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Verizon software locks the free GPS on the Blackberry Pearl to make you buy VZ Navigator
The Blackberry pearl on Verizon wireless has a built in GPS that is software locked by verizon to force you to use their $10/mo VZ navigator program. I found this out after getting a blackberry pearl because it was GPS capable with the hopes that I could use it with google maps or Blackberry's built in mapping software.
When I talked to a Verizon representative I was told that blackberry locks the GPS, which I later found to be a lie. If you do get VZ navigator ($10 monthly) it allow allows the functionality of GPS in Google maps if VZ navigator is running the background. Thus we can see that the GPS chip is activated by VZ navigator and it works on basically any program that uses GPS on your blackberry. Simply put: it is obviously Verizon who has crippled the GPS feature on your phone. They do it because they want you to pay for a program they offer when you can easily get a similar service for free... so they lock your phone's GPS so you can no longer get a similar service for free.
If you want to get the built in GPS with the phone that you pay for you are going to have to get it from ATT, Sprint, or TMobile. Verizon locks the valuable features on the phone you paid for because they want you to pay more to them to use something you already own.
Verizon could easily unlock this for anyone who asks, but I guess that they are willing to gamble that the $10/mo they get from a bunch of people outweighs the money they will lose from people like me who will be leaving them if they do not let me use the features on the phone that I own.
When I talked to a Verizon representative I was told that blackberry locks the GPS, which I later found to be a lie. If you do get VZ navigator ($10 monthly) it allow allows the functionality of GPS in Google maps if VZ navigator is running the background. Thus we can see that the GPS chip is activated by VZ navigator and it works on basically any program that uses GPS on your blackberry. Simply put: it is obviously Verizon who has crippled the GPS feature on your phone. They do it because they want you to pay for a program they offer when you can easily get a similar service for free... so they lock your phone's GPS so you can no longer get a similar service for free.
If you want to get the built in GPS with the phone that you pay for you are going to have to get it from ATT, Sprint, or TMobile. Verizon locks the valuable features on the phone you paid for because they want you to pay more to them to use something you already own.
Verizon could easily unlock this for anyone who asks, but I guess that they are willing to gamble that the $10/mo they get from a bunch of people outweighs the money they will lose from people like me who will be leaving them if they do not let me use the features on the phone that I own.
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Inappropriate?Verizon locks pretty much everything to make you buy stuff from them. You can't even bluetooth files from your own computer to your own phone. It really sucks.
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?My contract with Verizon expires in January 2009 and I'm planning to leave based on principle. I refuse to pay extra for functions already built into the phone.
Their standard excuse is that this is due to security. Well I'm leaving them due to extortion.
I’m frustrated
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Inappropriate?Upgrade to the newest version of the operating system (call customer service and they'll walk you through it) using your desktop computer. The GPS receiver has been unlocked and now works with the built in FREE BlackBerry Maps application just like a stand-alone GPS unit!!!
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Inappropriate?well they are a company first, and companies do need to make money stop whining a go to another company if you havent already done so
I’m amused
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Inappropriate?My solution was to buy an external Bluetooth GPS. found a nice GPS Trip Recorder online for about $40 that works great and allows me to use 3rd party apps w my Pearl. Still no subsitute for a stand alone GPS - A lot of functionality overall depends on having phone reception - no good in the woods miles from a cel tower.
I’m indifferent
