[pct-l] cell phone/internet coverage and apps for Windows phone

[David Tamblyn]

According to Apple support,  the iPhone  (my older 3GS) has a true GPS which works independently of cell towers. That's consistent with my experience on being on my boat with "no service" message (no cell Svc) but being able to use programs like Navionics to get my position. I assume the same would be true put in the back country as long as surrounding high Mtns and/or dense tree cover prevents the signal from connecting with the satellites. 

Dave

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional."


Sent from my iPhone

On Mar 18, 2013, at 8:48 AM, Devon Taig <devon.taig at gmail.com> wrote:

> I have a Windows Phone 7 myself, but I think in practice you'll find the
> GPS doesn't work very well when away from a cell tower.  It uses A-GPS
> which means "assisted" GPS...essentially it requires a cell tower to
> establish more or less where it is before being able to use the GPS
> satelite system at all.  That's very unfortunate in my opinion as it
> renders the phone next to useless as a wilderness GPS navigation device.
> Now, to be clear, you might have cell service and then wander into an area
> where there isn't cell service and the GPS continues to work just
> fine...that would be the expected behavior. But if you turn it off and then
> on again when there isn't cell, you are generally out of luck no matter how
> much sky you can see.  I don't know if things have gotten better with
> Windows Phone 8, but please let me know what your experience is using GPS
> with a Windows Phone is when there isn't cell coverage.
> 
> River
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