Database Develop

Real google apps in market all!!

Finally some real apps! Scoreboard that keeps track of all sports and picasa album that you can upload photos into. Loving it they both kick butt!!

there is a new one from Google for maps as well, Google maps editor. Unfortunately it doesn't look like it integrates into the map program- I cant pull up stuff I have pinned in the ap with the normal maps program.
I guess the thing I need to learn about android is that we dont really seem to have any plug-ins, just new programs to work alongside the current ones. It seems like google would have an extension, or plug-in that would work WITH maps.

I think Google rolling out a couple apps this late in the game is laughable. Personally, it seems like they've expected the advanced user to do it themselves and they're rolling out apps to appeal to the sidekick end of the spectrum. Anyone locked out of root at this point is feeling pretty butthurt I can imagine. Don't give me a scoreboard app, give me an application that will let me save apps to my sdcard. I can imagine if the latter isn't worked out, it could cause some frustration when they begin to charge for apps; i.e. hard reset= bye bye apps I paid for.
/rant

They probably have larger treams to work on the big stuff, like root. I think, more likeley that these are some of the "personal projects" Google employees are expected to work on.
As far as the hard reset issue, I expect that the market will keep a record of what you paid for so you can download things again as needed.

The My Maps Editor (which I can't find on the market???) is shown as that Google staff member's 20% work time. So while it;s released by Google, it's not actually an allocated Google Project.
Also, I'd say the Picasa app is a "plug-in" not an actual 'side-by-side' app.

gospeed.racer said:
there is a new one from Google for maps as well, Google maps editor. Unfortunately it doesn't look like it integrates into the map program- I cant pull up stuff I have pinned in the ap with the normal maps program.
I guess the thing I need to learn about android is that we dont really seem to have any plug-ins, just new programs to work alongside the current ones. It seems like google would have an extension, or plug-in that would work WITH maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah i hear you, its hard after all these years of being a wm user not to call them plugins. Will have to check out the maps editor one didn't even see it. If it doesn't work with maps then kinda defeats the purpose!

stats555 said:
Finally some real apps! Scoreboard that keeps track of all sports and picasa album that you can upload photos into. Loving it they both kick butt!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's just a name of developer. You can register a company name when register an develop account.

Well, even if "Google, inc" isn't the real Google, they have by far the most polished looking and working apps of anyone else listed in the market that I have seen yet. I dont even need or use Scoreboard, but I still downloaded it and I am very impressed with the workings. Good for impressing friends

Google maps bookmark location

is there anyway one can bookmark a location on google maps ?
i tried searching ,but couldnt find anything
(in the iphone one could do that)

Dont think so ..
(in wm one could do that too)

There is the "My Maps" Editor by Google in the Market, in which you can create, edit or download maps from Google Maps. Why Google chose to separate the features unified in the WinMo and iPhone versions is not quite clear to me, but once you get used to the split, it works very well.
For "bookmarking" places, there is also the Places Directory (also from Google by Google) which keeps evolving and to which a "my places"-feature might be added in the future. Until then, you might want to try Footprints or one of the thousand other map-mashups in the Market.
Have fun,
Abed

Google Maps - adding markers

Is there no way at all to add markers on a map in Google Maps ?
My Nokia's and SE's could do this and considering Google write the OS, you'd think that any Android handset would have the best version of its most popular app.
Their Map editor app is rubbish. Can't even position you on the map, you have to do this manually.
Are there any apps that will do this with Google Maps as I'd like to mark a hotel location in Amsterdam and then be able to get routing info back to it... I always get lost in Amsterdam for some reason

It seems Google Maps on Hero doesn't support this feature, which is a shame I think...
I used to have a Windows Mobile device, on which I can save a map location (or search result) as Favorite in Google Maps.

My maps editor from google does this job. Since they are saved in your account, you can access them from pc using google maps as well. In windows mobile, you can see your maps as a layer but as far as I remember it is read only. The android app lets you add/modify existing ones. The points you can save in WM were stored locally in the device and not available online.
http://androidcommunity.com/my-maps-editor-by-google-puts-your-custom-maps-in-your-pocket-20081215/

Problem is, you cannot display those markers in Google Maps and then select one to navigate to.
Surely marking your position is pretty basic stuff and has been possible for years on non Google OS handsets.
Bloody silly in my book.
A simple way to add markers surely can't be that hard for those at the Googleplex ?
You'd think Maps was the same on any platform, but appears to be knobbled on some and full featured on others.

You can use the My Maps editor to mark you stop or add points. You will need to open your map in My Maps and from there you can choose to get directions to the location. Also, HTC has put the Footprints app which solves this problem. Simply create a new footprint with the widget or app (add picture, description if you want) and then just select which footprint you want directions to.
both pretty much do the same thing, but you need to use those apps (My Maps or Footprints) instead of Google Maps. As you mentioned, google maps for nokia supports adding markers. the Wm version does the same as well. I'm not sure why Google chose to include it in a seperate app instead of all in one.
If you have not used footprints, it's a whole lot of fun. I've used it to mark my friends houses, work, and some great restaurants. directions are always just one click away.

Ah, cool tips thx. Bit of a faffy implementation, but will give this a go.
Never bothered with Footprints TBH, always used to using one app (Google Maps).
Mind you, with no way to back up data with any of the HTC apps, updating firmware will be a royal pain once Footprints has been used a number of times.
I got round it by adding a location as a contact and then using the Find Work feature.
Again a pain and no where near as useful as Google Maps should be on Google's own platform.

I am using Google Maps.. My Maps and Google Tracks..
They are pretty cool and the tracks app is great for cycling.
You have to wonder why this isnt all in one app though.
I have found that just using My Maps is fine tho.. and as stated above you can add markers and stuff to your hearts content

A simple marker in Google Maps so you can request navigation by foot is all I need... a pain to use multiple applications for something that already in Maps on other platforms.

Searching in Google Maps still subpar to web browser?

Aside from no turn-by-turn which I'm sure is a whole different monster to tackle, but something that bugs me even more since - IT ALREADY EXISTS IN GOOGLE MAPS WEBSITE!
What I mean is, while signed in my google account on a browser and going to Google Maps, i start typing in "Broad" and a history of previous searches start to auto-populate. I run a search on "700 N Broad Street Philadelphia PA" on my PC, I can go on ANY browser (including any web browser in Android even!) and upon just typing up "700" will bring up "700 N Broad Street Philadelphia PA" and so forth.
So why on blue earth doesn't the friggin Google Maps app NOT support this? It can do Compass, latitude, and even Street View + Compass but NOT this? Even though all the app have to do is verify your account that you ran a Maps query under in browser and then pull down your history from the server? Why? WHY?! I'll listen to any bs on why there isn't no turn-by-turn or anything but THIS? THIS?!? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
*sigh* apologies if this was already addressed and I missed it, but it seriously bugs me. if there is also any apps/hacks that addresses this then that would also be awesome

one of the many little bugs that will be sorted out in android over time...

Google free Nexus 4

Hey all. Lately I've been on a mission to "cut the Google" cord and have now worked my way down to my Nexus 4. I was wondering if anyone else in the Nexus 4 community runs a Google free device.. Maybe we can share our setups and suggestions.. Android for me isn't what it was when I first got involved.. More and more Google seems to want to dig deeper and deeper into tying everything on a phone into their servers.. I'm sorta over it and Google itself at this point with their hamfisting of their apps and services .. I love the OS, not the company.. Hence.. AOSP without Gapps..
My Google free setup right now is the following
ROM: Raskat (without any Gapps or Google Play Services obviously)
I use the following as my software sources.. Main one being 1Mobile Market which is one of the largest (and legal) Play Store alternatives.. Even has Chrome, Maps, Play Services etc if you actually want Google apps. (which would defeat the purpose but they are there)
Amazon App Store
F-Droid
1Mobile Market
Slide Me
Mail: I haven't ditched gmail yet as I have 3 gmail accounts and it's going to be the largest move away from Google and saving it for last. I connect with the AOSP email IMAP client for now though.
Browser: Cleared all my saved bookmarks and passwords off Googles Dashboard and manually create a list of bookmarks saved locally only in AOSP browser. Passwords all saved locally in KeePass
Contacts: I exported my contact list from the Google servers as a Vcard (then deleted them all from Google) and imported it to my contacts app. I keep a backup on a cloud service and locally if I update them.
Maps: I use MapQuest as it doesn't rely on the Google Maps API.
Calendar: is my only missing link right now as most all calender apps I found rely on Google Calenders framework to sync etc.
So far I'm enjoying it. I lost a lot of payware from the Play Store I've bought over the years but I'm learning to live without it. I'm thoroughly enjoying knowing my device is truly Google free at this point.

styckx said:
Hey all. Lately I've been on a mission to "cut the Google" cord and have now worked my way down to my Nexus 4. I was wondering if anyone else in the Nexus 4 community runs a Google free device.. Maybe we can share our setups and suggestions.. Android for me isn't what it was when I first got involved.. More and more Google seems to want to dig deeper and deeper into tying everything on a phone into their servers.. I'm sorta over it and Google itself at this point. I love the OS, not the company..
My Google free setup right now is the following
Raskat (without any Gapps obviously)
I use the following as my software sources.. Main one being 1Mobile Market which is one of the largest (and legal) Play Store alternatives.. Even has Chrome, Maps, Play Services etc if you actually want Google apps. (which would defeat the purpose but they are there)
Amazon App Store
F-Droid
1Mobile Market
Slide Me
Mail: I haven't ditched gmail yet as I have 3 gmail accounts and it's going to be the largest move away from Google and saving it for last. I connect with the AOSP email IMAP client for now though.
Browser: Cleared all my saved bookmarks and passwords off Googles Dashboard and manually create a list of bookmarks saved locally only in AOSP browser. No more syncing.. Passwords all saved locally in KeePass
Contacts: I exported my contact list from the Google servers as a Vcard (then deleted them all from Google) and imported it to my contacts app. I keep a backup on a cloud service and locally if I update them.
Maps: I use MapQuest as it doesn't rely on the Google Maps API.
Calendar: is my only missing link right now as most all calender apps I found rely on Google Calenders framework to sync etc.
So far I'm enjoying it. I lost a lot of payware from the Play Store I've bought over the years but I'm learning to live without it. I'm thoroughly enjoying knowing my device is truly Google free at this point.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I, too, have cut off most of my links to Google. I would like to know if there are any more alternatives out there....

Scheherez said:
I, too, have cut off most of my links to Google. I would like to know if there are any more alternatives out there....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nice to see I'm not the only one here so far.. There are a lot of options out there and 100% completely possible to run a 100% completely Google free device.. AOSP is beautiful without Googles apps and Play Services hamfisted into it data mining god knows what. I also don't miss the Play Store and everything and anything having a price tag attached to it regardless of quality.
It's nice looking into the accounts section and not seeing Google or them even being an option.
Another great Maps alternative is OsmAnd Maps and Navigation

Is there also an increased battery life using your phone this way without all the processes running in the background?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Probably but I haven't really focused on that so I can't give any sound feedback. Running your device this way is more of a personal choice to get rid of "big brother Google". I liken it to dumping Ubuntu for pure Debian instead.
Sent from my Nexus 10

I have thought about doing this many times but for me it is all about the ease of the items I use from Google that make my life easier. Also, the play store has me hooked in because I have spent quite a bit on there.

Yeah I'm in the process of doing the same thing. I'll be honest Google wanting to access more and more of my data has gotten to me a little. It's okay for them to manage my mail (I've come too far), but when I get notifications about flight itineraries it goes from being convenient to conveniently creepy. To be frank, I have no doubt that Google is as responsible as any other company is with my information. And given their user base, the occasional slip up is to be expected. But the bottom line is I don't really enjoy a multinational corporation having that much access to my personal data. And no, they're not harvesting all my information and selling it to other companies to spy on me, like some think.
I just feel like they ought to be reined in a bit. And F Google+ and uploading my photos without me having ever asked. Do you, Google. Just do it without me.
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda app-developers app

1Mobile Market? Don't they take your information too?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Nope.. I never created an account. it is optional or sign in with your Google account. Nothing to buy there really anyway. Has everything I need that is normally carried on the Play Store. Just the freeware versions.
Sent from my Nexus 10

You mentioned you use the aosp browser. Just so you know, that is a google app, and if you allow it, it will sync to your google account.....just sayin' I personally think firefox would be the first choice if you don't want anything google. It allows firefox account syncing, plugins, etc. And the plugings aren't cheesy like dolphin's. They have real ones like ab+, and all.

AOSP Browser without Google Services Framework will not sync to anything, it can't. It's Impossible. It is a plain as day web browser with local bookmarks being the only thing available. If I go to add an account in settings there isn't an option for Google because nothing Google related is on my build. It's AOSP as AOSP gets.
Sent from my Nexus 10

styckx said:
AOSP Browser without Google Services Framework will not sync to anything, it can't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right....no gapps package. I forgot

hp420 said:
Right....no gapps package. I forgot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No problems. This has been fun and not something most actually do so.. It's out of the typical routine of things. :laugh:

Sounds interesting to try cuz I don't understand why android system is always searching for location in app ops although I have all location off
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Do not forget the article on the XDA main page:
Remove the Google from CyanogenMod with Freecygn
I would mostly/only miss Google Maps.

user822 said:
Do not forget the article on the XDA main page:
Remove the Google from CyanogenMod with Freecygn
I would mostly/only miss Google Maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks but. No way..
I refuse to touch Cyanogenmod with someone elses devices let alone my own devices. Cyanogenmod has been dead to me for years.

styckx said:
Thanks but. No way..
I refuse to touch Cyanogenmod with someone elses devices let alone my own devices. Cyanogenmod has been dead to me for years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mind elaborating as to why? Purely curious lol. I personally only do AOSP builds, myself, but I'm interested in why you are so anti-CM? I assume nowadays it has to do with Cyanogenmod, Inc.?

EnMod said:
Mind elaborating as to why? Purely curious lol. I personally only do AOSP builds, myself, but I'm interested in why you are so anti-CM? I assume nowadays it has to do with Cyanogenmod, Inc.?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since you asked and I'll keep it short.
What Cyanogen Inc is now isn't a surprise to many.. Most purist (read: Fans of AOSP) Android users after CM7 saw the direction CM was heading and abandoned ship at ICS/CM9. I've said many times.. Cyanogenmod 7 was the last good Cyanogenmod. Instead of just making a cool AOSP based ROM with features they started trying to make Cyanogenmod a "thing". It all started with that terrible File Manager they shoehorned in and snowballed from there. It's laughable at best to pitch Cyanogenmod on the "AOSP Derived" line that so many still use.. At this point it's like saying the Ford Fusion is derived from the Model T (ok, that's an extreme example but you get my point). Add in everything they did when the Cyanogen Inc company was formed.
Nope..

Wow.
I could never imagine doing this.. I use Google for contact and calendar sync and email, bookmarks etc... even on my Lumia 520.

MameTozhio said:
Wow.
I could never imagine doing this.. I use Google for contact and calendar sync and email, bookmarks etc... even on my Lumia 520.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah.. It's a personal thing. It hit me just how much data Google hoards when I randomly looked at my Google Dashboard one day and saw the Chrome Sync stats. Seeing in pictures just the sheer amount of data they have on me was a "moment". Then I started just piecing everything together about how many sectors of technology they've got their hands in all based around "providing services" over the internet. I just decided that was the end for me. I deleted all my dashboard data, went back to Firefox, deleted my Google+ accounts. I'm just going back to the old school days.. Limiting what is given to companies and lowering my online profile. For now keeping Google just for email and nothing more. It's just not per-say Google.. It's just the current trend of everything "needing" to be online and "synced" in some cloud. I don't need my entire livelihood and trends online.. No one should.. But... That's just my opinion. I can't stay away from everything (I mean I have a Facebook account) but I can do a lot to minimize what is given.