Hi Everybody
Looking for ideas, help and suggestions for a little Project I have given myself called Project Barebones....Shall I explain a little further said Mr Holmes to Watson...
Iv got a little experience with Custom ROMs from playing around with them on my other phone's and decided to challenge myself the of creating a basic little GPS and ANT+ bike computer , the main reason being. I’m a cheapskate and don't want to fork out over £250 for a Garmin 800 GPS and ANT+ bike computer as I don’t really need it but like the idea of it as keep on getting lost…..plus I like to have a dabble with phones, ROM and gadgets in general. That’s the reason you are probably reading this post as well.
I have bought myself a Sony Ericsson X10 Pro U20i and two spare batteries off Ebay. This is due to the relatively small size and it was only £20. It’s not in great shape but is fully functional and the point of this project was to make a home made GPS that is cheap, reliable and will actually work at its sole purpose of being a GPS. My initial idea is to use a Custom ROM should it be out there or with the Permission from an owner, to strip it apart and leave the bare essential required to function as a little stand-alone unit hence the Barebones reference. I don’t really want o go into the land of creating a ROM as don’t have the time these day plus I have a feeling id be inventing the wheel again.
Parameters for the unit are simple:
One Android operating system no lower than 2
One GPS software package
GPS & Wi-Fi capability only
Bluetooth capability for the ANT +
Keyboard functionality
Simplest launcher possible
Access to the Playstore as some apps will not work without the it being installed. IE Strava
Simplest web browser
The unit will not need to be able to make calls, text or even be able to work of a mobile network as Wi-Fi will be the only comms required.
I think my main obstacle will be the ANT+ as the phone is capable of it, as defined in the original OS of the phone as publicised over the net
Any help would be great appreciated as I’m a novice in the understanding of ROM and Android at this level and to anybody who’s reading this thinking oh I’ve seen this before, just point me in the right direction as I can’t find it after searching for a few days.
Related
I just got my hands on a 500GB Archos 5IT. I know it's pretty legacy, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to be able to carry around all 300gb of music with me for simply wiping away a friend's debt.
Anywho, I've already become irritated with the constrictive hybrid Archos/AndrOS UI, and after searching for a couple hours every URL I've seen for a download of an AndrOS 2.2 or greater ROM has been long since dead.
Does anyone have a copy of a (slightly) more current ROM floating around that they would be kind enough to email me or upload? Assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Danke.
Shameful self-bump. ;.;
I hate doing this. Been doing some more digging on teh interwebs, and of course, all the URL's I uncovered for cloud storage have been dead for as long as 2 years.
Damn legacy devices... I just had to fall for the 500gb cap ;(
Not sure where you are at with this, but I also recently obtained a 5IT to use with torque obd2 app. So I thought to see if it could also work for mp3 player, gps, etc. Cheap carputer as it were...
There is the most up-to-date stock firmware (donut 1.6):
http://update.archos.com/7/archos5/archos5_r2.0.45/firmware_archos5.aos
which will be required anyway if you want to try a more up-to-date custom ROM (gingerbread 2.3):
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1335620
If you go this route and want GPS to work ahead of the next release there is a small tweak required, which is not really as difficult as it sounds:
http://dev.openaos.org/ticket/116#comment:27
My .02:
In the end it works, but the device RAM is too low to have GB run very well in practice (ie more than 1 process at a time). The stock firmware feels faster and you can install Market to get more apps:
http://forum.archosfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=29833
HTH,
Hi All,
could anyone share their experience about the GPS performance of the xperia tablet?
I'm considering buying this tablet but I definitely need a quick GPS and I was really discouraged after reading this:
reviews.cnet.com/tablets/sony-xperia-tablet-s/
I own a tablet s and the GPS fix is really slow (my girlfriend has got a samsung galaxy tab 8.9 and under the same conditions she always has a way better and quicker fix than my tablet s).
I really do not understand why the GPS/navigation compartment was not developed better: Sony put a lot of attention into making the tablet splash proof, small and light (all nice features if you want to take the tablet out for a hike) but I have the strong impression that the GPS performance is really lacking: could you please share your thoughts?
What's your experiance indoor/outdoor?
Thanks in advance
Wish you all well
maurobaz said:
Hi All,
could anyone share their experience about the GPS performance of the xperia tablet?
I'm considering buying this tablet but I definitely need a quick GPS and I was really discouraged after reading this:
reviews.cnet.com/tablets/sony-xperia-tablet-s/
I own a tablet s and the GPS fix is really slow (my girlfriend has got a samsung galaxy tab 8.9 and under the same conditions she always has a way better and quicker fix than my tablet s).
I really do not understand why the GPS/navigation compartment was not developed better: Sony put a lot of attention into making the tablet splash proof, small and light (all nice features if you want to take the tablet out for a hike) but I have the strong impression that the GPS performance is really lacking: could you please share your thoughts?
What's your experiance indoor/outdoor?
Thanks in advance
Wish you all well
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The GPS function of most all tablets (and phones) is not designed to be nor meant to be fast and accurate. The intended function of a tablet's GPS is to approximate its location so apps can provide the user with localized search results and geographically targeted articles and advertisments.
There are many apps that use a tablet's GPS for navigation, but almost every one of those apps fail to perform with any great satisfaction. Apps like Google Maps are fairly accurate in determining a tablet's location, but only if the tablet is relatively motionless for several seconds. If the tablet is not motionless, like being in a moving vehicle, Google Maps will/can not quickly and accurately determine the tablet's location.
If you truly need fast and accurate navigational information, you will need to use a "real" GPS device. I use and recommend Garmin.
Cat McGowan said:
The GPS function of most all tablets (and phones) is not designed to be nor meant to be fast and accurate. The intended function of a tablet's GPS is to approximate its location so apps can provide the user with localized search results and geographically targeted articles and advertisments.
There are many apps that use a tablet's GPS for navigation, but almost every one of those apps fail to perform with any great satisfaction. Apps like Google Maps are fairly accurate in determining a tablet's location, but only if the tablet is relatively motionless for several seconds. If the tablet is not motionless, like being in a moving vehicle, Google Maps will/can not quickly and accurately determine the tablet's location.
If you truly need fast and accurate navigational information, you will need to use a "real" GPS device. I use and recommend Garmin.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
Thanks for your reply.
I understand your point even if I do not agree with it (as the GPS is listed under the specs and as I have paid for it, then I would expect it to work ok).
You said the aim of tablet gps is to only give an approximate fix but my sony tablet s has troubles even reaching that steady/motionless fix (meaning that sometimes I wait and wait but I cannot get a solid fix. It works more or less ok only when there are ideal situations such as no buildings/trees around and you are on a flat terrain -i.e. no mountains-).
I would not want to use it for navigation in a car but I find it useful having some help when I'm discovering new cities as a tourist on foot. As I'm walking by slowly, reading wikipedia references, I would like to at least have a quick fix on the map that tells me where I am.
As I said, I have tested the galaxy tab 8.9 gps (and also a galaxy tab 2 10.1) and they beat the sony tablet gps hands down: in a narrow street with tall buildings they obtained the fix almost instantly while the tablet s could not (I remained in the same spot motionless for over a minute). All devices were using only the GPS in order to obtain the fix (so no 3g/4g).
I had the same (bad) experience "against" an iPad: basically I was invited to an open air exhibition where you had to use your tablet (be it Android or Apple) to tour the virtual musuem that was setup in an open air space. The open air location was the park of a villa, so not huge (let's say 4 times a soccer field) and with lots of time spent standing still in the same place in order to have a look at the virtual attractions. I was standing by the curator of the exhibition who had an iPad: he was able to get a GPS fix almost instantly and could start talking about the virtual attractions, while my tablet s never actually got a good fix (basically they asked us to install an app that was feeding us content based on our GPS location so, for instance, if we were in front of a bust (which had fixed GPS coordinates), then we were supposed to see the curator or other members explaining the history of the bust etc through an augmented reality app). In the end I was quite embarassed/annoyed to keep using my tablet so I joined another visitor and we used her tablet. The compass was/is also not accurate (I removed the tablet from the case in order to make sure there was no magnetic interference).
What I would be interested in for this thread are direct feedabcks from xperia tablet s users with real life situations: I'm quite afraid that all the alluminium that was used for the back cover/chassis of the xperia tablet might hamper the GPS funcionality (even more than in the tablet s...). Almost the same thing happened with the Asus transformer.
Thanks again for having taken the time to share your thoughts
wish you well
regards
maurobaz said:
Thanks again for having taken the time to share your thoughts
wish you well
regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, so did you ever get the Sony Xperia Tablet S? I have the SGPT123US/S with 4.0.3 rooted I bought last December 2012.
As for the GPS...lets just say it works....but it's not the best. The unit I have in my 2012 Toyota Highlander works a lot better.
Let me know what you did and how it works for you.
Never had issues with gps at all as long i have internet connection, did't really try without internet.
tested outside works fast, inside takes forever.
saf4xdadev said:
Hi, so did you ever get the Sony Xperia Tablet S? I have the SGPT123US/S with 4.0.3 rooted I bought last December 2012.
As for the GPS...lets just say it works....but it's not the best. The unit I have in my 2012 Toyota Highlander works a lot better.
Let me know what you did and how it works for you.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi there,
thanks for sharing your experience.
In the end I went for a Galaxy Note 10.1 and I'm really satisfied. Aside from the screen (Sony screens with true black technology are slightly better in my opinion), I think the note 10.1 is a very good tablet. I'm happy with the change (and the GPS in the note is lightning fast and accurate: it is able to pick up your position even inside buildings, trains or buses...a true life saver when you are stranded in a city you do not know).
wish you well
regards
Mau
maurobaz said:
Hi there,
thanks for sharing your experience.
In the end I went for a Galaxy Note 10.1 and I'm really satisfied. Aside from the screen (Sony screens with true black technology are slightly better in my opinion), I think the note 10.1 is a very good tablet. I'm happy with the change (and the GPS in the note is lightning fast and accurate: it is able to pick up your position even inside buildings, trains or buses...a true life saver when you are stranded in a city you do not know).
wish you well
regards
Mau
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good choice. I may have gone for a different tablet if not for sony points I used to get this one. I would still rate this xperia tablet s in the top 3 tablets in its class and that were available last december 2012. I would also agree this sony gps works a bit better with internet, but it still works without and probabaly good enough for what it gets used for, which is not turn by turn directions in my case. But you probably made a wise choice all things considered. This xperia tablet s has some great features but if you weigh in the sony proprietary adapter plug, somewhat odd shaped kluge of a case, and overpriced accessories ....the galaxy was probably a better choice.
Take care.....
Hi all,
Been reading a lot of the excellent information from the various threads on the Android head units. Thoroughly excited then quite disappointed when errors seem to be commonplace after a short time.
So which in your esteemed knowledge is currently the best of the Chinese Android Head Units, for reliability and functionality?
Personally, I've had units in the past from Eonon and Chinavasion, and they both developed errors after a while (the Chinavasion unit was much better though, it's only issue's were the GPS failing (just died), and some intermittant errors which a power recycle (turn off/on) sorted out.
I have a Pioneer touch-screen unit in the car at the moment, and although it's been super reliable, having to convert video's to specific Divx resolutions is a major pita.
So I've been researching for a touch-screen unit which can handle multiple video formats without having to convert too many on my pc beforehand. Not bothered about GPS, bluetooth, or DVD. Just want video, usb port on the front (proper usb connection, not micro/mini), and radio. And obviously the ability to customise to my own tastes. This will be for a Nissan Cubic we just bought, and will be connected to a rear flip-down monitor and reverse camera.
Btw, which is better for reliability: Pure Android, or Android with WinCE? According to the Wiki, Android is just the pretty face of the MCU, so what's the point of pure Android?
Omarko is a forum member who I also have chatted to on Whirlpool. He had a bit of a nightmare with one unit (from AliBaba), which is based on this build:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2528349
He then ordered the following unit, which he says has been very reliable so far:
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=331089665694&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:AU:1123
Would you suggest this as one of the better built units?
If this is in the wrong thread could the mods please move it to the correct one, and notify me?
OK, I'm going to talk insanely to myself.....
others: Well, good question, and the answer is that really none are reliable at all, so you're better off spending big on a name brand which does half the things.
me: Surely there is a particular unit which is better built than the others?
Others: Well, actually there is the ......... , which many forum members recommend, but as you probably read on the Wiki, it has these particular peculiarities: .....
me: Hey thanks, I really appreciate your opinion and information. What a great forum!
Hi _StormZ_
I guess you won't be reading a reply to your posts 9 months later, but someone might.
As you have discovered (me too, and many others), if you are looking for a reliable car head unit, stay away from these non-branded (even "branded") units from China. They are good for developers because there is always something to fix (until they die prematurely). If you want Android and reliable, wait until some of brand names (Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood...) start making them (maybe they do already).
I spent about a year and a half with Windows phone before returning to android late last year. There are 3 things I miss about my 1020. The camera (duh), insane battery life, and hands free voice control.
There was no need to physically interact with the phone at all in the car. Someone texts, I can respond aloud to either read or ignore and then give a reply if I choose. With android, I still cannot find a way to do this without first having to touch something on the phone, essentially eliminating the safety of it. This is pretty disgusting in 2015 on a platform that is dominating the world.
To my knowledge the Moto X has this ability though I'm not familiar with it in detail, but if it does, shouldn't this be something that is software based and thus can be ported? Why hasn't there been greater focus put into it as a stock android feature? How many millions of people out there own android phones and drive Bluetooth equipped vehicles, or even use headsets etc?
The research I've done has left me without answers. If you know of any apps or ways to achieve true hands free Bluetooth voice control on android, please comment with details.
Totally agree, same problem from sony,didn't expect that.
I've had an 50€ archos windows phone 8.1 for a month, and very impressed me width cortana,here,voice dial and control,voice navigation from here on bluetooth parrot without looking the screen .I have an xperia z 2years old,now on official 5.02 and voice control is missing totally,and no app to install for work in the car with parrot for calls without touching the phone,only parrot button. Definitely go by a lumia 930,940.They think google now do the job,is a shame that so many people swallow this.
I am a long time follower of XDA with many devices that I've rooted etc., I am an old fart compared to the fellers building these roms and such and have no ability to pick coding up I'm sorry to say. The question that has been asked a million times in other forum's that seam to go nowhere is that; can some one build a ROM that disables all radios except for WiFi, Bluetooth, Ir, GPS and NFC? Essentially I would like to build an ultimate pmp. Getting rid of all system apps that are part of phone,messaging, and sprint related bloatware.
Ideally I would invest in someone building Roms from one or pieces of all of these devices so as to distribute among all XDA forums
Calyx M:Android based
Astell&Kern AK Jr ;Android based
Cowon Plenue 1; Android based
You may ask yourself why? well because I am a ui junkie and need a designated high quality mp 3 player that last 120 hrs on one charge lol I used to love my Zune HD and yes I know there are apps that can partially simulate the Zune experience, they fall short of recreating it as a whole. I have five inactive devices sitting in front of me and this project is very important, as I plan on gifting these devices to kids that don't have much in the way of things to call their own. Music brings the world together lets help make a Universal ROM that can do its part to accomplish that goal?!
Thanks to anyone willing to read. I hope to hear from any developers out there that have the can do attitude I need.