anyone know any software that does gps navigation for free? or at least one that has a 30 day trial, or some kind of trial.
I've had good luck with www.nav4all.com but it needs a GPS keep-alive like BAF's GPS Toggle or the Holus GPS Viewer. Of course YMMV.
There are alot of places out there to find software. I personally use Garmin Mobile XT. It took me a LONG time to piece this together, but now that I have all the parts, I was able to make this sing flawlessly on my mogul. It can graph in 3d, or 2d, and it's extremely accurate considering this is a cell phone. It also has the garmin online feature which gives you weather, traffic, and gas prices (to name a few) in the area the gps is centered on.
Awesome program.
I've also played with Tracky, and purchased this one. I like it, but it's made more for people looking to do Geocaching.
Live search and google maps are good if your looking for free. However, if your in a pinch, and do not have internet, they suck cause there are no maps without internet.
Garmin loads it all onto the memory card. The software I use allows me to create maps and upload them to the unit.
Hope this helps you out a bit.
Chem
Osteo said:
I've had good luck with www.nav4all.com but it needs a GPS keep-alive like BAF's GPS Toggle or the Holus GPS Viewer. Of course YMMV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nav4all looks like its good, but would gpstoday work for the keep alive? assuming i run it in persistent mode?
gbenj said:
nav4all looks like its good, but would gpstoday work for the keep alive? assuming i run it in persistent mode?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I tried GPSToday and it worked but as I don't have an unlimited data plan, I didn't want something d/l data.
If you goof N4A will dial in but only passes a few bytes of info to update your course. I logged in maybe 6 times for route updates over a week and it only used 200k of data (I called VZ to confirm amount of data used).
Many folks like the bells and whistles of the Garmin and TomTom type products; Nav4all dosen't show a map while driving (per their FAQ,this is for saftey reasons, so it talks the directions to you).
It doesn't announce street names but does tell you what lane to be in to get to your goal ("Just ahead, stay on the left, two hiways" means you need to be in the two left lanes to get where you're going). The demo on their website will show you what to expect.
The screen gives a very basic arrow indicator but Nav4all got me all over San Diego and Anaheim CA with no hitches. Also works well here in rural Tennessee.
Good luck!
Osteo said:
Yeah, I tried GPSToday and it worked but as I don't have an unlimited data plan, I didn't want something d/l data.
If you goof N4A will dial in but only passes a few bytes of info to update your course. I logged in maybe 6 times for route updates over a week and it only used 200k of data (I called VZ to confirm amount of data used).
Many folks like the bells and whistles of the Garmin and TomTom type products; Nav4all dosen't show a map while driving (per their FAQ,this is for saftey reasons, so it talks the directions to you).
It doesn't announce street names but does tell you what lane to be in to get to your goal ("Just ahead, stay on the left, two hiways" means you need to be in the two left lanes to get where you're going). The demo on their website will show you what to expect.
The screen gives a very basic arrow indicator but Nav4all got me all over San Diego and Anaheim CA with no hitches. Also works well here in rural Tennessee.
Good luck!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My today screen toggler (over on ppcgeeks) does the same thing as GPS today, except without the extra fluff.
Chemdawg said:
There are alot of places out there to find software. I personally use Garmin Mobile XT.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Though to use the Garmin maps and to use TomTom ain't legally "free", eh? Just had to nitpick.
Osteo said:
I've had good luck with www.nav4all.com but it needs a GPS keep-alive like BAF's GPS Toggle or the Holus GPS Viewer. Of course YMMV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey Baffles, isn't this one yours? I love it and use it almost exclusively. The only time I use the Holux product (spelled wrong in the above post) is if I want to see the status of the satellites. Thanks for the hard work, man!
edit: here's a link for those who don't use google... http://forum.ppcgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=21248
Osteo said:
Yeah, I tried GPSToday and it worked but as I don't have an unlimited data plan, I didn't want something d/l data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Osteo, for precisely your type of needs GPSToday already has an option to prevent it from downloading any data. In the Map Window->OptionsMenu->Settings dialog, enable the option "Disable Data At All Times", and Uncheck the option "Initiate Connection if Needed". Also, for added benefit, click on "More" on the first Settings screen, and Uncheck "Show Address on Today screen". This will change the today screen display to show your most recent latitude/longitude/altitude and time of last fix etc, none of which require data access. Please install version 0.9.5 to get this and other "offline use" benefits.
Thanks
GPSToday said:
Osteo, for precisely your type of needs GPSToday already has an option to prevent it from downloading any data. In the Map Window->OptionsMenu->Settings dialog, enable the option "Disable Data At All Times", and Uncheck the option "Initiate Connection if Needed". Also, for added benefit, click on "More" on the first Settings screen, and Uncheck "Show Address on Today screen". This will change the today screen display to show your most recent latitude/longitude/altitude and time of last fix etc, none of which require data access. Please install version 0.9.5 to get this and other "offline use" benefits.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool! Loved the toggling of your product but the data issue kept me from using. As I'm a chronic tinker-er I'll give it another go. I guess I stumbled on one of the initial builds early on and gave up on it. Thanks for the info!
Related
I have the VZ 6800 using Valhallas gps cab and for google maps it works GREAT, knows right where i am moves with me ect. However when i fire up tomtom or visualgps it cant seem to pinpoint my location. in fact the standard divation in visual is usualy in the millions of feet. any ideas whats causing this? Both programs SEE the gps and satalites fine but cant pinpoint me. Thanks
grs10251 said:
I have the VZ 6800 using Valhallas gps cab and for google maps it works GREAT, knows right where i am moves with me ect. However when i fire up tomtom or visualgps it cant seem to pinpoint my location. in fact the standard divation in visual is usualy in the millions of feet. any ideas whats causing this? Both programs SEE the gps and satellites fine but cant pinpoint me. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your right. The thread that covers the application explains the fix. Its becuase those apps are access the comport still instead of the Windows Mobile daemon(?) for GPS. You need to install a third party app that will grab the de-obfuscated data and redirect it to a soft comport that these apps will use. The program that was recommend was called Franson GPS gate. It will take the data and reroutes it to another "Com port"
All of the details are in the Adapter thread. Check it out around page 18 or so...
I got it working great for me but its just too much crap to get GPS when you can flash to a custom ROM and not have to worry about two third party apps.
Eitherway, good luck.
Custom roms are great, i've used them almost since I bought the 6800.If I want verizon to upgrade me to a better phone, I need to log complaints against the stock rom. using these little tricks keeps the phone serviceable at any given time while affording me a semi "custom" rom feel that I have grown accustomed to.
any sugestions
i cant get the gps to wirk in tomtom still even using gps gate so could anyone recomend a good rom i would love to keep all the functions of the stock wm6.1 but have gps features as well.
grs10251 said:
i cant get the gps to wirk in tomtom still even using gps gate so could anyone recomend a good rom i would love to keep all the functions of the stock wm6.1 but have gps features as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What happens?
Even using gps gate the gps doesnt lock on my position. i get 5 to 8 satalites but then cant pinpoint where i am. There is a huge standared diviation when i look up my location upward of 100000 feet. google maps uses the same gps and port but knows exactly where i am.
I found the navigon mobile software to work quite well. Acquire it as you see fit. Mostly works with European maps but US are available. Im using Mobile Navigator 6.XX. cant remember. Got screwed by verizon and bought iPhone. but i will still offer advice. After contract is up if verizon can shape up i can get an android capable phone if they offer it.
Hey all,
I routinely use my Titan browser to look up the address of a business, then put that address in a GPS Navigator program to navigate to that address. I was wondering what you all think is the be all/end all program to complete this task. I've been using iGo 8 as it's got by far the best interface and maps, though you can't look up a business while in the program. I've also used Google Maps which does a great job of looking up the business address, but a crap job of navigating you to it. Finally, I've used Yahoo Go! a little bit, which is ok, but not the best. I welcome all your opinions...
Mapquest Navigator does a good job for me after using SprintNav for a long time for free....... Lots of feature and 50 bucks a year is alright.
i use tom tom 7 with maps usa & canada works great locks in 5 seconds in the basemant also names and addreses i am gettin from live search and save them in contacts list so its easy to navigate in tom tom
Not sure if its the best, but I've been very happy with iGuidance.
Once I got gpsGate and aGPS it has been flawless.
hbenz2008 said:
Mapquest Navigator does a good job for me after using SprintNav for a long time for free....... Lots of feature and 50 bucks a year is alright.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Crud, apparently mapquest navigator does not support verizon?!?
fvultee said:
Crud, apparently mapquest navigator does not support verizon?!?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My guess is they say that because Verizon locks down the gps so you can only use it with VZ Navigator, but if you're on this site, I'm sure you have enabled it on your XV6800, so I would still give it a try.
Microsoft Live Search.
It does a great job at searching and the routing isn't bad either. It only has a 'ding' as you approach a turn, no voice navigation.
I have TomTom and hate it. IMHO, Live Search is very good compared to TT.
I'm a Garmin XT user my self. I've loaded City guide and Topo maps on it so if I'm in the city or out in the woods I've got it covered. It uses the same maps and charts that have been produced for Garmins other devices. I haven't looked in to it yet but the Ocean navigational charts should be able to load on there also.
Due to my rural location data is not reliable. When hiking hundreds of miles from the nearest tower its not even an after thought. So i prefer to have all of the map data located on my 8gb HCSD. The entire Island of Newfoundland is ~20 mb for each map.
The Dir. on the device is 4.8 mb (for V5) the rest is on the card.
The City guide maps are the most detailed i have seen yet. Many of the smaller roads in my area were not on Tom Tom.
The down side is that it costs quite a bit. I have mapsource software from other devices so it wasn't that much for me. I have seen reference to a "re-pack" from other discussions, located on the torrent sites but that's at your own risk.
Chris
Live search and Google maps.......best free apps....I prefer Livesearch......
Sprint Navigation is also great for a free app....
TT7 is my software of choice. i dont know about anyone else, but i kinda like variety in my GPS, so i pretty much have all of them and pick and choose based on what im feelin and whichever one i press first.
I've tried a number of programs:
iGO: Beautiful maps, great interface, good voice prompts, very accurate... but it's a HUGE memory hog. You can't do anything else when running it. I've even had my phone fail because of lack of memory. Not acceptable if I can't make and receive calls.
iGuidance: Very low memory usage. Accurate. Buttons are small, hard to use when in the car. Graphics are not great looking. I had some quirks with the display when switching between Landscape and Portrait modes.
TomTom: Graphics are better than iGuidance, not as good as iGo. Buttons are large and easy to use in the car. Accurate. Memory usage is low. I was able to plot and follow a 2.5 hour trip and play my music with Media Player without an hitch in TomTom or the music.
All things considered, I'd love to use iGo, but the huge amount of memory usage makes it a not go for the Titan's wimpy 64megs. TomTom uses a lot less memory and is only a small step down from iGo's graphics.
Garmin Mobile XT with the newest patch/ver
I am useing Garmin Mobile XT and am on ver 5.00.20wp and it works great and new features integrate onling functions very well. Graphics are best I have seen and it gives gas prices, locations, speed limits, cameras, and google looks up stuff thats not in your database of poi's.
madman34 said:
I am useing Garmin Mobile XT and am on ver 5.00.20wp and it works great and new features integrate onling functions very well. Graphics are best I have seen and it gives gas prices, locations, speed limits, cameras, and google looks up stuff thats not in your database of poi's.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Another vote here... Garmin Mobile XT seems to integrate the best of the online services (gas prices, traffic, etc) with the ability to be used as a true standalone GPS (not reliant on a data connection). I travel a few places where I lose my data connection (no phone service at all) and Garmin doesn't even blink, with all the map info stored on the microSD card.
IGo 8
IGO 8 is by far the smoothest, sexiest and quickest recalculating map and trust me I have used them all.
Cons: You must disable everything running in the background before using. I have never had a problem with receiving calls. I leave my bluetooth headset hooked up while navigating so my device can remain in holster. Just do a soft reset before you run the program run oxios hibernate and if you have about 25 megs free initially I drove 2600 miles with it recaluculating and just sitting still while I went in no problems.
Garmin XT is my second choice because I find it easy to use and very dependable.
Live Search and Google Maps require internet connection and were useless in the smokey mountains, except to prime agps.
Garmin XT
I have Garmin XT and it's great. I also use Google maps from time to time, it's better if you want to check out an area you kind of know real fast and also it has the sat maps which can be nice sometimes. But for actual naviagation Garmin blows Google away. Memory is sometimes an issue but with the latest DCD 3.2.6 it's less and less of a prob.
I have looked through google and parts of this forum but haven't really had any luck on finding an app that will show coordinates when you're offline. I know there are apps where you can download a map and store it on your SD card, but I like to hike in Eastern Oregon and Western Idaho where there aren't really any options to get the maps digitally.
I was wondering if anyone knew of an app that allowed you to enter coordinates to navigate there or to have it save your current coordinates so you could return there.
Thanks,
Justin
Did you check out Locus and Maverick from the Android Apps and Games forum? If they are good, maybe come back and do a mini-review? I'd be interested in setting up something similar on my phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=907430
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1524092
OSMAnd might also be useful - if your hiking trails are in OSM.
However OSMAnd doesn't do offline terrain/topo.
Entropy512 said:
OSMAnd might also be useful - if your hiking trails are in OSM.
However OSMAnd doesn't do offline terrain/topo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, IDK I'll have a physical topo map so I don't necessarily need topo, I'll check it out. I'm more concerned about the Lat/Long Coordinates to make sure I can get back to my car...It's hours away from even remote towns and I don't want to get lost!
stone_ship said:
Did you check out Locus and Maverick from the Android Apps and Games forum? If they are good, maybe come back and do a mini-review? I'd be interested in setting up something similar on my phone.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=907430
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1524092
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll check them out and post back if I find useful, I did download maverick and it looks like it allows you to navigate to coordinates. I also downloaded the free version of backpacker GPS Trails and it's pretty good as well, It even has a map which includes one of the hikes I'm interested in. I'll update in a few weeks after I've had some time to try them out around town...
Thanks guys.
Gaia GPS is nice. You can predownload maps and record and save your hikes, then post them with google maps.
techjeep said:
Gaia GPS is nice. You can predownload maps and record and save your hikes, then post them with google maps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cool Thanks, I'll mess around with the map making first then I might have to check Gaia out..you think it's worth the $10?
There's AllTrails, Backpacker GPS Trails Lite, and MyTracks too!
justinblaine23 said:
Cool Thanks, I'll mess around with the map making first then I might have to check Gaia out..you think it's worth the $10?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
VerticalCobra said:
There's AllTrails, Backpacker GPS Trails Lite, and MyTracks too!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've used My Tracks to record bike rides, and the only issue I've had with it is that I always seem to start off about 200-400 ft below sea level. I can usually get GPS Test app to settle down to something close to actual altitude, but My Tracks never does even if I let it sit for 5 minutes outside with a clear view of the sky before I start recording the ride. According to the GPS Status app web site, this is the way the GPS works on Android.
I swear by Locus Pro, personally. There's a "map tweak" add-on available that allows you to view and download from Google, Bing, Yahoo, etc. plus they have up-to-date My Topo maps. Whenever I'm heading out, I download the entire area down to the highest zoom level, in Google terrain maps and My Topo maps, and maybe satellite if I'm feeling like I might want it (though those tiles are a lot larger than the rest). It even interfaces with My Tracks if you want to use that to record your route instead of the built-in tracker.
I've used Gaia GPS several times in the past hiking around the Rockies and it's been great. No issues at all. I'm not sure that it's the best, but it's worked well for me.
My fav is Oruxmaps. You can use mobile atlas creator to create offline maps from either windows/mac/linux. It's java based.
baggar11 said:
My fav is Oruxmaps. You can use mobile atlas creator to create offline maps from either windows/mac/linux. It's java based.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK thanks
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA
In the default Google maps app, hit the menu button and go into settings, then labs. Enable "pre-cache map area". Then go back to the map, and long-press on the area you'll be hiking. Tap on the location detail, then down at the bottom you should see "pre-cache map area". That will save the area within 10 miles of the location for use when there is no data service.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA
justinblaine23 said:
Thanks, IDK I'll have a physical topo map so I don't necessarily need topo, I'll check it out. I'm more concerned about the Lat/Long Coordinates to make sure I can get back to my car...It's hours away from even remote towns and I don't want to get lost!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Osmand has a car parking plugin that not only records to use as destination the location where you left you car, but also the time you must return to it. You can also show the current location, create a POI for it and do whatever you like with it.
Try Spyglass, it's by far my favourite nav app. It works extremely well when offline with just gps signal and top-notch for off-road navigation, hiking and camping. It's crammed with all that necessary data like gps coordinates, current azimuth, altitude, speed, potential arrival time to your target and much more. You can also save locations to return to them later and share locations with your friends.
Is there a offline navigation application that can take over as the default?
I tried several but when I click on( for example) the direction button on Yelp, only the default map application shows up under the 'Complete Action Using ' dialog
have you tried copilot? Works well for me but I have never tried yelp with it.
There is not really a good FREE one. The best one I've found is ALK the GoPilot Live. I've tried Sygic, and I don't like it (used the "free trial" version) and decided that CoPilot was cheaper and better.
There is another one out, NAVFREE, but wouldn't touch that one yet...They have the street I live on identified in the wrong town.
Garmin has one, but it's more like "guess we gotta make one for Android" mentality. I think there is much to be desired right now in their app. Tom-Tom also has one, but based on so many negative reviews in other forums, I never bothered to even try it....I think it's one of those "Love it or hate it" programs.
Your Online choices are (with a tethered phone for WiFi): Google Navigation, and WAZE. Even when running CoPilot, I usually run WAZE, because of it's social networking feature (it's route choices suck). Users on the road can report "active" situations - cops/accidents/heavy traffic/construction, etc. With that running, I can check periodically on the status of the road conditions, and use the CO-Pilot for routing. Remember, when tethered, your carrier data rates apply.
Hope I helped,
Bob
I absolutely love, love, love the Google satellite view in the Navigational GPS app. The whole app really is awesome. I'll probably never use my Tomtom again.
BUT! Unlike my Tomtom which can calculate a set of directions locally on the device the S4 appears to have Google do the calculation on their servers and transmit the info via Internet connection. That's a real problem when you're in an area that has poor service. Navigation becomes totally nonfunctional.
The GPS navigation will work through an area of no service if you start in an area with service so the app can download a set of directions. The problems come if you need to start your journey in an area with no service, or do like I did and exit the navigation app to do other things like make a phone call from a backwoods gas station. When I tried to restart the navigation app it kept waiting to download the directions set from google which wasn't going to happen out there. Lucky for me I remembered enough to get me back to an area with 3G where the service restored functionality to the navigation app. Lesson learned.
0reo said:
I absolutely love, love, love the Google satellite view in the Navigational GPS app. The whole app really is awesome. I'll probably never use my Tomtom again.
BUT! Unlike my Tomtom which can calculate a set of directions locally on the device the S4 appears to have Google do the calculation on their servers and transmit the info via Internet connection. That's a real problem when you're in an area that has poor service. Navigation becomes totally nonfunctional.
The GPS navigation will work through an area of no service if you start in an area with service so the app can download a set of directions. The problems come if you need to start your journey in an area with no service, or do like I did and exit the navigation app to do other things like make a phone call from a backwoods gas station. When I tried to restart the navigation app it kept waiting to download the directions set from google which wasn't going to happen out there. Lucky for me I remembered enough to get me back to an area with 3G where the service restored functionality to the navigation app. Lesson learned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A preplanned area where you will be navigating can be cached.
It caches the map and directions so you can navigate through an area of no service but it loses the cached data when you exit the app. There is no cached data when starting a trip from an area of no service.
If I'm missing something please do tell. I'd love to know.
0reo said:
It caches the map and directions so you can navigate through an area of no service but it loses the cached data when you exit the app. There is no cached data when starting a trip from an area of no service.
If I'm missing something please do tell. I'd love to know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google Maps > Menu Key > Make available offline
Google Maps app =/= Navigation app.
Although you do offer a good way to at least have a map on hand.
This is why I also have CoPilot navigation. Completely offline!
Sent from my Galaxy S4
This behavior is not unique to the Galaxy S4, nor is it new. Google Navigation has always been (and almost certainly will remain) a client-server type app that does the "heavy lifting" back at Google HQ. That's not a design flaw, it's a design choice--this approach perfectly serves the needs of some huge fraction of users some huge percentage of the time, without unduly consuming the resources of the phone.
In today's world, if you're in a car in the US, you're almost always within range of a cell tower with data service. Of course, if you're not within range of a cell tower, you're probably far from civilization and that's when it'd be most helpful to have some navigational assistance...
So there's still a place for the self-contained navigators like a TomTom or similar. That market niche is simply much smaller than it was about 5 years ago before Google Maps / Navigation was ubiquitous.
MysticCobra said:
This behavior is not unique to the Galaxy S4, nor is it new. Google Navigation has always been (and almost certainly will remain) a client-server type app that does the "heavy lifting" back at Google HQ. That's not a design flaw, it's a design choice--this approach perfectly serves the needs of some huge fraction of users some huge percentage of the time, without unduly consuming the resources of the phone.
In today's world, if you're in a car in the US, you're almost always within range of a cell tower with data service. Of course, if you're not within range of a cell tower, you're probably far from civilization and that's when it'd be most helpful to have some navigational assistance...
So there's still a place for the self-contained navigators like a TomTom or similar. That market niche is simply much smaller than it was about 5 years ago before Google Maps / Navigation was ubiquitous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I understand its not unique or new but I certainly hope the route calculation becomes a client side option soon. It made sense to do it server side a couple phone generations ago when device processing power was limited but not so anymore. My S4 will run circles around any tomtom or garmin both in processing power as well as gps accuracy not to mention never having to do manual gps fix updates and map updates. The standalone navigational gps is going to go the way of the point and shoot camera. Its just a matter of time.
What you're calling a design choice may have been choice two years ago. Today it is a horrible flaw. There are vast areas of well traveled road that get no service around here (eg. anywhere in the mountains.) Google needs to pull their head out and recognize (or someone else will do it [be]for[e] them.) Sooner the better for them and us.
0reo said:
I understand its not unique or new but I certainly hope the route calculation becomes a client side option soon. It made sense to do it server side a couple phone generations ago when device processing power was limited but not so anymore. My S4 will run circles around any tomtom or garmin both in processing power as well as gps accuracy not to mention never having to do manual gps fix updates and map updates. The standalone navigational gps is going to go the way of the point and shoot camera. Its just a matter of time.
What you're calling a design choice may have been choice two years ago. Today it is a horrible flaw. There are vast areas of well traveled road that get no service around here (eg. anywhere in the mountains.) Google needs to pull their head out and recognize (or someone else will do it [be]for[e] them.) Sooner the better for them and us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like someone said before, you can download the maps offline for whatever area you need that won't have service.
Google isn't stupid. This is why they introduced this feature. It's not that the phone doesn't have the processing power; having the entire country stored on your phone would take up tons of storage.
There are other GPS applications (in the Play Store) that do this I'm pretty sure, and that is also why standalone GPS units exist. Google doesn't have to worry about losing anything to anyone. For a huge majority of users, Google Maps works perfectly fine.
trebb said:
Like someone said before, you can download the maps offline for whatever area you need that won't have service.
Google isn't stupid. This is why they introduced this feature. It's not that the phone doesn't have the processing power; having the entire country stored on your phone would take up tons of storage.
There are other GPS applications (in the Play Store) that do this I'm pretty sure, and that is also why standalone GPS units exist. Google doesn't have to worry about losing anything to anyone. For a huge majority of users, Google Maps works perfectly fine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
On my tomtom the map of the entire US (just roads, not sat images) is about one GB. Not prohibitive by any stretch.
And unless I'm still missing something you can't save maps in Navigation app. Only in Google Maps app which is different and not nearly as good for use while driving.
0reo said:
On my tomtom the map of the entire US (just roads, not sat images) is about one GB. Not prohibitive by any stretch.
And unless I'm still missing something you can't save maps in Navigation app. Only in Google Maps app which is different and not nearly as good for use while driving.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm almost 100% positive that the Navigation app and Google Maps are the same application. Just like the other app whose name I can't recall that helps you find restaurants, etc. It's all run through Google Maps. The initial interface may be different, but they're the same thing.
I always just search my destination in Maps, then hit navigate. That takes you to the same exact thing the Navigation shortcut will eventually bring you to. I have never really used the offline feature nor do I use the Navigation shortcut, so I can't really instruct you on how to do it through either method. I remember reading the reviews when Google introduced the feature, though, so it definitely works.
Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 4.
Next time, just leave Navigation running in the background while you make your call. When you hang up, pull down the status bar and tap the Navigation icon & continue on your way.
0reo said:
Google Maps app =/= Navigation app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Except they are. Exact same apk file. Uninstall maps... Navigation disappears.
The navigation icon is basically a maps shortcut.
Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Whatever is happening in the back end, I just don't see the functionality in the front end. I'll play with it more today and see if I'm missing a way.
Surprised no one mentioned the Sygic app in this thread yet -- I tried it a while back and it was pretty decent for a standalone navigation app that you can download maps to your SD card and have the app use those. It is relatively expensive since I last looked though.
I used to have a Garmin Navigation app on my Blackberry Storm. It looked and worked just like my actual Garmin GPS. All map and routing data was on the phone (<2GB) and it worked even with no cell or data signal at all.
I don't know why they don't offer the same thing as an Android app. The full City Navigator North America database is less than 2GB.
stuartv said:
I used to have a Garmin Navigation app on my Blackberry Storm. It looked and worked just like my actual Garmin GPS. All map and routing data was on the phone (<2GB) and it worked even with no cell or data signal at all.
I don't know why they don't offer the same thing as an Android app. The full City Navigator North America database is less than 2GB.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think they decided to not kill their company. They are trying to stay out of the race to zero. Google could kill off every other navigation company in one swoop if they wanted to by offering a free full blown offline maps for android and ios...I think they just don't want the regulatory scrutiny. And they wouldn't be able to collect data on your habits as easily, lol. NSA might get pissed.
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda premium
SuzakuTheKnight said:
Google Maps > Menu Key > Make available offline
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anyone know of a way to make the caching of maps cache a much bigger area than it currently does?
Sent from my SCH-I545 using xda app-developers app
i understand the op's concern. the main issue being when there is no connection to the internet you cannot get directions. even if you cache a map offline the navigation still won't provide you directions, you can only browse the map area and see where you currently are on that cached map. the reason it works this way is because when you choose directions or navigation in maps google calculates the directions from your location to the point selected. it's not something done within the application, but dynamically via google's servers.
this is almost never an issue for me, except in the rare occasion when i've been traveling and in a tunnel or some remote location where internet connection isn't available. in those cases your best bet is to calculate your directions ahead of time and email them to yourself. you can also cache a map of that area so you can at least browse it offline.
if google ever offers offline navigation/directions then every other mapping service can kiss their company goodbye.
Google built the best. I'd pay for the ability to calculate a route offline.