GPS function independent of cell svc and wifi? XM?

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GPS function independent of cell svc and wifi? XM?

I take long solo motorcycle trips and use a Garmin for GPS function, MP3 player and XM radio (subscription and ext antenna req). Long time iPhone user, though and the iPhone does this also, or at least can it?

My questions are:

1) Does the gps function independently, ie, outside of cellular coverage and wifi? I have read that it does and has an internal antenna for it. I have also read that that functioning is accessed only if the cell phone part of the device is turned on. It does not use the cell phone for it, but without it being on, no gps, Thus an iPad without phoning ability would not be able to function as a gps device, but if the iPad is also a phone, then it could.

2) Similarly, XM radio. Is there a separate antenna for it and does it function without cell cvg or wifi?

3) If there is an ext antenna for the XM on the iPhone, can the antenna and power cable be plugged in at the same time.

My understanding is that both gps and xm can work outside of cell and wifi and do not involve the data plan, but I can't find definitive info. Esoteric question I know, and when I posed it to Samsung re their Note 4 I got answers all over the board. My 4s is working fine now, but I see a 6+ or Note 4 in my future.

TIA

John

Posted on Nov 15, 2014 5:41 PM

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Answer 1

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IdrisSeabright

Level 10

155,477 points

Nov 15, 2014 7:28 PM in response to otto1219

otto1219 wrote:

1) Does the gps function independently, ie, outside of cellular coverage and wifi? I have read that it does and has an internal antenna for it. I have also read that that functioning is accessed only if the cell phone part of the device is turned on. It does not use the cell phone for it, but without it being on, no gps, Thus an iPad without phoning ability would not be able to function as a gps device, but if the iPad is also a phone, then it could.

The iPhone has four different radios: cellular, WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. You do not have to have a cellular or WiFi connection to connect to GPS but the phone will lock onto a location faster if it does have access to those. If you put the phone in Airplane mode, you turn off all of the radios. The only one you can turn back on independently is the WiFi. If you turn off the phone, everything is off. The device does nothing and connects to nothing. This information is generally true of all smart phones.

iPads with WiFi do not have any GPS capabilities. iPads with WiFi+ Cellular have GPS but it has nothing to do with them being usable as phones. They are still not phones. It happens just happens that the cellular and the WiFi are on the same chip. Some tablets without cellular have GPS.

iPhones and iPads do not have XM receivers. I don't know of any phone that does. XM has a service where you can get their programing, using an app if you have an internet connection (either WiFi or cellular).

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Answer 2

otto1219 Author

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Nov 15, 2014 8:09 PM in response to otto1219

Thank you very much for your informative and clear answer. Yes, I realize the XM service would be an app and dependent on service, but I thought it required an antenna also. From your answer it would suggest that the antenna is not necessary because there is data service. Is that correct?

If I were out of cell phone range, although I would have gps info on where I am, would the maps update with my changing location, or is that dependent on cellular/wifi svc?

From your answer it would seem that the dedicated gps is the better way of going for reliable consistent uninterrupted gps capability. I wish that were not so as I find the Garmin, even after 7-8 years of usage still arcane and user hostile, but for areas outside of cell range, seems like it's the best game in town.

Thanks again for the reply.

John

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Answer 3

Nov 15, 2014 8:18 PM in response to otto1219

otto1219 wrote:

Thank you very much for your informative and clear answer. Yes, I realize the XM service would be an app and dependent on service, but I thought it required an antenna also. From your answer it would suggest that the antenna is not necessary because there is data service. Is that correct?

As the app uses cellular or WiFi, it uses the cellular or WiFi antennas.

If I were out of cell phone range, although I would have gps info on where I am, would the maps update with my changing location, or is that dependent on cellular/wifi svc?

There are mapping/navigation apps that will download all of the maps onto the device.

Based on everything you've described, I'd certainly recommend you carry a dedicated GPS device, at least as a back up.

Best of luck.

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