Vodafone Compass

FAQs


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1. Can I use the phone with Compass running? 15. Does the software hold the Bluetooth
      connection open?
2. What is GPS Navigation? 16. How do I update local Australian maps?
3. Will I get a signal inside? 17. What's the difference between an online
      solution such as Vodafone Compass and
      software I can install locally such as
      TomTom?
4. Can I use the maps with no GPS signal? 18. How often will upgrade releases be made
      available?
5. Do I need a mobile network signal to use
   
GPS?
19. What is the difference between Google Maps
      and Vodafone Compass?
6. Does my handset stream maps or are they
   
pre-installed?
20. What are the costs of downloading maps on
      the Vodafone network?
7. Why does my handset ask if I want to allow a
    data connection when I start up the Vodafone
    Compass application?
21. How much does Vodafone Compass cost?
8. Am I charged for my data downloads while
    using Vodafone Compass?
22. What about the costs compared to other
      products on the market?
9. What are the benefits of my handset with
    Vodafone Compass?
23. But you pay for something you do not get to
      keep!
10. Can I use the phone whilst using the GPS
      functions?
24. What points of interest are included?
11. How does my Handset choose its starting
      Position for Navigation?
25. What is the future for Vodafone Compass,
      where is it going?
12. Do I pair the GPS receiver with the phone or
      is this done within the compass software?
26. How do I pay for it? What payment
      processes are available?
13. Why does the software ask me questions to
      allow connection?
27. What about security?
14. Can I pair the GPS receiver after I have
      launched the Compass software?
28. How do I report a map error?
   

Vodafone Compass

FAQs


1. Can I use the phone with Compass running
Yes, you can use your phone while Compass is running
2. What is GPS Navigation?
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a global satellite–based navigation system made up of a network of 24 satellites placed into orbit by the U.S. Government. GPS provides navigation co-ordinates with the typical accuracy of 10 to 25 metres.
3. Will I get a signal inside?
The GPS system relies on satellites orbiting in space – as such the turn-by-turn navigation functions of the handset (as any with any GPS device) – will only work with clear line of sight of the sky.
4. Can I use the maps with no GPS signal?
Yes, you can browse all the maps and search points of interest without a GPS fix. The turn-by-turn navigation function does however require a GPS signal.
5. Do I need a mobile network signal to use GPS?
No. The GPS signal is received separately from the GPS satellite system – only line of sight to the sky is required in order to get a GPS fix.
6. Does my handset stream maps or are they pre-installed?
The Maps are streamed to the device – there is no need to preload your handset with maps, or indeed, ever pay for updated maps. Vodafone Compass updates your maps automatically from our central servers. Your handset does need to maintain a data connection to use the service.
7. Why does my handset ask if I want to allow a data connection when I start up the Vodafone
    Compass application?
The first time you activate your Vodafone Compass application, the handset may ask the customer if they will allow data access. This is a security feature on some handsets, and the customer should choose to allow this.
8. Am I charged for my data downloads while using Vodafone Compass?
No. All data downloads and application updates are Free. Having paid the subscription access fee, you can use Vodafone Compass as often as you like during the paid-for period at no additional charge.
9. What are the benefits of my handset with Vodafone Compass?
When buying a handset with Vodafone Compass, the consumer gets an all-in-one navigation package ready to be used, which includes GPS functionality, turn-by-turn voice navigation with local maps which are always up-to-date. In addition Vodafone Compass delivers up-to-date business directory search, restaurant guide, thousands of Point of Interest, petrol and parking locations and as well as the current prices.
10. Can I use the phone whilst using the GPS functions?
Yes. The phone can still be used while the GPS function is on.
11. How does my Handset choose its starting Position for Navigation?
The system chooses the starting position in the following manner:
  a)  GPS-receiver is on - a GPS position is available - starting position is set to the latest GPS-position.
  b)  GPS-receiver is on but a GPS-position is not available (usually when indoors) - the system waits for a
       GPS-position.
  c)  When using address or Find & Go search, the system uses the latest previous starting position and if
       the GPS-position is not available and there is no known last position - the system uses the Cell-ID as
       the starting position.
12. Do I pair the GPS receiver with the phone or is this done within the compass software?
If the mobile phone has not been paired with a GPS receiver, on start-up of Compass it would search for any blue-tooth device in it vicinity and you would be guided to select the GPS receiver to pair with.

You can also manually pair the phone before starting Compass. The procedure for this is found here
13. Why does the software ask me questions to allow connection?
The operating application security level needs the user's approval to access the network functions. A future release of Compass would overcome this questioning.
14. Can I pair the GPS receiver after I have launched the Compass software?
Yes, you can pair the GPS receiver on starting Compass. If you cancelled this initial search, you would have to exit out of Compass and either manually pair the GPS receiver or start-up Compass and let it find the GPS receiver on start-up.
15. Does the software hold the Bluetooth connection open?
Yes, Compass keeps a connection with the GPS device over the Bluetooth connection. It would maintain the current GPS location over this link.
16. How do I update local Australian maps?
Vodafone Compass will always have the latest maps. Each time you use the service the latest maps are downloaded free to your device.
17. What's the difference between an online solution such as Vodafone Compass and software I can
      install locally such as TomTom?
Compass’ online service will always provide you the very latest maps at no additional cost. We do the upgrades for you free, and automatically.

Also, as Vodafone Compass extends its functionality, upgrades to subscribers are provided free-of-charge and automatically over the network.

Stand-alone applications such as TomTom require either significant additional storage on the handset, or, if they also provide an online service, cost users in significant data charges every time the navigation device is used.
18. How often will upgrade releases be made available?
Regularly. We are planning updates every three months for the rest of 2008, and regular updates thereafter. Make sure your Settings (from the Main Menu) is set to automatically receive Updates.
19. What is the difference between Google Maps and Vodafone Compass?
Google maps will have a cost for data over the network unless you have an unlimited plan and Google maps does not provide turn-by-turn voice navigation like Vodafone Compass.
20. What are the costs of downloading maps on the Vodafone network?
All traffic on the Vodafone network is Free (maps, updates and online usage).
21. How much does Vodafone Compass cost?
$2.50 per day pass (24 hours)
$8 dollars per month – Look for “first month free” promotion.
22. What about the costs compared to other products on the market?
Without doing a direct comparison against each product on the market I would say you will not find a better offer than $2.50 per day or $8 dollars per month.
23. But you pay for something you do not get to keep!
In general you would pay around $400 to $900 dollars for a good GPS product, then every year or so you would need to pay for an update of maps, which typically cost $140 or more. With Vodafone Compass, you are paying for a service and not just a product. Our solution goes well beyond just maps on your phone. We provide real-time updated information like petrol prices on your route, parking at your destination, business directory search, restaurant guide and rich points of interest (tens of thousands and counting), and soon we will offer subscribers premium additional services using real time data feeds.
24. What points of interest are included?
There are tens of thousands of points of interest (POI) from many different categories – e.g. everything from airports, ATMs, restaurants, hotels, petrol and parking stations (with prices), schools, shopping and even a guide to restaurants.

By integrating a GPS device, premium content and SatNav, Vodafone Compass allows the mobile consumer to instantly call or check details whilst navigating.
25. What is the future for Vodafone Compass, where is it going?
We plan to keep developing the service with real online information to benefit our customers. Further information will be available from www.vodafonecompass.com.
26. How do I pay for it? What payment processes are available?
The service is billed into your normal phone bill.
27. What about security?
As you are downloading maps to the handset, it provides no real security concern to customers. Later releases will allow customers to share location and information with friends and family, but it will always be up to the customer with whom they share this information, and how often.
28. How do I report a map error?
If you find there is a mistake with any information in the maps you are getting from Compass such as a missing street or a wrong street name, you can report this problem directly to the provider of our maps. They will examine the issue and correct it. The fix will be updated in the next release of their mapping information which is done frequently. Report a map error

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