Verizon Wireless has unlocked the GPS on the 8330 Curve and the 8130 Pearl?

I have BB8830 loaded with 4.5.0.77 and my bb maps with gps started working since yesterday i was not able to used or get any satellites when it scanned before but since yesterday it is working fine. i don’t know if Verizon did something but i had all the serives default never changed but ever since yesterday my bb maps I am able to pick up satellites and navigate maps with moving arrow. its just awasome.

I uploaded new firm ware and had GPS working on my 8130 for 5 min. I did a *22899 update and it gave me the message “GPS disabled” Looks like Verizon found the loop hole and closed it. Those dirty dogs.

I just got the 8330 and while I wasn’t able to download Google Maps just 2 weeks ago, it now works perfectly! Google just launched a new version of its Google Mobile app, and you can download Maps through the home screen. You can get turn-by-turn directions – I’m so happy!

Holy mother of Pearl… it works!

(Verizon 8130 v4.5.0.77)
My BlackBerry Maps works but the search sucks, badly and Google Maps does not connect to the phones GPS.

Gawd Verizon sucks… if I only lived in an area that any other provider had decent coverage but I don’t so it’s Verizon the Disabler for me. >sob<

@Lon:
You blame Verizon for a sucky search experience in a program written by RIM? Right. And that would be fixed by switching to ATT or TMO or whatever. Right.

If you want GMaps to work with the now opened GPS on Verizon Blackberry smartphones, you as a customer of that free Google app must convince them they should submit their app for approval by Verizon. I doubt they have to DO anything to the code, they just need to convince Verizon they aren’t doing anything untoward with your location data and pay whatever approval fee there is and Verizon could turn it on at the PDE servers. Gmaps already work the Sprint devices, which are identical inside to Verizon devices, its all controlled by the servers and Google just needs to get Verizon to flip the switch and it will then work. Same for any app to get GPS on a Verizon Blackberry.

@David B:

Like I said I live where switching is not an option due to coverage issues.

I DO blame Verizon for disabling/mucking up their phones and their services. Obviously from the lawsuit referenced earlier in this comment thread others do as well.

From the HTC Touch Pro keyboard to the hobbled Blackberry Curve Verizon see’s fit to take decent devices and hamstring them.

You seem to be making my argument for me as yes it is Verizon that needs to change…

Hopefully, they become popular in the Philippines. I hope they can penetrate our market.

I just spoke with a Verizon rep about the Omnia — he told me that to use outside GPS apps like Google Maps, it’s a matter of simply enabling it in the Registry. I don’t have the phone to test that, though.

Hi Newfs.

Where and how do I download the software enabling the built in GPS on my Verizon 8830 WE?
Thanks.

George

Hi George,
I think you are out of luck. GPS is not enabled on the Verizon 8330. The only device, and correct me if I am wrong, that Verizon has enabled the GPS for is the Storm. Alternatively, using Bluetooth, you can access most applications using and external GPS device such as Garmin. Cheers.

Verizon finally released on OS 4.5 upgrade for the 8830 about a month ago. You can get it here: http://vzw.smithmicro.com/blackberry/

Once you have it installed, the GPS will work with BlackBerry Maps. But just like with the 8130 and 8330, that is the ONLY free application that can access the GPS. Verizon is still preventing any other GPS enabled application from working with their 8×30 BlackBerry smartphones. GPS applications require authentication with a “PDE Server” in order to gain access to the location information and Verizon has locked down what apps can authenticate. ONLY BlackBerry Maps that comes in OS 4.5 and the pay per month VZNavigator and TeleNav are able to authenticate and thus get a GPS fix. And yes, the Storm has more GPS enabled applications available, but only because Verizon has apparently relaxed their policies where OS 4.7 is concerned.

As stated, many applications for the 8×30 series CAN use an external GPS receiver over Bluetooth though. Which really makes all the justification Verizon uses to restrict the GPS pointless. Verizon claims they do this to protect your privacy and user information, yet the exact same app that can’t access the internal GPS CAN access an external GPS. So how is that protecting anything other than Verizon’s revenue stream for VZNavigator???

Verizon has also unlocked the HTC phones. You have to dowwnload the new rom. Do a search @verizon for software updates under the Touch pro