Thread: Possible to unlock the GPS??

Hey All,

From what I've read, VZW Tour's have their GPS unlocked so apps like Google Maps can pinpoint your location properly.

I'm on Bell Mobility in Canada, and up here, the GPS is locked on the Tour. I bitched at Bell about this and got them to comp me TeleNav for free but I still prefer Google Maps.

Does anyone know if its possible to unlock the GPS so 3rd party apps can access it?

Thanks!

Hi TheGuch,

Welcome to BBOS.

I dont believe that the Tour GPS is locked. There have been many different posts about Google Maps not working as advertised on the tour. Sprint, Verizon and others have all reported issues with this application.

I would wait until Google comes out with a new build and in the meantime enjoy your free telenav, thats really cool of them. I have telenav on Sprint and wouldnt dream of downloading google maps even if it did work corectly.

Another post about Google Maps & GPS http://www.blackberryos.com/forums/b...gnize-gps.html

Wirelessly posted (storm 9530)

I have seen the same posts about it not working... However it works exactly the same on my VZW Tour as it does my storm. In some instances it just needs to be used regularly... I hadn't heard that the GPS was locked on any networks Tours. Let me see what I can find...

not to step on toes but you do have the gps on and not set to 911 only right?

Wirelessly posted

My co workers VZW tour works fine with google maps. Make sure its set to location on and that the little o))) looking icon is on the top bar. Although I can't say for sure What OS he's running or whether bells tours are locked. Good luck

I am on Telus. My first Tour's GPS would not work. After arguing with the Telus lvl I tech support that the Tour in fact HAS GPS (he told me it was just cell locationing), he issued me a trouble ticket and I swapped out the phone.

This one works perfectly. After installing .191, Google maps even recognizes the GPS. Whereas on 4.7, it did not. Now, just to get the trackball working........

Originally Posted by glockguy

I am on Telus. My first Tour's GPS would not work. After arguing with the Telus lvl I tech support that the Tour in fact HAS GPS (he told me it was just cell locationing), he issued me a trouble ticket and I swapped out the phone.

This one works perfectly. After installing .191, Google maps even recognizes the GPS. Whereas on 4.7, it did not. Now, just to get the trackball working........

Good deal glockguy. You may want to check out this thread about your trackball.

http://www.blackberryos.com/forums/b...ball-test.html

Originally Posted by MePascal

Good deal glockguy. You may want to check out this thread about your trackball.

http://www.blackberryos.com/forums/b...ball-test.html

Yup....i don't need a diagnostic test to tell me that my trackball is f%$ked!

LOL

Plus, you are assuming I can scroll far enough right to even get to options!!!!!! LMAO

Originally Posted by jnepsa

not to step on toes but you do have the gps on and not set to 911 only right?

For sure, I've tripled check this setting.

Originally Posted by glockguy

I am on Telus. My first Tour's GPS would not work. After arguing with the Telus lvl I tech support that the Tour in fact HAS GPS (he told me it was just cell locationing), he issued me a trouble ticket and I swapped out the phone.

This one works perfectly. After installing .191, Google maps even recognizes the GPS. Whereas on 4.7, it did not. Now, just to get the trackball working........

I actually never tried Google Maps after installed 5.0.0.191...So I just did it right now...Some interesting results.

I went out to my backyard right now It no longer says 'GPS is temporarily unavailable' but it finds my location within 3800 meters! I fired up TeleNav and it get my location exactly right.

Could just be my part of the city...I'll play with it when I'm out and about...

As for your trackball issues, I feel your pain. I had my Tour changed within the first week b/c it was borderline useless. Fourtunately, I had the $7/month insurance and within 2 days, I had a new Tour shipped to my door.

Originally Posted by TheGuch

I actually never tried Google Maps after installed 5.0.0.191...So I just did it right now...Some interesting results.

I went out to my backyard right now It no longer says 'GPS is temporarily unavailable' but it finds my location within 3800 meters! I fired up TeleNav and it get my location exactly right.

Could just be my part of the city...I'll play with it when I'm out and about...

As for your trackball issues, I feel your pain. I had my Tour changed within the first week b/c it was borderline useless. Fourtunately, I had the $7/month insurance and within 2 days, I had a new Tour shipped to my door.

Do a good long battery pull now that you have dl'ed google maps. It took me about three pulls to get the GPS on Google maps working.

3800 m means you are on cell location, not GPS.....

Good to hear that you got Telenav going though!

I asked Telus about the $7 a month insurance. They say they have no such thing. Yet, my biz partner sure has a $7 a month insurance charge on his Telus bill!!!! WTF????

My new (refurb) Tour is on the way. But they said 2 to 4 weeks......:aargh4:

I really just want to sort out why I don't have ALL of .191 and why the BIS browser does not work

ADD>>> Somewhere in here I started a thread called "Engineering Screens Unlocked"

Playing around with this, I was able to get better than 1m accuracy!

On OS 4.7, it would actually say 'GPS unavailable' now it doesn't say that at all, so I assumed it was using the actual GPS. I'll try the battery pull and see wot happens.

I dont see the insurance service listed on the Telus website either, but these days, everyone offers these sorta services...

Thanks for your help!

Also....How do you know if your phone has been replaced with a Refurb??

Originally Posted by TheGuch

On OS 4.7, it would actually say 'GPS unavailable' now it doesn't say that at all, so I assumed it was using the actual GPS. I'll try the battery pull and see wot happens.

I dont see the insurance service listed on the Telus website either, but these days, everyone offers these sorta services...

Thanks for your help!

Anytime, my BB would still be bricked if it wasn't for this site. Glad to help

Originally Posted by TheGuch

Also....How do you know if your phone has been replaced with a Refurb??

when you get the replacement it will be only the phone no battery or anything else.. did you get it at store or mail?

Originally Posted by jnepsa

when you get the replacement it will be only the phone no battery or anything else.. did you get it at store or mail?

Even easier way to tell if your phone is a refurb....

go to options>>status

Type in BUYR

It will tell you how much data and voice your phone has been subjected to since manufacture

I got mine at a store in the mall!

Originally Posted by jnepsa

when you get the replacement it will be only the phone no battery or anything else.. did you get it at store or mail?

I got it send via post and it came in a plain white box with a phone, battery and charger. They told me to put my old phone, battery and charger back in the and return it.

Originally Posted by TheGuch

I got it send via post and it came in a plain white box with a phone, battery and charger. They told me to put my old phone, battery and charger back in the and return it.

did it come in a new tour box or just the phone battery and charger

Originally Posted by jnepsa

did it come in a new tour box or just the phone battery and charger

Not a new box, just a plain white shipping box.

Originally Posted by TheGuch

Not a new box, just a plain white shipping box.

it was a refurb then sorry (