Quote:
Originally Posted by applejosh
Just so I'm clear, the data plan mentioned is just any old data plan that you usually get with a smartphone if you want to take full advantage of the device, correct? (I think AT&T has a $30 unlimited personal data plan.)
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That would be the one. The Web based map thingies like Google Earth, MS Live Earth and such, use the GPS internally to know where they are and then use the data plan to download the map stuff surrounding that point. You can use the data plan to get the map data and display it or search for something without the GPS even. You just need to tell it what point to search around.
You could use the GPS without a data plan, as I do with Pocket Streets and Mapopolis sometimes, but you have to have the appropriate map data already loaded on the device. Trying to get all of the US in sufficient detail is pretty tough, but you can certainly get all of a big city if you are going there for vacation. You do need to take the time to select and copy the right stuff to the device.