The Flybook V5 has the Sierra Wireless MC8775V embedded module (this is what gives us cellular connectivity).
If you look at the Sierra Wireless data sheet for this module, the last bullet under the “Powerful HSDPA Engines” heading is:
-
Supports GPS
Tiny little text, but a whole lot of potential; it means GPS service on the Flybook without a separate dongle or card. However, the V5 doesn’t ship with this ability enabled.
I’ve queried Dialogue on this issue and have received the response that it is still in testing and they will let me know when they have more info. I hope it’s soon!
I have to do a “Kudos to Dialogue” for their support in reading and commenting on the blog and for answering my questions.
Filed under: Flybook V5, GPS
So I’ve found out some more information on the GPS thing. E-mailed Sierra Wireless and they informed me that there is indeed a GPS module embedded in the MC8775 and that all you need in order to enable it is a firmware upgrade. Of course, they won’t provide such an upgrade as the MC8775 is an embedded module which is only supplied to OEMs – not end-users so they don’t “support” it. So I got to looking. Turns out the MP 875 GPS/HSDPA card that Sierra Wireless also makes is basically an MC8775 card in an external ruggedized housing which they do sell to end-users so there is support for that (including a firmware upgrade). However, the firmware upgrade for that unit as listed on their support page is the same version number as the one Flybook supplies on their website. Thinking that maybe Flybook just took that same firmware upgrade and selectively deleted the code to enable GPS so they can sell their own bluetooth GPS units, I installed the firmware for the MP 875 which you can download from the Sierra Wireless support page (there’s also a second firmware for another radio platform something-or-other that is in the MP 875 that I think is separate from the embedded MC8775 module). Getting it to install is another matter entirely since it says the firmware is already up to date (they both have the same version numbers) but I did finally get it to install. Unfortunately, I still cannot get the GPS module to turn on even after installing the firmware for the MP 875. Plus, there’s another version of the 3G Watcher program that specifically supports the GPS module (it’s basically the old 3G Watcher program with another icon for a GPS status indicator when the GPS is turned on – see the User Manual for the firmware upgrade for the MP 875 GPS on Sierra Wireless’s website:
http://www.sierrawireless.com/support/support_and_downloads.aspx?id=20,14,1,1).
Despite installing this as well, I still can’t get the GPS unit to turn on. I’m confident that it can be done and I’m mad at Flybook for purposefully not having this feature turned on so they can sell their bluetooth GPS units. I bet there’s a ton of different firmwares on Sierra Wireless’s ftp site (which is, of course, password protected). Does anyone else have any other ideas?
as far as I know 8775 does NOT have internal gps.
only 880/881 do.
“supports gps” means the chip does support it but it must be connected internally to a gps module which is not present in 875U / MC8775.
Hmmm…..Everything I’ve read, and been told (including by Flybook) is that the chip *does* have integrated gps (as Tom above heard directly from Sierra) but that Dialogue has chosen not to reveal it due to issues with it. They have several antennas in a very tight space. Otherwise, virtually all PCs would “support gps.”
I talked with Dialogue tech support via e-mail and they said that the MC8775 does indeed have the GPS chip built in and they tried it but that the signal was just too weak and the position information they were getting from it too inaccurate to use it/turn it on but that they were “working on it”. At least that’s what they said. Sierra also told me that the chip was there but that it just had to be enabled with a firmware activation (like the voice function is disabled at the request of some buyers putting them in their machines such as HP but can be enabled with a software tool that does a quick firmware activation). Whether it’s true or not I don’t know. BTW, there’s a new Flybook Utility out that has a grayed out GPS button (version 2.4.0.45). The hotkey (Fn+Shift) still doesn’t work or do anything but I will say that while installing the WWAN firmware (which I thought for some dumb reason was an upgrade from what I had) everything seemed to go fine until the end when it just started connecting and disconnecting followed by a Windows error message “USB device not recognized”. So it may be that the GPS will work with the new Flybook Utility (although I doubt it) but can’t give it an accurate test because my MC8775 card is malfunctioning. Personally I think my card’s firmware got corrupted somehow during the installation and I’ve been trying to send it in to the Memphis service center but never heard back from FlybookUS.com and now their website has been down for the past 2-3 weeks. Any ideas Newt?
P.S. For anyone out there who didn’t get their MC8775 card from Flybook and so has their voice function disabled, you can find a free software tool to enable it by Googling it if you look hard enough. Don’t waste your money paying DC-Unlocker to do it for you.
I have not been able to find the tool to activate the voice function. Would you happen to have the link or, perhaps, the utility?
Thanks!
Tom, you mention Memphis Service Center and FlybookUS.com in the same breath so I wasn’t sure of your meaning… You should be able to contact Flybook Memphis directly (888-FLY-5525). The distributer, FlybookUS.com has been down for several months (up briefly a month ago, but no response when emailed). Emails to Patrick bounce back so I’m assuming he has closed up shop. It’s a shame, I thought he was great to work with.
If you don’t get anywhere with Memphis, I would use the Dialogue.com.tw website to enter a support ticket. Did you purchase the extended warrantly? We are over our one-year point now…
Tom, just forget the GPS. It is an (almost) useless gimmick (if it would work). There are a number of useless GPS devices on the market because it seems that GPS support ist latest technology for managers that do not have a clue, see http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_2007_Nov_7/ai_n27436262 on a GPS-Based Data Tape Tracker.
The problem with GPS is that you need visibility – meaning the unit must be able to see a number of satelites to be able to calculate the position. It takes a bit of time to get a fix and during this period the unit should not be moved. This means that it will not function indoors. (except under very thin roofs).
(now you may understand the how useless a tape tracker in locked box will be).
I sometimes use two GPS devices in combination with the Fybook V33i – one for tracking and one for sport. Both of these work very unreliable if they are not properly initialized (wide open sky for about 2 minutes) and I have noticed that both loose synchronization under unfavourable conditions (near buildings, indoors, under trees).
My use for the GPS tracker is to register my position for photos. I have the logger attached somewhere where it can see the sky (like camera bag). I don’t think that the Flybook can be used for this purpose.
Hi.
Been reading the comments re:GPS. The MC8775 Does NOT have GPS included, but the MC8775V does, which is what is installed in all V5 systems with WWAN capability. As for the new utility and the fact that it does not work, I was told by the owner of the US Distributor (which is located at the Memphis repair location), that the problem lies in the Intel Chipset and the interaction with the sierra card. I have no idea if that is true, but he told me that Dialogue is activly working on a driver to fix the problem. I can tell you that the company is moving forward in design for new systems and adding new technology for the current V5 models. Dialogue is really ready to move forward, so just spread the word if you like the machine and I think the GPS will come soon.
Thanks,
Jason
Thanks for the clarification, Jason. I couldn’t understand why some people were so sure it didn’t have it while others (myself included) were sure it did. Ha.
Khm, where can I find that new Flybook utility ? On their site I only see 2.4.0.33 version.
One more question: Is there really WORKING trick to have wireless turend on in tablet mode ?
Thanks in advance !
To answer myself.
Found it by editing adress bar and opening /upload/eweb directly
I’ve submitted a service request asking what is going on with that (you get an error if you try to download the older version from the Downloads page).
Full url (for anyone else interested): http://www.flybook.com.tw/upload/e_web/