PinePhone GPS ?

[PhiletJosie]

Hello, do you know if Pine phone uses a stand alone GPS that relies on satellite reference or like many Google phones use cell tower positioning ?
In the later case, it will not be possible to use it as a map reference when hiking...
Thanks.

[vituous]

I'm pretty sure the GPS is built into the cellular modem which is why there is one kill switch for both "features"(it's really cutting off one thing). To answer the question: the GPS does not use cell towers but the modem can. It(the modem) has support for GPS(US Satellites), GLONASS(Russian Satellites), and (what you don't want) GPS-A(GPS assisted by the towers). So you can use the GPS in airplane mode...

but the modem will still be receiving power and could potentially be running bad firmware susceptible to whoever is in the know... however, because the modem is separated from the SoC, even if acting evil it only has access to the GPS... and only when the kill switch is not activated.

[bcnaz]

Hello, do you know if Pine phone uses a stand alone GPS that relies on satellite reference or like many Google phones use cell tower positioning ?
In the later case, it will not be possible to use it as a map reference when hiking...
Thanks.

  ***
  I was wondering the same thing,  so I did a little digging,  I am about 98% certain you will be able to use the Pine Phone GPS
  off the grid,  It appears to have its own actual GPS receiver...  !
  So hardware wise it should work even if you do not have a cell phone signal.
     THAT said ...  I do not know how the switches and or software interact with the cell modem and GPS receiver...
  may need the cell receiver turned on,  I do not know, but the GPS receiver is separate from the cell/data receiver.
 I did not find anything stating the switching of those separately,
     but it would be nice to be able to turn on just the GPS. !
  IF it could carry some maps in the software would be SUPER.   :-)

---

The Software guys are kinda racing the clock to get all the functions running on the Pine phone, so there are bound to be improvements, and refinements for months or years to come.
But seems I did purchase a name brand GPS for my vehicle a few years back for well under $100 (USD) it will run a few hours on its own, but requires 12 volts DC to run continuously.

[bcnaz]

SOoo,
Depending on the actual hard wiring of the internal components ......
The GPS itself is only a receiver, so there is no need to turn it off for privacy...

Perhaps Luke, TL, or another Admin. could give us an official answer : on the use of the GPS with privacy switches activated....???

Of course this will still involve the operating system.

[Luke]

SOoo,
Depending on the actual hard wiring of the internal components ......
 The GPS itself is only a receiver,  so there is no need to turn it off for privacy...

 Perhaps Luke, TL,  or another Admin.  could give us an official answer :  on the use of the GPS with privacy switches activated....???

 Of course this will still involve the operating system.

GPS is a part of the modem, so if you toggle the modem privacy switch you'll also disconnect the GPS.

[bcnaz]

AWW !

Thank you for the info, I can stop wondering.... but that is disappointing

[bcnaz]

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Any chance that the GPS and modem can be separately powered/used  in the future  ?
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[bcnaz]

GPS is a part of the modem, so if you toggle the modem privacy switch you'll also disconnect the GPS.

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Will it be possible to turn off the cell service in the software  ? ?
  SO the GPS could be powered without cell service..?

  Just wondering....

[Luke]

GPS is a part of the modem, so if you toggle the modem privacy switch you'll also disconnect the GPS.

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Will it be possible to turn off the cell service in the software  ? ?
  SO the GPS could be powered without cell service..?

  Just wondering....

You can turn it off in software (Linux) of course. Or you can shut down the entire modem physically.

[bcnaz]

GPS is a part of the modem, so if you toggle the modem privacy switch you'll also disconnect the GPS.

*
Will it be possible to turn off the cell service in the software  ? ?
  SO the GPS could be powered without cell service..?

  Just wondering....

You can turn it off in software (Linux) of course. Or you can shut down the entire modem physically.

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 AND  still operate the GPS  ?
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