Loving my aGPS on my XV6800

I've been loving my GPS experience using my XV6800. Now that I can get a GPS lock within a few seconds, it's been great. I use my GPS while driving and walking. It's been a great experience and I can't imagine using a smartphone that doesn't have a built-in GPS.

So if all future smartphones come with integrated GPS chips, then who's going to need those stand-alone GPS units like the TomTom and Garmin devices sold at BestBuy?

Windows Mobile 6 on Verizon Palm Treo 700wx

For Verizon Wireless customers: The Windows Mobile 6 ROM update is now available for the Palm Treo 700wx

Get it here:

http://www.palm.com/us/support/downloads/treo700wxupdate6/verizon.html?AID=10380937&PID=1511436

Make sure to read the fine print. Sounds like there may be some problems if you use TomTom navigation software with your Treo.

Windows Mobile 6 isn't a huge improvement over 5, so it may not be worth the trouble unless you want some of those features. It's a shame they didn't make the update a Windows Mobile 6.1 update.

Working Assisted GPS (aGPS) on the XV6800

The folks at XDA Developers have found the "fix" to get the assisted GPS (or aGPS) working properly on the XV6800. Get to this fix by going here

It's great to get an instant GPS lock now. In the past, it may have taken up to a few minutes to get a GPS lock. Now, it's practically instant. This is because the GPS lock is assisted by location data collected through the phone's data network. So even if the sky is cloudy, you'll get a fast GPS lock using the "fixed" assisted GPS chip on the XV6800.

Official Verizon ROM Update for XV6800

It looks like the official Verizon Wireless ROM update is here for the XV6800

This is supposed to update the operating system to Windows Mobile 6.1
It also adds EVDO Rev A capability.

RUU_TITAN_VZW_WWE_3.57.605.1_RS_TITAN_3.37.75_OM_VZW_Ship.exe

The old ROM is version 2.09.605.8
and the new ROM is version 3.57.605.1

Unfortunately, GPS is NOT enabled for you to use on other applications like Google Maps, TomTom, etc. Hence, if you wish to use your phone as a GPS navigator, then you better learn how to install a custom ROM.

Go here to download the upgrade:

http://support.vzw.com/phones/index.html?p=3411

or, here:

http://handsets.utstar.com/view_phon...&bID=89&sAct=0

Windows Mobile 6.1 and Internet Sharing

One of the best features of Windows Mobile 6.1 is the "Internet Sharing" capability. This turns your smartphone/pocket PC into a wireless modem for your laptop/notebook/tablet/UMPC. No need for a separate wireless card.

It's so great to stay connected so easily. You can connect via Bluetooth or through a USB connection. Some call this tethering, but Windows Mobile calls it Internet Sharing.

Make sure to keep a spare battery handy. Or, use the USB connection to keep your phone charged up.

Wiki tutorial for the XV6800

Here's a great wiki tutorial on the Verizon XV6800:

http://wiki.xda-developers.com/index.php?pagename=TitanRecentHome

It covers all the basics on upgrading the ROM, making the GPS work, improving the radio reception, unlocking the phone, etc.

Radio ROM 3.42.50 now available

The Titan (XV6800 or Sprint Mogul) radio ROM 3.42.50 is now available. Find it on the XDA-developers forum.

I've been using radio ROM 3.42.30 and I get decent GPS lock times. I don't think that 3.42.50 is much faster in terms of locking on to the GPS signal.

Thanks to all the guys who are making it possible to use the built-in GPS.

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.

Get Skype for your XV6800

Get Skype for Windows Mobile. The latest version supports Windows Mobile 6.1

http://www.skype.com/download/skype/windowsmobile/

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.