly I've never tried it with my s20.

LMK what happens.


EDIT: Supposedly it's up to the carrier and the big 3 all lock the GPS out in software unless you have phone or data service turned on. (other then 911) If you have an unlocked phone I think that means the GPS should work with full accuracy but YMMV.

GPS hardware apparently is always turned on in modern smartphones except for in airplane-mode.

And I don't know where I am.

So..... think OP has "found" himself yet ??

I'm afraid they don't make a GPS powerful enough for that!

 

[FelixDeCat]

I noticed the poor performance earlier today. Crazy how essential it has become to my daily life.

Amen. It is as essential as breathing for me.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Google offline maps directions should work for driving when when offline - just not for cycling or transit.

Got offline maps downloaded for the whole regional area here on ze phone. Plus already downloaded maps for Crete and Santorini for this summer. Hoping that does the ticket

I used to use offline maps a long time ago. Now I forgot how to do it.⏳️

 

[MrSquished]

It was a big "selling point" for Windows phones back in the day that you could still use the GPS without data or phone signal.

It's also possible that the issue has been fixed in newer phones but not to the best of my knowledge ... frankly I've never tried it with my s20.

LMK what happens.


EDIT: Supposedly it's up to the carrier and the big 3 all lock the GPS out in software unless you have phone or data service turned on. (other then 911) If you have an unlocked phone I think that means the GPS should work with full accuracy but YMMV.

GPS hardware apparently is always turned on in modern smartphones except for in airplane-mode.






So..... think OP has "found" himself yet ??

I'm afraid they don't make a GPS powerful enough for that!

It should work fine. I mean I've read a lot of reviews of a couple apps that are really good with downloading maps and creating backcountry hiking routes like alltrails, avenza maps and a couple others. Nobody has said they won't work unless your phone is unlocked if you don't have service.

If backpackers are using them I would think they work without service.

For guys that are in like super duper backcountry, like way way out there, I'm sure they prefer a standalone unit. However, for a ton of casual backpackers and hikers, where it would still be really really bad to get lost, the phone GPS is just fine. I mean just because the Catskills aren't the Rockies, it would still be a disaster to get lost there without service.

 

[FelixDeCat]

It was a big "selling point" for Windows phones back in the day that you could still use the GPS without data or phone signal.

It's also possible that the issue has been fixed in newer phones but not to the best of my knowledge ... frankly I've never tried it with my s20.

LMK what happens.


EDIT: Supposedly it's up to the carrier and the big 3 all lock the GPS out in software unless you have phone or data service turned on. (other then 911) If you have an unlocked phone I think that means the GPS should work with full accuracy but YMMV.

GPS hardware apparently is always turned on in modern smartphones except for in airplane-mode.






So..... think OP has "found" himself yet ??

I'm afraid they don't make a GPS powerful enough for that!

Samsung S22+, t-mobile since late 2000.

Edit...the were Voicestream back then.

 

[Captante]

It should work fine. I mean I've read a lot of reviews of a couple apps that are really good with downloading maps and creating backcountry hiking routes like alltrails, avenza maps and a couple others. Nobody has said they won't work unless your phone is unlocked if you don't have service.

If backpackers are using them I would think they work without service.

For guys that are in like super duper backcountry, like way way out there, I'm sure they prefer a standalone unit. However, for a ton of casual backpackers and hikers, where it would still be really really bad to get lost, the phone GPS is just fine. I mean just because the Catskills aren't the Rockies, it would still be a disaster to get lost there without service.

I have my old T-Mobile LG v20 charging right now.... my curiosity is piqued!

Last time I tried navigating on a smartphone without service that I can recall was on my Sprint/unlocked s7 and it did NOT work well at all .... in fact it threw up an error-message about "no service" once out of range of wifi.

Every time aside from that once I can recall I've had service of some type on any phone I also used for GPS.