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[REQ] Use G1 as GPS Reciever for PC? Utilize NEMA output of GPS and redirect to PC.

Hello,
I did quite some searching on this topic but nothing to be found. Maybe some developers can shed some light on this issue?
Many developers have written excellent applications that take the GPS output of the phone and display your coordinates, altitude, speed, and other variables. Presumably, this information can be gathered without the need for a data application.
Now, let's say the data format that the GPS is outputted in (NEMA Standard) is slipstreamed consistently into a Maps application (like Microsoft Streets & Maps), then you would have a winner. The combination of preloaded maps with the power of the GPS receiver in the G1 would give you awesome maps functionality on the cheap (perfect for that Netbook).
However, much GPS status applications only display the output on screen. While it is nice to have a coordinate staring at you in the face, that's all it's doing. Instead, utilizing those NEMA values for the computer to interpret would simplify the process.
My friend and I proposed a couple of concepts on how to take this on:
1) Upload the NEMA data to a server
*Okay idea but defeats the purpose of going Data-less. I might as well use Google Maps
2) Upload the NEMA data to a local server
*Good idea but if the laptop is connected to an ad-hoc network or some weird [sic] network, the phone maybe unable to connect to the same network (i.e. business-style wifi logins)
3) Bluetooth. Beam data through OBEX file transfer or other method.
*Better idea but the implementation of bluetooth in Android does not currently support OBEX file transfers or other pairing mechanisms. Would this be possible to carry out?
4) Serial output via USB.
*Best idea. This would put the GPS receiver in tandem to the other devices.
So...any ideas? Would love to hear them. Are there people who could utilize such functionality for a netbook/laptop combination? Spill your comments, questions, concerns.
Developers, feel free to chime in at any time Thanks.
~NerveBand

try BlueNMEA witch is avaible on the market, it send NMEA over bluetooth.

So does anyone use BlueNMEA and if so can you help set mine up. I cant seem to find any real documentation.
Are there any other options for utilizing the gps on a program like streets and trips?

Can anyone confirm blueNEMA and CM-4.1.9999?
Has anyone successfully gotten this blueNEMA working with a G1 + Bluetooth + Laptop and Streets and Trips?

Love to get this working too... I have the BlueNMEA installed, paird with my laptop over BT but I cant get MS Streets and Trips to see it, if I scan it doesnt see it either... weird.

Here's a bit of documentation I found: http://git.snow-crash.org/?p=blue-nmea.git;a=blob_plain;f=README

Sorry for the bump, but...
Is there any possibility of this ever working over USB rather than bluetooth?

Bluetooth GPS Receiver

Will it ever be possible for Android to be able to interface to a Bluetooth GPS Receiver for use in programs like Google Maps?
What sounds like such a simple thing which would give me some respite on my Samsung Galaxy S.
Cheers
Simon

I am curious also.

i need that too

I know that most of the Bluetooth GPS receivers use a simulated Comm port. As long as Android can use the Comm port and receive position data through ASCII sentences, then it should be fine.

i'm gonna try BlueNMEA (it's on the market)
i'll report back
edit: the app seems to be broken :\

If there is an app for NMEA data, that is a good sign. NMEA uses ASCII text strings to send data. To be honest, I know that Garmin's Bluetooth receivers will send NMEA data to the phone.
Sent from my Garminfone using XDA App

Any news on this topic?
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

Look for "Bluetooth GPS Provider" or "Bluetooth GPS mouse" in the market...

I didn't want to pay for something like that and I did not understand why I should give phone call or network access for such an application...
So I've have developed mine:
it' free,
it's open-source (you can verify what it's really doing and you can improve it!),
it just asks for needed permissions.
The application allows to use an external bluetooth GPS on Android devices:
The application starts a service, then connects to a Bluetooth device (NMEA GPS) and creates a mock GPS provider which can be used to replace the internal GPS.
It's also possible to log the external GPS NMEA data in a file on the device.
The app need the following permissions:
bluetooth and bluetooth admin (connection to the GPS device),
location and mock location (replace the GPS location provider by a new one using the bluetooth GPS device),
write external storage (if you want to log the NMEA data into a file on the sdcard).
It should run on all android devices (2.0 and above) and NMEA bluetooth devices.
I have tested it with a GlobalSat BT-338 bluetooth GPS (SiRF III), a Galaxy S (I9000) and a HTC Sapphire (Froyo CM-6).
It works with Google Maps, Wikitude, GoPenS and my own personal navigation app. It should work with all applications that use Android official location API.
Note: in order to install the app:
enable Settings/Applications/Unknown sources,
enable Settings/Applications/Development/Allow mock locations,
download and install the apk.
Project page:
Bluetooth GPS for Android on SourceForge
BlueGPS4Droid apk: BlueGps4Droid_1.0.apk

herbert1 said:
I didn't want to pay for something like that and I did not understand why I should give phone call or network access for such an application...
So I've have developed mine:
it' free,
it's open-source (you can verify what it's really doing and you can improve it!),
it just asks for needed permissions.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow, went from zero of these to three or more.. More is good I guess! Does yours reconnect to the GPS when the connection is lost (walk away from the GPS, GPS accidentally gets turned off in pocket, etc)? What happens if you turn off the phone (hit power button.. standby), does it disconnect? Reconnect? What happens to apps while running, do they pick back up, or reconnect to the internal GPS?
EDIT: It disconnects. You should have it reconnect, especially if the signal was just lost watch for the device to become available again, and it'd also be really nice if it could do it automatically even if not just used; ie I get in the car, fire up the Holux 236 and a few seconds later your program connects to it.
Very very nice start, worked as well as the Bluetooth GPS Mouse program I've been using for a few weeks.. No sat or fix info, but that's a limitation of the Mock interface of course. Not much to be done there.

And it will be great if supports usb gps too. I have an android device with usb host and a usb gps, so will be great if we can attach a serial port to the mock gps in your app.
Thanks.
Corvus.

I actually have stopped using this, as about 50% of the time my phone is freezing when entering Waze with it enabled, 0% of the time without it or using Bluetooth GPS Mouse.
But it is a new program, it has room to grow.

khaytsus said:
Wow, went from zero of these to three or more.. More is good I guess! Does yours reconnect to the GPS when the connection is lost (walk away from the GPS, GPS accidentally gets turned off in pocket, etc)? What happens if you turn off the phone (hit power button.. standby), does it disconnect? Reconnect? What happens to apps while running, do they pick back up, or reconnect to the internal GPS?
EDIT: It disconnects. You should have it reconnect, especially if the signal was just lost watch for the device to become available again,
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have this kind of problems in my car, so I haven't planned anything for that. For now, I have preferred that, in case of problems, everything stops properly. However I will verify what I can do (if I can find a simple way to do this).
and it'd also be really nice if it could do it automatically even if not just used; ie I get in the car, fire up the Holux 236 and a few seconds later your program connects to it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A priori, no good way for doing this with the sdk. If we have a background task, which runs looking for the GPS mouse to often it won't be good for the battery.
Generally you have to switch on the GPS, so It should not really be a problem to start the service at the same time, especially if, as I do, you plug the android device in a car dock...
Very very nice start, worked as well as the Bluetooth GPS Mouse program I've been using for a few weeks.. No sat or fix info, but that's a limitation of the Mock interface of course. Not much to be done there.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use the extra info in the location to have the number of sat used.
However, if Google has made a better Mock API, we should be able to use GPS Test directly...
Thanks for your comments,
Herbert

Hello,
I downloaded the file but that is not apk but zip and does not include any apy files.
Where can i download the bluegps4droid.apk file from? or How can I use the zip file in the android unit?
Thanks for the help
Sandor

Any Hope for Android 1.6?
I just tried Bluetooth GPS for Android but sadly found out it won't work with Android 1.6 such as used by my Archos 5 Internet Tablet.
Any hope for 1.6 support? Is it even possible?
I imagine the other two solutions suggested here were not found in my Market because they are 2.x only as well. Boo. I was so looking forward to this solving all my problems of the craptastic GPS in that device.

herbert1 said:
I didn't want to pay for something like that and I did not understand why I should give phone call or network access for such an application...
So I've have developed mine:
it' free,
it's open-source (you can verify what it's really doing and you can improve it!),
it just asks for needed permissions.
The application allows to use an external bluetooth GPS on Android devices:
The application starts a service, then connects to a Bluetooth device (NMEA GPS) and creates a mock GPS provider which can be used to replace the internal GPS.
It's also possible to log the external GPS NMEA data in a file on the device.
The app need the following permissions:
bluetooth and bluetooth admin (connection to the GPS device),
location and mock location (replace the GPS location provider by a new one using the bluetooth GPS device),
write external storage (if you want to log the NMEA data into a file on the sdcard).
It should run on all android devices (2.0 and above) and NMEA bluetooth devices.
I have tested it with a GlobalSat BT-338 bluetooth GPS (SiRF III), a Galaxy S (I9000) and a HTC Sapphire (Froyo CM-6).
It works with Google Maps, Wikitude, GoPenS and my own personal navigation app. It should work with all applications that use Android official location API.
Note: in order to install the app:
enable Settings/Applications/Unknown sources,
enable Settings/Applications/Development/Allow mock locations,
download and install the apk.
Project page:
Bluetooth GPS for Android on SourceForge
BlueGPS4Droid apk: BlueGps4Droid_1.0.apk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Any way you could port this to android 1.6 ? everyone with an archos needs this app cause the gps that is in it is terrible . Please please please port it to android 1.6 .

I've been in touch with a developer of one of these programs and unfortunately it is not possible to port these apps to 1.6 since 1.6 lacks some of the Bluetooth APIs/libraries needed for the functionality. Without a whole lot of messy programming it isn't possible for these apps to work on 1.6.

Can I use an USB GPS receivier instead of a Bluetooth one?

Stefem said:
Can I use an USB GPS receivier instead of a Bluetooth one?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure that such app exists...
Some devices (some tablets for example) have usb host capabilities, but not all of them.
If you can read the NMEA sentences from the USB GPS, it should be feasible (At least to adapt one of the app used with bluetooth GPS).

Thanks for this great App!
Wow!
Thanks Herbert1, this was exactly what I was looking for. I am using you app with a Samsung Galaxy S and a Columbus v900 BT GPS reciever. The reciever does the logging and is WAY faster and more accurate then the internal GPS android gives me.

Non-Market Bluetooth GPS Fix

After days of trying to get the Bluetooth GPS from the Market I stumbled across an alternative to the Market Download. This works with Google Maps, Navigation, Accuweather and other GPS apps. Cannot post link due to forum restrictions. but you can figure it out or post the link as a reply.
Works on Gtablet TnT Lite 2.2 / TomTom Bluetooth GPS.
Its open source maybe add it to the next upgrade roebert.
bluegps4droid sourceforge.net/p/bluegps4droid/home/
Bluetooth GPS for Android is an application for using an external bluetooth GPS on Android devices.
The application starts a service, then connects to a Bluetooth device (NMEA GPS) and creates a mock GPS provider which can be used to replace the internal GPS.
It's also possible to log the external GPS NMEA data in a file on the device.
It's an open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU General Public License GPLv3 logo.

2insane said:
After days of trying to get the Bluetooth GPS from the Market I stumbled across an alternative to the Market Download. This works with Google Maps, Navigation, Accuweather and other GPS apps. Cannot post link due to forum restrictions. but you can figure it out or post the link as a reply.
Works on Gtablet TnT Lite 2.2 / TomTom Bluetooth GPS.
Its open source maybe add it to the next upgrade roebert.
bluegps4droid sourceforge.net/p/bluegps4droid/home/
Bluetooth GPS for Android is an application for using an external bluetooth GPS on Android devices.
The application starts a service, then connects to a Bluetooth device (NMEA GPS) and creates a mock GPS provider which can be used to replace the internal GPS.
It's also possible to log the external GPS NMEA data in a file on the device.
It's an open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU General Public License GPLv3 logo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this, I went through hell finding BTGPS, (downloaded on my phone, yanked off, pushed via adb) only to find that it's sort of unreliable as far as connecting. I was really hurting for an alternative and this seems it could be the one! They seriously just need to allow http download of all free android apps... it's a win/win, and it'll save a lot of people from frustration.

2insane said:
After days of trying to get the Bluetooth GPS from the Market I stumbled across an alternative to the Market Download. This works with Google Maps, Navigation, Accuweather and other GPS apps. Cannot post link due to forum restrictions. but you can figure it out or post the link as a reply.
Works on Gtablet TnT Lite 2.2 / TomTom Bluetooth GPS.
Its open source maybe add it to the next upgrade roebert.
bluegps4droid sourceforge.net/p/bluegps4droid/home/
Bluetooth GPS for Android is an application for using an external bluetooth GPS on Android devices.
The application starts a service, then connects to a Bluetooth device (NMEA GPS) and creates a mock GPS provider which can be used to replace the internal GPS.
It's also possible to log the external GPS NMEA data in a file on the device.
It's an open source software distributed free of charge under the terms of the GNU General Public License GPLv3 logo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
bluegps4droid :
http://sourceforge.net/p/bluegps4droid/home/
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=833094

Thanks
Thanks for posting the links, newbies are restricted.

Mock Locations Disabled
Google Maps still can't find my location. Trying to use a TomTom BlueTooth Wireless Receiver. (Not sure it is seeing satellites). Enabled mock locations. Scratching my head.
I believe the TomTom is finding satellites (flashing green light) and BlueGPS4Droid tells me it is connecting to the unit via bluetooth. I have enabled mock locations. Any other settings in BG4D that need to be tweaked? SRIS?
My understanding is that I should be able to have GoogleMaps recognize my location (via GPS) and then if I drive around, follow me on the map. I am unable to make that happen.
GoogleMaps 5.0
BlueGPS4Droid 1.20
TomTom 9T00.001S

anjenaire said:
Google Maps still can't find my location. Trying to use a TomTom BlueTooth Wireless Receiver. (Not sure it is seeing satellites). Enabled mock locations. Scratching my head.
I believe the TomTom is finding satellites (flashing green light) and BlueGPS4Droid tells me it is connecting to the unit via bluetooth. I have enabled mock locations. Any other settings in BG4D that need to be tweaked? SRIS?
My understanding is that I should be able to have GoogleMaps recognize my location (via GPS) and then if I drive around, follow me on the map. I am unable to make that happen.
GoogleMaps 5.0
BlueGPS4Droid 1.20
TomTom 9T00.001S
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is GPS location enabled ?
If yes, can you generate a NMEA track ?
If the track remains empty, then GPS4Droid doesn't receive NMEA data from the GPS... some GPS (as the SIRF ones) can be configured to send binary data.
If the track is not empty, the connection is OK. Then you could look into the track in order to verify if you have a fix...
With a cold start it can take several minutes before the first fix.

[Q] Google Navigation jiggles

Hi!
I'm using my tf in my car as navigation system. I have the direct comparison to my Samsung Galaxy S (SGS) smart phone and I have to say that Google Navigation isn't running smooth for me. When driving through the streets, the displayed position jumps or jiggles from point to point in an interval with about 6 seconds. My SGS can handle this smooth, with the arrow moving in a constant speed over the maps.
First I expected that the TF has a worse GPS module but it seems that the GPS receiving is pretty good with other diagnostic apps. Could it be that Google Navigation runs better on a slower and older device?
How can I fix this problem? I have the newest OTA update from 25th Aug for DE.
thx

Could you try another navigation software? May be its some of the background app/temps.

How are you getting your Map update?
You will need a 3G data to push the maps (unless you have pre-downloaded them first of course).

Beards said:
How are you getting your Map update?
You will need a 3G data to push the maps (unless you have pre-downloaded them first of course).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I activate wlan tethering on my phone and connect the tablet over wlan. Works very good and the map updating is pretty fast. It also possible to listen to webstreams or watch youtube without any problem so I don't expect a problem on the internet connection.
thx for your answer anyway

Can somebody confirm, that it should be possible to have a smooth navigation in google maps navigation? Maybe it is a basically problem with the transformer?

fpdragon said:
I activate wlan tethering on my phone and connect the tablet over wlan. Works very good and the map updating is pretty fast. It also possible to listen to webstreams or watch youtube without any problem so I don't expect a problem on the internet connection.
thx for your answer anyway
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Understood.....
Try this and see if there is any difference:-
Next time you have a WLAN connection on your TF load Google Maps and download a map you would use for a particular journey.
When you next go out try using just your TF (not tethered) and the downloaded map.
Basically at this stage all we are trying to ascertain if the issue is with tethering or map updates.

Beards said:
Understood.....
Try this and see if there is any difference:-
Next time you have a WLAN connection on your TF load Google Maps and download a map you would use for a particular journey.
When you next go out try using just your TF (not tethered) and the downloaded map.
Basically at this stage all we are trying to ascertain if the issue is with tethering or map updates.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2 things:
first... I think the beta labs feature to download maps is just for google maps and not google maps navigation. anyway... I make an offline test.
second... Do you mean to make a test without wlan or bluetooth enabled? Right now there must be much wireless traffic in my car:
bluetooth: phone to parrot
bluetooth: tablet to parrot
wlan: phone to tablet
other wireless: parrot wireless steering wheel remote
Maybe something of these disturbs the GPS?

Your phone is cheating. It has an assisted GPS that uses both GPS and cell triangulation to speed up lock and help maintain location when GPS is weak, without cellular your tf has to rely only on a limited GPS chip.

ryan stewart said:
Your phone is cheating. It has an assisted GPS that uses both GPS and cell triangulation to speed up lock and help maintain location when GPS is weak, without cellular your tf has to rely only on a limited GPS chip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I was building up to Ryan.

ryan stewart said:
Your phone is cheating. It has an assisted GPS that uses both GPS and cell triangulation to speed up lock and help maintain location when GPS is weak, without cellular your tf has to rely only on a limited GPS chip.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to say that I develop GPS Receiver for space use and I know a little bit about GPS
Anyway AGPS or assisted GPS just speeds up the first fix (as you said) and can fix the position error a very little bit. On weak GPS signal it wont make any difference if you have AGPS or GPS. Both wont work and none would work better or worse. With no GPS signal the AGPS Receiver would only know where the satellites are but thats it and he can't navigate with this info only.
So I don't expect a problem due to the not available AGPS, just to stop the speculation .
Maybe it's a SW thing or the GPS chip is just bad.
Anyway I still don't know if google navigation is running smoth on your tablet?

The Problem is solved...
A Speedometer Widget seems to be the cause:
https://market.android.com/details?id=it.opbyte.odometerwidget&feature=search_result
I uninstalled the widget and Google Maps Navigation runs fluently.
thank you all for helping

[Q] Does Xoom built in gps produce nmea data?

Turbo GPS, downloadable from Google Play has a feature that displays nmea sentences from a built in gps. However, although the built in gps is on and lat/long displays in Turbo GPS (and GPS Test), there is apparently no nmea sentence output by the gps. Is this attributable to the gps hardware, or a driver/software issue. I cannot yet post comments in the developer forum - especially the Xoom UMTS 3g Jellybean forum where custom ROMS are developed. So, if someone can raise this issue there I'd be very thankful.
I am downloading update 154 now and have been running 146.
Thanks,
armido

Have answer...
armido said:
Turbo GPS, downloadable from Google Play has a feature that displays nmea sentences from a built in gps. However, although the built in gps is on and lat/long displays in Turbo GPS (and GPS Test), there is apparently no nmea sentence output by the gps. Is this attributable to the gps hardware, or a driver/software issue. I cannot yet post comments in the developer forum - especially the Xoom UMTS 3g Jellybean forum where custom ROMS are developed. So, if someone can raise this issue there I'd be very thankful.
I am downloading update 154 now and have been running 146.
Thanks,
armido
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Motorola confirms the Xoom's built in gps only gives position. The Xoom is probably not the only device who's gps does this. So, the gps is useless for programs that use nmea data - like OpenCPN. We need somebody to put together a server that uses positional information to generate 'fake' nmea data so our Xooms can use the built in gps with OpenCPN. Anyone able to help out there?
armido

Solution using internal gps with programs in chroot linux environment
armido said:
Motorola confirms the Xoom's built in gps only gives position. The Xoom is probably not the only device who's gps does this. So, the gps is useless for programs that use nmea data - like OpenCPN. We need somebody to put together a server that uses positional information to generate 'fake' nmea data so our Xooms can use the built in gps with OpenCPN. Anyone able to help out there?
armido
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
'GPS Share WIFI', downloadable from Google Play enables Xoom users to connect the built in gps with programs running in a linux chroot environment. No external router or other device required!