So I was just thinking it seems really strange that our device would have gps without a network connection. I don't have a problem with being wifi only but if I'm using wifi I'm usually at home or at work or somewhere that i won't really be going anywhere. As in, I feel like the most useful part of the gps is always for navigation but the only use of gps I can think of with only wifi is for location based search results. I so I was just wondering everyone's thoughts, cuz to me it seems sort of unnecessary
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
offline maps. GPS works without a connection.
and, way better location based services.
Sent from my HTC Glacier using xda premium
I have not loaded it yet on the Nexus 7 but I have used Navagon from the play store. It turns the tab into a 7 inch GPS unit.
GPS features (Offline Google Maps, fully downloaded GPS software), being able to "Check In" at different locations, whatever they opt for. As a "Dev" unit of sorts, I find GPS to be critical.
GPS to test GPS based applications, since this is a Nexus device
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
The only trouble I have with offline maps is that it still obviously doesn't work with navigation. But one question though with offline maps, can you save a map with a navigation route on it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
I tether my Nexus 7 to my Sprint phone (rooted CM9). It is nice to not have to tether GPS through Bluetooth. In my car the Nexus 7 gets mounted and serves up the torque app, connects my BT obd2 sensor, and uses its own GPS.
What's the point of a GPS? Easy, it's a sensor so the device knows where you are at. I use my Nexus all over the place and it's always online tethered to my phone. It's way smarter since it knows where it's at.
Better question would be, what's that Barometer doing in my Galaxy Nexus....
currentsupply said:
Better question would be, what's that Barometer doing in my Galaxy Nexus....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Galaxy Note has one too.
The Kindle Fire didn't have one... and it was very limiting for what I wanted to use it for. My hotspot didn't provide GPS data.
In a mobile setting when you have a 3G/4G hotspot, having a device with a GPS allows a lot of detail data collection which requires location info (like weather data). The hotspot allows transmission of the data to a server for processing and receipt of critical data (like Doppler radar data) to know where you are and where its at.
One of the reasons why I was waiting for the Nexus 7 as soon as I heard it has both GPS and the other location tools.
No aGPS... but once you are tracking that doesn't matter.
Sygic works great offline everywhere I go.
androidobsessed said:
The only trouble I have with offline maps is that it still obviously doesn't work with navigation. But one question though with offline maps, can you save a map with a navigation route on it?
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Navigation apps like Copilot store all of the maps and poi's on the device. No network connection necessary and it will automatically route you to any destination that your map set covers.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
It's also nice to have the GPS so when you show it to your friends with Iphones and Ipads, you can demonstrate the Navigation function that they still don't have.
"Google, Navigate to Staples in Woodland Hills California so my friend can pick up a Nexus 7"
The point is that the kindle fire doesn't have it. That really is the point i think.
currentsupply said:
Better question would be, what's that Barometer doing in my Galaxy Nexus....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Xoom had one too, it's something that a bit ahead of it's time. Think 'crowd sourced' weather apps.
This thread is akin to the whole "why does the Galaxy Nexus have a barometer in it" threads that popped up after it came out.
Though, as many have said before, it primarily is for use in offline maps. If you start navigation and leave, it should keep those directions (though it won't recalculate any new ones) in memory and running even without an internet connection.
GPS is COMPLETELY SEPARATE from Navigation. Navigation requires a GPS. Using a GPS does not require Navigation.
So stop saying "GPS" when you mean "Navigation", for the love of god.
So what's a GPS in a wifi-only device useful for?
Using in any one of dozens of apps that can cache map data
Recording paths or traces for recreation, hiking, biking, whatever
Geocaching or any other game/activity needing precise location data
Using one of several OFFLINE Navigation apps (CoPilot Live, Sygic, Navigon, etc)
There are more, I'm bored with this...
All that being said, it's awesome that it has it, but yeah most people can turn off that radio most of the time to save battery.
ivwonka said:
All that being said, it's awesome that it has it, but yeah most people can turn off that radio most of the time to save battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS is not running and uses no battery unless actively in use.
What about those that tether? It might not be big in the US because of carrier blocking bit plenty of people tether to mobiles - why pay for an additional contract when your phone has unlimited data?
Once coupled together the 7 becomes its own device, looks great with Google navigation and obviously Google Notes works as it should!
Related
I was reading about someone using a phone such as wm fuze as a bluetooth gps receiver. After doing some search I found some apps for both fuze and captivate. Gps2blue for fuze and bluetooth gps provider for android. The fuze app is supposed to send gps info from the fuze to the captivate which uses its program to receive. However I can't seem to get them to link via bluetooth. Has anyone tried this or got it to work? My gps isn't completely broken but here soon, I am found to need reliable gps.so this would work great.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
wow...i actually have a brand new Fuze sitting around under my bed not being used. This would be pretty sweet. Look forward to see what comes out of this.
I also have an iphone 3g with broken wifi....if the wifi worked, i was just going to keep that in my truck and use Mobile AP and connect the 3g to wifi and use google maps on the 3g. Could you not do the same for the Fuze??
probably, but with only a 200 mb plan, I'm trying to use copilot on my phone and limit data usage. Of course with captivate alone. Gps is hit or miss. Mainly miss
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Ok, so I found a way using gpsgate on a wm phone. Works on both my fuze and my tilt. Must say I really love how accurate my tracks are now using a phone from more than 2 years ago. Kinda sux having to resort to 2 phones for accurate tracks, but I love google maps saying my accuracy is 1~4 meters accurate. Even works flawlessly with copilot.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
how about some setup instructions for someone who has not used windows mobile for more than 5 minutes?? haha i have had the fuze forever, but never used it. tips like installing the app, setting it up, etc etc
or since i have an unlimited data plan, what about just using the fuze as a gps anyway? How would that work?
I used my fuze all the time, but I only used garmin on it. Im going to try and find some information on setting up and I'll edit here. I found a similar post and after googling how to do it, I remem hearing the program used to do out was posted in that. Gpsgate is like a 2week trail, but I think its 15 bucks. So hopefully froyo will fix come and I'll know if I'm buying full version.
How to:
Fuze setup:
on the fuze internet explorer, go to www.franson.com where u can download the cab (same as apk for android, but for wm). Install the file. During the first run you should go through a setup wizard. On the first screen it has some search options, I only clicked wired and built in gps. It should find on com 4, whatever it finds i don't think out matters, as long as it finds it. Next is the share setup. I used option 2 and 3, share with nmea and share over bluetooth, I know bluetooth is needed, not sure about the other. Next hit finish. Of course make sure bluetooth is on and set to discoverable. Also so that phone doesn't shut off while navigating, go to power settings and make sure the phone doesn't turn because I'm petty sure if it does it will stop sending gps information (do by going to power settings) That's it for fuze.
For android:
I think under developer settings, allow mock positions need to be enabled. Download bluetooth gps provider off market. On it go to preferences and search for gps provider. Find it device, select it and then back to main screen and hit start, if it fist gps has locked it should work. Should show how many data locked and what not here.
Apps like gps test won't show locked stats but will put accuracy up. Way its done, not sure of how accurate that value is. Seems pretty well.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
Hi guys,
I was wondering what combination of bluetooth devices i will need to get GPS functionality for my NC. Do i just need a bluetooth gps reciever?
Any link to products is appreciated!
--edit--
i do not have a smartphone
jleong89 said:
Hi guys,
I was wondering what combination of bluetooth devices i will need to get GPS functionality for my NC. Do i just need a bluetooth gps reciever?
Any link to products is appreciated!
--edit--
i do not have a smartphone
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.appbrain.com/app/bluetooth-gps-provider/de.mobilej.btgps if you're using the new build/kernel with bluetooth working.
Otherwise, not going to work.
I have been able to successfully pair my NC with a Global Sat 352 bluetooth GPS receiver using CM nightly 17 and BlueGPS4droid. It works in Google Maps but the range is horrible, around 12 inches.
I have a really stupid question about this.
I don't see how it will work with just GPS.
I understand that GPS will give you location, but what about data for getting the maps?
When I'm using google maps on my blackberry or my wife's Iphone, it needs to download the map via data aside from just providing location.
Does the GPS do that as well?
Thanks for your patience.
hanbalfrek said:
I have a really stupid question about this.
I don't see how it will work with just GPS.
I understand that GPS will give you location, but what about data for getting the maps?
When I'm using google maps on my blackberry or my wife's Iphone, it needs to download the map via data aside from just providing location.
Does the GPS do that as well?
Thanks for your patience.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will need data connection (tethered to another phone if you are on the road) to use Google maps(navigation). There are a few programs (Navigon and Co Pilot Live are two I found)that install all the map data that they use to your SD Card so you don't need a data connection.
you need an external bluetooth gps receiver. Install the Program "Bluetooth GPS" to your nook and use it to connect the bluetooth GPS Receiver.
They are roughly $50+
It needs to be NMEA compatible.
chisleu said:
you need an external bluetooth gps receiver. Install the Program "Bluetooth GPS" to your nook and use it to connect the bluetooth GPS Receiver.
They are roughly $50+
It needs to be NMEA compatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been able to use my windows phone using gps2blue and that works too for gps.
chisleu said:
you need an external bluetooth gps receiver. Install the Program "Bluetooth GPS" to your nook and use it to connect the bluetooth GPS Receiver.
They are roughly $50+
It needs to be NMEA compatible.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so i do NOT need a data plan correct? that app + a receiver should allow me to use google maps gps (or other apps) on the road right?
jleong89 said:
so i do NOT need a data plan correct? that app + a receiver should allow me to use google maps gps (or other apps) on the road right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The latest version of Google Maps will download and cache your route if you plan it in advance while on a WiFi connection, however, I haven't had a lot of success retrieving that cache once I get on the road...and usually end up re-downloading the map over my data connection.
So the answer is: You PROBABLY DO NEED a data plan. Unless you buy map software that downloads all the maps locally, there are a few Apps in the market.
There's a Gmap cacher program that I use on my netbook.
Perhaps something similar (or another gps program with prebuilt maps) for the nook?
(I think it's absolutely ridiculous to require a data connection for any program like this, it can be done preloaded at home. I also despise requirements of cell phone data plans based on this premise.......)
I know this is a little off topic but there's an app that allows you to share your phones gps over wifi.
You install the host on your phone and the client is installed on your book.
I am going to search for it.....
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App
I found it! Its called tethergps by compton software.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App
speedy1979 said:
I know this is a little off topic but there's an app that allows you to share your phones gps over wifi.
You install the host on your phone and the client is installed on your book.
I am going to search for it.....
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks but i do not have a smartphone or a phone that requires a data plan (just a regular txt talk camera phone ) but i am sure other's will appreciate the app you found!
joetrizeo said:
There's a Gmap cacher program that I use on my netbook.
Perhaps something similar (or another gps program with prebuilt maps) for the nook?
(I think it's absolutely ridiculous to require a data connection for any program like this, it can be done preloaded at home. I also despise requirements of cell phone data plans based on this premise.......)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Backcountry Navigator can pre-download all kinds of different maps, OSM, Topo, etc..
great thanks guys! are there any particular gps receiver brands or chips that produce significantly better results than another?
anymore suggestions are welcome.
[URL="http://www.dealextreme.com/p/holux-m-1000-32-channel-bluetooth-car-gps-receiver-25563"]http://www.dealextreme.com/p/holux-m-1000-32-channel-bluetooth-car-gps-receiver-25563[/URL]
I'm looking at getting one of these guys from DealExtreme. The reviews are all pretty positive about the battery life, the speed, and it's ability to lock on to many satellites reliably.
I'm really close to pulling the trigger on one.
Working OK for me with my BT GPT-600 SiRF Star III GPS.
Range is about 3 feet, so that knida sucks, but same as all the rest of the BT range so far.
Same as this one:
http://compare.ebay.com/like/150572...fe1ec11&itemid=150572160930&ff4=263602_309572
Since I have an HTC EVO, I think I will still use the tetherGPS, so I can get the data along with it.
Is there anything like tetherGPS for other phone OSes (Blackberry, Windows Mobile, iOS)? I have a BB at the moment; they suck, but it does have a functional GPS chip.
thanks for the links guys. i will check them out
If so ..why?
Does it consume more battery?
Nope and I would bet it does. Who wants google knowing where you are at all times? (even tho google maps will tell them) Leaving any GPS feature on will consume battery, best bet is to use the standalone GPS and turn it on only when you need it.
I do for beautiful widgets, only turn it on to find the location then turn it off.
Yes I do. I use it for my home automation.
Google's location inst as bad as GPS but GPS is far more accurate.
CM
Yep. I used it to help localized searches in maps.
I've never measure battery life with and without it, but I can get 13+ hours on a single charge under light to moderate usage.
Do you need it for gmaps?
Sent from my DROID3 using Tapatalk
Not really.
You can still view maps, but your location will be unknown until you activate gps and it gets a lock.
Searches will also be genralized under your current map view.
I have all location services on. When I want to use an app that uses location, I want them to know where I am ASAP. I don't really care if Google knows where I am. I doubt that they really care where *I* am.
I also have VZW location turned on. Of course, as long as my phone is on, they have a pretty good idea of where my phone is, so using VZW location doesn't bug me.
Location services only gives a general area. Normally its a kilometre radius. Google can know my general area I don't care. I keep GPS off unless I'm using maps
Sent from my XT860 using xda premium
I leave all location services on, because I could honestly care less if they know where I'm at. Now once I get into drug dealing or the mafia, or maybe CIA work.then I'll care. =-)
As far as the GPS/location debate.the GPS doesn't technically go on unless an app calls for it. Enabling it, just means an app or service can tap it as needed.most apps only use it infrequently.but not enough to notice a major difference in battery life. Unless of course you're using navigation.
Don't believe me, just try it out for a week. GPS on, then GPS off another week. You be the judge.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
I assume you mean couldn't care less
Izeltokatl said:
As far as the GPS/location debate.the GPS doesn't technically go on unless an app calls for it. Enabling it, just means an app or service can tap it as needed.most apps only use it infrequently.but not enough to notice a major difference in battery life. Unless of course you're using navigation.
Don't believe me, just try it out for a week. GPS on, then GPS off another week. You be the judge.
Sent from my DROID3 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This...100% correct. The GPS doesn't do anything until an app calls for it. No battery drain just by having it enabled.
This app is awesome https://market.android.com/details?id=ch.rrelmy.android.locationcachemap it lets you view the saved locations in your phone's memory and clear them out. It even lets you block saved location updates. Cops routinely pull this info off people's phones, so there's no reason to save it (even if you've done nothing wrong)
One cool thing is that when I am at home somehow with ICS it remembers to turn on my Wi-Fi when I get to the house. I don't know how exactly but it does. I have Wi-Fi location enabled.
Sent from my XT862 using XDA App
One of the very first things I do is disable location based services.
The dev of TetherGPS has finally release an update to fix FC on ICS/CM9 devices.
I've waited a long time for this. Now I can use my Nook in the car as a Navigation device!
Go to Android Market to get update.
Sent from my NookColor using xda premium
Just went to the market and read about it. Actually looking for Bluetooth GPS myself. This one does look like a cool app, tho
Sent from my NookColor using xda premium
The NC bt is really weak no real antenna inside.
Sent from my CM9 Nook
My awesome gps setup is the following on a CM7.2 Mirage KANG NC:
GPS Receiver: Tom Tom Mkii (got for a lot cheaper, I think it was about 8 bucks).
Android APPs: Bluetooth GPS
Sygic GPS Navigation
This setup works awesome it has been very reliable so far, the receiver takes very little time to find the satelites. My in car setup is super cheap but it works, I use velcro with an old NC case to stick it to the windshield.
jgaf said:
My awesome gps setup is the following on a CM7.2 Mirage KANG NC:
GPS Receiver: Tom Tom Mkii (got for a lot cheaper, I think it was about 8 bucks).
Android APPs: Bluetooth GPS
Sygic GPS Navigation
This setup works awesome it has been very reliable so far, the receiver takes very little time to find the satelites. My in car setup is super cheap but it works, I use velcro with an old NC case to stick it to the windshield.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
cool setup...I haven't tried Sygic yet. Currently usiing Google Map and sometimes switch to Waze for the fun factor. How does Sygic compare to the other two navigation software? I see that it offers offline map data, which is a plus since I'm on limited Data plan.
jdpdata said:
cool setup...I haven't tried Sygic yet. Currently usiing Google Map and sometimes switch to Waze for the fun factor. How does Sygic compare to the other two navigation software? I see that it offers offline map data, which is a plus since I'm on limited Data plan.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the offline maps is a plus for me since I don't have a smartphone to tether 3G or 4G. For me it has worked pretty good, the POIs aren't all there, but I'm in Puerto Rico. There are a couple of other GPS apps that are supposedly good, like Copilot (I tried this one but the map for Puerto Rico was incomplete). The other thing is that Sygic uses google to search for POIs too if you have internet connection, so for your it might be a good choice since it will only use very little data searching for stuff, and you would have an offline map.
jgaf said:
My awesome gps setup is the following on a CM7.2 Mirage KANG NC:
GPS Receiver: Tom Tom Mkii (got for a lot cheaper, I think it was about 8 bucks).
Android APPs: Bluetooth GPS
Sygic GPS Navigation
This setup works awesome it has been very reliable so far, the receiver takes very little time to find the satelites. My in car setup is super cheap but it works, I use velcro with an old NC case to stick it to the windshield.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using almost the exact same setup... only diff is Navfree USA.
I would love to see a walkthrough on how to use the nook as a car gps.
My iPhone just seems tiny after i use my nook for a while.
Peoplephobic said:
I would love to see a walkthrough on how to use the nook as a car gps.
My iPhone just seems tiny after i use my nook for a while.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Step 1: buy nook color
Step 2: wait a month for cyanogenmod to implement bluetooth in CM
Step 3: try to get a windows mobile 6 phone to send the GPS data via bluetooth for a month or so, pull out half of hair.
Step 4: try to get a symbian OS phone to send the GPS data via bluetooth for a month or so, pull out other half of hair.
Step 5: before committing suicide, just bite the bullet & buy first AndroidOS phone. Discover that Android on a phone is amazing. Discover that most Android phone hardware sucks.
Step 6: buy four more AndroidOS phones, discover huge horrible unfixable hardware design issues with each, discover bank account drained.
Step 7: find exactly one android phone with only one hardware issue (wifi range sucks), but otherwise is perfect (Droid RAZR) WE WILL NOT DISCUSS LOCKED BOOTLOADER ISSUE, THIS IS NOT A HARWARE PROBLEM. AHHHHH!!
Step 8: After having no money left, having spent it all on bad android phones, decide that the four dollars or whatever TetherGPS costs is too expensive.
Step 9: Suddenly remember the reason there is no money left, was to try to get GPS to work on the Nook Color
Step 10: Spend the four dollars, install TetherGPS on both phone and Nook, it just works (TM). Use whatever GPS software you please, there is plenty to choose from.
^^^ although funny, it's not all that difficult to get NC as a GPS device.
1. Your Android phone must be rooted. And it must support Infrastructure Mode tethering. I've had success with CM7 and Miui based roms.
2. Download and install Android-Wifi-Tether v. 3.1 beta 11. Google it you will find it. Once you have it installed test to make sure you can successfully tether.
3. Buy and install TetherGps both on phone and NookColor.
4. Start Tethergps as server on phone. The icon will turn blue when it has good gps lock.
5. Start tethergps as client on NookColor. Again icon will turn blue once gps is located.
6. Open your fav navigation app (Google maps is very good) you should see a blue dot at your current location.
This has been my setup for awhile now. Works great!
Sent from my CM9 Nook
Anyone know of a way I can get this to work with my stupid iPhone?
Peoplephobic said:
Anyone know of a way I can get this to work with my stupid iPhone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out this video, I don't have any iPhone so I can't try. But from what I can understand this guy is getting wifi/gps from his iphone into his android tablet:
The ifixit teardown indicated the possibility of a GPS capable chip in the 7" model.
Anyone load a GPS app and see if you get any results?
Thanks!
Google Maps location doesn't work, and I have been unsuccessful sideloading any of the GPS apps I have available. All fail on install.
What about one of the free GPS apps on the Amazon app store, like:
http://www.amazon.com/EclipSim-GPS-...ps&ie=UTF8&qid=1348158531&sr=1-1&keywords=gps
bleclair said:
What about one of the free GPS apps on the Amazon app store, like:
http://www.amazon.com/EclipSim-GPS-...ps&ie=UTF8&qid=1348158531&sr=1-1&keywords=gps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm well interestingly enough that one installed. It took a while, but it gave me a coordinate read out as well (see screenshot, I blanked out my location but you can see what I mean). I'm not familiar with that app, so I don't know if it uses Wifi at all for determining location. It does have an option for "do not launch if GPS is not enabled" though and that is set by default. Yet, it works. You have my wondering now, I'll keep playing with some of the other apps I'm a bit more familiar with and see if I can get them to install.
The OS build might not have adequate drivers to run the GPS. This might get fixed once we get a different ROM....someday.
I have google maps up and running, though I believe it is functioning off wifi location, the location is off a little. I installed GPS satellite app and it launches, gives me data but does not show that it is picking up any satellites.
alkemist80 said:
I have google maps up and running, though I believe it is functioning off wifi location, the location is off a little. I installed GPS satellite app and it launches, gives me data but does not show that it is picking up any satellites.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got GPS Test Plus installed and see the same. It doesn't find any satellites, but it is indeed finding my location based on Wifi. Acurracy of only about 200 feet. Think we are SOL for now.
UPDATE: I am playing with it more (it has a handy green light when it has GPS signal) that is yellow with WIFI off, and Green with it on. Seems to indicate it only uses Wifi for location.
even if gps is on the chip, maybe there's no antenna ?
So far no joy on getting any sort of GPS working. I bought a TomTom BlueTooth GPS module and it will not pair with the Fire HD. I get a message saying that the BlueTooth device is not compatible. None of the apps to make it work will even install.
Amazon apparently went all out in preventing people from using GPS. From what I understand the Nook will allow you to use a BlueTooth GPS.
FWIW, I tried using Google Maps on the way to and from work the last few days, and it is starting to get pretty good at finding my location via WiFi. Most of the time it was showing me within a block of my actual location, and sometimes it was actually tracking me accurately, even showing me driving up to an intersection and stopping right at the intersection. It seems to get better every time I take the same route.
I did discover that the Fire HD has a magnetic compass and accelerometer. But the compass is not very reliable.
I have a sneaky suspicion that there were some lawyers involved in these decisions...
Amazon took it really out of their way to lock down their tablets. They don't want people to use anything that doesn't rely on their services. Such as maps, either it be google, Bing, tomtom, anything not made by them. Amazon never activated voice search, the potential is there (apk in system files) but until they make it used through their ecosystem, KFHD will probably never see it. They even make it annoying to change the keyboard. Supposedly according too their website, BT only works with headphones. That is a complete limitation and annoyance.
As for GPS, I can see it somewhat irrelevant on a device that is wifi only and was omitted, though I do enjoy it on my N7. Something, I believe it was hootsuite would constantly annoy me about location services when I had it turned off, as they claimed it was turned off via twitter and had no options and I had it off in my twitter. Location services on the KFHD killed my battery for some unknown reason.
alkemist80 said:
As for GPS, I can see it somewhat irrelevant on a device that is wifi only and was omitted, though I do enjoy it on my N7.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How so? With Maps you can download your entire city to use offline. If you start Navigation while online, and give it a couple of minutes to cache the info, it will take you all the way to your destination offline. I tested this on a 5 hour trip, and the audible turn-by-turn took me all the way to the destination, even though in some places the map itself was blank, and it didn't know the name of the street or exit. "Take the exit on the right" instead of "Take exit 6" It was even able to do some limited rerouting offline (which is something fairly new)
Besides, now I have a MiFi and a phone with a portable HotSpot. .On long trips, however, I turn off the MiFi while underway unless I need a major reroute, or need to find something. On a long trip a few weeks ago, my wife called from our tax accountant's office and needed some info from an old bank statement. I was out in the middle of nowhere in Alabama, and I though I was going to have to drive to Birmingham to find a Wells Fargo. So I fired up the MiFi, and asked my N7 "Google...where is the nearest Wells Fargo?" and it found one in a small town less than 10 minutes away and led me straight there.
Driving in Atlanta drives me insane. Now with the MiFi and Google Maps, I can see where the stop-and-go traffic jams are and get around them.
Irrelevant??? Not hardly!
I REALLY wanted the GPS to work on the Fire HD because the pitiful speakers on the N7 aren't loud enough to hear turn-by-turn directions in heavy traffic or heavy rain, or while the radio is playing. And the washed out screen on the N7 makes it hard to make out the streets (white and yellow on off-white) They stand out much better on the Fire HD's screen.
Not everyone tethers data through their phone or device. Most cell phone plans still require additional payment services. I refuse to pay another $35-$40 a month just to tether data. If I want to use GPS, then I use my phone or my Garmin Nuvi, though I prefer google maps since they are mostly up to date.
Caching maps, ok, but you need to know exactly where you want to go. Without data, the GPS is useless unless you are using a strict GPS app to determine location only. Amazon took it out to reduce costs. While it's nice to have, it's irrelevant to their entertainment device, they don't want you to use maps anyways.
question
Would it be possible to make a hack to enable spp bluetooth profile on KFHD. Because the tomtom bluetooth gps receiver uses that profile.
I have to completely agree with drhanley i wish i could have at least bluetooth gps on the kindle fire hd.
Drhanley have you seen in the android market bluetooth spp app make an app from the market could enable the spp profile needed for tomtom gps receiver ????????