Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Google Maps on Verizon's BlackBerry Storm now uses GPS for My Location

If you own a BlackBerry Storm on Verizon Wireless, we encourage you to download a brand new version of Google Maps for mobile that utilizes the Storm's internal GPS. The Storm is the first Verizon BlackBerry that makes it possible for My Location to access GPS location. After you install the new version on your Storm, you will notice improved accuracy for My Location and Latitude. Based on interest in certain Google Mobile User Forum threads, this functionality should be a welcome addition.

So if you have a Verizon BlackBerry Storm, just go to m.google.com/maps from your BlackBerry's browser to download the latest version of Google Maps to your device - and start getting hyper-accurate!

(Note: If you have an older BlackBerry on Verizon, even one with GPS like the BlackBerry 8130, this announcement unfortunately does not apply to you. The Storm is currently the only BlackBerry Verizon phone that makes GPS available to Google Maps. We hope you enjoy using My Location through network positioning or Wi-Fi, when available.)


Posted by Tom Dimopoulos, Consumer Operations Mobile

36 comments:

  1. awesome! Now how about other Verizon BlackBerries? ;-)

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  2. YES!! Thank you Google!!

    Standing by for GPS on my Curve 8330...

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  3. Very cool. Thanks for finally listening Google, I am very excited about this.

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  4. I was very excited, but sadly it doesn't work... My location pops around a half mile radius and at best settles on the nearest cell tower as before... And yes, my GPS is enabled.

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  5. Same here. I updated to 3.0.2, rebooted, and it just keeps saying 'location within 700 meters, waiting for GPS.' I'm hoping this is only due to me being in an office building currently.

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  6. Thanks Google for listening and making the storm more useful. GPS works for me inside a one story building - big drain on the batteries though.

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  7. Thank you Google!

    For those of you that can not get it to work, try getting a GPS lock using BBMaps first, if successful, close BBMaps and open Google Maps. If unsuccessful with BBMaps -> BATTERY PULL!

    This happens occasionally on my 9530.

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  8. I had the same problem goto advanced options then application permissions and change google maps to allow all on every option. save changes close google maps and then reopen google maps. worked for me right away no battery pull.

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  9. So do you have to subscribe to the VZ Navigator in order for it to work?

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  10. for those who cant get it to work.. You just don't have a good GPS signal in your location.. And make sure the gps is enabled!!

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  11. Come on. Why just the Storm? Can't you show love to the thousands of other VZW blackberry owners? honestly. this is rediculous

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  12. Why don't you link correctly to
    http://m.google.com/maps so when you read this blog post from the mobile, can click on it?

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  13. I dissapointed, the Storm with Bell Mobility isn't supported? I still get the GPS not available.

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  14. Will the BES ALX download be updated soon?

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  15. Is the Verizon Curve 8330 next on the list? The GPS is unlocked... but why no Google Mobile Maps love!

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  16. Way to go Google! But seriously, why the evasive answers about the other VZW GPS Blackberries not being supported. Just give us a straight answer for crying out loud. What is the fundamental difference in the "unlocked" GPS in the Storm vs. the 8330 and 8130?

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  17. I'm no programmer, but it seems that if the 8330's GPS can be used by BlackBerry Maps that Google Maps should be able to access that chip. Little help here? :)

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  18. I want a track up option and it should jump to new segments when GPS locked as you move....

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  19. So I have to wonder, if Verizon were to see inquiry after inquiry, via their "Contact Us" website link... from unhappy customers... maybe they would realize that owners of their Blackberry devices other than just the Storm, would like to utilize Google Maps as well.

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  20. Can we expect GPS for older Blackberries any time soon? or at least ever? (Curve 8330)

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  21. Don't worry fellow BB users, your not missing much yet. While the Storm's GPS does work with Google Maps and Latitude, it reverts back to Cell tower triangulation as soon as you lose GPS signal (like every time you go inside). Worse: the Cell tower triangulation is 2 miles off from my actual location.

    Even if the last known location via GPS stuck (so it would stay on the building you are inside of), the implementation of Google Maps on the Storm is horiffic! There is no horizontal mode supported, so you get a small little map with a big virtual keyboard that you can't get rid of. None of the on-map control icons can be used (such as zoom!) since there is no cursor mode supported. All in all, it's nearly unusable by all but the most pain-resilient users. My buddy with a Bold has a far better time with using both G-Maps and Latitude, even with only triangulation, since he can use his trackball with a cursor.

    So, good news for all other BB and MS Mobile users... you've got it a lot better then the Storm users! I'd trade the GPS support for a horizontal mode and a virtual cursor any day!

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  24. i own the blackberry bold and i using Google maps latitude it does the my friends can see weere i am and i can see where they are pin point locations this is great, amd i'm in Trinidad w.i our carrier is digicel.

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  25. As far as the comments saying the keyboard is stuck on and you can't click the zoom, Go into the Application options and turn of computability mode the reinstall it, that will correct that issue you are experiencing.

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  26. This certainly is a welcome upgrade. I went from google latitude posting my position +/- 4,000 meters to +/- 3 meters. Thats a heck of an improvement.

    Thanks

    DC

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  27. It's Possible without GPS Also.
    -Authenticsolution

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  29. Just to let everyone know: I have a curve 8310, and google maps DOES use the GPS.

    In fact, I would argue that google maps is currently the best satellite navigation system available for my BB at the moment.

    My only grudge: sometimes, the screen blankout is not disabled. I haven't been able to figure out why or how to control that yet. Maybe someone can help me?

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  30. Any word on when Google will fix things for other BB devices (e.g. 8130) to use GMM?

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  31. When Google says the 8330 won't allow google maps to access the GPS does that mean a workaround is not in the works? What's up with that? Staying posted for updates...

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