Xoom and Built in GPS

[cfuscone]

Hello, I am a new XOOM owner. Just took it out of the box last week. I keep reading alot about the built in GPS but am still not clear if a data plan is needed. I use to have a ASUS (Had to return it because of a blown speaker) I though that was the only tablet that had built in GPS but after reading more the XOOM has it also. But in my first attempt to use it the tablet told me that I need an active data connection.

Could some one be real clear on if a WIFI connection or 3G connection is needed to use the location or GPS functions of the XOOM tablet.

Thank you

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[ggrant3876]

Hello, I am a new XOOM owner. Just took it out of the box last week. I keep reading alot about the built in GPS but am still not clear if a data plan is needed. I use to have a ASUS (Had to return it because of a blown speaker) I though that was the only tablet that had built in GPS but after reading more the XOOM has it also. But in my first attempt to use it the tablet told me that I need an active data connection.

Could some one be real clear on if a WIFI connection or 3G connection is needed to use the location or GPS functions of the XOOM tablet.

Thank you

Welcome to the forum.Glad you decided to join us. I'm sure some one that uses GPS will chime in shortly.

[keepnitreel]

No connection needed for location but for navigation/maps you will have to connect via wifi or 3g/4g to download map. The download will cache a reasonable size area so you can navigate without a data connection

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[twowheelz]

Hello, I am a new XOOM owner. Just took it out of the box last week. I keep reading alot about the built in GPS but am still not clear if a data plan is needed. I use to have a ASUS (Had to return it because of a blown speaker) I though that was the only tablet that had built in GPS but after reading more the XOOM has it also. But in my first attempt to use it the tablet told me that I need an active data connection.

Could some one be real clear on if a WIFI connection or 3G connection is needed to use the location or GPS functions of the XOOM tablet.

Thank you

Welcome

You can use it as long as you have pulled up before losing cuonnection. I bought CoPilot Live. The 10.00 dollar version. It works awesome off line. Take snapshots when its pulled up and it will remember that spot on the gps. So whle looking through pics trying to remember where that was it will show you exactly where you took the snapshot. One great feature. Some other features are a additional charge like live gas prices, live traffic, etc. Itvwill stay working in the background as your passenger can use your xoom fr other functions. To me, worth it.

[sparksd]

Here is a link describing Google Maps' offline caching capability:

Official Google Blog: “Download map area” added to Labs in Google Maps for Android

Dave

[atthehop]

I have CoPilot Live Pro and it speaks turn by turn directions. Plus you can get worldwide maps if you need them.

[claudermilk]

The short answer is no. The GPS antenna is completely independant of the WiFi or 3/4G.

The caveats with using a WFi-only Xoom with Google Maps & Navigation have been mentioned. As long as you don't have to reroute mid-trip it works fine. I am thinking about Copilot, but the reviews kind of worry me.

[burtie]

How do I get google maps to download the data for a area? I have enabled the option in labs but I can't find it anywhere on the map screen.

[kayote]

How do I get google maps to download the data for a area? I have enabled the option in labs but I can't find it anywhere on the map screen.

Long tap on the point in the map, the area around which you need to store the offline map. On the pop-up, click on 'More' and within that you will have 'Pre-cache map area' option.

[burtie]

ah yeah got it now, thanks :-)