Cool, thanks for the thread. I love Google Maps 5.0! You can enter coordinates directly into Google Maps and it will locate the place for you, my stand-alone Garmin / TomTom can't do that!
-- http://www.poi-factory.com/node/21626 - red light cameras do not work
* Free
* Cloud-based mapping (similar to PC Google Earth)
* Capability to import maps/directions to/from Google Maps
* Can use custom POIs in KML format
* Essentially identical in functionality to Google Earth for PC/Mac/Linux
* Free
* Maps are stored on phone so no data connection required to navigate
* Uses OpenStreetMaps, an open-source mapping initiative with wide support
* Can also use cloud-based mapping such as Google Maps and other sources
* Turn-by-turn voice guidance via Android built-in TTS engine (also free)
* Can use OpenStreetMaps-compatible custom POIs (reportedly may also be able to use GPX as this is part of the OpenStreetMaps spec)
* Expensive compared to other Android GPS tools ($80 US; app is free, maps are pay, costs vary per location)
* Does ship as an OEM product with some Android smartphones
* Maps stored natively on phone so no data connection required to navigate
* Turn-by-turn voice guidance
* Lane assist and junction view
* Accepts custom POIs in KML format
* Euros 29.99 (USD $38.79 at time of posting)
* Maps stored natively on phone so no data connection required to navigate
* Turn-by-turn voice guidance
* Lane assist and junction view
* Accepts endpoints via TTS
* Free lifetime map updates
* Accepts custom POIs in its own proprietary format; ITNConv can convert to Sygic format
OEM OPTIONS (these are presently only available pre-installed on a phone):
iGO 8
* OEM only (with some HTC devices)
* Maps are stored on phone so no data connection required to navigate
* Turn-by-turn voice guidance
* Multiple mapsets available
* Lane assist and junction view
* Can use custom POIs once converted to Google Earth KML format
Garmin for Android
* OEM only (with GarminPhone)
* Maps are stored on phone so no data connection required to operate
* Can use GPX and CSV format POIs natively
* Garmin is now porting to iPhone so there is a chance the app may eventually be a non-OEM product
Also, a few addendums to your original post:
Navigon:
* Can use custom POIs with use of Navigon-supplied program
CoPilot Live:
* Uses .OV2 TomTom POIs as an undocumented feature (I'll be posting a tutorial shortly on how to make this work)
* Input endpoints via TTS
Normally I'd be dismissive of this (having been routed badly by MapQuest in past)...
The one thing that does show as a plus here is that they are OpenMaps friendly, and the Open Maps Project IS updated quite frequently (so they may well get the jump on other sites with new roads and such).
I used to have a Droid and now I own a Droid 2. When I use the navigation app that comes with Android, it drains power out of the battery at an amazing rate. Even if you have the phone plugged into your power outlet in your car, the recharge barely keeps up with the power demands.
Is anyone else experiencing this same problem with Droids?
We haven't tried it on my son's Android phone, but on my HTC Windows Mobile phone using Google Maps I actually got a pop-up basically saying the charge rate cannot keep up with the drain. I purchased a 12V to 5V USB car adapter that was rated to work with an iPad (2.2A capacity) and used that instead, and the problem went away. I suspect the stock car adapter was being overloaded by the phone and the 5V was dropping significantly.
In any event the phone gets very hot. I don't think I'll replace my Nuvis with a smart phone any time soon.
Since I updated Google Maps from 5.0 to 5.1.0, I can't get directions - it stay stuck at "getting directions". Reverting to Maps 5.0 solved the problem (I had it in a backup folder).
Since I updated Google Maps from 5.0 to 5.1.0, I can't get directions - it stay stuck at "getting directions". Reverting to Maps 5.0 solved the problem (I had it in a backup folder).
Does anyone else have that problem?
I just checked the version I have and it is 5.1.0. I have used this newer version at least 6 times and it works fine. I have a rooted Evo 4G. It's possible there was a problem with the download. Why don't you download it again and see what happens.
Since I updated Google Maps from 5.0 to 5.1.0, I can't get directions - it stay stuck at "getting directions". Reverting to Maps 5.0 solved the problem (I had it in a backup folder).
After all this time I know enough Android, Java, Eclipse, html, XML, MySql, and other stuff to have an app in testing on the emulator!
Android phone will display nearest Wayside (virtual) Memorials from the current GPS in the Android phone. The Wayside Memorials come form government reports. The free version is loaded with a random sample of 3,600 locations, about 2% of the five year total. Until further development,,,,You will have to go to my website for the complete list.
Stay safe!
-- "If you find a fork in the road, pick it up." Y. Bera.
My son's Garminfone froze up a couple of nights ago. My Garminfone is still working, but I now worry that it might happen to mine. I would love to see Garmin offer a regular Android application, but maybe it won't happen. In the meantime, I will probably get a Motorola Defy and get Co-Pilot for it.
I am astounded at the functionality for $5. I haven't used my Garmin car GPS since I loaded CoPilot on my android phone.
The UI is fairly non-intuitive, but I'm getting more used to it. Now that I have learned now to load POI as .ov2 files (thanks, GPSbabel!) my happiness is complete.
Note to Android fanbois: if you want to avoid playing the card eject or USB mounting game, use adb to slam your POI onto the card where CoPilot can see it. Remember to do it one .ov2 at a time. Here's what it looks like on my US-only version of CoPilot: adb push yourfile.ov2 /sdcard/copilot/save
then crank up CoPilot so it can see the new file.
-- US-only CoPilot + android Optimus T = cheap, effective nav
http://www.mousetrap.net/mouse/gps/
I need more 'playtime' before I can compare/recommend, etc. (But the author sounds like the TurboCCC of Android GPS Apps )
-- It's about the Line-
If a line can be drawn between the powers granted and the rights retained, it would seem to be the same thing, whether the latter be secured by declaring that they shall not be abridged, or that the former shall not be extended.
I don't know how I've missed this post for so long, but thanks a lot for it. It's VERY helpful and informative. I think I'm going to try out CoPilot. Five bucks isn't bad, even if I find out that I don't like it a whole lot.
Except for cactusmitch's "Wayside Memorials POI Android App progress" post, I don't see an answer to what I'm curious about. Just as I completed a POI project a couple of years ago for my garmin, smartphones started providing equally good navigator apps. I am wondering if those apps can use the same type of POI files that I've already created (and if so, are there directions somewhere that I've missed telling me how to make them work?) or do I have to convert my POI project to some other form or a stand alone app in and of itself? It gets discouraging when technologies keep leapfrogging over what your about to release!
I started to load the Mapquest free app but when I read the permissions it wanted to access my contacts. Nope sorry. I don't let apps do that. Appreciate all the links tho.
-- Bill
1450LMT
C550
ETrex Legend
ETrex Summit
A computer beat me at chess once.
But it was no match at kick boxing.
Except for cactusmitch's "Wayside Memorials POI Android App progress" post, I don't see an answer to what I'm curious about. Just as I completed a POI project a couple of years ago for my garmin, smartphones started providing equally good navigator apps. I am wondering if those apps can use the same type of POI files that I've already created (and if so, are there directions somewhere that I've missed telling me how to make them work?) or do I have to convert my POI project to some other form or a stand alone app in and of itself? It gets discouraging when technologies keep leapfrogging over what your about to release!
Thanks.
The POIs should work, depending on what format they're in, with a number of Android apps:
a) There is an increasingly diverse variety of programs that will take .GPX format files, many of which are free (pretty much most Android apps that take OpenStreetMaps format will take .GPX with no issues--even the free Turbo GPS will take .GPX logs).
In addition, as long as you aren't doing it as a strict travelogue it's possible to convert .GPX files into other formats, as noted below.
b) If the POIs are in Garmin CSV format they are convertable very easily to .OV2 (usable by CoPilot), .KML (usable by Google Maps with some online storage via the cloud) or to the Navigon format (and with Garmin buying out Navigon, I'd be shocked if native support for Garmin POI formats wasn't added).
Of note--pretty much if you upload a Garmin CSV to POI Factory, it automagically converts to TomTom .OV2 format as well.
I've had the most success converting .GPX and Garmin CSVs to .OV2 format using Extra POI Editor; POI Edit will also do the job. From there, it's a simple matter of placing both .OV2 and an optional .BMP for the icon in a folder.
.KML is doable in Google Maps, but requires upload via a PC to Google Maps (it's possible to have private POI repositories) and there's a functional limit of 1000 POIs in a map. (In Android, these will load as a selectable layer on Google Maps.)
Navigon can supposedly do POIs with a conversion program--I don't use Navigon, can't say much on that. (Also, what with Navigon just having been announced as a target for takeover by Garmin, it's entirely possible they'll add native .GPX/.CSV support.)
Another option not yet out for Android, but potentially very interesting--reportedly a direct port of TomTom to Android is in the works. Hopefully it'll have full POI functionality.
So yes, there's a number of ways you can get a POI set to work as long as it isn't in .GPI format
Many ways to avoid mounting a phone just to get POIs on
fratermus wrote:
I am astounded at the functionality for $5. I haven't used my Garmin car GPS since I loaded CoPilot on my android phone.
The UI is fairly non-intuitive, but I'm getting more used to it. Now that I have learned now to load POI as .ov2 files (thanks, GPSbabel!) my happiness is complete.
Note to Android fanbois: if you want to avoid playing the card eject or USB mounting game, use adb to slam your POI onto the card where CoPilot can see it. Remember to do it one .ov2 at a time. Here's what it looks like on my US-only version of CoPilot: adb push yourfile.ov2 /sdcard/copilot/save
then crank up CoPilot so it can see the new file.
Whilst I've usually seen ADB used for pushing files on rooted phones, and this counts probably as Advanced Functionality (tm)--yes, ADB works very nicely for this.
Other methods to avoid the whole "card eject game":
a) My preferred method as of late is File Expert (a very smart file manager available on the Market) and the use of its server and Windows-networking functionality:
METHOD 1 (my old preferred method):
Set up File Expert FTP server (you can use the default username/PW or customise it--I like to customise it), start the server, then use a Windows-based FTP client (like WinSCP, also free as in beer and as in speech) to push the files to the right directory, then close the server.
METHOD 2:
Same as the first, only use the HTTP server, then you can use your choice of web browser to push the files.
METHOD 3 (my new preferred method):
If you have a preexisting Windows network (for example, for file sharing between computers) you can have File Expert search for shares on the network--I usually have a "POI" folder shared out to persons on my local network. You can happily copy and paste from there using File Expert (one at a time).
b) Another way to avoid the "USB unmount/mount game" is to use a more intelligent browser and download the POIs directly from here--just like a "big computer" (this is an area where a smartphone shines, by the way).
My preferred browser is Dolphin Browser HD (which, even aside from being a "smarter browser" has much to recommend it--including plugins for ad-blockers and other features); what I do is go into the setting, set the download directory to "/sdcard/copilot/save" (well, in my case, "/sdcard/copilot/NA/North America/save", it'll depend if you just have the US-only version or one that also does Canada) and download one at a time. (You can also make a /sdcard/poi folder, download all you want, then use File Expert to cut-and-paste. )
Great to know as I was afraid of having to start from scratch to learn app programming! And better news that all my files are already csv's and ov2's, so no gpi's to worry about.
Thanks! Now to spread the news to all my friends awaiting my poi's for their smartphones.
Understood (even if Android programming isn't THAT bad)
Rick VanVranken wrote:
Great to know as I was afraid of having to start from scratch to learn app programming! And better news that all my files are already csv's and ov2's, so no gpi's to worry about.
Thanks! Now to spread the news to all my friends awaiting my poi's for their smartphones.
In this case you'll want to recommend CoPilot Live for now (as that's the easiest to get POIs working on), but that should definitely work for ov2's
That said--Android programming isn't as bad as it sounds. Most of it is pretty much a straight Java variant, and there are tools out there that make things literally as easy as putting a jigsaw puzzle together (Android App Inventor, available at http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/ and explicitly designed to make app creation very easy for complete beginners).
Seeing as there's stuff that takes POIs nicely, though, better not to have to reinvent the wheel
Great to know as I was afraid of having to start from scratch to learn app programming! And better news that all my files are already csv's and ov2's, so no gpi's to worry about.
Thanks! Now to spread the news to all my friends awaiting my poi's for their smartphones.
In this case you'll want to recommend CoPilot Live for now (as that's the easiest to get POIs working on), but that should definitely work for ov2's
That said--Android programming isn't as bad as it sounds. Most of it is pretty much a straight Java variant, and there are tools out there that make things literally as easy as putting a jigsaw puzzle together (Android App Inventor, available at http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/ and explicitly designed to make app creation very easy for complete beginners).
Seeing as there's stuff that takes POIs nicely, though, better not to have to reinvent the wheel
Thanks for your posts--very useful for us smartphone navigators!!
NP
-- In times of profound change, the learners will inherit the earth while the "learned" find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists...
Ten Wayside Memorials surrounding the intersections of El Camino and Page Mill roads in Palo Alto CA, are the Android app.
Problems getting the content provider feature of Android to work limited the scope of the app. The location information is in the public domain, my index will be free according to one of the open source liscensing conventions, which only require attribution when used.
Soon there will be many Wayside Memorials convieniently displayed and useful to Android users and programmers.
-- "If you find a fork in the road, pick it up." Y. Bera.
Except for cactusmitch's "Wayside Memorials POI Android App progress" post, I don't see an answer to what I'm curious about. Just as I completed a POI project a couple of years ago for my garmin, smartphones started providing equally good navigator apps. I am wondering if those apps can use the same type of POI files that I've already created (and if so, are there directions somewhere that I've missed telling me how to make them work?) or do I have to convert my POI project to some other form or a stand alone app in and of itself? It gets discouraging when technologies keep leapfrogging over what your about to release!
Thanks.
Rick
You should know by now that technology keeps on trucking. What you buy today is obsolete tomorrow, and you must leapfrog with it or your hard work is for not and will fall by the wayside.
Keep up your hard work, you'll never be sorry standing on the cutting edge.
-- 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.
GadgetGuy
Can you hit my contact button so I can talk to you about a camera app I found. I want your input before I post it here in the forum for the community to use.
Bob
-- 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.
car charger USB Output Voltage: 5VDC, 2.1A, 10 Watts
akapauan wrote:
We haven't tried it on my son's Android phone, but on my HTC Windows Mobile phone using Google Maps I actually got a pop-up basically saying the charge rate cannot keep up with the drain. I purchased a 12V to 5V USB car adapter that was rated to work with an iPad (2.2A capacity) and used that instead, and the problem went away. I suspect the stock car adapter was being overloaded by the phone and the 5V was dropping significantly.
In any event the phone gets very hot. I don't think I'll replace my Nuvis with a smart phone any time soon.
Low-profile USB Car Charger: USBC2M
The powerPLUG is a USB car charger that is designed to fit flush in any vehicles 12v power socket.
powerPLUG takes up little space and keeps the area surrounding your power outlets looking clean and closed. The charging circuitry ensures that your device will charge as quickly as possible.
-- 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.
Cost: 15 euro (appx. $25 per exchange rates)
Trial version is available on Android Market and iPhone App Store
POI functionality: Does have POI functionality, Garmin POIs and TomTom POIs must be converted to its own text format and then converted to a proprietary binary format, but the converter is free and import is quite straightforward (instructions at http://www.poi-factory.com/node/34103)
Cool, thanks for the thread.
Cool, thanks for the thread. I love Google Maps 5.0! You can enter coordinates directly into Google Maps and it will locate the place for you, my stand-alone Garmin / TomTom can't do that!
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/21626 - red light cameras do not work
MOAR APPS
OK, here's a few more apps:
Google Earth
http://www.google.com/mobile/earth/
* Free
* Cloud-based mapping (similar to PC Google Earth)
* Capability to import maps/directions to/from Google Maps
* Can use custom POIs in KML format
* Essentially identical in functionality to Google Earth for PC/Mac/Linux
OSMAnd
http://code.google.com/p/osmand/
http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/OsmAnd
* Free
* Maps are stored on phone so no data connection required to navigate
* Uses OpenStreetMaps, an open-source mapping initiative with wide support
* Can also use cloud-based mapping such as Google Maps and other sources
* Turn-by-turn voice guidance via Android built-in TTS engine (also free)
* Can use OpenStreetMaps-compatible custom POIs (reportedly may also be able to use GPX as this is part of the OpenStreetMaps spec)
NDrive
http://www.ndriveweb.com/software-android/
* Expensive compared to other Android GPS tools ($80 US; app is free, maps are pay, costs vary per location)
* Does ship as an OEM product with some Android smartphones
* Maps stored natively on phone so no data connection required to navigate
* Turn-by-turn voice guidance
* Lane assist and junction view
* Accepts custom POIs in KML format
Sygic Mobile Maps
http://www.sygic.com/
* Euros 29.99 (USD $38.79 at time of posting)
* Maps stored natively on phone so no data connection required to navigate
* Turn-by-turn voice guidance
* Lane assist and junction view
* Accepts endpoints via TTS
* Free lifetime map updates
* Accepts custom POIs in its own proprietary format; ITNConv can convert to Sygic format
OEM OPTIONS (these are presently only available pre-installed on a phone):
iGO 8
* OEM only (with some HTC devices)
* Maps are stored on phone so no data connection required to navigate
* Turn-by-turn voice guidance
* Multiple mapsets available
* Lane assist and junction view
* Can use custom POIs once converted to Google Earth KML format
Garmin for Android
* OEM only (with GarminPhone)
* Maps are stored on phone so no data connection required to operate
* Can use GPX and CSV format POIs natively
* Garmin is now porting to iPhone so there is a chance the app may eventually be a non-OEM product
Also, a few addendums to your original post:
Navigon:
* Can use custom POIs with use of Navigon-supplied program
CoPilot Live:
* Uses .OV2 TomTom POIs as an undocumented feature (I'll be posting a tutorial shortly on how to make this work)
* Input endpoints via TTS
.
kusuriurikun - thanks for the info. I incorporated it into the main post and also linked to your CoPilot tutorial. Awesome stuff.
APPS
How about some GREAT free apps!!??
Everyday is a GREAT day :)
MapQuest
MapQuest just released their android app so I've added it to the list.
Sweet!
MapQuest just released their android app so I've added it to the list.
Can't wait to compare this to google navigation . . .
Yay more OpenMaps friendly apps
Normally I'd be dismissive of this (having been routed badly by MapQuest in past)...
The one thing that does show as a plus here is that they are OpenMaps friendly, and the Open Maps Project IS updated quite frequently (so they may well get the jump on other sites with new roads and such).
As For The VZ Navigator
This is the only application Verizon will supply customer service for. Everything else you must call the vendor for the app for help.
If you ain't got pictures, I wasn't there.
GPS Navigation on Droid Drains Battery
I used to have a Droid and now I own a Droid 2. When I use the navigation app that comes with Android, it drains power out of the battery at an amazing rate. Even if you have the phone plugged into your power outlet in your car, the recharge barely keeps up with the power demands.
Is anyone else experiencing this same problem with Droids?
Yes Battery Drains on mine
We haven't tried it on my son's Android phone, but on my HTC Windows Mobile phone using Google Maps I actually got a pop-up basically saying the charge rate cannot keep up with the drain. I purchased a 12V to 5V USB car adapter that was rated to work with an iPad (2.2A capacity) and used that instead, and the problem went away. I suspect the stock car adapter was being overloaded by the phone and the 5V was dropping significantly.
In any event the phone gets very hot. I don't think I'll replace my Nuvis with a smart phone any time soon.
Forgot one of the carrier
Forgot one of the carrier specific mapping options: AT&T Navigator
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.telenav.app.androi...
I suspect it's like VZ Navigation, not that I care. I rooted my Android phone and put in a clean ROM.
"Anyone who is capable of getting themselves made President should on no account be allowed to do the job." --Douglas Adams
Problems with Google Maps 5.10 navigation
Since I updated Google Maps from 5.0 to 5.1.0, I can't get directions - it stay stuck at "getting directions". Reverting to Maps 5.0 solved the problem (I had it in a backup folder).
Does anyone else have that problem?
Maps 5.1.0
Since I updated Google Maps from 5.0 to 5.1.0, I can't get directions - it stay stuck at "getting directions". Reverting to Maps 5.0 solved the problem (I had it in a backup folder).
Does anyone else have that problem?
I just checked the version I have and it is 5.1.0. I have used this newer version at least 6 times and it works fine. I have a rooted Evo 4G. It's possible there was a problem with the download. Why don't you download it again and see what happens.
I would love to have this
I would love to have this app on my android phone..
Thanks for the tip
NickJr Nuvi 3597LMT
Google Maps 5.20
Since I updated Google Maps from 5.0 to 5.1.0, I can't get directions - it stay stuck at "getting directions". Reverting to Maps 5.0 solved the problem (I had it in a backup folder).
Does anyone else have that problem?
I have since updated to 5.20 and it works fine.
Wayside Memorials POI Android App progress
After all this time I know enough Android, Java, Eclipse, html, XML, MySql, and other stuff to have an app in testing on the emulator!
Android phone will display nearest Wayside (virtual) Memorials from the current GPS in the Android phone. The Wayside Memorials come form government reports. The free version is loaded with a random sample of 3,600 locations, about 2% of the five year total. Until further development,,,,You will have to go to my website for the complete list.
Stay safe!
"If you find a fork in the road, pick it up." Y. Bera.
Android GPS Applications
My son's Garminfone froze up a couple of nights ago. My Garminfone is still working, but I now worry that it might happen to mine. I would love to see Garmin offer a regular Android application, but maybe it won't happen. In the meantime, I will probably get a Motorola Defy and get Co-Pilot for it.
copilot US
I am astounded at the functionality for $5. I haven't used my Garmin car GPS since I loaded CoPilot on my android phone.
The UI is fairly non-intuitive, but I'm getting more used to it. Now that I have learned now to load POI as .ov2 files (thanks, GPSbabel!) my happiness is complete.
Note to Android fanbois: if you want to avoid playing the card eject or USB mounting game, use adb to slam your POI onto the card where CoPilot can see it. Remember to do it one .ov2 at a time. Here's what it looks like on my US-only version of CoPilot:
adb push yourfile.ov2 /sdcard/copilot/savethen crank up CoPilot so it can see the new file.
US-only CoPilot + android Optimus T = cheap, effective nav http://www.mousetrap.net/mouse/gps/
Thanks
Thanks for the good info.
nuvi 2460LMT
YAAGA
(Yet Another Android Gps App)
Just got my Chinese tablet w/Android 2.2.. it won't dl paid Market apps so I've been putzing around looking for something decent that loads & I found this-
Locus - http://locus.asamm.cz/ and
https://market.android.com/details?id=menion.android.locus
So far it looks pretty slick. Has a paid version as well- https://market.android.com/details?id=menion.android.locus.p...
I need more 'playtime' before I can compare/recommend, etc. (But the author sounds like the TurboCCC of Android GPS Apps
)
It's about the Line- If a line can be drawn between the powers granted and the rights retained, it would seem to be the same thing, whether the latter be secured by declaring that they shall not be abridged, or that the former shall not be extended.
I don't know how I've missed
I don't know how I've missed this post for so long, but thanks a lot for it. It's VERY helpful and informative. I think I'm going to try out CoPilot. Five bucks isn't bad, even if I find out that I don't like it a whole lot.
Kevin
POIs for smartphone navigator apps
Except for cactusmitch's "Wayside Memorials POI Android App progress" post, I don't see an answer to what I'm curious about. Just as I completed a POI project a couple of years ago for my garmin, smartphones started providing equally good navigator apps. I am wondering if those apps can use the same type of POI files that I've already created (and if so, are there directions somewhere that I've missed telling me how to make them work?) or do I have to convert my POI project to some other form or a stand alone app in and of itself? It gets discouraging when technologies keep leapfrogging over what your about to release!
Thanks.
I started to load the
I started to load the Mapquest free app but when I read the permissions it wanted to access my contacts. Nope sorry. I don't let apps do that. Appreciate all the links tho.
Bill 1450LMT C550 ETrex Legend ETrex Summit A computer beat me at chess once. But it was no match at kick boxing.
They will work, depending on the type of POI
Except for cactusmitch's "Wayside Memorials POI Android App progress" post, I don't see an answer to what I'm curious about. Just as I completed a POI project a couple of years ago for my garmin, smartphones started providing equally good navigator apps. I am wondering if those apps can use the same type of POI files that I've already created (and if so, are there directions somewhere that I've missed telling me how to make them work?) or do I have to convert my POI project to some other form or a stand alone app in and of itself? It gets discouraging when technologies keep leapfrogging over what your about to release!
Thanks.
The POIs should work, depending on what format they're in, with a number of Android apps:
a) There is an increasingly diverse variety of programs that will take .GPX format files, many of which are free (pretty much most Android apps that take OpenStreetMaps format will take .GPX with no issues--even the free Turbo GPS will take .GPX logs).
In addition, as long as you aren't doing it as a strict travelogue it's possible to convert .GPX files into other formats, as noted below.
b) If the POIs are in Garmin CSV format they are convertable very easily to .OV2 (usable by CoPilot), .KML (usable by Google Maps with some online storage via the cloud) or to the Navigon format (and with Garmin buying out Navigon, I'd be shocked if native support for Garmin POI formats wasn't added).
Of note--pretty much if you upload a Garmin CSV to POI Factory, it automagically converts to TomTom .OV2 format as well.
I've had the most success converting .GPX and Garmin CSVs to .OV2 format using Extra POI Editor; POI Edit will also do the job. From there, it's a simple matter of placing both .OV2 and an optional .BMP for the icon in a folder.
.KML is doable in Google Maps, but requires upload via a PC to Google Maps (it's possible to have private POI repositories) and there's a functional limit of 1000 POIs in a map. (In Android, these will load as a selectable layer on Google Maps.)
Navigon can supposedly do POIs with a conversion program--I don't use Navigon, can't say much on that.
(Also, what with Navigon just having been announced as a target for takeover by Garmin, it's entirely possible they'll add native .GPX/.CSV support.)
Another option not yet out for Android, but potentially very interesting--reportedly a direct port of TomTom to Android is in the works. Hopefully it'll have full POI functionality.
So yes, there's a number of ways you can get a POI set to work as long as it isn't in .GPI format
Two of my favorite Android
Two of my favorite Android GPS apps are: Maverick and GPS Essentials. I also use my droid for my golf GPS.
Many ways to avoid mounting a phone just to get POIs on
I am astounded at the functionality for $5. I haven't used my Garmin car GPS since I loaded CoPilot on my android phone.
The UI is fairly non-intuitive, but I'm getting more used to it. Now that I have learned now to load POI as .ov2 files (thanks, GPSbabel!) my happiness is complete.
Note to Android fanbois: if you want to avoid playing the card eject or USB mounting game, use adb to slam your POI onto the card where CoPilot can see it. Remember to do it one .ov2 at a time. Here's what it looks like on my US-only version of CoPilot:
adb push yourfile.ov2 /sdcard/copilot/savethen crank up CoPilot so it can see the new file.
Whilst I've usually seen ADB used for pushing files on rooted phones, and this counts probably as Advanced Functionality (tm)--yes, ADB works very nicely for this.
Other methods to avoid the whole "card eject game":
a) My preferred method as of late is File Expert (a very smart file manager available on the Market) and the use of its server and Windows-networking functionality:
METHOD 1 (my old preferred method):
Set up File Expert FTP server (you can use the default username/PW or customise it--I like to customise it), start the server, then use a Windows-based FTP client (like WinSCP, also free as in beer and as in speech) to push the files to the right directory, then close the server.
METHOD 2:
Same as the first, only use the HTTP server, then you can use your choice of web browser to push the files.
METHOD 3 (my new preferred method):
If you have a preexisting Windows network (for example, for file sharing between computers) you can have File Expert search for shares on the network--I usually have a "POI" folder shared out to persons on my local network. You can happily copy and paste from there using File Expert (one at a time).
b) Another way to avoid the "USB unmount/mount game" is to use a more intelligent browser and download the POIs directly from here--just like a "big computer" (this is an area where a smartphone shines, by the way).
My preferred browser is Dolphin Browser HD (which, even aside from being a "smarter browser" has much to recommend it--including plugins for ad-blockers and other features); what I do is go into the setting, set the download directory to "/sdcard/copilot/save" (well, in my case, "/sdcard/copilot/NA/North America/save", it'll depend if you just have the US-only version or one that also does Canada) and download one at a time. (You can also make a /sdcard/poi folder, download all you want, then use File Expert to cut-and-paste.
)
Thanks for the good news kusuriurikun!
Great to know as I was afraid of having to start from scratch to learn app programming! And better news that all my files are already csv's and ov2's, so no gpi's to worry about.
Thanks! Now to spread the news to all my friends awaiting my poi's for their smartphones.
Understood (even if Android programming isn't THAT bad)
Great to know as I was afraid of having to start from scratch to learn app programming! And better news that all my files are already csv's and ov2's, so no gpi's to worry about.
Thanks! Now to spread the news to all my friends awaiting my poi's for their smartphones.
In this case you'll want to recommend CoPilot Live for now (as that's the easiest to get POIs working on), but that should definitely work for ov2's
That said--Android programming isn't as bad as it sounds. Most of it is pretty much a straight Java variant, and there are tools out there that make things literally as easy as putting a jigsaw puzzle together (Android App Inventor, available at http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/ and explicitly designed to make app creation very easy for complete beginners).
Seeing as there's stuff that takes POIs nicely, though, better not to have to reinvent the wheel
Thanks!
Great to know as I was afraid of having to start from scratch to learn app programming! And better news that all my files are already csv's and ov2's, so no gpi's to worry about.
Thanks! Now to spread the news to all my friends awaiting my poi's for their smartphones.
In this case you'll want to recommend CoPilot Live for now (as that's the easiest to get POIs working on), but that should definitely work for ov2's
That said--Android programming isn't as bad as it sounds. Most of it is pretty much a straight Java variant, and there are tools out there that make things literally as easy as putting a jigsaw puzzle together (Android App Inventor, available at http://appinventor.googlelabs.com/ and explicitly designed to make app creation very easy for complete beginners).
Seeing as there's stuff that takes POIs nicely, though, better not to have to reinvent the wheel
Thanks for your posts--very useful for us smartphone navigators!!
NP
In times of profound change, the learners will inherit the earth while the "learned" find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists...
Wayside Memorials: Android app launched.
Ten Wayside Memorials surrounding the intersections of El Camino and Page Mill roads in Palo Alto CA, are the Android app.
Problems getting the content provider feature of Android to work limited the scope of the app. The location information is in the public domain, my index will be free according to one of the open source liscensing conventions, which only require attribution when used.
Soon there will be many Wayside Memorials convieniently displayed and useful to Android users and programmers.
"If you find a fork in the road, pick it up." Y. Bera.
cutting edge technology
Except for cactusmitch's "Wayside Memorials POI Android App progress" post, I don't see an answer to what I'm curious about. Just as I completed a POI project a couple of years ago for my garmin, smartphones started providing equally good navigator apps. I am wondering if those apps can use the same type of POI files that I've already created (and if so, are there directions somewhere that I've missed telling me how to make them work?) or do I have to convert my POI project to some other form or a stand alone app in and of itself? It gets discouraging when technologies keep leapfrogging over what your about to release!
Thanks.
Rick
You should know by now that technology keeps on trucking. What you buy today is obsolete tomorrow, and you must leapfrog with it or your hard work is for not and will fall by the wayside.
Keep up your hard work, you'll never be sorry standing on the cutting edge.
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.
GadgetGuy2008 contact me!
GadgetGuy
Can you hit my contact button so I can talk to you about a camera app I found. I want your input before I post it here in the forum for the community to use.
Bob
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.
car charger USB Output Voltage: 5VDC, 2.1A, 10 Watts
We haven't tried it on my son's Android phone, but on my HTC Windows Mobile phone using Google Maps I actually got a pop-up basically saying the charge rate cannot keep up with the drain. I purchased a 12V to 5V USB car adapter that was rated to work with an iPad (2.2A capacity) and used that instead, and the problem went away. I suspect the stock car adapter was being overloaded by the phone and the 5V was dropping significantly.
In any event the phone gets very hot. I don't think I'll replace my Nuvis with a smart phone any time soon.
Low-profile USB Car Charger: USBC2M
The powerPLUG is a USB car charger that is designed to fit flush in any vehicles 12v power socket.
powerPLUG takes up little space and keeps the area surrounding your power outlets looking clean and closed. The charging circuitry ensures that your device will charge as quickly as possible.
- Input Voltage: 12-24VDC
- USB Output Voltage: 5VDC, 2.1A, 10 Watts
http://www.scosche.com/consumer-tech/product/2121
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.
Just got a Bionic
The Google Navigation isn't as polished as my Nuvi at the moment but its navigation works well.
And a new one to add
Another confirmed "POI Friendly" app for Android and iPhone:
Sygic Aura v11.2 (POI functionality finally introduced)
Cost: 15 euro (appx. $25 per exchange rates)
Trial version is available on Android Market and iPhone App Store
POI functionality: Does have POI functionality, Garmin POIs and TomTom POIs must be converted to its own text format and then converted to a proprietary binary format, but the converter is free and import is quite straightforward (instructions at http://www.poi-factory.com/node/34103)