From: Paul Stenquist
As far as I know, the GPS is always on, but it's only seen by you when the relevant software is being used. Could be wrong abut that, but I can't imagine whey the phone would switch it off.
The GPS on cell phones doesn't really use GPS. It's based on triangulation from the cell phone towers receiving your signal. It was put there for enhanced 911 calls - so if you dial 911 but can't talk, the cops/fire/ems can try to find you.
It's not perfect, they can only locate you within a block or so. That's why they always ask where you're calling from when you dial 911 from a cell phone. But the more towers that can receive your signal, the closer they can pinpoint your location.
Any cell phone, even one with the service cut off, can be used to dial 911 and will connect to the call center nearest to whatever cell tower is nearest the phone.
If it's got battery power & it's in the US, it can connect to 911. If you've got one of those "pay-as-you-go" phones and no minutes, you can use it for 911.
-- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
