Garmin And Tom Tom Android Tablets For Fleets
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    19 years
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About a dozen years ago I posted about the Garmin Fleet and Tom Tom Bridge navigators that were Android based. I have sometimes thought that it would be nice to have a Garmin or Tom Tom GPS device with a nice mount that would allow Android apps, like Google Maps, Waze, HERE We Go or others to be installed on them.
I see Garmin Fleet 770. 780 and 790s on eBay. I also see some Tom Tom Bridges on eBay, too.
I did a Google search and the response I get is as follows:
AI Overview
Sideloading Google Maps onto a Garmin Fleet 790 involves installing the Google Maps APK file, as the device runs on an Android-based operating system but lacks preinstalled Google Play services. While the device supports APK installation, Garmin does not officially support or provide troubleshooting for third-party apps, which may not function properly.
Steps to Sideload Google Maps on Garmin Fleet 790:
Obtain the APK: Download a compatible Google Maps APK from a trusted source, such as APKMirror.
Enable Unknown Sources: Go to the device settings and enable the installation of apps from unknown sources.
Transfer APK: Transfer the downloaded .apk file to the device via SD card or USB connection.
Install: Use the file manager on the Fleet 790 to locate and open the .apk file to initiate installation.
Alternative Method (Google Services): To ensure better functionality, some users install OpenGApps, which provides the necessary Google Play services infrastructure.
Considerations:
Performance: The Fleet 790 is optimized for its native navigation software, so third-party mapping apps may lag or exhibit unexpected behavior.
Uninstallation: If the application does not work properly, you can uninstall it from the settings menu.
Alternatives: Consider using Garmin's native apps, which are designed for professional fleet management and navigation.
Note: Sideloading apps can introduce security risks. Only install apps from trusted sources.
I have never sideloaded any apps on any smartphones or tablets. Part of me thinks this could be an interesting wintertime project, but then the practical side of me thinks that these devices are already a dozen years and might be an exercise in futility!
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/43284
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/42205
https://android.stackexchange.com/questions/218339/how-to-in...
This is actually backwards...
I mean, the real problem is that Garmin doesn't make an app anymore. They used to have the StreetPilot app that worked on any Android tablet or iPad. It was almost identical to their dedicated devices at the time, but (IMO) better because of online search capability and realtime traffic data. But they intentionally crippled the app by preventing you from loading your own waypoints, tracks or POI. Still, I used it for several years and also had the EU version for a trip that I made.
But Garmin pulled the app, I guess they felt it was impacting the sales of their dedicated devices. Too bad....
Regarding APK's, I have installed a lot of them. But I use an iPhone personally and just have a few Android tablets and phones for testing my app. I might be a little gun-shy about installing APK's on my main phone. From what I've read, Android is due for some changes that will make it much harder (if not impossible?) to install your own apps this way in the future
boydsmaps.com
Garmin And Tom Tom Android Tablets For Fleets
I do recall the Garmin StreetPilot for iPhone. I didn't have an Apple iPhone at the time, so I never purchased the StreetPilot for iPhone.
Garmin sure likes the StreetPilot name. I bought a used Garmin StreetPilot 2730 years ago and I got quite a bit of use out of it.
I also bought a used Pharos GPS Phone 600 and the Garmin Mobile XT micro SD card. It didn't have the "spoken street names", but it did a pretty good job otherwise.
The Google Local search on Garmin Mobile XT was nice. It also had traffic and weather features.
I also had both the Garmin Nuvifone G60 and Garminfone years ago. If recall correctly, I bought both of them second hand. The Garmin Nuvifone G60. The G60 was heavily criticized at the time as a "fine navigator but a poor smartphone" due to its limited application ecosystem, slow browser, and the, by then, dated resistive screen, struggling to compete with modern smartphones of that era.
The Garminfone was Android based. I liked it better than the Garmin Nuvifone. I think I still have one or two of those in the basement somewhere!
https://www.garmin.com/en-CA/p/94658
https://www.garmin.com/en-GB/blog/garmin-mobile-x-1
https://www.garmin.com/en-US/newsroom/press-release/automoti...
https://www.cnet.com/reviews/garmin-nuvifone-g60-at-t-review