We are looking into developing a windws mobile app for data collection. We are considering deploying to a device without phone service – just a Windows phone but no phone service. We are considering a phone largely due to its small form-factor. The data does not need to be uploaded in real-time. It can be at the end of the day. Data will be uploaded to the server using WiFi or bluetooth.
If we get a mobile device and do not activate the phone, what functionality will we be missing? If the device has GPS, the GPS portion of the phone should still work, right? Assuming the GPS is chip-based, not a tower-based location. Any thoughts on this?
There is the possibility this may be deployed to a tablet PC but that may be cost prohibitive.
Best Answer
Later versions of Windows Mobile (IIRC 6 and above) allow you to use the phone o/s without a valid sim card. Anything to do with the GSM radio won't be present without a valid sim of course. GPS should still work, as should WLAN and BT.