Unofficial ROM unlocks Omnia GPS

A new "unofficial" ROM for the Samsung Omnia has made its way into wild at MoDaCo [via BGR], promising to unlock some sought-after features. Currently available in the U.S. from Verizon Wireless, the Omnia's GPS chip has been locked down, much to the chagrin of, well, everyone. Out of the box, you're forced to use VZ Navigator for all of your GPS needs. But using this ROM, update you should be able to use free third-party apps like Google Maps and Live Search.

•  5 percent battery increments
• Ability to disable threaded text messaging via system settings
• Pop-up keyboard keys a la iPhone
• Auto-lock keypad settings now include Off, 2s and 5s
• Opera Mobile 9.5 build 15679
• Weather Bug and Windows Live Widgets
• Favorite settings, now known as easy settings
• Windows Live

If you are brave, let us know how it works after the update. But by all means, back up your data first, and read through the thread at MoDaCo. This is unofficial stuff, so be careful.

And while this unofficial fix is nice, we're still waiting for that official, open GPS unlock that Verizon said was coming. How 'bout it, guys? (fwiw: A BGR commenter says official GPS unlocks are coming May 11.)