Who has a PPC-6700 Sprint AudioVox Mobile 5 (Can I use GPS?)

Question

I have the Sprint AudioVox PPC-6700 and I know that it has the built in GPS chipset but everywhere that I search I can not find out how to actually access the API. There are a few of the GPS API references throughout msdn & msdn2 but none have an actual walk through.

It is very easy to access the phone API's and contact lists/appointments and whatnot but the GPS is not to be found.

As far as the GPS is conserned one could argue that it isn't ment to be programmed or something but the fact is that in all documentation it says that e911 can use the gps and also applications that need your location (such as movie times or resteraunts in your location).

I really need to find out how to manage this out even with just a simple quordinate set. I'm not looking to use someone elses program I just need to set this up so the city can have reference to where there is either power outages/meters down and anything else like this.

I pitched this idea to the director and he was game so we got 5 of the phones, now if we can get the GPS to give some numbers we can get 50-100 Mobile 5 phones.

 

Thanks,

Zac

Answer 1

Please try this: http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/mobilesdk5/html/mogrfGpsSample.asp

 

 

Answer 2

Hi,

If the GPS contains a serial port driver, you can access the GPS data with NETCF V2's managed SerialPort implementation.

Cheers,

Anthony Wong [MSFT]

Answer 3

Zac, I also have a PPC-6700 and wanted to use it as a GPS device. Did you get yours to work?

Answer 4

More importantly, have you ever been able to install NETCF 2.0 on your PPC-6700? I can't seem to get it to install. It always says "Installation of NETCFv2.wce5.armv4i.cab was unsuccessful."

I'll format this darn thing if I can't find a fix sometime soon.

Answer 5

There's a known bug in the OS which leads to NETCF installation failure. Basically the reason for this issue is what WCELOAD (CAB installer) runs out of program memory and won’t expand files from the CAB. We've implemented workaround in NETCF V2 SP1 (which is approaching beta). It should be possible to install NETCF V2 RTM if you'll manage to free up enough program memory.

In some cases simple reset would do, in others complex today plug-ins and some services needs to be disabled.

I would suggest following steps:

1. Copy NETCFv2.wm.armv4i.cab normally located in %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Visual Studio 8\SmartDevices\SDK\CompactFramework\2.0\v2.0\WindowsCE\wce500\armv4i to the device.

2. Reset the device.

3. Click on NETCF as soon as device reboots.

If it still fails, you're running something big and would need to shut it down.

Cheers,

Anthony Wong [MSFT]

 

Answer 6

Hi All,

I have the same concerns, I have a Sprint PPC-6700 and a Verizon XV6700, and I can't seem to get the GPS to work via C# when using interop. In order to get the GPS applet to appear in the control panel (like it does when using the emulator) a registry hack is required. Download and install a reg editor like PHM Regedit, and change the HKLM\ControlPanel\GPS Settings\Hide value to 0. (by default it's 1 on these devices), I have noticed that by changing the settings in this applet, it appears to set the values for the GPS Intermediate Driver settings, as per the documentation on MSDN. (It may also do other things, I have only looked here)

My biggest concern is that this device simply does not expose the GPS except for carrier branded functionality. Whenever looking at the specs for this device, the GPS is usually mentioned as afterthought (or not at all), and usually disclaimed by saying something like "GPS for E911" services.

Also to strengthen this hypothesis, I haven't been able to get any GPS mapping software to read the GPS data either.

Can anybody confirm that this device can/cannot actually do what it sounds like it might be able to?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Answer 7

 

Hello-

OK--I am very frustrated and lost.  I am missing the "GPS" setting in the:

Start->Settings->Connections tab on my Sprint PPC 6700.

When I first got it, I installed my Iguidance GPS mapping software--and it worked; brilliantly at that!!

Then, I had a problem, and I had to hard reset my device.  After I hard reset, this time, I first installed the MS CF 2.0--w/no problems.  (one of the reasons that I hard reset was because I couldn't get the compact framework 2.0 installed...is that related to the missing GPS setting I wonder...)

Anyways, so now I cannot get my Iguidance installed because I need to access that "GPS" setting on the Connections tab.

Other than the CF 2.0, there isn't any thing different.

Other apps I have installed:

SPB Pocket Plus 3.1

Marsware WeatherPanel
PhoneAlarm 1.31

JournalBar 3.45

I am lost, and desperate...I do a lot of driving for work, and I need to use my Iguidance GPS software!!!!  Any help would be appreciated; please email me at this disposable email if you can:

[e-mail]

Thank you,
Steve

Answer 8

You're installing wrong CAB. Please see this:

http://blogs.msdn.com/netcfteam/archive/2005/10/11/479793.aspx

Answer 9

That is very interesting stuff. None of the GPS programs that I found would detect a GPS unit available. Note that I did not have GPS settings available in my control panel either.
Now since then, I found another forum article where someone posted a reg edit to show the settings. Here ya go:

One last thing though, after I changed it and the settings appeared, I did select a port for applications to use. After doing so I installed and tested (only one) GPS program that would lock up if I chose the port I had assigned in the settings. Let me know what you come up with.


http://forums.microsoft.com/forums/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=287518&SiteID=1

If the link doesn't work the most important part is:

 

"Download and install a reg editor like PHM Regedit, and change the HKLM\ControlPanel\GPS Settings\Hide value to 0. (by default it's 1 on these devices)"

Posted by williamosullivan in .NET Compact Framework

Answer 10

Hi Zac

I installed PHM Regedit and was able to access the GPS from the control panel. I tried using GPSinfo but I was not successful. I will keep trying with different programs, and I will let you know if I find something. Please let me know if you are successful. Thanks!

Answer 11

Has anyone found a program that can access the GPS data from Sprint? I saw someone is using iguidance but it doesnt say with or without a external reciever. I did the regedit and got the GPS settings ICON to appear but now what do we do?

THanks

 

 

Answer 12

Any updates on this yet?

Answer 13

All,

 

             I also have PPC-6700 this devise does no have the GPS chip that will work with any software it is only for 911. To make this devise work for direction you need to buy a GPS chip and I am looking for the samething too. If anyone knows let me know who sells GPS chips for this device.

 

Good luck to all

Answer 14

I must admit, the idea of a built in GPS chip is news to me... I've read rumors on the online that the 6700 does indeed have that functionality, but the details aren't very clear. GPS is the one thing the 6700 lacks IMO.

Answer 15

Hello everyone,

 

I recently had a chat with a guy at sprint, and he told me my PPC6700 was GPS capable, and if I were lost, all I do to access it, is flip over to phone mode, and dial #map (#627),  well of course I tried this, as I'm sure you all are trying it now too, but when I tried it the operator cam on to say:  "The number or code you dialed is not a valid....."  SO.

 

I called into sprint again and this time asked a woman about what I had been told.  She told me, "yes, this (GPS) is a capability of your phone," and after a LONG hold while she researched some info, she came back on, and said that she talked to some other departments and her manager, and found out that this option is something my PHONE is ready for, but sprint has not enabled the service on THEIR side of the equation, so, it's a future service that will be available, but not a current ability.  She also admitted that, the other guy I had talked to, must not have known he was not supposed to talk about that upcoming service.  Also, she said she was not supposed to "divulge" any information about release dates and such.

 

Any way, I hope this helps SOMEONE with this.  make sure to post results!  I'm very interested in using GPS!

 

 

Answer 16

What would be the best GPS software recommended to use with PPC 6700

Co-pilot live is too expensive. Has anyone tried "teletype"

http://www.teletype.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=2152&Category_Code=100

 

Answer 17

I use Pharos GPS, great bluetooth device and mapping software from Ostia. pharosgps.com.

anyone get the internal GPS running? I got it up in Settings, but I dont know what port to set it to, if any. When I assign a port, like 5, Ostia doesn't complain about an invalid port. It also doesn't say its connected or return a location.

thanks!

Answer 18

How did you get the gps icon to show? Which keys did you have to edit?

Answer 19

Hello all,

I just wanted to drop a quick note in to this forum for anyone who may still be reading it and interested.

I work for a company which builds CDMA carrier equipment, and I think I might be able to give you all a bit of information.

1 - Your phone has a GPS reciever in it, and it is active.
2 - The Enhanced 911 service will use the GPS receiver in your phone to alert the authorities of your exact location should you dial 911.
3 - There is an option on my phone(a Verizon model of the same phone) under the phone settings to enable GPS outside of the '911' functionality
4 - If I plug the 6700 into programming software from Qualcomm(who makes the chipset) I see that the device does know it's exact location.

I haven't had a chance to do any coding with any of this, but when I get a chance to I will post anything I find in this regard.

Answer 20

I've been silent, but watching this closely... I know all of what you said (except #4) already... but would LOVE to find a way to get this to work!  I just installed Streets & Trips (Microsoft) and it pushed down software to my phone during the install - but the GPS software too, says it can't find a GPS device.  There MUST be a way to access this GPS receiver - but it probably is going to require some sort of "hack" or a program to simulate a COM port and allow access to the receiver.  :(

Answer 21

Once things slow down a bit at work I'll see what I can come up with.  At the very least I should have the spec for the chipset somewhere.  You are right, it may require a bit of hacking, but I suspect that once I find the correct address for the gps portion that it will just need an overlay to mimic a serial port.  I doubt it will support the full gamut of GPS commands, but at the I should be able to read the position details and the timecode and pipe those to through the proper API.

Answer 22

The chipset used is the msm6500.There are already programmed midlets which can display te gps info,the only hook missing is the hooks to the qjae api which is not distributed by qualcomm/sprint.It was part of the sprint sdk but is not included anymore.If somebody has access to the qjae api then the programming to get the gps info should be quite trivial.
The easiest way is to install garmin/telenav as a midlet on a jvm .Garmin/telenav works on other phones with the same chipset.I think garmin uses jsr-179 api instead of the Qjae api.

scivud.Which qualcomm sw do you use?

-V

Answer 23

Is this site helpful?
http://sprintdeveloper.com/modules.php?name=News&file=categories&op=newindex&catid=5

Answer 24

You cannot use the built-in GPS on the PPC-6700.  The GPS is there, but for an application to use it it must have it's own LBS server.  There is no direct way to use it raw on the phone.  A bluetooth GPS device would be the best route to go.

Answer 25

The current use for E911 GPS is Triangulation of cell sites.  In order to ACCURATLEY track movement, you need a GPS tranceiver.  This connects via bluetooth.  Please search "blue logger" or "bluetooth GPS" for this.  LBS services are only available in certain markets and with limited carriers.  ALL new production handsets are E911 GPS - Mandated by the US Government...but very few can actually provide turn by turn applications.

Answer 26

Jammrock
Sprint currently uses a lbs server to activate the gps in the 6700.Fieldtrial.exe displays the gps info on the local screen when it is tracked by the family locator service.There arent any restrictions to the 6700 which would force it into a lbs only mode.Device initiated services are not disallowed as yet ,but could be in the future(sprint developers info).

M B ALL
E911 GPS is triangulation with sattelite tracking , it isnt as robust as stand alone gps but it still perfoms comparably in urban areas , telenav and garmin provide turn by turn info and works flawlessly on my a920(msm6500 chipset) and it works without tracking on my a900.

Answer 27

if you guys could get this to work by finding that qjae api that would be awesome!

Answer 28

I have installed Navio www.tinystocks.com GPSDash www.gpsdash.com & PocketWAW www.wherearewe.co.nz

 

Maybe one of these will be of help

Cheers

Craig

Answer 29

Just to clear up the misconceptions about how E911/LBS works...   Phones that are GPS capable and have a GPS fix when making a 911 call provide the PDE (Position Determining Element) a the GPS location to decrease the time needed for the PDE to determine position using triangulation.  I don't see why a consumer application couldn't access the GPS because there are other applications that run on these devices that use the GPS feature.

Answer 30

On a similar note I have the HTC Apache which I belive is the same unit, it dials out to get on the internet, is there a way to utilise that dial out to send faxes to fax numbers?

 

Cheers

Craig

Answer 31

I have a ppc6700 from Sprint.  I'm confused about the comments that the gps is inaccessible.  I looked at the phone setttings as one person had suggested (it's the "location" setting in the "services")and there's a setting with a page of explanation saying that business about the 911 usage.

The help page further goes on to say that if you set it "ON", that it will be enabled to its fullest extent "making some Sprint PCS applications and services easier to use."

So the implication is that it is there and running.  It's just a question of how to make the locally loaded applications make use of it.

Unless it's just a bunch of marketing hogwash sitting there in a help file and Sprint truthfully has no applications to run at this time.

Answer 32

 

Answer 33

You know what this forum needs...

  A step by step, THIS is how you install/activate GPS on your 6700 phone. MAN, that would be nice.

Can anyone offer that for us 'still not getting it' crowd?

On behalf of said crows I thank you in advance...

-Scotticus

Answer 34

From the msm6500 chipset documentation, notice the line in bold:

• Next-generation gpsOne® Assisted-GPS solutions provide enhanced GPS
engines for greater sensitivity and faster start times
• Enhanced filtering software optimizes GPS accuracy and availability for
tracking and satellite navigation applications
• Full integration with JAVA and BREW-based development environments
delivers support for commercially deployed location services
• Seamless operation in MS-Assisted, MS-Assisted Hybrid, MS-Based and
Standalone GPS modes provides optimal performance both on and off-network
• Support for both User Plane and Control Plane protocols including IS-801
Control Plane and Trusted, V1 and V2 User Plane Assisted-GPS protocols
• Simultaneous operation capabilities with CDMA2000 1X


We just need to find the way to activate it......

Answer 35

Anyone found anything yet on this?

I worked for Sprint (via the Kiosk network) for a short period, and I know that the first edition of this phone did support full GPS straight out of the box.  However, my current phones were purchased last week, and there is no ability to access the GPS system, even with the GPS registry hack... it just turns on the GPS handler, but not the chip itself.

This is obviously a software or ROM change, because the PPC6700 has not been "revised" at the hardware level.

Sprint people are clueless, even at the main stores here, because they haven't investgated the GPS because their demos are GPS-active... because they are first edition and haven't been updated.  It's my luck that I manage to bring this to their attention.

Oh, following what was said above, Sprint tech support says that the GPS is locked on this model for "future release".  Not the customer-friendly answer I was hoping for.

Again, this is a programming issue.  There must be some simple program that can grab the GPS info and map it to a logical serial port.  However, I am clueless as to programming for a PPC, and am asking for assistance.

Answer 36

After watching the post progress I contacted UTStarcom who are the OEM designer/distributor of the product asking......

"I have a Telecom New Zealand HTC Apache, can you confirm if this unit has a built in gps chip and can it be accessed for use with software, I understand the ppc-6700 offered in the USA did originally have a GPS Chip."

The reply I received was.....

"The only GPS chip it has is E911. It can't be re-programmed to be used for other 3rd party software."

Note: UTStarcomm are not the manufacturer.

So now we know what it is we just need someone who can utilise the chip, I have had very little luck finding any software.

Cheers

Craig

Answer 37

"The only GPS chip it has is E911. It can't be re-programmed to be used for other 3rd party software."

This information is wrong.  The same Qualcomm chipset is used on many other full GPS-enabled handsets; however, most are Java-based.  I suppose that they state things like that because the distributors (e.g. service providers) often change product features.

Note 1: Many of us have been able to use first-generation ROM handsets of this model with aftermarket GPS software.  Leads you to believe that this is a ROM change problem.

Note 2: Sprint and Alltel both show this model as a GPS-enabled device.  I've talked to both of their tech-support centers, and neither was aware that GPS was disabled (up to the one gal at Sprint who found a note in there that led her to believe that it was disabled).

Does anyone know if we can get ahold of a 1st generation ROM image?

Answer 38

I've heard about this device having the GPS capability.  I do believe mine is a 1st gen, as I purchased it from Sprint under their business plan pricing prior to the consumers had it available...any way to extract the ROM image from it and provide for testing?  Be happy to help in any way.

As someone previously stated, it would be great if someone (who has actual knowledge) could put together a "how to" for enabling the GPS functionality and what "aftermarket" software packages might work.  Any takers?

I was looking at the TeleNav service but $10 bucks a month is $10 bucks a month...I'd rather invest in software and use the built-in hardware.  How does this service utilize the built-in GPS or are they using Sprint's network somehow?  It looks like they have you download something to crack it open.

Any help on the "how to" would be GREATLY appreciated.

Answer 39

Hi,

 

U are all searching desperately for how to make the "presumed built in GPS" to work. As a geospatial engineer, I can say that the built -in device that is inside the ppc6700 or the sanyo phones, is nothing but a chip that can interpolate position using a surveying method called Trilateration and not triangulation like people said. this method aims calculating an unknown position(X?,Y?) knowing the position (Xi,Yi) of the nearest sprint Antennas (at least three). That's why sprint say the E911 is disponible in only some areas because it must be at least three and at a distance less than 6 miles, the more the antennas available the best the accuracy.  So, if Sprint intend to introduce a new LBS feature in its services, these gonna be based on that.

 

For those who sees A GPS icon in the settings tab after using that registry tweak, that has nothing to do with the built in GPS but just for showing the ability of the system to be hooked to a GPS device. we face the same kind of illusion on other systems such WinXp and linux.

 

Another thing from the primitive to the most advanced GPS receiver, there is always an antenna where is it on the PPC6700.

in addition I try to test it in DGPS using Esri ArcPAD and Leica trimble and it hasn't detect any connection any signal neither P code nor S.

 

Last Advice, Don't waste ur time, unless u are searching how to hack the trilateration and the communication mode for that chipset than the rest is easier.

 

    

Answer 40

blah, blah, blah.......

Even if it does use trilateration from the towers, having the abily to use that is a step up.

A GPS uses trilateration from the satellites, and I still beleive from what I've read, so can the PPC-6700.

Oh by the way, the 6700 does have an antenna, not sure if it's used for GPS, but it's there. The cingular version of the phone does not have it, and you know what, it does not have the LBS GPS menu either, which makes me think the Cingular version is using triangulation.

and by the way, the documentation for this chipset says that the GPS in the 6700 can be used in stand alone mode.... meaning it does not need any information from the cell towers, with the proper software.

Please take your unhelpful attitude somewhere else....

Answer 41

If you could access the internals of the phone via Bitpim or the like, could that allow a hack to be enabled?

The reason I ask is that someone posted a way to finally access the above-mentioned using Bitpim and QPST.  I've been able to use QPST successfully using the method in the link below, but have absolutely no idea what I'm looking at.

Link is as follows.

http://ppc6700users.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3394

Answer 42

edit: discovered my  arogance. Moderator-->delete me please.

Answer 43

To completely answer this question, the 6700 as well as other sprint CDMA phones with a GPSOne implementation are completely capable of receiving Satelite data directly to the handset. However, unlike a traditional GPS, they do not receive the almanac/empheris data that is needed to triangulate it's position. It instead links to the network and gives the psedo coordinates to the locations server which will then finish the math and calculation and pass the GPS coordinates back to you. It's done this way for a reason, they don't want you to have this ability for free. Instead, companies that want to implement some kind of GPS locations checking have to pay a licensing fee to the carrier per month or whatever period they negotiate. In return their signed software gets access to call the locations server and make the whole thing work. They would also provide the proper API calls at that time.

So as you can guess, doing this without paying them is going to make it difficult. You could always reverse a program that does work if you can ever find one, but I believe you have to pass a cryptographic key to the server to verify you are entitled to the information.

I have however seen this work with the help of a sprint employee at a data center sending some carefully "crafted" packets to the locations server which got it to pull the data from my phone (no help from me).

Answer 44

"Alltel Wireless customers now can build and deploy their own data collection forms using the UT Starcom PPC 6700. The software, created by GeoAge Inc., eliminates the need for paper forms and dramatically improves the quality and accuracy of data collected in the field... FAST also integrates Global Positioning System (GPS) information and digital photographs with the forms. This allows data to be instantly mapped on a desktop or over the Web."

Source:

http://www.alltel.com/corporate/media/news/06/oct/n411oct2306a.html

Answer 45

Well Brad from Alltel. Do me a favor. Why don't you try this on a phone from Sprint. This whole week of mine has been dedicated to contacting the manufacturer of the chipset contained within the 6700, contacting HTC, Audiovox, and UTStarcom. I have emails that contradict themselves time after time after time. I have only spoken to 2 people that were actually helpful, and one that was truely an impolite man (EXTREME CENSORSHIP HERE!). But from what I can gather from the top man who designed it, Sprint asked them not to configure the gps ROM wise, and not to distribute a CAB that would make it work. Some people disagreed with the fact it was actually hardware configured to work, but after a bombardenment of photos, schematics, specifications, and charts, they choose to retract their statement. It's funny I have been watching this blog for forever, but never really posted ( only at pdaphonehome.com ) but one of the helful men actually directed me to here. Anyway, back to you Brad from Alltel. This should not work on sprint phones from what I have heard. BUT I AM DIEING to check it out. I don't want to pay for failure, I get enough of that for free as it is. And it's not a free demo or freeware, I won't bite. I'm not interested in paying for a software don't need. I would rather waste my money on a bluetooth than that (ALSO NOT HAPPENING) So, please let me know if you get it to work. I would like to see proof. Screenshots and photos of the branded sprint phone operating on this. Consider it a math equation.

Given:(Sprint PPC6700)+(FAST Software)=X (where x is a value currently null but has to be a boolean (Yes/No) for statement to be complete).

Proof: FAST works on a branded Sprint PPC6700

 

Scratch paper:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe I should stop here. Get a roll of blueprint paper and a microscope. Write small think big.

 

 

Answer 46

I did a registry hack and the GPS icon showed in the connections tab of the setting page.

I used Map4PDA and earlier it didnt show me any device under List of GPS devices. I changed the settings of GPS icon under the connections tab of the setting page to :

GPS Program port: COM7 under programs tab;

GPS Hardware port: COM0; Baud Rate: 4800 under hardware tab;

chcked Manage GPS automatically(recommended) under Access tab.

Now it shows me under the list as: Shared GPS device(NMEA - 0183 GPS Device on COM0: at 0 baud). But when I click on start GPS it gave  me error:

Unable to Connect:

System.IO.IOException: the Serial port could not be opened. ---->

system.componentModel.Win32Exception:Win32Exception at GeoFramework.IO.Serial.SerialStream.TryOpen()

at GeoFramework.IO.Serial.serialStream.Get_Lenght() at GeoFramework.Gps.Intrepeter.Start() at ab.ajs.alk()

system.windows.forms.menuItem.onClick()

 

I am not sure what it means as of now and thought this might be helpful to someone who is really looking into this.

Answer 47

I'm watching this thread for updates! Our company tracks us via GPS using this phone and Agilis Systems software.

Answer 48

All,

     Talenav GPS navigator wil work for the PPC - 6700.

 

Answer 49

All,

        I forgot to mention you have to purchase the external chip.  It is bluetooth compatible though.

Answer 50

Hi

I have not read most of this thread, but I see it is still dragging on, so with that in mind I will help you close this.

I recently worked with Sprint on a project involving the 6700 and gps.  The good news is it can be done, the bad news is you will have one hell of a time getting permission.  First of all you need to apply to Sprint and get approved.  Meaning they will open the api's (all in .net) and their labs to you.  Getting approved is next to impossible, you will have to ensure them you will sell hundreds of phones with hefty service plans and even then it is tough.

So lets say you get approved, do your dev and get certified.  You now have to run a server in house that will receive the gps info, then you have to push it out to the phones, the gps in not internal, rather it is triangulated from the towers.  And it is off up to 64,000 meters, aka it can be useless.  Even if the confidence is high, it is 'old' by the time it gets to the phones.  The cell companies can use this info since #1 they control it and #2 it does not have to be sent to a secondary network then back to the phones.

If you need reliable gps info, you will have to get an external antenna, sorry, it you need more details I will tell you what I can while still respecting the nda

 

Dave

Answer 51

No, no, no, no, no. Some assumptions are correct, but even if you work(ed) at sprint or not, you are not the developer, the coordinator, the designer, the electronic engineer, or anyone to do with the hardware whatsoever. I hold proof that this device supports it. I have confirmed reports of test devices that are GPS capacitated. I have proof straight from the PDA coordinator himself that this device does support GPS, but they won't tell me how to enable it because it is proprietary information. I can prove to you that the schematics are there it is configured, and IT IS WIRED CORRECTLY to send, receive, and translate the GPS data. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO! Wrong. Please if you don't have any proof to back up you thesis, or if you haven't read this thread in its entirety, DO NOT POST! If your proof, however, will contradict my hypothesis from the information that I have obtained, I will stand disharmonized. Until said period, I implore you to do a little more research. Thanks. Also visit my log (I have not updated it in a while, when I get some extra time, I will upload the new information), and my posts on (PDAPHONEHOME.com).

Answer 52

Sorry, I have documentation from Sprint backing what I have said.

There is no embedded gps device on the 6700, there is a control panel applet that is disabled by default to allow multiple apps to use the same gps device.  However the gps device has to be external, unless of course you can get approval for the gps api.  that however gets the gps info from triangulating signal strength from the towers.  it is never sent back to the phone directly.  and it is highly inaccurate usually about 60-200 meters off and up to 64000.

Supporting gps is a vague term, my laptop also support gps but does not have a gps receiver built in.  And what is a pda coordinator?  Someone in your company that hands out pda's?

And you have no idea who I am and you are the one making assumptions.  time to stand disharmonized.  As for doing research, I have already done it and moved away from the 6700 due to it's limitations.  I do however need to admit that the e911 may have it's own gps chip that is not accessible by anything other than 911.  Not even Sprint! (Sorry worked on that project too, and I have doc's to back up my work on e911)

Everything I have posted is 100% truth.  Please remember that a hypothesis is only a theory.

Answer 53

DaveHerrmann wrote:

There is no embedded gps device on the 6700, there is a control panel applet...

   Really, then I want you to take into consideration how chipsets are designed and put into a phone. I want you to attempt to read what you just stated.You are contridicting yourself.

Are you crazy? A MSM 6500 chipset manufactured by Qualcomm (cited at: cdmatech.com) has the capabilities to not just support, but to actually initiate and perform a Standalone GPS mode switch. It works. As for the PDA Coordinator, I am most certain he is the highest guy I can get a hold of in UTStarcom, just short of the board of directors, which rarely know anything about the phones just about marketing. The chipset supports it, you should know that if you truely aren't talking out of your butt, and I doubt you actually worked at Sprint. I would love to see a copy of your pay stubs or tax documents and you holding them in a picture. If you can't further help this cause, please, as stated before, Take your unhelpful attitude elsewhere. I don't have time to argue with your arogance or lack of faith. You say you don't have proof or you do? Good. Enough said. Don't talk until you do unless you have some words of encouragement.

Edit: Sorry, I was in a really big hurry when I did this and I wan't worried about what it looked like. Here is the font fix.

Answer 54

Cameron

First of all fix your font.

I never said there is no embedded gps device, I said there was none on the 6700.  Please read all words before over-reacting.

So the chain of command is Cameron, the pda coordinator, Board of directors, thank you for clearing that up. 

I never said I worked for Sprint, you said I did, I said I worked with Sprint (aka contractor).  Again please read all words.  You are wasting my time as well as everyone else's.  My pay stubs are not for your review, are your's available for me to review?  And why do you want a picture of me?  Now you have me worried!

Who said I didn't have proof?  Oh yes You did once again, saying things for me.  I stated I have proof.  If you are interested in reviewing it, then it's time for a road trip.  I will share with you what I can as long as it does not violate the NDA.

Long story short, all of your links back up what I am saying (why do you think you need a certificate?  you have to communicate with Sprint via SSL (if you need a lesson in web tech I can help you too) remember when I said you will receive all gps info then you have to push it to the phones?).  Would you like some more examples?

Don't talk unless I have words of encouragement?  Cameron you have trashed everyone who does not agree with your false findings.  You have even asked to have your comments removed.  You have no class and are wasting my time as well as everyone else who reads this.  I do have to admit your  NO NO NO NO NO's are quite humorous as well as all of your references to trojans.  I also like your email address [e-mail]?

You disagree with everyone.  Can't you admit you are wrong and stop throwing your sissy fits?  I read some of your other posts, and everyone is useless.  Please for the sake of others (yes Cameron the world does not revolve around you) stop wasting time, stop making false statements on my behalf, stop over-reacting, and please learn to read. 

The whole thing is, a log of money was put into e911, the phone companies are trying to make it back with services, they will not just open up everything for quite some time now.  That includes access to the 911 chip that may or may not be in this phone, as I have previously stated I do not know if there is one or not.  The only gps info you will get is through triangulation, period.  trust me with out sounding arrogant, I know a lot more than you think I do about this, it is my job and once again I am under an NDA, and I have shared with you a lot more than most would.

Lets end this now, the thread is dead, the truth is throughout the thread, you just dont choose to realize it.

Answer 55

Lol, then I must be blind because you said right here that there is no embedded gps device.

This guy obviously works for Sprint, folks, and is trying to discourage us.

Answer 56

It was a quote. IT DOES SUPPORT IT. If you are not capable of reading the qualcomm chipset specs, then don't worry about this, a smart young lad will tell you a how to soon enough. I will not rest until I make this work. I don't care how many people I have to harass about it.

Answer 57

     Just tell me one thing then. I am not so much telling everyone they are wrong, but from the 6 months I have been looking into this, I have spent the majority of it on the phone. Think about this from the way I am going about this. There is a limit to how much "Social Engineering" you can do before people catch on that the information they are telling you is indeed proprietary. So the fun part is calling everyone and it works like this (i.e.-e.g.):
put 4 people in a room and tell them all one sentence (the sentence we will use is: the burly yellow cat sat on the moldy bed eating pizza.), then interrogate them all until they tell you the most you can get out of them. Everyone doesn't always agree on what is most important and secretive, so all subjects tell you a different part of the sentence.

Subject #1: all he says is "The cat..."
Subject #2: all she says is "...sat on..."
Subject #3: all he says is "...the bed..."
Subject #4: all she says is "...eating pizza..."

    So we don't know the full story right? The descriptions are missing like "burly", "yellow", and "moldy", but we get the main idea. Following? So this is what I am doing with everyone at the company: One day it is UTStarcom, one day it is HTC, one day it is Sprint (which never is helpful because they show I have enquired too many times, so I use other friends’ numbers and names). I put little bits of information together, and I log EVERYTHING I hear. The majority of it is sorting through the parts they won't say, and sometimes it isn't exactly considered the "whole truth", but every once in a while I get lucky and hear an off the record comment--which makes my day that much better. But the consensus is that It does support it the chipset is designed to operate in that environment, it is configured hardware wise, just not ROM wise, and I even got someone to say that it is missing a cab file (WHICH REALLY GOT MY ATTENTION, although it will take much more than a cab I hope, otherwise imagine the disappointment that it was "just that easy").

    But now to continue on what we were discussing. Here is the question. IF it is only triangulation and everything is not on the phone which is sprint's side of it (which I understand that is why you say this is because that is what they say, but they DO NOT MAKE THE PHONE, THEY DON'T EVEN MAKE THE ROMs, UTStarcom does everything and Sprint gives the "OK" to them to distribute it) then why does the Verizon phone actually connect to the satellites and retrieve the altitude. Triangulation can't discover that to the best of my knowledge, and if your phone is disconnected due to a late bill, then your phone would have no data plan and no ability to connect via SSL. and it wouldn't be able to do it on the phone, as it states that all locations (this is what the carriers claim) are server side and no application resides on the phone to initiate it. Isn't 'fieldtrial.exe' an application that initiates GPS and grabs the information? Let’s start small and think big. I am just going to ask this question first, and then more later. Thank you, I am actually glad to hear someone that knows something about this, even if it's an argument, it’s great to hear someone tell me why it won't work.

 

Thank You.

Answer 58

In December this information worked for hacks and enabled gps on audiovox XV phones. In January the updates were posted and deny that they worked. According to the technical department at SPRINT the gps chip is able to be fully activated, but when it come to how it is enabled they seem to have amnesia.

The changing of 1 to 0 on the regeditor enabled on the XV and did for the ppc from sprint during  the trial period on the first phones shipped from UTSTARCOM.

This information came from an insider at sprint that trains the new hires in the technical support. If you tell them specifically I need to check an ESN they will only help you if you are a Sprint customer. Tell them that they can check it and they will if you are steadfast in your request. The same will occur if you talk to several tech support people, you will get your information eventually, even though they are trained to deny any feature capbility that is included on a phone if they can sell a service for it.

Thank you  

Answer 59

please understand, I am close to violating the nda, and most importantly I do not work for Sprint.

with that said I was told from sprint the 6700 does not have an embedded gps device rather a e911 chip (which does sound like the same thing to me)

I did not lie, but in all honesty I do know the cell companies have a lot invested in 911 and are interested in getting their investment back.

From what i have read since, the phone have the ability, however, ##debug <send> will work for gps and the 6800 is days away from Verizon

Answer 60

This is a screenshot of the specs of the ppc 6700 directly from the manufacturer's (UTStarcom) website. That Should tell you that it is indeed the MSM6500 chip inside the PPC. Here is the Website for Qualcomm's chip information. That should tell you enough about the schematics to make you wonder why it doesn't work, because it does state that standalone is possible, however I have not heard much about that new January update preventing it. This is what I heard is that Sprint wasn't updating anymore so I don't know. And Dave, as for you calling my findings false, I would love to see some citations proving me wrong on my findings so far. everything I have stated besides the opinions is true and I can back it up.Thank You.
Sincerely.
Cameron

Answer 61

Cameron, you are just ahead of where I had left off. I had given up because of all the conflicting stories from Sprint. The last piece of somewhat decent information was similar to what I had read someone else say. I was told that it is in fact there but they want either a monthly fee and you need to run a server, or you could become part of the developer program (which I did) and write something that they can sell your company a bunch of phones for. Regardless, after signing up for the Sprint Dev program, I ended up scratching the whole project due to all of the inconsistencies.

Answer 62

You realize that this defeats the whole purpose of the thread right?

Answer 63

Look ive read all the posts both here and elsware by carmen. first off kudos to you carmen ive know they were lieing for a while now but i would never have gotten as far as you have. bu i think i can help. i am a radioshack employee. i have quite a ew connections wih sprint. i own the 6700 myself.

(BTW i called when i got the phone to complain that they werent going to give me my 100$ rebate w/o the upc. problem was my phone was refurbished. and had no original box. but any i also complained that the main reason i got the phone was to use the gps and that "now i find out" that i need a 100$ reciever. i was ready for a fight but then the guy said well if you "promice" to buy the reciever ill creadit your account for it. of cource like you i dont think i should have to pay fore gps if it is already there. so i didnt. but hay free 100$ for me yay! try it im thinking of trying it again myself cause .....well that 100$ credit is almost gone

anyway i dont know where to go from here but i am willing to help with any reasources i have. call me at the store if you like ill connect you with anyone i can.Store phone number 1 260 925 2421 remember the time diff. we're in indiana. Ask for Kyle.

BTW just to give em hell i think ill leak this... the Corperate service number for sprint is 1 877 888 1518 this will usually get you a representitive instantly. i dont know how else i could help. but ill do what i can

 

Answer 64

How about using the Google map for mobile phone? it has an option to track with GPS but it can't find the GPS adapter.  If the GPS is enable on the phone then maybe able to use the built in GPS and no need to upload maps since all the maps are downloaded or transfered to the phone.

Answer 65

Dave, I have read this thread and I was wondering if you could help guide me a little. I do have this model of phone, but I am with a carrier up here in Canada. I would like to enable GPS capability with every available function. External antenna is fine, and if I need to purchase software/mapping that is fine too. My question is this.....Am I able (i have 2, 4gb mini sd cards) to install Garmin mapping software onto this device and just use expandable memory to store the maps. I would like to know if this is an available option, or what option do I have to turn this device into a "full blown GPS device"?

Thank you in advance for any info you may be able to help me out with!

Answer 66

OK I tried this, i dont get this messege but it keeps on saying "Connected to GPS device! Reading data..." and then "Disconnecting from GPS device..."

 

So technically it finds the gps module, but is unable to gather the data from it.

 

there is an app called fieldtrial.exe which is usually hidden in ur windows directory on ppc, on verizon 6700s it is able to gather the lat. and long. data.

wonder if we can somehow enable it on sprint version.

Answer 67

I'd like to see what you have about the ppc6700.  could yah show it to me.

Answer 68

I was driving the other day and couldnt find my destination.

I called Sprint 411 and told operator where I was trying to go.

She asked for permission to track me with GPS and I granted it.

She then told me exactly where I was and gave me turn-by-turn directions.

Obviously the ppc-6700 has gps capability beyond the E911 (unless thats what she was using).

 

So back to original question...how does the average user access this?

 

Mark

Answer 69

That's the issue, nobody knows!

Answer 70

Has anybody tried using an unbranded xv6700 for the GPS?  There is a method for verizon phones where you can remove all the verizon customization and reset the phone to an unbranded pre-verizon state.  If this phone can do GPS, wouldn't it be easier to test in the unbranded state?  Not sure if the following trick will work for all service providers, but I sure would like to use the GPS and this may help.  People say that more features are available when the xv6700 is running unbranded...

 

Pasted from the web...TRY AT YOUR OWN RISK!

This is actually pretty simple and does not require any hacks whatsoever.

What you will get:
Unbranded phone without any Verizon customization
More memory, ~10MB more for me. The MMS package alone uses around 4MB.
No Verizon links, no EVDO, no bs.
You can still install the customizations later if you need any of them, I don’t.
More features. The phone application alone has like 4 new services to play with.
Wifi & phone can be used at the same time, no need to edit the registry.
Possibly obex and other *** Verizon took out.

Steps:

Hard reboot the phone. This is done by holding the two soft keys and pressing the reset button. Hit "Y" to continue.
Go through the screen calibration, zone and password screens. When you get to the "Complete" blue screen where it asks you to tap to start using the device, put the stylus on the reset button but don't press it. Tap on the screen. You will get a message saying that the OEM (Verizon) customizations will be installed on 3 seconds. Hit reset as soon as you see the message and you're all set. When the phone reboots you will have a fully functional and unbranded phone without all the garbage Verizon adds to it. Wifi/phone can be used at the same time, there are no longer any locks. Obex may work as well, I have no way to test it. Also, you get some extra menu items here and there. Works flawlessly.

If you do need some of the *** Verizon installs, open up the Extended ROM partition and install it by clicking on the cabs. Don't run the remove. cab.

Answer 71

Useful URL?

https://developer.sprint.com/site/global/develop/technologies/location_based_serv/p_lbs.jsp

Answer 72

Jeapers, If I only had a quarter for every bit of redundant ideas and reiterated phrases, I could piss on bill gates every day for a week affording the law suits and still drive a original AC Cobra.

Answer 73

I'm locking this very old thread down as it became an off topic here.