Using Your BlackBerry Curve GPS

In This Chapter

Using GPS safely
Preparing to use GPS on your BlackBerry
Choosing a GPS application
A few years back, when some of the North American network carriers introduced GPS on their versions of the BlackBerry, we were quite impressed . . . until we tried it. The response time was slow, and it wasn’t accurate. On top of that, the network carriers charged users an arm and a leg for this inferior service. As it turns out, those GPS functions were implemented by using the network — that is, GPS wasn’t embedded in the BlackBerry. How low-tech!
Today, your BlackBerry Curve can come with built-in GPS, which makes finding yourself easy. In this chapter, we show you how to use your BlackBerry’s built-in GPS and show you the best GPS applications you can use on your BlackBerry, two of which are free!
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 model has built-in GPS, but some BlackBerry Curve 8500 models do not. If you have a BlackBerry Curve 8500, please check with your network carrier for the status of your Curve.

Putting Safety First

Some GPS features are useful while you’re driving a car. However, even when tempted to use your BlackBerry GPS while driving, we strongly suggest that you do not adjust it while you’re driving.
Before you start using BlackBerry GPS in your car, you need a BlackBerry car holder — preferably a car kit with a car charger. You can buy a car kit on the Internet; just search for BlackBerry car kit. Or go to one of the following Web sites:
‘www.shopblackberry.com
‘http://shop.crackberry.com
Now that you have all you need to keep you safe, keep on reading.


What You Need

For GPS to work on your BlackBerry, it needs navigation maps, which are usually downloaded in little pieces as required. And because these maps are downloaded, you must be subscribed to a data plan and have a radio signal to obtain them.
If you didn’t subscribe to an unlimited data plan from your network carrier, be aware that the more you use your GPS as you move about, the more data (map pieces) you’ll download, which means the more charges you’ll incur.

In summary, for your BlackBerry GPS to work, you need

A data plan from your network carrier. We recommend an unlimited data plan.
To be in an area where you have a radio signal. That way, you can download the maps.

Your GPS Application Choices

The four GPS applications that you can use on your BlackBerry are
BlackBerry Maps (comes with your BlackBerry): Free ‘ Google Maps (m.google.com/maps): Free
Garmin Mobile (garmin.com/mobile/mobilext): $99 one-time fee ‘ TeleNav GPS Navigator (telenav.com/products/tn/): $9.99 per month
The icons for all are pictured in Figure 12-1.

BlackBerry Maps

As we mention earlier, your BlackBerry comes with the BlackBerry Maps application loaded (refer to Figure 12-1).
BlackBerry GPS applications.
Figure 12-1:
BlackBerry GPS applications.
If you have a BlackBerry with AT&T as your network carrier, you might not have BlackBerry Maps installed out of the box. No worries; you can download it via mobile.blackberry.com. (Keep reading, too, for alternatives to BlackBerry Maps that still take advantage of your BlackBerry GPS.)
With or without GPS (built-in or external), you can use BlackBerry Maps to do the following (see Figure 12-2):
Find a location by typing an address or by using Contacts Get point-to-point directions
E-mail or SMS a location to colleagues and friends Turn GPS on or off
Zoom in and out of the map
Of course, with GPS turned on, you can track where you are and follow point-to-point directions.

Google Maps

Google Maps is the mobile version of http://maps.google.com. It has most of the features of the online version, including satellite imaging and traffic information. Best of all, it’s free.
Like BlackBerry Maps, you can use Google Maps even without a GPS. With Google Maps, you can search for businesses and landmarks; it’s like having the ultimate 411 (with a map) at the tip of your fingers.
BlackBerry Maps on the BlackBerry Curve.
Figure 12-2:
BlackBerry Maps on the BlackBerry Curve.
Because Google Maps doesn’t come with your BlackBerry, you need to download it. To do so, go to www.google.com/gmm. After the program downloads, its icon appears on your Home screen (refer to Figure 12-1).
After Google Maps is loaded, press the menu key to display the menu shown in Figure 12-3.
Google Maps menu.
Figure 12-3:
Google Maps menu.

From the menu, you can do the following:

Find businesses and landmarks, including phone numbers, address information, and Web addresses

Find and map exact addresses

Get step-by-step directions from point A to point B
View a satellite image of the current map (see Figure 12-4)
Get traffic information for major highways
Google Maps showing a satellite photo.
Figure 12-4:
Google Maps showing a satellite photo.
With GPS or Google’s My Location on, you can see your current location as a blue blinking dot.
Here are some keyboard shortcuts for Google Maps:
Zoom in: I key ‘ Zoom out: O key
Go to the current location: 0 (zero) key
You need to have a radio signal to download maps to your BlackBerry. In addition, we recommend that you have an unlimited data plan if you are a frequent user of the GPS feature on your BlackBerry.

TeleNav GPS Navigator

TeleNav GPS Navigator is a full-featured GPS solution. It’s intended as a GPS device replacement, which means the folks at TeleNav want you to use your BlackBerry in the car. TeleNav’s feature list is extensive. From 3D maps to a real-time compass to finding Wi-Fi hotspots, the list goes on and on. It even lets you input the address by speaking aloud instead of typing, and responds by speaking the directions aloud to you. Figure 12-5 shows the main menu for TeleNav. (Note that there are network-branded versions of TeleNav; for example, Figure 12-5 shows an AT&T version. The functionalities from TeleNav are the same, regardless of network branding.)
The extensive features come at a price. Depending on your network carrier, TeleNav costs about $10 per month. TeleNav does offer a 30-day free trial. Visit www.telenav.com/products/tn for more information. After the product is downloaded, its icon appears on your screen (refer to Figure 12-1).
AT&T-branded version of TeleNav main menu.
Figure 12-5:
AT&T-branded version of TeleNav main menu.

Garmin Mobile

Like TeleNav, Garmin offers a full-featured GPS solution. They charge a one-time fee of $99, which is good for the life of the device. The features of Garmin Mobile are very similar to its GPS counterpart. If you have ever owned a Garmin GPS, the user interface is similar and friendly. Figure 12-6 shows the main menu for Garmin Mobile.
Garmin Mobile's main menu.
Figure 12-6:
Garmin Mobile’s main menu.
We like the simplicity of Garmin’s user interface and its one-time cost. To find out more, visit www.garmin.com/mobile/mobilext.

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