Use Your XV6800 is a GPS

If you have an old Verizon Wireless XV6800 (or Sprint Mogul) at home, don't throw it away because you can use it as a standalone GPS. You can turn off the phone service and still use it as a GPS device. Isn't that great to know? You just need to get your hands on some software like TomTom Navigator or Garmin Mobile for Pocket PC/Windows Mobile.

Windows Mobile 6.5 to be Released on May 11

I've been a Windows Mobile user since the days of the old Windows CE platform which evolved to Pocket PC and then to Windows Mobile. Soon, it will be called "Windows Phone." Won't that be confusing? I still want an iPhone, but I'm locked into Verizon Wireless, so I'll just stick with my XV6800 for now.

I can't believe that May is around the corner. Windows Mobile 6.5 will be released on May 11.

Verizon Touch XV6900 with GPS

The touch-screen Verizon XV6900 also has a built-in GPS chip that can be accessed with some customization.

The nice thing about this phone is the thinner profile, the increased program RAM, and the TouchFLO interface. Too bad it does not have a hardware keyboard.

XV6800 with GPS vs. iPhone

Since I'm on Verizon Wireless, I can't use an iPhone. However, I can use the XV6800 that has a built-in GPS chip. To use the GPS in the XV6800 (also known as the Sprint Mogul or the HTC Titan), you have to make some custom changes to the operating system (or ROM).

The nice thing about the XV6800 is that it runs on Windows Mobile 6 (or 6.1 if you load customized ROM). Therefore, you can run all sorts of GPS and mapping software, ranging from TomTom Navigator, Garmin Mobile, and several other software packages. Plus, there are FREE software solutions like Google Maps and Microsoft Live Search. Before you know it, you'll have a fully-functional GPS navigation unit in your hand.

Switch to Verizon XV6800

I've been a Verizon Wireless customer for many years now. I've also been a Windows Mobile user since the days of the old Pocket PC and Windows CE devices. I went ahead and upgraded to the new XV6800 and I'm happy so far.

Here are the main reasons why.

Compared to the old Treo 700wx running Windows Mobile 5:

1. I can save $15 each month for a cheaper unlimited data plan ($29 instead of $45).
2. I've loaded a custom ROM that includes Windows Mobile 6.1 and this gives me much better Internet browsing capabilities and several other useful features. Want to know how I did it? See below.
3. Much faster processor.
4. Much more internal RAM.
5. Larger screen.
6. Built-in GPS (only available if you load the custom ROM described below)
7. Bigger, better keyboard.
8. Smaller size and no antenna sticking out (not by much, but it still counts).
9. Mini-USB connector and charger.
10. Bluetooth 2.0 vs. the older 1.2

Those are the top 10 reasons why I went for this upgrade.

So what do I miss about my old Treo 700wx? I miss the one-handed operation. I could hold that phone and press the keyboard buttons using one hand. Now with the XV6800, to type on the keyboard, I really need to use two thumbs. Also, the Treo seemed to have better screen visibility outdoors.

So how did I load the custom ROM for the XV6800? I will refer you to these sites:

http://www.phonenews.com/how-to-add-gps-to-htc-mogul-xv6800-p4000-titan-2663/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=371314&page=1

I'm currently running the DCD 2.3.2 ROM for Verizon. The instructions may seem a bit complex, but you just have to have some faith and go for it! It reminds me of the old days when Compaq would release ROM updates for the old iPaq 3600 models. Some of those ROM updating attempts would 'brick' the iPaq and turn it into a dead paperweight.

To get the internal GPS to work (only works with custom ROMs):

1. Go to Settings -> Phone - then click on the Services tab -> Location Setting and set to "Location On"
2. Allow Windows to manage the GPS automatically
3. For Google Maps, set the GPS settings to be set by Windows (not manually to a specific COM port)
4. For Windows Live Search, set the GPS to "GPS Intermediate Driver" at the bottom of the list.

To learn more about using the GPS on this phone, take a look at this:

http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=17032