[Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City

Thu Apr 11 14:38:59 UTC 2013

Some GPS apps keep a local copy of your map data on your phone, but
most do not.

So, often you are using data when you are using the GPS.  Worse, you
are downloading map tiles, which you don't need but can't easily turn
off.  Map tiles are pictures or a map and so use up more data.

I'd say you probably use less data on a route than you'd use to watch
a 10 minute video, but this is totally off the top of my head.

When these "how much data does this use" questions come up, I generally
encourage people to learn how to track their data so they can find out
for themselves.

This is carrier specific.  For AT&T you can dial star d a t a pound
(or star 3272 pound) and then double tap the call button.  You'll get
a text with your current month's data usage.  You can do this before
and after using your GPS to get an idea how much data it's using.
Remember that not all of that data will be GPS related.  Your phone is
still checking for me and doing other low bandwidth consuming
activities.

Jim

On Thu, Apr 11, 2013 at 02:18:38PM +0000, Larry Wayland wrote:
> I like using the gps on my iPhone and think it works as well as any gps I have used, However, I have a question I have wondered about often. Does using the GPS use up a lot of data? If it does this could be a issue with the limited data plans.
> Larry
> 
> 
> To: Tracy Carcione; Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> 
> 
> The problem with all these GPS apps and devices is that they are designed to simply give you directions for the shortest route between two points, not necessarily the safest route.  If these devices were truly designed with blind pedestrians in mind, their primary route  suggestion, regardless of length, should include only streets with sidewals or walkways that are 
> isolated from traffic.    If no such route is available, then they should 
> alert you to this fact.  When you use Google Maps to get directions between two points, the walking directions include a warning, if appropriate, that some parts of the trip may involve walking on highways or other areas that might be hazardous.  GPS devices designed for the blind should do the same. 
> After all, when you work with an O&M instructor, he will usually recommend the safest route between two points even if it means walking out of your way to get to your destination.
> 
> Gerald
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
> To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
> <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2013 8:16 AM
> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> 
> 
> > Occasionally, I have asked Sendero GPS to create a pedestrian route, 
> > hoping it would give me a non-highway way to get somewhere, and it has 
> > told me to walk on the highway.  NOT!
> > Tracy
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Kaye" <kayezimpher at comcast.net>
> > To: "Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances" 
> > <electronics-talk at nfbnet.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 5:01 PM
> > Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> >
> >
> >>I am from Atlanta, and while that is no Manhattan, I know many blind 
> >>people who successfully use various gps apps on their Iphones. I have only 
> >>heard of one time that the gps advised a person to turn on to the highway, 
> >>even though the app was in pedestrian mode. That might not have ended well 
> >>if he had not know where he was going.
> >>
> >> -----Original Message----- 
> >> From: David Andrews
> >> Sent: Wednesday, April 10, 2013 12:37 PM
> >> To: Tracy Carcione ; Discussion of accessible electronics and appliances
> >> Subject: Re: [Electronics-talk] GPS in the Big City
> >>
> >> I have used Street Talk on a Pac Mate, in the distant past, and in
> >> Philadelphia, I had the same problems with tall buildings.\
> >>
> >> Dave
> >>
> >> At 10:49 AM 4/10/2013, you wrote:
> >>>I work in midtown Manhattan.  I have Sendero GPS, running on a 
> >>>Braillenote PK.  I find it pretty unreliable in New York City, probably 
> >>>because of the many tall buildings.  It frequently says I'm 2 blocks away 
> >>>from where I know I am, and heading in a different direction than I'm 
> >>>heading.  My question is, does this happen with all GPS in big cities, or 
> >>>is it because the GPS is running on a PK, not the most powerful system in 
> >>>the world? Would, say, IPhone GPS be more reliable in the big city?
> >>>I am only interested in the big city aspect.  At home, in north Jersey, 
> >>>the Sendero and PK work reasonably well.
> >>>Thanks.
> >>>Tracy
> >>
> >>
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