Travel Technology - Phone with PDA, Google maps & GPS

I am looking for a new phone which has PDA capabilities, Google maps and GPS. I would like the Google maps and GPS integrated and would prefer not having to get a separate bluetooth GPS adapter. Is there such a device out there?

I found this page which lists only 3 phones which meet this criteria. http://www.google.com/gmm/gps.html but when I look for features on the Samsung Blackjack I see it does not have GPS built in!!

You can use Mobile GMaps (http://www.mgmaps.com/) on the Nokia N95 and many other devices with built-in GPS. It gives access to the Google mapping data amongst others. Why Google Maps in particular though?

http://www.htc.com/product/03-product_p3300.htm

Or wait for the upcoming HTC Kaiser.

Of course, like the page said there are some Blackberry devices that'll work with it.

before you commit to Google Maps, take a look at Windows Live. This is new and, IMHO, much nicer than Google. I have both on my phone. I also use Tom Tom Navigator software on my phone (a real GPS routing system). I do have to use an external bluetooth gps unit, but it is about the size of a Zippo lighter and last several hours on a charge. One big advantage of an external GPS is you can put it somewhere it gets a good signal (ie dashboard) and still look at your handheld map without breaking GPS signal. If your unit has built-in GPS, you will need it to be in a position to get the gps signal all the time for it to work. My unit is a Verizon WV6700, which is about 2 year old technology now. There is an idential ATT unit (silver vs black) and others under the name HTC Apache. This is a Windows Mobile 5 unit. I had Palms and a Treo 650 before. This windows unit does a lot more than a Palm could. It is a real PDA with a touchscreen, which opens it up to many more PDA options than the "smartphone" stuff without a touchscreen. I got mine for under 200.00 on ebay.

You also might consider the O2 Orbit (which is actually a re-case of of the HTC3300 IIRC), and the Dopod 810 now has a software upgrade available to 'activate' its internal GPS capability.

You can use Mobile GMaps (http://www.mgmaps.com/) on the Nokia N95 and many other devices with built-in GPS. It gives access to the Google mapping data amongst others. Why Google Maps in particular though?

I am just used to Google maps. When they integrate Steet View with GPS it should make for a killer app.

You also might consider the O2 Orbit (which is actually a re-case of of the HTC3300 IIRC), and the Dopod 810 now has a software upgrade available to 'activate' its internal GPS capability.

Some of these phones like HTC and Dopod seem to be available only in Asia. Are there US resellers? Which services does this work with AT&T, Verizon?

..... I do have to use an external bluetooth gps unit, but it is about the size of a Zippo lighter and last several hours on a charge. .....

Which external bluetooth device do you have?

i love www.smart2go.com. You can download the whole region map to your memory card, no data fees!! and its free ;)

Although quite expensive, the BlackBerry 8800 has a built-in GPS and Google Maps supports it.

(But now that I clicked on the link you provided, I see that's one of the three phones, so sorry for being redundant!)

Although quite expensive, the BlackBerry 8800 has a built-in GPS and Google Maps supports it.

(But now that I clicked on the link you provided, I see that's one of the three phones, so sorry for being redundant!)


I see the 8800 available on Amazon for $50 with 2 year service agreement.

I actually have a Palm branded gps (bought the Palm GPS Tom Tom thing). Most of the bluetooth GPS units will work with each other--they trasnmit standard codes. My Palm unit works with Microsoft Streets, Google Maps and Windows Live along with Tom Tom. However, I think most of them will do the same thing. If you do buy a bluetooth GPS, get one with the new SiRF III chip (fairly common now) as it will work WAY better under more conditions.

I actually have a Palm branded gps (bought the Palm GPS Tom Tom thing). Most of the bluetooth GPS units will work with each other--they trasnmit standard codes. My Palm unit works with Microsoft Streets, Google Maps and Windows Live along with Tom Tom. However, I think most of them will do the same thing. If you do buy a bluetooth GPS, get one with the new SiRF III chip (fairly common now) as it will work WAY better under more conditions.

Yes based on the input here I am considering a seperate phone and bluetooth GPS drive instead of getting an all-in-one. Here is the GPS bluetooth device I am considering since it has the SiRF III chip

http://www.freedominput.com/site/index.php?Itemid=81&id=96&option=com_content&task=view

that bluetooth gps looks fantastic. Like everything else, your stuff (mine) is obsolete so fast anymore!

I use a Sirf III GPS puck with the TomTom software with my Nokia E61. Just spent 4 weeks in the UK and it worked brilliantly. However - I had 2 instances of the TT software shutting down after around 2 hours. Methinks it may have been Goodlink synching at the same time - asking the processor to handle an intensive app like TomTom and synch email at the same time may have pushed it over the edge.

However, being a Nokia, it shut down nicely (the app - not the device :)) and when it restarted it did so still "live" - ie still on the same destination...

A quick note - the TT software assumes you have the TT puck - so you have to search deep in preferences to change the GPS device.

before you commit to Google Maps, take a look at Windows Live. This is new and, IMHO, much nicer than Google. I have both on my phone.

AT&T has a couple HTC devices which can run Windows Live. I haven't downloaded it for my device yet so I can't comment.

But I do enjoy my 8125 from AT&T, which has now been replaced with 8525. I was a dedicated Palm user, but I quite like the Pocket PC platform.

I am just used to Google maps. When they integrate Steet View with GPS it should make for a killer app.

this might be a while, since streetview is currenty requires the latest flash, not sure if winmo can handle it at all?

I use an iPAQ 6510, which is a Pocket PC with a quad-band GSM/GPRS phone and GPS. It has SD and MiniSD slots, so I can carry 4gb without going broke, or plug in a Spectec SDIO WiFi adapter.

But Google Mobile Maps on it is awesome. Anywhere I go, US, UK, France, Germany, it downloads the maps for where I am and keeps on truckin'. I also use it with Pocket Streets when I can't get a cell signal, and Live Search also works (although I find the interface rather clumsy). In a small plane, PocketFMS works as a great backup navigation aid.

I subscribe to T-MobileWeb which gives me unlimited EDGE data traffic (but not huge web pages) for $5.99 a month, and uses no voice plan minutes.

You can get a 6510 on eBay for less than $200. The new models, the 6900 series, have a somewhat faster processor and built-in WiFi. but remember that more CPU means less battery life. And built-in WiFi means MiniSD bye-bye.

Speaking of battery - I would never buy a PDA that didn't have a field-swappable battery. I like to be able to carry a charged spare to avoid the kind of awkward moments iPhone users will inevitably suffer.

Wish List: SiRFstarIII. In city canyons, it's often very hard to get a usable signal.

I sell HP phones and switched from the Sony P900 over to the HP iPaq 6515 with built in GPS. I love it and just upgraded to the 6955 model with built in wifi. I use TomTom GPS software but also use google maps for some things.

I had an unlimited internet package with my Canada Fido gsm cel and also used it as a modem for my notebook. They are now charging me for internet access in the US when I travel so I am looking for a better US package.

The iPaq has a large enough screen to watch movies although the P900 had a better user group to help you get set up.

I still log on the internet when travelling with my notebook but there are lots of things that I can check from phone without having to boot up my notebook

I got the larger battery for this one since the wifi, GPS and bluetooth all use extra power so shut them off when not using them