Still no proper navigation for Android? - LG Optimus 2x

I am planning to go on holiday soon and after a good few hours googling I found that Android STILL has no GPS solution!! (amazing as its the biggest mobile OS at the moment and its been around a good few years...)
Just want to make sure Im not missing something here, because if there is navigation software for android I have missed and someone knows about please let me know!!
Google Maps is completely useless as I will be out the country and data will cost an arm and a leg. I am not going to "Cache within 10 miles" an entire country either. Cant imagine whose good idea it was to have internet-dependant GPS.
I seen some other software out there (copilot, etc) but seem of low quality (which I dont mind!) but are limiting in which countries they support, I haven't seen any with Chinese maps...
I used to have an N95 with Ovi Maps which was awesome! I assumed as its old-technology now Android would have something similar.
Alternatively, if anyone here has brought a Nokia recently and are not happy with it and fancy swapping it for my o2x let me know (sorry but Android is a pile I mean SMS doesnt even show the right time stamps lol)
Sorry if its a bit of a rant. I just got a 24 month contract with a phone that basically allows me to browse facebook whilst taking a dump in hi-res but not much else. My own fault for not looking into android first though...
Seriously, if anyone knows any software that can do the job, please let me know!

Try Navigon. I used it on my iPhone and I loved it.
Sent from my LG-P999 using XDA App

For those looking for maps application with offline capability and Chinese maps support, this link may help:
http://androidforums.com/android-applications/148787-review-free-offline-map-gps-software.html

Use sygic aura
Sent from my LG-P990 using XDA Premium App

I used Navit (totally free) this summer. You can download offline maps directly from the app, or best from Navit website, you can find tutorials on the net (the advantage of this method is that you can select specific areas of interest if you don't need the whole country map).
Maps are Openstreet maps. I think you can import other formats but I didn't try.
Maps are updated once a week, on Friday I think.

navigon works great and uses offline maps (you can download the maps on pc or on phone thru wifi or datanetwork)

Igo excellent, way better then johnjohn uhrm tomtom

i´m using navigon europe, works fine !
no mobile data connection needed, maps (whole europe) get downloaded to sd card.
so you can use in different countries without costs ...

I have tried ndrive and works well. Downloaded maps for my country so didnt need to use data connection
Sent from my Optimus 2X

sofar ive tried the google maps, sygic, navigon, and igo and i found that sygic was the best for me. they all offer pretty much the same thing except google since its not offline but sygic had the newest maps.

Unlock your phone and buy a prepaid SIM card, that way you'll be able to use Google maps as well as all the niceties hat you're used to while traveling.

iGo is the best I've ever seen. You can download the maps to the SD, so data won't be a problem.

Sygic makes a lot of mistakes during navigation:
-Wanted to make me turn in a oneway street
-Tells me to turn right on a strait road without any streets right or left.
For me still google maps till Tomtom will be available.

cheers everyone, appreciate all the suggestions. will be checking them out see which one does the job
theres a lot more available than I thought! so cheers!
I also flashed Cyanogenmod, much much more happier with Android in general now

Consider waze, free, community based gps
Sent from my Optimus 2X using XDA App

I just joined the android family and I am currently living in China, so I am also looking for offline/turn by turn navigation for android.
It can be paid solution as well. What I need is detailed and accurate maps for China.

using ndrive, and everything fine, it gives me correct directions and advise speed cameras

idimitro said:
I just joined the android family and I am currently living in China, so I am also looking for offline/turn by turn navigation for android.
It can be paid solution as well. What I need is detailed and accurate maps for China.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look out Navit or it's better fork ZANavi. It uses openstreet maps, offline, free. Not as sexy as paid solutions but works good.
You can download maps from the app, or use this to select a custom area: http://maps5.navit-project.org/

Related

Google Maps

I have been using the Locate Me function on my Windows Mobile device. The service works well as it uses cell tower information. My question is why the iphone gets all the cool stuff. The below link is to a story that talks about Skyhook and using Wifi locations to give a better location on Google Maps. Why cant wifi enabled WM phones have this? This would be awesome for phones without gps. Just a thought. Anyone have any input on this one?
http://www.iphoneatlas.com/2008/03/11/apple-submit-wifi-location-information-to-skyhook/
Is this what you're referring to:
http://www.navizon.com/navizon_v-gps.asp
I have compared this with google maps' locate me and found google maps to be more accurate in general and google is free.
IMHO, a real GPS receiver is a lot better and those are cheap these days (~$50).
but the above referenced service is a part of the google maps that are on the iphone. my question is why this isnt available on WM phones? there may be other services like this but they charge. Google is better and free
tadevinney said:
but the above referenced service is a part of the google maps that are on the iphone. my question is why this isnt available on WM phones? there may be other services like this but they charge. Google is better and free
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
not sure if ur aware.. but ttrans rom has google maps with this app in it.. work on my tmo wing..
wifi
Navizon also uses wifi to help locate you. If you are in an urban area it will be more accurate than Google (but you have to have the premium membership for that accuracy).

Google maps mobile nad HTC Touch Diamond - does it work?

Does GoogleMaps Mobile work on the HTC Touch Diamond?
Does it work with the GPS?
Can you link adresses in your contacts to GoogleMaps mobile?
I am not sure but I think the iPhone can do all that, right?
It "technically works" but will basically "undo" the performance tweaks you did......not sure why, but I believe the Java runtime in use by Google Maps is the issue...I did the following:
1) did the performance tweaks
2) installed some apps, including Google Maps
3) phone was back to crawling speed
4) uninstalled Google Maps
5) Performance returned to post-performance tweak
Just my .02
Pure GPS functionality did indeed work quite well....but performance was killed...
What a bummer... what about WindowsLiveSearch mobile (and its map function)?
Live Search is installed and working fine....makes me think it HAS TO have something to do with the Java Runtime, which is unique to the Google Maps app....
Does Live Search offer map search and gps functionality too?
Is there anything similar like google maps? I really like the feature to put in your locations (which would be done automatically by gps) and search for places of interest... :/
P.S.: And actually, when I think about it... the HTC Touch Diamond comes with GPS and is targeted to be an iPhone killer (sort of). Why would HTC not include Google Maps as a quick an easy solution to take advantage of the phone's functionality. Think about a casual user who wants to find a Starbucks in a foreign city. Or a business man who gets a new meeting with an address he does not know immediately (starting Google maps form the address in your contacts would be so cool).
@HTC: I hope you think about this for the HTC Touch PRO!!!!
//offtopic
baliles said:
3) phone was back to crawling speed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So again the device is "crawiling" out of the box?! Damn you HTC!
Does google sell there maps alone for installation on Storagecard ?
everytime the location needs to be downloaded GPRS
Blackfire said:
Does google sell there maps alone for installation on Storagecard ?
everytime the location needs to be downloaded GPRS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, you have to be connected to the internet (3G ) in order to search and get the maps. That actually is the main purpose: Up to date map searching... online
I've been using Google Maps fine without any performance issues at all.
Haven't tried anything to do with address book integration though.
mouseymousey said:
I've been using Google Maps fine without any performance issues at all.
Haven't tried anything to do with address book integration though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So it does not slow down your device?
You installed Google Maps Mobile, right?
Maybe I can make the developer of PocketInformant make to intergrate MobileLiveSearch/GoogleMaps mobile to be linked with addresses (as an option)
It doesn't seem to have slowed down the device at all, but I did install it quite early on so I may not have noticed.
I might remove it later and see if the device speeds up at all and report back but I have to say right now I'm pretty happy with the performance.
Oh, and yes it was google maps mobile.
I have version 2.1.0.10 installed, and it didn't slow my device down at all.
mouseymousey said:
It doesn't seem to have slowed down the device at all, but I did install it quite early on so I may not have noticed.
I might remove it later and see if the device speeds up at all and report back but I have to say right now I'm pretty happy with the performance.
Oh, and yes it was google maps mobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks
That makes me quite happy right now ^^)
Does it work fine with the built in GPS?
Do you use it on 3G? How long does it take to load a local map and how long does it take to search for local businesses in this area (e.g. McDonalds )
BTW: Does is support VGA or is it all double sized?
Glad to hear not everyone is having the Google Maps issue....for me....I did the following:
- Took it out of the box (was slow as dirt)
- Installed Advanced Config - made performance tweaks (became fast)
- Installed Google Maps (machine slowed although not to the original speed)
- Uninstalled Google Maps (speed returned)
- Installed Live Search & Live Maps for WM
baliles said:
- Installed Live Search & Live Maps for WM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How is live search/maps performing?
Is it working like live search in your browser? (so all europe is available?)
Live Maps mobile does not work for Asian countries. Anyone else has a successful installation and use of Google Maps?
I installed it and it slowed down my diamond badly even after I terminated the program?! weird....
tried installing Google Maps again. Thought I needed to soft reset the phone for it to work properly.
Previous install (w/o soft reset), total memory used was 81% - damn sluggish!
Current install, total memory used 61%
Currently not sluggish at all. I'll play around for a day more and I'll provide updates.
can you tell me how to setup the gps in order to work with google maps?
Thanks a lot!
It just works.
Google maps is also not slow at all??
Works like a charm, I like driving around with GPS on sattelite view, it just as someone is watching me 'from above' Really, really smooth map movement on HSDPA.

Taking the n1 camping. Will navigation work offline?

Is there a way to make maps or navigation pre-load the maps so when I lose connectivity it will still work?
Sent from my Nexus One using XDA App
No.
Sorry.
I'm sure you could buy some third party nav software that allows you to download and store maps, co-pilot maybe?
Co-Pilot, if you have time to DL the maps and what not. And if it is worth $30 to you. Other 3rd party apps may, but not for that cheap. And I don't think Co-Pilot is working on Froyo yet.
you can pre-load one route to work when you lose connection but you won't be able to load a second one once the connection is gone
Thats what I figured. Anyway, thanks for the quick replys guys.
Would be a cool feature if they could add it...I'm sure this happens to a lot of people on long roadtrips where they lose signal.
Maverick can load maps for offline use; but no real navigation though.
Try AndNav2
Since copilot is dead on froyo... Try motonav, I've not tested it on froyo.
I remember google saying they intended to work on making google maps available offline so maybe thatll happen. Navigation is really important when you are in the middle of nowhere trying to get someplace, its essential in my opinion so im kinda surprised it wasnt introduced offline when navigation came out.
The brut version of maps gives you an "cache to sd card" option, but i never tried it. Anybody tried it?
Check out "Maps (-)" by coderminus and "MapDroyd." Both are offline mapping apps. I'm not sure if they'll do navigation, but if you can search for a place and show it on the map while offline, you can navigate yourself. I have them and have been meaning to try them out but haven't have the time or need.
I you're going camping in the middle of nowhere and need offline maps I would use Maverick and set it on Google Terrain map.
You can load all the tiles you need over wifi or use a program like Mobile Atlas Creator to download the tiles for you and copy them to your SD-card.
I assume you're not going to need turn by turn navigation?

gps not workin :/

hi i wanted to say that gps in my xperia is not working, or I dont know how to turn it on.
when i turn on the google maps it says it need data connection, but what if i dont have wi-fi availible?
should I download some other gps program? update quick GPS (i dont even know which version is the newest)
seekin for help, thanks in advance
of course first I set it to port 4, but still need internet , what a crap :S
The fact that Google Maps asks for a data connection has nothing to do with your phones gps capabilities. It simply needs a connection to download the maps from Googles server. If you want an offline solution look for navicomputer at www.navicomputer.com or another program that works offline. Disadvantage: Most of them are commercial.
To use gps with Google Maps you have to activate gps in the settings of Google Maps. And if you want to use quick gps you also need a data connection because it does nothing more than download the current position of the satelites to get a quicker fix.
thank you sir I was almost sure about that, but I didnt want to spend my time downloading my country maps for a long time to offline GPS .. but I have no choice
and btw can anyone of you guys recommend me some kind of freeware gps software for my xperia?
Freeware solutions:
-Navicomputer (Openstreetmap)
-Openmobilemaps (Openstreetmap, small donation required)
-Google Maps (data connection required)
-Bing (data connection required)
There are many other solutions. Search the XDA Forums or like always: Google is your friend.
What is more difficult is finding a freeware point-to-point navigation program. Bing provides this (US only) but most other are commercial software.
ok i downloaded and installed navicomputer, but where do I get maps for it? :S cuz all I see is world map, but i cant zoom in to my country or anything. just google it?
Either use the software for your desktop/ notebook provided by the developer to download maps and transfer them to your device afterwards or download the maps directly to your device using navicomputer (there is a feature to do this). Or switch navi computer to online mode.
If you want more info read through the website of navicomputer or the corresponding thread here at XDA in the "Windows Mobile Development And Hacking\Windows Mobile Apps And Games" section. Like I wrote before: Perform a search here at XDA. Everyone who wants to know something has to, me too
I never use the google maps...
altae, seriously, if navicomputer would work on vista I would do that in a minute, but unfortunately it does not.
and what maps source provider u mean? i dont get it
apologise, i forgot to restart PC after framework installation, after I did it it works perfectly thanks ppl!!
See, I told you it works I hope everything is alright now.
yep, big + for you, cuz u recommended me this and helped me out, as far as im concerned its the best freeware GPS soft
The software is really good. The only problem is the coverage of openstreetmap. If your desired area is covered well everything is great. If not it (bad coverage) renders navicomputer useless. It's coverage can't compete with Google Maps. But at least you can contribute to the openstreetmap project and do some mapping yourself.

[Q] Motonav

When I first began my researches for new smartphone, I think I read MS2 came with a Motonav Demo. I've just got mine but cant find it. Can't find on Android Market either and Motorola Shop don't even show any app (is there something wrong or they haven't launched it on Brazil yet?)
I saw some posts in other forums showing the path (containing a download link) to install it but not sure if I can trust and if it will work on froyo. Anybody?
MotoNav was included in Milestone 1. Milestone 2 has google navigation by default.
kalbit said:
MotoNav was included in Milestone 1. Milestone 2 has google navigation by default.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understand. The big difference is that Google Navigation doesn't have offline maps. Or is there anyway to get offlines maps for it?
Sent from my A953 using XDA App
Yes, google nav is far from perfect I'm not sure if motonav is available for standalone purchase, but there are few others offline nav apps for android. ATM I can remember copilot and navigon. Copilot looks and works nice, but I've heared people complaining about maps being a bit outdated and not precise in some areas. At least in Poland, other countries may have better support. I can't say anything useful about navigon: I looked it up and I didn't like it's interface and graphics, so I've chosen copilot.
Find out that Google Maps 5.0 can work offline using its cache. Just need to navigate trough the map within certain zoom while you still have a connection (such as Wifi).
Some other interesting improvents, too.
Sent from my A953 using XDA App
cadu.c.moraes said:
Understand. The big difference is that Google Navigation doesn't have offline maps. Or is there anyway to get offlines maps for it?
Sent from my A953 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
for offline navigation try use IGO, is a good gps navigator
you can find it at 'black market' or buy it on IGO SHOP for android
i recomend
Google's navigation caches routes before you take them (in the previous version there was a setting to allow it to do this on 3G, but I'm not sure if it's still there). It also stashes away all the stuff it's downloaded before in case you need to go there again. It uses vector graphics rather than tile based stuff too, which means you get a certain amount of available zoom without downloading any more data...works pretty well.
That said, if you need completely offline navigation, there are several programs from GPS vendors available...
I recommend google maps 5
does google maps 5 has been released?
I just downloaded "google map 5" apk but I'm not sure about it cuz the feature is not like whats described in the video.
In google maps 5 it's true that I can tilting and rotating with finger control, the maps loading time also fast but in my "google maps 5" the zoom level is not as big as in the video and there's no 3D building (I searched bryant park in google maps 5, I found it, but it was totally different with what it is look like between in my MS2 and the video trailer)
my question is: do I downloaded the right apk?
elhariz said:
I recommend google maps 5
does google maps 5 has been released?
I just downloaded "google map 5" apk but I'm not sure about it cuz the feature is not like whats described in the video.
In google maps 5 it's true that I can tilting and rotating with finger control, the maps loading time also fast but in my "google maps 5" the zoom level is not as big as in the video and there's no 3D building (I searched bryant park in google maps 5, I found it, but it was totally different with what it is look like between in my MS2 and the video trailer)
my question is: do I downloaded the right apk?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
your motorola should come standard with google maps 5. however, if it doesnt, you can get it from the marketplace for free. there is however a new version of google maps, which is 5.3. according to the post, it should be available from the market place. however if you cant locate it, there are links to download the apk and then install it.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/google-maps-5-3-for-android-available-now/
since its new, i suggest you read the comments before downloading it.
agent008my said:
your motorola should come standard with google maps 5. however, if it doesnt, you can get it from the marketplace for free. there is however a new version of google maps, which is 5.3. according to the post, it should be available from the market place. however if you cant locate it, there are links to download the apk and then install it.
http://www.xda-developers.com/android/google-maps-5-3-for-android-available-now/
since its new, i suggest you read the comments before downloading it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nice info
I've downloaded it and it's still the same.
I still can't see 3d building (in new york) and the zoom level of map terrain cannot reach the level I want.
I'm curious about why I cannot find this apps in android market..
is it because google maps 5 still in beta version or what?
at least, the satelite view is great
elhariz said:
nice info
I've downloaded it and it's still the same.
I still can't see 3d building (in new york) and the zoom level of map terrain cannot reach the level I want.
I'm curious about why I cannot find this apps in android market..
is it because google maps 5 still in beta version or what?
at least, the satelite view is great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you do have the latest version, im not quite sure why you cant see buildings in 3D. i dont seem to have a problem seeing buildings in 3d in new york.
however about you not being to search for google maps on the market place, i had the exact same problem. apparently the reason behind it is because google does not distribute applications in Malaysia and Indonesia and many other countries. therefore, the only other way to work around it will be to root your phone in order to obtain google maps and other such software. as soon as i locate the relevant link ill edit this post with it.
EDIT: here is the post i was looking for. its a similar question i asked some time back and this is the answer i got:
I also from M'sia, but i able to update it by doing some tricks.
U can't update directly if u are from Malaysia because currently M'sia still not in the Market List that fully distributing all applications. This link will provide you with that list:
http://www.google.com/support/androidmarket/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=138294
Solution: Go to Market & try to search "MarketEnabler" and u will know the trick.
U will be surprised by then.
Sorry, there is one more condition: Ur phone need to be Rooted!!
alternately you could view the thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=902151
Hope it helps
agent008my said:
if you do have the latest version, im not quite sure why you cant see buildings in 3D. i dont seem to have a problem seeing buildings in 3d in new york.
however about you not being to search for google maps on the market place, i had the exact same problem. apparently the reason behind it is because google does not distribute applications in Malaysia and Indonesia and many other countries. therefore, the only other way to work around it will be to root your phone in order to obtain google maps and other such software. as soon as i locate the relevant link ill edit this post with it.
EDIT: here is the post i was looking for. its a similar question i asked some time back and this is the answer i got:
I also from M'sia, but i able to update it by doing some tricks.
U can't update directly if u are from Malaysia because currently M'sia still not in the Market List that fully distributing all applications. This link will provide you with that list:
http://www.google.com/support/androidmarket/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=138294
Solution: Go to Market & try to search "MarketEnabler" and u will know the trick.
U will be surprised by then.
Sorry, there is one more condition: Ur phone need to be Rooted!!
alternately you could view the thread
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=902151
Hope it helps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank God I've rooted my phone several days before.
so I installed market enabler and choose to fake my network as verizon.
and it's like magic..I searched "map" in android market then from out of nowhere suddenly google maps showed up at the first row (that's amazing)
then I choose google map and it says "open" rather than "update". It indicates that my maps is in the same version (5.3) with the one in android market.
Then I decide to uninstall update and reinstall it from android market.
It's work, now I can see 3D building on my maps (I like the moment when the buildings growing up from the ground, it's cool)
thank you agent008my now my maps become more colorful
elhariz said:
Thank God I've rooted my phone several days before.
so I installed market enabler and choose to fake my network as verizon.
and it's like magic..I searched "map" in android market then from out of nowhere suddenly google maps showed up at the first row (that's amazing)
then I choose google map and it says "open" rather than "update". It indicates that my maps is in the same version (5.3) with the one in android market.
Then I decide to uninstall update and reinstall it from android market.
It's work, now I can see 3D building on my maps (I like the moment when the buildings growing up from the ground, it's cool)
thank you agent008my now my maps become more colorful
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you're most welcome. glad to be of help enjoy ur maps in 3D

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