Google Maps Stopped Working On My W960i

All of a sudden Google Maps on my W960i stopped working!!!

At first I only noticed that the MIDlet permissions screen was not being displayed so I was happy that a previous annoyance had gone away although intrigued as to how it happened. Unfortunately I soon discovered that Google Maps could not access the Internet.

The MIDlet permissions screen is a UIQ feature to ensure that Java applications have your permission to access protected system features on your phone such as connecting to the Internet. Software authors can have their applications software signed to avoid this annoying step but signing costs money and more importantly a lot of hassle.

The displayed error message read...

Need network access
"Need network access: This application cannot be used until you grant it permission to send and receive data over the network."

Countless times I changed settings at Tools -> Control Panel -> Security -> MIDlet accounts and MIDlet permissions but to no avail (possibly the most annoying feature of UIQ)

Eventually I gave up and went back to the Vodafone SMS installer message to download and reinstall the entire Google Maps for Mobiles application. The install was completed in a couple of minutes and Google Maps was soon working again with the MIDlet security check feature restored.

It's a complete mystery why Google Maps would stop working like that on my Sony Ericsson W960i.

Using Google Maps On My W960i

Google Maps is possibly the best ever application provided for mobile phones and it is totally free!!!

This article will show what to expect if you install Google Maps on your Sony Ericsson W960i.

For a guide to installing Google Maps from the Vodafone website look at this article Installing Google Maps On My W960i

When you start the Google Maps application it will usually default the previous location that you were viewing when you last used Google Maps.

If you are connecting using 3G then Google Maps will show a blue button.

Press the blue button and the map will centre on your approximate current location. Google Maps determines your location by triangulating nearby mobile phone masts. It is only accurate to 1/2 a km but it is a very useful feature for locating your approximate position.

I downloaded Google Maps from the Vodafone website. When Google Maps starts it briefly shows the Vodafone logo so the application must have been customised by Vodafone. I don't know if the location feature will work if you obtain your Google Maps elsewhere.

You can also connect using WLAN (WiFi) in which case the blue button is not shown and it is not possible to find your current loaction.

Zoom out and you can view the entire country or even the whole world!!!

Choose between map view and satellite view. Of course the satellite pictures were really made using a low flying aircraft but they really work well even on a mobile phone. My favourite use for satellite view is looking for side roads which might allow free parking.

You can navigate by dragging the stylus over the screen which causes the map to scroll.

Google Maps support favourite places. A favourite place is shown as a star on the map.

I had a problem when I started using Google Maps because the map seemed to be locked to my home location which was also the  favourite in slot number one. While the favourite was in slot number one I couldn't scroll away from that location. When I removed the favourite from slot number one the problem went away.

The Search facility is very useful and really easy to use.

Search for fast food, pizza or just a local pub.

Search for a pub and Google Maps will populate the screen with little markers showing the location of nearby pubs. Use the left and right arrow buttons to scroll from pub to pub.

Select a pub to see full address details and even the telephone number.

More details and a website too are just one click away.

Directions too are just one click away.

If you select directions then Google Maps will plot your route and give you step by step directions.

Click the left and right scroll buttons to view the next instruction in sequence.

Although supported by Google Maps there is currenly no traffic information in the UK.

Installing Google Maps On My W960i

Google Maps is a great application but the bad news is that if the Vodafone (UK) website is to be believed then the Google Maps is not available for your Sony Ericsson W960i.

Read on to find out how to install the Vodafone version of Google Maps which contains the specific functions to work out your current location using Vodafone base stations (mobile phone masts).

Google Maps from Vodafone

Google Maps customised by Vodafone...

If you are with another mobile phone provider then you should use their version of Google Maps.

If you install a generic version of Google Maps or one from the wrong mobile phone provider then I think that the maps will work but the location feature will not work.

If you are abroad and you have the Vodafone version of Google Maps then I think that the maps will work but the location feature will not work because you will be using a roaming network.

One thing to bear in mind when you are abroad is that the data download for the maps may not be included in your monthly data allowance so it could get very expensive.

Download the Vodafone Version of Google Maps

The good news that with a little effort Vodafone (UK) users can download Google Maps for free. Here are some simple instructions for SE W960i users to use for installing Google Maps from Vodafone (UK).

Using your desktop PC open Internet Explorer and go to http://www.vodafone.co.uk

Click on Mobile Internet followed by Manage My Mobile Internet then in the menu on the left side of the screen click on Mobile Applications.

You will now be treated to a tantalising list of available mobile applications including eBay, MusicStation and Google Maps (drool).

The first problem is that Vodafone won't let you access any of the applications until you identify the make and model of your phone so go ahead and choose the SE W960i. But wait, disaster, there is no SE W960i available to select.

The solution is to choose a different phone.

Certain applications only work with certain phones but if you choose the SE W900i then at least the bar on Google Maps is removed and you can drag the Google Maps icon over to the screen of your phantom W900i.

Once Google Maps appears in the screen of your fictitious SE W900i you can enter your mobile phone number into the box and click the Send to my phone button.

Get the SMS From Vodafone

Clicking the Send to my phone button will cause Vodafone (UK) to send your real W960i phone an SMS text message which contains a link to allow you download Google Maps. The link is probably the same for all users but I won't spoil the fun by giving it out here.

Download Google Maps To Your W960i

You can now open the link by selecting Options and Open in browser.

Once you have opened the link the Google Maps application will be rapidly downloaded to your W960i and you can select Install.

Run Google Maps On Your W960i

Google Maps needs to connect to the Internet and I had equal success using the Vodafone Contract Wap, Contract Internet or WLAN (WiFi).

I have to say that Google Maps on my W960i is an amazing application which almost alone justifies the purchase of the phone.

See Using Google Maps On My W960i to see Google Maps for Mobiles in use including the amazing almost GPS like location finding feature which shows your position on the map with an accuracy up to 1000 metres. Truly amazing!!!

I really can't understand why Sony or even Vodafone (UK) don't promote Google Maps for Mobile a little more.

Please note that although Google Maps for Mobiles is free to download and the software is free to download from Vodafone (UK) it does require a data tariff to use Google Maps over a 3G connection. The current location feature will only work if you are connected using Contract Wap or Contract Internet. The maps work perfectly with a WLAN (WiFi) connection but the current location feature does not work with WLAN.

To set the data connection for Google Maps for Mobiles go to Tools -> Control Panel -> Security -> MIDlet accounts. Select Google Maps and set the Internet Account to Contract Wap.