Comments on: Will lack of GPS and WiFi keep you from buying the Storm?

By: Hmm

Hmm — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 19:36:22 +0000

Hmmm… I hope that they add wifi later on cuz Im gettin it but dont no if I shud get it now or later

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:36:31 +0000

I was also concerned about this since I’m considering switching from Sprint to VZW. One seemingly knowledgeable person was saying that the GPS will NOT be locked on the Storm. He went on to explain that “Assisted GPS” will only be available in the VZ Navigator application, but conventional GPS would be available to BB Maps and most likely all 3rd party apps. He explained that assisted GPS was just a technology that uses proximity of cell towers in conjunction with the phone’s GPS to select satellites and find your GPS location faster than conventional GPS. For those of us on Sprint or another network with free use of GPS, that (conventional) is probably what we’ve been using all along.

So it sounds like VZW has been listening. I’d still like to test it in person first before signing the next 2 years away ;)

By: BlackBerry News From The Wire for the week of 11/10/2008 | BB Geeks

BlackBerry News From The Wire for the week of 11/10/2008 | BB Geeks — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 18:23:01 +0000

[...] Will the lack of GPS and WiFi keep you from buying the BlacKBerry Storm? I asked this question late last week, and it elicited some passionate responses. I agree with the consensus: Give us GPS, Verizon! [...]

By: anonymous_coward

anonymous_coward — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 03:34:58 +0000

I agree with the author’s gripe. This too, has pissed me off to no end – and I am seriously considering cancelling my Verizon contract. Correct me if I’m wrong: Isn’t Verizon now required to other phones on their network as part of them being forced to open up their networks as part of that massive spectrum deal they won earlier this year? They were required by the FCC to have completed this by the end of this year. Where is my g-Phone on Verizon? Doh! Can you hear me now?

By: ed

ed — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 00:46:54 +0000

Supposedly you can be a sprint customer and have unlimited roaming on the VZW network (voice and data) for $5/month. I went with Sprint once because their plans are cheaper and figureed I could upgrade to the $5 roaming option if it became necessary. Instead I wound up using Sprint’s netwoork and never had a problem. This might be a good option for all those annoyed by VZW. This is in the NYC region so YMMV.

BTW, I am now on VZW because work pays for my phone so I ain’t complainin’

By: DavidB

DavidB — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:19:15 +0000

I could care less about lack of WiFi.

It WILL annoy me if they lock down the GPS, after all this device was purpose built FOR Verizon. There are indicatons that Verizon may not restrict the GPS to only their VZNavigator, but until I can walk outside a VZW store with a Storm in my hands and see either BBMaps or GoogleMaps get a real GPS fix (not that cell tower approximation crap) I won’t believe it. It would be a trade-off for me as I can’t take a camera phone most places I visit for work (due to security), BUT I might deal with the hassle IF the GPS is unlocked for other apps to use.

As for those that keep commenting or implying that GPS is only good for navigation, you’re missing the point of location based services. This GPS lockout by VZW prevents a LOT more than just navigation. You can’t use it in your golf game, you can’t location tag photos as you shoot them, you can’t integrate with the location awareness features of things like FaceBook, etc. The list of location based services is growing every day and Verizon preventing their customers from using it frustrates many and loses them some customers. I’ve talked to Verizon reps expressing MY frustration, and they too seem to be of like mind and don’t seem to have any grasp that people would want to do more with a handheld GPS phone than just get maps or search for the closest gas station or coffee shop.

In the end though I’m like Nathan. VZW’s network just plain and simple offers far and away the best coverage and service in the places I want to go, so I won’t be switching carriers any time soon.

By: Nathan

Nathan — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:54:14 +0000

Unfortunately, no amount of annoyance over the GPS lock will get me off the best network in the country. I never drop calls, and have fast EVDO. My 8330 also has more internal memory than the 8320. I have no love for Verizon, but I choose my phone for phone service, and they’re the winner there.

By: Matt

Matt — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:10:56 +0000

These issues will *absolutely* keep me from going Verizon.

Do you hear me now?

By: geese

geese — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 05:01:02 +0000

I use the google apps which is faster and better but it does suck. I’m going to get a bold unlocked and tell verizon to go suck on it

By: forte831

forte831 — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:34:40 +0000

From the insane amount of research I ve done on cb over past couple months it seems like the gps will open to BB Maps the user manual mentioned so but there is language in there that would create an exception for a carrier who excludes.