The GPS on the G1 is a joke

[doobio]

I was lead to believe this would have turn-by-turn directions and not be the same lame google maps that you can find on the Blackberry and other phones. Other than that the G1 is an awesome phone.

If T-Mobile can't make a real GPS program with turn by turn directions I'm returning the phone and going back to Verizon.

VZNavigator is great. You can search for gas stations, ATMs, restaurants, etc by your location and it gives you turn by turn directions with 3d street maps.

Wow google maps can zoom into my location. Big woop. The main reason I got this phone was due to the fact that it was the first phone on Tmobile with GPS.

I was lead to believe by the Tmobile sales people that it could do turn by turn. Disappointed. :(

[probigeorge11]

maybe you shoulda researched for 12 or 13 seconds, its not like the world was hiding it

[FrescoKID]

you should of done some research before you purchased the phone, as of now there is no turn by turn gps, but in the future a developer can whip one up

[tiki]

Yeah no kidding- no one EVER claimed turn by turn directions in anything I read.

Somebody at Tmobile was misleading you apparently.

That being said, I turned GPS on in my car today and it followed me along on a map perfectly. It was reeeeally cool.

EDGE was keeping up with the map loading just fine- no need for 3G

I wouldnt be suprised if theres a turn-by-turn app shortly.

[tread]

well, technically it does do turn by turn... it just doesn't announce them if thats what you were actually asking for... not to nitpick, but be more specific next time then...

if they told you it did have voice announced navigation, then sorry, oh well... purchase a navigation package when it comes out

[doobio]

I did do research. From what I gathered at the time the Google maps would be better than on the other phones. Guess I was wrong.

Also they told me the GPS would be $9.99 a month. I wonder where they got that number from? :rolleyes:

[probigeorge11]

well, technically it does do turn by turn... it just doesn't announce them if thats what you were actually asking for... not to nitpick, but be more specific next time then...

if they told you it did have voice announced navigation, then sorry, oh well... purchase a navigation package when it comes out
well said..............

[probigeorge11]

I did do research. From what I gathered at the time the Google maps would be better than on the other phones. Guess I was wrong.
yeah cuz most phones have street mode and compass mode

[joeyv821]

IIRC garmin is already working with another company on it

[doobio]

Yeah no kidding- no one EVER claimed turn by turn directions in anything I read.

Somebody at Tmobile was misleading you apparently.

That being said, I turned GPS on in my car today and it followed me along on a map perfectly. It was reeeeally cool.

EDGE was keeping up with the map loading just fine- no need for 3G

I wouldnt be suprised if theres a turn-by-turn app shortly.
Yeah I did notice this. I will try it out for a week and see how it goes.

The local search feature is definitely a huge feature that is missing. It looked like you can search for stuff but you have to know what you are looking for (the name of the business not the type).

[FSUftbllfan]

I can understand your disappointment after having been mislead, and like some of the other posters have said, nowhere was it advertised that it had turn by turn, but one of the main selling features was the "Street View." (Not one of the main selling features, but one of the advertised features would probably be a better phrasing of words.) But what you have to understand about the Android OS is that it is an open platform. Whereas with Blackberry it doesn't come with turn by turn and thats that, on the other hand, with Android there are many developers around the world busting their asses to get this out because they realize the demand. If you feel you cannot wait for these to come out then absolutely go back to Verizon, but when you see turn by turn come out and realize it is better than that of Verizon don't regret the decision you made. Also, I don't understand how anybody can live with a service (Verizon) that is so locked down.. They take just about every phone they get and disable half the features on the phone. Ridiculous if you ask me.. I'll step off my soap box now..

[she a g e e]

This isn't really directed towards you in particular. But I'm so sick and tired of people bitching about things that don't exist on the phone. 200-300 is a lot to be spending, so why aren't people doing their research. I'm also tired of really silly questions that are plaguing the forums. SEARCH anyone? I don't mind helping people out, but its like come on. A majority of the things people have gripes with can easily be figured out by looking through the manual. Explore the phone people! Don't just expect it to tell you how to do things. Ugh. Sorry guys. I've been avoiding the forums because i just get so annoyed by everyone complaining.

Don't get me wrong, I'm realistic, and there's definitely issues with the phone. But do we really need 1000 threads about how there's no virtual keyboard (which is becoming a feature in 2009 apparently (http://phandroid.com/2008/10/23/android-touch-screen-qwerty-coming-soon/)) Or how the apps aren't all up yet? Relax.

Yea, I know- this rant doesn't belong here. Sorry guys =(. I love everyone here! I'm just over the lazies.

[tread]

step back on, i like it

[probigeorge11]

Yeah I did notice this. I will try it out for a week and see how it goes.

The local search feature is definitely a huge feature that is missing. It looked like you can search for stuff but you have to know what you are looking for (the name of the business not the type).
not true.............

[rynosaur]

This isn't really directed towards you in particular. But I'm so sick and tired of people bitching about things that don't exist on the phone. 200-300 is a lot to be spending, so why aren't people doing their research. I'm also tired of really silly questions that are plaguing the forums. SEARCH anyone? I don't mind helping people out, but its like come on. A majority of the things people have gripes with can easily be figured out by looking through the manual. Explore the phone people! Don't just expect it to tell you how to do things. Ugh. Sorry guys. I've been avoiding the forums because i just get so annoyed by everyone complaining.

Don't get me wrong, I'm realistic, and there's definitely issues with the phone. But do we really need 1000 threads about how there's no virtual keyboard (which is becoming a feature in 2009 apparently (http://phandroid.com/2008/10/23/android-touch-screen-qwerty-coming-soon/)) Or how the apps aren't all up yet? Relax.

Yea, I know- this rant doesn't belong here. Sorry guys =(. I love everyone here! I'm just over the lazies.



RAR!!!!! Flame on :D

[she a g e e]

Yeah I did notice this. I will try it out for a week and see how it goes.

The local search feature is definitely a huge feature that is missing. It looked like you can search for stuff but you have to know what you are looking for (the name of the business not the type).

Do you mean like typing pizza instead of dominos? Because general searches have worked out pretty well for me.

[Knightairman]

Dude couldn't have done any research cause, I've not seen anywhere printed turn by turn directions.

[rynosaur]

Dude couldn't have done any research cause, I've not seen anywhere printed turn by turn directions.

The only thing I've noticed about Google GPS that I don't like is that it doesn't seem to scroll the screen with my moving position while I'm driving.

i.e., on the highway, I drive off the map pretty quickly.

Then I look back at the road . . . I do that occasionally . . . but I just can't keep my eyes off my G1 hehe.

[tread]

This isn't really directed towards you in particular. But I'm so sick and tired of people bitching about things that don't exist on the phone. 200-300 is a lot to be spending, so why aren't people doing their research. I'm also tired of really silly questions that are plaguing the forums. SEARCH anyone? I don't mind helping people out, but its like come on. A majority of the things people have gripes with can easily be figured out by looking through the manual. Explore the phone people! Don't just expect it to tell you how to do things. Ugh. Sorry guys. I've been avoiding the forums because i just get so annoyed by everyone complaining.

Don't get me wrong, I'm realistic, and there's definitely issues with the phone. But do we really need 1000 threads about how there's no virtual keyboard (which is becoming a feature in 2009 apparently (http://phandroid.com/2008/10/23/android-touch-screen-qwerty-coming-soon/)) Or how the apps aren't all up yet? Relax.

Yea, I know- this rant doesn't belong here. Sorry guys =(. I love everyone here! I'm just over the lazies.

being a long time forum browser of many different venues

this

is

the norm

[mast3rpyr0]

check out andnav.org hopefully that will be out soon

[tread]

Dude couldn't have done any research cause, I've not seen anywhere printed turn by turn directions.

yah, and up til release

the only information most of us had was "maps" feature...

so

i have no sympathy

[she a g e e]

being a long time forum browser of many different venues

this

is

the norm

Haha, yea I know. I think I was just spoiled by the forum atmosphere pre-g1 release. Oh well baccck to reality.

[FSUftbllfan]

being a long time forum browser of many different venues

this

is

the norm

There is always a good and bad with any situation. The good is all of the information, the bad is people asking for the information that has been provided over and over again, and re-phrasing the question so they look like they're asking a different question. Annoying, yes, will it stop, no..

[doobio]

I can understand your disappointment after having been mislead, and like some of the other posters have said, nowhere was it advertised that it had turn by turn, but one of the main selling features was the "Street View." (Not one of the main selling features, but one of the advertised features would probably be a better phrasing of words.) But what you have to understand about the Android OS is that it is an open platform. Whereas with Blackberry it doesn't come with turn by turn and thats that, on the other hand, with Android there are many developers around the world busting their asses to get this out because they realize the demand. If you feel you cannot wait for these to come out then absolutely go back to Verizon, but when you see turn by turn come out and realize it is better than that of Verizon don't regret the decision you made. Also, I don't understand how anybody can live with a service (Verizon) that is so locked down.. They take just about every phone they get and disable half the features on the phone. Ridiculous if you ask me.. I'll step off my soap box now..

I was on Tmobile when I lived in FL and their service was great. When I moved to CA their reception was horrible and I had to go to Verizon which has WAY better reception here.

This was before GPS was hugely popular and I used to write directions down all the time. Then I got the LG Chocolate which had GPS with turn by turn directions. I've become pretty reliant on it. The Verizon phones aren't locked down that bad. My chocolate lets me play mp3's, call/text who I need to, and GPS where I need to go and good customer service. Only gripe is no international roaming. So in that end Verizon is actually quite good. I decided to switch off Verizon because their GPS has been a little unreliable in the past few months, not being able to locate you very well and such. So I got tired of their service because the only thing that kept me was the GPS and the reception. I was willing to give Tmobile a second chance in CA since they rolled out the new 3G network here.


Dude couldn't have done any research cause, I've not seen anywhere printed turn by turn directions.


This isn't really directed towards you in particular. But I'm so sick and tired of people bitching about things that don't exist on the phone. 200-300 is a lot to be spending, so why aren't people doing their research. I'm also tired of really silly questions that are plaguing the forums. SEARCH anyone? I don't mind helping people out, but its like come on. A majority of the things people have gripes with can easily be figured out by looking through the manual. Explore the phone people! Don't just expect it to tell you how to do things. Ugh. Sorry guys. I've been avoiding the forums because i just get so annoyed by everyone complaining.

Don't get me wrong, I'm realistic, and there's definitely issues with the phone. But do we really need 1000 threads about how there's no virtual keyboard (which is becoming a feature in 2009 apparently (http://phandroid.com/2008/10/23/android-touch-screen-qwerty-coming-soon/)) Or how the apps aren't all up yet? Relax.

Yea, I know- this rant doesn't belong here. Sorry guys =(. I love everyone here! I'm just over the lazies.

I understand your frustation and while I may be a n00b to the forum I'm not a complete idiot and I spent a lot of time on phone scoop and other sites checking out the phone. Obviously I overlooked something. Oh well. I'm glad that there is a 30 day return policy in case I do decide to return the phone.


not true.............


Do you mean like typing pizza instead of dominos? Because general searches have worked out pretty well for me.

Cool I'll spend more time with it and try it out.

[DiscoDapper]

ok, turn by turn will be cool, I remember treading about work on it. Garmin is the best, so have some patience. Iphone still doesnt have it. Sprint Instinkt has really good gps navigation comparable tome Nuvi, but the phone is nowhere as great as this.

[rynosaur]

Am I one of the few who believes that it's not the cell phone companies who are doing us a favor but we, the consumers who are doing them a favor by buying their product, and therefore that it's not unreasonable to say or imply that we, the consumers, are within our rights to expect that our hard-earned money buys an exceptional product?

Or did some of you get your G1s and your Tmo service for free?

[doobio]

I found this.. which looks very promising:

http://www.anddev.org/andnav_-_android_map-routing-system-t740.html

So it might be worth sticking around if I can get used to the maps feature.


ok, turn by turn will be cool, I remember treading about work on it. Garmin is the best, so have some patience. Iphone still doesnt have it. Sprint Instinkt has really good gps navigation comparable tome Nuvi, but the phone is nowhere as great as this.

I am so tired of people comparing this phone to the iPhone. This phone is way superior IMO. Never been a fan of apple in general either. I like how this phone is open source and that there are programs being written left and right.

Don't get me wrong I like the G1 a lot but the turn-by-turn is very important to me.

[probigeorge11]

I found this.. which looks very promising:

http://www.anddev.org/andnav_-_android_map-routing-system-t740.html

So it might be worth sticking around if I can get used to the maps feature.



I am so tired of people comparing this phone to the iPhone. This phone is way superior IMO. Never been a fan of apple in general either. I like how this phone is open source and that there are programs being written left and right.

Don't get me wrong I like the G1 a lot but the turn-by-turn is very important to me.
if its that important why dont you just buy a stand alone gps for your car

[User Name]

The local search feature is definitely a huge feature that is missing. It looked like you can search for stuff but you have to know what you are looking for (the name of the business not the type).

What do you get when you enter 'pizaa bay area' or 'dry cleaning'? Does it match the online results?

[cmbarry1]

As everyone else had said If you do a little research before jumping on the bandwagon you will see that there is a navigation program in the works and most likely many more to come..this one is called AndNav and although its no TomTom it looks to do the trick..heres a link

http://www.andnav.org/

[she a g e e]

Am I one of the few who believes that it's not the cell phone companies who are doing us a favor but we, the consumers who are doing them a favor by buying their product, and therefore that it's not unreasonable to say or imply that we, the consumers, are within our rights to expect that our hard-earned money buys an exceptional product?

Or did some of you get your G1s and your Tmo service for free?

Lol you're right. It's just that right now with this particular product, you have to take into consideration that a lot of developers are just watching until they know this is a stable platform (that will last a long time) before they develop for it.

Which is why I may be overly biased. Because we need people to support the phone through this rough patch to even get it to better pastures. :D

[probigeorge11]

What do you get when you enter 'pizaa bay area' or 'dry cleaning'? Does it match the online results?
thats what i was hinting to when i replied to that post

[cmbarry1]

damn beat to it..good work guys

[doobio]

As everyone else had said If you do a little research before jumping on the bandwagon you will see that there is a navigation program in the works and most likely many more to come..this one is called AndNav and although its no TomTom it looks to do the trick..heres a link

http://www.andnav.org/
Umm yeah I just posted the link about that. Thanks for being helpful though.

[mikeyrokschicago]

Research goes along way.

So does utilizing the search bar.

[doobio]

What do you get when you enter 'pizaa bay area' or 'dry cleaning'? Does it match the online results?
I just typed in "Sushi" and "Pizza" without the city and it gave me my local favorites. Much better. Thanks for the help :)

[probigeorge11]

I just typed in "Sushi" and "Pizza" without the city and it gave me my local favorites. Much better. Thanks for the help :)
thats what AC if for, glad we could help

[doobio]

Research goes along way.

So does utilizing the search bar.
Forum search seems to be giving me blank results..

[richard]

Am I one of the few who believes that it's not the cell phone companies who are doing us a favor but we, the consumers who are doing them a favor by buying their product, and therefore that it's not unreasonable to say or imply that we, the consumers, are within our rights to expect that our hard-earned money buys an exceptional product?

Or did some of you get your G1s and your Tmo service for free?

Whats your point? That a $179 cellphone should offer the same performance as a $500 dedicated portable GPS reciever? I think your lofty sense of entitlement clouds your logic.

[doobio]

Whats your point? That a $179 cellphone should offer the same performance as a $500 dedicated portable GPS reciever? I think your lofty sense of entitlement clouds your logic.
Not really since a $100 phone on Verizon can do the same thing as the $500 GPS you speak of.

P.S. The phone is $399 without a 2 year agreement.

[probigeorge11]

Not really since a $100 phone on Verizon can do the same thing as the $500 GPS you speak of.

P.S. The phone is $399 without a 2 year agreement.
lotta hostility in this thread....but seriously all you had to do is watch one video of the G1 before it came out, we watched them all

[FSUftbllfan]

Forum search seems to be giving me blank results..

Use the search button in-between new posts and quick links, NOT the one up at the top that says "Search Android Community".

[doobio]

lotta hostility in this thread....but seriously all you had to do is watch one video of the G1 before it came out, we watched them all
Not at all. Just having a civilized debate.


Use the search button in-between new posts and quick links, NOT the one up at the top that says "Search Android Community".
Thanks!

[User Name]

Not really since a $100 phone on Verizon can do the same thing as the $500 GPS you speak of.


Which phone/model? My sister is on verizon and is looking to upgrade and the G1 is not for her.

[probigeorge11]

Which phone/model? My sister is on verizon and is looking to upgrade and the G1 is not for her.
well most of em have that VZnavigator for 8bucks a month

[doobio]

Which phone/model? My sister is on verizon and is looking to upgrade and the G1 is not for her.
Any LG chocolate or Razr has it. I think even the Blackberry world edition has it.

[User Name]

well most of em have that VZnavigator for 8bucks a month

Thanks both, I searched it for more info.

[chimbuk]

you obviously did poorly in your research (if turn by turn is so important to you) you failed to find out that there are no turn by turn applications out for the G1 at launch

return your phone so i can have more bandwidth next time i'm in your area :)

[eightyfour]

this g1 as much potential, like everyone as stated just gotta sit tight. Things are about to get really interesting, the more support this phone gets from users, the more support it'll get from developers.

[richard]

Not really since a $100 phone on Verizon can do the same thing as the $500 GPS you speak of.


Right, and my Acura can do the same thing as a Ferrari...but theres a few subtle differences, and if you are going to leave out the subtle differences, than you might as well say that $100 phone without the VZNavigator service does the same thing as a G1 without a turn-by-turn nav app.

[trueabid]

actually I kind of agree with you, like I knew google maps wasnt going to have 'turn by turn' but the google maps on the google phone I think is not as good as google maps on windows mobile and the iphone. And the Gps isnt that great, maybe its just my location but outside in the open with no buildings the thing just renders slowly on google maps, it like changes locations every second, but I think it should be every .25 seconds at least. Also with windows mobile when I was using gps and google maps and put directions it would automatically switch when I hit the next thing on the route and would be like .25 .24 .23......miles left. But on this one it doesnt do any of that, so the gps with google maps is garbage on the google phone at least for now.

[RDILLZ]

Its a shame that this still has to be explained to some people!! sheagee, i feel you! I'm tired of the constant whining about nothing. Why would you listen to a cs rep instead of researching for yourself! Now its the G1 fault? you cant be misleaad if youre the leader!

[tf442]

Google maps do seem to render slowly when following my driving. But, I thought it did the same on my windows mobile phone. Live Search did much better, it gave good directions and rendered smoothly and even gave a beep when it was time to turn. I don't suppose microsoft will make that for android.

I ended up getting Garmin XT for winmo, worked very well with spoken directions.

I think we might not see any free apps with spoken turn by turn directions.

If you read any of the info on Andnav, it seems he was about ready to go with the app until he found out the google terms of service did not allow live turn by turn directions with there maps. Now he is getting it set up with www.openstreetmap.org

[rzm61]

If GPS is so important, then buy a GPS.

[VikingDave]

If GPS is so important, then buy a GPS.

that's a little unfair.

If internet is important then buy a laptop with a usb 3g service.
If games are important then buy a PSP.
If music is important then buy an IPod.

The point of this phone is that it allows us to have many things in one device. Some things are more important to people than others.

[MattKilla]

Are people retarded or what? When did "GPS" become synonymous with "Navigation system"?

[rynosaur]

Are people retarded or what? When did "GPS" become synonymous with "Navigation system"?


It's crazy! First it was synonymous with smart bombs, tomahawk missiles, and nuclear submarines and now . . .

People want GPS to help them find pizza.

What's next? Plutonium for your teeth? :D

[VGPOP]

If you want a GPS, then purchase a GPS device.

I'm very happy with my G1 and its incredible GPS function. In the future, if they provide the "voice turn-by turn" function, I'd welcome it.

But no freaking way I would return this phone because GPS is not what I thought it was.

It's a PHONE with GPS capabilities.. Not a GPS system.

[GrimShadows]

If you want a GPS, then purchase a GPS device.

I'm very happy with my G1 and its incredible GPS function. In the future, if they provide the "voice turn-by turn" function, I'd welcome it.

But no freaking way I would return this phone because GPS is not what I thought it was.

It's a PHONE with GPS capabilities.. Not a GPS system.


Ummmm this IS a GPS device, among other things..
And so far, the GPS in my G1 has yet to actually show me where I am at.. Its usually about a mile off..

[VGPOP]

Ummmm this IS a GPS device, among other things..
And so far, the GPS in my G1 has yet to actually show me where I am at.. Its usually about a mile off..

No. This is a Phone that has GPS capabilities. This is a big difference.

I don't think people would sign a 2-year contract with T-Mobile, buy the G1 just because it has GPS.

[mwenn1]

Ummmm this IS a GPS device, among other things..
And so far, the GPS in my G1 has yet to actually show me where I am at.. Its usually about a mile off..

Mine has been able to find me and has been right on every time, it has a few issues if I am inside but that is to be expected. So far I am very happy with the way the GPS is working.

[ShouldbeWorking]

Mine has been able to find me and has been right on every time, it has a few issues if I am inside but that is to be expected. So far I am very happy with the way the GPS is working.

Yup mine too, pinpoints me exactly. Maybe GrimShadows Brett Michael's cowboy hat is interfering with the GPS signal. ;)

[GrimShadows]

Yup mine too, pinpoints me exactly. Maybe GrimShadows Brett Michael's cowboy hat is interfering with the GPS signal. ;)

Naaa.. the extra metal on the hat would be like an added antenna.. lol.. :p

[ShouldbeWorking]

Naaa.. the extra metal on the hat would be like an added antenna.. lol.. :p

touche my friend, touche

[i<3g1]

What's next? Plutonium for your teeth? :D
Don't you mean Platinum for Grillz? LOL