Verizon possibly removing GPS lockdown from devices in 2009

Based on responses being sent to concerned users, it appears that Verizon Wireless is planning to remove the virtual lockdown of the GPS capabilities of certain Windows Mobile smartphones in 2009. A user from WMEperts received the following after sending Verizon an email message demanding that Verizon Wireless unlock the GPS capabilities of its phones.

Verizon Wireless, like all carriers, orders devices to meet certain specifications inclusive of features. Each of these specs is tested to determine if it meets our performance goals. There are instances when the phone will pass our extensive testing process but a specific feature may not meet the standard. We will often choose to introduce the phone without that feature but ask that the manufacturer come back to us with revised software that has to be tested to make sure the service works the same across our entire wireless footprint --from Maine to Hawaii. In the case of open standalone GPS, we are partnering with the Windows Mobile device manufacturers to provide a software upgrade that will add this capability to the existing assisted GPS capability. This is a complex development project to provide open standalone GPS while maintaining the assisted GPS capability with the level of performance and security that our customers expect. The recently introduced Windows Mobile devices including Omnia, Saga, and Touch Pro are targeted to add open standalone GPS in the 1st half of 2009.

Steve Schwed
Verizon Wireless
HQ Executive Relations Supervisor

Most Verizon Wireless devices that feature GPS support are currently restricted from using the feature with anything but for Verizon's own VZ Navigator software. It is worth mentioning that this was not an official announcement from Verizon, and that it may not prove to be true in the long run.