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06/19/2009 06:52:33 PM · #1 |
Use of the GPS satellites is free. If I buy a Garmin GPS device I can use it forever for free.
Why do cell phone companies charge for GPS use? Usually $10 month? I have a blackberry that will tell you your coordinates for FREE. It gets these numbers from government satellites. But if you want to use the actual GPS to find your way, you have to sign up for the $10/month service.
Does anyone know how they can get away with this charge? |
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06/19/2009 07:26:00 PM · #2 |
Nevermind :-)
Message edited by author 2009-06-19 19:37:15. |
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06/19/2009 07:34:37 PM · #3 |
I have the blackberry curve 8330, I got last August. Google maps is an app you can download to any blackberry for free. I find it is more useful than any GPS that comes with the phone. One of the most useful features is that you can search for businesses and restaurants near your location if you are having trouble finding something. The only feature it lacks is that it cannot recite turn-by-turn directions.
As to why phone companies charge for GPS, its because some consumers are willing to pay it without really doing any research into alternatives, so they can get away with it. |
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06/19/2009 10:01:41 PM · #4 |
I'll get the google maps...
I just can't believe that they get away with charging for the use of the GPS satellite system.
I'm wondering if it does not use the satellites and gets your location from "towers" hence the charge.
Originally posted by Five_Seat:
I have the blackberry curve 8330, I got last August. Google maps is an app you can download to any blackberry for free. I find it is more useful than any GPS that comes with the phone. One of the most useful features is that you can search for businesses and restaurants near your location if you are having trouble finding something. The only feature it lacks is that it cannot recite turn-by-turn directions.
As to why phone companies charge for GPS, its because some consumers are willing to pay it without really doing any research into alternatives, so they can get away with it. |
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06/19/2009 11:53:01 PM · #5 |
| FWIW, they aren't charging for the GPS per se, they're charging for the service that calculates routes and monitors traffic, construction etc. None of that is provided via GPS satellite signal. |
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06/20/2009 09:46:34 PM · #6 |
Verizon offers the GPS stuff as a package, you get the mapping capabilities, treffic alerts (and best route to avoid tie-ups).
You also get a bunch of other features, like location based weather, event lookup, find resteraunts, etc.
All of this (I think) is available in Google maps for free. But Verizon does not support Google maps on my phone (they do support it on smartphones, though).
So the question is "why does Verizon charge so much?"
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