Sprint Threatens Mobile GMaps over GPS

location based services

Written by Christopher Price
Tuesday, 08 May 2007
Mobile GMaps is a program that has taken advantage of Java's built-in standards to provide GPS integration with Google Maps service. The program is different from Google's Maps for Mobile, in that it was written by a third-party, includes standard GPS support, and pulls map data from Google's servers.
The advantage here is clear: Users can take advantage of the gpsOne service built into virtually every Sprint phone, as well as benefit from the features of Google Maps. But, recently, Sprint decided to attempt to obfuscate the free GPS services that Java provides. Sprint has threatened the creator of Mobile GMaps with legal action... unless Mobile GMaps makes it difficult to provide Sprint users with GPS services. However, this is clearly SLAPP-based tactics from the nation's third largest wireless provider. Users simply need to enter IP Address 68.28.31.49:5017 into the PDE server area of any gpsOne-enabled Java application, Mobile GMaps simply typed this code in automatically for users on Sprint to use. In fact, once the author is forced (legally or not) to remove this, users can simply re-add it to the program to restore functionality. We have yet to see any legal basis from Sprint for making Mobile GMaps remove this simple IP address from their application. Since the application is using open standards, that would work on any Java & gpsOne-enabled carrier (Sprint, Bell Mobility, etc), the remainder of the software is undisputedly legal. Mobile GMaps

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...written by Chris Price, May 08, 2007
For those not familiar with the service, you may also need to enable Developer Root on your device in order to use Mobile GMaps GPS. For Sprint customers, you can do this over-the-air, just by visiting the web site below: https://developer.sprint.com/site/global/develop/activation_device/p_device_activation.jsp
...written by Mustang46L, May 08, 2007
Wow, I can't believe I didn't know about this before. My developer account was already active so that was the easiest thing ever. I don't like it as much as Sprint Navigator, but I'm all about free.
...written by Jimmi, May 08, 2007
Doesn't seem "free" in the sense that the developer page is only available to developers for Sprint or their mobile technology and that you still have to pay $400 for the verisign license. Unless I'm missing a secret here.