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Home»BlackBerry News»News & Rumors

Verizon Unlocks GPS for Curve 8330 & Pearl 8130 Users!

by Adam Zeis on 4 Dec 2008 02:43 PM
76
 

VZW

GPS

Apparently Verizon and The Grinch aren't in cahoots after all.  Instead, it seems Big Red is leaning over to Santa's side of the spectrum and has unlocked GPS functions for Curve and Pearl users.  So far reports are in that GPS is working on 8330 & 8130 devices running OS 4.5.  I have tested Blackberry Maps on my 8330 running 4.5.0.97 and it pinpointed my office exactly.  Perhaps a bit overzealous I fired up Google Maps with no such luck.  More of a Google issue I would assume, but my location is still found to be only within 1700m.  We can't have it all I guess.  Unfortunately still no love for the 8830.  Are you a Verizon Customer? Let us know if GPS is working for you. 

Discuss more in the forums: GPS now works with BB Maps on the Pearl/Curve

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76 Comments

Posted by bbmedia Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

Yes, on my 8330 with 4.5 OS the Internal GPS now works with BBMaps. It connects up to the satellite and provides GPS navigation. Sadly the internal GPS still doesn't work with Google Maps, with the Garmin software, or with the AllSport GPS program. I had read somewhere else that these other software programs not working with the now unlocked internal GPS could possibly be just needing a software update to access the internal GPS.

 
 
Posted by mungera Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

I have an 8830, and the GPS DOES work now.

 
 
Posted by mungera Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

BTW, Im running beta 4.5.0.101

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

I have the Pearl 8130 running 4.5.0.77 and the GPS does not appear to be working on my BB map (version 4.5.0). Even when I have the map open and click on the trackball there is no option to track my movement or to start GPS navigation. Is there something I am doing wrong?

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

Had to go into Advanced Options, open "GPS" and change GPS services from 911 only to "Location On". Working now!

 
 
Posted by mmanuel552 Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Thanks For the advice running like a champ !!!!!!

 
 
Posted by mmanuel552 Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Thanks for the info works great

 
 
Posted by Jewelzz Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

I'm running 4.3 on my 8130 and it's working

 
 
Posted by dandombrowski Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

my just searches and searches and searches but finds nothing. and i live just outside tampa, fl. what's wrong with this?

 
 
Posted by drmullins Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

Looks like the Storm maybe too!!!!!

 
 
Posted by Golfshot Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

After reading the article I went and tested my GPS on my CURVE... Works flawlessly using navigation and all the other features... Can get rid of Navigation from Verizon...

 
 
Posted by l1fe Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

And it worked...?? Can someone else confirm?

 
 
Posted by mungera Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Yea, I confirmed it earlier in the thread.

 
 
Posted by crazyray66 Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

GPS works with my Curve 8330 running 4.5 :)

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

just reloaded bbmaps and it works great! running 4.5

 
 
Posted by G-Bike Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

My 8330 has the GPS now enabled, sweet! Verizon is coming through after all, now what will people complain about?

 
 
Posted by VoltaicShock Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

That it only works with VZ Nav and BB Maps and no other GPS applications - :P

 
 
Posted by Loony2nz Monday, Dec 08, 2008 1160 days ago

Now that the GPS is unlocked, doesn't that mean you can use 3rd party social networking apps like, loopt? (which takes advantage of the GPS)

 
 
Posted by AceFighterx3 Thursday, Jul 30, 2009 926 days ago

I got my 8330 curve yesterday and have been trying to get out side apps to work but they wont connect to the internal reciever. only to bb maps and vz nav

 
 
Posted by moverton Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

I can also confirm this works on my pearl running 4.5.0.77 for Blackberry Maps. WISH it worked on the camera's geotagging, but have not seen it work yet.

 
 
Posted by moorebi Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1164 days ago

The GPS works on my 8330 running 4.5.0.97 and it seems to be a bit more "receptive" than my Garmin Nuvi.. as when I sit in my office my Garmin takes quite some time to locate satellites whereas my 8330 is very quick and located where I am perfectly.. Now I just wish the the other apps would work also -- (ie Google maps).. I wonder if Geo-tagging works on other picture apps.? Have not tried this...

 
 
Posted by jonw757 Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Another confirmation, 8830 WE 4.5.0.101

 
 
Posted by anonymous Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

I have verizon 8330 curve and the gps works fine on bb maps setting. Live in Rhode Island. FYI

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Anyone have a link to the bbmaps .jad or an OTA download? didn't install it when I installed .97 and now I want to try this out at work.

 
 
Posted by G-Bike Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Your desktop software for your specific BB will have it listed under the applications menu. Select it and load the applications as you would any other. Good luck and enjoy.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Desktop software at work doesn't have .97 loaded and if I try to do it with .77 it wants to erase my blackberry, was just trying to see if there was an OTA link or just a link to that particular file.

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

it pinned me. cool!

 
 
Posted by noonan211 Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Pearl running v 4.5.0.77 Nailed my loactaion... Pretty Cool!!

 
 
Posted by Dave Hughes Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Another confirmation
8830 World Edition running 4.5.0.101

 
 
Posted by tburbodberry Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Does this work on the storm yet? I changed my gps setting to location instead of 911 and it continues to say Searching for Satellites.

Does anyone know if it is unlocked or if there is something else I need to change to make it work on my storm?

 
 
Posted by kevenahus Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeyy gguuuuyyyyss!!!!

Hey it works on my BB Storm tried it out last night! Do you know if Verizon would still charge for using it?!

 
 
Posted by Mike F Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Works on BB Maps on my Pearl 8130. Great!

 
 
Posted by dgburns Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Working on my Verizon 8830WE running unofficial 4.5.0.101.

Whoever it was couldn't figure out how to install BBMaps, try here: http://na.blackberry.com/eng/devices/features/blackberry_maps.jsp

 
 
Posted by RAPTOR0065 Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

I fought and fought with VZW to get them to unlock their GPS.... as did many other BB users. I admit they have the best data coverage and the best voice coverage, but I OWN the phone and that includes the GPS.

My argument was that VZ Navigator was an inferior product to other software but they were forcing us to pay a premium price. HELLO!?!?!? That's not how a free market economy works! If you put out a superior product, I'll pay you to use it. Another reason why I hate contracts.....

Too late, Verizon.... I already left. Perhaps I'll be back, but only after you prove to me that you actually care more for your consumers than the profits that they generate.

At least they are headed in the right direction. I'll have to applaud them for that...

 
 
Posted by tburbodberry Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

How do I make my storm pin me on the map?

 
 
Posted by Scott Myles Cavell Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

I have Verizon for my 8130 running 4.5.0.15 The GPS works without problems. It did not work in the past

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Just tried Blackberry Maps on my 8830 and the GPS works! I am on 4.5.0.101.

 
 
Posted by tderby11 Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

the gps on the blackberry storm works. sweet

 
 
Posted by Paul 'PC' Cook Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

How can I update my VZW 8830? I'm on 4.3. the official VZW page hasn't released an official update yet. I'd LOVE to have GPS FINALLY!!! I got lost in Oceanside, CA last week and drove around aimlessly for 45 minutes. It would have been AMAZING to have GPS working on my Google Maps. BTW, Google Maps is 1,000 x's better then VZ Navigator. Faster, more options, more automation, sat views, street views, quick searches, use it for 411, etc. from your BB, go to http://www.google.com/gmm Here's a great hint, when you find your contact in your address book, click the BB/Menu button and choose Show On Google Maps. No need to enter an address, it'll take the address from that contact.

 
 
Posted by mjd081 Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

I just got my 8330 last week and updated my OS to 4.5. I am happy to say that Blackberry Maps works beautifully. I was quite surprised when I click "Find Location" and it said "Searching for satellites." Finally, Verizon decided to not be an asshole about something that they could have potentially been a huge asshole about. Maybe Big Red is turning over a new leaf?

 
 
Posted by 4d4m Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Considering that Alltel is about to be Verizon, they should do the same!

 
 
Posted by Anonymous Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

how do you make the screen track with your movement? i keep having to scroll along as the cursor goes off screen..

 
 
Posted by nekelly Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 1109 days ago

In case you haven't already received a response to this - you must really be lost now! ;0) - all you do after you are already in bb maps, is press BB button>start gps navigation and it works pretty darn good!

 
 
Posted by dionysos Sunday, Dec 07, 2008 1161 days ago

Alltel's GPS is already unlocked. Has always been unlocked as long as I have had a Blackberry on Alltel anyways. It does take a while to lock onto satellites though.

 
 
Posted by driphter Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

At least they finally unlocked it. I can't believe I didn't figure this out on my own, but I never had gps set to location on . . . always on 911 only

 
 
Posted by dmevis Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

BB Maps are working on my 8330. So I called Verizon and cancelled my VZNavigator service... which I hated! I then asked Verizon if I could switch to Telenav (the same $9.99 a month), but they said NO because mine is not a corporate account.

 
 
Posted by abdul Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

Pearl 8130 with os 4.5,gps does not work at all.Can't find satelites.

 
 
Posted by danielseverin Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

I can confirm that this works on my verizon storm as well. I just hope that it will be free. Does verizon charges you for the VZ navigator program or for the GPS service itself?

 
 
Posted by endoxc Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

upgraded my 8330 to 4.5.0.77 last week, went in and changed GPS to location from 911 only and it just sits saying "searching for satellites"...what's the deal? Google Maps works pretty well for me, but would love to have a true GPS if possible!

 
 
Posted by kmc979 Friday, Dec 05, 2008 1163 days ago

i read about this yesterday reinstalled bb maps and it worked great, i have an 8130

 
 
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