Database Info

GPS W/O using internet??

is this possible? because i don't have the add on plan for the internet, is there a program that lets u do this? any help would be great thanks in advance..

GPS does not require an internet connection to work.
You need to purchase or "obtain" mapping software that is compatible with your device. For example, AT&T ships the Tilt with their internet-based TeleNav software, but I purchased and installed TomTom Navigator 6. TomTom will use the built in GPS receiver instead of your phone's data connection.

filo4u said:
is this possible? because i don't have the add on plan for the internet, is there a program that lets u do this? any help would be great thanks in advance..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any program that stores the maps on the device will work without Internet connection. E.g. TomTom. You can use other GPS utilities such as GPSTuner, GPSTest, VisualGPS, etc without requiring data service. If you want to use Googlemaps you will definitely need a data service.

thanks guys for all your help i was using Googlemaps thats why it wouldn't work

Try Earthcomber.com... for no cost GPS
I tried it and is great if you load all the maps you need while you have access to WiFi (no cost). I loaded all of California easily on my 2gig SD card. Then went out and used it and it works great. There can be cost if you want real time directions and need to hook up to the internet via your carrier or if you want to use Earthcomber other services like where is the nearest pizza place.
If you get directions before you leave and have access to WiFi, you can't beat the price... free to enjoy.
So I use Earthcomber, Google Maps, and VisualGPSce.
Another piece of info or tip... if you're ever in need of free WiFi on the road, try parking your car outside the office check-in at some well known hotels. You can get lucky quite often with an open network or easy to figure entry. Just be aware that if you can do it, not so nice people can too. I've done it to send a quick email or quick directions in a pinch.

Preload Google Maps
filo4u said:
thanks guys for all your help i was using Googlemaps thats why it wouldn't work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if it's working, but there's a thread here on xda-developers about saving google maps to storage card...maybe it's also interesting for you...

ok i've installed tomtom but maps aren't up to date how would i update maps because with my tomtom device i can just plug it in and it will run the updates

well if you want traffic updates then most likely you will need an Internet connected

tomsenna said:
I tried it and is great if you load all the maps you need while you have access to WiFi (no cost). I loaded all of California easily on my 2gig SD card. Then went out and used it and it works great. There can be cost if you want real time directions and need to hook up to the internet via your carrier or if you want to use Earthcomber other services like where is the nearest pizza place.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just tried getting Earthcomber to work on my Tilt. I have the software loaded, but for some reason the GPS isn't working and I can't seem to access the maps. It did a auto search for my GPS and it looked like it found it.
Any words of wisdom? Did you run into any problems? Seems like an interesting product. Also, does it work similarly to Helio's buddy beacon? I'm trying to become a bit more familiar with this software.
Thank you!

devonian69 said:
I just tried getting Earthcomber to work on my Tilt. I have the software loaded, but for some reason the GPS isn't working and I can't seem to access the maps. It did a auto search for my GPS and it looked like it found it.
Any words of wisdom? Did you run into any problems? Seems like an interesting product. Also, does it work similarly to Helio's buddy beacon? I'm trying to become a bit more familiar with this software.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you might try running gps test first thats what dutty recomends before runninng gps with all his roms.

A little more info...
I didn't have any problems. If you leave more specific info, I'd be more than happy to help. One thing you can start with, aside from the previous response given to you, take a look at which com port it is using. Go to options,settings, then gps tab.
devonian69 said:
I just tried getting Earthcomber to work on my Tilt. I have the software loaded, but for some reason the GPS isn't working and I can't seem to access the maps. It did a auto search for my GPS and it looked like it found it.
Any words of wisdom? Did you run into any problems? Seems like an interesting product. Also, does it work similarly to Helio's buddy beacon? I'm trying to become a bit more familiar with this software.
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

tomsenna said:
I didn't have any problems. If you leave more specific info, I'd be more than happy to help. One thing you can start with, aside from the previous response given to you, take a look at which com port it is using. Go to options,settings, then gps tab.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its set on Com 4 4800 baud and 1 min (I've played with the baud and comb freq).
The GPS icon turns yellow. Which it says means that it found the gps device but hasn't received a location. I just used google maps and it found my location. I updated the QuickGPS as well - no love there.
I have the Chicago area maps downloaded and got those to show up. I have also restarted the phone a few times just in case. I have the program installed on the device with the maps and data on the MicroSD card. I have run the updater a few times as well. Should I uninstall it and give another go?
Thanks for taking the time to help!
Jim

using Tomtom map data, searching for tomtom software for PPC (kaiser) then last thing in mind to ..... do another searching for unlock the map code.. .. then here we go !!!! - fogot the GPS devices !!!!! (throw them away!!!) . Never pay single cent for data package to provider for google map ect...ect...
Be aware that : US-map data costs 1.2gb in storage. If you wanna play GPS around US, get 2gb micro SD ready !!!
I'm been done with this stuff (took me a lot of time to searching....) and got the excellent GPS in my tilt in result. Good deal !

So close...
Starting fresh often works, so give that a try. I do remember that I got a yellow gps icon at one point but that went away, not sure why. I assume it was just a satelite coverage issue. I think you're almost there. Have you tred VisualGPS or the GPS Test to see if you're getting sufficient satelite coverage?
devonian69 said:
Its set on Com 4 4800 baud and 1 min (I've played with the baud and comb freq).
The GPS icon turns yellow. Which it says means that it found the gps device but hasn't received a location. I just used google maps and it found my location. I updated the QuickGPS as well - no love there.
I have the Chicago area maps downloaded and got those to show up. I have also restarted the phone a few times just in case. I have the program installed on the device with the maps and data on the MicroSD card. I have run the updater a few times as well. Should I uninstall it and give another go?
Thanks for taking the time to help!
Jim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

Google Maps good enough as GPS?

My D2 came preinstalled with google maps. I find it pretty cool.
Why do I need another GPS software such as TomTom 7?
Is it purely for navigation (such as in a car)? Also which software would you recommend?

Why do I need another GPS software such as TomTom 7?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What happens when you're lost somewhere and can't get a 2G/3G signal??

well , a full featured Navigation system will provide a lot of extra features, and is usually faster - unless you have HSDPA
just compare them (youtube videos) with google maps and youll see the differnce

cencored said:
My D2 came preinstalled with google maps. I find it pretty cool.
Why do I need another GPS software such as TomTom 7?
Is it purely for navigation (such as in a car)? Also which software would you recommend?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a stand alone GPS. I've owned TomTom and iGuidance for my phone. I use Google Maps for everything and never touch the others. It does not have all the fancy bells and whistles but to me it's much better. Everything is always up to date. You can get walking directions. You can see street view. You can see satellite view. It does not take up any room on your memory. It's free and always updated.
Between Google Maps and Windows Live Search (Bing.com), I have no need for a paid GPS program.

WMguy said:
I have a stand alone GPS. I've owned TomTom and iGuidance for my phone. I use Google Maps for everything and never touch the others. It does not have all the fancy bells and whistles but to me it's much better. Everything is always up to date. You can get walking directions. You can see street view. You can see satellite view. It does not take up any room on your memory. It's free and always updated.
Between Google Maps and Windows Live Search (Bing.com), I have no need for a paid GPS program.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ditto! No need for anything else.

I think it depends on the region of the world you are travelling in.
Google maps is totally useless here in Japan, and it has limited use in Europe (my opinion) while in US it might replace TomTom or Garmin or ...
I needed Garmin and a special map for Japan, because with Google there is no routing possible here.

Does your Google Maps speak to you? Give you turn by turn directions?

mrmckeb said:
Does your Google Maps speak to you? Give you turn by turn directions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No it doesn't speak, but I can read, and yes it gives turn by turn directions. I have a speaking Garmin, and I spent most of my time reading with it, to help get where I was going.
With street view you can see exactly what the building or place looks like that your going to, I have even seen the front of my house.
Really the only draw back is, you need a good data plan, but I have that for other reasons, so for me that's not an issue.

I'm using Garmin XT and it's much faster (significantly less lag) than Google Maps with 3G...

I have to agree that Google Maps is superb, with its satellite and street views. But, is the TD2 3G radio in combination with a typical network really good enough for serious standalone GPS replacement?
Even in London there are very many weak coverage spots where data transfer hardly works (unless you're willing to hold the phone high in the air, not a "cool" sight!). In the countryside there are huge regions with very little 3G coverage and minimal 2G coverage.

For walking Google Maps is fine, you've got plenty of time to look at it and decide where you want to go, but for driving Google Maps it too slow, as it has to update the maps via download and too small a view to be glanced at while driving, all the dedicated SatNav Driving programs are fast, don't reply on a data connection (which will drop out) and give big clear directions which you only have to glance at, and not take your eyes off the road for too long.

Lots of good points here. I am currently overseas and really need some free gps guidance, so google maps is a nono. I have switched off internet access via my provider completely to avoid horror bills.
So I am looking for a reliable gps software particularly for walking, so it needs to have pedestrian function.
Any recommendations?
Garmin, TomTom, ...??

cencored said:
Lots of good points here. I am currently overseas and really need some free gps guidance, so google maps is a nono. I have switched off internet access via my provider completely to avoid horror bills.
So I am looking for a reliable gps software particularly for walking, so it needs to have pedestrian function.
Any recommendations?
Garmin, TomTom, ...??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where are you? For Asia there is not a lot of possibilities. MapKing is one, GarminXT with some special local maps (in english) the other.

harolds said:
No it doesn't speak, but I can read, and yes it gives turn by turn directions. I have a speaking Garmin, and I spent most of my time reading with it, to help get where I was going.
With street view you can see exactly what the building or place looks like that your going to, I have even seen the front of my house.
Really the only draw back is, you need a good data plan, but I have that for other reasons, so for me that's not an issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Using Google Maps when you are abroad could be a real pain unless you buy local SIM Card .

Google Maps cannot, and I repeat, cannot be used as a GPS in the car. Google Maps even shows this warning when installed.

TyKH said:
Google Maps cannot, and I repeat, cannot be used as a GPS in the car. Google Maps even shows this warning when installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have to agree with u there, tried using it once in a car and got completely lost. you need TURN BY TURN DIRECTIONS FOR IT TO WORK AS A NAVIGATION SYSTEM.

Google Navigator
Have a look at Google Navigator. It solves the problems mentioned above:
you can go online _or_ download a map for a region before starting your trip.
cu
André

GPS app with multiple stops/destinations?

Was wondering if there was a GPS app that allows you to basically plan a route with multiple stops? For example, say my girlfriend wants to go to a bunch of garage sales spread all over the city. Or say I have some items that need to be delivered to various locations through out the city. I want to be able to simply add each address into the app and then have it guide me to each based on location nearest me, then once I've arrived at a location it then guides me to the next stop on the route. I've only really tried google navigator and know it's not a feature of that app as of yet. Anyone know of any that do this, paid or free? Any help appreciated. Thanks.

majik12 said:
Was wondering if there was a GPS app that allows you to basically plan a route with multiple stops? For example, say my girlfriend wants to go to a bunch of garage sales spread all over the city. Or say I have some items that need to be delivered to various locations through out the city. I want to be able to simply add each address into the app and then have it guide me to each based on location nearest me, then once I've arrived at a location it then guides me to the next stop on the route. I've only really tried google navigator and know it's not a feature of that app as of yet. Anyone know of any that do this, paid or free? Any help appreciated. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Technical term: Multi Destination Routing.... You can go for CoPilot, CoPilot also has several features such as fuel prices and multi-destination routing. You can save maps....
. CoPilot’s software works on maps that are downloaded to the SD card on the phone. The larger storage of a SD card allows you to fit the maps for all of North America on the phone. CoPilot also has a nice interface that is easy to use while driving. If you are used to a conventional GPS system like a Garmin, CoPilot is the closest you will come in terms on interface. I also prefer the voice alerts much better on CoPilot than on Google Maps. Copilot does everything you need in a GPS app, even thought it may not include some of the fancier features like Street View.
Pros:
Maps stored on SD card
Live features such as weather, traffic and fuel prices
Most driver rriendly UI
Supports multi-destination routing
Cons:
Price, the app costs $29.99 USD but is only a one time fee
Requires an SD card with at least 2GB of free space

Thanks for the suggestion, that does seem a little pricey but sounds like it's pretty much a full featured GPS and would be worth the money. I'll look into it! Thanks again!!

majik12 said:
Thanks for the suggestion, that does seem a little pricey but sounds like it's pretty much a full featured GPS and would be worth the money. I'll look into it! Thanks again!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was only able to find this with the feature.....

yep...+1 for Copilot....fantastic

sygic as well (my personal fave) - here multiple stops is called an itinerary

Recommend a FREE SATNAV

Hi
I love the look of Sygia Aura Drive Europe but is this free?
also Navigon with the black theme looks sweet
I have used TOMTOM on my TYTNII for years so anything that comes close to these 3 and for free would be awesome
Or is this asking too much?

efcgenius said:
Hi
I love the look of Sygia Aura Drive Europe but is this free?
also Navigon with the black theme looks sweet
I have used TOMTOM on my TYTNII for years so anything that comes close to these 3 and for free would be awesome
Or is this asking too much?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's wrong with Google Navigation?

Just reading about it now
I do already have it installed and didnt know it was a turn by turn app
"Google Maps Navigation requires a data connection to download its routes and mapping data. So if you don't have this at the time you plan your route, you will not be able to use the service. If you veer off the route and recalculation is required, a data connection will also be needed. Without it, navigational instructions will cease"
"There's no built-in Points of Interest database organised by category, and no safety camera information either. There are no speed limit warnings"
I have found skobble by googling, has anyone used this before? and can you compare it to TOMTOM and Google Navigation
Thanks

As far as I am aware Sygia Aura Drive Europe is free to use but my only trouble with it is the maps are SO out dated, probably about 2 years out of date around my town, does not have any of the new road layouts (new=about 2 years ago) but tomtom does, I also used to use tomtom on Wm6.5 and also igo but nothing seems as good on android (unless you have a data plan).

[Q] Maps Update...

So, a Maps update was released to the play store with "better offline support". Now, i've tried it, and - correct me if i'm wrong - it seems to be the same **** as before. You can only select a tiny part of the map, and i don't know if this has changed now, but with older versions of google maps using navigation, it was still using a huge amount of data, even though i downloaded that part of the map first.
I would really like to use Google Maps as my car nav, for its usability and design, but is there STILL no way to actually DOWNLOAD the maps of a whole country, and then NOT have it use data when i'm driving?

jb91 said:
So, a Maps update was released to the play store with "better offline support". Now, i've tried it, and - correct me if i'm wrong - it seems to be the same **** as before. You can only select a tiny part of the map, and i don't know if this has changed now, but with older versions of google maps using navigation, it was still using a huge amount of data, even though i downloaded that part of the map first.
I would really like to use Google Maps as my car nav, for its usability and design, but is there STILL no way to actually DOWNLOAD the maps of a whole country, and then NOT have it use data when i'm driving?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, questions go in the Q&A Section.
Second, I believe the issue is that routes are not calculated on the device. It is my understanding that your position and your destination are sent to Google's servers where a route (or several route options) are calculated using several algorithms. Additionally, without using your connection to Google's servers, you'd never be aware of traffic incidents that would affect your choice of route. Total offline navigation may come in the future, but I don't believe it's really possible now.

jb91 said:
but is there STILL no way to actually DOWNLOAD the maps of a whole country, and then NOT have it use data when i'm driving?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On Google Maps? No.
Should it be possible to do that? Yes. Nokia does it. Does Nokia Maps (when offline) have the level of detail that Google Maps (online) has? No. Also, it takes somewhere between 2-3 GB of storage on Nokia maps.

mrfeuss said:
First, questions go in the Q&A Section.
Second, I believe the issue is that routes are not calculated on the device. It is my understanding that your position and your destination are sent to Google's servers where a route (or several route options) are calculated using several algorithms. Additionally, without using your connection to Google's servers, you'd never be aware of traffic incidents that would affect your choice of route. Total offline navigation may come in the future, but I don't believe it's really possible now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i am using an external app that is doing exactly that - navigation without ANY data usage and the possibility to download whole countries - obviously without any real-time traffic information then. I don't like the looks of it as much as Google Maps, but at least you can use it as a nav. Traffic information is something that would barely use any data anyway, and if the calculation of the routes actually goes through Google's servers (and you're unable to deactivate this), then this is simply bad design and it renders the whole Google Maps Navigation virtually useless. If you're crossing your country's border and don't want to activate Roaming, the navigation stops, simply because it needs a connection (for whatever). If you're on a low data plan, you can't use it either, because it's just burning through those MBs, even if you did use the cumbersome offline map selection to pre-download some small area.
I just don't get how this is meant to be used.

jb91 said:
Well i am using an external app that is doing exactly that - navigation without ANY data usage and the possibility to download whole countries - obviously without any real-time traffic information then. I don't like the looks of it as much as Google Maps, but at least you can use it as a nav. Traffic information is something that would barely use any data anyway, and if the calculation of the routes actually goes through Google's servers (and you're unable to deactivate this), then this is simply bad design and it renders the whole Google Maps Navigation virtually useless. If you're crossing your country's border and don't want to activate Roaming, the navigation stops, simply because it needs a connection (for whatever). If you're on a low data plan, you can't use it either, because it's just burning through those MBs, even if you did use the cumbersome offline map selection to pre-download some small area.
I just don't get how this is meant to be used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ever tried to give your phone voice commands without internet? Generally speaking, Google services require an internet connection. It's kind of what their whole business is built on. It's far from ideal but it's the nature of the beast.
If you require offline turn by turn navigation just use the 3rd party apps such as the one you're already using.

Are you sure it's using a lot of data? I have a N7 2013 Wifi version. I used tethering with my N5 to use google maps on the tablet and it uses 5 mbs during 20 min of driving. I also think most of that was used when I first turned it on to find location. Considering every time you refresh facebook it uses about 1 mb, I don't think that's a lot at all and low data plans should be able to handle it.

PsychDrummer said:
Are you sure it's using a lot of data? I have a N7 2013 Wifi version. I used tethering with my N5 to use google maps on the tablet and it uses 5 mbs during 20 min of driving. I also think most of that was used when I first turned it on to find location. Considering every time you refresh facebook it uses about 1 mb, I don't think that's a lot at all and low data plans should be able to handle it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i have 250 MB a month, so if it's using 5 MB for no apparent reason every time i try to use the navigation, then this is too much.

jb91 said:
Well i have 250 MB a month, so if it's using 5 MB for no apparent reason every time i try to use the navigation, then this is too much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol, i use a minimum of 400mb data per day. in reality, 5mb data isnt very much, barely any actually. maybe its time to upgrade your plan? or maybe a smartphone isnt right for you?

simms22 said:
lol, i use a minimum of 400mb data per day. in reality, 5mb data isnt very much, barely any actually. maybe its time to upgrade your plan? or maybe a smartphone isnt right for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who cares? And how is 5 mb data for no reason not much, when i'm on a 250 mb plan? Maybe thinking before typing isn't right for you?

jb91 said:
Who cares? And how is 5 mb data for no reason not much, when i'm on a 250 mb plan? Maybe thinking before typing isn't right for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you have a 250mb data plan, your smartphone is useless most the time unless you are always around wifi. and still, 5mb data is not much, regardless of what your data plan allows. again, upgrade your data plan, or understand that your tiny allotment of data is tiny. it doesnt make the 5mb data used seem more than it is, 5mb is still 5mb, regardless of how much data you are allowed to use. 5mb is not much data.

simms22 said:
if you have a 250mb data plan, your smartphone is useless most the time unless you are always around wifi. and still, 5mb data is not much, regardless of what your data plan allows. again, upgrade your data plan, or understand that your tiny allotment of data is tiny. it doesnt make the 5mb data used seem more than it is, 5mb is still 5mb, regardless of how much data you are allowed to use. 5mb is not much data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you actually serious right now? If you're on a plan with 4 GB a month, 5 MB is not a lot of data. If you're on a plan with 250 MB a month, 5 MB is a lot of data.
If you are a billionaire, 10000$ is not a lot of money. If you work at McDonalds, 10000$ is a lot of money.
Also, my smartphone is "useless" most of the time because i'm not using a lot of data? It's useless because things like WhatsApp, mails, news, and so on don't use a lot of data? Could you please stop posting in my thread?

jb91 said:
Are you actually serious right now? If you're on a plan with 4 GB a month, 5 MB is not a lot of data. If you're on a plan with 250 MB a month, 5 MB is a lot of data.
If you are a billionaire, 10000$ is not a lot of money. If you work at McDonalds, 10000$ is a lot of money.
Also, my smartphone is "useless" most of the time because i'm not using a lot of data? It's useless because things like WhatsApp, mails, news, and so on don't use a lot of data? Could you please stop posting in my thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesnt matter how much data you are allowed, 5mb is not much. just because your data plan is tiny, it doesnt make 5mb seem any bigger than it is. yes, you can use a "dumbphone" for your apparent smartphone use. and the answer to your question is no, i post wherever i feel like it.

simms22 said:
it doesnt matter how much data you are allowed, 5mb is not much. just because your data plan is tiny, it doesnt make 5mb seem any bigger than it is. yes, you can use a "dumbphone" for your apparent smartphone use. and the answer to your question is no, i post wherever i feel like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
k.

jb91 said:
So, a Maps update was released to the play store with "better offline support". Now, i've tried it, and - correct me if i'm wrong - it seems to be the same **** as before. You can only select a tiny part of the map, and i don't know if this has changed now, but with older versions of google maps using navigation, it was still using a huge amount of data, even though i downloaded that part of the map first.
I would really like to use Google Maps as my car nav, for its usability and design, but is there STILL no way to actually DOWNLOAD the maps of a whole country, and then NOT have it use data when i'm driving?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry Google doesn't cater to your specific want.
I love Maps and use it all the time and it works wonderful for me. You should probably use something else as it sounds like this app is not for you.

tgrgrd00 said:
I'm sorry Google doesn't cater to your specific want.
I love Maps and use it all the time and it works wonderful for me. You should probably use something else as it sounds like this app is not for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the app too. Since i don't use Facebook or anything data-heavy when i'm outside (aka away from wifi), my low data plan works fine, except for Google Maps navigation. That's why i am using another navigation app that's 100% usable offline, even though i would prefer Google Maps.

maps generally IS a huge data hog. with your data allotment for your plan, it sounds like maps isnt right for your use(even though you like to use it). unfortunately, it is what it is. maybe in the future itll use much less data, or will be made to be more useful when offline, but for now its a beast that demands to be fed by data.

jb91 said:
Well i have 250 MB a month, so if it's using 5 MB for no apparent reason every time i try to use the navigation, then this is too much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it's not for "no apparent reason". You're using 5 mb in order to use your navigation, just like you will use 5 mb to check your email a couple of times.

PsychDrummer said:
But it's not for "no apparent reason". You're using 5 mb in order to use your navigation, just like you will use 5 mb to check your email a couple of times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what exactly justifies 5 mb for a quick navigation through an area that i've pre-downloaded before?

jb91 said:
what exactly justifies 5 mb for a quick navigation through an area that i've pre-downloaded before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you predownload a large area, it doesnt grab the detail. main roads/highways it would get, but the smaller roads and such remain for your data connection to grab when theres a need for them.