Comments on: Verizon: Please Stop Disabling GPS in Smartphones on Your Network

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 03:21:15 +0000

The same thing seems to be happening on the Palm Pre Plus. I just got one and the GPS does not report accurate location information unless you open VZ Navigator and decline the "for pay" service. After doing this Google Maps will work fine and report accurate location data. But, if the phone sleeps for more than say 30 minutes I have to repeat the process again.

Seems pretty shady to me.

By: Jimmy

Jimmy — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:20:45 +0000

For anyone looking hard enough, there are always ways to get your GPS working one way or another, despite what Verizon wishes.

http://forums.crackberry.com/showthread.php?t=192999

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 21:30:34 +0000

Somebody should put together a list of all of these phones and the cell carriers that have the GPS locked. It would be a good public service to people out there looking for a new phone and want to use one of these third party services.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 01:19:30 +0000

gps worked perfectly for me on alltel touch diamond … a week ago it seemingly was blocked after verizon had fully taken over alltel here in ohio … i finally went in and inquired as to why my gps was now blocked and was told by a corporate rep that verizon wanted to have people pay for their navigation services and did indeed block 3rd party apps … he noticed that i had been with them for years and had currently 2 of my 5 lines on an open contract … i did not sign up for renewing with them and said i was very upset at this blocking practice … actually called the verizon company a bunch of dirty bastards for this rude treatment of their loyal customers … said with a smile and never directed that comment directly toward the rep but just the higher ups above him … then i left the store … a few hours later i tried the gps on google maps as well as my tt7 app and both fired up perfectly in less than 20 seconds within my home … what is up with that? does that mean they can pick and choose who gets theirs unlocked? i have no idea … still amazed at that …

By: Kirk Landreneau

Kirk Landreneau — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:40:47 +0000

My Tour GPS is locked. Doesn’t work with Intelligolf GPS range Finder.

Sadness

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:37:03 +0000

Can anyone tell me how to get the new ROM for the Omnia that unlocks the GPS?

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 01:38:11 +0000

Did Microsoft have the right to disable other browsers or to be the default browser on their operating system? Sounds like Verizon is doing the same thing. The only difference is Microsoft is practically a monopoly in the computer operating system market while Verizon is more like an oligopoly.

By: Melanie

Melanie — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:21:11 +0000

I have been ticked off with VWZ for programming the PN820 smartphone so you cannot remove the data connection. This means all pix messages are sent automatically as data usage messages, when the manual states that as long as you do not enable your internet connection pix messages could be sent both ways.

I complained about it and they played dumb about it. And I don’t want to hear it about they have the right to disable features, because what was advertised is not what is capable, and they are not doing anything about it.

By: Brian

Brian — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:59:16 +0000

Have a alltel curve and it just looks for satellites

By: Ronnie Sherard

Ronnie Sherard — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:04:24 +0000

I just got an 8330 two weeks ago. The BB Maps GPS works fine. With any other application, including Google maps, the GPS does NOT work. I’m kinda miffed actually…

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 18:04:21 +0000

@Nate – I have a Blackberry Pearl 8230, from Verizon, and the GPS is LOCKED. This is not an “older model”. So, now you do know of a new phone from Verizon that was shipped with the GPS disabled.

By: Levi

Levi — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 01:02:27 +0000

“Your right to do so is not in question.” – I would love to have a conversation with some Fed anti-trust lawyers about this statement. After all they are starting to investigate the exclusive handset contracts. Along the same lines I would not be surprised if they wanted to look into the issue and in the end concluded the above statement does not stand.

By: Richard Garrett

Richard Garrett — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:44:47 +0000

While I appreciate James’ point of view, I cannot agree with what seems to be the underlying premise. VZW has every right to enable/disable features on phones. Meanwhile, it is the consumer’s right to vote, with their subscription and dollars, to select a phone and carrier. I think its great to lobby for features and capabilities but I question whether a carrier has an obligation to enable any feature in the hardware and/or firmware that is not enabled on the day the contract is signed for service. I’m glad that James’ is appealing to the business model side of the issue and hope that he has stimulated some discussion at VZW.

By: Kevin C. Tofel

Kevin C. Tofel — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:58:02 +0000

I’m curious why you think the site is biased towards Verizon. After years of being a happy VZ customer, I left them for AT&T to get an original iPhone. I still maintain a 3G data account with Verizon. I also bought a Palm Pre on Sprint’s network and had a brief stint with T-Mobile when I used my Dash. James currently has phones and voice plans on all 4 carriers as well, and has written extensively about all of them.

Again, just curious on how you’re forming your opinion; not arguing it any way.

By: Jim D

Jim D — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 14:41:40 +0000

Have you considered switching carriers? Verizon is within their rights, however jerkish, to disable whatever feature on whatever phone they sell. ATT disables MMS on their IPhones. In my opinion, this blog seems to slightly prefer Verizon over other carriers, even though the alternatives like Sprint and T-Mobile do not come with the same shortcomings. Of course, that’s your right too, but I would consider checking out the competition if they offered better advantages.

By: Alan Edwards

Alan Edwards — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 08:01:11 +0000

Completely agree. I live in the UK, and can’t believe the things the US carriers think they can get away with. It’s part of the reason I won’t use handsets with carrier-customised firmware, I always buy unlocked generic handsets.

Another one for your campaign – useless, bug-ridden carrier-branded driver software for dongles. I have an 02 (UK carrier) branded unlocked Novatel MC930. It has the crappiest driver software on-board, it’s slow, often hangs or crashes on startup, and doesn’t work properly with other networks.

You can’t officially download the generic software. I managed to get hold of the generic software, but the generic drivers don’t work, so I have to start and close the 02 software every time I use the dongle.

Alan.