GPS-Verizon 8830-Update

[slinky]

RedMoon is right on the money. I am in the mobile phone industry. I do not work for an operator. Verizon is not just a bully but raping its own customers. I think it is preposterous that the company that I pay for my national service should be able to decide for me what company I use internationally. In fact, I'll be using the SAME service at just multiple times the cost so Verizon can resell it to me by locking the hardware. If it wasn't for my company insisting on using them I would tell them where to go yesterday.

There is virtually no chance that Verizon will unlock anything. I think it borders if not crosses the line on fraud to not disclose that the GPS feature is crippled in this phone, especially since consumers cannot easily make an educated decision. I just found out that the 8830 also doesn't support MMS either, which is undoubtedly because - like GPS - Verizon is trying to shove its other service down your throat as well. And it can.

Why can Verizon Wireless shove its services down your throat? Because if you signed a one or two year contract - which you must just to get service - you're not about to eat the whole contract just to move to a carrier who won't cripple their phones -- which is every other carrier but Verizon.

I'm still hoping that the phone can be unlocked for GSM usage, which would be an easier task. Per my call with their tech support who spoke to the managers there, they said that there were plans to unlock any of the phones and that is believeable. They also said that GPS works perfectly and they believe it should work with Google Maps, etc. Many of these guys really don't know but will say they think so but can't say so for sure... and you'll buy the phone. The percentage of returns after you have it usually isn't high.

I feel like we should take up a collection to pay someone to do the world a favor and stick it to Verizon where it hurts and give us the phone we paid for without deliberate measures to wall us in.

[funkygy123]

Thank you for contacting our Verizon Wireless website. We are happy to assist you with your question in regards to using the GPS functionality on the BlackBerry 8830.

We do apologize for any miscommunication or misinformation on our part about the GPS functionality on the BlackBerry 8830. Verizon Wireless is committed to providing the very latest in products and services. Verizon Wireless does not provide support for the GPS functionality on the BlackBerry 8830 that would be required to make full use of the 8830's GPS capabilities. As a result, the 8830's GPS functionality has not been enabled. We are unable to state if or when additional GPS functionality will be enabled on the Verizon Wireless BlackBerry 8830. We understand and apologize for any frustration regarding this but we are only able to provide information regarding products or services that we are currently offering. We are unable to disclose any unconfirmed information because it would be subject to change and could raise expectations that may not be met.

Please note that although Verizon Wireless does not recommend or endorse any GPS software from any 3rd party manufacturer there, there may be 3rd party GPS software that is compatible with your BlackBerry 8830. Visit the links below for more information on 3rd party GPS software compatible with your device.

There are 2 URLS one to navizon and one to skylab-mobilesystems.

(I am not allowed to post urls?)

We value your business and appreciate the opportunity to continue as your wireless service provider. Thank you for being a loyal Verizon Wireless customer. If you have further questions or concerns, please write to us again through VerizonWireless

We appreciate your business and thank you for choosing Verizon Wireless.

Sincerely,

Neil
Verizon Wireless
Data Technical Support

So the 3rd party BB Maps program that comes with the phone will not work but these others will??

simply amazing!

[tallelf78]

I'd love to say sweet i'll use a 3rd party app... however, they don't the GPS device has been disabled so no matter what software we find and install it won't be able to read the GPS data.

if they would simple enable the GPS and not support it thats fine by me!

[dlathem]

I was told by a Verizon customer non-support representative that the GPS in the 8830 did indeed work, but only for the purpose of locating you for the police! I have read other carriers with GPS enabled phones give the owner the option of not being able to be located by anyone using the GPS.

War is Peace!
Freedom is Slavery!
Ignorance is Strength!

We may now begin the 2 minute hate!

[rhughlet]

All,
I recently contacted Verizon, after talking to Blackberry support about how Verizon disabled the GPS feature in the phone, and was informed the GPS function in the 8830 was "only for emergency 911 purposes". Can you say bull[b][/b][b][/b][b][/b][b][/b]? Blackberry's website clearly says that the 8830 has the hardware for a fully functional GPS receiver in the device. However, after talking to Verizon, it is apparent to me that they have no plans to make any use of this feature. After several phone calls and e-mails, Verizon still denies that the GPS in the 8830 can work as anything more than a 911 locator. Yet, several Blackberry support staff inform me it would work as a general GPS receiver if Verizon hadn’t removed the software for it. Any software smart people out there know a fix/crack/3-rd party software that would correct the problem Verizon created?

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[MSevast]

I just got my 8830, In Cincinnati OH and after reading this thread, I changed the setting from "911 Only" to "Location On", entered an address in the Maps program and it does display the correct map. Is the point the their GPS doesn't work at all or just not with the maps, etc.?

[kermalou]

Originally Posted by MSevast

I just got my 8830, In Cincinnati OH and after reading this thread, I changed the setting from "911 Only" to "Location On", entered an address in the Maps program and it does display the correct map. Is the point the their GPS doesn't work at all or just not with the maps, etc.?

GPS = Global Positioning System

It is used to tell the device (BB 8830 here) where you are, so you can pinpoint your location on the device itself, instead of putting in an address.

[tallelf78]

FYI, finally got an answer directly from a VZ rep at an official VZ store

Verizon plans to offer VZ Navigator for the 8830 by the end of the summer...

hopefully at that point the GPS will be enabled and even if it authenticates with VZ Nav someone can write a "hack" so other 3rd party apps can take advantage of it. otherwise looks like VZ has raped it's users again!

[Firefishe]

To the more technically oriented out there:

1. What type of gps chipset is the BB 8830 using? (SiRF Star III, I thought.)

2. What type of programming would be required to enable the stand-alone functionality of the gps chip, separate from any A-GPS (Assisted GPS) functionality? (This is to ensure that no type of gps signal from the program interfere with any Emergency "911" Assisted GPS functionality of the BB 8830 already in place from Verizon. After all, we only want the stand-alone functionality so we can use the mapping programs like Google Maps, etc., and positively do not want to interfere with emergency operational capability.)

3. Could such a program be uploaded to the BB 8830 via the Application Loader and be transparent to the rest of the BB 8830 firmware once installed? (I believe this to be important so as to not have any inter-contact with other installed software, other than mapping software, geocaching, track making, etc.)

4. Can the firmware for a non-branded, BB 8830 be obtained that could be uploaded to a currently-branded (Verizon/Sprint) device? If so, would this enable GPS functionality? I would think so.

Just a few thoughts to ponder. Please respond here or directly to my Verizon BB 8830 at vfishe@vzw.blackberry.net.

[dlathem]

Firefishe...

I don't know about you, but I want to totally control the use of the GPS chip inside of the 8830. I want to be able to TOTALLY disable it such that Verizon cannot rat out my location to BIG BROTHER anytime either of them wants.

My ideal would be to have access to the GPS for the purpose of using Google Maps and not allowing the phone to transmit GPS information to any other person or device. If I want to be able to be tracked that should be my decision and ONLY my decision.

IF the phone has a GPS chip it should be accessible to the buyer and not be left up to the carrier.

[SodyPopz]

Does Verizonwireless ever offer anything for free? The GPS chip that's in THE phone that we purchased will only work if you pay the devils anothr 10 bucks a month. *sigh*
My rantings:
search: "verizonwireless going way big blue"
I am done with Verizonwireless. It's time to make a stance against the big red devil!

[rhughlet]

This is the same respose I got the first time I sent Verizon an e-mail. The part about "The GPS locator chip... is used solely for tracking purposes by Emergency 911 Services and does not function like a typical GPS device" is complete bull[b][/b][b][/b][b][/b][b][/b]. Blackberry intended for the GPS locator chip to work as a general GPS locator, it is Verizon who disabled it to only work for 911 purposes.

I believe I saw that Sprint is going to have the 8830 starting mid July. Maybe they will offer the phone with the GPS feature. If so, I am currenlty planning on canceling my Verizon plan (before my initial 1 month period runs out), and getting a Sprint plan with the 8830.

[SodyPopz]

I pray that their version of the 8830 will offer the GPS feature! I am not a big fan of Sprint, but I like the direction that they are headed in!

I am hoping out of my contract later this month and I've been with them for 5+ years.

[naviwilliams]

Let me ask this: On the BOX that the device comes in, does it say ANYTHING about GPS, and it being a feature on the device? If yes, then all Verizon customers have a valid complaint. But, if not then Verizon can say what they want, when they want...

Bottom line is, in about 90 days, they are going to cash in on this feature...

[naviwilliams]

No, no, far from it. I was merely trying to establish if the info about the GPS was on the box, the Verizon box in particular. If not, you and I know any company would use any loophole to get out of 'something'...

ps: I use to be with Verizon! I can't stand them - so, am on your side...