So, I tend to be rough on phones unintentionally and I want my apple protection plan to stay valid so jailbreaking my Iphone isn't really a choice for me. I was wondering if in 3.0 it will be possible to get offline maps for google maps without jailbreaking. I've tried the apps with offline maps on the Iphone now but they don't seem to work as advertised, and tend to lack the option to search for businesses nearby like google maps. Unless there is an app that does this well that I'm missing.

Without a jailbreak, it's not possible.

Originally Posted by Trat

Without a jailbreak, it's not possible.

I don't understand why apple doesn't give you the option to download databases for google maps, it sure makes it completely useless when you're somewhere with no service.

Maybe I am in the vast minority, but I have *never* found myself in a location without service.

And, yes... that does include 70 miles away from town, in the mountains, on the slopes come ski season, or out in the valleys off the back side of those mountains out riding horses in the middle of nowhere.

Maybe I am just *very* lucky in the places that I like to go and enjoy the outdoors.

Originally Posted by Adrian Fogge

Maybe I am in the vast minority, but I have *never* found myself in a location without service.
And, yes... that does include 70 miles away from town, in the mountains, on the slopes come ski season, or out in the valleys off the back side of those mountains out riding horses in the middle of nowhere.
Maybe I am just *very* lucky in the places that I like to go and enjoy the outdoors.

Same here - exept for the mountans that I dont have around ;-)

Plus: This is copyright and terms of use thing. Google Maps can be used, called by a program. That is why Apple at the intro of iPhone OS 3 said "Bring your own maps". Developers like the makers of navigation hard/software (TomTom, Garmin...) kan bring their own maps to the iPhone. Those maps would sit on the iPhone and can be used even if you dont have any data. (had this only once while on a dive-boat in the chinese sea btw).
BUT: We'll have to pay for those maps for sure.

just my 2 cent
v.

Hmm, guess the sea is a legitimate need for offline maps, however I am kinda wondering how useful Google Maps would be in that kind of situation as opposed to simply having the GPS Coordinates.

Although, maybe I am just not familiar enough with boating and diving as they are two things that I've never done myself.

Oh, did I mention that I had cell coverage on my last skydive? Scared the hell outa me to all the sudden have my chest start vibrating when falling from 20,000 ft. But guess that was more of a me not expecting someone to start texting me right then.

So, I guess the bottom line is that offline maps can have a use in some situations, and while I am certain that a minimal amount will be kept for caching and more quick response upon launching Google Maps, I don't see Apple going in and purchasing a license to allow them to do so at this point. That doesn't mean that they aren't looking into and even patenting some very interesting ideas about mobile entertainment as well as GPSes with Driving Directions.

Originally Posted by Adrian Fogge

Hmm, guess the sea is a legitimate need for offline maps, however I am kinda wondering how useful Google Maps would be in that kind of situation as opposed to simply having the GPS Coordinates.

I used xGPS and had downloaded the big map before, marked all ship wrecks I wanted to dive ;-)
We had a real costguard approved GPS of cause but it was fun directing the captain with the iPhone.