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Any way to get offline GPS navigation?

I have a trip booked to Paris in about a month and I'd like a smartwatch that I'm able to glance at to see directions when I'm walking around the city. Ideally I'd like to not have to buy a data plan while I'm there so I'd be working offline.
I know the Pebble has OsmAnd+ that will deliver turn-by-turn navigation while offline, but I'm curious if there's any app that works in a similar fashion for the Sony Smartwatch 2 as that's the watch I'd rather buy.
I've searched the forums but haven't been able to find anything concrete, I know there's some apps that will display a GPS map but I'm more looking for the directions than just a map.
Any help is much appreciated, even if it's pointing me to a thread that contains this info already

The "Google maps smartwatch" extension forwards Google maps navigation pretty well, which will give you walking directions with data.
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App idea: basic google map viewer

Hi,
I am looking for a simple map viewer for Gear 2.
There are a few apps for maps but they all focus on navigation. I am not interested in navigation. I just would like to have a snapshot of my location on Google Map. (Also maybe moving around the map by gestures.)
Is it too difficult to write such app ?
There are tons of nonsense apps which are really far more complex than this but nobody has ever wrote such simple one.
thx.

mrmrmrmr said:
Hi,
I am looking for a simple map viewer for Gear 2.
There are a few apps for maps but they all focus on navigation. I am not interested in navigation. I just would like to have a snapshot of my location on Google Map. (Also maybe moving around the map by gestures.)
Is it too difficult to write such app ?
There are tons of nonsense apps which are really far more complex than this but nobody has ever wrote such simple one.
thx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It could be more difficult then you think.
On android you put a mapview object in your app and ask it to load a map for a location, that is basically it.
There is also a web api for google maps to use in a browser (never done that myself);
That is what is need for the gear, but the gear browser (the apps are basically browser windows with html5/css/javascript),
can not get the maps data by itself, it has to get it via the phone app.....

mrmrmrmr said:
Hi,
I am looking for a simple map viewer for Gear 2.
There are a few apps for maps but they all focus on navigation. I am not interested in navigation. I just would like to have a snapshot of my location on Google Map. (Also maybe moving around the map by gestures.)
Is it too difficult to write such app ?
There are tons of nonsense apps which are really far more complex than this but nobody has ever wrote such simple one.
thx.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
try the gear navigator that is available from the samsung store since yesterday. Yes if focuses on navigation but will also show a snapshot of the map on the gear2.
/A

AnderlR72 said:
try the gear navigator that is available from the samsung store since yesterday. Yes if focuses on navigation but will also show a snapshot of the map on the gear2.
/A
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have already tried it today.
It's too far complex , and the result is:
- battery consuming on the phone, because the app has to be on foreground and it uses GPS all the time.
- battery consuming on the Gear itself. (nonstop connection to the phone)
- necessity to have a running navigation. Why do I need it when I just want to see a snapshot of my location ?
- necessity to run the app on phone (can't run anything to view on phone screen)
Instead of all that necessity and complexity, I am just looking for a snapshot of my current location. Maybe updated on touch of a screen, or update every few minutes...
This way it wouldn't consume battery of the Watch and the Phone.

klwinkel said:
It could be more difficult then you think.
On android you put a mapview object in your app and ask it to load a map for a location, that is basically it.
There is also a web api for google maps to use in a browser (never done that myself);
That is what is need for the gear, but the gear browser (the apps are basically browser windows with html5/css/javascript),
can not get the maps data by itself, it has to get it via the phone app.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in fact, a very simplistic approach would be;
- get a screenshot of Google Maps on phone every X seconds
- update it to the browser window on Gear 2.

mrmrmrmr said:
in fact, a very simplistic approach would be;
- get a screenshot of Google Maps on phone every X seconds
- update it to the browser window on Gear 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But for the screenshot, the phone need to be on and then you could better use the phone anyway.
you want to be able to do it with the phone in your pocket, screen locked.
but keep thinking, maybe we discover a way to do it......

Hi,
Apart from my screenshot idea, I believe this is much more simple than creating a navigation app. It will just update the current location view periodically.
No one is interested in this ?
thx.

Finally. Someone made it. Thanks to Aleksandr Martiushev. App name is Gear Guide.

mrmrmrmr said:
Finally. Someone made it. Thanks to Aleksandr Martiushev. App name is Gear Guide.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You know where I can find it? Because I'm searching on Samsung App but I can't found nothing.. :\

S3th94 said:
You know where I can find it? Because I'm searching on Samsung App but I can't found nothing.. :\
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It shows for me on a Sprint Note 3. Yet another case of the Samsung/Galaxy Gear store not showing availability for all phones.

JimSmith94 said:
It shows for me on a Sprint Note 3. Yet another case of the Samsung/Galaxy Gear store not showing availability for all phones.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never mind, it was a my error, it's also available for Galaxy S3. The app works fine, waiting for an implementation of a blue line for the indications, like on google maps!

Offline maps for Gear S2

I use different aplications for creating tracks/routes for trekking, hiking, cycling...
I transfer GPX (or KML) files into Locus Pro app on my phone, where I use track with offline maps for navigation. It's also important for me to have option to add points of interest on that track.
Is there any option to use that kind of navigation on Gear S2?
Ideal would be option to transfer track and map (smaller part or region) on watch, with similar onscreen guidance as for example Locus or Google Maps. (Well, Locus app for Gear S2 would probably be my biggest wish. )
Other solution would be offline maps with track (and POI) on phone and partial mirroring of screen on watch. Similar like HERE, but mora that just arrows and roundabout exits.
Apps that I found so far:
HERE - not suitable for my needs. (I use offroad maps)
Gear Navigator - can't find app in Gear Store. (Or I don't know how to make it work?) I don't know if it works completely offline.
Komoot - it takes long time to start/find location. Tested on bike route outside and lost signal/navigation several times. and it doesnt show map.

I'm guessing (but not sure) that you have a 3G watch with internal GPS, in which case when I search for "navigator" on the app store I see "Gear Navigator Standalone," which is supposed to work without getting a location from your phone over bluetooth. (I don't have a 3G, so haven't tried it.)
If you don't have a 3G variation of the S2, and thus expect to have your watch connected to your phone via bluetooth when hiking and/or biking, Samsung's android S-Health app can track your travels when you initiate hiking or biking from the watch, and the resulting track can be saved and used in other apps after the fact. But that doesn't offer on-watch turn-by-turn guidance, afaik.

I have non 3G version. I can see my location on watch (Maps for Gear) or show simple navigation instructions (HERE for Gear). So getting GPS location from phone is not an issue.
What I'm looking for is not to track my path, but showing the map/route to follow.

Blonti said:
I have non 3G version. I can see my location on watch (Maps for Gear) or show simple navigation instructions (HERE for Gear). So getting GPS location from phone is not an issue.
What I'm looking for is not to track my path, but showing the map/route to follow.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't know why you're not seeing Gear Navigator. That has the option to choose between using online Google maps data or offline Here map data from your phone, and shows turn by turn, as well as -- optionally -- a tiny map showing your location/direction. Was a bit buggy when I tried it, but that was a while ago. I've had decent luck with komoot guidance when biking; it knows my local bike paths pretty well.
There's evidence that the Gear S2's bluetooth connection is laggy. Some software developers have mentioned this. I think this shows up in the navigation apps, so that directions to turn sometimes appear a bit late, just when you're at the intersection rather than 30 seconds before. Don't know if this is hardware or software problem. (I wonder if it has to do with battery saving efforts on the part of the Gear S2's designers.)

tstreete said:
Don't know why you're not seeing Gear Navigator.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I contacted developer of Gear Navigator and it seems that there are some regional restrictions. Developer can't add my country, because it's not "in developer panel". I contacted later Samsung in my country and they said I should contact developer about his. Not funny!
I do believe that there is in fact problem that Samsung didn't add my country to the list of countries that have (full) access to paid apps. I explained to Samsung Suppport that other app stores work already in our country (like Google Store or iTunes Store) even for paid apps. Since both devices that I use (Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge and Gear S2 Sport) are available in my country for purchase I expect to have access also to paid apps. I do understand that some apps are only in some regions available. But in this case, where developers wants to allow access, he is unable to do so, because my country is somehow not listed.

I've run into the Samsung support "it's the developer's problem" thing before; eventually one of them explained that things having to do with the store are just outside of their training. I wonder if there's anything we can do on this list to communicate to Samsung all the problems with their support. (The folks on the end of the phone are probably underpaid and undertrained and get blamed by their bosses if we give them bad ratings, so we'd need a way to reach somewhere higher in the system.)

OK, sorry - this is now off-topic, but may eventually partial solve (kind of) problem of navigation - if I could get access to Gear Navigator app for Gear S2.
How does Samsung define which country is in which region for access to Gear Store (or even Galaxy Store)? Is there any list of regions and countries in specific region?
(My country is part of Europe and EU member. However I can't access paid apps in Gear Store*. I guess some users from other EU countries can access paid apps in Gear Store. In this case my country must be in other region - probably. I'd like to clear this up and maybe ask someone at Samsung to change region for my country.)
* - I checked and I see only free apps also in "Galaxy App". Could be same reason. I never bothered with it, because I buy app through Google Play store.

I solved the problem - installed Gear Navigator.
I had to change the Samsung Gear Store to other country:
1. Installed VPN app on my phone
2. Cleared data for Galaxy Apps
3. Removed SIM card
4. Restart phone
5. Run VPN app (I choose region UK)
6. Run Samsung Gear Store and chose location UK
7. Browse apps that were before (for me) unavailable
9. Payment for apps works either with credit card or PayPal
I have installed (bought) all apps that I need.

Hello,
Question about "Gear Navigator".
Do you know the adress where I must save a gpx file to use it as a trace to follow ?
Thanks !

totospv said:
Hello,
Question about "Gear Navigator".
Do you know the adress where I must save a gpx file to use it as a trace to follow ?
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No response on above. I am also interested to find out whether I can view GPX on Gear Navigator and how to do it. Thanks.

JurekDJ said:
No response on above. I am also interested to find out whether I can view GPX on Gear Navigator and how to do it. Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you need a file manager for android, I use ES File Explorer, to open the gpx. When you touch the file the file explorer will ask you which app you want to open it with. You select Gear Navigator. You can even export GPX files from SHealth tracked running or hiking or cycling sessions and then upload it to Gear Navigator and use it to redo the same track.

Skiing and other sports that use gps?

Its pretty stupid that in S health are so many sports to choose from, but in the watch you have almost only excercizes that are strange to do with a gps tracking watch, pilates or other funny things that watch will not calculate correctly.
I mean where the f... is alpine skiing programm or snowbording or rollerskating, football etc. there is only cykling, running and walking to use gps with.
Why i cant synchronise my sports that i choose in S health app with S health app in the watch, i dont need pilates pushaps and the rest of this kind.
Anybody knows how to use the watch with skiing etc?

polson said:
Its pretty stupid that in S health are so many sports to choose from, but in the watch you have almost only excercizes that are strange to do with a gps tracking watch, pilates or other funny things that watch will not calculate correctly.
I mean where the f... is alpine skiing programm or snowbording or rollerskating, football etc. there is only cykling, running and walking to use gps with.
Why i cant synchronise my sports that i choose in S health app with S health app in the watch, i dont need pilates pushaps and the rest of this kind.
Anybody knows how to use the watch with skiing etc?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, I am very curious as well. It frustrates the hell out of me that I can't use S Health for all activities I do and there are many useless ones instead. Anybody can help? How logical to me. Obviously not for Samsung.

You cant even start activity in the phone and see it on the watch, just like in android smartwatches on endemondo etc.
I will not wait until sombody will write an sports app, specially that i dont want 3rd party app and nowbody knows if there will be any first party sports app other than shealth with pilates, joga, pushups and other...
Because of that I have returned gear to the shop.
For notifications and watchfaces I dont need gear s3 with GPS. Also in my country there is no lte frontier version and no samsung pay.
I think i will buy Huawei Watch and use endemondo or other activity app connected to my phone.

I miss alpine skiing in the S-Health app on the S3 as well. But I hope that Samsung will add these activities in the nearer future. For the meantime I have installed Rossignol Ski Pursuit. I wll see next week, how it works in real life.

I have found Ski pursuit too, but what with other sports, i dont belive Samsung will add more in watch S health, couse gear fit 2 with GPS is almoust 6 months old and yet dont have many sports too...
I have had Fenix 3, wasnt afraid to use it everywhere, but gear s3 with that delicate bezel on slalom ski.
I will buy Huawei now, for superb price.
I will come back to gear s3 if samsung will add different sports and more first party apps

Two months on is it worth purchasing?

So I initially bought this watch on release and unfortunately had to return it due to massively overspending that month. I only had time to have a quick play with it but I loved the screen and the look (Classic) and am now really tempted to repurchase.
One thing I did note at launch was that the selection of apps was pretty woeful, basically everything was a watchface and there wasn't even Spotify, Uber etc. at least not in the UK app store. Has this situation changed at all? Is there any way of seeing a list of current available apps?
Secondly, one of my main reasons for buying would be tracking distance, pace and calories for runs using the watch as a standalone - can anyone tell me how reliable this is and if it works well?

I will post here what I have already said elsewhere on the Gear S forums, because it's relevant to your question,
People complain about there being more watch faces and not enough apps on the Galaxy Store...
well firstly there are hundreds of apps on the store! but just how much do you expect to be doing on your watch? I mean essentially it's for time and date function, relaying of notifications, messaging, call taking/making, health tracking, weather, news and navigation. All these functions are covered out of the box.
So what are you expecting? Microsoft Office? Minecraft? Photoshop? Hello... it's a watch!! and considering that you will be looking at the time more than anything else on the watch, having a huge choice of watch faces is not only a GOOD thing, it's essential!
Now I have downloaded various apps:
Voice Memo
Guardian News
Speedometer
Gear Navigator
Calculator
Cooking Timer
Xenozu (YouTube videos)
Spotify
Gear Browser
Flashlight Premium
Brrr (disconnect warning)
Yelp
Stopwatch
Timer
Hangman
And you know what? I hardly use any of them! So I wouldn't worry about the app situation.
Also, Spotify is available in the UK
and S-Health will track your performance and upload to your Samsung account, so it will sync with your phone(s) when reconnected.