ATT (wireless) compatibility with Google Maps
 

i have heard that ATT charges for GPS.

i have been using Google Maps on t-mobile and absolutely love it - especially the new version. the fact that it is free helps, too.

i HATE t-mobile coverage (office/home/ranch), so i am thinking about switching to ATT.

does att block gps such that i could not use Google Maps?

thanks in advance.

sam

my tilt worked just fine on ATT and google maps.

I use google maps with my Fuze just fine.

ATT charges for something called "ATT Navigator", which probably provides live turn by turn directions (like the Alwayslost at Hertz). But just using the GPS receiver with something like Google maps is free.

Depending on your device, you may be able to purchase a 3rd party program. It is my understanding that if I have the Garmin program for windows mobile that I would not have to pay the ATT navigator fee since it's not ATT Navigator. I have not tried this myself though.

The Google Maps app is just that, an application, a piece of software that you download to your phone. When you open it up it sends and receives data, this is what ATT charges for, the actual data transmission. If you have a smart phone / 3G phone you are probably already paying for data. If your phone has a GPS in it will probably also work here and identify your location, assuming Google Maps supports that phone. If you buy the ATT nav software you are basically paying extra for what should really be a free service.

THANKS everybody! All great responses...

I really appreciate the insight from everyone. I am anxiously awaiting the expiration of my T-Mo contract!

Sam

My AT&T Samsung SGH-A837 is very picky about wanting a signed version of google maps otherwise it gives a nag message warning that I am about to access the network. It took several tries to get a signed version to download from
http://www.google.com/mobile/samsung/maps.html#

Now it only asks once when maps is started.

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry9000/4.6.0.167 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Unlike Verizon, AT&T doesn't lock the GPS - they just remove any free GPS software from the device before installing their own Telenav. No problems using Google Maps - but I sprang for the Garmin Mobile for my blackberry instead. Google Maps just doesn't replicate having a gps with turn by turn, spoken directions.

MSN livemaps is great as well. I have used it with no problems. It is free, as is google. My only other suggestion would be to run some type of GPS quick aquire before switching on your GPS software. I have no idea why, but this works like a charm.