Question about Blackberries on Verizon

[minendo]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: Matilda
the curve, with free google maps (still has the legit tele atlas maps), has been good enough GPS substitute for me. maps are accurate, may not have my EXACT location, but i can read a map and take directions.

I just don't see a reason for me to have to settle for cell tower triangulation instead of the dedicated GPS unit that is built in. I have to do that because of stupid VZW locking it, which is a load of sh1t. I need to find a way around it which I wouldn't think would be too difficult. VZW doesn't disable any part of the actual GPS, they just use software/registry type locks instead AFAIK.

What about getting an unlocked phone, would that allow me to use the GPS with say google maps?

I would assume yes as long as the phone was compatible with the VZW network.

 

[ShockwaveVT]

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus

Originally posted by: Matilda
the curve, with free google maps (still has the legit tele atlas maps), has been good enough GPS substitute for me. maps are accurate, may not have my EXACT location, but i can read a map and take directions.

I just don't see a reason for me to have to settle for cell tower triangulation instead of the dedicated GPS unit that is built in. I have to do that because of stupid VZW locking it, which is a load of sh1t. I need to find a way around it which I wouldn't think would be too difficult. VZW doesn't disable any part of the actual GPS, they just use software/registry type locks instead AFAIK.

What about getting an unlocked phone, would that allow me to use the GPS with say google maps?

There's a reason BlackBerry is so popular with corporate & Government organizations. Its security features. Security features that include encrypted OS files. This is the primary reason that nobody has been able to unlock the GPS units in the Verizion BlackBerrys.

Also I'm 99% sure you cannot activate an unlocked phone (I've never even seen an unlocked CDMA phone anyway) on Verizon's network, but I've never tried so you should probably look into it more.

 

[Raduque]

You CAN'T currently use a non-Verizon phone on VZW's network (save some select Motorola's because the ESNs are recognized despite them being non-VZW phones). Sometime around the end of the year handsets should start hitting the market that are VZW Open Network certified.

And honestly, you can't really fault VZW TOO much for disallowing 3rd part GPS programs. VZW has a shitton of stupid customers (trust me, I know this first hand) that would blame VZW for their program failing and DEMAND that VZW fix it.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Originally posted by: Raduque
You CAN'T currently use a non-Verizon phone on VZW's network (save some select Motorola's because the ESNs are recognized despite them being non-VZW phones). Sometime around the end of the year handsets should start hitting the market that are VZW Open Network certified.

And honestly, you can't really fault VZW TOO much for disallowing 3rd part GPS programs. VZW has a shitton of stupid customers (trust me, I know this first hand) that would blame VZW for their program failing and DEMAND that VZW fix it.

But Sprint/AT&T/etc don't? On top of that VZN is some of the biggest piece of crap I have seen in a long time... lol