Chances are that if you own a smartphone sold in the last few years, it already has GPS in it. I know that’s true of everything from the Nexus S to the iPhone 3GS. However, there are still some folks out there with feature phones and “dumbphones” that aren’t as navigationally friendly. The FCC wants to change that.

It’s not official yet, but the FCC is trying to pass a ruling wherein all mobile phones sold in the United States must have GPS chips embedded in them by the year 2018. That gives cell phone manufacturers a solid six and a half years to get their stuff together, but seeing how so many phones already do the GPS thing, it really shouldn’t be that hard. It just means that they’ll have some added cost to lower end phones.

The rationale is that the GPS would be used in tandem with an enhanced emergency 911 service. When you call 911, the dispatcher can then track your cell phone location using GPS and get help your way even if you’re not entirely sure where you are. For your protection of course. That’s under an ideal situation, but we all know how well GPS can work if you’re buried under a multi-level parkade, under clouds, or inside a building… and there’s a strong possibility that you may need help when you’re in one of these situations. What then?

The post FCC: All US cell phones must have true GPS by 2018 appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

The Rogers HTC Dream has gone from Dream to nightmare fairly quickly for its customers. First it was announced that it would not receive a new OS upgrade … after Dream owners retaliated, Rogers announced that Dream customers could upgrade to a Magic.  Now there is an issue with Magic; making an emergency call to 911 will not work without first making some setting changes.

911 emergency calls cannot be connected if the location-based services are enabled, (step-by-step instructions follow).  News arrived today that HTC and Rogers are working on a fix to the problem, and while they do the HTC Dream has been pulled from the shelves and online.  Dream owners have been contacted by text message.

This is what Mobile Syrup received:

“I’m writing to share some urgent news with our Rogers HTC Dream customers.
We have contacted all of our Dream customers by text message asking them to disable GPS location on their HTC Dream device to ensure all 911 calls complete.

HTC is expediting a software fix to the 1.5 Android Operating System that will address this issue – and provide several other improvements to the OS.

We expect this upgrade to be available very soon. In the meantime, Dream customers need to follow these steps:
1) Select Menu
2) Select Settings
3) Select Location
4) Uncheck Enable GPS Satellite

Please note that the Rogers HTC Dream is the only device affected.
Protecting our customers’ safety is our top priority and we communicated with our customers as soon as we were made aware of the issue. We have texted all affected customers and we have immediately requested that the device be taken off the shelf until HTC implements its upgrade.”

The post A Dream turns to Magic, to nightmare: Rogers pulls phone due to 911 glitch appeared first on Mobile Magazine.