The GPS will work without a data connection. The mapping applications that use the GPS will not because they use the data connection to get access to the maps in real time. The last time I checked there were no mapping/navigation applications that caches the maps permanently but that could have changed since I last checked. There is a running thread on here somewhere (I'll let you search for it
) about mapping applications that cache the maps. I stopped reading it a long time ago though.
But the answer to your question is yes, it does work without data
.
Okay, so... next question.
First some explanation:
Almost two weeks ago, Rogers Wireless in Canada informed Android customers via text message that there is a bug in the version of Android 1.5 we have on our HTC Magics (MyTouch) and Dreams (G1) that can cause the phone to crash and reboot while trying to call 911 _if_ the GPS is on. (This was apparently fix by Google, and then by HTC and T-Mo for G1 and MyTouch users Oct 1 2009 when they got the Android 1.6 update).
At the time we got the text message warning us, they also asked us to turn off our GPS until they had a fix, to insure that 911 calls would complete correctly.
On Friday, Jan 22 we received another text message saying that a bugfix was now available (and also includes Sense UI) for immediate download, and also that if we DIDN'T install the patch (we don't have OTA) by Sunday, Jan 24, our Data would be cut off until we did!
On Jan 24th they began blocking data to the phones of those who had not installed the patch,
including those who have rooted their phones and installed a ROM that already has the 911 bug fix.
Rogers now claims that data was turned off for our own safety to make sure 911 calls complete.
So, my next question is: If GPS functions without data being on, will this bug STILL affect those who have not patched the Rogers 1.5 ROM, but have GPS on and Data
blocked?
If data being off stops the GPS 911 bug from happening, then they have managed to keep us safe until we patch, but if blocking data is just a means of punishing us until we patch, then we are
not safe.
If turning off data stops the 911 GPS bug, then why didn't they turn off data immediately? Why was it ok to just turn off GPS then, but not now?
Here is the page that shows the GPS 911 bug and the code that fixes it:
android.git.kernel.org Git - platform/frameworks/base.git/commit
