I now have updated my Verizon Blackberry 8830 with the update that hopefully enables the GPS that Verizon so thoughtfully disabled originally and can offer some first-hand information about the update. FIrst off, the update procedure, one normally rock solid with Blackberries, hung up toward the end and I had to remove the battery from the 8830 to recover. Once I did that and reconnected to the Blackberry Desktop Manager my 8830 was restored with all of my data and the device reactivated with the Blackberry network. The total process ended up taking over an hour but my 8830 at was functionally the same as before the update. I had some scary moments in there where I thought my 8830 had been bricked but thankfully the battery removal did the trick.
Once the 8830 was updated the first thing I noted in the Settings menu was that GPS now shows "Device GPS" under the GPS Data Source option where before it didn’t. This leads me to believe that the GPS is at least enabled under the basic OS level which is cool. Unfortunately, I haven’t found a way to use it yet. Blackberry Maps, the program that RIM preinstalled as part of the OS will still not use the GPS, which is a big shame. It is obviously still disabled by Verizon which is absolutely friggin’ horrible. The GPS Settings under BB Maps still shows "None" as the only option under GPS Source. Bad, bad Verizon! Google Maps on the other hand seems to be trying to use the GPS as it shows "Updating location" when it starts. I haven’t had time to wait long enough for it to get that first satellite lock but I think it’s trying to which could be a good thing. I’ll keep trying to verify if Google Maps does in fact use the GPS under this new OS update and report back.
I suspect that the update is designed to let the GPS work with Verizon’s VZ Navigator service for $10 a month and a few minutes ago I activated that service on my account which is required to test it. I then downloaded the VZ Navigator application to the 8830 OTA and when I try to run it it starts and then quits rapidly. I suspect it’s because it will take Verizon a while to actually activate the service on my account and that the app is checking for service up front and that’s why it quits immediately. I’ll give them some time today and then test it again and report back. It would be very odd if their own service won’t use the GPS, it’s obviously the main reason Verizon has enabled the GPS.
If I am going to have to pay for an additional service to use the GPS in the 8830 I would much rather use TeleNav, a service I use on Windows Mobile. TeleNav is an excellent navigation solution and it would rock on the 8830. Unfortunately a visit to the TeleNav web site still says that you need an external GPS receiver to use their service with the 8830 which may not be accurate with this update. I went ahead and ordered the service from TeleNav since there’s a free 30 day trial and downloaded the application OTA to the 8830. It installed and no go, the TeleNav app tells me it needs a Bluetooth GPS receiver. I went into the TeleNav Settings and lo and behold I can select "internal GPS" which I’ve done but haven’t been able to get a satellite lock yet. I’ll keep trying and report back.
Ok Verizon, this totally sucks. You personally told me that 3rd part apps would work with the GPS and other than Google Maps which I can’t get to work yet NONE OF THE MAJOR 3RD PARTY APPS WORK WITH THE GPS. It may be time to switch carriers, and I’ve been with Verizon for years and years. Your decision makers just don’t get it.
I am really hoping that Verizon just hasn’t had time to get everything working since the update is so new but somehow given their track record I just don’t think so. Caveat emptor.
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