Ok I have more questions. Should I be considering 4G hardware or is it too early to worry about.
What does being GPS enabled do for me?
"4G" is only in Maryland and Portland right now, and will take as long to deploy as EVDO Rev-A has taken (going on 30+ months!)
I'd only consider 4G if those two areas are where you typically hang around.
GPS feature is only available if you get a Sprint device. Here is info from PDF:
Q: What is “GPS Receiver Enabled” capability and can I use this capability now?
A: Yes, the GPS feature is now available with the latest version of Sprint Mobile Broadband device, allowing the device to be used with desktop GPS Applications and/or Location Services access to “locate and search” capabilities such as the nearest bank, restaurant, gas station, etc. In order to use the GPS feature you must launch the Sprint SmartView software.
Q: Does GPS work while roaming?
A: GPS does not work in certain roaming conditions at this time. The Sprint teams are working on solution to extend GPS capability to work everywhere.
Q: Can I use the GPS capability with my GPS Application?
A: Yes, in order to use GPS with a desktop GPS application such as Microsoft “Street and Trips”, you must first enabled GPS on the device, find the configured GPS com port (also referred to as NMEA port) on your desktop (Note port will differ in each desktop) and configure the GPS application to
use the GPS com port. The GPS application must be NMEA compliant.
Note – The device GPS capability was tested for compliance with GPS standards. However the device was not tested with all possible GPS applications available in the market, for question or issues related to your GPS application please use your GPS application guide or contact your GPS application provider.
Q: How do I find the GPS com port (NMEA port) configured for use on my desktop?
A: To determine which port your device is using, open the Sprint SmartView client and click “GPS” to display the GPS bar. The COM port information (“GPS Port”) for your device is displayed.
Q: What is “Mapping Service” that is available with the new Sprint SmartView?
A: The Mapping Service also known as “locate and search”, is free utility in the Sprint SmartView client that leverages the device GPS capability and free internet mapping search engines to ‘Find the nearest …’ (example Bank, Restaurant, Gas station, etc). This utility is only available with your
Sprint SmartView software.
Q: How do I use a different internet site for the “Mapping Service” queries?
A: The Mapping Service default site can be changed via the Sprint SmartView client under Tool, Setting, Location/GPS options select from list of available mapping search engines configured for use with the Sprint SmartView software.
Q: Why does the ‘Mapping Service’ work while indoors but not my GPS application?
A: The ‘Mapping Services’ uses the network to determine your approximate location to obtain coordinates for the internet query. The GPS application use GPS satellites that for the most part are not accessible while you are indoors due to building structure blocking the satellite GPS signal.