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Does Google Nav use data?

Not necessarily.

It will by default download the maps of your route as needed = using data.

You are, however, able to save/cache map grids from Maps on to your phone memory. Make sure that you have downloaded the area you need while on wifi, before using Google Navigation, and you should be good to go.
 
Even if you cache a map, it will still use data (and quiet a lot too) for the graphics. Besides that, Maps will only let you cache some 10 square miles, so unless you only use navigation for really short trips you're still gonna use a substantial amount of data.
 
Youd think they would change/fix that. With a standalone GPS you use no data and it connects to no cell towers. Just the GPS sats themselves. Would be nice if the phones did that too and the only thing we had to worry with is the battery.
 
Toosploos said:
Even if you cache a map, it will still use data (and quiet a lot too) for the graphics. Besides that, Maps will only let you cache some 10 square miles, so unless you only use navigation for really short trips you're still gonna use a substantial amount of data.
Click to expand...

Didn't know that. Thanks for clearing that up! :)
 
byrds8 said:
Youd think they would change/fix that. With a standalone GPS you use no data and it connects to no cell towers. Just the GPS sats themselves. Would be nice if the phones did that too and the only thing we had to worry with is the battery.
Click to expand...
They also require 4+ GB of disk space for all the maps and are constantly out-of-date. But if that's what you want, there are apps for that.
 
Toosploos said:
Even if you cache a map, it will still use data (and quiet a lot too) for the graphics. Besides that, Maps will only let you cache some 10 square miles, so unless you only use navigation for really short trips you're still gonna use a substantial amount of data.
Click to expand...
But you can cache multiple 10 sq mi areas...
 
The reason a GPS (Garmin, TomTom, Etc) don't need cell data is because they all have several gigabytes worth of data already stored on them. All the maps, all the layers, all the zoom levels, everything is already on the device.

If you want google maps to operate offline, you would need the same several gigabytes of data stored on the phone.
 
mcl1981 said:
The reason a GPS (Garmin, TomTom, Etc) don't need cell data is because they all have several gigabytes worth of data already stored on them. All the maps, all the layers, all the zoom levels, everything is already on the device.

If you want google maps to operate offline, you would need the same several gigabytes of data stored on the phone.
Click to expand...


It aint that bad now, is it? I'm using NDrive, downloaded two countries (Indonesia and Thailand) and I'm still under a gig of data. That includes poi and landmark buildings.
 
That depends on the country. The USA data on my dad's TomTom is nearly 900mb. Plus the size of the software itself. Italy is another almost 300mb. Depending on what you want, a GB of storage is bare minimum I think.
 
True that. Now that you mention it: when is TomTom's android app gonna come? It was supposed to be this summer, haven't heard anything.
My wife has TomTom on her iPhone, and I gotta say, that blows anything I've seen on android out of the water.
 
The tomtom application for android is coming soon , and that works offline, I had it for my iPhone 4s , it was the best on iPhone , it did take 1.7gig (I had USA and Canada)
Best of luck.

Also best of luck on that data plan and please let us know it you can and how stay in that limit ?
 
koopatroopa said:
As the question asks..

I ask because I only have 300mb/month. Does using this app count towards my data plan? Thanks
Click to expand...


If you can reduce your cell minutes and add data (if it's a cost thing) there are apps that provide free calling and there is also wifi calling. I couldn't imagine only 300mb. I use that alone in Flipboard. :)
 
I barely turn on my data as I have wifi at home. I came from a blackberry with no data so I'm used to not having data. When I do turn it on, its either because I need some directions when I'm out in the city or need to do a quick search for something. I've successfully kept under 300mb for the last 2 months since I got my S3. Thank you all for your inputs!
 
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