vB Easy Archive - Thinking of swapping the 8820 for the Q9..

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Thinking of swapping the 8820 for the Q9..
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Posted by: kebuchan

Hi all,

I've had the BB 8820 for a couple of weeks now and I actually really like the phone and the trackball has grown on me. The one thing that really surprised me was how quick it picked up a GPS signal and google maps weren't too slow at edge speeds but I miss the "flexibility" that I have with my MDA and all the software out there.

Was thinking about the Q9. For any Q9ers out there, I have a couple of questions..

- Would 3rd party software like IGuidance or MS Streets&Maps work on it?

- I have a fair bit of software for my T-mobile MDA, could I install any of that on the Q9 global?

- A coworker of mine tried to install Google Maps on his Q9 global and it keeps bombing saying that there was an error but no details. He's out of town on business since then so he hasn't got a chance to try it out again that I know of. Does Google maps install on the Q9?

I have about a week before I hit my 30 days to trade in the BB if I go that route, any info would be really appreciated!

Thanks,

Kevin

Posted by: cmatthews

Quote:

Originally Posted by kebuchan

Hi all,

I've had the BB 8820 for a couple of weeks now and I actually really like the phone and the trackball has grown on me. The one thing that really surprised me was how quick it picked up a GPS signal and google maps weren't too slow at edge speeds but I miss the "flexibility" that I have with my MDA and all the software out there.

Was thinking about the Q9. For any Q9ers out there, I have a couple of questions..

- Would 3rd party software like IGuidance or MS Streets&Maps work on it?

- I have a fair bit of software for my T-mobile MDA, could I install any of that on the Q9 global?

- A coworker of mine tried to install Google Maps on his Q9 global and it keeps bombing saying that there was an error but no details. He's out of town on business since then so he hasn't got a chance to try it out again that I know of. Does Google maps install on the Q9?

I have about a week before I hit my 30 days to trade in the BB if I go that route, any info would be really appreciated!

Thanks,

Kevin

I can say this much, Google Maps works fine on the Q9, I have it installed on mine, and have never had a problem with it crashing.

Posted by: kebuchan

I was actually out of cell signal range with the blackberry somewhere between Cleveland and Erie, PA this past weekend but the GPS was still tracking us on the existing map, until it ran out of map and needed an update.

Does Google Maps work with your Q9 using the GPS or cell tower triangulation, do you know?

If you've got other apps running on your Q9 are they Q9 specific or just windows mobile?

Posted by: mrcamp

Googlemaps works fine on my Q9H. The "my Location" feature does nto work though. it always says it's not supported or so. I also have opera mini and IBM J9 working without problems.

Posted by: dwboston

Google Maps works fine and uses the internal GPS, not cell tower triangulation. It uses the data network to download the maps so make sure you have an unlimited data plan if you use it a lot. The "My Location" feature in Google Maps does not work - but I don't think it works with any of AT&T's phones. I actually like Windows Live Search and its mapping functionality a little better than Google Maps. WLS also utilizes the internal GPS of the Q9h.

Posted by: cmatthews

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwboston

Google Maps works fine and uses the internal GPS, not cell tower triangulation. It uses the data network to download the maps so make sure you have an unlimited data plan if you use it a lot. The "My Location" feature in Google Maps does not work - but I don't think it works with any of AT&T's phones. I actually like Windows Live Search and its mapping functionality a little better than Google Maps. WLS also utilizes the internal GPS of the Q9h.

The "My Location" does work with some other AT&T phones, I know it works with the Motorola Z9(Triangulation not internal GPS) and the Blackberry Curve and 8800. I'm not sure why it doesn't work on the Q9, it would be nice if it did.

Posted by: CeluGeek

I've noticed that the My Location feature in Google Maps rarely works while on 3G. It works consistently on EDGE. Not to worry on AT&T's Q Global because Google Maps will use the built-in GPS.

Posted by: mrcamp

Yes. the my location feature works on my Treo 750 always. However, not on the motoQ or blackjack.

Posted by: cmatthews

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrcamp

Yes. the my location feature works on my Treo 750 always. However, not on the motoQ or blackjack.

Maybe its a problem with Windows Mobile Smartphone edition problem, instead of something to do with at&t. Anyone know of it working on any other smartphone edition cell phones?

Posted by: mattford11

The GPS on the Q9 is hit and miss for me. I've had it work amazingly at some points, and other times not even initialize.

Posted by: marquis19

I have a q9h and google maps works hit or miss for me as well. The few times i really needed to know where i am it worked but sometimes when im goofing off the maps is way off. when it doesnt work the maps pinpoint my location to somewhere in san Francisco. i would say try the q9h for yourself u may end up liking the phone.

Posted by: Cowboyshootist

I have found that sometimes it takes a long, long time for the Q9 GPS to locate your position. Not sure what it happening but I have found that if you exit the application or uncheck the Use GPS menu selection and recheck it the GPS will kick in quickly.

I believe that this is an application issue in that I think the application times out waiting for the GPS to return coordinates. In the meantime the GPS is taking a long time to synch with the Sats and for some reason Google Maps and Windows Live Search don't try to reconnect with the GPS.

You might also try and download the GPSIS application that will let you set the GPS parameters manually. Search this forum for a link to that app.

Posted by: kebuchan

Well, I've got both phones now. And from the few times that I've used both it seems like the GPS works better on the 8820 than the Q9. The Q9 is quicker updating maps on WLS or Google maps but it seems slower to get a fix when I start up the application.

Now I've got 25 or so days to return the BB with the RMA stickers I have. Although I'm still no decided. I wonder if they'll take the Q9 back instead if I decide to go that route. Or none back if I decide to keep both

Posted by: jbzcar

I've found the trick to make Google Maps work the easiest/fastest with the Q9's internal GPS is to prime the GPS with GPSTest before launching Google Maps.

Posted by: naplesbill

I have a BB 8830(alltel version of 8820) from work and a Q9h for my personal device.

The BB is a great phone but is somewhat lacking for multimedia. It also does not have a camera. The keyboard is pretty good but the shiny keys cause me to mistype sometimes.

I am very impressed with the sound quality on the Q9h for a cell phone. I like the fact that I can stream Sirius again(not a real good way to do it on a BB). I think the keyboard is the best on any mobile device. The BB Curve would be a close second. I also prefer the app and file management on WM over BB OS.

Posted by: Brianp48093

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbzcar

I've found the trick to make Google Maps work the easiest/fastest with the Q9's internal GPS is to prime the GPS with GPSTest before launching Google Maps.

Ditto. Makes it alot faster.