What Does Verizon Have Against GPS In BlackBerrys?

by Robb Dunewood on July 23, 2007 · 108 comments

This is a question that goes out to the RIMarkable readers. Why does Verizon disable GPS in their BlackBerry devices?

At one point Verizon was actually advertising GPS in the BlackBerry 8830. The pix to the right was snagged from a scan of the Spring 2007 edition of Verizon Wireless Connect and GPS is in the feature list clear as day. We know now that GPS didn’t actually make the cut, but, the bigger question is why.

We know that Verizon has the network to handle it. Verizon actually disables it in the BlackBerry but offers it as an add-on called VZ Navigator on other devices.

What gives? Leave your comments below. RIMarkable reader Hello No as well as many other Verizon subscribers would really like to know.

BlackBerry


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  • DavidB

    OK, I found some posts elsewhere about it.
    I fired up BBMaps on my Verizon 8830WE running unofficial OS 4.5.0.101 and BBMaps does now work! No Google Maps yet though, or any other GPS app I’ve tried. Apparently BBMaps application that is included in OS 4.5 and 4.7 (Storm) has been “approved” by Verizon. Official 4.5 OS for 8130 Pearl and 8330 Curve are at Verizon download sites, 8830WE O 4.5 takes some searching elsewhere (but Google is your friend).

  • Harold Brothwell

    $45/month unlimited cellular

    NO CREDIT CHECKS
    NO CONTRACTS
    NO ROAMING FEES

    $45 a month unlimited talk and text to:
    USA
    CANADA
    PUERTO RICO
    US VIRGIN ISLANDS

    http://www.wifiCellularService.com
    http://www.EconomyCellular.com

  • Dale

    What the heck, this is criminal.
    What would they think if they bought a dr car but could not use theback seats without renting a key at $10 a month because of security.

  • Joe

    I know the issue here is Verizon blocking GPS on Blackberry phones. Verizon disables GPS on their entire network for all GPS enabled devices, including Blackberry’s, Windows Smartpones and aircards. My Dell E6400 notebook with an embedded aircard has no GPS functionality that Dell built in because GPS is disabled. A great feature of my Lojack is tracking my notebook right on Google Maps doesn’t work because of GPS blocking. Verizon doesn’t stop at GPS blocking. Every device Verizon sells has many features blocked that the hardware manufacturers built into the hardware, like being able to sync with a PC to transfer music files directly to your handset on music capable phones. You are lucky if you have a Verizon phone with a removable storage card for this reason. Instead Verizon customers must subscribe to garbage apps like Vcast or VZ Navigator for monthly service charges on top of your rate plan. Verizon will tell you that GPS is blocked for one reason or another, but disabling GPS and and rewriting the manufacter’s OS to sell their apps is a huge revenue generator for Verizon. GPS is completely open on Sprint and At&t as well as the little guys like Kricket. Verizon has no plans on opening up their network, so it leaves only one option the the customer. MOVE TO ANOTHER CARRIER. This is the only way Verizon will change. When they see they are losing lines of service to the competition. I am as soon as my contracts are up.

  • jack

    The question that people should be asking. Why do cell Phone carriers charge for a service like GPS that is FREE. RIM that makes the Blackberry include that in as a feature this FREE. When you buy a Garmin GPS, do you have to pay to use your GPS? Verizon STPPOED selling nokia because Nokia off softwaRE FREE OF CHARGE ON THIER SITE. People fight for your rights. Verizon has blocked your GPS service from working so you can pay them for a FREE service.

  • http://www.atinj.com John Stroka

    Golflogix has just added Blackberry Storm to its golf course application. However, Verizon GPS is locked. So this, like many other applications do not work. Gee thanks Verizon!

    • DavidB

      @John:
      They specifically list Tour and Storm versions of their software. And Storm and Tour GPS are open and available for anyone to use who codes to the RIM LBS API. So if GPS doesn’t work on this app on the Storm, it’s Golflogix, not Verizon, that’s the problem.

  • don wiggins

    They are just typical big business crooks. Wy should they charge u for gps. They have no investment in it. When I buy the phone and it comes gps ready, I should be able to walk outside and initialize it and it belongs to me. Why should a cell phone company charge you both ways for a call??? No other phone company ever did until the cell phone people came along. Cell phone bills should be $35 dollars by now. All of that equipment has been paid for long ago. They are just like all greedy capitalist. Nothing is ever enough. (except wages) exempting the executives of course.

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