GPS cell phone

[Jeremy Cottrell]

I am about to upgrade my cell phone and was interested in a GPS cell phone. Anybody have any advise??

[LakeCleElum]

I have one....As far as I know, the only person that get the info on your location is a "911" operator.....Good if you're lost in the woods and don't know where you are, but other than that, not much benefit....

[slodave]

Originally posted by LakeCleElum
I have one....As far as I know, the only person that get the info on your location is a "911" operator.....Good if you're lost in the woods and don't know where you are, but other than that, not much benefit....

They have cell phones that will give you GPS directions now. I believe the Motorola Razor v3 has this ability.

Jeremy, I use a cell phone as a phone Can't really help.

Dave

[MotoSook]

Jeremy,

I have a Blackberry with GPS on it. It acts like a GPS navigation system, and even gives me speed of travel. Good for comparing my speedo in the 911s. I don't know which phone you're using but if you can't use the GPS data for map or direction...probably not much use.

I think all the new phones will allow a 911 operator (with the help of the cell service) to triangulate your location. There was a motorcycle accident in Illinois last year, in which the rider crashed in a remote location and broke his neck. He tried to call for help, but got his signal bounced between to cell towers owned by different cell companies and he wasn't able to get through. Anyhow, I think he had an old phone that didn't have the feature to allow the cell company or 911 to triangulate his location. He was found dead a day or two later.

Don't know why I had to mention that...

[slodave]

And on the happier side of GPS cell phones, a young boy has a new heart due to GPS. The hospital could not contact the parents to let them know the heart was available. Hospital called police, they called the cell carrier and they located the moms cell phone at a concert hall. Police go there, stop the concert and announce they need to find Mrs. X. Police rush them to hospital.

There, don't we feel better now!

[john70t]

All cell phones have GPS in the now since the FCC made it a requirement.
GPS implants in the neck work much better from what I've heard. The ones with explosives and/or immobilizing drug packets in them will make all citizens complacent and complient Kommrade.

An instant life-history of data for anyone that wants it, your life is now public whether you like it or not. Remember recently when the cell phone companies sold personal call lists to anyone for a $100? Think of the advertizing potential of where you go, where you shop, and who you stand next to.

When corporations stoop so low as to using little kids emotionally selling products, your "reality check" alarm should go off.

[Jeremy Cottrell]

I suppose I was incorrect in the lingo. What I was looking for was a phone which has navigation capability. Something that could take the place of a Garmin for example.

[FrayAdjacent911]

Certain cell carriers allow you to 'turn off' the GPS receiver in the phone, but will enable it automatically if you dial 911.

I'm looking at switching to Verizon, and getting a new phone. My 2 year old RAZR still works, but is starting to act up (won't start charging when I plug it in most of the time). I think Verizon is one that will allow you to turn off the GPS receiver.

What I'd LOVE is if I could use the phone as a GPS receiver over Bluetooth to my PDA, upon which I have a nice GPS navigation program. I use it with a dedicated Bluetooth GPS receiver, but using my phone might be more handy.

[RickM]

Jeremy: The "GPS" phone that I've seen to date that do what you want are by subscription only. I think in the range of $10 per month.

[LakeCleElum]

Are these new phone voice directions only, or is there also a map on the screen?

Personally, I luv my Garmin and would not want the small screen of a phone and would not want to listen to directions....

[RickM]

Originally posted by LakeCleElum
Are these new phone voice directions only, or is there also a map on the screen?

Personally, I luv my Garmin and would not want the small screen of a phone and would not want to listen to directions....

I've only with screen map and voice. One had a very, very rudimentary street layout.

[MotoSook]

The Blackberry I have will do maps without GPS or maps with GPS. It will also provide directions if you enter a destination. I have not used that featured yet.

I've seen other Nav devices and this one I have doesn't give up much to the more expensive ones. Plus I don't need that detail of directions...and I don't have to carry a cellphone and a Garmin.

My work pays for my phone, but if I had to get one for private use, I'd be paying about $60 or $100 per month. The $100 bucks includes unlimited Blackberry use. I love it. I get e-mails for all my e-mail accounts and never feel the need to logon and I get internet and e-mail on it where ever I get phone service.

[Dave L]

when you jump up to a smart phone you will have the ability to add in navigation software. Most phones will require a separate GPS "puck" that will connect to the phone with Bluetooth. Some like the BlackBerry 8800 or Nokia N95 will have a GPS unit built in.

I use TomTom on my Nokia 6682 but have also used Wayfinder. Route66 is another option but I haven't tried it. All three will have a similar look and feel to a Garmin or Tomtom unit. For TomTom I dont pay a monthly service fee to my provider, infact I dont even have an activated sim in it.

[slakjaw]

I just got the Up Stage from Sprint and it has GPS directions. Works very well!