GPS on the Pre
GPS capabilities on the Pre are at the very least on par with most GPS phones.
There are 2 GPS applications on the Pre, the standard Google Maps application and a "Sprint Navigation" application. It appears that the Google Maps application is a generic application (available on most phones I believe) which can pinpoint your location, provide directions from that location, and display a variety of maps and detail. Sprint Navigation, on the other hand, while the maps may have less detail (like satellite view), is supposed to operate like a stand alone GPS system, providing turn by turn directions from your location. Unfortunately, the phone needs a good GPS signal to accomplish this, and it doesn't appear to be up to the task.
Choosing the Menu (Map symbol w/ the plus sign) brings you to a menu to choose a number of handy items. You can choose an airport (it brings up relevant airports to your location), contact addresses, businesses or simple address searches. You can plot a course to any of these locations from your present location. Once you choose a destination, then the easy to use and view 'Navigation' screen takes over. I was very excited when I saw this! For all intensive purposes, it looked like this was what I was wishing Google Maps had, turn by turn directions that didn't require too much attention if you were driving alone! I started trying it out by walking around downtown Seattle, but was never able to acquire Satellites. I chalked that up to too many tall buildings, so I waited until I was on the open freeway, with my wife driving, so I could give it a good test run. However, on the open freeway, no buildings around, I couldn't acquire satellites. I rebooted, ensured gps/location services was enabled, and made sure that Google Maps could get my location, and all seemed to be working; except Sprint Navigation couldn't find Satellites. I guess it's back to semi-manual directions with Google Maps. I did notice that one of my fellow Pre bloggers was able to get the Navigation to "work". It sounds like I'm not missing much: Navigation, Was That What I Just Dealt With?.
The Google Maps App is very similar to Google Maps on the web with one added feature - it can use your location.
. When the application loads, if you've told the phone to ask whenever location services are requested (like I have) you get prompted to turn them on; otherwise, you can just use the maps with out GPS. It then, very quickly, identifies your location and zooms into it.
Sprint Navigation:
Choosing the Menu (Map symbol w/ the plus sign) brings you to a menu to choose a number of handy items. You can choose an airport (it brings up relevant airports to your location), contact addresses, businesses or simple address searches. You can plot a course to any of these locations from your present location. Once you choose a destination, then the easy to use and view 'Navigation' screen takes over. I was very excited when I saw this! For all intensive purposes, it looked like this was what I was wishing Google Maps had, turn by turn directions that didn't require too much attention if you were driving alone! I started trying it out by walking around downtown Seattle, but was never able to acquire Satellites. I chalked that up to too many tall buildings, so I waited until I was on the open freeway, with my wife driving, so I could give it a good test run. However, on the open freeway, no buildings around, I couldn't acquire satellites. I rebooted, ensured gps/location services was enabled, and made sure that Google Maps could get my location, and all seemed to be working; except Sprint Navigation couldn't find Satellites. I guess it's back to semi-manual directions with Google Maps. I did notice that one of my fellow Pre bloggers was able to get the Navigation to "work". It sounds like I'm not missing much: Navigation, Was That What I Just Dealt With?.
A disappointing result from such a promising application, but that's how it goes I guess.
Mobile Guides
Phones
Foldable Phones
Headphones
Mobile Accessories
Smartwatches
Wireless Plans
Mobile coupons