GPS Phone?

Lagz · 15 Nov 2006 at 18:57

Does anyone know of any cheap phones which have GPS? I am looking at developing some GPS/Phone software and want one to play around with.

In America there are a few models for under £100 (I've got the link on my work PC so could post that tomorrow if it helps), but the cheapest one I've found compabile with European networks is ~£250!

Requirements:
> Must have GPS
> Must be compatible with UK network
> Must be able to write your own program which can access GPS and SMS (e.g: through Java Micro Edition or similar).
> Cheap!

Spamalot · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:06

There are no (main streem) gps phones, full stop.

Energize · 15 Nov 2006 at 20:30

Quite a few phones have gps.

Personally I'd reccomend a pda phone like the O2 Orbit.

Lagz · 15 Nov 2006 at 21:52

Spamalot said:
There are no (main streem) gps phones, full stop.

Nextel have loads of GPS enabled phones:

i275
i285
i355
i415
i450
i560
i605
i710
i730
i736
i830
i835
i836
i850
i855
i860
i870
i930

Unfortuantely they all seem to be designed for the US networks or expensive, unless I've missed something? Quite a few of these phones are £100 or less, so I dont understand why there are no equivalent phones for the UK networks?

O2 Orbit is probably too expensive.

Tunney · 15 Nov 2006 at 21:56

The Motorola A1000 has A-GPS (assisted GPS), which might suit your needs. I doubt anyone still sells them but you could probably get one on eBay for cheap.

Other than that, you're probably looking at a Pocket PC like the Mio A710 or a smartphone and separate GPS unit combo.

I believe that Nextel phones use a similar system to the Motorola A1000 for GPS. It uses the cellular network to triangulate your position quickly. That's why they're so cheap.

Lagz · 15 Nov 2006 at 22:44

Tunney said:
The Motorola A1000 has A-GPS (assisted GPS), which might suit your needs. I doubt anyone still sells them but you could probably get one on eBay for cheap.

I had a look and it would appear ideal. The API seems to allow access to GPS and SMS from Java which is nice:
http://developer.motorola.com/?path=1.2.7.37.394

Presumably if your using assisted GPS then the host network needs to support it (as I understand it the provider is doing a lot of the GPS calculations and then sending the results to your phone?). Do UK operators support A-GPS? Also is A-GPS free to use?

Cheers

Spamalot · 15 Nov 2006 at 23:01

Lagz said:
Unfortuantely they all seem to be designed for the US networks or expensive, unless I've missed something? Quite a few of these phones are £100 or less, so I dont understand why there are no equivalent phones for the UK networks?

O2 Orbit is probably too expensive.

Thats why I said main stream (or streem, sorry typo). Can you get any of them from CPW, no.

lmfy2k · 16 Nov 2006 at 01:03

Nokia n95 will have gps built in, not out yet though and its going to be expensive!

vid of it in action:

spec: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_n95-1716.php

Airax · 16 Nov 2006 at 06:46

Depends on how you define mainstream?

O2 XDA Orbit, HTC P3300, Orange M7000, T-Mobile MDA Compact III all have built in GPS (and some versions come with TomTom6)

Several other E-Ten devices come with GPS.
Nokia N95, will have built in GPS.

Tunney · 16 Nov 2006 at 09:25

Presumably if your using assisted GPS then the host network needs to support it (as I understand it the provider is doing a lot of the GPS calculations and then sending the results to your phone?). Do UK operators support A-GPS? Also is A-GPS free to use?

I don't really know the specifics, but I believe it worked on 3 (the only operator who carried the Motorola A1000).

Energize · 16 Nov 2006 at 13:50

Spamalot said:
Thats why I said main stream (or streem, sorry typo). Can you get any of them from CPW, no.

CPW is hardly the pinnacle of phone shops is it? You could just walk into the O2 shop and pick up an orbit.

Spamalot · 16 Nov 2006 at 15:54

Energize said:
CPW is hardly the pinnacle of phone shops is it? You could just walk into the O2 shop and pick up an orbit.

Well you might be able to if it was out. Any how many of the phones mentioned are cheap, none.

Airax · 16 Nov 2006 at 22:52

Spamalot said:
Well you might be able to if it was out. Any how many of the phones mentioned are cheap, none.

Now thats just getting picky, don't you think? Phones that work with Sat Nav, by and by are smart phones. These generally cost a lot more then their non-smart phone counter parts. Any way your all arguing over a moot point.

If your not adverse to carrying a BT GPS reciver, then you'll find a lot more choice on the selection of available phones. Other HTC P3300 (and its varients) are the way to go. The HTC P3600 (the i-mate JAM replacement) as built in GPS too, but its turned off at the moment. Make of that what you will.