[pct-l] Question about Halfdmile App

[Dan Welch]

Thanks for the enlightenment (I think) about the GPS function on the
Smartphones.  One thing jumped out at me as needing follow up.  Dave wrote:

 

<<  FYI:  Apple Store Genius Bar told me that the iPhone's GPS function
needs some cell tower signal to work,  Even when the phone displays "no
signal", if apps using GPS are working, that means some signal is getting
thru from a cell tower in addition to the satellites.  >>

 

I was under the impression - having read on the internets somewhere - that
the iPhone 4's and 5's could work independent of cell reception using the
GLONASS feature.  Googling that gives me some conflicting information.
Anyone have anything definitive about that?  Seems like a bad circumstance
if just when you REALLY need your GPS (i.e. your deep in the middle of
nowhere) it would stop working.

 

More importantly to me - will the Samsung Galaxy 4 GPS be OK without cell
reception? 

 

To Julianne who asked why I was switching from iPhone to the Galaxy S4- I
didn't really want to because I am comfortable with the iPhone.  They seem
very comparable, but four  factors got me:

1)      Bigger screen - I went to a Verizon store and tried web browsing and
doing email on it.  A  much nicer experience! 

2)      Replaceable battery - Much nicer than a carrying a Mophie or
TuneJuice 

3)      microSD card - I can add 16 or 32 GB more memory much more cheaply
and I can add more later if I want.  (Verizon wants $100 extra for another
16 GB; $200 for 32 GB.  Yikes!)

4)      The Samsung is more user configurable.  One example is the video
storage - you can ONLY do HD with Apple and the files are about 1 GB per
minute of recording.  That chews up that expensive memory FAST.  I can get
apps to compress, but it's another step that I don't want to have to go
through on the trail.  Just one example.

So far I haven't seen any down sides to the Galaxy S4 - except getting over
the inertia to make the change.  If anyone has different opinions Bring 'em
on!  I still have two weeks to change my mind!

 

Timberline