Comments on: On-Board VS Cloud Maps for Apps

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:36:02 +0000

Tim, the refresh thing definitely isn’t caused by cloud maps – Google Maps Navigation on the Droid is extremely smooth.

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:35:59 +0000

I should mention that I completely turn off aGPS as I do not have a data plan. That requires an initial lock with the internal GPS to the sats.

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 21:34:36 +0000

Try a Nokia 5800. There are many remarks about it in the Nokia forums and gpspassion forums. At best you hook up with 2-3 sats and that takes forever. I didn’t buy it for that, but would like to be able to use it in pedestrian mode while traveling.

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:39:03 +0000

I have yet to see that happen in my experience. While cell towers are used to assist with the initial signal acquisition, the GPS chip itself will do a good job of holding that signal. I have never experienced the GPS chip not being able find its position as a result of going outside of a coverage area.

By: Pat

Pat — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:36:24 +0000

“I don’t think I’m going to blow anyone’s mind when I say that all cellular providers have a few dead spots. You try to place a call and get the dreaded “No service” message. An app with maps stored locally doesn’t need to worry about this unfortunate location. Everything it needs to create and follow a route is stored directly on the phone without needing to “go fetch” data.”

That’s true, but with most phones really needing “assisted” GPS, which involves talking to a cell tower, once you are out of the service area you might as well toss the device out of the window. When the phones start using quality GPS chips and antennas (not something the phone company is likely to promote) maps on the device will have the advantage.