POIs for Android-based Smartphones?

 

Does anybody know if there is a way to load POIs from this website (such as the redlight and speed cameras) into a smart phone based on the Android operating system?

I am aware that the phone's Internet connection makes it possible to find info in "real time" (i.e. "Give me directions to the nearest gas station"), but can it proactively alert you to the presence of something nearby (such as the traffic camera) or store a list of favorite places?

Custom POIs for Android-Based Smartphones

Hmm... I think this answers my own question:

http://androidforums.com/motorola-droid/15173-google-nav-fav...

hmmmm...

Very interesting! I'm going to have to try that to see if I can get the redlight/speed camera files loaded into my Moto Droid. If it works, I just may abandon my nuvi 780. Have you personally tried this conversion yet?

Proximity Alerts

Yes, I tried this weekend. Although I found that it is possible to install Custom POIs into Google Maps (as the link suggests), it doesn't appear work as I hoped. The nuvi can alert you when you are in close proximity to a given POI (such as a traffic camera), but at least for now, there is no application on the Droid to do the same. A call to Verizon confirmed this.

So at least for now, I have to consider the nuvi and Droid as companion devices. Although I haven't tested it yet, I suspect that the Droid will be more useful in urban areas, whereas the nuvi will tend to shine in remote areas where there is no data connection. (In most GPS devices, the maps reside within the device. In a smartphone, the maps reside on some Internet-based server.

Watching

I'll be watching this thread since I plan to get the Droid.

--
Bob: My toys: Nüvi 1390T, Droid X2, Nook Color (rooted), Motorola Xoom, Kindle 2, a Yo-Yo and a Slinky. Gotta have toys.

Good for free

I have been using it on my TMo G1, and Custom POI's is a limitation. I use search and can find just about anything, and the maps are up to date, but there are only a few "Layers" that can be used to let you know where things are without looking specifically for something. But heck, for free not bad!

--
Magellan Maestro 4250, T-Mobile G1 with Google Maps, iPaq with TomTom, and a Tapwave Zodiac with TomTom and Mapopolis

Droid Fan / Map Updates

For what it is worth, I have become a big fan of the Droid. There are a few glitches that I am not happy about (e.g. no ability to sort contacts based on last name rather than first), but overall I am still impressed with it.

As an aside, someone on another thread on this site asked if Garmin was paying attention to complaints about incorrect map info. I am not sure that Garmin's map provider cares, but my first impression with the Droid is that someone is watching. I reported an incorrect street name a little over a week ago, and I received an acknowledgement from Google Maps indicating that I was right.

I am still waiting for Google Maps to actually make the change, but the fact that a real person appears to have responded seems promising.

Dash Mount

Did you get the dash mount for the Droid? If so, how is it?

--
Magellan Maestro 4250, T-Mobile G1 with Google Maps, iPaq with TomTom, and a Tapwave Zodiac with TomTom and Mapopolis

Re: Dash Mount

mashryock wrote:

Did you get the dash mount for the Droid? If so, how is it?

Yes, but we really don't use it. There is nothing "wrong" with the dash mount. If the Droid is your only GPS device, the mount will work quite well.

Personally, I find that the Droid is good for finding stuff when you don't know what you are looking for ahead of time -- for instance, finding an eatery in an unfamiliar area -- but my GPS is still my primary nav device because of the Droid's lack of proximity alerts.

Has anyone found an application to fix the proximity alert problem?

Droid Does

I am really impressed with the Droid..Google maps has Updated 2 times since I got my Droid...Oh yea...Free updates. And it has Voice Search, Turn by turn voice, and this is coming from someone that has 3 garmins..205w 660 and a 760 nuvi..I love my Garmins but they could learn from the droid. Over the air Updates that take no time..and even at Full price it is less than my 660 was new..

--
Dave_ Nuvi 660 , 760,1490LMT Wooster, Ohio

Proximity Alerts Revisited

Has anybody seen any new software recently that does the proximity alerts?

I am thinking of getting a Droid..

But still not sure if I want it. I will not use it to replace my GPS but to supplement it.

How is the Motorola Droid from verizon.. anyone know?

Does anyone have it yet.. I really am about to get it soon.

I really would like any comments on this phone please!!

--
Bobkz - Garmin Nuvi 3597LMTHD/2455LMT/C530/C580- "Pain Is Fear Leaving The Body - Semper Fidelis"

Well.. I Did it!

I got the Droid.. Just started to play with it and what I see so far it seems to be great..

Any others out there that has one? an if so, How do you like it?

Mostly with the gps part of it..

--
Bobkz - Garmin Nuvi 3597LMTHD/2455LMT/C530/C580- "Pain Is Fear Leaving The Body - Semper Fidelis"

I got the Motorola Droid and

I got the Motorola Droid and love it..two things I don't love..the $30 a month data package and it's not a global phone..no sim card slot.

CoPilot

If you are interested in offline maps Alk Copilot is a good choice. It is pretty fast on the Droid and the Nexus One (I own both...I am a significant Android nerd).

It also has very good POI csv file integration. It is identical to the CoPilot for pc and iPhone, and at $30 is cheaper than a standalone and does not use any data so if you are out of good cell range you won't get lost.

There are a few UI annoyances such as the keyboard to type addresses (It is not QWERTY it is set up ABCDE) But overall I have found the app to be responsive and worthwhile.

It has better routing functions than Google Maps and also includes settings for redlight/traffic light POIs.

One other slight caveat is that the map data is pretty significant so you will also probably want at least a 4gb SD card if you keep anything else on it. (The North America map file is well over 1gb)

Hope this helps someone!

ALK Copilot

DicemanSTL wrote:

If you are interested in offline maps Alk Copilot is a good choice. It is pretty fast on the Droid and the Nexus One (I own both...I am a significant Android nerd).

It also has very good POI csv file integration. It is identical to the CoPilot for pc and iPhone, and at $30 is cheaper than a standalone and does not use any data so if you are out of good cell range you won't get lost.

There are a few UI annoyances such as the keyboard to type addresses (It is not QWERTY it is set up ABCDE) But overall I have found the app to be responsive and worthwhile.

It has better routing functions than Google Maps and also includes settings for redlight/traffic light POIs.

One other slight caveat is that the map data is pretty significant so you will also probably want at least a 4gb SD card if you keep anything else on it. (The North America map file is well over 1gb)

Hope this helps someone!

Where can I find more info?

Data Plan

gerrydrake wrote:

I got the Motorola Droid and love it..two things I don't love..the $30 a month data package and it's not a global phone..no sim card slot.

I agree. An extra $30 per month sucks when you already pay $50+ per month for the voice service.

well...

Since I have the Moto Droid, I love it BUT the GPS is not as good as having a dectated one, such as a Garmen. I do love all the neat apps and such but thatsw it.. Remember, it is a phone 1 and foremost. everything else is grave but great grave.. lol

I have d/led a lot of apps and many of them for GPS but really have not found one that works great .. its ok and will get you in the area but not like a real GPS system.

Any thoughts? I would love to hear from you all..

Oh yea, about the $30 data plain.. its not that bad if you have a family plan. Works for me.. You could get a wifi card and pay even more and that is with a laptop and/or deaktop. I think its worth it if you use it alot like me

--
Bobkz - Garmin Nuvi 3597LMTHD/2455LMT/C530/C580- "Pain Is Fear Leaving The Body - Semper Fidelis"

Google nav on Droid

I have to agree that the Google Nav is FAR WORSE than Garmin. I'm not going to give up my Garmin for anything..... I just need to update off of the 2009 maps at some point.

--
Nuvi 660 owner.

Data Family Plan

Which cellular provider offers a data plan that allows unlimited shared data for all family members? It isn't Verizon... at least not in my area.

Remember... I am talking data, not voice. Be it a Droid, iPhone, or other device, they all want an extra $30 for unlimited data on a PER DEVICE basis. Got one smartphone? That will be $30 please. Got two? Fork over $60 for unlimited data. 3 smartphones? Extra $90.

If it was $30 for unlimited data for... oh... say 2 smart phones, that wouldn't be so bad.

all of them the same I

all of them are the same I think

check sprint and ask them about family data plan if they have one.next month the new HTC Evo 4G is coming out.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/23/htc-evo-4g-is-sprints-and...

Data Families

beagle.fan wrote:

Which cellular provider offers a data plan that allows unlimited shared data for all family members? It isn't Verizon... at least not in my area.

Remember... I am talking data, not voice. Be it a Droid, iPhone, or other device, they all want an extra $30 for unlimited data on a PER DEVICE basis. Got one smartphone? That will be $30 please. Got two? Fork over $60 for unlimited data. 3 smartphones? Extra $90.

If it was $30 for unlimited data for... oh... say 2 smart phones, that wouldn't be so bad.

TMobile has a "family smartphone" promo running right now. Two lines, 750 shared minutes, unlimited text, unlimited web, two free Moto Cliq XTs, for 139/month. Not sure how that compares against separate data plans x2. I think it is maybe $20 a month less than separate services?

--
Galaxy NoteII, nüvi® 680

voice guidance on smart phone

Is there any way to get the voice guidance service on the HTC phone to work without paying fee.

T-Mobile Phone

Q wrote:

TMobile has a "family smartphone" promo running right now. Two lines, 750 shared minutes, unlimited text, unlimited web, two free Moto Cliq XTs, for 139/month. Not sure how that compares against separate data plans x2. I think it is maybe $20 a month less than separate services?

Is it an Android-based phone?

Loving my HTC Evo.

I recently got the HTC Evo from sprint and just loaded up all my RLC's on there. My only complaint is the lack of a proximity alert as my Nuvi 770 has. My nuvi battery has died and will not hold the charge so my Evo is working nice as a replacement until i can fix my nuvi. I love my nuvi but slowly but surely my Evo is replacing it. So sad, especially when i paid 700 bucks for it when it first came out and now my phone only set me back $199.

Oh well times are a changing.

--
Louie Lou Nuvi 770

~

loudogz74 wrote:

So sad, especially when i paid 700 bucks for it when it first came out and now my phone only set me back $199.

$199 is the carrier subsidized contract price - full retail price on an EVO is more like $450.

--
*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Re: EVO

loudogz74 wrote:

I recently got the HTC Evo from sprint and just loaded up all my RLC's on there. My only complaint is the lack of a proximity alert as my Nuvi 770 has. My nuvi battery has died and will not hold the charge so my Evo is working nice as a replacement until i can fix my nuvi. I love my nuvi but slowly but surely my Evo is replacing it. So sad, especially when i paid 700 bucks for it when it first came out and now my phone only set me back $199.

Oh well times are a changing.

Does it work in rural areas?

Droid did not work well in rural areas

As a bit of an aside, we tried using the Droid as a navigation tool on a recent vacation. As I may have mentioned before, it worked reasonably well in larger cities, but failed miserably in the rural areas due to the lack of a data connection. In contrast, the Garmin GPS we relied on worked reasonably well because the maps are pre-loaded.

And for what it is worth, I still have not seen any app for the Droid that does proximity alerts.

HOW ABOUT THE GARMINFONE??

beagle.fan wrote:

As a bit of an aside, we tried using the Droid as a navigation tool on a recent vacation. As I may have mentioned before, it worked reasonably well in larger cities, but failed miserably in the rural areas due to the lack of a data connection. In contrast, the Garmin GPS we relied on worked reasonably well because the maps are pre-loaded.

And for what it is worth, I still have not seen any app for the Droid that does proximity alerts.

I have the garminfone and I get the best of the 2 worlds, a Garmin gps + android base aps, also I tried the proximity alerts for cameras & speed and i got them working fine except the sound alerts where i cannot get them to works just yet.

Great Thread

Thanks for the contributions, this is a great thread.

HTC Hero

Sprint gave me a HTC Hero as a replacement for my broken windows mobile phone. The GPS accuracy seems better than my old Garmin GPS-12. Using the navigation App, the directions are comparable to my Nuvi 660, and I get live traffic updates as part of the package.

If I can manage to keep a wireless signal in rural areas I can certainly see using this thing in place of my Nuvi. Its a big "if" tho, since I was very close to canceling my Sprint contract due to poor coverage where I'm at (not rural).

Before I go down the road of trying POIs... Has anyone used Sprint Navigation with the POIs from this site?

HTC Hero

I also have the Hero. I haven't tried the Sprint navigation, but I do use the Google Maps for short trips and quick finds since my phone is always with me, but for any long trips and serious navigation I still perfer my Garmin.
Actually I liked my Navigon better, even if it was their lowest model. Pity they pretty much abandoned us here in the US, I really wanted one of their 8100T's.

--
Live every day like it's your last. Some day you'll be right - Benny Hill

Navigon Android App

http://www.navigon.com/portal/us/produkte/navigationssoftwar...

The above link is for NAVIGON app for the Android OS. It's not available yet, but if you checkout the the link below, you will see what it has available.

http://www.navigon.com/portal/us/buy_now/mobilenavigator.htm...

Speed Limits
Junction View
Buildings
Navteq maps on board, No cell service needed to operate.

Keep an eye on this one.

--
Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.

I recently got a Droid-X

I recently got a Droid-X while traveling. Tired of dropped calls with my Iphone. Returning home my Garmin Nuvi touchscreen froze. Could not get it to work so I used my Droid-X to navigate home from 300 miles away. It saved me from resorting to tree flesh maps. Miraculously my Nuvi came to life after returning home. Maybe it was just tired. smile

I am also interested in using custom POIs in my Droid-X. I have an app called Tasker that allows programming of features in the DX including the GPS. Perhaps it could be used to give a proximity alert. I think it could be done but I am no programmer.

There also might be a way to use "My Maps" on Google Maps to access custom POIs. Lots of potential here with the DX. Not as elegant and polished as the Iphone but very powerful and programmable.

--
Garmin Emap, Garmin C340, Garmin Nuvi650

Droids are not linux

Droids are not linux !
Droidfirmvarres are closed source . Or do i miss something ?
Its just a another side of trading.

--
The signature...!

Re; Droids are not Linux

generalChaos wrote:

Droids are not linux !
Droidfirmvarres are closed source . Or do i miss something ?
Its just a another side of trading.

Not true. The Android OS is merely another flavor of Linux. If your definition of "closed source" means that it was developed by a particular company... well... I can't argue that. However, Google does publish all sorts of stuff to help you develop your own apps.

Not so..

generalChaos wrote:

Droids are not linux !
Droidfirmvarres are closed source . Or do i miss something ?
Its just a another side of trading.

Download "BTEP SSH Client" and "Better Terminal" and Linux away to your heart's content.