JWSlow said:
I have an X10 Mini Pro that I want to take on holiday with me for the geotagging function, however, I'm not exactly sure how to use it. Is there some way of knowing if, when I take a photo, it'll actually geotag?
Quickest/easiest way to tell is if there's a small satellite icon above the "shaky hand" image stabilisation one of the right-hand side of the screen when you're in camera mode - if it's there then GPS/geotagging is on. Other thing - on my X10 at least - is that 2-3 seconds after a picture's been taken the message "Location with GPS satellites set" appears just above the thumbnails strip at the bottom of the screen. A further quick check - take a picture and then fire up Mediascape, select that picture you just took, press the options key and select "Information". The display gives you shot date, file size and latitude and longitude - if these are 0 then geotagging isn't on or not fixed, otherwise it is. :smileygrin: You can also use this process from the "Camera Roll" screen in Camera itself (it's the little roll of film icon bottom of the right side) rather than having to use Mediascape (I wonder if it's actually calling the relevant bit of Mediascape code - that would be sensible).
Also, does the GPS use any mobile data?
GPS doesn't, but the phone's locations service does if you allow it to use the "Wireless networks" option. My old Nokia N95 did a very, very small transfer if the "Assisted GPS" was on too - so for safeties sake turn that off. This is easy to do, go into Settings->Location and make sure that "GPS satellites" is the only option selected. To be doubly-sure, in the Camera app, press the Options key, select Advanced settings->Geotag and then make sure that Geotag is on and that again "GPS satellites" is the only option selected (no wireless networks!).
Strange thing I've noticed is that the Google Maps app takes considerably longer to get a fix than the camera's use of GPS does. Oh, and a small tip (especially if you're a Star Trek fan) download the (free!) "Tricorder" app. The "GEO" mode of this is very good for checking if GPS is on, and whether it's got a fix (even shows a schematic of the satellites you're hooked to). Yes, there's proper GPS status apps, but the Tricorder appeals to the sci-fi geek in me, plus it's got a use as a WiFi hotspot finder. 
Tip number two - and this has caught me out nicely - is that if you turn the GPS off and then back on again while Camera is running, then this automatically cancels the Geotagging mode in the Camera app. It's not a big deal to turn it on - providing you've spotted that the satellite icon is missing from the camera view. Oh, and don't forget that running the GPS will drain your battery quicker. 
HTH, Bob.
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