Anyone with successful experience w/Bing Maps and GPS Fix app?

[whacker]

I don't use mapping all that much, but I thought I'd explore it on my Pre Plus.

The deal since late last year is that Google Maps has been replaced by Bing Maps (labeled just Maps). So you install the new program, then find out that you can't get a GPS "fix" for it to show your current location (you can, however, see maps and tool around them).

It's then recommended (after checking out a thread or two on webosforums) that you install another app called "GPS Fix" that works to make the phone "wake up" the GPS circuitry so that any app that need that info can obtain it. So I installed that (quite a few interesting tweaks/settings you can make). Still can't get a "Fix".

Does anyone have another perspective on this? I'm on the Standard Plan, so the only data connection for me is obviously Wi-Fi.

[jeffrejames]

I'm pretty sure you need to have data active in order to get a GPS fix on your location. Someone with more experience with your phone will chime in on the other issues

[carolsue]

I don't with google.With just wifi google finds me everytime.don't know about bing.

[mifiremedic]

I have been using BFG Maps (2 options, 1 free, 1 pay) from the palm app catalog. Works very well. (I have a Palm pixi plus)

[whacker]

I think the most important thing for me at this point is how to get GPS functioning on my Pre Plus. Choice of map app is secondary. I don't know if there may be even an additional patch I need to install, or a sequence of doing things I'm missing, or what it could be. I've got the "GPS Fix" app installed, and from Preware I've got the patch that is recommended for Verizon phones that uses VZ Navigator (temporarily, without any subscription) to work with "GPS Fix". But it only fails, so far. This is always with Wi-Fi on.

[Boz]

I don't think any Vzw specific app will work unless the phone is subscribed to Vzw.

Is there an option to install Google Maps or the free version of BFG Maps from Preware or another app store to see if any other program can get a GPS fix with your phone?

[whacker]

The idea from the author of the GPS Fix app is just to use the VZW app to "kickstart" the GPS circuitry in the phone (through the use of a "patch" you install), enough to get a fix. A Google Maps app is no longer available for the Pre with the introduction of the Bing product. You can browse to Google Maps on the mobile web, but I don't think that get very favorable reviews from Pre users. BFG Maps I haven't investigated yet.

I still should be able to use the GPS in my phone, though. Somehow.

[shengchieh]

You may want to surf

http://forums.hpwebos.com/t5/forums/searchpage/tab/message?q=pixi+cracked+screen#/?q=pixi+bing+map&search_type=thread

This has been discussed on the Palm forum.

Sheng-Chieh

[Boz]

Wow. That's too bad. I think that might be the first time I've seen that reported on this forum, despite all of the Palm Pixi Plus users. But based on the link shengchieh provided, it is obviously at least somewhat common.

I know Kitty sometimes has openings in the Unlimited Services Club for a one-time $50 fee that would cover future services. Maybe Kitty can comment on if/when there will be future openings.
http://www.kittywireless.com/pageplus/aboutmemberships.php

[whacker]

Thanks for that link, and if I read the correct thread from it, I must say that I never had any problem with the installation of the newer Bing Maps content and the icon that showed in the Launcher. That's all good, and I can bring up Maps and locate things (when I've got Wi-Fi turned on -- I don't use cellular data); I just can't get a GPS "fix" on my own location due to the GPS part of my phone not being set up correctly in conjunction with the admittedly workaround-ish apps that are available and recommended.

But not to worry. I've put my Palm Pre Plus on indefinite hiatus for now (semi-retired). It's now my back-up device. :p

[MatthewsNC]

What did you replace your PPP with?

[whacker]

A lovely, pristine, fresh from the factory refurb-crew Motorola Droid X2! It's suh-weeeeet! And a great price with a little good backstory to make it even better!

[MatthewsNC]

A lovely, pristine, fresh from the factory refurb-crew Motorola Droid X2! It's suh-weeeeet! And a great price with a little good backstory to make it even better!

Ah, very good. Super phone for Page Plus!:cheers:

[whacker]

I can't fault the Pre Plus. I had almost gone for one of the Pre 2s that was around for $70-$80, and had "fallen back in love" with my Pre Plus. I gained a new perspective on it for a few weeks. Great phone section (and of course, webOS in general), and so practically compact. Great phone (along with the Pixi Plus), especially for PPC's Standard Plan. Biggest thing for me though was the display size, as I like to surf with the Wi-Fi, and the display size of the Pre, along with the browser font size (non-adjustable) and some of its quirky behaviors (doesn't reflow/re-order the text column for good readability, etc.) made me stray into looking for something more like a mini-tablet, which I think the DX2 kinda qualifies as, in my book.

[MatthewsNC]

Yes, the biggest advantage the DX2 has is its big screen. My Droid 3 is very nice but I can still see a little difference in that regard. The larger screen makes doing things on the internet so much easier. Most web pages on the internet (not all) are designed for much larger screens so the larger screen just helps out there. I would still have mine but I just wanted to try the physical keyboard again.