wasnt sure if i should put this here or in the general forum.
Disclaimer: I used igo with my winmo device (ATT tilt) so i may be a bit biased. igo was also the first navigation software i used
So i do not have a data plan, i use wifi most of the time. Does anyone have a recommendation on the best gps software for our phones (unlike most people my gps works, even though it takes about 2-3 minutes for a cold fix.
Here are the ones i know:
COPILOT 8
I got copilot 8, sweet interface (truly the best gps interface out there), runs quite smoothly. only one problem:
-It calculates the best route horribly.
-POIs are great.... if you do not like popular chains ( can you beleive it has no burger king, mcdonalds, popeyes or any of the popular fast food places).
-you need to specify a city to find the street (just never liked that)
-super fast and smooth, no lag and hardly any choppiness except when panning the map
- live weather (traffic to come soon)
- great detour options (can choose to avoid any road on your route)
- displays pois right on the map so you can see every POI right on the map without having to go searching in the menu.
kinda nice just to click an icon and see everything around you.... now only if it had half of the things around you in its database
-uses your default keyboard (could be good or bad)
* the poi issue can kinda be fixed if you have a data connection, it can do an internet search for places, then you can save them to your favorites, but next time you want to find some other place you have not been to, get ready to use the internet again. but if you want that, might as well stick with google/bing navigation
so basically copilot 8 UI : SUPERB
actual navigating: Crap
IGO
so igo has 2 navi softwares, and unfortunately for us, none work on our devices properly.
igo motonav (the one i actually tested): resolution is meant for motorola android devices, which are 54 pixels longer.
igo myway: resolution is way smaller (320 x 480 i think), only takes up about a third of our screen real estate.
there is a work around for motonav to make it fit our screen, but for some reason it still produces a very choppy/laggy experience, but still very useable.
so basically: igo has the great navigation capabilities
-, an ok UI,
-EVERY POI YOU WILL EVER WANT
-ability to search for a street without specifying a city
-also has live traffic
-NO OPTIONS FOR DETOURS, only detours i could find was traffic detour, and that it does automatically if it finds too much traffic on your route.
-has its own keyboard, kinda makes it easier for finding places since it eliminates letters while you type
-You do have alternate routes depending on how you want to travel (fast, economical, short etc)
SO OVERALL:
igo: better maps, poi and actual navigation
copilot: better UI, ease of use, smoothness/speed of software and quite a few more navigation options.
does anyone have any suggestions on a gps app that combines both igos 'actual navigation' ability and copilots 'features/smoothness'? Or a quick fix to get better POIs on copilot easily
hopes this helps anyone looking for navigation software, feel free to leave input
I don't have a data plan either. And I'm a CoPilot fan simply cause due to it's ease of use. Plug in an address, it gets you there. Usually when I need a GPS I'm in a hurry somewhere and rely on the GPS to get me there as fast as possibly so this is why I appreciate the CoPilot.
I also like how pretty it looks on the Vibrant. Very high resolution, responsive, and it has VOICE! I'm not sure if Igo has voice but for me, that is a BIG feature while driving. I integrate it with my music so I listen to music and every now and then a nice voice tells me where to go. I don't need to look at it much. I love it
I have been using Copilot since September of 2009. Earlier versions had all sorts of problems and imagine it running on G1 - slow and paiinful. It was working very well on my Vibrant pretty from the software side but the Vibrant GPS problems made it rather hit or miss as my device would accasionally freeze or reboot. So, following suggestions of many, I have finally bit the bullet and reset my Vibrant to factory settings. I reinstalled Copilot from the Market but now it tells me that my trial period has expired and I am not able to go past that to enter my product license key. Earlier this year I have even bought the live traffic for a year for $20 and I have a separate product license key for that as well. However, as a result of being completely locked out of the software by the initial activation (where you have to enter your Google checkout number and Copilot ID) screen, I am unable to use it anymore. I paid $35 for the software and $20 for the traffic addon and I am completely unable to use it as if I was a pirate that stole the darn thing - great job ALK Sofware. I opened an online support request but they are notorious for not answering these requests so I am not holding my breath at this point for ever being able to use their software again - unless I change my Google account and buy the software again I guess but that is just not going to happen. Very frustrating...
Bottom line is, Copilot is great when it works but once you have problems with it, good luck getting their support and fixing your issue.
So, since Copilot is quickly turning into a throwaway for me, does anybody else have some comparable or hopefully better suggestions? Has anybody heard of or used Sygic Aura for example? How about Destinator? Any input and reviews will be greatly appreciated since I seem to be in a market for a new navigation software. Thank you in advance...
if you search the internet hard, you could find people who have modified igo to fit our screens
I've been using Sygic Mobile Maps for some time now. Have used it on Windows Mobile and it's even better (more responsive on my Android (Galaxy S i9000).
Related
I'm testing some Navigator Software on my Athena
all the software is running from SD card ( 4gb)
Here is my experience:
TOMTOM 7 good but it is a little slow when turning / roundabout
IGO8 graphics is very good but the arrow seems be left behind the real position.... i see that for adding POI i need to change the layout and i dont know how to find a 640x480 layout....
The ROM is the standard HTC WM6
Any experience news ??
Is it possible to increase the framerate in tomtom ???
gab74 said:
I'm testing some Navigator Software on my Athena
all the software is running from SD card ( 4gb)
Here is my experience:
TOMTOM 7 good but it is a little slow when turning / roundabout
IGO8 graphics is very good but the arrow seems be left behind the real position.... i see that for adding POI i need to change the layout and i dont know how to find a 640x480 layout....
The ROM is the standard HTC WM6
Any experience news ??
Is it possible to increase the framerate in tomtom ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have used both these software and do not experience the problems that you described. However, I run them off the microdrive rather than storage card.
Just like me.
It's better to have them at the MicroDrive ( including the maps ).
If you use SKTools you can see that the read/write values are higher at the MicroDrive than the miniSD.
gab74 said:
I'm testing some Navigator Software on my Athena
all the software is running from SD card ( 4gb)
Here is my experience:
TOMTOM 7 good but it is a little slow when turning / roundabout
IGO8 graphics is very good but the arrow seems be left behind the real position.... i see that for adding POI i need to change the layout and i dont know how to find a 640x480 layout....
The ROM is the standard HTC WM6
Any experience news ??
Is it possible to increase the framerate in tomtom ???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well i use tomtom7 but i cooked it into my rom and it definitely made it a little faster
I found Telenav to give the best directions and POIs. you have to have a data connection, but better than TomTom and iGuidance...
But CP7 is best
it's tomtom for me, installed in the microdrive complete with the maps. and coupled with eaglesteve's previous input on the best gps settings. haven't had any issues for the past 3 months.
cheers
I rank these software in this order
Best on top:
TT7
IGO 2006
IGO8
TT6
CP7
I've tested TT6-TT7, IGO8
TT7 is the best IMHO. I use navigation SW mainly to have speed traps alert and with IGO isn't easy to add speed traps ad POI.
I installed it on SD, may be I lose some speed but I save a lot of power
sergiopi said:
I've tested TT6-TT7, IGO8
TT7 is the best IMHO. I use navigation SW mainly to have speed traps alert and with IGO isn't easy to add speed traps ad POI.
I installed it on SD, may be I lose some speed but I save a lot of power
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Besides superior overspeeding warning features, it also allow user to update road and share it with others.
I installed on MD. No concern with power because in the car, I always with my device charged.
Unlike eaglesteve and sergiopi, I use navigation software mainly for navigation, speedcameras are a bonus (and free with CP)
For navigation, especially contact integration, CP makes TT look primative IMHO
Confucious said:
Unlike eaglesteve and sergiopi, I use navigation software mainly for navigation, speedcameras are a bonus (and free with CP)
For navigation, especially contact integration, CP makes TT look primative IMHO
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disagree, sorry.
Speed camera is not speed warning. They are different.
1) In TT7, the legal speed limit of the road is kept, and if you travel above that speed, you get warning.
2) Speed camera, in another thing. In TT, there are the fixed speed camera and mobile speed camera. I think the mobile location speed camera is subscription base, and is optional. In CP7, there is only fixed location speed camera.
3) Finally, there is the red light camera, which warns you not to dash the red light at traffic junction.
4) TT7 also warns if we are near a school zone. In Australia, school zone's maximum, speed is 40 km/h at selected time only.
Integration with contact is so basic that we don't mention it. It's nothing to shout about. It's just taken for granted. iGO has it. Tom Tom has it. All contact database appears on the navigation software. If you make changes to the contact database, the navigation get the udpated address also.
In TT, if you choose "Navigate To" in the main menu, there is an item called "Contact", with exactly the icon as our Contact Application. Choosing that will bring up only your contact with addresses. The contact list is sorted in alphabetical order to faciliate locating them. Clicking on it will reveal the detail address. You can also use the FIND button to find the contact more quickly if your list is long. What else would we want that TT7 is not having in this regards?
One of the features of TT7 is to provide an onscreen button. If I see a speed camera that is not in the database, I can press that button while my car is at that coordinate. When the trip is over, I can go back and put in the details of the change I want to make. This can be used to correct the map, put in new POI, etc without affecting your driving. You do the actual update after the trip.
There are so many other features which are only seen in TT7. I was once a die hard iGO user ( and before that a die hard Copilot user), but now I'm completely won over to TT7. I'm not associated with TT in anyway, just like I was'tn associated with iGO or Copilot. I share what I think is the best to whomever want the best. Today, my top choice is TT7. Tommorrow? Who knows? May be Copilot 8. I have no blind allegiance to any software. If it is the best, it is my choice. I'm willing to be convinced that there are better software than TT7 out there now.
Speedcameras are not an issue for me, I have only ever been caught for speeding once (luckily I'd just slowed down so I was only doing 94MPH) and that was by a video camera in a police car - TomTom would not have alerted me to that.
The contacts in tomTom6 (I must admit I have not seen 7) is so clunmsy and slow I would have reached my destination before finding them - CP7 just uses outlook contacts and IMHO is just a lot better and I use it most of the time.
The interface of CP7, especially on the Athena is, again IMHO, a lot more user friendly than TT and allowing others to track me is useful so my g/f can see where I am.
I think we want different things from navigation software - i wouldn't rate TT at all and love CP - for you it's the other way round.
Guess it's lucky for the makers that we're not all the same!
sergiopi said:
I've tested TT6-TT7, IGO8
TT7 is the best IMHO. I use navigation SW mainly to have speed traps alert and with IGO isn't easy to add speed traps ad POI.
I installed it on SD, may be I lose some speed but I save a lot of power
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does anyone know when TT7 will be officially available? It's not on their website.
sergiopi said:
I've tested TT6-TT7, IGO8
TT7 is the best IMHO. I use navigation SW mainly to have speed traps alert and with IGO isn't easy to add speed traps ad POI.
I installed it on SD, may be I lose some speed but I save a lot of power
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you on this, I also installed on SD to save power. I actually delete my microdirve and never reformatted it. It was not reliable so I had no reason to have available for anything. I am wondering after not using the for while does it get better or reliable, may be I should format on my next reboot
wgary said:
Does anyone know when TT7 will be officially available? It's not on their website.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Here is some information on TT7 http://www.theunwired.net/?item=available-tomtom-releases-tomtom-7-20-maps-for-the-o2-xda-diamond
Guys, what about Garmin Mobile XT?
Al936 said:
Guys, what about Garmin Mobile XT?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apparently some people like it - mainly in the US I believe.
Choice of navigation s/ware does seem to depend on your location!
Al936 said:
Guys, what about Garmin Mobile XT?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tell us what do you like about it please. I'm open minded.
eaglesteve said:
I'm open minded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hehe - I hope I am too but reviews like this http://www.coolsmartphone.com/article768.html and others I've seen put me off, although I've not tried it myself.
Just to declare what some people might think a conflict of interest:
I bought CoPilot when it first came out on the SmartPhone - well, 1 month after it did, because someone bought it then got a company car with built in Sat nav so I got it cheap (another thing CP does well is transfer between devices). That was V5, I then upgraded to V6 and I think, all things being equal I would have prefered TT6 for my purposes.
I then beta tested CP7 so disn't pay for it but if I had the choice of which to buy TT6 or CP7 it would definatly be CP7. I have not seen TT7 but don't believe it is that much different from TT6?
Lots of people in the UK like iGo8 but Garmin XT and Route 66 (again popular in the US) are not that popular.
In the US you have to buy the maps of the whole US for CP7 which does make it wuite expensive and hence not as popoular as some cheaper options and although speedcameras are improved in CP7 it is one area TT still beats it but, as I've said, that is not the most important feature for me.
Different people want different things and the availability of maps and other s/ware in your area will all affect your decision, but for me CO7 wins hands down.
So far....
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.
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.
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Except they are. Exact same apk file. Uninstall maps... Navigation disappears.
The navigation icon is basically a maps shortcut.
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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.
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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.
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SuzakuTheKnight said:
Google Maps > Menu Key > Make available offline
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Does anyone know of a way to make the caching of maps cache a much bigger area than it currently does?
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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.
I'm running a stock Moto G7 Power (Android Pie) (no root)
I'm looking for an app that offers a mirrored interface for a cheap reflective HUD gadget with something like Google Maps' driving mode (it shows a map, with my location on it, and [here's where apps like HUDWAY Go and most of what I've found falter] it needs to show street names of the upcoming streets, not just the one I'm on).
I have weird use case, I know, but I'm not looking for turn-by-turn navigation. I'm making a lot of residential stops so that's mostly not even an option (I haven't seen an app that can handle 50 residential stops well [and I don't want to go into why various approaches won't work unsolicited (eg only putting some of them in, futzing around with the routing, etc., if you really feel the need, I can explain of course)]).
I'm tempted to put in a request to an open source app like OSMAnd for the feature, since adding it to a map view can be bodged with `SetRotationY(180)` pretty easily, and for a proper dev, adding a setting menu entry for it would also be pretty easy (an elegant solution would probably take a few hours) or even just forking it and doing the bodge job myself. I figured I'd ask first if anyone knew of an easier or off the shelf solution.