Question about the GPS feature

[elrol]

Hello, First time poster, and I am just about ready to purchase my first Android device and I have a question about the GPS functionality of the Inspire 4G.

Is there a dedicated app for GPS and if I have the app running, does it use my data connection and go against my data usage?

Please correct me if I am wrong here. I am really looking forward to purchasing this device in the next few weeks.

Thanks!

 

[bmolloy]

Hello, First time poster, and I am just about ready to purchase my first Android device and I have a question about the GPS functionality of the Inspire 4G.

Is there a dedicated app for GPS and if I have the app running, does it use my data connection and go against my data usage?

Please correct me if I am wrong here. I am really looking forward to purchasing this device in the next few weeks.

Thanks!

The GPS is a radio in the phone that many of the apps can use. It does not get it's information based on the GSM radio that gets your data from the carrier. The only time it will pull data is if you are using an app that uses both GPS for location, then uses the location information and updates something that requires data. An obvious example is if you are using google maps with navigation it will pull the map information down (which will count against your data). Another example would be your weather app using the gps to get your location then updating the temperature and forecast for where you are. Any app that uses the GPS to Geocode (such as the camera geocoding pictures) does not directly use data.

If this is your first android phone, and being that if you are getting this phone you are getting it on AT&T, I would recommend getting the most data you can. Not having the unlimited option sucks, but it shouldn't be a big deal if you turn on the wifi and connect whenever you are home or at work if they have it. I use about 3GB of data per month but stream a lot of podcasts and music while I drive to work. If I were actually concerned about data (I have grandfathered unlimited) I would easily be able to get it below 2GB with some forethought like downloading podcasts instead of streaming them on stitcher and listening to music on the phone rather than streaming it from Pandora.

Enjoy, Android becomes an addiction so watch out!

 

[elrol]

Ah, Ok.. Thanks for the information. I do not really plan on using this phone as a GPS device, but in a pinch it might be ok to help me find my way.

Most of the places I go, Home, work, starbucks, all have wifi, so that is a plus, I am going to try to make the most of the lowest data plan, and see if I can get it to work. Coming from a blackberry device, I only use 50mb a month because as I said I have wifi most places I do.

Getting this phone will be a welcomed change from the BB device.

Thanks again for the info!

 

[Lefty2004]

I've been rocking a Nexus One for the past 9 months on the 200mb plan and have yet to go anywhere near gong over. I use wifi at home and work and don't do any streaming video or audio when on 3g. Good luck with you Inspire. I'm considering going to it myself.

 

[elrol]

@Lefty2004 - Thanks for the info. It is good to know staying under 200mb can be done.

 

[dsmkrt]

Glad to hear about 200 Megs being doable as well. This will be my first smartphone, moving over from the Samsung Eternity. The resistive touchscreen on that phone has not held up well and I can't wait to get rid of it. I will miss the unlimited data plan I have had for the feature phone though. Eternity still has access to the CV service, and the latest clips of the Daily Show are always on there.

I'm actually a college student. I have wifi at home, and the entire campus has wifi as well, so I feel I will more or less be covered and can make it under 200 MB. The one downside is that I can't really take advantage of a free tethering app like PDAnet with a cap that small.

Say I'm going on a roadtrip and I decide I want extra data for just one month, that can be done, right?

 

[ZeroRilix]

Say I'm going on a roadtrip and I decide I want extra data for just one month, that can be done, right?

Not exactly. You'll have to contact them about adding more data, then when you get back get them to take it off before they charge you for more than the month you need the extra data.

 

[textiaac]

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