I thought I was going to pick up a Turbo but...

[cyberlizard]

...I see in the Motorola specs that the phone has A-GPS only. If my understanding of A-GPS is correct, the A-GPS function works only in the presence of a network (or WiFI) signal, which makes most of the GPS functions useless for me since I live near the edge of the network signal. I'm thinking (hoping) the spec must be incomplete since anyone using the phone for navigation purposes would be SOL as soon as they left network coverage. Can anyone confirm that the phone likely also has S-GPS and/or GPS capabilities?

 

[94lt1]

...I see in the Motorola specs that the phone has A-GPS only. If my understanding of A-GPS is correct, the A-GPS function works only in the presence of a network (or WiFI) signal, which makes most of the GPS functions useless for me since I live near the edge of the network signal. I'm thinking (hoping) the spec must be incomplete since anyone using the phone for navigation purposes would be SOL as soon as they left network coverage. Can anyone confirm that the phone likely also has S-GPS and/or GPS capabilities?

I'll check it out tomorrow.. See if I can help you with that.. Perhaps someone else knows now..

 

[cyberlizard]

I'll check it out tomorrow.. See if I can help you with that.. Perhaps someone else knows now..

Thanks 94lt1. I didn't get much help from the Verizon rep, and with conflicting info on the net, I can't help but to wonder. Of course, my plan right now is to pick up a phone on the 30th, and I'll have 2 weeks to determine if there is an issue "in the field", while I can still return the phone.

 

[FoxKat]

Right from Motorola's website...

Droid Turbo by Motorola on Verizon

And from Wikipedia;

Assisted GPS - Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

 

[FoxKat]

Looks like without an internet connection, A-GPS (assisted), will not function. S-GPS (stand alone) will. And of course hybrid (combining both) will as well.

 

[Ollie]

Surely it has a fully functional GPS.

 

[FoxKat]

Yeah, I'm not saying it doesn't have a. S-GPS too but it's sure strange that it's not mentioned. Perhaps they're just touting that it has the enhanced GPS performance.

 

[cyberlizard]

While in the store, the Verizon rep pulled up a spec list from the Big Red site that indicated both A-GPS and S-GPS capable. I tend to believe that, but I still don't like the conflicting info, especially when the Motorola site indicates only A-GPS. One of the other sites I found mentioned A-GPS and Glonass capability - hard to feel confident about the info out there. I guess I will find out for myself in a few hours now...

 

[Jonny Kansas]

I have to agree with the others that they'd be insane to make a phone with those specs and not include standalone gps. That's been the standard for quite some time now and they know people use these devices on the road and etc where coverage is sparse or non-existent.

 

[Ollie]

It would be very easy to find out. Put the store phone into Airplane mode, activate the GPS, then launch Maps. If the GPS searching icon blinks in the status bar then it is S-GPS.

I wouldn't think it to be necessary though since I've never heard of a smartphone without a standalone GPS.

 

[Ollie]

I think they mention A-GPS to tout it as a superior phone since it is an enhancement to the already on board GPS. Basically, "this phone is great because we've added better functionality".

 

[FoxKat]

I think they mention A-GPS to tout it as a superior phone since it is an enhancement to the already on board GPS. Basically, "this phone is great because we've added better functionality".

My thoughts exactly.

 

[realged13]

I am headed to the store in a few minutes, I will follow up with the airplane mode test. Regardless, I am getting the phone.

 

[lloydstrans]

Yes I need stand alone GPS, please settle this.

sent from my XT1080 using tapatrash

 

[CT Raider]

Put the store phone into Airplane mode, activate the GPS, then launch Maps. If the GPS searching icon blinks in the status bar then it is S-GPS.

Great idea!
Since I'm headed out now, and results have not been posted yet, it looks like I'll have to give this a try.
I love doing little experiments like this.