ATT (wireless) compatibility with Google Maps
Jan 9, 2009 | 2:13 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Homeless Nomad Wandering the Globe
Programs: Former AA EXP/2M Lifetime now Blackballed UA Premier Executive PWP Bronze
Posts: 5,938
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
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
Jan 9, 2009 | 3:40 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: UA GS MM, Marriott Life Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Southwest Alist pref, various others of little note
Posts: 2,873
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
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
Jan 9, 2009 | 3:46 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: CLT
Posts: 7,249
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.
Jan 9, 2009 | 6:48 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: California
Programs: AA EXP, lowly UA 1K; Hyatt Diamond, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold; National EC, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,227
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.
Jan 9, 2009 | 7:37 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Homeless Nomad Wandering the Globe
Programs: Former AA EXP/2M Lifetime now Blackballed UA Premier Executive PWP Bronze
Posts: 5,938
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.
I really appreciate the insight from everyone. I am anxiously awaiting the expiration of my T-Mo contract!
Sam
Jan 9, 2009 | 9:25 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Springfield,MO,USA
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,637
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.
http://www.google.com/mobile/samsung/maps.html#
Now it only asks once when maps is started.
Jan 10, 2009 | 8:31 am
#9
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Oregon
Programs: AA EXP, UA 1MM, HH Diamond, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 4,055
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.
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.
Jan 10, 2009 | 9:07 am
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: IAD, DCA, SAN
Programs: UA 1K, Hertz PC, AMEX PLAT
Posts: 1,236
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.