Lost phone on roof of car, any app for GPS activation? - Galaxy 3 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

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

Related

GPS on AT&T Fuze with ROGERS?

Hey ive unlocked and flashed to a sweet NRG rom and love it. I just want to use google Maps (or something similar) to find my position on a map (turn by turn maybe?). I remember with my iPhone when I first had it the GPS worked great then one day I was never able to get my actual position (just within a certain amount of meters).
Did rogers shut down GPS?
Now on my new phone when I goto "GPS location" in google maps it searches for a satellite but doesnt seem to get my position (0)... Is there a setting I can turn on to allow GPS or do I need to cal rogers and rip on someone? LOL
keep up the great work guys!!!
- Eddy
I just turned 3g on and did the HTC GPS tool. I opened the port and started the test and then menu-Information and I dont seem to have a position.
any ideas guys? seems like rogers problem.
eddyg519 said:
I just turned 3g on and did the HTC GPS tool. I opened the port and started the test and then menu-Information and I dont seem to have a position.
any ideas guys? seems like rogers problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS on the HTC is using the basic GPS Signal coming from satellites. Are u outside or near a window to a fix ?
Look http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Positioning_System
What u used was A-GPS what is assisted GPS with help from Cell Phone provider. It gives faster fix and a pseude gps in buildings.
Go outside with ur cellphone with clear sky view, start the htc gps tool and u should get position fix within some minutes or even seconds. There is no need for 3g because the gps itself does not need any cellphone connection. It takes satellite signals to calculate the position.
When u update quick gps it is faster in the position fix because it already knows some basic sat data. But still no phone connection necessary for using GPS.
The google map u then only see with data (3g or wlan) not because of the GPS but because of the drawed map graphics wich have to be loaded.
ok i will try the outside thing although I have the phone pointed to the window pretty much. Checking rogers website both phones only have a-GPS but I still cant get an actual location on either. Only about a 4 block square or circle.
EDIT: ok i enabled A-GPS on the touch pro and still no luck with google maps. It still seems to be looking for actual GPS
OK im managed to get it working. I changed the port to com5 and scanned found some sat's I had to change the bit thing to 56700 on com5 within google maps. Seems to be working like a charm!

Bat Saving Apps

I used to have a BB Storm2, with that I had an app that would shut off my radio if my signal was very low and not check if I had reentered service for a certain interval. This greatly improved the battery life for me. I have been searching the market for awhile cant really find anything like this. I was wondering if anyone knew of one that would work with the evo.
Also I was wondering if there was one that would auto switch wifi on and off depending on location. I found one for that but it did not work correctly.
On my G1 I used to use a program called Power Manager it's a paid app but they have a free trail version I believe. It had all kinds of different things I could set to turn on and off depending on location or power percentage.
Repnepto said:
I used to have a BB Storm2, with that I had an app that would shut off my radio if my signal was very low and not check if I had reentered service for a certain interval. This greatly improved the battery life for me. I have been searching the market for awhile cant really find anything like this. I was wondering if anyone knew of one that would work with the evo.
Also I was wondering if there was one that would auto switch wifi on and off depending on location. I found one for that but it did not work correctly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
juice defender

Quick GPS fix. From Samsung!

Samsung just wrote that apparently the use wireless networks, which is the option above use gps satellites must be selected to get proper locks.
I was skeptical because i just assumed that when I went exploring I selected it, but it actually wasn't.
Put it on, and agreed to the disclaimer and then right away the maps got my location and the live wallpaper map got my location.
you'll get an email saying google knows where you are and yeah its pretty ****ty that you have to do this, but it does work. at least for me.
not a real fix, I've had that on forever and still dont get a proper lock
Confirming that this does seem to work. It might merit mentioning that I've also messed around with my GPS settings quite a bit as well.
Regardless, I got a lock within two seconds after opening Google Maps. Cheers!
-deuX`
The phone used networks to locate you. Not GPS.
PuffinNugz said:
The phone used networks to locate you. Not GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, good to know. Thanks for the info!
-deuX`
This is to assist in the GPS lock. This is not a fix.
True it isn't a real fix, hence the "quick" fix in the title.
it's just another way to help maps get a lock.
obviously this won't help in no service zones but if you're using the data anyways might as well use it to help.
plus it unlocks all the fun location based services, and that maps live wallpaper is pretty freakin sweet!
This will only give you the location of the nearby cell tower. Unless you live under the cell tower all the time, I don't think this is useful. It might be useful for things like check the nearby stores and attractions. But will not give you navigatable fixes and does not speed up your GPS lock. If you're using Google maps, try to zoom out, and you will notice a big circle. Your location is anywhere inside that circle.
That's Samsung tip is pure BS and Engadet should be ashamed to even believe in that BS.
I not only allowed the use of wireless networks for location, but also changing the GPS setting to MS Based to allow for simultaneous use of triangulation and assisted GPS... before this change I NEVER got a successful GPS lock...after I changed the settings I finally can get a GPS lock after about about 3 minutes with direct line of sight outdoors.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
foxbat121 said:
This will only give you the location of the nearby cell tower.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not quite. its actually doing cell tower triangulation, using the signal of all nearby towers your phone sees. In the city, this can be pretty accurate and is rarely off by more than a couple blocks. To see the accuracy, turn off GPS and click 'locate me' in google maps. The blue circle around your location shows the margin of error. The more towers you are in range of, the more accurate the fix.
As far as helping GPS, all this location can really do today is help you grab the most appropriate gps almanac/ephemeris info - if youve got an internet connection. I suppose it could possibly also be used in conjunction with the gps error in some kind of a filter to improve accuracy, but as far as I know that is not being done.
I actually started getting quicker locks with just using the GPS and having the wireless networks unchecked
Just an update:
I changed the SUP/LCP setting to Auto-config and the Operation mode to MS Based. I tend to get a gps lock within a minute or two with it sitting on my dashboard. I also tried it with the"Use wireless networks" setting turned off and it worked the same.
Also, I did try out the MS Assisted SUP/LCP setting and I was able to get GPS signal while indoors, but it was less accurate all around.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
I'm not saying it's completely 100% accurate, but much in the same vein that an iPod Touch can get a location using just the wi-fi this is using much the same.
it uses whatever a-gps it can and then it helps with the cellular data. triangulation. it's useful and if it keeps getting me a signal then its all good

[Q] phone-locater app that turns on GPS?

Is there an app that I could use that will turn on the GPS remotely? I have Lookout, which uses the phone's GPS to locate the phone, but what if the GPS is off? I need an app that I can use to also turn the GPS on
Thanks!
Lookout does that.
From the FAQ:
Can you remotely turn on the GPS?
Yes! Lookout makes use of the Android phone’s GPS receiver as efficiently as possible. When a locate is requested for an Android device, Lookout can remotely turn on the GPS while the locate is running and then turn it back off again (locates can run for a few minutes to get the best location results). This helps to conserve your phone’s battery life. Lookout only uses the GPS to get your location when you explicitly request it.
But I didn't tried it, yet.
Theft aware will turn it on if it is off in settings and won't show the icon it requires root though and cost $10 its the best tho it integrates into the rom so it will survive a factory reset
Sent from my HTC Hero CDMA using Tapatalk
Tasker can do it, this app replaced many other apps I used to use. It can also locate your phone with one of the profiles.
http://tasker.wikidot.com/profile-index
+1 lookout
i have it installed in all my phones and it works

My experience and ideas about GPS on GS4G

On Froyo
- doesn't work out of box (can see 2-4 satellites but no fix)
- used lbstest menu, changed mode to MS assist, 10 starts 5-7 fixes within 3 seconds
On Gingerbread
- doesn't work out of box (can see 2-4 satellites but no fix)
- no way to get into lbstest menu
- tried different roms, best case is getting a fix in minutes with Valhalla but not stable (drifting, losing fix, not accurate, etc.)
So I'm thinking, to fix this on GB, if only someone can figure out a way of changing the mode (standalone vs MS based vs MS assisted) or better have full access to lbstest or its equivalent on GB.
cheers
EDIT
Forgot to mention, I tried GPS Aids paid version as well (on Valhalla)
Purchased, tried the auto fix option, nothing happens;
Downgraded to V2 (read somewhere that it works better than V3 which is the current version in Market), tried clearing GPS folder (or something alike), phone suddenly rebooted.
Then it takes forever to verifying license.
Then upgraded back to V3, noticed that I need to uninstall V3 before intalling V2.
Did that, and instantly got email from Market telling me I have been refunded cuz I uninstalled the app...
GPS Aids worked perfectly fine for me.
Here's what I do:
1) I use GPS Doctor, which is supposed to cause you to reboot.
2) I download the GPS Aiding Data for Forced Method. Native Method doesn't seem to work for me, but there hasn't been a difference in my GPS performance.
3) Use GPS Status, which detects the satellites around you. You should be able to see some at the bottom. They are white at first, but once enough satellites are around and you're connected, they should turn green (not all, just some).
4) Use your GPS like you normally would.
I hope you're using your GPS outdoors, instead of trying to fix it indoors. It's very likely that it won't work when you're indoors. I practically get instant locks when I'm outside.
hummmmmmmmm
bkoon1218 said:
GPS Aids worked perfectly fine for me.
Here's what I do:
1) I use GPS Doctor, which is supposed to cause you to reboot.
2) I download the GPS Aiding Data for Forced Method. Native Method doesn't seem to work for me, but there hasn't been a difference in my GPS performance.
3) Use GPS Status, which detects the satellites around you. You should be able to see some at the bottom. They are white at first, but once enough satellites are around and you're connected, they should turn green (not all, just some).
4) Use your GPS like you normally would.
I hope you're using your GPS outdoors, instead of trying to fix it indoors. It's very likely that it won't work when you're indoors. I practically get instant locks when I'm outside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By outside you mean walking on the street? I'm trying to get a fix while driving my car, you know, to get turn by turn directions. I hope a car qualifies as "outside". Anyway, I get a fix after several (lots of) minutes. I'm not going to paid for gps aid donate version. I paid a lot for my phone! (i'm not being cheap, it's just that where I live it isn't easy to get us dolars).
I think on froyo I had less waiting time for fix. But can't really tell. It's been so long since I moved to GB.
I think I'll end up selling my phone or giving it to my gf and get a sgs2 or galaxy nexus for myself.
have u tried a diffrent rom?
mikeflash said:
By outside you mean walking on the street? I'm trying to get a fix while driving my car, you know, to get turn by turn directions. I hope a car qualifies as "outside". Anyway, I get a fix after several (lots of) minutes. I'm not going to paid for gps aid donate version. I paid a lot for my phone! (i'm not being cheap, it's just that where I live it isn't easy to get us dolars).
I think on froyo I had less waiting time for fix. But can't really tell. It's been so long since I moved to GB.
I think I'll end up selling my phone or giving it to my gf and get a sgs2 or galaxy nexus for myself.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have the same problem here
...try every app In the market to fix it and nothing ..until I was driving and I let the GPS sit for 4 mins and start working since that day I start doing the samething and works but just take long to start working ...I think it ain't the rom cuz I have flash to almost every rom to fix this and stills the same ...but everyphone different urs mite work with another rom try it out ..!!
Sent from my SGH-T959V using xda premium
Outside, open space with literally no tall building around, actually the same spot where I got a fix in 2 seconds on froyo.
Finally decided to check mine and it sucks too. Turned on sensor aiding and it zeroed in on my local instantly.
Sent from my SGH-T959V
some types of window tint will block gps signals, so keep that in mind if you have tinted windows in your car.

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