Geotag photos in Airplane mode?

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Level 1

13 points

Geotag photos in Airplane mode?

I've searched for the answer to this, but can't seem to find one.

If I travel to Europe with my 3GS and dont want to incur any roaming charges, can I leave the phone in Airplane mode, but still have it geotag photos?

OR
Can I turn Data Roaming off and not incur any charges, and would that enable geotagging?

Thanks

macbook pro

Posted on Jan 17, 2011 3:11 PM

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Answer 1

mac2112 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 17, 2011 6:23 PM in response to wjosten

I guess what i dont understand, is if i'll be charged by simply taking a photo, while "cellular roaming" is enabled.

all i want is to be able to take a photo, with Hipstamatic, and have the geotag ability when I download these photos when i arrive home. (at no, or a very minimal additional fee)

thanks

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Answer 2

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Jan 17, 2011 3:32 PM in response to mac2112

The GPS chip has to be on in order to Geotag your photos. Airplane mode turns the GPS chip off. You can still have the GPS chip on & turn all cellular data off in settings: Settings>General>Network>Cellular Data>Off.

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Answer 3

mac2112 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 17, 2011 3:45 PM in response to wjosten

thanks, thats very helpful.

If I do that, would I also want to turn off "roaming data"?
and if so, will any other apps work, such as the standard map app? (without additional roaming fees)

thanks!

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Answer 4

roaminggnome

Level 10

106,401 points

Jan 17, 2011 3:48 PM in response to mac2112

The standard Maps app requires an internet connection.

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Answer 5

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Jan 17, 2011 3:53 PM in response to mac2112

The standard Maps app requires a data connection as no map data is stored on your phone. Using that would cost a small fortune in Europe. If you want map data, purchase a GPS app from the app store that stores map data locally on your phone.

I don't trust the data roaming off setting. I've seen/read too many horror stories. Turn cellular data completely off.

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Answer 6

mac2112 Author

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13 points

Jan 17, 2011 4:02 PM in response to wjosten

thanks, great to hear. I"ll do that then.
I'll still be able to connect to wifi, right?

I also read that while cellular data is off, you can still receive/send SMS, does that sound right? I think I saw that on the ATT site. does that sound right?

thanks

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Answer 7

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Jan 17, 2011 4:21 PM in response to mac2112

I'll still be able to connect to wifi, right?

Yes.

you can still receive/send SMS, does that sound right?

Ever hear the term "Sticker Shock"? To do that would require activating International Provisioning on your account with AT&T before you go. You would then pick a carrier/plan for every country you intend to visit. Did I mention this would be expensive, as in "Sticker Shock"?

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Answer 8

mac2112 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 17, 2011 5:04 PM in response to wjosten

thanks,

i definitely dont want to come home to a surprise on the bill. So if i enable cellular roaming, so that geo tagging will work, will I incur any roaming charges? (i wouldn't be using the phone or SMS)

thanks

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Answer 9

Jan 17, 2011 5:18 PM in response to mac2112

You could also remove your SIM from your phone to stop any roaming. This will still allow GPS location services and will ensure no roaming charges.

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Answer 10

mac2112 Author

Level 1

13 points

Jan 17, 2011 5:32 PM in response to Matthew Smith

thanks,
if i leave the SIM in though, and enable Cellular Roaming (for GPS purpose only), will I incur any roaming charges from ATT?

thanks

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Answer 11

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Jan 17, 2011 5:56 PM in response to mac2112

What part of this do you not understand? There was a poster, just this week, who came home to a $4000 bill from AT&T, the poster said that data roaming was off the whole time during his trip:

Copied from my earlier post:

I don't trust the data roaming off setting. I've seen/read too many horror stories. Turn cellular data completely off.

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Answer 12

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Jan 18, 2011 2:22 AM in response to mac2112

(at no, or a very minimal additional fee)

In the world of cellular data roaming, there is no such thing as "minimal additional fee". Read through this thread:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2720038&start=0&tstart=0

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Answer 13

wjosten

Level 10

95,369 points

Jan 18, 2011 2:43 AM in response to mac2112

If you don't want any nasty surprises and you want data roaming enabled, you have two choices: 1. Activate International Provisioning on your account & pick a plan/carrier for every country you intend to visit, or 2. Rent a sim card from these folks:

http://www.iphonetrip.com/

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