We have received reports from users of the new Boost Mobile phones (e.g. i415) that the phone would pop up messages like "Satellite data is outdated" or "Update at 800.569.2532 to buy". These messages would then suspend the whole phone and stops AccuTracking, until they are dismissed or the phone is reset.

This is out of the scope of our software and they come from the phone itself (and the 800 number given is not in service). The good news is that it only happens for the first few times on the new phone or on the phone that has not been using GPS for a long time. When you answer YES to the message then wait a while for the satellite data to get updated (automatically), they won't show up again.

More tech details:

The satellite almanac data is broadcasted continuously as part of the GPS data stream. The phone will get the latest almanac data when it gets a GPS fix then stores the data. The almanac can be out of date and the GPS system will need to load an update. This often occurs if the GPS system has been off for several days hence on this 'cold' start there will be significant delays as the GPS receiver does a 'search-the-sky' for satellite info. Once a GPS fix is made on the satellites, the almanac info is automatically loaded and subsequent GPS data requests will proceed more quickly as the receiver can calculate an approximation of the data set for signal processing. Anyway the almanc is updated automatically when the GPS receiver is listening to the satellites.

It's said that Nextel augments GPS data via it's phone network. In addition to almanac info, this would provide differential correction info to improve location accuracy beyond the standard 10 meter. Nextel tech support indicates these additional data get updated automatically every 5 hours.

The Boost phone (for example i415) would warn user about the outdated almanac data.

What to do:

1. On the phone, press the "Menu" > "GPS" > "Privacy" and make sure "Unrestricted" is selected.
2. Next, power cycle (power off, remove battery, wait 3 minutes, install battery, power on) the phone.
3. Run AccuTracking and get the GPS fix (if the "outdated" message pops up, choose "YES" or "OK"). Wait a while (10~30 minutes) to allow the phone updates the almanac data and additional data.

When the phone has not been getting a fresh GPS position or being off for a long time (a few days), this message may come back again. For the new phone, it happens more likely because it doesn't have the almanac data yet.