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I downloaded the AndNav 0.6 app a couple weeks before I got my phone and I was very excited to have a decent application for GPS navigation. I loved having TomTom on my Windows Mobile phone w/ internal GPS.
But the author of AndNav is stalled in his development because his app violates the TOS for the GPS mapping so no navigation for Android that isn't lousy Google Maps which is a joke if you're trying to use it for "real" navigation.
Is there any way to get AndNav's APK loaded on the G1? It seems as though there is no way to install it from the web or locally. That seems to be the problem with most of the non-Market apps. I hope that this is a temporary issue where developers need to recompile their apps for the version of Android released with the phone. It would really suck that "open" Android with its tickbox for "install from other sources" is just a red herring.
Or alternatively is there a commercial GPS navigation app like TomTom, iGo, Garmin, whatever, being developed that stores the maps locally?
The TOS violation is for Google maps not the hardware. So if an alternative map source can be found then it's good to go. Besides, since Google maps is web based if you went out of a coverage area, or lost service, the navigation would die off too.
Even if you get the APK loaded the maps api checks for a key before releasing data, so it wouldn't work.
Android itself is open, Google maps is not... at least not entirely.
What I don't get is why they object, are there any lawyers out there that can explain that one to me? Perhaps it has something to do with the web based issue.
From what I understand google is only having a problem because they. Use multiple sources for map data and can't sublicense them for navigation. Navteq and Teleatlis don't want to undercut their relationships with TomTom, Garmin, etc.
It's a pity since AndNav looks like it's 70% done.
jcostantino said:
From what I understand google is only having a problem because they. Use multiple sources for map data and can't sublicense them for navigation. Navteq and Teleatlis don't want to undercut their relationships with TomTom, Garmin, etc.
It's a pity since AndNav looks like it's 70% done.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*Hint* Get the dev to release the source for andnav, you can put in your own hash from google. And you can do it again and again... They really don't check up on individuals.
It's certainly worth a try to get him to release the source but I doubt he would do it. He could get in trouble from the map license holders and he's working on getting OpenStreetMap data to integrate to presumable make a product he can sell that is free of license issues.
On a side note, how useful IS OSM anyhow? So you get a bunch of GPS logs made by a bunch of people and it constitutes some street information. Who arranges the data? How useful could extremely incomplete street data be? How do the street names and numbers get entered so you actually know if you're on the interstate or an alley? The website (last time I checked) was lacking in information. I know they have a serious purpose but it seems laughable that they could possibly put something useful together.
I hadn't heard of OSM before you mentioned it, but after taking a look, it looks pretty complete. There's no "street view" or "sattelite imagery" but that stuff would be superfluous and distracting in a navigation system. The fact that it is user updateable is awsome. If AndNav can be configured to pass data back to OSM for detailing the maps then it stands the potential to be even more accurate.
I looked again and it SEEMS pretty complete but apparently they are using TIGER data for the US and it is... lacking.
Stirling Road, a large street in my area has huge gaps in it. It has existed for at least 60 years in the same spot and it's pretty inconsistent on the map.
Another concern is that apps that use tiger data (roadnav for Linux comes to mind) can't tell if a street is one-way or not.
is it available a gps software for this device? i think destinator 9 is almost ready for this
cesardeluxe said:
is it available a gps software for this device? i think destinator 9 is almost ready for this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AndNav is available for free from the Market or from andnav.org.
You can choose from several different map providers and get spoken directions if you install the Text-to-Speech libraries. Navigation is processed remotely by the University of Bonn so you do need 3G coverage to use it effectively.
I've used it once or twice and it's quite good; however as it's free it doesn't include UK postcodes that aren't in the FreeThePostcode open database
Destinator will be available soon : http://android.smartphonefrance.info/actu.asp?ID=190
The2DQuartet said:
AndNav is available for free from the Market or from andnav.org.
You can choose from several different map providers and get spoken directions if you install the Text-to-Speech libraries. Navigation is processed remotely by the University of Bonn so you do need 3G coverage to use it effectively.
I've used it once or twice and it's quite good; however as it's free it doesn't include UK postcodes that aren't in the FreeThePostcode open database
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've tested andNav2 as well. You CAN add offline maps, they're available for download here:
http://www.andnav.org/index.php/downloads/maptile-packs/
A how to install is included in the rar file
Oh yes, there's TeleNav as well, but that app is paid. $99 a year.
Destinator 9 is available according to a press release http://www.intrinsyc.com/about_us/press_releases/2009/06_03_2009.aspx, but i can seem to find a way to download it. Anyone got any ideas?
This is great news having a good GPS app available
can andnav be used only in the uk or worldwide?
There is a list of covered countries on the AndNav Website. There are a lot of countries on it...
birnie said:
Destinator 9 is available according to a press release http://www.intrinsyc.com/about_us/press_releases/2009/06_03_2009.aspx, but i can seem to find a way to download it. Anyone got any ideas?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Judging from their website, this destinator appears to be a proper OFFLINE nav system, if so, that means that we *finally* have a *real* nav system available. This is awesome.
Are andnav maps accurated? i have been surfing though some openstreet maps and they have only main streets marked... at least in my town in Spain (400,000 inhbt)
I think this is the main android's handicap, not having a real gps door to door solution like tomtom or navigon
I'm looking at the Magic/Sapphire for my wife and the only sticking point has been turn-based navigation. If Destinator 9 is truly an offline navigator then that's made the decision so much easier.
cesardeluxe said:
Are andnav maps accurated? i have been surfing though some openstreet maps and they have only main streets marked... at least in my town in Spain (400,000 inhbt)
I think this is the main android's handicap, not having a real gps door to door solution like tomtom or navigon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Andnav doesn't support where I'm from (Hong Kong)... therefore I will settle with offline maps.
If you are interested, Andnav can take maps created from TrekBuddy Atlas Creator - which is available for download from Andnav's website, and from this app you can select maps from many sources e.g. openstreet, google map, etc.. and create an offline map.
Offline maps is NOT "settling". It is the BEST thing. Online maps are terrible because 1a) they use data (which is expensive), 1b) require a data plan, 2) are dependent on network availability/infrastructure/other people's equipment.
#2 creates a huge SAFETY problem. Say you're out in the middle of nowhere or there has been some kind of disaster and there is no cell coverage or data network availability. You are on your way to somewhere and you are low on fuel, and maybe there is a dying person or a woman in labor in your back seat. Now your path is blocked -- fallen tree or washed out road lets say. At this point, you can't navigate because there is no data and you don't know your way around the problem. What do you do? You hope that you have a paper map (unlikely), you press the "reroute" button on your OFFLINE navigator, or you let the person in the back seat die or give birth or whatever.
ROFL, best argument for a feature I have read in a long time!
/sarcasm
Yeah, I wonder how we've been able to survive as a race for this long without GPSes
/sarcasm off
But put back in today's society (read assisted people) it's a pretty good point.
Dose anybody know when Destinator 9 is actually being released. After searching all I found was the same information:
"Destinator has been announced for Android and should be released in June"
or something like that. I couldn't find anymore information.
Hey guys, i just stumpled upon Copilot Live! when browsing through the marketplace earlier today, seems to be released today!
Reichi said:
Hey guys, i just stumpled upon Copilot Live! when browsing through the marketplace earlier today, seems to be released today!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not for Android, I'm afraid. Or did I miss something?
http://www.alk.com/copilot/compatibility.asp
yep. copilot live has now been released for android.
http://blog.copilotlive.net/
I can't find copilot in market, I am in Australia, anyone know where I can download the software and install it on the phone?
While waiting this morning on something, I sketched up a tool to quickly mark spots you're at. Unlike regular GPS loggers, it just tags and saves locations (I frequently need something like this on bike tours).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjq9WiGEuGA (outdated)
http://social.zune.net/redirect?type=phoneApp&id=ee9c5dae-9fea-df11-9264-00237de2db9e
Tom Servo said:
While waiting this morning on something, I sketched up a tool to quickly mark spots you're at. Unlike regular GPS loggers, it just tags and saves locations (I frequently need something like this on bike tours).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tjq9WiGEuGA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Looks good. May I suggest enabling the correction features on the keyboard in the Name textbox. (Change the InputScope property)
Sure, why not.
Looks pretty handy.
Is there a way to get directions to the saved spot in bing maps?
Not sure. Trying to invoke the installed Bing Maps with a target location isn't something I thought of or know if it's possible (I figure it should be).
Added some functionality. And I figured, why not put that silly EOS 550D of mine to use, instead of capturing the emulator. Praise my girly hands.
http://youtu.be/mpUQUWRyyJs
Marketplace has already v1.0, without description field and photos.
Giving it another look. Hitting the marketplace soon.
Old 'n' Busted!
Pro-Click Zone
New Hotness!
Pro-Click Zone
Looks really nice and useful.
What methods are there for exporting that data? Sharing via e-mail? SMS? Would be nice if it could also be exported directly to Bing Maps (My Places) or Google Maps (Starred), if even possible. Or even if you could import locations from those services.
Also, is saving locations based on GPS only? Or can you manually input and specify the location on a map (I suppose it'd be like dragging and dropping a pin on a map and saving that location)?
-sigh- if only all Windows Phone 7 developers could do UI like you seem to be capable of doing.
I haven't thought much of exporting yet, altho I have something on my mind. I figure exporting all of it in a KML via e-mail might be an idea, but if there are a lot of photos, it'd end up in a huge package, tho.
Locations are purely GPS based right now.
Hi. This looks nice. Shame there's no trial though. Does it use Bing maps for the map images or Google maps (or another service)?
Thanks
Bing maps. I could make it use a different tile source, but I'm not sure how Google feels about it, since it's against their ToS.
Just bought this app, not sure what I'll use it for but it looks great!
The update with the prettified UI has been submitted since a few days and is in testing apparently, but nothing happened as of now. The other versions passed testing rather quickly, this is mostly an UI update only, not sure why it's stuck in limbo.
Submitted an update today, probably available in a day or two.
Added a trial mode, allowing marking up to 5 spots. Added an options dialog to change GPS behaviour in background as well as changing distance units (kinda required, since it was Meters up until now and I sold the most to the US). And pinpoints in the full map are clickable now.
Version 1.4:
- Does resolve coordinates to addresses using the Bing SOAP webservice now. Happens retroactively on existing spots.
- Ability to send your current location to someone else via SMS and E-mail. Retrieves the actual address if the GPS accuracy becomes better than 150m. Adds a Google Maps link to the message pointing to the coordinates.
- Can also send stored locations, but formats them like current location messages thanks to late night coding dizzyness.
http://social.zune.net/redirect?type=phoneApp&id=ee9c5dae-9fea-df11-9264-00237de2db9e
Version 1.5:
- Can choose now, what service to use to create map links in SMS/E-mails (Bing, Google, OSM). Note: Bing doesn't have a mobile map site. If the receiving mobile gets a Bing link and identifies as smartphone to the website, Bing will mess it up and show a search site.
- Can save photos to the pictures hub now.
- Alternative coordinate formats. DMS, UTM and MGRS (both military). North and south poles aren't covered in the military ones. Examples:
Regular/Decimal: 50.71625 - 6.01385
DMS (Degrees, Minutes, Seconds): 50°42'59"N 6°00'50"E
UTM: 32 U 289206 5622525
MGRS: 32UKB8920622525
Version 1.6 somewhen in a few weeks will limit sending adhoc locations. Currently, it's unlimited in trial.
1.6 is out. It was held up a long time with certification not pleased with the privacy policies I kept writing up, after being required one out of the blue.
Anyway:
- Distance math is fixed. It was off by half, no one apart two people seemed to have noticed.
- Option to add photos from the phone' library to locations as option in the menu roll-up.
Upcoming:
- Google and OSM image data as alternative options. (Works already)
- Custom pinpointing of a location on a map.
I decided to take the GPS and maps on my HD7 WP7 for a spin today. I'm usually more articulate with my words. I feel I'm well versed in grammar but the only word I had for the shock of maps was garbage.
I really miss google maps and Bing mobile or even my co-pilot. Talk about a limited app in functionality and value.
I couldn't tell for the most part whether my phone was connected via GPS or using aGPS. The circle was always pulsating from tiny to the whole screen.
A lot of the missing features have already been noted but I just never realized how useless it was. It just got me craving my HD2.
I really hope Google releases Google maps for WP7 so that MS can wake up.
Other than the maps it seems my GPS location is always off more than a couple feet. Is anyone else experiencing this?
I agree, Maps could use some work. Good news is that Maps is part of the big January update.
I think the Bing map has gotten a lot better in a short time.... I have no complaints myself and I've had quick and steady locks.
I'm looking forward to navigation via the update, but I'm happy at this point.
Sent from my HD7 using Board Express
Same here. My Maps is accurate and on point every time. And the smooth little animations are awesome as well. for me its a much better experience than I had on my hd2 and samsung vibrant. I believe if your having problems with the maps on hd7 there must be something causing it.
Yeah Bing Maps on WP7 is very poor. I'm out in Mumbai at the moment, where Bing's map data is nearly useless, but even in NY, it's atrociously poor. GPS takes time to update, but that's ok if the map displays fine. The "minimalist" UI doesn't display anything (no one zoom view will give all the names for the roads shown on the map).
What use is it to see a bunch of criss-crossing lines (see below) if I don't know what they are? Especially if you're navigating in a new area and are looking for cross-streets, landmarks, etc., the WP7 Maps UI paradigm is highly counter-productive (vs. Google Maps, or even Bing on other platforms, which show traditional, much more useful, maps).
amb9800 said:
Yeah Bing Maps on WP7 is very poor. I'm out in Mumbai at the moment, where Bing's map data is nearly useless, but even in NY, it's atrociously poor. GPS takes time to update, but that's ok if the map displays fine. The "minimalist" UI doesn't display anything (no one zoom view will give all the names for the roads shown on the map).
What use is it to see a bunch of criss-crossing lines (see below) if I don't know what they are? Especially if you're navigating in a new area and are looking for cross-streets, landmarks, etc., the WP7 Maps UI paradigm is highly counter-productive (vs. Google Maps, or even Bing on other platforms, which show traditional, much more useful, maps).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Switching out of Ariel/Satellite view might really help there
You want to live in the UK - Bing totally rubbish compared with good old Google Maps on my old WM.
Searched for my local takaway and it couldn't even find it - really frustrating!
Come on MS get your act together!
CD (UK)
I live in NJ and I have no Issues with Bing maps. No doubt Google maps spoiled me, but Bing is good too. I am sure they would improve on these in their next iteration. C'mon guys, you got to know it only gets better from this point. MS has learnt a huge lesson with their Windows Mobile. They realized that if they don't keep up, other OS will walk all over them. With their first iteration of this OS, it's smooth like butter... and Everything works as its suppose to. Now they would start refining stuff...
I Agree!
alabij said:
I decided to take the GPS and maps on my HD7 WP7 for a spin today. I'm usually more articulate with my words. I feel I'm well versed in grammar but the only word I had for the shock of maps was garbage.
I really miss google maps and Bing mobile or even my co-pilot. Talk about a limited app in functionality and value.
I couldn't tell for the most part whether my phone was connected via GPS or using aGPS. The circle was always pulsating from tiny to the whole screen.
A lot of the missing features have already been noted but I just never realized how useless it was. It just got me craving my HD2.
I really hope Google releases Google maps for WP7 so that MS can wake up.
Other than the maps it seems my GPS location is always off more than a couple feet. Is anyone else experiencing this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The indicator showing where you were pulsating from tiny to your exact location to the entire screen was your signal; it has nothing to do with the phone, or the maps.
Paul Nur said:
The indicator showing where you were pulsating from tiny to your exact location to the entire screen was your signal; it has nothing to do with the phone, or the maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know what you mean by it has nothing to do with the phone. The signal is the phone. My point in my OP is that when I stand at a point in an open space it pulsates. Common sense tells me that if the bubble is a dot then its using GPS; if its a big circle the size of the screen it's using AGPS or not enough satellites are locked.
Of all the phones I've had if I stand in an open space and I'm stagnant and aquire a GPS signal I'm locked. my devices will never loose the satellites or switch to AGPS. My HD7 seems to do that.
The quality of the hardware and the algorithm the OS or the chips use determines the quality of the signal other than the obvious being my physical location.
It might be a software issue though. It is version 1.0...
Sent from my HD7 using Board Express
alabij said:
I don't know what you mean by it has nothing to do with the phone. The signal is the phone. My point in my OP is that when I stand at a point in an open space it pulsates. Common sense tells me that if the bubble is a dot then its using GPS; if its a big circle the size of the screen it's using AGPS or not enough satellites are locked.
Of all the phones I've had if I stand in an open space and I'm stagnant and aquire a GPS signal I'm locked. my devices will never loose the satellites or switch to AGPS. My HD7 seems to do that.
The quality of the hardware and the algorithm the OS or the chips use determines the quality of the signal other than the obvious being my physical location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't wait for the first update. It will be a good judgment of how future updates will look and how much power MS is putting into this new product.
Sent from my HD7 using Board Express
Hi,
Anyone has problem with Maps like mine? My Maps app only has 2 icons: "Me" and "Search". I don't have the "Direction" icon, so I can't search for direction, and the "Search" function doesn't work as well When I click search, it returns me to the Bing Search, not Maps search.
arthoang said:
Hi,
Anyone has problem with Maps like mine? My Maps app only has 2 icons: "Me" and "Search". I don't have the "Direction" icon, so I can't search for direction, and the "Search" function doesn't work as well When I click search, it returns me to the Bing Search, not Maps search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haven't run across that.
I'm in the UK and I too have not been impressed with Bing Maps. It's fine if you are ona main road but I had to go to a side street of Brick Lane last week and not many of the streetnames were showing up on the map. The streets were there, just no names.
Bing and Google Navigator on WM did not support trun by turn Navigation in the UK, I hope this improves under WP7.
Come on Tomtom, Garmin Co-Pilot, pull your fingers out!!!!
arthoang said:
Hi,
Anyone has problem with Maps like mine? My Maps app only has 2 icons: "Me" and "Search". I don't have the "Direction" icon, so I can't search for direction, and the "Search" function doesn't work as well When I click search, it returns me to the Bing Search, not Maps search.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same with me. My biggest complaint so far is the search feature. I typed in "KFC" as in Kentuck Fried Chicken and it said "No Results" lol. Really??
And tried a local store and in showed me results in another part of the country.
I can be patient for the update but still prefer google maps.
Got the same issue and no clue about how solve it. If you find one could you msg me?
Btw I tried to reset the phone and NOK
Oh and I forgot how much I hate how when typing a location it doesn't start auto-suggesting like Google Maps does. Instead it forces you to type what your searching for letter by letter 100% correctly. And you better hope you do otherwise you're like me I spelled the street name "Britiania Rd" with 2 t's like "Brittania Rd" and ended up 150 miles away from what I was actually looking for. And it didn't even give me the choice to choose between the two!!!
Not sure how everybody else feels... I don't see a need to cry about everything, but I'm ASSUMING that since MS put out such a cool version of Bing Maps for the iTurd that they will do the same if not better for their own OS.
But at the same time I'm hoping for a Google hook-up too. I'd like to see a Google Hub where you can add the G-services you use... Maps, Gmail, Calendar, voice, Picasa, etc. Being able to access my "places" on GMaps would be kinda handy... but then again I have it saved on Bing too, so yeah... c'mon MS.
Ok, so I was really excited when Google discussed at I/O the ability to save map data for certain areas to be able to access it with our Nexus7's without a data connection. Obviously on a tablet with no 3G/4G/LTE/etc. connectivity, this is a requirement to be able to use it as a GPS device.
When I got mine, I saved my entire home region. It seems to cap out around 85MB in size, so you can't just save the entire country, which is fine. I also noticed that the amount of space required seems to be tied to the size of the map you make, and has nothing to do with the amount of streets, cities, etc. (aka data) for that location (ie: New York City takes up the same amount of space as Nowheresville, MT). This was a little confusing, but OK.
Anyway, here is my issue. The other day, I took my Nexus7 for a road trip, and tried to use the Navigation app. It was able to show me where I was in real time, and give somewhat-detailed street information which was nice. However, it doesn't actually know how to GET anywhere. In other words, if you try to give it a destination, it fails, requiring Internet access. I tried addresses, cities, business names (who are actually on the map) as well as just clicking somewhere and asking it to provide a route. Nothing.
So I ask this: what good is offline map storage if you can't actually DO anything with it?
Don't get me wrong, I understand that this is a new feature and might not be fully developed. But based on the Google I/O presentation, they made it out to be much more functional than it is. Something along the lines of "Going to a different city? Just preload your Nexus7 with the map for the area and you're good to go!". Sure, if all you want is a static map and want to try and figure out directions yourself, I guess that will work. But it certainly doesn't provide anywhere near the functionality required for an offline GPS device.
Unless of course I'm missing something - but I doubt it.
I agree and I don't think you're missing something. For the size of the data it downloads for a given area, I believe it has all the address so I why can't one do a search of somewhere?
Might have something to do with apple taking aim at local search functions with their lawsuits? Finding that information would probably require accessing the function in question.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
nooomoto said:
Might have something to do with apple taking aim at local search functions with their lawsuits? Finding that information would probably require accessing the function in question.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Possibly, but I doubt it. AFAIK, the "local search" issue was with Samsung allowing users to run a search query which would also perform the search on local apps, files, etc. It had nothing to do with map searching, which would fall under a completely different scope. And the app supports it, but just seems to require Internet to make it work.
Also, while Samsung seemingly took it out of one/some of their devices with an OTA update, they later said this was an accident, and have pushed a fix out to put it back.
I given up with Offline Maps, really it just the same as having a paper map that only covers a limited area, instead I've been using NavFree, does navigation, address search, points of interest all without a data connection.
The Apple/Samsung lawsuit is 100% unrelated to offline search in maps. Google it, do some reading, and you'll see what I mean. I have GPS Copilot installed for any offline needs I may have.
Yeah dude google maps offline is a joke. You'll need to
1) start your destination somewhere you are connected to wifi
2) wait for google maps offline to not suck so bad
3) use a different app
Or just root your phone and tether...that's what I've been doing for years.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA Premium HD app
nooomoto said:
Or just root your phone and tether...that's what I've been doing for years.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't solve the problem, it's simply a work around.
Sure, if you have wifi or tethering you can get online and get live maps/route data. But that doesn't negate the fact that Google Maps Offline is seriously flawed. It should work without needing to be online, otherwise what's the point of saving offline map data in the first place.
phonic said:
That doesn't solve the problem, it's simply a work around.
Sure, if you have wifi or tethering you can get online and get live maps/route data. But that doesn't negate the fact that Google Maps Offline is seriously flawed. It should work without needing to be online, otherwise what's the point of saving offline map data in the first place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's much better than not having the map at all. If you have a GPS (like the Nexus 7 does), you still see yourself on the map where you are. The only thing missing is the blue line to your destination. It's limited, sure, but it's a lot better than not having a map at all to see your GPS location on.
+1 for NavFree though. If you need navigation (like in cities you aren't familiar with), this is a lifesaver, even if it eats battery rapidly and is very slow (at least on my Galaxy S).
I'm sure Google can/will release offline navigation in time (possibly along with entire country map downloads), but probably not until Apple pushes them to by releasing their own offline navigation.
jabsys said:
I given up with Offline Maps, really it just the same as having a paper map that only covers a limited area, instead I've been using NavFree, does navigation, address search, points of interest all without a data connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I used the offline maps with directions when i started out on a data connection and then immediately turned it off. I started the n7 navigation with it tethered to my phone, once navigation has established its route, I disconnect my data and the directions continue to work.
This worked for me. It may not work for you, I do apologize if I waste your time.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
I use offline maps quite a bit.
Navigation is usually useless for most of the back country roads I'm on. Having a map and GPS showing me where I am in relation to where I need to be (pre-set waypoints) is awesome and is better than nothing.
Another app I use often is Maverick with pre-cached satellite maps. I'd dump Maverick if Google Maps had offline satellite and topo maps.
jabsys said:
I given up with Offline Maps, really it just the same as having a paper map that only covers a limited area, instead I've been using NavFree, does navigation, address search, points of interest all without a data connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for showing me this app! That's perfect, and just what I'm looking for. Looks like it will work amazingly!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
I wish apps could use the cached data from Maps, but so far each app I've tried appears to download it and cache it directly. No idea if it's even possible to to, but it'd be nice if all apps could access the cache and use it.
As for the OP, this has been discussed since Maps first released.... It does not have the engine or routing data to do offline navigation. Maybe it will in the future, but it does not today.
try Co-pilot GPS from the market. It's free, and it downloads maps and stores them on the phone. If you have any svox classic voices purchased you will get the more advanced street names as part of the turn by turn verbal directions. I haven't tried this version yet, but it looks great and for free you have nothing to lose.
nooomoto said:
Or just root your phone and tether...that's what I've been doing for years.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tether to what? I already pay $70 a month for internet at home I am sure as hell not gonna pay for more data
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2
IMO, for a FREE navigation app, I think you get a little more than you paid for...
The Turn-by-Turn directions require a data connection initially. But once it has downloaded the directions, you can use it offline and still get the voice directions - I tested it out on Saturday. You want to leave it connected a few minutes so it can cache all the map tiles along the route. If you don't let it finish caching the route, there will be places where you can see the route and get voice nagivation, but the streets won't show up.
If you deviate from the route, however, you will lose any navigation until you get back on the suggested route. You can see your route on the map, but there won't be any streets showing up at your location - even if you have chached the entire area in maps. If you zoom out you can see the suggested route. The voice nagivation will try to get you to turn around and go back since it can't recalculate the route. It needs more than just a map to calculate the route. It doesn't read a map the way you or I would to get directions...:silly:
I had maps and navigation running at the same time, and when I left the suggested route I switched over to maps (leaving navigation running in the background) and could see the streets I was on. A bit crude but it worked...
Once in range of the suggested route, the voice navigation will pick back up again and continue from there, and the streets will show up again.
I really hope Google eventually allows client side navigation, instead of server side requiring a data plan or wifi.
I've used Google Navigation on my tablet by calculating a route prior to disconnect from wifi, and their Navigation is hands down the best available for Android.
I've tried other Navigation apps, and they're super slow compared to Google, especially when it comes to re-routing or telling when you turned. Google almost re-routes you instantly when you go off route, other apps sometimes take a full minute before they set another route. Plus, Goole's street naming is fantastic for audible directions.
Offline maps is something, but off line route planning will be the ultimate offering.
I don't see how this could be too difficult to enable. Sure, maybe there are patent issues to work out (possible, but unlikely). But this functionality is already present in cheap GPS devices. The maps themselves take up a lot of space (a couple gigs on average for the entire US on a dedicated GPS unit), but if we download an 85MB region map, all the streets/addresses should already be built in. So it comes down to getting the routing engine to work offline. I'm not sure how big or complex this is, but IMHO it should be a simple addition.
And yes, it's "free" so we are getting what we pay for, but still.
As I mentioned earlier, my biggest disappointment was that Google made it out to be a fully comprehensive update to Google Maps, when it really isn't.
phonic said:
I don't see how this could be too difficult to enable. Sure, maybe there are patent issues to work out (possible, but unlikely). But this functionality is already present in cheap GPS devices. The maps themselves take up a lot of space (a couple gigs on average for the entire US on a dedicated GPS unit), but if we download an 85MB region map, all the streets/addresses should already be built in. So it comes down to getting the routing engine to work offline. I'm not sure how big or complex this is, but IMHO it should be a simple addition.
And yes, it's "free" so we are getting what we pay for, but still.
As I mentioned earlier, my biggest disappointment was that Google made it out to be a fully comprehensive update to Google Maps, when it really isn't.
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I would love to know Google's reasoning behind server side routing only. I've searched around, but can't find a definitive answer. I always figured they stay clear from allowing off-line routing because you'll lose out on real-time traffic condition, weather, accident updates, etc.