Verizon unblocks GPS on Blackberry!

[matted]

I found this interesting... As a frustrated Verizon blackberry user for over a year I was thrilled this week when I saw they unblocked the GPS.

As far as I know, the GPS only works with blackberry maps right now and you have to upgrade to OS > v4.5. It's a good start, at least! I suspect there will be an option with google maps soon!

I updated my OS and tested it out today... works great.

For those not familiar - Verizon advertised the GPS in the phones - but blocked access for all but E911 service and their own $10/mo navigator software. Not sure exactly why it was unblocked - but they did lose a lawsuit last year - and they were the only major US carrier who blocked the GPS functionality.

[bonustreak]

I hate Verizon! I was so happy to leave them BUT I am now stuck with trying to get rid of this blackberry world edition cell because guess what, Verizon will not unlock it for nothing so only another user of Verizon can take this phone!

Any takers??

[GPWA Teresa]

Happy At&t user... or else I might consider.

My Curve is beautiful

Any comments on the storm?

I watched someone using theirs for the first time, and managed to lock it and coudln't figure out how to unluck... I think I will stick to actual keys...

I hate Verizon! I was so happy to leave them BUT I am now stuck with trying to get rid of this blackberry world edition cell because guess what, Verizon will not unlock it for nothing so only another user of Verizon can take this phone!

Any takers??

[bonustreak]

I switched to AT&T as well when I received my new Bold from one of the top notch affiliate managers..wooohoo! I love my new phone!!

[matted]

I'm more interested than the bold than the storm... Touch screens scare me a bit... I tend to be rough on phones even as I try to take very good care of them! I have a pearl now - I love the size, but it lacks memory and speed.

VZW has pretty good coverage - and I find their prices halfway decent. I was originally with Sprint - and had awful phones, awful coverage, and even worse customer support. I get bugged about some of the little quirks, but I figure they all have their own little problems.

Unlocking the GPS is a big deal - it was one of my main complainrts. I paid for the phone - why can the provider block my use of it?!

[GPWA Teresa]

VZW has pretty good coverage - and I find their prices halfway decent. I was originally with Sprint - and had awful phones, awful coverage, and even worse customer support. I get bugged about some of the little quirks, but I figure they all have their own little problems.

Unlocking the GPS is a big deal - it was one of my main complainrts. I paid for the phone - why can the provider block my use of it?!

I hear you with Sprint- worst customer service ever.

The GPS thing is strange. I don't know how they could block that... for what reason?

[matted]

The GPS thing is strange. I don't know how they could block that... for what reason?

They claimed it was a security issue on their servers. And honestly, it still is not 100% unblocked - it only works on BB Maps.

The real reason they did it? They wanted to sell VZNav for $9.99/mo as it was the only app which had access to the GPS capability.

[GPWA Teresa]

Ugh, typical.

Security issues? On their servers? pffft....

Although, At&t is not much better, as they also charge a monthly fee...

To me, IMHO, it would be beneficial to sell an application as opposed to a monthly service. Or maybe it would be easier for me.

You can buy an actual GPS unit for the same price as a year worth of monthly service. hello? haha.

They claimed it was a security issue on their servers. And honestly, it still is not 100% unblocked - it only works on BB Maps.

The real reason they did it? They wanted to sell VZNav for $9.99/mo as it was the only app which had access to the GPS capability.