Best cross country GPS navigation app for my car? - AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II Skyrocket SGH-I727

Google Navigation works pretty well, but I'm wondering if there is a better app out there for GPS navigation in the car?
I'll be taking a cross country trip in a few months and want the best app available. Even if I have to pay for it.

I've used Telenav for a long time on several trips across the country. It's been very reliable and accurate for me. You can get the 6.2 version free from a thread int eh Captivate forum. Just follow the steps and you'll have the free basic version. You can opt in for advanced features but I've never had a need. Voice nav is great.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11790542&postcount=1

Uncle Irish said:
I've used Telenav for a long time on several trips across the country. It's been very reliable and accurate for me. You can get the 6.2 version free from a thread int eh Captivate forum. Just follow the steps and you'll have the free basic version. You can opt in for advanced features but I've never had a need. Voice nav is great.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=11790542&postcount=1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This app is incompatible with all of your devices.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
https://market.android.com/details?...sImNvbS50ZWxlbmF2LmFwcC5hbmRyb2lkLnNwcmludCJd

I downloaded the free one you mentioned and its pretty cool so far!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using xda premium

Good deal Glad you're liking it. It's a hungry app, so keep your phone on the charger when using it. Works like a champ tho. Took me from my driveway to a tiny 10' x 15' cabin on the side of a mountain in North Carolina.

It seems to have some cool features. Several that I didn't see in Google Maps but will probably end up using all the time. Like the favorites.
So far I love the fact that I can go into my contacts and press the navigation icon next to a friends address and it automatically pulls up the GPS navigation.
Google maps could do this also, but I could never figure out how to get to the navigation without first clicking this, then that, then this, etc. Google Maps took a lot more clicks to start navigating.

The favs are a bonus I think. You're right about the easy launch. Maps took just too many pokes. It works with voice command also, just select it as default and it'll pop up and start getting a route.

I must be missing something, when I click T-Mobile->Samsung the only thing listed is Roxy & Other...

AWiseMonkey said:
I must be missing something, when I click T-Mobile->Samsung the only thing listed is Roxy & Other...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too. ???

You guys have to read the thread. One of the posts has the file attached.
I used it a couple times yesterday.
1) The map is not as smooth as Google maps (moves studder-step).
2) The "real human voice" that tells you to turn left, right, etc. is interrupted by the PICO generated voice which says the street name. This takes some getting used to.
3) The voice says "make a left turn TO elm street" instead of saying "make a left turn ON elm street". Which is annoying.
4) It talks more than Google maps does. Such as, it says the "recalculating route" thing, which I don't like.
5) When I listen to talk radio and navigate at the same time, it's harder to hear the nav's "human voice" over the radio. The PICO voice was a little higher pitched and easier to pick out over other talking voices on the radio.
But the interface is still better than Google, IMO. And there are a lot more options.
I will continue to use it instead of Google Navigation, but will also keep my eyes open for other GPS navigation apps.

CZ Eddie said:
You guys have to read the thread. One of the posts has the file attached.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, found it HERE

Related

Vlingo Beta (Voice Typing)

Just received an email with the Vlingo beta apk. I have not tried it yet but since this forum has helped me a ton, I figured I might be able to return the favor. Below are the instructions directly from the email:
Installing Vlingo for Android
1. Check the Unknown Sources item in Settings > Applications
This is required since Vlingo is not yet in the Android Market
Unknown apps screen
2. Open the Browser and browse to *********
NOTE: Please do not share this link with anyone else
3. When the file is finished downloading click on it and then click the Install button
4. Click the Open button when you see the Application Installed message
Add Vlingo to your Home Screen
1. Press and hold in an empty space on your home screen
2. Click Widgets (or sometimes it will be called Android Widgets)
Pick widget
3. Scroll down and click Vlingo
Add Vlingo to your keyboard
Speak anywhere you can type
1. Open Settings > Language & Keyboard
2. Check Vlingo Keyboard
Enable keyboard
3. Press and hold in any text box on your phone and click Input Method
4. Click on Vlingo Keyboard
Setup keyboard
5. You can now press the microphone icon (Speak button) to speak to any text box.
Known Issues
* Vlingo requires Android version 2.0 or higher to work
* While Vlingo should work on most Android 2.0+ devices, Vlingo has only been fully tested on the Google Nexus One and the Verizon Droid
Thanks!
This is a really great App. I really missed not having this when I switched over from the iphone.
.
you are aware that the default AOSP keyboard has this option right? as well as the newest HTC ime keyboard?, and the latest better keyboard?
dmc971989 said:
you are aware that the default AOSP keyboard has this option right? as well as the newest HTC ime keyboard?, and the latest better keyboard?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, the default keyboard does do text to type, but Vlingo lets you open apps, call people and a lot more stuff. It is pretty cool.
The Vlingo voice recognition seems to work better and faster then the stock stuff.
What I really like is the voice search widget, it works really well. You can use commands like "find wal mart in Denver Colorado" and it will give you all the results on a map with details and you can call etc.
Works better then the other apps available IMO.
.
jpeepers said:
What I really like is the voice search widget, it works really well. You can use commands like "find wal mart in Denver Colorado" and it will give you all the results on a map with details and you can call etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The voice search that's built into the navigator app does that as well. I can say "Navigate to Wal Mart", it brings me up a list of Wal Marts in the area, and fires up google navigation to guide me there. It's also location aware, so if I simply do a voice search on "Marriott", it brings up the google result for the nearest Marriott hotel to my current location.
Another cool little app is Choice Dialer. It's very good at voice dialing, but it also lets you do things like "Schedule an event for next Wednesday at 2 PM", or "Play music by Motley Crue"....
Definitely going to give this app a try. It'll take A LOT to get me to give up Swype as my regular keyboard.
Regardless of whether I end up using this particular app or not, with all the laws being passed about cell phone use while driving, voice recognition is no longer just a "neat toy", it's becoming a necessity. So I applaud anyone and everyone who is working to advance the state of the art in this field.
I have not been able to install it. They don't specify if there is an Android version requirement, which I am guessing there is. I am running 1.5.
Ceger
Ceger said:
I have not been able to install it. They don't specify if there is an Android version requirement, which I am guessing there is. I am running 1.5.
Ceger
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Says right in the OP that it requires Android 2.0 or higher.
subliminalurge said:
Definitely going to give this app a try. It'll take A LOT to get me to give up Swype as my regular keyboard.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1 to that. I love Swype. Best app I have dled by far!
Finally got a chance to play around with this app this morning.
Observations so far... The keyboard seems pretty good, although I won't be replacing Swype with it. Voice accuracy seems solid. It doesn't handle "Navigate to" very well. If I say "Navigate to Wal Mart" it just brings up nearby wal marts in google maps. On the built in voice search, it fires up navigation and handles the request properly. Given that this is still a beta, it could be that they just haven't tweaked it to take advantage of Android's capabilities yet.
Seems about the same speed as google's voice search.
But now the deal breaker. I've been getting frequent "unable to connect to server" errors this morning. I've verified that my data connection is working fine. This may be a beta, but they have versions for other handsets that are in production, so the beta thing is no excuse for their servers being down.
All things considered, this seems like a solid effort, but I don't see where it brings very many advantages to the table in comparison to the built in voice search. And if their servers aren't reliable, I can't really justify putting it into daily use no matter how good it is.
swype keyboard for life, but this vlingo could go somewhere, my only problem is, it didnt give me the widget.
i uninstalled and re-installed. nothing.
keyofhappy said:
swype keyboard for life, but this vlingo could go somewhere, my only problem is, it didnt give me the widget.
i uninstalled and re-installed. nothing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's odd. The widget's working fine for me.
In truth, it doesn't really add much. You can get nearly the same result by just putting the app icon on your home screen. The widget does eliminate one extra button press, but for some unknown reason they made it 4 spaces wide.
Not enough functionality to justify losing that much screen real estate, IMHO.
EDIT: Ah, you can set it to come up when you long press the search button. Accomplishes the same thing as the widget, and doesn't use up 4 spaces on your screen.
Ooh, another annoyance...
They use yahoo rather than google for searches. No place to change it in the settings.
Another observation...
Google's voice recognition cuts me off after a fairly short time. Vlingo has let me compose some pretty lengthy emails all at one shot, whereas creating the same message with the stock voice recognition required me to do it in 4 or 5 chunks.
This almost makes writing email on my phone easier than my desktop with the full sized keyboard.
Do you have to be using it as the keyboard, or can it be used as a stand alone talk to text, or for opening programs and what not?
Negrito said:
Do you have to be using it as the keyboard, or can it be used as a stand alone talk to text, or for opening programs and what not?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do not have to use the keyboard part of it. Everything else will work just the same without using its keyboard.
Mike
crazymike1234 said:
2. Open the Browser and browse to *********
NOTE: Please do not share this link with anyone else
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol nice
10chars
regaw_leinad said:
lol nice
10chars
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey...It said do not share the link. It didn't say anything about the file
Mike
Yet another feature of Android that is only in webs' wet dreams. After overall year after announcement, still no API's for the mic, amazing.
crazymike1234 said:
You do not have to use the keyboard part of it. Everything else will work just the same without using its keyboard.
Mike
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool. Got it installed and played with it a bit. Me likey! Thanks for sharing.

Google Maps Navigation

I just wanted to throw this out.
My family day-tripped to upstate New York yesterday, and relied solely on My Fresh'd Hero's Google Maps Navigation.
Flawless !!
I am totally blown away by it's capabilities, and wonder how on earth Garmin, Tom Tom etc are going to compete with this. It's stunning.
Anyway, that's my little shill for Google over.
Have a nice day everyone.
I am loving Google Navigation way more than Sprint's Navigation app. All the standalone navigation units are. definitly going to have problems competing with this. Doing a street view of a address before actually going there is fantastic too. Having a visual picture of the place your going on top having gps is a killer combo.
thatjerk said:
I am loving Google Navigation way more than Sprint's Navigation app. All the standalone navigation units are. definitly going to have problems competing with this. Doing a street view of a address before actually going there is fantastic too. Having a visual picture of the place your going on top having gps is a killer combo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree, the street view when you arrive at the destination is a great feature! I also love being able to use the satellite view as opposed the plain map view.
There's basically two areas where the standalone units still have a large advantage. The first is obviously screen size, and the second is at least for now the text-to-speech used by google nav really sucks. It would be nice to see google implement something better for that.
In theory, Google should have a big advantage as far as keeping current with new roads, but they don't seem to stay on top of that. My wife used to work at a hotel in a fairly new area of town, and it took almost 3 years before Google Maps would accurately route people to the correct location.
I also love Google Nav but i have noticed that it does not seem to be as accurate as Sprint Nav.
I still love the Sprint Nav(TeleNav) the best. For me, seems like the rerouting is much quicker than Google Nav
subliminalurge said:
I agree, the street view when you arrive at the destination is a great feature! I also love being able to use the satellite view as opposed the plain map view.
There's basically two areas where the standalone units still have a large advantage. The first is obviously screen size, and the second is at least for now the text-to-speech used by google nav really sucks. It would be nice to see google implement something better for that.
In theory, Google should have a big advantage as far as keeping current with new roads, but they don't seem to stay on top of that. My wife used to work at a hotel in a fairly new area of town, and it took almost 3 years before Google Maps would accurately route people to the correct location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In my experience all navigation units/prog rams have problems with being up to date on new locations.
+1 Google or some other developer needs to come up with a sexy
text-to-speech voice.
I love Google Nav satellite view and integration into Maps. However, I love the nav parts of Sprint Nav for voice and clear directions and traffic rerouting.
If Google can incorporate the pros of Sprint Nav, they would have an unbeatable solution. Though free for ALL Android 2.1+ phones is ultimately quite unbeatable itself.
Ceger
google nav is the cats meow......until you go into a deal cell zone. Opps no more navigation. while I now utilize google nav more than my copilot app or tomtom I still rely on those when going into a dead zone where google is useless.
If your using google navigation , then goto the market and download NavLauncher by mad cow solutions. App is awesome has a favorites list or you can even add loctions for contacts. Then when you click on any favorite or contact it launches directions in google navigation for that location.
Can Do That Already!
bob2300nx said:
If your using google navigation , then goto the market and download NavLauncher by mad cow solutions. App is awesome has a favorites list or you can even add loctions for contacts. Then when you click on any favorite or contact it launches directions in google navigation for that location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can do that 'now' by going to contacts and clicking on address google nav comes up for nav directions if you want!
Google Nav is the ****! But im confused, what does your phone being Fresh'd have to do with Google Nav? You do know Google Nav works on Damage's Rom as well as any other 2.1 OS out there....
VinceOB said:
Google Nav is the ****! But im confused, what does your phone being Fresh'd have to do with Google Nav? You do know Google Nav works on Damage's Rom as well as any other 2.1 OS out there....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I imagine he was just pointing out that he was using that particular rom and not suggesting he was able to use Google Nav only because of Fresh.
scmobileman said:
I imagine he was just pointing out that he was using that particular rom and not suggesting he was able to use Google Nav only because of Fresh.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Probably, but it doesnt really matter what rom he was using so the point of pointing that out is moot.
bob2300nx said:
If your using google navigation , then goto the market and download NavLauncher by mad cow solutions. App is awesome has a favorites list or you can even add loctions for contacts. Then when you click on any favorite or contact it launches directions in google navigation for that location.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know how many people know this, but you can also create direct shortcuts that you can place on your home screens.
Click the plus button, then Shortut, then Directions & Navigation. Then you can type in an address, contact name, etc. and name it whatever you want. You can even pick from several different icons (home, work, etc) and place it wherever on your home screen.
It's awesome to be able to click one button to navigate home or to work.
ziggy682 said:
I don't know how many people know this, but you can also create direct shortcuts that you can place on your home screens.
Click the plus button, then Shortut, then Directions & Navigation. Then you can type in an address, contact name, etc. and name it whatever you want. You can even pick from several different icons (home, work, etc) and place it wherever on your home screen.
It's awesome to be able to click one button to navigate home or to work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yea, I think they added that feature in the newest 4.1.1 build. Its pretty sweet!
TomTom, Garmin, Etc can compete very easily.
Without network coverage you can't use google maps. I've been several places without network coverage with my old phone and tomtom saved me. Earlier this month I was in San Francisco trying to get somewhere and my network completely dropped on me. Made my life hell for the 15 minutes it took to get back working (still no idea as why).
With network coverage though, Google Navigation is awesome though!
Where do I get this APP from?
I have google maps... is this a feature in google maps?
The text to speech may not be the greatest, but I do find it better to set to english-uk, I think the voice is easier on the ears.
Sent from my HERO200 using the XDA mobile application powered by Tapatalk
Other than the left/right thing
I've used Google Nav for several trips since rooting my phone a month or so ago. It's great, agree with everyone there, except for one small dyslexic problem.
Sometimes, it simply doesn't know left from right. I was pulling up to a hotel, had the picture showing the hotel on the right side of the street, saw the hotel on the right side of the street, and listened to the phone tell me my destination was on the left. Gave the wife and I a laugh, because I can't remember the last time I had a dyslexic computer.
amot said:
Where do I get this APP from?
I have google maps... is this a feature in google maps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bump..................

Not super happy with Navigon, the Garmin Navigation app.

So, on blind faith I paid $40 to download Navigon because they don't offer a trial version. I figured for $40 it must be the best navigation app ever.
Am I wrong?!?
Can anyone help me with these annoying issues?
When I start navigation to somewhere and then hit the home button to bring up some other app, there is no way to go directly back to navigation. I have to start all over again. What am I doing wrong?
The voice says "Smith B.L.V.D." instead of "Smith Boulevard". Or "Main S.T." instead of "Main Street".
The voice does not cut out the streaming music when it announces anything. It just talks over whatever is currently playing. So it's hard to understand it when I'm listening to streaming talk radio. I wish it would either cut out the current music or offer a separate volume for navigation voice so I can make it louder than everything else.
When navigation starts, it shows me three different potential routes. But it only waits like 20 seconds for me to choose one. Then it auto selects one for me. This isn't enough time to choose a route. Is there a way to make it wait for me to examine the different routes and manually choose one?
The choice for voices is kind of limited and while they are clear sounding, most of them kinda suck.
I tried co pilot and it was also garbage. Some of the same problems plus old outdated maps and pretty much featureless if you don't want to pay out the ass. I've learned to just stick with Google maps and nav.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk
i like att navigation aka Telenav, it has live traffic and lane assist. att gives you 30 days free trial. if you like it, you can get 4 years prepaid service for 249$, that' only 5.19$ a months! (from telenav.com)
netnerd said:
i like att navigation aka Telenav, it has live traffic and lane assist. att gives you 30 days free trial. if you like it, you can get 4 years prepaid service for 249$, that' only 5.19$ a months! (from telenav.com)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Or...... search the captivate forums and you'll get a link to the free version from telenav that works great. Its a very old thread but search telenav and you'll find it
<insert witty signature here>
CZ Eddie said:
Can anyone help me with these annoying issues?
When I start navigation to somewhere and then hit the home button to bring up some other app, there is no way to go directly back to navigation. I have to start all over again. What am I doing wrong?
The voice says "Smith B.L.V.D." instead of "Smith Boulevard". Or "Main S.T." instead of "Main Street".
The voice does not cut out the streaming music when it announces anything. It just talks over whatever is currently playing. So it's hard to understand it when I'm listening to streaming talk radio. I wish it would either cut out the current music or offer a separate volume for navigation voice so I can make it louder than everything else.
When navigation starts, it shows me three different potential routes. But it only waits like 20 seconds for me to choose one. Then it auto selects one for me. This isn't enough time to choose a route. Is there a way to make it wait for me to examine the different routes and manually choose one?
The choice for voices is kind of limited and while they are clear sounding, most of them kinda suck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Anyone?
CZ Eddie said:
So, on blind faith I paid $40 to download Navigon because they don't offer a trial version. I figured for $40 it must be the best navigation app ever.
Am I wrong?!?
Can anyone help me with these annoying issues?
When I start navigation to somewhere and then hit the home button to bring up some other app, there is no way to go directly back to navigation. I have to start all over again. What am I doing wrong?
The voice says "Smith B.L.V.D." instead of "Smith Boulevard". Or "Main S.T." instead of "Main Street".
The voice does not cut out the streaming music when it announces anything. It just talks over whatever is currently playing. So it's hard to understand it when I'm listening to streaming talk radio. I wish it would either cut out the current music or offer a separate volume for navigation voice so I can make it louder than everything else.
When navigation starts, it shows me three different potential routes. But it only waits like 20 seconds for me to choose one. Then it auto selects one for me. This isn't enough time to choose a route. Is there a way to make it wait for me to examine the different routes and manually choose one?
The choice for voices is kind of limited and while they are clear sounding, most of them kinda suck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I tinkered with Navigon, but I've realized that the best GPS navigation is actually Navigation provided by Googled Maps. Just get Ivona text to speech, and suddenly it feels like a sophisticated navigation app. I pretty much stopped using my trusted Garmin Nuvi 360 that I paid $650 for more than 5 years ago. It's on par.
Only gripe is it is too persistent on trying to get you back on the route it thinks it is best rather than figuring out that you have a different route.
in case anyone is interested, here is the .apk posted in the Captivate forum and referred to above. I tested it and am happy to report that it works.
Does Telenav require a data connection? Google Nav is the best option imo however I travel out of cell range a lot and need something that doesn't require to have a signal to reroute me.
I have been using Navigon for a couple of weeks now and as far as off line navigation goes it is by far the best out there (that i have used). Sure there are some quirks but the maps are up to date, it has lane assist, speed warnings, route planning and a good POI database. The lane assist and speed warnings do not work in Canada, but worked very well on my 20 min drive to the Olive Garden on Van Dyke on Sunday If you are looking to use online navigation i do prefer Google Maps.
Sent from my SGH-I727R using xda premium
ironcrotch said:
Does Telenav require a data connection? Google Nav is the best option imo however I travel out of cell range a lot and need something that doesn't require to have a signal to reroute me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
unfortunately, it does appear to need a data connection. I haven't played around with it enough yet to see if it has the option or ability to cache maps.
htc0101 said:
I have been using Navigon for a couple of weeks now and as far as off line navigation goes it is by far the best out there (that i have used). Sure there are some quirks but the maps are up to date, it has lane assist, speed warnings, route planning and a good POI database. The lane assist and speed warnings do not work in Canada, but worked very well on my 20 min drive to the Olive Garden on Van Dyke on Sunday If you are looking to use online navigation i do prefer Google Maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have any of the issues I mentioned in my OP?
Like you, I want a Navigation app that uses offline maps for when there is no data connection. That's where Navigon works.
Google maps and Telenav and most of the others don't offer this.
oops double post.
1. When you close the app, there is nothing in the drop down to show it is still running, but if you hold the home button to bring up recent apps it will be in there and it opens in last used state.(not as nice as google in the status bar)
2. The whole av / avenue thing i found hit and miss with different voices some pronounced the abbr, and some read it as long form.
3. I have not tried it with other audio playing.
4. I agree I hate that and don't know how to change it, I just go back and reselect destination and look really fast at the options.
5. Have not tried to find other voices yet, on my to do list.
Even with those problems still the best i have tried.
htc0101 said:
1. When you close the app, there is nothing in the drop down to show it is still running, but if you hold the home button to bring up recent apps it will be in there and it opens in last used state.(not as nice as google in the status bar)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Excellent work-around, thanks!
This is hard to do when the phone is in a dock on the top of my dash, but it's a lot better than pressing multiple buttons and re-starting navigation.
htc0101 said:
2. The whole av / avenue thing i found hit and miss with different voices some pronounced the abbr, and some read it as long form.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm noticing that also. The voice I liked best (australian chick) NEVER does say "ST" or "AV", etc. in long form.
But the default male voice will sometimes do it. And sometimes not.
htc0101 said:
4. I agree I hate that and don't know how to change it, I just go back and reselect destination and look really fast at the options.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep, kind of annoying.
I guess for some folks who don't care which route they take, then it's nice that they don't have to click another button to start their route.
But I'm still new in my area and like seeing the multiple routes. It should maybe have a setting that lets it auto-select or wait for you to select a route.
SYGIC is the best GPS hands down for android. OFFLINE works great. When you first install the app you download your base files and any maps you will need and then it works perfectly anywhere using only GPS and no wifi/data connection is required.
bluntman420 said:
SYGIC is the best GPS hands down for android. OFFLINE works great. When you first install the app you download your base files and any maps you will need and then it works perfectly anywhere using only GPS and no wifi/data connection is required.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would agree that it COULD be the greatest, but it is not there yet. It's implementation of POIs is abysmal. The Vehicle arrow is so large on a skyrocket screen that it covers everything you might need to see. The routing algorithm is questionable. Sygic has a lot of potential, but it is not there yet; I can't recommend it.
Hopefully the developers are listening to the comments on their forum. They seem to have given up answering questions from frustrated users. Perhaps it's because they are working full time on fixing all of Sygic's problems.
GPS app developers all seem intent on having the latest flashy features while ignoring basic Navigational function. This includes Google maps BTW. For that matter, stand alone Garmin GPS units have less basic functionality than their 5 year old devices. Garmin Mobile XT for Windows Mobile was a great program; if only they would port it to Android. It didn't have the extras, but it did the basics well. It needed better hardware though. A Skyrocket running windows mobile and Garmin Mobile XT would likely be the best GPS Navigation device on the market, period.
Basic Navigation Function:
1. Good Maps.
2. Easy and quickly understandable 2D Navigation display.
3. A strong routing ability with accurate ETA capability.
4. Clearly understandable Basic Voice instructions. (TTS nice, but belongs in the "extras" category.)
5. Good POIs and an easy useful search function.
6. The ability to create, import and use personal POIs.
7. Some customizable preferences. i.e. route: shortest distance or shortest time? Avoidances. etc...
8. Quick and accurate position lock on.
Garmin Mobile XT excelled at all of the above. Of course, #2 and #8 are device dependent as well.
Without basic navigation functions, a GPS is a toy and not a tool. Some of the way current apps and devices fail:
Epic Fail: New Garmins: "autozoom" zooms out immediately after a turn point is reached. If another turn point is immediately afterword, you are sometimes left with no guidance. Autozoom should either wait longer to zoom out, or be user selectable to "off".
Fail: Google Maps. Routing algorithm works, most of the time. Sometimes it takes you 3 blocks past your destination and then back?
Fail: Google Maps. Horrible personal POI capability.
Epic Fail: Sygic. Abysmal POI search capability.
Fail: Sygic: Difficult POI import capability.
Fail: Sygic. Vehicle cursor WAY too large on Skyrocket.
Epic Fail: CoPilot. Maps are ridiculously inaccurate.
It amazes me how good the GPS hardware is on the Skyrocket. Cold booting over the middle of the Pacific at 500mph it locks on consistently in less than a minute; often in 15 seconds or less. No other handheld GPS device I've ever used has come anywhere close to that. It locks on to a 3D position in places that other GPS devices can't even maintain an already acquired lock. Given the right app, the Skyrocket could be the ultimate GPS.

New Google Maps w/ offline maps - pretty underwhelming

Unless I am missing something, the offline maps feature kinda sucks. While yes, you have the pure basic map available to you, that's about it. Things that still require a data connection:
1. Getting directions - i.e. directions from 49th and 7th to Madison Square Garden
2. Navigation - i.e. the GPS navigator app ("turn right," "rerouting," etc.)
3. Non-major landmarks - the NYC map looks downright empty, as we only get street names and major landmarks... I was hoping that we could still see names of buildings/restaurants/shops, maybe even the 3D building outlines
I get that option 3 will require a lot more storage, but seems worth it (or at least provide an option to save that down).
But the lack of offline directions/navigation really limits the utility of offline maps, imo. I understand if directions may require access to the Google servers to generate a path - but clearly standalone GPS units can all do this without cell/WiFi signal. Seems like there should be a way to do this.
Complaining about new features... Amazing.
Here's an idea, instead of complaining about not having certain landmarks while offline in new york, turn your cell phone connection on and have those features...
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
bloodrain954 said:
Complaining about new features... Amazing.
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I agree with OP. I don't see any major difference with this offline cache against the samething offered previously. So, it is not a new feature to me.
Here's an idea, instead of complaining about not having certain landmarks while offline in new york, turn your cell phone connection on and have those features...
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Here is a clue to you: you landed in a foreign country and you know it will cost you an arm or a leg to turn on the cell phone data connection. Or, in the case of CMDA phones, you may not have connections at all. This is why we need to have offline caching.
I think his gripes are valid. What is the point of an offline map if you can't navigate or get directions? Typically people download maps offline when they know they are going to be traveling through/in an area without a strong data connection.
I had no idea those features didn't work in offline mode and just because the missing features don't impact you doesn't mean others don't have valid reasons for wanting/needing them.
bloodrain954 said:
Complaining about new features... Amazing.
Here's an idea, instead of complaining about not having certain landmarks while offline in new york, turn your cell phone connection on and have those features...
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
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You are right. If it's a new feature, it must be flawless, and I must bow down in reverence. I am oh so sorry to offend you.
The point of this thread is to make others aware, see if they agree, if there are other solutions... you know, form a "discussion."
Thanks foxbat and ComposMentis!
neocryte said:
You are right. If it's a new feature, it must be flawless, and I must bow down in reverence. I am oh so sorry to offend you.
The point of this thread is to make others aware, see if they agree, if there are other solutions... you know, form a "discussion."
Thanks foxbat and ComposMentis!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disagreeing and debating is a form of "discussion". What's the point of talking about anything if everyone agrees with you?
Agree with you, no major changes. Offline navi and directions a must!
Super disappointing. I'm not sure why google falls down so badly sometimes.
Well, when I read the google map change, it simply say that map can be downloaded for offline caching. Nowhere does it says it allow for offline search, direction and such.
Yes, does feature have been long time requested and google announce it was coming soon, but one feature like this, as easy as it might seems, can be very hard to implement on a system that wasn't made for it. Having the map offline (for reel now, not those 10 parts max download) is a step in the right direction. Remember when they decided that the map would "fade out" when you are on a long stretch that doesn't have any new information to sa battery? Lots of people requested it's removal or at least an option to toggle it. The feature was made available in a menu like 10 updates later. It's not 1 dev team that's doing everything from google map, google navigation to google itself, where it is the central of all maps query and database.
Unless you can download much, much larger areas at a time, navigation offline will never work. It has to pick directions based on the entire map and all possible routes. Navigation as it stands, im fairly certain, sends requests to google's servers for them to calculate and give back results. Eventually this may be ported to the OS itself as voice diction is now in JB, but as it stands, it requires an internet connection.
new maps suck! before, you could enable precaching in labs and get up to 10 areas downloaded, but now it only works in USA and UK!
and I live in Narnia again -.-
I am not even able to get a large area 2 hours away about 100 miles, would be nice if you could choose the size it could use., or something like this map will be approximately blah blah mb. Do you agree... And offline directions would be really the only reason to use offline, can't think of much more to use it for. I live in an area that has fauxG (hspa+) but 15 min in all directions I'm stuck to edge for the whole area until greenbay, or lower michigan. So having a large area available offline would be nice. Good idea, but bad implementation.
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Seeing as they are slowly upgrading a free service, I think the update is just fine...
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium
Used to be able to cache all over the world. Now it's just N. America and UK I guess. Sucks for me
raikesy said:
Seeing as they are slowly upgrading a free service, I think the update is just fine...
Sent from my HTC One S using xda premium
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+1
Google Maps gives us Navigation, Places, Traffic, Transit, etc., all for free and they all work pretty well. I'm sure Google is going to enhance the feature soon enough.
I feel they wanted to shed the "Beta" tag ahead of Apple releasing their mapping application but it was probably still too soon.
Used offline mode in SanFran this last week, has just the info it needs, worked great.
which app would provide these features since google doesn't? Nav has become very important to me recently.
Gave it a test on the way to the cities this weekend... Its functional and doesn't appear to need 2-3gb of data like the TomTom app needs...
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
ThisWasATriumph said:
Unless you can download much, much larger areas at a time, navigation offline will never work. It has to pick directions based on the entire map and all possible routes. Navigation as it stands, im fairly certain, sends requests to google's servers for them to calculate and give back results. Eventually this may be ported to the OS itself as voice diction is now in JB, but as it stands, it requires an internet connection.
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I'm just wondering how Nokia Maps on Windows Phone OS can do true offline turn-by-turn navigation, and Google Maps cannot. Nokia Maps has had this feature for about 2 or 3 years at least.
trace1er said:
I'm just wondering how Nokia Maps on Windows Phone OS can do true offline turn-by-turn navigation, and Google Maps cannot. Nokia Maps has had this feature for about 2 or 3 years at least.
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It all comes up to $$$. Map data is expensive to license. There are only two map data providers in the world: Tele Atlas (now owned by TomTom) and NavTeq (now owned by Nokia). License terms dictate what Google can do and can't do. For example, Microsoft's Bing Maps on WP7 can't even do what Google Nav can do today.
Nokia Maps are only allowed to work on Nokia phones.

Google Maps + Sense = WTF?.

I'm at my wit's end with this. It's only been on my One X, and only on Sense ROMs.
Every single time I open up Google Maps and tap the search bar, it waits, then kicks me out of the search bar, then I tap it again, it waits, starts loading my 'recent' list, then kicks me back out. After the second time, it puts my most recent search or destination into the map and then it "finds" me. Only after this can I finally search for a location.
I use this thing for navigation daily. I'm sick to death of playing this stupid game with my phone. When I open Maps, I want to enter a [email protected]#%$% destination, then go there. I don't want it to tell me "No dude, I know better than you... Hold on for a few minutes while I pull this old location out of my ass. Wait... wait for it... wait... nope... little more... there we go! The place you have no interest in finding is now ready for you, sir."
When I've flashed AOSP-based ROMs, this has never been an issue... although the GPS (as well as cameras) seems to be fundamentally flawed in all the builds so far, or I'd be using them right now.
Any idea what I can do to stop this irritating nonsense or did the managers of Good Burger help write the Google Maps app?
Just like to confirm that I see this behavior as well. I don't use GMaps quite that often so I never really connected the dots but this is EXACTLY what I deal with.
That pisses me off too
Sent from my HTC One X using xda app-developers app
Annoying
I have the same issue and it bothers me a lot. I wonder if it's changed any bit with the latest upgrade.
Yeah this gives me the ****s big time. Worse I think is how when you select a location from the calendar it tries to navigate with the ****ty locations app instead of Google nav
Sent from my HTC One XL using xda app-developers app
I've never had this issue and use GMaps pretty often. Maybe it has to do with an HTC or ATT app because I've used it on cleanrom and nocturnal roms.
I had this happen on my galaxy nexus as well... The only time it really does it is if I had something already searched for on maps, go away from maps for several hours (also loading other apps), then I go to to maps to look for something else... Maps is "fresh" and ready to go, I try to type a search, then it kicks me off the search bar and goes back to that other search result from several hours ago. Drives me nuts. I think it's the maps app because it always wants to find your location before you can do anything... And that's often after you have already tried to search for something
Sent from my HTC One X using xda premium
Never faced this issue after years of using gmaps and sense
But seriously, if you're going to make a post then turn it into a question on how to fix it instead of just complaining
Little more productive don't you think
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2
xeper said:
I'm at my wit's end with this. It's only been on my One X, and only on Sense ROMs.
Every single time I open up Google Maps and tap the search bar, it waits, then kicks me out of the search bar, then I tap it again, it waits, starts loading my 'recent' list, then kicks me back out. After the second time, it puts my most recent search or destination into the map and then it "finds" me. Only after this can I finally search for a location.
/QUOTE]
I just tested this and do not see a problem. I am running CleanROM 4.5 with the AT&T 2.20 build.prop and AT&T 2.20 radio. When I launch gmaps it finds my locaiton, then I hit the magnifier glass in the soft menu bar at the bottom, type my search term, and off it goes.
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Click to collapse
GPS has worked fine in cm9 for some time (re: aosp comment).
However, I have this happen too on cm9. Very frustrating.
xeper said:
I'm at my wit's end with this. It's only been on my One X, and only on Sense ROMs.
Every single time I open up Google Maps and tap the search bar, it waits, then kicks me out of the search bar, then I tap it again, it waits, starts loading my 'recent' list, then kicks me back out. After the second time, it puts my most recent search or destination into the map and then it "finds" me. Only after this can I finally search for a location.
I use this thing for navigation daily. I'm sick to death of playing this stupid game with my phone. When I open Maps, I want to enter a [email protected]#%$% destination, then go there. I don't want it to tell me "No dude, I know better than you... Hold on for a few minutes while I pull this old location out of my ass. Wait... wait for it... wait... nope... little more... there we go! The place you have no interest in finding is now ready for you, sir."
When I've flashed AOSP-based ROMs, this has never been an issue... although the GPS (as well as cameras) seems to be fundamentally flawed in all the builds so far, or I'd be using them right now.
Any idea what I can do to stop this irritating nonsense or did the managers of Good Burger help write the Google Maps app?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I definitely know what you're talking about. it drives me crazy that I just want to input an address and it seems like maps is telling me that it knows better than me what I want. anyway, i've found if i just give maps 5-10 seconds to load and don't touch anything, it wont go through its whole temper tantrum.
nespid said:
I definitely know what you're talking about. it drives me crazy that I just want to input an address and it seems like maps is telling me that it knows better than me what I want. anyway, i've found if i just give maps 5-10 seconds to load and don't touch anything, it wont go through its whole temper tantrum.
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^^ This - I've learned to let Maps load for about 4-6 seconds first, and the start searching. Otherwise it will start acting crazy.

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