yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] aldrouin:
The thing is, in the market tablet, GPS is in every devices.

And yes, the prime is supposed to be a prime tablet, so that such a basic function be overlooked, it's a little bit annoying.

That article simply said like some of the people around here, it's not the end of the world, just don't use it as a GPS. And I find that pretty short sighted because for those who bought the device thinking they could use it to replace the GPS that their wife is now keeping in their car (lol I don't mind but I really lost my GPS the day I said "I do"), I though I could use the TP when I needed it. It's actually when I was using it to get to some destination that I found out about the gps problem and I started posting. I almost got stopped by the cop because I was reading the step by step directions that you get with Navigation.

My problem is I bought that tablet for the what if. It's my big toy, I already have a laptop for work, a desktop for home usage and my wife has a macbook, there is no valid "I need this or I can't go on the internet". And I think it's pretty much the same for many people on this forum. I actually bought the prime to start developing on android. And yeah, I might want to test the part of the API that deals with GPS. But with the unit as it is, I couldn't even if I wanted to, since the GPS won't lock.

I know most people will never think about doing stuff like that, but I believe that android will attract developers eventually and I would like to have that in my skillset for when companies start looking for it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
you mean 100% they all have the same aluminum backing which is the culprit anyone who thought theirs worked was only because they got a lock on satallites they did not do a driving test.

---------- Post added at 09:38 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:30 AM ----------

I think jdbaker82 the user who got disabled from xda said this earlier he also said it was the aluminum backing causing the problems before ASUS came out with their statement he actually took the backing off his and tested it he has a thread over on the android forums.

---------- Post added at 09:45 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:38 AM ----------

This is what I was referring to makes me wonder if ASUS is mod on this site and thats why he got banned? lol
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] doeboy711:
Yeah he claims he took it off and it got better results, but he provided no proof that he did take it off and that if he did, it provided better results. I looked at his thread over one androidforums.com where he claimed he did it and it worked great for him. But like I said, there is no proof of anything other than his word. I would claim I did the same if I got booted for making a new thread everyday voicing the same opinion I had about the back casing.

---------- Post added at 10:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:51 AM ----------

The reason he got banned probably was because he kept creating new threads about the GPS issue that were very misleading and that was the exact same as the GPS Issue thread. He also posted the same info in the GPS Issue thread and got immediate feedback about it before he decided to create multiple different threads in the section about the same thing.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
Please call ASUS support

I would highly recommend anyone involved in this thread to call ASUS support to report this issue (now I know they have been giving everyone the same answers and will not be able to fix it) HOWEVER you will get a survey a few days later and if everyone rates them all poor and comments on the Primes GPS the audits they run on the survey will red flag and someone actually important at ASUS will see the report and someone will have to answer for it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] nxp3:
I don't really care if this was a software issue, it can always be resolved with updates. But we must make sure that it's not because of the metal backs that is preventing gps lock ons. Without assistant, any gps should be able to lock on in 5 minutes or less on first use.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] joepic:
Actually using the GPS not just getting a signal. Also note there are tools listed to just test the GPS functions. Not everyone has your experience with GPS. I am sure you have a software list of GPS tools that you are willing to share with us?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] arcticreaver:
i am able to get a lock on google maps. but navigation does not work, just gets stuck on looking for gps signal screen.

i was able to find my location off foursquare as well.

however GPS status does not give me a reading at all and neither does GPS test app. so it's very confusing.

update -

after turning off the device and turning it back on, the problem still persists. no lock on gps with google maps. location and settings was using gps sats only. use wireless networks was NOT checked. foursquare does not work either

now, checking with use wireless networks checked...

getting the your current location is temp unavailable on google maps and foursquare is not working either.

now, checking after running GPS essentials....

now it does NOT work, as in google maps can't get a lock. nothing on GPS status app and GPS test app.

so far the problem is intermittent i guess.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tdrussell:
Have you tried tethering or connecting to wifi while doing so? Google Nav will not work without a data connection.

Also, GPS status i believe requires at least an initial data connection, in my experience is will not function unless it is able to do the initial assistance data download (which it does automatically the first time you try to launch the app).
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] nxp3:
You do realize that some apps uses your wifi for location? The most accurate way to test is getting a gps satellite signal test. If you can't get signal, then your gps isn't working, and the google map u are using is actually using your access point as location.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] arcticreaver:
i've now tried with both use wireless networks checked and un-checked. right now, nothing.

maybe my tablet is a defect. i can always exchange it with BB but right now this issue seems to be affecting some.

hopefully when more people start getting their primes they will check out their GPS signals and update us here.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tdrussell:
but have you connected to a wireless network?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] arcticreaver:
yes, WiFi, i'm at work.

i've just went to ASUS and contacted them about this issue. i want them to address my concerns. i didn't purchase a tablet that won't hold a GPS signal.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tdrussell:
Just checking. Interesting issue. I'll definitely be interested to do some empirical tests when i get mine.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] xmtsystems:
I look forward to reading their response when you post it. I'm concerned about this issue, because I planned on mounting mine in the car to use its GPS features, rather than continuing to pull my hair out because of my aging Garmin recalculating all the time.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] biggem001:
not getting a single sat here. coming from a Galaxy S, this isn't new to me...
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tdrussell:
Eww deja vu eh? :/

DroidX | XDA App
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] aawshads:
minedoes not work either. Maps does not even come up.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tdrussell:
O.o

DroidX | XDA App
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] yumms:
Try downloading GPS Status from the market. It'll download the latest gps data to the device making it faster to lock onto a single.

Had the same issues on my Thunderbolt, this app fixed the issue.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BiGMERF:
wow this gets worse and worse
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] arcticreaver:
Right now I'm in the process of formatting the tablet and see if the issue is also in the original firmware and not the updated version.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jzen:
Just opened mine, GPS does not work at all. Not a big deal if you can live with using wifi location but for those that need gps it kinda sucks.

Hopefully its a software issue and not a hardware because so far everyone i know that has gotten a prime has this same GPS issue.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] BixBix78:
I use sygic for offline navigation. I want the prime bad but not without offline navigation. Please continue the reports. Thanks guys, Bix
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] ryan562:
Can't find a sat. Either. Downloading new firmware update as well. Will report if it works after that

Sent from my 5@m5un6 6@1@x¥ §2
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] n11:
For those who are just joining this thread here is a way to test your GPS. Most folks are finding that the GPS does work from a technical standpoint but is not useful in a practical way like driving in your car. This test should prove that your GPS DOES work under optimal conditions. Then...if you test further you should see where the challenges are. The steps refer to GPS Status which is a very useful free progam that is available in the Android Market. I've added a new step based on links provided in Gnopps post (thanks given on post http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=20568774&postcount=103 ). It refers to a free program from Google called My Tracks that can be found in the Android Market - https://market.android.com/details?...NvbS5nb29nbGUuYW5kcm9pZC5tYXBzLm15dHJhY2tzIl0.

I use these steps:

GPS off

Wifi off

Airplane mode

In GPS Status, menu, tools, manage A-GPS state, push reset

Turn off and restart the Transformer Prime

Open GPS status and test both indoors and outdoors

Open Google Navigation, set a destination and drive there (or next step)

or - drive with GPS Status open to see how it holds sats

or - install My Tracks and drive a route you know - see if the recorded result matches the actual route

or - install My Tracks on the TF201 and also on a known good device - see if the recorded results match for both devices
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ciddy:
The thing I am most worried about with respect to the case being metal and thus worsening GPS reception is that the reception does not improve when the device is lying glass-up horizontally. This should (and probably does) give best reception. However, again comparing to my Galaxy S2 (which is also using Gorilla glass, but thinner i guess b/c of the smaller display size), it is unacceptable that it gets only about half the signal strength.

The fact that ASUS has removed GPS functionality from its german (and supposedly US) product front page ("specifications can change without notice" [!!!] ) does not bode well. If this turns out to be a GPS dud, the thing goes back and Asus becomes the newest entry on my do-not-buy list.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lock-N-Load:
As I have shown, I have gotten solid results in cold starts tests indoors and outdoors with no wifi. But, I have yet to do a driving test. Today is the day as I have a 100 mile drive to a buddies so I will report back how it goes as I plan to follow previous cold boot tests I did but drive this time:

1. shut off all radios but GPS

2. shut down tablet for 5 minutes

3. get in car

4. start up tablet (NO wifi, just GPS on) and use GPS Test to see what I got

5. set destination in Maps and drive 100 miles (assuming success in #4)

6. I am a big fan and heavy user of My Tracks so might fire that up as well

And on the return trip, I plan to do the same test BUT I am going to tether it to my phone and see how that works just out of curiosity.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] juntistik:
While I totally agree that it is a pain that the GPS doesn't work well without a wifi connection, I don't understand people comparing the GPS functionality with their cell phones.

The cell phones use aGPS, thats why they get a lock so fast. Comparing the GPS functionality of your galaxy s2 and the ATP isn't a valid comparison. Unless you are turning off all data and then using the GPS...which if you are, I retract this statement.

Its really too bad that these issues are occurring, but considering we are all speculating at this point, lets hold our horses a bit.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] n11:
Looking forward to your results. I did try one test where I turned my phones wifi hotspot on and did a driving test. It had no positive impact at all...YMMV :).
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] n11:
The speed to lock is really a side issue. The real problem is that once you have a solid lock you can lose it easily when you start driving in a car. I ran one test where I started GPS Status, got a good lock while stopped, and then the lock was gone when I started driving. When I'd stop at a light I'd start to lock on sats again, which got lost when I started moving. There is clearly a problem on my setup. After reading a lot of posts it seems the issues I have are very widespread. I suggested a test protocol a few posts back which allows folks a chance to measure results on their setup.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Lock-N-Load:
So you connected your TFP to your phone via wifi and you didnt get better results while driving?? That is rather shocking as then the AGPS data is coming down over 3G and more consistently than a wifi in your house. It should work while driving.. theoretically.

I am going to find out. Hopefully, I can provide another screenshot of some interesting results.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] 7Bit:
Just wrote an email to the Asus support. Lets see what they are saying.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] fingery:
I've sat and held the thing for neary 2 hours in a large conservatory this afternoon. To all intents and purposes, in the garden. TP was held flat with the screen facing upwards, wifi ws enabled and connected.

In 2 hours all it saw was 1 satellite for about 5 minutes. The rest of the time, nothing at all

Now, i absolutely uderstand the theory about the aluminium back blocking the signal but how can that be when the unit was completely horizontal so if anything, could perhas be expected to reflect any signal back upwards towards the circuitry?

Where is the actual GPS antenna? I remember seeing some teardown pictures somewhere and it looked like there was a large metal shield on the back of the display. Could it be that the GPS is nearly completely isolated between the aluminium back and the metal sheield behind the screen?

As is, for me, the GPS is worthless. It doesnt see a thing :-(
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] liderbug:
HTC Mytouch 4G and TP 2 feet apart. Both running GPS Test by Chartcross.

TP - 0, 0, 0, 0..... nothing

HTC - 4 to 8 sats in view, SNR ~28. location spot on.

However I must qualify - in house. I haven't seen this comment in here, although I haven't read all the pages. GPS receivers MUST be able to SEE the sats - "see" being the op word. The signal coming down starts at 50 watts (or less). Just think your local FM station is 50,000 watts and only 15 miles away. Wiki says stay away from trees and clouds (doesn't explain how..).

Just stepped outside (36F&wind) - after 1 minute the TP saw 1 sat for about 1 second. (thinking, thinking...) Houston, we have a problem.

Then again, where am I ????? Oh, right, I'm in the dinning room ... :rolleyes:
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Matthew Carson:
I tried the same thing and got nothing. That tells me that when you get a lock with WiFi turned on (with a fixed access point), it is from Google's database of MAC addresses / SSIDs and not from using aGPS to get a better lock on satellites. aGPS still requires a satellite lock - it just knows better where to look. That lock is never happening.

Asus' contention that being connected to the Internet will make it work is completely false, since I was connected to the Internet through the Hotspot and it still couldn't find where I was.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] juntistik:
That's certainly bizarre. See when I hear things like that (the GPS initially getting locks on satellites after cold boot, but losing it when driving), it makes me question blaming the aluminum backing. That's just my opinion though, because clearly, a lot of research has been done by others in this thread, leading them to think otherwise.

I continue to see people comparing the ATP with their cell phones though..am I incorrect in thinking that comparing a cell phone that has data turned on with the ATP is an invalid comparison?

Either way..if it is the aluminum back, does anyone think it could be resolved with a boosting case similar to what happened with the iphone's that shipped with a signal issue?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
Ever been driving away from your hometown and you start losing your favorite radio station where it keeps cutting out and back in? Think of weak satallite signal as the same thing theres no question about it the aluminum backing is the only issue here.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Ciddy:
You have a misconception about aGPS. aGPS is basically the "almanach" that gives you the satellites that should be in your area at the current time, thus making them easier to lock on based on their radio signal. Downloading aGPS data more than once in a short time does nothing for giving you a better fix.

The comparison to a cell phone is fully adequate, as the components are pretty much the same class. The TP has all technical possibilities that a cellphone has for getting a fast GPS fix; It has a network connection (WiFi/mobile doesnt matter, if anything, WiFi should be FASTER) to get data for aGPS. The GPS hardware should not be worse than that of a 9 month old cellphone of pretty much the same or even lower price.

Now if Asus/Nvidia packs a crap GPS chip on their SoC and/or didn't consider the effects of the casing - they're at fault. In a Prime device of that price range, waiting 5+ minutes for a GPS fix, if you're lucky enough to get one, is just a bad joke.

After all, measuring the signals intensity pretty much says it all. If you only get half the signal strength between two GPS receivers only centimeters apart, something stinks. And I'm afraid it's hardware, which means Asus cant do anything about it. They could fix it in hardware, but then they would have to change production and exchange all units sold and complained about. Or just remove GPS from the feature list, which they already did. I made a screenshot of the specs at the dealer I bought it from as a precaution to be able to give it back.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
The only hardware in play here is the solid aluminum backplate a teardown already showed they are using a legit top notch GPS but you are correct that they are not going to do anything about it they have too much money tied up with the sub contractor producing their backplates.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] shinzz:
The way Asus is dealing with GPS issue is really bizarre. If your goal is to hide & ignore the issue, why not just delete it from all company website (including retailers). Asus global website, and retail stores such as Best Buy/Amazon still has GPS listed (in Best Buy's case.. it is shown as GPS ENABLED).
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
They only have immediate control over their own websites but if they are 100% sure this is the way they are going to handle it they are working on contacting all their resellers as we speak trying to get the ball rolling for them to remove it as well its just going to take a week or two before the webmasters get around to it.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] jwigginton:
seems like we need to all write engadget,gizmodo anandtech and other high profile tech blog sites. this should force asus hand. during all the delay and launch issues, it was engadget that was able to get a response out of them.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] juntistik:
Thanks for the info about aGPS everyone. I did have a misconception about how it worked apparently. So, any possibility of some type of conductive or boosting case (theoretically of course)?
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
Not only online sites but one of the top selling magazines should be made aware if PC World were to write an article about it next month that would be huge and they usually have ways to contact important people and might get answers for how they plan to make it right.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tdp252:
You probably don't understand how these big name tech blogs work. They give everything a glowing review and dare say anything negative. This ensures that companies continue to send them lots of crap, free, to test with.

I mean this isn't some obscure bug. Even the most simple of proper testing would have uncovered this. Just proves they are in it for the money.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
While you bring up a good point not every tech site or blog has ties with every company we just have to find one that doesn't have that "magical bond" lol
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] tylermaciaszek:
You couldn't be more wrong us bloggers and editors always give honest reviews on how we feel when using the device even if the OEM doesn't like it
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] stephen44:
SO .... i still haven't got my prime yet - Amazon saying 25th January - but I feel that the evidence is clear from this thread and the fact that some reports say ASUS seem to have removed 'GPS' from the US specs.

This link still shows it though http://eee.asus.com/eeepad/transformer-prime/specification/

I wanted the prime to use as a large screen GPS in my RV - small screens are just too far away (if you have a diesel pusher RV you will appreciate better what I mean)

So I for one would be happy if ASUS gave me a Bluetooth external GPS head unit and an app that allowed it to work ?

Would this work for anyone else ? - I really want to still get this unit - primarily for the dock - but no reliable GPS - takes away one of my major uses for this tablet.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] PrimeTimeBro:
Interesting use for the GPS I think this is the most practical scenario I have heard for using the primes GPS yet.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] pjbouch:
Is their site down or are we being ignored?

I have been trying to send an email through their ASUS support for 2 days to find out

Is there an update coming for this? or

Do I need to return it for replacement or repair?

I only get "Server Connection Failure! Please try again later".
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sokonomi:
An external GPS wouldn't give your tablet the extra protection it would have if it was internal.

You cant track your stolen tablet with an external one.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] stephen44:
agreed - but the internal gps/wifi - could still provide this correct ?. Just a suggestion as this would solve my needs - I realize not for everyone - gives ASUS a viable plan B though for people who want to drive with it. Seems that when on wifi - or tethered to a 3/4G phone things would then work as intended
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
I think it's software related! First off the time I my tablet is 15 seconds slower at turning the minute over then my evo 4g running ICS!

Also I noticed if you open up your quick settings bar or go into the settings of gps status the icon stops. Flashing (the gps indicator!) but then if you change the power mode it starts flashing again!

Here is a shot of GPS test running on my prime notice the time date and other stuff is empty this is a software issue can anyone else confirm this reads the same
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Sokonomi:
To be honest I too was planning on using my old GPS bluetooth mouse incase the onboard GPS turns out a permanent dud.

But I wouldnt accept asus supplying a GPS mouse to be adequate compensation for the essentially broken onboard one.

Not just because I already own one, but to me external does not have an equal value to internal.

Id prefer a cash back voucher so I can re-invest the money the way I see fit.

Either that, or have it serviced cost free with a revised backplate with better antennas.
[Asus  Eee Pad Transformer Prime] Wordlywisewiz:
And my phone gets 5 satellites indoors and displays the time date ect...