Database Develop

AndNav or something similar?

I downloaded the AndNav 0.6 app a couple weeks before I got my phone and I was very excited to have a decent application for GPS navigation. I loved having TomTom on my Windows Mobile phone w/ internal GPS.
But the author of AndNav is stalled in his development because his app violates the TOS for the GPS mapping so no navigation for Android that isn't lousy Google Maps which is a joke if you're trying to use it for "real" navigation.
Is there any way to get AndNav's APK loaded on the G1? It seems as though there is no way to install it from the web or locally. That seems to be the problem with most of the non-Market apps. I hope that this is a temporary issue where developers need to recompile their apps for the version of Android released with the phone. It would really suck that "open" Android with its tickbox for "install from other sources" is just a red herring.
Or alternatively is there a commercial GPS navigation app like TomTom, iGo, Garmin, whatever, being developed that stores the maps locally?

The TOS violation is for Google maps not the hardware. So if an alternative map source can be found then it's good to go. Besides, since Google maps is web based if you went out of a coverage area, or lost service, the navigation would die off too.
Even if you get the APK loaded the maps api checks for a key before releasing data, so it wouldn't work.
Android itself is open, Google maps is not... at least not entirely.
What I don't get is why they object, are there any lawyers out there that can explain that one to me? Perhaps it has something to do with the web based issue.

From what I understand google is only having a problem because they. Use multiple sources for map data and can't sublicense them for navigation. Navteq and Teleatlis don't want to undercut their relationships with TomTom, Garmin, etc.
It's a pity since AndNav looks like it's 70% done.

jcostantino said:
From what I understand google is only having a problem because they. Use multiple sources for map data and can't sublicense them for navigation. Navteq and Teleatlis don't want to undercut their relationships with TomTom, Garmin, etc.
It's a pity since AndNav looks like it's 70% done.
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*Hint* Get the dev to release the source for andnav, you can put in your own hash from google. And you can do it again and again... They really don't check up on individuals.

It's certainly worth a try to get him to release the source but I doubt he would do it. He could get in trouble from the map license holders and he's working on getting OpenStreetMap data to integrate to presumable make a product he can sell that is free of license issues.
On a side note, how useful IS OSM anyhow? So you get a bunch of GPS logs made by a bunch of people and it constitutes some street information. Who arranges the data? How useful could extremely incomplete street data be? How do the street names and numbers get entered so you actually know if you're on the interstate or an alley? The website (last time I checked) was lacking in information. I know they have a serious purpose but it seems laughable that they could possibly put something useful together.

I hadn't heard of OSM before you mentioned it, but after taking a look, it looks pretty complete. There's no "street view" or "sattelite imagery" but that stuff would be superfluous and distracting in a navigation system. The fact that it is user updateable is awsome. If AndNav can be configured to pass data back to OSM for detailing the maps then it stands the potential to be even more accurate.

I looked again and it SEEMS pretty complete but apparently they are using TIGER data for the US and it is... lacking.
Stirling Road, a large street in my area has huge gaps in it. It has existed for at least 60 years in the same spot and it's pretty inconsistent on the map.

Another concern is that apps that use tiger data (roadnav for Linux comes to mind) can't tell if a street is one-way or not.

GPS software with roads that doesn't require a data plan?

I am just wondering if there is a free GPS application that has roads on it (like the tomtom) that doesn't use the internet.

yerdua2093 said:
I am just wondering if there is a free GPS application that has roads on it (like the tomtom) that doesn't use the internet.
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I counted, you posted this brand new thread exactly 5 threads above a thread titled " best free GPS " are you serious ?
Please read here
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=397434

And you can stop here too as if you search a bit you'll see this doesn't exist (yet?).

yerdua2093 said:
I am just wondering if there is a free GPS application that has roads on it (like the tomtom) that doesn't use the internet.
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Greedy Huh? Either Pay to Get Roads Via a data Plan. Or Pay for Maps for TomTom. Why would someone take the time to compile very complex maps to work with GPS software and Give it away for free?
I'm sorry to say, but Capitalism Rules!

yerdua2093 said:
I am just wondering if there is a free GPS application that has roads on it (like the tomtom) that doesn't use the internet.
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Checkout Terracrosser - Free (till now at least), requires no data plan, you need a PC with internet connection though to download maps either from Google Or Yahoo available free, Terracrosser comes with an application (on the PC) to package the Google/Yahoo maps that can be transfered to your Kaiser, NO voice prompts, no route planning, no other bells and whistles - basic tracking of position using the GPS on free road maps but what more you can expect for free.

I downloaded tomtom 7 to give it a try and it completely surpassed all expectations I had for it. Sure, the graphics may not be stunning but all of the recent roadwork around my city was on there and I was very impressed with how many poi's I had access too. I purchased the maps this morning and I recommend you do the same, you won't regret it.

Free GPS Software
Guys, Try http://www.amazegps.com/welcome.php. Works pretty OK if you do not want to pay for a service like ATT Navigator for instance. Remember it will still require a data plan so not completely "FREE"

maps offline

rightio well obviously this phone has built in GPS and i would love to utalize this feature on the road or when generally finding places.
Thing is however the GPS works the maps do not load. i have tried google maps, and they do not load without wifi, same as the google map editor, andnav and also nav4all. None of them show the maps unless they have been pre-loaded via wifi which isnt possible most of the time. I would love for some help with this, if i could save the WHOLE map for the UK that would be great! and be able to access it offline and use it with the GPS.
Any ideas?
Also sorry if its been covered before i did do a search and couldn't find anything
Thanks

Look for "BigPlanet" on Android Market.

there are no results so im guessing its a paid app? i dont really want to spend any cash...

welshboy09 said:
there are no results so im guessing its a paid app? i dont really want to spend any cash...
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I don't know of any other offline apps for the G1. It works mostly ok, but could have a couple of more features.
PS only costs $3
PPS http://bigplanetmaps.wordpress.com/
Although the engine for bigplanet seems to be available to be licensed for other apps now, so maybe someone will release a freebe.

well i tried downloading it, and i keep getting an error saying my credit card is invalid... i live in the UK and it comes up as $2.99 in the store... plus i know for a fact it is valid, i used it with paypal almost every day, also ATM's and chip and pin in store...

Try emailing the author to see if he has allowed it for all countries...

well i don't understand why it wouldn't be, i haven't used the program to unlock the market... i simply signed up for google checkout so all the apps that aren't allowed for my country shouldn't even show up, should they? well ill e-mail him anyway

AndNav2 can download maps in advance. Zoom the region you would like to download, Menu->Precache (or whatever it was called) and select zoom level. Beware that on the highest two zoom levels you would be downloading hundreds megabytes if you are viewing large area.

i cant find andnav2 in the market though..

So get it from their website!

waze.co.il is working on (a paid) version of FreeMap
They re-written FreeMap to native android .
it should be released soon to the US market. not free, I know but they will eventually release it as free since it is open source.
Their true advantage over most android GPS programs is they offer true offline navigation program (like iGo for WindowsMobile). you download the country file into your device.
Once you did that you can navigate freely. Route calculations are done inside the device and not on some remote server.
users can upload their history routes at home , to fix map errors so it is integrated to public map.
if you have a data plan and agree to expose your location it will ping your location every few minutes and (with more people doing that) they can provide you online traffic jams info.

save2 said:
if you have a data plan and agree to expose your location it will ping your location every few minutes and (with more people doing that) they can provide you online traffic jams info.
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I think AndNav2 does the same thing, you can download map packs ahead of time and it will upload your GPS traces if you allow it to to improve maps, and probably traffic etc.

You can find interesting things about andnav2 and Bigplanet on droidappz.com

Seriously, I'm about to give and sell this thing...

I can't, no matter what I do, get a decent offnetwork maps program to use with gps location. I had andnav2 working using trekbuddy tiles created in the andnav format and ever since I used the rom (not a cooked rom) I can't seem to do anything correctly. Andnav2 will no longer recognize the tiles I create for it...for some reason the gps consistently, no matter which program I am using, believes I am still at home when I not. I can't find a decent media player that allows me to fastforward aside from MXzing lite but that is constantly trying to use the gps, which is fine if I disable it. My main problem though is the offline maps thing I mentioned above. I just can't get it to work, anymore. Is there ANYONE that is using an offline maps program that allows gps tracking? I don't care about turn by turn nav...I care about having offline maps that will show me my gps location and follow me; which I as I said worked when I first tried but I can't repeat what I've done and the only difference I can see is the new rom. I guess I'll wipe and try the old rom but if I can't use the new rom and have andnav2 work (or any GPS app that will show accurate data) then I give up and will sell the phone to some one on this board....seriously, this shouldn't be this much of a headache when it wasn't before.

CoPilot 8 Live - Perfect - as good if not better than TomTom and much better value for money. Also will move devices with you provided you are still on Android and ask CoPilot to change the codes to link with new device (They did this for me no worries after I swapped my handset) No network needed, and maps stay on SD card. Worth the money.
Dayzee

I 2nd Copilot! IT is really good, and what the android desperatly needed!

can I download entire maptiles for the US and use them offline (no wifi no data plan) and have the gps pin point my location on the offline maps? As I said, andnav was doing this (for free) but now I can't get it to cooperate at all and the developer has abandoned the project. I'm also looking for a decent media player and I thought mxzing would be it until I found that it autoloads at start and constantly accessing the gps for some reason.

I 3rd co-pilot.
A good media player is Meridian Evolve.

I am using Rmaps and I made my own maps using TrekBuddy Atlas Creator.
It is working great and I have the GPS following me very precisely.
But of course it is not a navigation system like CoPilot. It is just an offline map and it is free.

I would go for http://www.sygic.com/index.php/en/android.html when i have some money

You can of course try out CoPilot as with any software from the market an d get an immediate refund if you don't like within 24 hours. Recent copilot update has great improvements including qwerty keyboard!!
I'd say try it out and if its not doing what you want, sell your android. we won't cry.....

I'd love to get Sygic when they include Malaysia into the maps.

IMHO Tomtom is still the best there is.
However both CoPilot 8 and nDrive are both very very good alternatives and both are available for Android from what I've seen/heard.

Tom Tom is good, but you pay a premium for a little extra over the rest. CoPilot IMO is just as good but 1/3 of the price. go figure.
And yes you download the entire maptile pack and use it offline.

Thanks for the suggestions....with a huge sigh of relief after weeks of testing and search, rmaps and meridian are the solutions I needed and thanks to this thread I now have some good alternatives for turn by turn. I have no idea how I missed these two apps in my hours of searching the market but whatever, my torture is over now

Copilot 8 live is availiable directly from the Android maket ...

megaoptimus said:
Thanks for the suggestions....with a huge sigh of relief after weeks of testing and search, rmaps and meridian are the solutions I needed and thanks to this thread I now have some good alternatives for turn by turn. I have no idea how I missed these two apps in my hours of searching the market but whatever, my torture is over now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An Android saved...... <sigh of relief >

Dayzee said:
Also will move devices with you provided you are still on Android and ask CoPilot to change the codes to link with new device (They did this for me no worries after I swapped my handset) No network needed, and maps stay on SD card. Worth the money.
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I think the one decent person you spoke to at ALK must have left; I've tried to contact them to do this numerous times now and have simply given up on them ever calling / emailing me back. I would not reccomend the product if you expect any kind of customer service from them.
A quick google search shows I'm not the only one fed up with them for precisely this reason, moreover, I don't believe they make it clear at the outset that you cannot transfer the product between devices without doing through them - it's made extremely clear that's the case in the minmo version but not the android one

wher can i dl the capilot application??
thx

google for copilot, or search in the market.

Google Maps - Offline Map Saving - Am I Missing Something?

Ok, so I was really excited when Google discussed at I/O the ability to save map data for certain areas to be able to access it with our Nexus7's without a data connection. Obviously on a tablet with no 3G/4G/LTE/etc. connectivity, this is a requirement to be able to use it as a GPS device.
When I got mine, I saved my entire home region. It seems to cap out around 85MB in size, so you can't just save the entire country, which is fine. I also noticed that the amount of space required seems to be tied to the size of the map you make, and has nothing to do with the amount of streets, cities, etc. (aka data) for that location (ie: New York City takes up the same amount of space as Nowheresville, MT). This was a little confusing, but OK.
Anyway, here is my issue. The other day, I took my Nexus7 for a road trip, and tried to use the Navigation app. It was able to show me where I was in real time, and give somewhat-detailed street information which was nice. However, it doesn't actually know how to GET anywhere. In other words, if you try to give it a destination, it fails, requiring Internet access. I tried addresses, cities, business names (who are actually on the map) as well as just clicking somewhere and asking it to provide a route. Nothing.
So I ask this: what good is offline map storage if you can't actually DO anything with it?
Don't get me wrong, I understand that this is a new feature and might not be fully developed. But based on the Google I/O presentation, they made it out to be much more functional than it is. Something along the lines of "Going to a different city? Just preload your Nexus7 with the map for the area and you're good to go!". Sure, if all you want is a static map and want to try and figure out directions yourself, I guess that will work. But it certainly doesn't provide anywhere near the functionality required for an offline GPS device.
Unless of course I'm missing something - but I doubt it.

I agree and I don't think you're missing something. For the size of the data it downloads for a given area, I believe it has all the address so I why can't one do a search of somewhere?

Might have something to do with apple taking aim at local search functions with their lawsuits? Finding that information would probably require accessing the function in question.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

nooomoto said:
Might have something to do with apple taking aim at local search functions with their lawsuits? Finding that information would probably require accessing the function in question.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
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Possibly, but I doubt it. AFAIK, the "local search" issue was with Samsung allowing users to run a search query which would also perform the search on local apps, files, etc. It had nothing to do with map searching, which would fall under a completely different scope. And the app supports it, but just seems to require Internet to make it work.
Also, while Samsung seemingly took it out of one/some of their devices with an OTA update, they later said this was an accident, and have pushed a fix out to put it back.

I given up with Offline Maps, really it just the same as having a paper map that only covers a limited area, instead I've been using NavFree, does navigation, address search, points of interest all without a data connection.

The Apple/Samsung lawsuit is 100% unrelated to offline search in maps. Google it, do some reading, and you'll see what I mean. I have GPS Copilot installed for any offline needs I may have.

Yeah dude google maps offline is a joke. You'll need to
1) start your destination somewhere you are connected to wifi
2) wait for google maps offline to not suck so bad
3) use a different app

Or just root your phone and tether...that's what I've been doing for years.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA Premium HD app

nooomoto said:
Or just root your phone and tether...that's what I've been doing for years.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That doesn't solve the problem, it's simply a work around.
Sure, if you have wifi or tethering you can get online and get live maps/route data. But that doesn't negate the fact that Google Maps Offline is seriously flawed. It should work without needing to be online, otherwise what's the point of saving offline map data in the first place.

phonic said:
That doesn't solve the problem, it's simply a work around.
Sure, if you have wifi or tethering you can get online and get live maps/route data. But that doesn't negate the fact that Google Maps Offline is seriously flawed. It should work without needing to be online, otherwise what's the point of saving offline map data in the first place.
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It's much better than not having the map at all. If you have a GPS (like the Nexus 7 does), you still see yourself on the map where you are. The only thing missing is the blue line to your destination. It's limited, sure, but it's a lot better than not having a map at all to see your GPS location on.
+1 for NavFree though. If you need navigation (like in cities you aren't familiar with), this is a lifesaver, even if it eats battery rapidly and is very slow (at least on my Galaxy S).
I'm sure Google can/will release offline navigation in time (possibly along with entire country map downloads), but probably not until Apple pushes them to by releasing their own offline navigation.

jabsys said:
I given up with Offline Maps, really it just the same as having a paper map that only covers a limited area, instead I've been using NavFree, does navigation, address search, points of interest all without a data connection.
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I used the offline maps with directions when i started out on a data connection and then immediately turned it off. I started the n7 navigation with it tethered to my phone, once navigation has established its route, I disconnect my data and the directions continue to work.
This worked for me. It may not work for you, I do apologize if I waste your time.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium

I use offline maps quite a bit.
Navigation is usually useless for most of the back country roads I'm on. Having a map and GPS showing me where I am in relation to where I need to be (pre-set waypoints) is awesome and is better than nothing.
Another app I use often is Maverick with pre-cached satellite maps. I'd dump Maverick if Google Maps had offline satellite and topo maps.

jabsys said:
I given up with Offline Maps, really it just the same as having a paper map that only covers a limited area, instead I've been using NavFree, does navigation, address search, points of interest all without a data connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you for showing me this app! That's perfect, and just what I'm looking for. Looks like it will work amazingly!
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app

I wish apps could use the cached data from Maps, but so far each app I've tried appears to download it and cache it directly. No idea if it's even possible to to, but it'd be nice if all apps could access the cache and use it.
As for the OP, this has been discussed since Maps first released.... It does not have the engine or routing data to do offline navigation. Maybe it will in the future, but it does not today.

try Co-pilot GPS from the market. It's free, and it downloads maps and stores them on the phone. If you have any svox classic voices purchased you will get the more advanced street names as part of the turn by turn verbal directions. I haven't tried this version yet, but it looks great and for free you have nothing to lose.

nooomoto said:
Or just root your phone and tether...that's what I've been doing for years.
Sent from my HTC One X using XDA Premium HD app
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Tether to what? I already pay $70 a month for internet at home I am sure as hell not gonna pay for more data
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

IMO, for a FREE navigation app, I think you get a little more than you paid for...
The Turn-by-Turn directions require a data connection initially. But once it has downloaded the directions, you can use it offline and still get the voice directions - I tested it out on Saturday. You want to leave it connected a few minutes so it can cache all the map tiles along the route. If you don't let it finish caching the route, there will be places where you can see the route and get voice nagivation, but the streets won't show up.
If you deviate from the route, however, you will lose any navigation until you get back on the suggested route. You can see your route on the map, but there won't be any streets showing up at your location - even if you have chached the entire area in maps. If you zoom out you can see the suggested route. The voice nagivation will try to get you to turn around and go back since it can't recalculate the route. It needs more than just a map to calculate the route. It doesn't read a map the way you or I would to get directions...:silly:
I had maps and navigation running at the same time, and when I left the suggested route I switched over to maps (leaving navigation running in the background) and could see the streets I was on. A bit crude but it worked...
Once in range of the suggested route, the voice navigation will pick back up again and continue from there, and the streets will show up again.

I really hope Google eventually allows client side navigation, instead of server side requiring a data plan or wifi.
I've used Google Navigation on my tablet by calculating a route prior to disconnect from wifi, and their Navigation is hands down the best available for Android.
I've tried other Navigation apps, and they're super slow compared to Google, especially when it comes to re-routing or telling when you turned. Google almost re-routes you instantly when you go off route, other apps sometimes take a full minute before they set another route. Plus, Goole's street naming is fantastic for audible directions.
Offline maps is something, but off line route planning will be the ultimate offering.

I don't see how this could be too difficult to enable. Sure, maybe there are patent issues to work out (possible, but unlikely). But this functionality is already present in cheap GPS devices. The maps themselves take up a lot of space (a couple gigs on average for the entire US on a dedicated GPS unit), but if we download an 85MB region map, all the streets/addresses should already be built in. So it comes down to getting the routing engine to work offline. I'm not sure how big or complex this is, but IMHO it should be a simple addition.
And yes, it's "free" so we are getting what we pay for, but still.
As I mentioned earlier, my biggest disappointment was that Google made it out to be a fully comprehensive update to Google Maps, when it really isn't.

phonic said:
I don't see how this could be too difficult to enable. Sure, maybe there are patent issues to work out (possible, but unlikely). But this functionality is already present in cheap GPS devices. The maps themselves take up a lot of space (a couple gigs on average for the entire US on a dedicated GPS unit), but if we download an 85MB region map, all the streets/addresses should already be built in. So it comes down to getting the routing engine to work offline. I'm not sure how big or complex this is, but IMHO it should be a simple addition.
And yes, it's "free" so we are getting what we pay for, but still.
As I mentioned earlier, my biggest disappointment was that Google made it out to be a fully comprehensive update to Google Maps, when it really isn't.
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I would love to know Google's reasoning behind server side routing only. I've searched around, but can't find a definitive answer. I always figured they stay clear from allowing off-line routing because you'll lose out on real-time traffic condition, weather, accident updates, etc.