Google Maps for Mobile: No-go on T-Mo

[SteveW]

I have complained about this before on Cingular (before it became AT&T) but just to point out that the issue is not carrier-specific...

I tried updating Google Maps for Mobile (GMM) on my unlocked LG CU500 running on T-Mobile. The download did not complete and the error message was somewhat cryptic, so I decided to test it on some legitimate T-Mobile phones. Now one nice thing about the T-Mo stores is that most of the phones they have on display actually work, as opposed to the plastic dummies you so often find in other stores. This fact allowed me to attempt running GMM on a Moto KRZR K1, a Nokia 6133 and a RAZR V3t . Each failed in a different way.

I downloaded GMM from the Google website on the first two. They both complained about the lack of a security signature and asked me if I wanted to install anyway. I said yes. The KRZR acted essentially like my CU500 - it asked for permission every time it accessed the network, which is continuously, making the application unusable. The 6133 would not run the application. The RAZR started, but would not complete, the download. I didn't write down the error message in these cases, but it seems clear that the problem is by design and not an accident.

The T-Mo staff in that particular store (Burlington, MA) were pretty clueless about this. Today I happened to stop into the Boston store (Newbury St.), where folks have a little more technical expertise. I asked - Do you have any phone that supports Google Maps? They admitted that while GMM works on the Blackberrys they sell, they don't support it (or any other Java app I might choose to download) on the regular handsets. "It might work, it might not, we don't support it", was the quote as near as I can recall.

Of course I don't blame the store staff, but this is sad, in my opinion. Obviously, Nokia selling unbranded phones in a couple of flagship stores and Apple strong-arming AT&T hasn't changed the world yet. The carriers are still pretending that it is not important that the single most useful mobile application in the world (voice and text aside) does not run on their handsets.


SW

[Mobile Mike]

Hmm, I haven't had any problem with GMM on the MDA. I guess the problems are with the phones rather than PPC/Smartphones.

[nKrypteD1]

Originally Posted by Mobile Mike

Hmm, I haven't had any problem with GMM on the MDA. I guess the problems are with the phones rather than PPC/Smartphones.

You really can't consider the MDA a phone, it falls in the same category as the Blackberries. Chances are this is due to the security settings in the java interpreters on the phones, Steve if you can post the error code a bit more specific from your CU500 then we can work on that a bit more. Chances are though, that since your unlocked cu500 is having issues it's not a T-Mobile specific issue, as the app is installed, the permissions thing has to be a setting somewhere.

[SteveW]

Originally Posted by nKrypteD1

...Chances are this is due to the security settings in the java interpreters on the phones, Steve if you can post the error code a bit more specific from your CU500 then we can work on that a bit more. Chances are though, that since your unlocked cu500 is having issues it's not a T-Mobile specific issue, as the app is installed, the permissions thing has to be a setting somewhere.

You are correct that it's a Java security setting. It's not clear, however, that this is user-modifiable. When I spent a few months yelling at LG and Cingular tech support about this last year (I think Charlyee called it a "death wish" ), I didn't get very far. Both companies assured me that this was not user modifiable and each pointed to the other as the responsible party.

Today I tried deleting the old version of Google Maps (1.2.3) and downloading the latest (1.6.1) to my phone. After watching the download animation for a while, I got this:

907 Invalid JAR
HTTP error



SW

[nKrypteD1]

Originally Posted by SteveW

You are correct that it's a Java security setting. It's not clear, however, that this is user-modifiable. When I spent a few months yelling at LG and Cingular tech support about this last year (I think Charlyee called it a "death wish" ), I didn't get very far. Both companies assured me that this was not user modifiable and each pointed to the other as the responsible party.

Today I tried deleting the old version of Google Maps (1.2.3) and downloading the latest (1.6.1) to my phone. After watching the download animation for a while, I got this:

907 Invalid JAR
HTTP error



SW

I would make google aware of it, this is something they can do better with. Beyond that, I agree CS is a deathwish when it comes to handset issues, I'm sure this is seem editable though.

[Hickory Shampoo]

Works fine on my Dash.

[nKrypteD1]

Originally Posted by Hickory Shampoo

Works fine on my Dash.

Keep in mind that the T-Mobile Dash is a smartphone and not a java based phone as Steve is talking about. But I am glad to hear that it is working, the GMM app is excellent.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by nKrypteD1

Keep in mind that the T-Mobile Dash is a smartphone and not a java based phone as Steve is talking about. But I am glad to hear that it is working, the GMM app is excellent.

I agree. For T-Mobile smartphones without GPS, GMM is awesome. It's come in handy for me many times. I really love the traffic info.

[Matt]

I use the traffic when I travel through Baltimore on my way from DC to PA 3x per week.

[Mobile Mike]

Originally Posted by Matt

I use the traffic when I travel through Baltimore on my way from DC to PA 3x per week.

It's come in handy for me many times. It's especially useful in traffic-clogged Los Angeles.

[MOTOhooligan]

I wish I could download this. I stopped my unlimited T-Zones a few years ago because I have a data plan on my Alltel phone and EV-DO is way faster than the GPRS I was using.

Then I see this: Note: Google Maps doesn't work with BREW-enabled devices. Some mobile services providers may restrict data usage by applications. We recommend contacting your mobile provider to confirm the details of your data plan..

Boo, I say, boo... why doesn't my phone have Java? I hate BREW.