Unlock your Samsung BlackJack II’s integrated GPS receiver to work outside of TeleNav
By Will Park on Monday, November 26th, 2007 at 3:13 PM PST In AT&T, Applications, Developer, Samsung, Technologies, Windows Mobile
The good news is that the new Samsung BlackJack II rocks a full-fledged SiRF III GPS receiver – none of that cell-tower signal triangulation stuff here. The bad news, unfortunately, is that the GPS hardware in the BlackJack II is locked-down to only work with the bundled TeleNav software (AT&T (NYSE: T)’s way of getting more TeleNav revenue). You see, there’s this driver, called GPS Intermediary Driver (GPSID), that Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT) uses to serve as the communications middle-man between the GPS hardware and applications that need to access the hardware. While the GPSID driver seems to be configured to work with the TeleNav software and Windows Live Search, there’s no provision for any other application to make use of the SiRF III GPS module.
Well, BlackJack 2 hopefuls will be glad to hear that the MoDaCo Smartphone GPS Activator will open up the GPS hardware on your Samsung BlackJack II (and probably the Motorola Q9h) to a host of GPS-enabled applications. The MoDaCo hack will open up the COM4 port for GPS access, allowing you to use associate your favorite apps like Virtual Mobile Earth or Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Maps with the GPS unit.
Turns out, the MoDaCo Smartphone GPS Activator also Application Unlocks your Windows Mobile 6.0 Standard handset. That means you can re-order the applications on your Start Menu – bonus!
Oh, and if any Motorola (NYSE: MOT) Q9h owners out there want to give this utility a go, please drop us a line and let us know how it works.
Over-The-Air install:
Point your mobile browser to: http://modaco.com/gpsactivatorbj2
On-device CAB install:
Run this CAB file from your handset: http://content.modaco.net/MoDaCo.SmartphoneGPSActivator.COM4.CAB
Computer installation:
Run this executable from your PC: http://content.modaco.net/Setup.MoDaCo.SmartphoneGPSActivator.COM4.EXE
Props to Paul for this awesome hack!
[Via: MoDaCo]
I ran the CAB update on a Moto Q9h and it successfully unlocked the GPS which now works great with Google Maps Mobile. After installation, it told me it may not work as it was designed for a different version of windows mobile, but it’s working!
My Blackjack II’s GPS worked (and still works) with Google Maps right out of the box.
Does anyone know if this will work on the BB Curve 8310? or if I unlock it to work on a tmobile account?
It would be interesting to know if the the application would unlock the original BlackJack
It worked on my AT&T Motorola Q9H. Thanks for the hack.
I have just installed the MoDaCo Smartphone GPS Activator and Google Map on my new Blackjack II (out of the box from AT&T store).
But it does not work… In Google Map, I hit 0 to get my location and I get the message saying
“You current location is temporarily unavailable.”
or when I turn on GPS, I get the message:
“32KB Seeking GPS satellites(0)…”
then error message “Your GPS Reciever is having trouble tracking….”
Do I have to configure anything differently on the GPS settings or anything else on the phone? Anybody have any idea? Please help.
THANKS IN ADVANCE
None of the ATT Windows Mobile GPS phones locks GPS so far, some applications doesn’t work without hack just because they are still using stone-age way (serial port) to access GPS, not Microsoft GPSID API.
Hi GPS Expert,
So what are the hacks with need to do to work with GPSID API? or Is there a way we can reformat ATT Windows Mobile and using a generic Windows Mobile? I think WM6 using the old fashion COM port to look for GPS which takes forever depending on Windows mood… The hardware is there, but to make it work efficiently with WM6 and Live or Google… there must be some trick we can fool WM6. Anybody know the answer to this?
Dumb question, do you need to pay service once this hack is done for the GPS signal? I want to get the Blackjack 2, and liked the idea of getting the Garmin Mobile XT and was wondering if I needed to also pay $9.99 a month for the Telenav service in order for the GPS to work. I’m not really sure how the data plans work since I really only want the PDA functions and don’t want to spend a lot on a data plan.
I donwloaded the gps Unlock thing After installation, it told me it may not work as it was designed for a different version of windows mobile. Now i dont how to get it to work or what software i use. I see people saying they are using google maps??? how do i use this. WHat should i do. I want gps to work for my BLack Jack 2 but I am not paying for that “tel Nav” whatever it is. Can anyone walk me through it?
I also just downloaded tel NAv to my phone, Am i now paying for that because i downloaded that hack first. Does the hack work with it?>
Can someone confirm that this hack is no longer needed for the Blackjack 2? I downloaded Google Maps and the GPS feature seemed to work out of the box. Granted accuracy is only within 1700m. Is this normal?
Also – is there any way to have “Use GPS” default to on every time I launch?
Out of box : I downloaded Google maps and received my location within 1700m from inside my building in Atlanta. This is probably not GPS.
After I used these softwares: My location was no more exact than it was before.
Either they have used the worst GPS chip on the planet or there is still something wrong
I don’t believe the modaco software is required anymore. My GPS was working great today when I had it set to automatically configure for Windows (not com4). I believe the trick is to only active GPS on Google Maps when you’re outside within sat range. When you turn it on it should say “initializing”, and then “acquiring”. I think at this point it’s talking to the GPS chips, otherwise you would’ve received an error message. However, I haven’t tried using GPS after uninstalling the modaco software yet.
BTW – when it was working the GPS was very accurate. It had my intersections perfect as I was driving through them. However, GPS is a sensitive thing in itself and doesn’t work indoors.
1700m I’ve found is Google’s way of pinpointing the cell tower you’re connected to and knowing you have to be within a 1700m radius.
Freakin awesome.. I didnt know this existed until I ran across this website.. Thanks again..
Ya it dint work for me, maybe im just retarded but i have no idea what to do after i got it downloaded
Does anyone know if there is a better software for GPS out there that does not have Data usage?? I do not have a data plan and I would like to find software that uses downloaded maps instead of using streaming maps and using tons of data…thanks.
Garmin Mobile XT, ive heard, does not use any data plan. ive been reading around and even their website says it doesnt require you to have a data plan for the gps to work.but it is a 100 dollar micro sd card..i have also heard that if you can find the torrent then you can just down load the program and the modaco hack works with that too, but you need to delete a few .unl files from the card. there should be a forum about it somewhere. i am working on finding the stupid torrent. the only one that is redily avalaible, is the UK one. so we’ll see. hope this helps.
OH BOY! Thanks so much for your work on this.
I was furious AT&T chose to lock me out of the GPS function on “My” phone, unless I was willing to pay them $9.95 per month what a joke when I can get it for free!
Anyways, this worked perfectly on my BJ2 w/ WM 6, using G Maps Yahoo Go and MSN Maps!!! Thanks again GREAT HACK!
Follow up…
The GPS in the BJ2 is evidently not nearly as good as the cheapo Holux M100 I bought on ebay. It only tracks about 5 satellite at my location. My Holux picks up 8-10 at a time giving me a far more accurate location. This will probably present a problem when traveling out in the boonies. It is OK for around town I guess. Anyways, I am glad to have it unlocked and thanks again for the work.
Hi Timbo123,
As I know, ATT Windows Mobile 6 GPS phones released so far (Tilt, Q Gloabl, BlackJack II) are NOT locked to TeleNav. Any application using MicroSoft GPSID API like Google Maps should be able to get GPS on these phones without need of any hack, just make sure you are outdoor and be patient enough (it can take up to 3~10 minutes for 1st time use, later use will be faster).
But Google Maps can’t do real time navigation, that’s why a lot of people are willing to pay $9.99/month for TeleNav.
I tried it with Samsung i760 from verizon but with no luck, I assume because it’s for Smartphones. is there a way to do it for PDAs?
Thanks
Also will the bj1 charger work with bj2? thank you very much.
i tried to install it but it didn’t work.also i tried to copy the cab file to the phone but the phone doesn’t let me install it …please help
Replaced my BJ-I with a BJ-II yesterday – so far very happy with it.
Decided to download google maps (www.google.com/gmm) before trying this hack. After installing, go to menu and click on Use GPS. Took about ten minutes to get a GPS fix on my location but sure enough there it was (and after zooming in, it actually showed the corner of the house I was sitting in the satellite view!). If you don’t check Use GPS it gets its fix based on cell phone towers.
Anyway, you might want to try Google Maps before trying this hack.
Hey, also, are there other BJII dedicated websites for other hacks, tips and tricks? (And what’s the naming convention BJII, BJ2 or BJ-II – lame, sorry, but inquiring minds want to know!)
Thanks and good luck!
Has anyone tried this hack with the BJ1? Am wondering if it will work. Wife won’t let me get a BJ2 until our service plan comes up in august.
I had to know is that necessary that you should have data access plan to use GPS in samsung jack … what my understanding is GPS works with having internet … then why they claim that this phone has builtin GPS … if you need internet access to use GPS service then you can use any map instead of google map
Currently running my BJII GPS without any mods. Installed Googlemaps selected use GPS and waited for prg to acquire sats. Took a few minutes on on initial search for acquisition but after that picks up sats in seconds. No hacks needed and if you’re not careful you’ll lock up GPS and have to reboot/reset your GPS.
Hi,
I’m planning to buy BlackJack2 and I want to run it on a T-Mobile network. Is anyone using the BlackJack2 on T-mobile network? and if GPS works? If I want to use realtime navigation can I use Telenav service if I’m not on At&T Network?
Does anyone know, please let me know know.
Many Thanks …
hi I try to install cab and try to run the exe to install on the blackjack2 but it is not recignizing the program, how else i can unlock the GPS
Can we use IGUIDANCE with I607 (Blackjack) after unlocking it.? Or is there any other good software available other than google maps which we can install in blackjack?
my blackjack2 does recognize the GPS and gives me the location.
Is there any software i can use with blackjack2 for realtime navigation beside Telnav?
I tried Telnav from Blackjack2 and it ask me my cell phone number and user id… I’m a Tmobile customer using Blackjack2 and I thinks thats why it won;t authenticate me, because it tell me user not found.
If anyone know any other good GPS system with realtime navigation that can work with Blackjack2 please let me know…
Many Thanks…
I can confirm that you do not need to MoDeco crack to get GPS working on the q9 Global with Google Maps.
After you download the latest Google Maps, and open up the program for the first time (BE OUTSIDE), go to “Options, GPS Settings” and make sure it is setup as to “Set by Windows”
Then go back and select the “USE GPS” give it a minute and you will lock in on your location.. and it is VERY ACCURATE… FYI!!
You WILL need a data plan only if you use GOOGLE MAPS or anything that requires you to download maps from the internet… duh…
You can use the crack and not need a data plan if you find an application that you can put on your phone that would have the maps already built in so it has the maps downloaded to your storage card and doesn’t have to connect to the internet.
You only need the Modeco crack, if any other GPS program will not locate the GPS on the device.
I hope this answers the questions that everyone has been asking and nobody has answerred.
~Robb
I was able to use my Samsung Jack out of the box GPS by running the google map CAP file directly into my Samsung via USB. Then I synced and it works perfectly. My only question – has anyone been able to get voice activation? or how to go about doing that?
Please call your carrier and tell them to block all internet access. With Garmin I find that even with the hack, as long as you have the options with the online access turned on, it is still using internet. This feature works regardless if you signed on with a data plan or not. Garmin’s internet access is turned on by default. If you can see traffic alerts, gas prices, weather, hotel rates – you are using your carrier’s internet.
After your carrier turns off internet completely, your GPS should still work. Confirmed on my BJ2.
Does that mean we can install Garmin GPS software on Blackjack I607?
Hey there – I tried the hack on my BJ2 from Rogers/Fido but it says I don’t have system permissions to install this application. I have about 10 other apps i’ve installed fine, but this won’t install. Any suggestions? Is it a registry item I can edit manually to unlock it? Telenav nor Live Search both do not work. Same old message, cannot find GPS satellites, etc, “please stand outside in your shorts without moving a muscle until a GPS Signal can be found”
I recently purchased a Blackjack2 and collected all the information I found on various, blogs, sites, forums, etc. and created http://www.myblackjack2.com … its a pretty nice resource that i’m adding to almost daily. It has a nice list of blackjack2 hacks that is steadily growing as well.
I used the free tracking software from http://www.trickertracker.com and it worked fine without any hacks.
I recently purchased a BlackJack II and downloaded google maps and the gps works with it. NO HACKING REQUIRED. I PROMISE.
I followed the following directions from a cingular forum
http://forums.cingular.com/cng/board/message?board.id=samsung&thread.id=51881
I also attached it below
***************************************************
Here is how I configure and used the GPS for Google Maps:
- Install and run the app.
- Select “Menu”
- Select “Options”
- Select “GPS Settings…”
- Make sure the default is set to”Set by Windows (Via Start -> Settings)”
- The go outside where you have a clear view of the sky without trees or tall buildings blocking the sky and select “Use GPS”
The first time you do this in any new location not within 100 miles of your last location, it may take a while to acquire all the satellites. The app will show a status in the top right saying “Seeking GPS satellites (#)…” and will populate the number of satellites it finds indicated by the #. Once it acquires enough satellites 3 – 4, it will then show your position on Google Maps Mobile. It will even track as you move. Subsequent acquisitions in the same area will be much faster.
THE MODACO PATCH
WORKED PERFECTLY ON MY BLACKJACK 2
ND IF PEOPLE ARE HAVIN TROUBLE REMEMBER TO TURN THE GPS ON ..ON THE GOOGLE MAPS APPLiCATiON [[USE GPS]] ND IF YOUR NOT GETTiN YOUR OWN LOCATION MAKE SURE UR OUTSiDE SINCE THE FONE NEEDS TO RECiEVE THE SIGNAL!
THANKXZ EVERYONE!
so does this make the GPS free or does it use data
Dvang… From my understanding the GPS service itself is free, unlike TeleNav which is $10/mo + data plan. Unfortunately, you still do need to use data from your carrier for a program like Google Maps since it downloads the maps to your phone.
Somebody correct me if I’m wrong.
k thank u
This hack hasn’t worked for me. As far as I know most people that are posting it worked are probably paying data usage. I challenge them to take their SIM card out and try the GPS. If this hack worked for them then the GPS should work even without their SIM cards installed.
BTW, If your GPS is fully unlocked you should be able to use TomTom or any other GPS software available for WM6. I wasn’t able to download my iGuidance software to the phone.
I think that the blackjack 2 is an amazing phone.
I have a BJII. It is nice but occationally it starts vibrating with no known cause. Any ideas what might cause this??
GOOD NEWS FOR FREE GPS LOVERS I HAVE TOM TOM 6 NAVIGATOR CAB FILES FREE IF IT CAN BE USED IN WM6 I GOT IT FROM TORRENT SITE AND HOW DO I PUT IT HERE FOR EVERY 1
Please share the cab file and suggest how can we install it in blackjack