Venue 8 Pro GPS?

The android version has it, maybe a windows driver is needed?  If you load up gps software maybe that would install a driver?  Can you find a freebie program that reads the gps online?  I know I've seen those somewhere like cnet maybe?

I suspect that if you want GPS, you will need to get the 3G version that is rumored to be offered in December.  Since Most 3G chipsets have an integrated GPS, this is an easy add-on for manufacturers.

Apple made the same choice with Ipads...

As suemccartin said, the Android one has GPS.  They are also built on the Intel chip family.  No 3G in the 8", 2-core Atom.  They could have put Windows on it.

I see that the Venue 8 Pro has an accelerometer, but no GPS is mentioned.  Even little smart phones have GPS.  Is the hardware present in the device, but unused by Dell?  I suspect the hardware is there, like with HDMI, where the capability is there in hardware, but Dell didn't use it for this device.  Bummer.

Hello Lsitongia, 

The Venue 7 and Venue 8 have GPS. While you have to be connected to WIFIthe first time you use it to accept the End Users License Agreement.  When it comes to the Venue 8 Pro and Venue 11 Pro, they include aGPS.  aGPS requires either a WIFI, or Mobile Broadband connection.

Hope that helps!

-Don D

Any way to confirm if the GPS is working?  I don't see a sensor for GPS under Location Services and it seems to have gotten disabled.

The Venue 8 Pro doesn't have a GPS.  

I'm sorry, but I get mixed up. Does the A-GPS require normal GPS, it's a kind of addition to GPS, doesn't it?

If I am wrong, correct me please.

Any way to confirm if the GPS is working?  I don't see a sensor for GPS under Location Services and it seems to have gotten disabled.

Hello Jgroezin,

To test your GPS, you will need a program that utilizes it.  Google maps is a great program for this.  Make sure you have access to a WIFI connection and launch Google maps.  Once you accept the end user agreement, your local map pack should download automatically. Once this update is complete, your GPS can function.

Hope that helps!

-Don D

Dear Don, thank you for your answer. Now everything seems to be clear.

Hello SirPL,   This is easy to get mixed up on.  GPS devices like the Venue 7 & 8, work with the global positioning system to calculate your location and can be blocked by being underground or inside building structures.  AGPS on the other hand, is Assisted GPS. It is assisted by available WIFI signals.  This means it will require a WIFI signal to calculate it's location.  It does this by calculating location according to IP addresses of the WIFI provider.   The Venue 8 Pro is AGPS.   Hope that helps, -Don D

Hi Don

I am afraid your answer is adding to people getting mixed up and is misleading.

aGPS uses an internet connection to assist an onboard GPS chip in acquiring a fix by downloading the orbital data almanac, speeding up the time it takes for the GPS chip to obtain a locational fix. aGPS does not require an internet/data connection, if none exists it will fall back to plain GPS.

What you describe, that the Venue Pro *requires*  wifi connection, and that it uses the ip address or wifi provider location, is NOT aGPS, this is WPS (wifi positioning system), from providers like skyhook wireless.

So, is the venue pro aGPS or WPS?

Thanks

Do you have 3G or WiFi only version?