So, a Maps update was released to the play store with "better offline support". Now, i've tried it, and - correct me if i'm wrong - it seems to be the same **** as before. You can only select a tiny part of the map, and i don't know if this has changed now, but with older versions of google maps using navigation, it was still using a huge amount of data, even though i downloaded that part of the map first.
I would really like to use Google Maps as my car nav, for its usability and design, but is there STILL no way to actually DOWNLOAD the maps of a whole country, and then NOT have it use data when i'm driving?
jb91 said:
So, a Maps update was released to the play store with "better offline support". Now, i've tried it, and - correct me if i'm wrong - it seems to be the same **** as before. You can only select a tiny part of the map, and i don't know if this has changed now, but with older versions of google maps using navigation, it was still using a huge amount of data, even though i downloaded that part of the map first.
I would really like to use Google Maps as my car nav, for its usability and design, but is there STILL no way to actually DOWNLOAD the maps of a whole country, and then NOT have it use data when i'm driving?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
First, questions go in the Q&A Section.
Second, I believe the issue is that routes are not calculated on the device. It is my understanding that your position and your destination are sent to Google's servers where a route (or several route options) are calculated using several algorithms. Additionally, without using your connection to Google's servers, you'd never be aware of traffic incidents that would affect your choice of route. Total offline navigation may come in the future, but I don't believe it's really possible now.
jb91 said:
but is there STILL no way to actually DOWNLOAD the maps of a whole country, and then NOT have it use data when i'm driving?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On Google Maps? No.
Should it be possible to do that? Yes. Nokia does it. Does Nokia Maps (when offline) have the level of detail that Google Maps (online) has? No. Also, it takes somewhere between 2-3 GB of storage on Nokia maps.
mrfeuss said:
First, questions go in the Q&A Section.
Second, I believe the issue is that routes are not calculated on the device. It is my understanding that your position and your destination are sent to Google's servers where a route (or several route options) are calculated using several algorithms. Additionally, without using your connection to Google's servers, you'd never be aware of traffic incidents that would affect your choice of route. Total offline navigation may come in the future, but I don't believe it's really possible now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i am using an external app that is doing exactly that - navigation without ANY data usage and the possibility to download whole countries - obviously without any real-time traffic information then. I don't like the looks of it as much as Google Maps, but at least you can use it as a nav. Traffic information is something that would barely use any data anyway, and if the calculation of the routes actually goes through Google's servers (and you're unable to deactivate this), then this is simply bad design and it renders the whole Google Maps Navigation virtually useless. If you're crossing your country's border and don't want to activate Roaming, the navigation stops, simply because it needs a connection (for whatever). If you're on a low data plan, you can't use it either, because it's just burning through those MBs, even if you did use the cumbersome offline map selection to pre-download some small area.
I just don't get how this is meant to be used.
jb91 said:
Well i am using an external app that is doing exactly that - navigation without ANY data usage and the possibility to download whole countries - obviously without any real-time traffic information then. I don't like the looks of it as much as Google Maps, but at least you can use it as a nav. Traffic information is something that would barely use any data anyway, and if the calculation of the routes actually goes through Google's servers (and you're unable to deactivate this), then this is simply bad design and it renders the whole Google Maps Navigation virtually useless. If you're crossing your country's border and don't want to activate Roaming, the navigation stops, simply because it needs a connection (for whatever). If you're on a low data plan, you can't use it either, because it's just burning through those MBs, even if you did use the cumbersome offline map selection to pre-download some small area.
I just don't get how this is meant to be used.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ever tried to give your phone voice commands without internet? Generally speaking, Google services require an internet connection. It's kind of what their whole business is built on. It's far from ideal but it's the nature of the beast.
If you require offline turn by turn navigation just use the 3rd party apps such as the one you're already using.
Are you sure it's using a lot of data? I have a N7 2013 Wifi version. I used tethering with my N5 to use google maps on the tablet and it uses 5 mbs during 20 min of driving. I also think most of that was used when I first turned it on to find location. Considering every time you refresh facebook it uses about 1 mb, I don't think that's a lot at all and low data plans should be able to handle it.
PsychDrummer said:
Are you sure it's using a lot of data? I have a N7 2013 Wifi version. I used tethering with my N5 to use google maps on the tablet and it uses 5 mbs during 20 min of driving. I also think most of that was used when I first turned it on to find location. Considering every time you refresh facebook it uses about 1 mb, I don't think that's a lot at all and low data plans should be able to handle it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i have 250 MB a month, so if it's using 5 MB for no apparent reason every time i try to use the navigation, then this is too much.
jb91 said:
Well i have 250 MB a month, so if it's using 5 MB for no apparent reason every time i try to use the navigation, then this is too much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
lol, i use a minimum of 400mb data per day. in reality, 5mb data isnt very much, barely any actually. maybe its time to upgrade your plan? or maybe a smartphone isnt right for you?
simms22 said:
lol, i use a minimum of 400mb data per day. in reality, 5mb data isnt very much, barely any actually. maybe its time to upgrade your plan? or maybe a smartphone isnt right for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Who cares? And how is 5 mb data for no reason not much, when i'm on a 250 mb plan? Maybe thinking before typing isn't right for you?
jb91 said:
Who cares? And how is 5 mb data for no reason not much, when i'm on a 250 mb plan? Maybe thinking before typing isn't right for you?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you have a 250mb data plan, your smartphone is useless most the time unless you are always around wifi. and still, 5mb data is not much, regardless of what your data plan allows. again, upgrade your data plan, or understand that your tiny allotment of data is tiny. it doesnt make the 5mb data used seem more than it is, 5mb is still 5mb, regardless of how much data you are allowed to use. 5mb is not much data.
simms22 said:
if you have a 250mb data plan, your smartphone is useless most the time unless you are always around wifi. and still, 5mb data is not much, regardless of what your data plan allows. again, upgrade your data plan, or understand that your tiny allotment of data is tiny. it doesnt make the 5mb data used seem more than it is, 5mb is still 5mb, regardless of how much data you are allowed to use. 5mb is not much data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you actually serious right now? If you're on a plan with 4 GB a month, 5 MB is not a lot of data. If you're on a plan with 250 MB a month, 5 MB is a lot of data.
If you are a billionaire, 10000$ is not a lot of money. If you work at McDonalds, 10000$ is a lot of money.
Also, my smartphone is "useless" most of the time because i'm not using a lot of data? It's useless because things like WhatsApp, mails, news, and so on don't use a lot of data? Could you please stop posting in my thread?
jb91 said:
Are you actually serious right now? If you're on a plan with 4 GB a month, 5 MB is not a lot of data. If you're on a plan with 250 MB a month, 5 MB is a lot of data.
If you are a billionaire, 10000$ is not a lot of money. If you work at McDonalds, 10000$ is a lot of money.
Also, my smartphone is "useless" most of the time because i'm not using a lot of data? It's useless because things like WhatsApp, mails, news, and so on don't use a lot of data? Could you please stop posting in my thread?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it doesnt matter how much data you are allowed, 5mb is not much. just because your data plan is tiny, it doesnt make 5mb seem any bigger than it is. yes, you can use a "dumbphone" for your apparent smartphone use. and the answer to your question is no, i post wherever i feel like it.
simms22 said:
it doesnt matter how much data you are allowed, 5mb is not much. just because your data plan is tiny, it doesnt make 5mb seem any bigger than it is. yes, you can use a "dumbphone" for your apparent smartphone use. and the answer to your question is no, i post wherever i feel like it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
k.
jb91 said:
So, a Maps update was released to the play store with "better offline support". Now, i've tried it, and - correct me if i'm wrong - it seems to be the same **** as before. You can only select a tiny part of the map, and i don't know if this has changed now, but with older versions of google maps using navigation, it was still using a huge amount of data, even though i downloaded that part of the map first.
I would really like to use Google Maps as my car nav, for its usability and design, but is there STILL no way to actually DOWNLOAD the maps of a whole country, and then NOT have it use data when i'm driving?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sorry Google doesn't cater to your specific want.
I love Maps and use it all the time and it works wonderful for me. You should probably use something else as it sounds like this app is not for you.
tgrgrd00 said:
I'm sorry Google doesn't cater to your specific want.
I love Maps and use it all the time and it works wonderful for me. You should probably use something else as it sounds like this app is not for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I like the app too. Since i don't use Facebook or anything data-heavy when i'm outside (aka away from wifi), my low data plan works fine, except for Google Maps navigation. That's why i am using another navigation app that's 100% usable offline, even though i would prefer Google Maps.
maps generally IS a huge data hog. with your data allotment for your plan, it sounds like maps isnt right for your use(even though you like to use it). unfortunately, it is what it is. maybe in the future itll use much less data, or will be made to be more useful when offline, but for now its a beast that demands to be fed by data.
jb91 said:
Well i have 250 MB a month, so if it's using 5 MB for no apparent reason every time i try to use the navigation, then this is too much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But it's not for "no apparent reason". You're using 5 mb in order to use your navigation, just like you will use 5 mb to check your email a couple of times.
PsychDrummer said:
But it's not for "no apparent reason". You're using 5 mb in order to use your navigation, just like you will use 5 mb to check your email a couple of times.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what exactly justifies 5 mb for a quick navigation through an area that i've pre-downloaded before?
jb91 said:
what exactly justifies 5 mb for a quick navigation through an area that i've pre-downloaded before?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you predownload a large area, it doesnt grab the detail. main roads/highways it would get, but the smaller roads and such remain for your data connection to grab when theres a need for them.
Related
I have a limited data plan, so I can't use one of the GPS programs for maps and directions without going over my limit.
Does anyone know of a map and direction app that I could do the same as Google Maps, Live Search, etc., without the data usage?
Thanks.
tomtom, garmin and tons of other gps programs have their own maps and dont use the internet
yes, there are several ones: tomtom, igo, navigon navigator only for example.
they all use lokal maps on your sd card
drjim said:
I have a limited data plan, so I can't use one of the GPS programs for maps and directions without going over my limit.
Does anyone know of a map and direction app that I could do the same as Google Maps, Live Search, etc., without the data usage?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Bear in mind that navigation software that features live traffic updates etc. use the Internet for that, so you'll need to make sure you turn all those features off.
or....
Get a decent data plan. T-mobile, for instance, will do you 1GB per month fof £7.50. I use the internet heavily on my phone and I've never hit the limit.
If you can't afford £7.50 per month, why the heck have you got a £500 internet-enabled phone!?
Rudegar said:
tomtom, garmin and tons of other gps programs have their own maps and dont use the internet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
where can i get any of these gps? havent found nothing yet
thanks
http://www.tomtom.com/
more hits here
http://www.google.dk/search?source=ig&hl=da&rlz=&q=pocketpc+gps&btnG=Google-søgning&meta=lr=
wendee said:
where can i get any of these gps? havent found nothing yet
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google is your friend
No so difficult to type the program names and find the right website.
I get the impression he was asking where could he get them without paying.
GPS Software
It is amazing what you can find online if you look. You are right though Google is a close friend of mine.
You might check out this tip from pocketnow. I haven't tried it out myself, but plan to sooner or later.
I Recommend Sygic Aura , looks great , runs smooth as well
You can download it free and trial it for 7 days.
When you first run the app you download (via wifi) your needed maps to your Memory/SD Card
http://www.sygic.com/index.php/en/how-to-buy.html
Navigon seems to be pretty good. You can get it for free in some cases if your SIM ID is one recognised as being eligible (Telstra AU works to get the Australia/NZ version). Otherwise it's 50 euro or somesuch.
the standard one seems to work perfectly
I am using Co Pilot Live. Its amazing..
kormath said:
I am using Co Pilot Live. Its amazing..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1
CoPilot is really great )
The new maps 5.0 are is far away the best
Yes, the new Google Maps Navigation with maps 5.0 is awesome. I have a fairly new (last year) standalone Navigon Device in my car, but the Google Nav beats it hands down.
Except, of course, when you leave your service area or otherwise lose your data connection, at which point Google Nav simply stops working altogether.
ResonanceZero said:
Except, of course, when you leave your service area or otherwise lose your data connection, at which point Google Nav simply stops working altogether.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not any more. Since that last update it caches quite a bit, I think. Drove to my parents in the mountains of eastern Switzerland over Christmas and never once had it stop working, even though there's some pretty decent sized areas without good coverage along the way.
Hrm. I'll have to give it another test, then. I had abysmal luck with it, but that was before the 5.0 release.
I thought you cannot get the new navigation (direction) when you are offline with map 5.0. I like cache feature but I would like offline navigation, especially when I travel Canada where I have to pay roaming if I want to use data.
I use Navigon and its great with all maps on SD. It also integrates google search as a bonus, and its free in Aus and NZ for Gtab and Galaxy S.
Question about Google Navigation cache:
If you set it to cache in settings and then plan a route ie, at home using wifi, does that mean you can turn off data in your car and it will still navigate that route?
Do you think it will soon be possible to DL (cache?) a whole town or city?, or even Country? If so it will make all other Navigation software practically obsolete.
I played with this a little today. There doesn't appear to be any way to control the cache size or behavior in the settings (other than clearing it), but I set up both a short and a long route and then simulated a disconnect and kept browsing. To my surprise, even the detail maps that I had previously inspected were retained, though of course any area I hadn't previously examined closely remained blurry when I passed over it. Out of curiosity, I turned the satellite layer on and even got a few tiles of that out of the cache.
Pre-caching map-only (non-satellite) view for an entire city at fine detail is perfectly possible, and a long-distance overview (I tried an east coast to west coast route) will also stay in cache, as long as you're careful to let every on-screen tile load at the desired zoom level before swiping onward. I'm not sure how much satellite data you can shoehorn in before it starts dropping things, though. I need to keep playing with it.
check out waze its a sochial gps and free
its only as good as the users make it but in areas where there are allot of users its very good
www.waze.com or market
PS works also on other platforms not just android
ResonanceZero said:
I played with this a little today. There doesn't appear to be any way to control the cache size or behavior in the settings (other than clearing it), but I set up both a short and a long route and then simulated a disconnect and kept browsing. To my surprise, even the detail maps that I had previously inspected were retained, though of course any area I hadn't previously examined closely remained blurry when I passed over it. Out of curiosity, I turned the satellite layer on and even got a few tiles of that out of the cache.
Pre-caching map-only (non-satellite) view for an entire city at fine detail is perfectly possible, and a long-distance overview (I tried an east coast to west coast route) will also stay in cache, as long as you're careful to let every on-screen tile load at the desired zoom level before swiping onward. I'm not sure how much satellite data you can shoehorn in before it starts dropping things, though. I need to keep playing with it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So your saying aslong as you dont clear the cache any maps that youve seen will stay there?
What a tedious task tho to browse an entire state lol
Well, obviously you can't grow beyond your available space (which is forced to be the internal sdcard and cannot be moved to the external sdcard), and I suspect Google Maps will start trimming much earlier than that, but I'm currently caching 109MB worth of map images on Google Maps, and everything I've looked at so far has stuck.
It would indeed be quite tedious to manually browse an entire state, but I'm guessing it would be somewhat less so to browse in detail just the towns around a planned route. It may be possible to use Mobile Atlas Creator to pre-cache tiles on a desktop computer and then transfer them to the sdcard, but I'd have to spend some time investigating it.
The Google Maps cache is stored in /sdcard/Android/data/com.google.android.apps.maps/cache, and has filenames somewhat like "cache_vts_GMM.6".
As a followup to this, after more testing it appears that the cache size is locked at 120MB. Once I get up to that point, it deletes out 5-10MB. I *think* it's preferentially culling satellite imagery over maps, but I'm not absolutely sure. To be safe, if you're prepping for a long trip, do your browsing with all layers turned off.
I am in Finland, and my tabs Google Maps Navigation is not yet available in this location. Very disappointing.
I have downloaded Waze, but found that there aren't enough user's over here as yet, so the roads are non-existent. Also the map editing program is rubbish, and I haven't figured out how I can get the updated information onto my Tab?
Found a few other so called free one's on the android market, one called NDrive, but first it want's to install a huge amount of data and then they want me to buy the maps (which probably is another horrendous amount of data).
I am really disappointed though that the Google Maps Navigation doesn't work. That was one thing why I bought the tab, as I don't have a sat nav in my car. Does anyone know of any solutions?
You should try Copilot - works really good on Tab. Also Aura works well, but Copilot has better routing.
In fact it works great on Galaxy Tab, eventuali though so dos google navigator
As I found out google maps doesnt store the maps on the device - it needs a wifi connection. Does anyone know what gps app package that will keep the maps on the device (prefferably on the memory card) so that the gps is actually useful?
Sygic and Navigon come to mind. Both are in the marketplace but they are not free.
i use copilot for gps.
I recently bought sygic and I like it. It has yet to be wrong. It is from Europe, so the default voice has an accent (which I kinda like being in the US since it's different) all of North America for me cost 26 dollars.
Best advice just try Sygic. It gives you a free 7 day trial but from my experience only let me download one state. After buying I can download all of North America.
One gripe I do not like about it is that you can't send maps to the SD card. It all goes on the main internal storage.
Having all the maps on internal memory would be horrible! unless I download one trip at a time. Im surprised the big gps companies like garmin and magellan havent came out with map software for android gps.
Actually Garmin bought one particular app I just forget which one it was. A little while after they did buy out that app they slapped a 50 dollar per year price tag on it.
Though if you are willing to tweak the app upon looking at the settings (and finding out where it is from looking in various forums) file in the app you can force it to store them else where. Have I tried it yet? Nope. Though I suppose I could and let you know since it will be worth my time in the end.
---------- Post added at 09:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:47 PM ----------
Zadeis said:
Actually Garmin bought one particular app I just forget which one it was. A little while after they did buy out that app they slapped a 50 dollar per year price tag on it.
Though if you are willing to tweak the app upon looking at the settings (and finding out where it is from looking in various forums) file in the app you can force it to store them else where. Have I tried it yet? Nope. Though I suppose I could and let you know since it will be worth my time in the end.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Upon messing with the settings file and telling it instead of reading from the Aura directory on the internal storage, I set it to "extStorage/SdCard/Aura" it didn't like that and now it force closes.
edit:
Still tinkering with it. I just tried the /mnt/sdcard2/ location and still no dice. Maybe if it was rooted and actually had access to write to the SD card? I'm not sure. Upon reading the thread in the general forums about not being able to write files to external sd card.
Anyway I am getting side tracked and veering away from the threads original purpose. I will continue tinkering on my own time.
All in all if you don't mind it putting everything on the sd card it a great app. A single state usually is only 20-35 megabytes. The first will be large mind you since it downloads all the needed files such as voices, graphics, etc.
Well Im trying sygic now but dont really care for it. Seems a little mediocre. Went on a day trip today and it couldnt find a main road. Pretty frustrating. So the search continues.
Ah it's all a matter of taste and preference then. I like Sygic but I will not go to Navigon. The fact you need to pay yearly bugs me.
You should look into copilot then. Though whenever they update the app you need to buy the newer version. I guess that's how they get you with that one :/
Those are the only other two gps apps that I am aware of so try looking into those.
KDOG2020 said:
As I found out google maps doesnt store the maps on the device - it needs a wifi connection. Does anyone know what gps app package that will keep the maps on the device (prefferably on the memory card) so that the gps is actually useful?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You do realize that google nav caches the route, it just won't load the maps. If you enter your route while on wifi it will be there until you reach your destination. Or you could just tether it to your phone, which is what I prefer
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 7 Plus
ringnutz said:
You do realize that google nav caches the route, it just won't load the maps. If you enter your route while on wifi it will be there until you reach your destination. Or you could just tether it to your phone, which is what I prefer
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 7 Plus
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes this is true from what I have encountered also. Plus doesn't it tend to have more up to date Point of Interests? On the flip side you can't cache everything to the SD card can you?
I prefer Sygic because I'm ancient and don't have a phone and was in need of GPS device. This worked out when I got my tablet over the holidays. I would have used google maps but I wanted to know I had everything on there (like an entire state).
I'm not denoting google maps though since I almost went that route until I found other means that were better to me
I'm really surprised that Google doesn't make their maps available for download to the device. Even if I had to pay say 30 bucks for the USA it would be worth it.
That would be convenient. I would totally use it at that point. But alas we can't always get what we want...
My favorite GPS software is Maverick since I used my Galaxy Tab P1000, but it does not run on this P6200 device. Any suggestion?
Google maps can pre-cache areas you selected. Click on Settings -> Labs and enable the Pre-Cache function.
Well that precaching is terrible. The maps aren't close enough to be useful. Back to the drawing board.
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Well Folks,
So I've been using this OS now for 2 full months and by full I mean I have spent most of my free time learning about it and as much as I find this OS exciting and I believe this is where computing is really at now, I thought I'd share some thoughts on its irritants and get your feedback and opinions about it, so that it could be improved upon in future iterations.
I would like to mention that I have been using computers since the days of punched cards back in the 70s and that I'm no stranger to writing programs, although I am not a computing or IT professional and have only dabbled working on a few programs and scripts only to the extent of doing what was necessary for my work.
That being said, here's some of what I think of this OS, its strengths and weaknesses, its bugs (some, most probably from Google, would insist they are features - more on this later) and its successes. I hope that by posting this others will add their comments, rants and raves as well.
To moderators, if this has already been discussed or of this should be moved to another forum or in any way wish to criticize it, feel free to do so.
***
As much as I was a Microsoft fan during the 90s, this OS sold me as the only one where freedom to innovate and a large community of enthusiasts seem to thrive, whereas Microsoft has become sclerotic and is now under control of corporate culture and thinking, in other words, it's lost its soul and is just running on inertia. I'll stop here so as not to insult the grays who have taken control of it and think it's the best thing since sliced bread.
The open source / free software (lets not get into semantics, please!) sure has fostered a lot of friendly development and sharing and this is definitely the way of the future, notwithstanding what corporate America believes. History has proven that small entities have always been the most productive in society, and it shows in real life and especially here: Although Google, who is the de-facto giant in control of the platform, officially frowns on user control and participation into the OS, it actually benefits from it and doesn't interfere too much with its evolution and as far as I can see, has actually embraced quite a few innovations that we've seen coming to life here and on other forums.
In other words, they don't like it when developers modify it, but are happy to benefit from it in the end, except perhaps those innovations that give more control to users that they wish users should have, but at least and contrarily to Apple and Microsoft, they are not persecuting those who innovate. God knows we already have way too much of that military-style control in our society where major corporations and their lawyers dictate pretty much what citizens can and cannot do.
As much as this OS is promising with its fundamental openness (at least at its roots) and is the least oppressive of them all, there is still a lot to do, or should I say, a lot of restrictions to lift and doors to open to make it a truly open and free platform for software development, and this goes straight back to Google and its overbearing influence on the development of this OS. But I guess we have had to sacrifice some freedom in order to get some support from this corporate giant; so here are some things that, over the past two months experience with the platform, I find severely lacking and in dire need of rethinking:
- Google's overbearing attitude and control over users, especially personified in the Play Store, where one cannot comment freely anymore and the use of which has been aggravating to no end and THE cause of crashes and dysfunction of the device: It only works some times and is so ingrained in the OS that when it misbehaves, you often have to no choice but to reinitialize the OS (aka the 'cold boot'), which, of course, causes havoc with your data and personal settings, which brings me to my next issue:
- The File System: Where is my stuff stored and why is it so difficult to find it and save it? You'd think it's a crime to save your own data! What gives? Why is it so difficult for apps or user settings to be saved in a location chosen by the user? Just try this: of all you apps, how many of them can you access the data from outside of the application and keep safe for the next time when your phone needs to be reinitialized?
- Connection to external devices: We all agree that connection is king and the key to efficient use of portable devices. Can someone explain to me then why does Android make is so difficult to access and transfer files between LOCAL DEVICES such as USB drives and computers and why it must hide some parts of itself and makes every effort to hide user data and keep it out of reach from its owner?
- The Cloud Fad: why is it that Google insists so much on taking over my Data? Why is it not telling me where it is stored and why is it hiding it from me? Knowing how Google manipulates and basically snoops in on everything you do (it's been proven), why would anyone in their right mind trust to have their stuff stored out of their reach when external hard drive so cheap it's almost free? Can someone explain what the advantage is to me, especially when wireless connections are precarious at best and data transport costs more and more? You find that 'convenient'?
- Background Data: Can someone tell me why my device needs to transport SO MUCH stuff in the background and why it needs to do so when it can operate quite happily otherwise when it notices that there isn't a data connection available? Doesn't Google realize that Wireless Data is horrendously expensive? Why can I not, as a user, control what data is sent back in the background in a granular way instead of having to shut it down at system level? Is Google afraid what users might find out about what information is sent to their servers without their explicit knowledge? Which brings me finally to
- Permissions: Why is it so difficult for users to control application permissions? Just like licenses, we only have the choice to 'take it or leave it', without any true knowledge what we sold the devil. Permissions are pernicious and should be under total control of the user. Those developers who need those permissions should explain them all and make it possible for users to deactivate them all so that users could see if the reduced functionality is worth it or not. LET USERS DECIDES WHAT GOES ON THEIR DEVICE!
***
So that's it for my Saturday afternoon rant. Like I said, these things have irritated me for a long time. If you have objections, comments or accolades and additions, here's the place to do so, unless of course the moderators decide otherwise: if this has been discussed somewhere else and I've bothered you with this post, by all means let me know.
All of this that you mention can be done. Not necessarily from pure vanilla AOSP Android. But you can do all of this with the power of custom ROMs such as CyanogenMod.
User data is stored in the /data partition. Apps can be found in /data/app and app data is found in /data/data
You can disable background data using an app that needs root access. There are many available on the Play Store.
You can control an apps permissions, again with an app that needs root access. Found on the Play Store.
Sent from my Slim E4GT using xda premium
Mattix724 said:
All of this that you mention can be done. Not necessarily from pure vanilla AOSP Android. But you can do all of this with the power of custom ROMs such as CyanogenMod.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And that is the beauty of Android
Mattix724 said:
User data is stored in the /data partition. Apps can be found in /data/app and app data is found in /data/data
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great to know! But you must admit that having to ask, or more precisely not being told where it is, is disturbing! Because what is more important than your data? WHY does it have to be so difficult to get to it? Why the secrecy? Don't users deserve to know where their files are and be able to select where to store them? Why am I not AUTOMATICALLY given the CHOICE as to its name and its location on my device?
Mattix724 said:
You can disable background data using an app that needs root access. There are many available on the Play Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True, but why is such an essential function NOT part of the OS and what more, why does it require the user to VIOLATE his warranty (by rooting) to do so? Don't you see what's WRONG with this?
Mattix724 said:
You can control an apps permissions, again with an app that needs root access. Found on the Play Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Again, I understand; but doing so often breaks the apps. WHY do we need these permissions IMPOSED upon us in the first place? Doesn't it strike you as WRONG that so many apps need to access your most private information?
And coming back to the Google Play Store: I've used my device for two months and had to wipe it clean TWICE already and EVERY TIME because the Play Store refused to work anymore! Don't you think there's something wrong with this picture? Doesn't it hint at some homeland-security-esque infiltration deep into the OS from the part of Google?
***
In any case, I thank you for pointing out the practical solutions and workarounds and for getting the ball rolling, so to speak; but my point was more philosophical: WHY should we have to essentially "fight system" with these workarounds to do such straightforward things as as saving documents in a place of the user's choosing, being able to transfer files directly to his PC and being able to keep user privacy?
doesn't that bother anyone?
Shouldn't Android become more open and accessible as a platform that truly empowers its users and leave Apple and Microsoft to cater to those who couldn't be bothered?
Looking forward to your answers!
I sware people will complain nomatter what
Sent by Hellybelly 4.2.2
Disabling Background Data Completely?
Mattix724 said:
All of this that you mention can be done. Not necessarily from pure vanilla AOSP Android. But you can do all of this with the power of custom ROMs such as CyanogenMod.
You can disable background data using an app that needs root access. There are many available on the Play Store.
Sent from my Slim E4GT using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK, so I have looked very extensively, spending hours searching for a way to disable background data and although they are many ways to do so when on cellular data, short of shutting off WiFi altogether, I have not found any discussion, much less a way to do so completely when on WiFi.
One of my concerns is to know WHY background data is even required, because shutting off all data connections certainly does not prevent my apps from working , even those that do require data such as weather, email and news. I just want to be able to fetch the data I need and have total control over what I broadcast, especially what goes on in the background without my explicit knowledge.
So the question remains: short of shutting off data altogether, how can I disable background data completely?
Wouldn't it be possible to either fake a connection so as to fool the system into thinking there is a connection for its hidden background processes, or to wake a connection up on demand when initiating querries and put it to sleep immediately after the answer has arrived?
Old faithful said:
OK, so I have looked very extensively, spending hours searching for a way to disable background data and although they are many ways to do so when on cellular data, short of shutting off WiFi altogether, I have not found any discussion, much less a way to do so completely when on WiFi.
One of my concerns is to know WHY background data is even required, because shutting off all data connections certainly does not prevent my apps from working , even those that do require data such as weather, email and news. I just want to be able to fetch the data I need and have total control over what I broadcast, especially what goes on in the background without my explicit knowledge.
So the question remains: short of shutting off data altogether, how can I disable background data completely?
Wouldn't it be possible to either fake a connection so as to fool the system into thinking there is a connection for its hidden background processes, or to wake a connection up on demand when initiating querries and put it to sleep immediately after the answer has arrived?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A simple data firewall program will take care of that. It will allow you to control what and when things get a data connection.
zelendel said:
A simple data firewall program will take care of that. It will allow you to control what and when things get a data connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmm... I'm using Avast and its firewall doesn't have the option to turn off background data on Wi-Fi, it's either turn off Wi-Fi or not, no option to just turn off background data and leave access to foreground data. I've tried a few other apps that don't have this option either; it's all or nothing.
Do you know of any apps that have that granular choice? Could you suggest a few?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Old faithful said:
...
One of my concerns is to know WHY background data is even required, because shutting off all data connections certainly does not prevent my apps from working , even those that do require data such as weather, email and news. I just want to be able to fetch the data I need and have total control over what I broadcast, especially what goes on in the background without my explicit knowledge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what sort of background data do you want to disable? regarding weather, email, and news, turn off auto sync (disable it all, or by program).
edscholl said:
what sort of background data do you want to disable? regarding weather, email, and news, turn off auto sync (disable it all, or by program).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Precisely ... WHAT sort of background data needs to go on anyway?
Fetching the weather info takes up a few tens of KB. What then does it need to transfer megabytes in the background for then? My wife's weather widget in particular has used over 200 MB over the past month in background data whereas it has only needed a couple of megs to update itself! Doesn't that seem exaggerated?
My point is, what is background data needed for when these apps work perfectly well on demand with a tiny fraction of the bandwidth? Why is there no disclosure what exactly it is used for, if shutting data off when not in use has absolutely no detrimental effect on the function of the app, in other words, what's really going on?
Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note 2
Count your blessings!
I agree with you to some extent. Of course, you can do anything with root access, but why isn't this right here in front of me out of the box. With my Galaxy S III, managing the file system is a pain, and considering my USB Sync cable doesn't work long enough to make file transfers of 100MB+, this is a real problem. I don't want everything in the cloud, I want it here. I don't have internet (fast data speeds, at the least) everywhere. I would hope that Android advances with these features. I also wish there was a way, out of the box with skinned (by carrier or manufacturer) devices that you could disable all skins and themes and use the glorious Stock Android.
Seriously though, count your blessings, at least you're not using iOS!
Old faithful said:
Precisely ... WHAT sort of background data needs to go on anyway?
Fetching the weather info takes up a few tens of KB. What then does it need to transfer megabytes in the background for then? My wife's weather widget in particular has used over 200 MB over the past month in background data whereas it has only needed a couple of megs to update itself! Doesn't that seem exaggerated?
My point is, what is background data needed for when these apps work perfectly well on demand with a tiny fraction of the bandwidth? Why is there no disclosure what exactly it is used for, if shutting data off when not in use has absolutely no detrimental effect on the function of the app, in other words, what's really going on?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So shut sync off if you prefer. I like my apps up to date when I wake my phone, but nobody is going to force you to keep sync on. This is such a non-issue.
As for weather, I guess it depends what app she's using. Looks like my weather widget used less than 1mb of data in the last month...
Background Data Implications
edscholl said:
So shut sync off if you prefer. I like my apps up to date when I wake my phone, but nobody is going to force you to keep sync on. This is such a non-issue.
As for weather, I guess it depends what app she's using. Looks like my weather widget used less than 1mb of data in the last month...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my device, with sync off, background data off, I still get 119 KB foreground, 2.33 MB in the background for the past week, on WiFi, whcih I already turn off most of the time, because it's the only way I have found so far to stop the data leak.
I understand this may be a non issue for folks who have gigabytes of bandwidth a month and don't pay $50 per megabyte off contract like we do or $10 for 100MB, but my concern is deeper than that: what's happening in the background? Why do YOU implicitly trust what's happening in the background without full disclosure?
Also, regarding the voracity of Android for data, when I was on windows mobile with push email on a four hour basis, I used to use no more than a few MB per month, and that was with cellular data on at all times and I'd hardly use more than 50MB per month browsing on wap sites which did a great job of cutting out the non-content garbage that is so prevalent on regular 'full' sites these days.
I understand this may seem like a non-issue to those for whom data is plentiful and cheap, and that most of you implicitly trust what apps do with your data in the background, but to find this being dismissed is deeply worrisome to me: why SHOULD we trust Google and others corporations with our personal information, without even as much as a look at what's being transferred and for what reason? Doesn't that disturb anyone at all???
In any case, thank you for answering and keeping the debate open, so to speak.
To turn off background data go to settings, select Data Usage, press menu button and the check the restrict background data check box.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
You can go even further and customize each apps background data usage from the same screen.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Sorry, just saw where you were talking about background data via WiFi....:banghead:
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium
Old faithful said:
On my device, with sync off, background data off, I still get 119 KB foreground, 2.33 MB in the background for the past week, on WiFi, whcih I already turn off most of the time, because it's the only way I have found so far to stop the data leak.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So what apps are using data? Why don't you turn off background data if you care? Heck, turn off WiFi and mobile networks when thou don't want to sync if you're worried about leakage.
Old faithful said:
I understand this may be a non issue for folks who have gigabytes of bandwidth a month and don't pay $50 per megabyte off contract like we do or $10 for 100MB, but my concern is deeper than that: what's happening in the background? Why do YOU implicitly trust what's happening in the background without full disclosure?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You implicitly trust apps with some data access when you install it, with the specific access given to you. If you think otherwise, your fooling yourself. I'm not sure why foreground vs background data makes much difference to you once you've trusted the app with data access anyway- it's not like it tells you how much data it's going to use per network transaction if you manually tell it to update...
Old faithful said:
Also, regarding the voracity of Android for data, when I was on windows mobile with push email on a four hour basis, I used to use no more than a few MB per month, and that was with cellular data on at all times and I'd hardly use more than 50MB per month browsing on wap sites which did a great job of cutting out the non-content garbage that is so prevalent on regular 'full' sites these days.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
50mb a month... I'm not sure I'd bother with a smartphone if I used data so little.
Old faithful said:
I understand this may seem like a non-issue to those for whom data is plentiful and cheap, and that most of you implicitly trust what apps do with your data in the background, but to find this being dismissed is deeply worrisome to me: why SHOULD we trust Google and others corporations with our personal information, without even as much as a look at what's being transferred and for what reason? Doesn't that disturb anyone at all???
In any case, thank you for answering and keeping the debate open, so to speak.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
We trust them because it makes our lives simpler, and quite frankly, most of us really aren't doing anything all that interesting with our data and Google and others really aren't interested in your personal info (not to be mistaken for an assertion that they're not interested in serving up ads relevant to you). But there's certainly a tradeoff. If you're not comfortable with it, turn it all off, or don't use a smartphone - nobody will hold it against thou.
Konvey said:
I agree with you to some extent. Of course, you can do anything with root access
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you can direct me to an app that allows me to COMPLETELY shut off background data for all apps including the OS, for any type of connection, incuding WiFi, I wouldn't be so concerned, but I have looked for the past two months now and found nothing so far that does that, even the acclaimed Droidwall can't turn background data off, even when everything is turned off, meaning, NO data access whatsoever: the bloody "OS Services" still happily does its thing in the backrground, and there is no way to find out what it does (I tried tPacketCapture - I only get 24 byte long files that I can't read anything out of)
Since it would seem that the problem is deep within the operating system, it would seem that the only way to completely shut off background data would be to give a local host redirect for every BACKGROUND process, such as what is possible in Windows using a 127.0.0.1 riderect. Since I'm a newbie when it comes to Android I don't know how to do it, but surely there must be a way, or a way to connect to WiFi only on demand?
Konvey said:
but why isn't this right here in front of me out of the box. With my Galaxy S III, managing the file system is a pain, and considering my USB Sync cable doesn't work long enough to make file transfers of 100MB+, this is a real problem. I don't want everything in the cloud, I want it here. I don't have internet (fast data speeds, at the least) everywhere. I would hope that Android advances with these features. I also wish there was a way, out of the box with skinned (by carrier or manufacturer) devices that you could disable all skins and themes and use the glorious Stock Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly. I am still looking for a file explorer with the functionality of my old Norton File Manager (remember that one?). I can't understand why the so-called 'expert' ones such as Root Explorer don't have accessible sorting features (why hide it in settings? Isn't that a basic, essential feature of any file management system to be able to sort based on these common criteria?).
Furthermore, I'd love nothing more than being able to swipe left from the home screen directly into the file system for direct access to shortcuts, packages and data, and to be able to specify where the OS shoudl store MY data (instead of keeping it hidden as is most often the case).
Konvey said:
Seriously though, count your blessings, at least you're not using iOS!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I couldn't agree more, I'll never have an Apple product in my house, no need to say more, we all know about Apple's control of its users and tyrannical ways. George Orwell had it mostly right, but where he failed is where Big Brother would come from: Not the government. Or perhaps we should say that Major Corporations, through the power of their lobbies, have indeed become the de-facto Government .
Thanks again for your answer, Ed.
edscholl said:
So what apps are using data? Why don't you turn off background data if you care? Heck, turn off WiFi and mobile networks when thou don't want to sync if you're worried about leakage.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shutting WiFi off after use is what I've been doing of late, but it's an uphill battle. The minute I turn WiFi back on, the OS, like a ravenous dog, immediately gets into background data mode, trumping the foreground querries by volume. But it's a start
edscholl said:
You implicitly trust apps with some data access when you install it, with the specific access given to you. If you think otherwise, your fooling yourself. I'm not sure why foreground vs background data makes much difference to you once you've trusted the app with data access anyway- it's not like it tells you how much data it's going to use per network transaction if you manually tell it to update...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but to see the data exchange so lopsided (most of it being background) is what makes me wonder what it really does. Perhaps it can be trusted but what bothers me is these apps don't tell you what they really do 'for you' in background mode and why they need so much bandwidth... I mean, how much data is required to transmit temperatures, weather conditions and the such? Heck any update would surely fit in a sub KB transmission even for 3 or 4 cities like I have in my setup...
edscholl said:
50mb a month... I'm not sure I'd bother with a smartphone if I used data so little.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To each his own, Ed. When data costs $10 for 100MB and the most you can get is 1GB for $60 (or as low as $30 on promo), you quickly come to your senses. That's, of course, another issue altogether.
Fact is, apart from media such as youtube and other streaming sites, text based information (or information update using apps that are supposed to have built in presentation such as snow fluries for "snow") should require very little data, typically 1KB per full size page. You have to admit that something is wrong with this picture that when I read a 500 word article it requires the same amount of bandwidth as the contents of a whole book!
edscholl said:
We trust them because it makes our lives simpler, and quite frankly, most of us really aren't doing anything all that interesting with our data and Google and others really aren't interested in your personal info (not to be mistaken for an assertion that they're not interested in serving up ads relevant to you). But there's certainly a tradeoff. If you're not comfortable with it, turn it all off, or don't use a smartphone - nobody will hold it against thou.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They do make our lives simpler and there is a trade-off, agreed. The point I make is where the line should be crossed. Are we willing to get shoved with 99% non content garbage in order to access the remaining 1% meaningful content? Because that is certainly the going rate for full websites such as cnet, tech republic and others, and when looking at background data on Android, at least from my perspective. I was online back in 1993 when the www started (before on Co$tly Compuserve) and with the limited technology we had at the time we could get access to more meaningful content faster than we can now, and with very, very limited bandwidth!
Ok, ok, enough of the oldtimer rant Maybe you are right and I'm just an old fool. But I'd rather be considered an old fool for asking stupid questions than to accept it all without any question
Old faithful said:
Yes, but to see the data exchange so lopsided (most of it being background) is what makes me wonder what it really does. Perhaps it can be trusted but what bothers me is these apps don't tell you what they really do 'for you' in background mode and why they need so much bandwidth... I mean, how much data is required to transmit temperatures, weather conditions and the such? Heck any update would surely fit in a sub KB transmission even for 3 or 4 cities like I have in my setup...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
and as I said, my weather widget uses (beautiful widgets) like 1mb a month. On my phone, the HTC sense widget uses like 5mb.
So if your weather app - again, what apps, specifically, are you having issues with? - is using hundreds of MBS, maybe it's doing a lot more (like live radar or videos), or maybe it's just crap and you should uninstall it.
Old faithful said:
Fact is, apart from media such as youtube and other streaming sites, text based information (or information update using apps that are supposed to have built in presentation such as snow fluries for "snow") should require very little data, typically 1KB per full size page. You have to admit that something is wrong with this picture that when I read a 500 word article it requires the same amount of bandwidth as the contents of a whole book!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You are tilting at windmills. The average page size is pushing 1.5mb, and was more than 1k back in the Netscape beta days (15k average ~1995).
It's not uncommon for a http HEADER to be bigger than 1k.
Old faithful said:
They do make our lives simpler and there is a trade-off, agreed. The point I make is where the line should be crossed. Are we willing to get shoved with 99% non content garbage in order to access the remaining 1% meaningful content? Because that is certainly the going rate for full websites such as cnet, tech republic and others, and when looking at background data on Android, at least from my perspective. I was online back in 1993 when the www started (before on Co$tly Compuserve) and with the limited technology we had at the time we could get access to more meaningful content faster than we can now, and with very, very limited bandwidth!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your looking at the past through rose colored glasses if you remember more meaningful content being available in 1993. In mid 1993, there were 130 webpages, total. End of 1993, around 1000. End of 1994, around 10000. And a lot of them were useless crap that students were putting up (I know, I was one of them).
Old faithful said:
Ok, ok, enough of the oldtimer rant Maybe you are right and I'm just an old fool. But I'd rather be considered an old fool for asking stupid questions than to accept it all without any question
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not about accepting it without question. It's mainly you haven't given much specifics, so the only general answer is, well, it's for convenience, so turn off your data if you're worried. The details you did give - email and weather - it's very clear why they would use background data.
---------- Post added at 12:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:18 PM ----------
Regarding your other points:
Old faithful said:
Great to know! But you must admit that having to ask, or more precisely not being told where it is, is disturbing! Because what is more important than your data? WHY does it have to be so difficult to get to it? Why the secrecy? Don't users deserve to know where their files are and be able to select where to store them? Why am I not AUTOMATICALLY given the CHOICE as to its name and its location on my device?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That you didn't know where it was doesn't mean it is hidden or a secret; guidelines are published and clear, and apps generally follow them. You're not given a choice in name and location for simplicity.
Old faithful said:
True, but why is such an essential function NOT part of the OS and what more, why does it require the user to VIOLATE his warranty (by rooting) to do so? Don't you see what's WRONG with this?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Commonly claimed, but rooting does not void your warranty. Problems you cause by rooting will do not need to be honored by the warranty.
Old faithful said:
Again, I understand; but doing so often breaks the apps. WHY do we need these permissions IMPOSED upon us in the first place? Doesn't it strike you as WRONG that so many apps need to access your most private information?
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No app imposes anything on you - apps require the permissions they do and they're spelled out before you install. Don't install apps that required permissions thou don't like.
Old faithful said:
And coming back to the Google Play Store: I've used my device for two months and had to wipe it clean TWICE already and EVERY TIME because the Play Store refused to work anymore! Don't you think there's something wrong with this picture? Doesn't it hint at some homeland-security-esque infiltration deep into the OS from the part of Google?
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Sounds like your phone is broken. Get a replacement under warranty.