Galaxy Nexus as GPS while abroad

[lhommefm]

Hi!

Long time lurker/searcher, first time poster here. I have a quick question about the Nexus I was hoping to get some guidance on.

I am trying to take my Galaxy Nexus abroad with me to use as a navigation device. Since my hotel has wifi, my plan is to cache the local areas using Google Maps' nifty new feature and then use the GPS in the phone to see where I am/help navigate. (I already have an ancient unlocked phone to use with a local SIM card).

I am trying to avoid roaming charges though, so if I put the Galaxy Nexus on airplane mode the entire time I'm abroad, will the GPS still work properly? I think I've tested that the wifi would.

Thanks!

 

[s.m.knipe]

Hi!

Long time lurker/searcher, first time poster here. I have a quick question about the Nexus I was hoping to get some guidance on.

I am trying to take my Galaxy Nexus abroad with me to use as a navigation device. Since my hotel has wifi, my plan is to cache the local areas using Google Maps' nifty new feature and then use the GPS in the phone to see where I am/help navigate. (I already have an ancient unlocked phone to use with a local SIM card).

I am trying to avoid roaming charges though, so if I put the Galaxy Nexus on airplane mode the entire time I'm abroad, will the GPS still work properly? I think I've tested that the wifi would.

Thanks!

I'm pretty sure Airplane mode will disable GPS. A better option would be to change your APN to some bogus thing while you are abroad and there will be no chance of a data connection via anything but wifi...

look up APNDroid in the market

 

[NexusTootsie]

oh you guys are so cool. I LOVE this forum!

 

[drosseau]

I would check if airplane mode disables the GPS. I've had the Samsung Captivate and now have the Atrix and both of them allowed the GPS to work while in airplane mode. I use it a lot in the backcountry and it works great like that. Saves a ton of battery too. I can get about 12 hours of continuous tracking on my Atrix in airplane mode.

 

[lhommefm]

Thanks for the fast replies! I will certainly try airplane mode and see if the GPS works. If it doesn't, I couldn't find APNDroid, but did find APN Manager. If I change my APN settings to something made up, does that make sure both data and voice/calls don't work? Or just the data aspect?

 

[s.m.knipe]

Thanks for the fast replies! I will certainly try airplane mode and see if the GPS works. If it doesn't, I couldn't find APNDroid, but did find APN Manager. If I change my APN settings to something made up, does that make sure both data and voice/calls don't work? Or just the data aspect?

Until VoLTE (Voice-over-LTE), your APNs will just change your mobile internet connection. With VoLTE (basically VOIP over LTE, so data-based) I would imagine that your would have to leave that one intact. If it is GSM unlocked Galaxy Nexus, changing the APN will be fine.

Also, you don't really need an app, you can change them manually- but just make sure you right down (or screenshot) exactly what they are before playing with them...

Even if you lose them though, they are posted all over the internet. It would just save the headache of digging for them to get your phone back up and running...

 

[trophynuts]

the only issue may be that if you cache the navigation route but then accidentally take a wrong turn or miss a turn it will not be able to recalculate the route without an active data connection.

 

[s.m.knipe]

the only issue may be that if you cache the navigation route but then accidentally take a wrong turn or miss a turn it will not be able to recalculate the route without an active data connection.

Quite right! I didn't think about that...

would it be able to recalculate using only the cached data? or is the entire algorithm in the cloud? (in other words, where does the calculation happen- phone side or google server-side?)