[Touch Dual, MDA Touch Plus General] icezebra:
Activate GPS on HTC Touch Dual (Bell Moblility NEON400)

Is there built in GPS in HTC Touch Dual from Bell Mobility? No you say? Think again!!

CNET ASIA was probably talking about the GSM version of the HTC Touch Dual, however the HTC website also makes no mention of this capability.

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/mobilephones/0,39051199,42048146p,00.htm

http://www.htc.com/ca/product/touchdualbell/specification.html

Model No: NEON400

Platform: PocketPC

CPU: Qualcomm 7501A - (MSM7501A-528MHz)

ROM version: 1.04.666.8

ROM Date: 07/26/08

Radio version: 0.99.95V

Hardware Version: 0080

OS: Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional CE OS 5.2.19965 (Build 19965.1.2.3)

HOW TO ACTIVATE GOOGLE MAPS ON YOUR BELL MOBILITY 1XEV HTC TOUCH DUAL and USE THE BUILT IN GPS

================================================== ===========================

1) Enable the GPS: START:SETTINGS:PERSONAL:PHONE:SERVICES:LOCATION SETTING:GET SETTINGS:ON

2) Install Microsoft Active Sync (From the CD that came with the phone) and configure as follows:

FILE:CONNECTION SETTINGS:ALLOW USB CONNECTIONS=>CHECK/ (yes)

THIS COMPUTER IS CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET/ (yes)

OPEN ACTIVE SYNC WHEN MY DEVICE CONNECTS/ (yes)

ALLOW WIRELESS CONNECTION ON DEVICE WHEN CONNECTED To DESKTOP => UNCHECK (in other words, no. Big money saving tip here)

3) Connect the Touch Dual to the PC using the USB Data Cable and let it be installed by Windows (e.g. Allow USB enumeration sequence to complete)

4) START:SETTINGS:CONNECTIONS:USB TO PC:ACTIVE SYNC:ENABLE ADVANCED NETWORK => UNCHECK

5) START:INTERNET EXPLORER => m.google.com/maps (click on download link)

6) Download and install Google Maps (hint select "open" after selecting to download Google maps)

7) Get out in the open sky, or at least on the top floor of your house but keep the laptop connected to the HTC Touch Dual for now (and also keep it connected to the internet)

8) START:SETTINGS:SYSTEM:EXTERNAL GPS:PROGRAMS:GPS PROGRAM PORT:COM 3 4800

9) START:SETTINGS:SYSTEM:EXTERNAL GPS:HARDWARE:GPS HARDWARE PORT:NONE

10) START:SETTINGS:SYSTEM:EXTERNAL GPS:ACESS:Manage GPS Automatically => CHECKED

11) In Google Maps: MENU:USE GPS also MENU:OPTIONS:GPS SETTINGS:COM 3 4800

You will see Google Maps get a global position lock, and plot your position on the map. VERY COOL!!!!

Now you can disconnect from the USB Cable and the map will update automatically as you move around (Using your wireless data connection of course - cha ching!)

Handy tips:

a) Instead of downloading the CAB files to your smart phone which is a PITA to type the URLs, instead download them to your laptop then use the file explorer in Active Sync to drop them into your "My Documents" folder on the phone. Then double click from the phone on the CAB file to install it.

b) Don't forget to delete the CAB file from My Documents after the install to free up precious room.

c) Possibly avoid applications that require you to update dotNET framework. It is humungaloid and updating it might mess up your ROM. Install them and if they complain about dot net uninstall them. (IMHO, your mileage may vary)

d) TurboGPS is a good app for checking if the GPS is working and seeing the satellites in real time and space, and also for recording your track and making KML files to put into Google Earth later:

www.turboirc.com/tgps/

e) This seems to be an excellent website for application software for this and related (by OS) SmartPhones. For example here is a search of that site for GPS apps sorted by rating:

http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-tag-gps-1-rating.html

Oh baby...oh baby...oh baby...oh