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.
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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.
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!
@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.
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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