I've searched and searched...
but does GPS and Wireless location / network continuously run if I have them on?
Or do they only run when I have an app that uses these functions?
They continuously run.
|Spike|
I don't know about the wireless part, I doubt that it uses any perceptible extra power anyways, but the GPS only runs when you are actually using a GPS program. You can tell because the GPS icon is on or blinking. If the icon isn't there, it isn't running.
Idk, I notice that if I turn GPS on and then immediately go into a program that uses it (like Maps) it will take 15-45 seconds to locate me. But if I activate it, let it sit for some time and then go into a program, it finds me almost immediately. That to me seems like its been working in the background on getting a signal.
|Spike|
Or that it simply caches your location.
Does your experience include a location change between these start and reuse periods?
-bZj
xdavidn88 said:
Or do they only run when I have an app that uses these functions?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Coarse location (using cell network tower) is passive and always running. Fine location (GPS) only powers up when a device asks for it. When you open your Maps application (and provided you have Enable GPS ticked) it will start up the GPS module. If its a cold start, it could take up to a minute. Apps can also call the GPS without your direct intervention, if for example they are coded to wake on a timed period and collect GPS data.
Download this app from market, start it, it ALWAYS locks on immediately, then start google navigation. No workarounds, no fiddling with gps settings, no cursing samsung, no sh*t!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Really? Straight from the market quote:
"AT&T Mark the Spot is an application that provides customers a means to provide feedback on network user experience on AT&T"
How does this affect GPS?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
cappysw10 said:
Really? Straight from the market quote:
"AT&T Mark the Spot is an application that provides customers a means to provide feedback on network user experience on AT&T"
How does this affect GPS?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sends AT&T information on signal strength, etc. as well as your GPS location, so they can fine tune connectivity issues in that area. So it does have to do with GPS stuff. I suppose it's possible that it fixes the GPS stuff too, temporarily. Anyone else want to test and verify?
I installed the AT&T app and tried it and it worked! I haven't been able to get a GPS lock inside my house since I bought this thing, but I got one sitting in my office here in about 10 seconds. Launched the AT&T app first, then went to Maps and it popped right up. Until Samsung/AT&T can push a fix, I think this will work as a good work-around. Thanks!
I tried it and at first I thought it worked, but I had wiring on, so it was just using thuat... I turned it off and it returned to being four or more blocks away from where I am with a massive blue circle covering almost my entire town. Sigh.
cappysw10 said:
Really? Straight from the market quote:
"AT&T Mark the Spot is an application that provides customers a means to provide feedback on network user experience on AT&T"
How does this affect GPS?
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
When you click Install, it says:
This application has access to the following:
Your Location
coarse (network-based) location, fine (GPS) location
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So I'd say it has something to do with GPS.......
that being said, I haven't seen an immediate change as the OP said, but I'll give it some time and not slam this based on the first 2 minutes of using it!
I installed it and using both wifi and gps settings it's still off by 5 miles! Come on AT&T/Samsung get you act together.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
The app probably set the GPS to 'MS Assited' mode because it needs the raw sat data and caculate your location from the server end, instead of on your phone. That's why it is fast and accurate (as long as you're not moving much). But it won't really cure your GPS problem because you will need your GPS on standalone or MS Based mode for your Nav app.
this is looking like it works, folks..... I have the GPS recommended fix settings from the stickied thread, and I'm getting good results with this! Connects fast and has not lost signal while driving - two very common issues people are having.... I haven't had anything to complain over, especially if you understand that you can't open and close a bunch of apps that use GPS at once while the other is trying to get a lock - for the first time EVER, Seesmic was able to find my location to post a tweet while indoors at home, it sure didn't do that before downloading this app!
GarciaM25 said:
When you click Install, it says:
So I'd say it has something to do with GPS.......
that being said, I haven't seen an immediate change as the OP said, but I'll give it some time and not slam this based on the first 2 minutes of using it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That permission request message actually a pretty good indicator that it goes through the same api that every other gps app on the market goes through. (locationProvider methods) I dont see how it could do anything...but hey who knows.
Tried it. Still not accurate. Off by approximately 4-6 blocks. I'm in my house with one/two bar's on 3g.
I've been telling samsung about this for about a week now. They have passed the info to their R&D folks working on the GPS issue.
Doesn't do a thing for me.
I'm pretty sure that the GPS software issues are at a lower level. All the apps that use location based services (Google Maps, Navigate, Yelp, Around Me, etc.) can use the same functions to activate the GPS and obtain a location. It is VERY unlikely that an app will write it's own low-level code to operate the GPS hardware - mostly because it costs more money to develop in that manner. Also, as a developer it's usually better to assume that existing code has been tested and is safe to re-use.
its from att so its not a fix
sent from a 42 node T.I. 89 cluster
I changed my gps server to supl.google.com and that with gps test (From the app store) really helps you lock on. If it locks usually pretty quick 20-30 secs its less than 16 feet... Lock first with gps test and then navigation... Locks 80% of the time pretty quickly and you see the triangulation of the satellites. Faster if you are outside obviously.....
I cant find this app neither the Market or AppBrain . Could you guide me to install the Mark the Spot. Tks
batis said:
I cant find this app neither the Market or AppBrain . Could you guide me to install the Mark the Spot. Tks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the AT&T app center in the market.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Thanks for the recommendation. Unfortunately, at this point I think my GPS is completely borked.
I had been using Runkeeper to prime my GPS for a couple days, but that stopped working. Mark the Spot isn't giving me a lock either. I'm outside on a clear day, and it's been trying to lock for about six minutes. Position Test is reporting eight satellites in view, but no dice.
It's great when these workarounds work, but it will be nice if and when Samsung is able to fix this.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I89dice7 using XDA App
Have read similar results in other forums about firing up AT&T Navigator, but not accepting EULA and starting Google Maps? Pretty close, but nowhere near acuracy of any three previous HTC devices I have owned. I also didn't update Google Maps as recommended elsewhere also
Flashed my phone to the JH3 firmware with SRE 1.2.1a and tayutama lag fix ext2. So far ive been getting gps lock in under 5 seconds outside and at the most 15 seconds inside my house or job with 5 meter accuracy. Still a little lag with the gps while using google navigation, but like 200% better then when i first got the phone.
Hi guys! New to the forum and the Android OS. I've just purchased the Nexus S a couple of weeks ago and the phone is great except for a couple of minor details, but one thing really bothers me is the GPS. When I'm connected to wi-fi, Google maps is able to tell me my location fairly accurately. However, outdoors with no wi-fi, I try to have the settings to locate me based on satellite, but that always give me a "your current location is temporarily unavailable" message. I'm basically completely outdoors with view of the clear blue sky and it will always give me this message. Is something wrong
I've searched on the forum but nothing that answers my question. Anyone?
Hi,
Based on your question I am not shure if you are aware of the following:
GPS is only one of several location detection methods used by your phone. Another one is based on WIFI hotspots in range. Basically the phone scans the wifi frequencies to look for ALL hotspots in range and then sends this list of hotspots to google (only if some kind of internet access is available to the phone!). When this combination of hotspots is known to google, your phone gets an estimated location back from the google server. So from what you write, it is possible that you never had a gps fix, even when you got a (fairly good) location based on wifi.
I suggest you install some gps software other than google maps to check the functionality of your device. I use "GPS test", should be on the market. All it does, is scanning for satellites and displaying the list of discovered satelites. When the signal is good enough, you get a "U" in the column "flags" for the locked satellites.
Attention! You must start the scan manually from the apps context menu.
cheers
Yeah you gotta turn on your GPS for a more accurate reading if you're using maps or other navigational app
Sent from my Nexus S 4G using XDA App
Just an update. I haven't needed to use the GPS lately, but this week I decided to try again, and before, I have gotten a GPS fix with the GPS Test app. But that signal never lasts very long and it also takes a really long time for the app to use the satellite to lock on to my location. The GPS indicator on the top left of the app is usually yellow and only after a long time does it turn green, but sometimes it never turns green even with 7 or 8 satellites in view. Is this just a limitation of mobile GPS in cell phones?
I don't have a data plan so I can't connect to the internet while on the road, hence the need for GPS without having internet access.
As long as you have the SIM inserted, not on airplane mode and gps is turned on, and nothing is wrong with your phone hardware I don't see why it shouldn't get location fix outdoor.
There are some good offline maps like Osmand and MapDroyd.
Looks like my wife left her phone on top of the car and drove off. There is a limited window of battery life left and I have already downloaded a few dead end programs to the phone. Wheres My Droid app gave us the 3000m radius but could do better with a GPS signal. I cant seem to find an app that will remotely install a GPS switcher and also run it to meet my needs. All the auto-on GPS apps I can find are for Android 2.2 and LOWER. Seems the capability was neutralized without root after that update.
If anyone knows of any apps to help me out, now is the time. It would be much appreciated. Looking for a GPS auto-install Auto on app or something like Wheres My Droid that will auto activate GPS and send coordinates.
TIA
Hi,
We have a family member that is "demntia", he starts to forget and has started to find his way home. He always brings his phone(Galaxy S3). Is there an app that we can install and see his(phones) location if he is not home at a usual time?
The app only need to display his location, when we activate it. Preferably a web service we can log into.
I've found some apps, but the will let you lock the phone, take pictures, bring out an alarm etc, we don't need that.
We also prefer that the app is somehow hided when we activate the tracking, so it wount annoy him. It doesn't need to be superhided, just so that an eldery man who only use the phone to call/sms woun't notice the app.
Any suggestions?