Navigation Question

[shellguy05]

I have always been on a Verizon cell phone. I know back in the day they used to include their navigation with certain cell plans. That hasn't happened since they started making smart phones they make you add on the $10 a month VZW Navigator. Now I know people on sprint with the EVO get a few navigation program, or at least I'm pretty sure thats what I was told. Is that an android/HTC thing? So can I expect to get to drop my VZW Navigator when I get the TBolt? Or is it a Sprint thing and I will have to keep up the Navigator if I want it on VZW? Thanks.

 

[bills742]

You don't need VZW navigator. Just use free google maps/navigation software.

 

[anon(149276)]

You don't need VZW navigator. Just use free google maps/navigation software.

yeah any android phone with what is it, 1.6? on up has google navigation in google maps and works better than a lot of stand alone GPS's.

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

VNavigator has been at times included on Android phones (but you still have to pay for it). You can also download it from the Market, but Google Navigation is free and for me, has been excellent. I don't even use my car's GPS anymore.

 

[Shuckster]

Will it come with the new TB or does it have to be downloaded? Also does it have the ability to find food and stores around you?

 

[shellguy05]

Does it have voice navigation? like the "prepair to turn right in .9 miles" type of talk? Or is it just read on screen with a map? Because as good as I am. I love not paying attention and just listening for it to tell me when to turn. so I can keep a conversation going, or jam out to the radio or whatever. Cause I know with my BB they had google maps, but it was just reading it like a bullet list. step 1, Step 2.... I'd rather not keep paying the 10 a month for navigation. Cause everything else it does I can do from Poynt ot just on the internet itself. the $10 a month is starting to seem worthless.

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

Yes. Google Maps Navigation has voice-spoken turn-by-turn directions. I use it almost every day.

Also, it looks like it will be pre-loaded on the Tbolt, but if it's not, you can easily download Maps from the Market (which will include Navigation).

 

[shellguy05]

Yes. Google Maps Navigation has voice-spoken turn-by-turn directions. I use it almost every day.

Also, it looks like it will be pre-loaded on the Tbolt, but if it's not, you can easily download Maps from the Market (which will include Navigation).

Awesome! Thank you so much for the help!

 

[Green_Laser]

@OP

im with a blackberry currently, i have google maps, though what i'd like to clarify is that Android devices with google maps get a feature that other smartphones with google maps dont, and that is Voice turn-by-turn navigation.

you dont need to throw anymore $ at vzw for their nav app.
you can enjoy it free.

 

[mclarryjr]

You guys will be very happy with Google Maps and the navigation program they work great and IMO much better then regular GPS units.

 

[anon(157335)]

You guys will be very happy with Google Maps and the navigation program they work great and IMO much better then regular GPS units.

Does Google Maps have the ability to navigate you around traffic congestion?

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

Does Google Maps have the ability to navigate you around traffic congestion?

In a simple way, yes. It has traffic built in, and generaly will route you around traffic if it detects there is severe traffic along the route. I've found it to be hit or miss, though. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

 

[anon(157335)]

In a simple way, yes. It has traffic built in, and generaly will route you around traffic if it detects there is severe traffic along the route. I've found it to be hit or miss, though. Sometimes it does, sometimes it doesn't.

Thanks. I'll have to test it out and see how the feature compares to my Garmin GPS unit. If Google Maps does it just as well I'll probably end up selling my GPS (Another TB discount, YES!!).

 

[Chris Kerrigan]

Thanks. I'll have to test it out and see how the feature compares to my Garmin GPS unit. If Google Maps does it just as well I'll probably end up selling my GPS (Another TB discount, YES!!).

It's not perfect, but for free, it's a pretty damn good navigation system. I've never gotten lost with it, and it almost always is spot-on with accuracy. Not to mention you essentially get free lifetime map updates on top of it.

 

[kinster02]

And yes, all Sprint smart phones come with free Sprint telenav and the Android phones have both. Just like everyone said you don't need Verizons navigation.

 

[shellguy05]

Sweet, this phone is already getting better and better and I dont even have it yet. And it just saved me $120 bucks over the next 12 months too! well from whenever I get it at least.

 

[socal]

I have always been on a Verizon cell phone. I know back in the day they used to include their navigation with certain cell plans. That hasn't happened since they started making smart phones they make you add on the $10 a month VZW Navigator. Now I know people on sprint with the EVO get a few navigation program, or at least I'm pretty sure thats what I was told. Is that an android/HTC thing? So can I expect to get to drop my VZW Navigator when I get the TBolt? Or is it a Sprint thing and I will have to keep up the Navigator if I want it on VZW? Thanks.

You can check out the video explanation they have here...Google Maps Navigation for mobile

I'm looking forward to it once I get the TB.

 

[biff6789]

A little late to the convo here, but +1 on Android's navigation app. I just used it myself this morning to get to a destination I had never been to before - and there was a ton of construction and traffic along the way which the app avoided when calculating its directions. Truly awesome

The power of Google Maps, with turn-by-turn voice navigation ("turn left in 900 feet..."), and all for free! One of Android's best features. You'll never need a Garmin again

 

[blizz419]

Sweet, this phone is already getting better and better and I dont even have it yet. And it just saved me $120 bucks over the next 12 months too! well from whenever I get it at least.

that's y i refused to spend a monthly fee on verizon's navigation i'd rather pay a 1 time fee for a standalone GPS, but with android no need for that, i forget who said they think it was android 1.6 and on i belive 1.6 was the last version that didnt include google maps navigation my roomate had a motorola cliq and it was android ver 1.6 and he had to pay for GPS navigation which reminds me of the crazyness of that phone we ended up putting on 2.1 on the cliq it was a beta basically T-mobile was testing 2.1 on the cliq we aquired the ROM and installed it worked good for awhile he got his free gps but then like a month later phone started going wacky like screen kept refreshing and looking like someone was playing with touch screen he used his insurance to get new phone (they never noticed 2.1 on phone) they sent him 4 moto cliq's they all did same thing we tried using a diff SD card he got a new sim card same ish kept happening he could only make recieve calls reply to texts everything else wouldn't work never seen anything like it so they sent him a cliq 2 for $30 lol

 

[Forgetful]

I <3 the Thunderbolt and this forum. Every day I learn something awesome that this phone can do.