Google Maps update allows Verizon BlackBerry Storm to access integrated GPS

We were skeptical when Verizon said it was going to start unlocking the GPS in its phones, and then Pearl and Curve users saw support in BlackBerry Maps. Now Google Maps for the Storm has been updated to allow access to the internal GPS -- something that probably couldn't be done without Big Red's blessing. Oddly, Pearl and Curve users are still forced to rely on triangulation to get their Latitude on, but at this point, we'll really take whatever we can get. Either way, this sure looks like progress, and as long as this continues we'll go ahead and cut the carrier some slack. Storm users feel free to hit the read link and stick it to the man while making the most of your device as the BlackBerry gods intended.

[Thanks, Ryan]

[fernando Posted Feb 20th 2009 3:33AM]

bwahaha phones that need the carrier's blessing to do stuff are ridiculous. they seriously make me laugh

yes I might be a little full of hate this morning/night

unlocked/unbranded gsm is the way of life and if you don't agree your wrong

(excuse me, I'm really not feelign well, don't drink and comment on engadget I guess!)

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 20th 2009 7:45AM]

Pity you didn't graduate the 6th grade. And if you think you did.... YOU'RE wrong.

you're = you are
your = possession (Example: Your silly comments.)

[fernando Posted Feb 20th 2009 3:26PM]

I don't think the your you're confusion is the worse problem of my comment. lol

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 20th 2009 4:00PM]

Wittle baby need some attention? It has to proclaim to the whoooooooole internet that it's been consuming alcohol... Awww.....

[fernando Posted Feb 20th 2009 4:01PM]

It was a figure of speech. (plus I didn't thought do crystal meth and comment sounded as nice.) (lol) (just kidding, obviously, drugs are bad mmmkay?)

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 20th 2009 5:08AM]

Just curious if you engadget reads other forums? since boygeniusreport has reported this already. don't mind if you were several hours apart from reporting but a few days???

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 20th 2009 7:34AM]

I'ts fine! I only miss that MoBots (http:mobots.org) is not yet running on Blackberry, micro behaviours using location and any other context information is sooooo cool

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 20th 2009 11:44AM]

"Now Google Maps for the Storm has been updated to allow access to the internal GPS -- something that probably couldn't be done without Big Red's blessing."

This actually is not true. Verizon has made GPS available on the Storm for 3rd party apps for a while now, and there were a number of apps that had taken advantage of this including Weatherbug and Poynt. What Verizon hadn't made available was the use of aGPS to lock onto satellites quicker.

The problem with google maps was completely google code related. Basically their code was something like:
If (aGPS)
getLocationFromAGPS();
else
getLocationFromTriangulation();

when it should have been something like:
If (aGPS)
getLocationFromAGPS();
else if (GPS)
getLocationFromGPS();
else
getLocationFromTriangulation();


Now there's every reason to blame Verizon for not making aGPS available to 3rd party Apps, but people had been telling Google about this for a long time, so it was nice for Google to finally make the changes.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 20th 2009 1:59PM]

i'm getting a new phone in a month, not that a gps is a defining purpose for me to get a new phone. anyone think i should pick one of these up or wait for the 8930??