Did Your Blackberry Phone Enable GPS Function

Many users of Blackberry 7520 complained about built-in GPS capability didn’t work well on their phone. Some are peevishly because of the operating GPS with Blackberry is difficult. Here I want to show you how to operate and optimize GPS function of Blackberry phones, especially on Blackberry 7520 and 8703e model.

Basically there are two options of making use GPS system on Blackberry. The Blackberry model with an internal GPS receiver, or you will need an external bluetooth GPS receiver, which will provide the GPS data to your BlackBerry phone. There are only two BlackBerry models which provides integrated GPS receiver: 7520 and 7100i. For all other units you will need a Bluetooth GPS receiver to make it works. Unfortunately, you’re unable use the benefit of GPS system if your device does not have bluetooth support. Below you can see the detailed of GPS compatibility table that shows you which program is compatible with your Blackberry model.

Table of GPS Compatibility on Blackberry phones:

As the aforementioned table, some of Blackberry models do have Location Based Services options doesn’t necessarily mean they have GPS enable. Take a note at Blackbery 7250 model, it does not have GPS. Why you must take a bear attention in this model is because the 7250 is often confused with the 7520, which has GPS navigation system enable.

Back to the topic, although the Blackberry 7520 has built-in internal GPS, but its prefer using the latest BlackBerry OS to make it use the GPS function well. Earlier version did not implement the Location API. You can get it here.

Another enable GPS phone of Blackberry you must take a note is 8703e model. Blackberry 8703e has only Sprint/Nextel and Alltel support, all other vendors deactivated the built-in GPS. This means, if you want to use GPS system capability, you need to switch to an external Bluetooth GPS receiver.

Finally, there is a software for the exclusive RIM 857/957 which works with a serial GPS receiver attached via cable. If you are still using one of these devices, you might want to take a look at map viewer for RIM here.