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Re: Does GPS require a data plan (since it queries an IP)?
You do not need a data plan for GPS. The IP connection is used for AGPS (Assisted GPS) to get the GPS almanac and ephemeresis data. With this data from the AGPS server the phone has the information about satellite locations to enable a much faster initial lock.
If you are not using AGPS (as you would without a data plan) the GPS receiver will get the information directly from the GPS satellites, but it will take longer to get an initial lock from a cold start (2-12 minutes). Once you have an intial fix it works the same as with AGPS.
In short, you can use GPS without a data plan, but it will take longer to get initial fixes.
Another issue is that Verizon breaks the GPS unless you are signed up for VZNavigator for $10/month. There is a workaround, but I don't have the links right now.
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