Unlock the GPS on Windows Mobile Phones Verizon!!!

http://howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=1515861

that's why i got a handheld garmin instead

it's not cheap, but... it's a one-time purchase for the unit. after
that, i can check my location as much as I want without paying for
anything except the electricity to run it.

and, i've been told it's more accurate than the phone GPS apps

What it sounds like is you have another app that will tap in to the
GPS antenna or whatever you want to call it. Why would Verizon allow
another sort of GPS related app to tap in to the GPS when they can
charge you for their own service?

is reading and looking into all features of it before signing it (this
includes checking out the equipment and making sure all questions are
answered before the sale).

Because you have the free right to shop for phone service where you
want to, you need to assert the responsibility of the place you choose
to go with. This mean abiding by:

A. Their equipment (including the UI)
B. Their terms
C. Their contract rates.

There are no rights without responsibility. Is it selfish for VZW to
lock out GPS and make you pay for navigator? Maybe.

But it does not mean they should have to change because it was not
properly researched by the user.

The problem is people think that they have an individual right, but
put the responsibility of that right on everyone else (namely trying
to make the phone carrier change to make that person happy).


Its a bad craziness that is starting to fill this country.

I am a Verizon customer and know that Verizon does lock out a lot of
features that are built into the phone by the manufacture. The even
put their own screens and menus on the phones. So someone with Razr
phone with another carrier has a much different UI (the manufactures)
than I do on my phone (Verizon's UI). They do lock out the GPS
functionality on many phones so you have to buy the VZ Navigator and
pay $9.99/month instead of using google maps for free.

It really doesn't matter if the OP knew about this beforehand or not.
It something he doesn't like about Verizon and as a customer (probably
locked in a contract) he has the right the express his concern.

I'm sorry, but if you had that much of an issue with "locked"
features, why didn't you purchase an unlocked phone? My husband
purchased unlocked phones for us a few years back. They worked well
and did what they were meant to do. When I purchased a phone a couple
of months back, I decided to go with a blackberry that my provider was
offering for $50 rather than purchase another unlocked phone. Why?
Because it was cheaper for me to do so and I decided I didn't need the
"locked" features.

It isn't as if the company isn't providing you with some alternative
correct? The alternative to purchase an unlocked cell phone through
the manufacturer or a 3rd party?

I'm assuming you were aware of these limitations when you purchased
the phone?

If there is a certain service you need, then you should pay for it.
This information was most likely provided to you when you entered the
agreement that for GPS service, you need "VZ Navigator".

I don't know when, but I can see a day where wireless companies will
be required to allow "compatible" devices on their network.

I also see the end of free or discounted phones. I expect that if you
want a phone, you'll need to pay a few hundred dollars for it.

I also see companies, like Verizon, making a fuss over how certain
phones are dangerous and banning them. Anyone caught using such a
phone on their network will be fined. POTS do this now: if you
plug-in a phone that interferes with service, they can force you to
remove it.

I also see the day where companies like Verizon invest in coming out
with new technologies, where they hold patents, and then require use
of licensed phones.

Trust me, these companies have plenty of tricks up their sleeves to
ensure that consumers can't win.

Adam..you know they are not going to do this no matter how many people
ask. NYC is so easy to find your way around, you don't need any of
that!