Database Users

GPS Spot

(This has been cross-posted from http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=362171&page=2
if not allowed, please delete the above posting in favour of this one)
I think I've added the .zip file containing my little gps application.
Its build to work on my Xda Orbit. Would like to know if it works on anyone else orbit or any other device.
Install: just unzip and run from a directory.
Instructions:
The app will minimise to the tray when you press ok or top-right X.
Tray icon changes colour dependingo n the gps status
Red mean no satellite data
Yellow means between 1 and 3 satellites (2D fix)
Green means 4 or more satellites (3D fix)
Exit the program using the exit menu or kill the process.
You can also download it from my webserver:
gps.kicks-ass.net/gps_buddy/GPSSpot.asp
Have fun.
Sean

nice proggy...working fine on my htc. i even took care of a nice icon for it. thank you!
looking at yr prog, in my office, near a window and get a yellow sign with 3 satellites. accurate also!

Thanks!
I was going for functionality over style. I want to keep my GPS chip active so whenever I'm outside (or near a window) it lights up near instantly.
Interesting to hear how people's battery react. My Xda doesn't appear to be affected by the GPS being active all the time, but i heard some people saying their GPS chips eat the battery.

seanpu1 said:
Thanks!
but i heard some people saying their GPS chips eat the battery.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
they are right!
ouch! i knew it was too nice to be true....it is draining battery at a real fast pace... i think it might not be the prog's fault, i think it is the hardware (gps module) that is devouring the battery. you can not do a thing about it...
tonight i am going to check exactly how hard is it on the battery. i'll be back with results.

looking forward to reading your results. I found leaving gps on doesn't drain the battery noticably, but leaving wifi on with gps when charging drains the pda so much it doesn't actually charge! weird.

Hi Sean!
seanpu1 said:
I think I've added the .zip file containing my little gps application.
Its build to work on my Xda Orbit. Would like to know if it works on anyone else orbit or any other device.
Install: just unzip and run from a directory.
Instructions:
The app will minimise to the tray when you press ok or top-right X.
Tray icon changes colour dependingo n the gps status
Red mean no satellite data
Yellow means between 1 and 3 satellites (2D fix)
Green means 4 or more satellites (3D fix)
Exit the program using the exit menu or kill the process.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is it possible to get this app for autostart? I want to put a link into my autostart folder and the program should run minimized in the tray.
Another idea: switch the GPS on and off and a gray icon for the status "gps off".
CU, Locke

GPS problems numerous. Sticky?

I propose that one of these GPS problem threads be made sticky since we cannot simply search "GPS" here and the GPS problems seem to be accumulating.
With that said, I would have to say that my GPS performance is pretty terrible. At first, it felt like doing the QuickGPS thing and/or deleting the xtra.bin file helped. For the most part, though, getting a lock has proven quite sporadic. What should the expectation here be? Should I expect the GPS to work reliably indoors? What about if I am near a window? Why would it work in some buildings near a window and not in others?
My personal opinion is that the GPS should work within 15-20 feet of a window. Using Chartcross GPS Test, even when the GPS is locked, I am getting mostly yellow bars. I am not exactly sure what a good reading looks like on Chartcross, but there appears to be a 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% bar. Maybe the 25% bar is 100%? In any event, I rarely have a satellite that is getting above what I suspect to be 30%.
Is there a thread somewhere that details what the various fields mean and/or should read in Chartcross or a similar utility? I am coming up on my 30 days to return the phone, so if someone thinks that my device may be defective please speak up!
Thanks as always XDA-ers!

GPS signals are not strong, you have to be near a window (e.g. less than 50cm) or outside to get it to work properly. Inside I get 8 sats with too little to lock, outside I can get up to 11 locked. I use modified GPS settings to improve the lock. I've created a CAB for you.
http://rapidshare.com/files/179766394/X1_GPS_Enhancements.cab.html
Try them and then tell me how it works.

No you cant use it inside, but this has nothing to do with windows. Think of it this way:
To use the GPS, you need a line of sight to the sky, small barriers it will work through (like car roofs). So even a "line of sight" to a window, wont help you because of the thikness of the house roof. To be able to use GPS inside, you need something else, like a big antenna
Anyways, the GPS is for outside/car use only.

CantoX1i said:
No you cant use it inside, but this has nothing to do with windows. Think of it this way:
To use the GPS, you need a line of sight to the sky, small barriers it will work through (like car roofs). So even a "line of sight" to a window, wont help you because of the thikness of the house roof. To be able to use GPS inside, you need something else, like a big antenna
Anyways, the GPS is for outside/car use only.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is partially true. The signal can "reflect" off surfaces as well, though - as with light - weaker. And it does have to do with windows simply because a window has a lot (lot!) less density than say, a brick wall. Less density means easier path for the signal. Being near a window does indeed increase the chance of signal lock.

Angelusz said:
That is partially true. The signal can "reflect" off surfaces as well, though - as with light - weaker. And it does have to do with windows simply because a window has a lot (lot!) less density than say, a brick wall. Less density means easier path for the signal. Being near a window does indeed increase the chance of signal lock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hah, I did not know that! Thanks for informing me

I have a lock when I am inside all the time, usually about 5 satellites or so... out side that jumps considerably, in fact I was very impressed with the speed and sensitivity when compared to my Kaiser/TyTN II/MDA Vario III and I havent used quick gps yet... of course now I said that its going to be sods luck and it will [email protected] out on me...

Shadowdh said:
I have a lock when I am inside all the time, usually about 5 satellites or so... out side that jumps considerably, in fact I was very impressed with the speed and sensitivity when compared to my Kaiser/TyTN II/MDA Vario III and I havent used quick gps yet... of course now I said that its going to be sods luck and it will [email protected] out on me...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, it depends on several factors. If your home is made of wood instead of brick, that'll make a difference. If you live higher above sea level, it might make a difference. If you live on the countryside, that will definitely make a difference. I happen to live below sea level in a brick house in the middle of an average sized city. My reception won't be something to write home about

Angelusz said:
Well, it depends on several factors. If your home is made of wood instead of brick, that'll make a difference. If you live higher above sea level, it might make a difference. If you live on the countryside, that will definitely make a difference. I happen to live below sea level in a brick house in the middle of an average sized city. My reception won't be something to write home about
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah see, I live on a hill in the country in a house made of straw... well not straw, its brick but still in the clear when it comes to being surrounded by other houses... this probably makes the diff... cheers

I've only had signal ONCE so far with my X1
It was at my living room window.
After that, no signal, ever. Not even out doors.
Im in NYC, plenty of buildings, but cmon somethings gotta be wrong. I even tried a hard reset to get it to work again. Nope... Bastard GPS ):

Nippero said:
I've only had signal ONCE so far with my X1
It was at my living room window.
After that, no signal, ever. Not even out doors.
Im in NYC, plenty of buildings, but cmon somethings gotta be wrong. I even tried a hard reset to get it to work again. Nope... Bastard GPS ):
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Run quickGPS and install my cab. Try again and let us know!

Nippero:
you wont get any signal (or good accurate location) if you are in a big city.... your best bet is using google map w/ agps and let the cell tower locate where you are at
another thing I want to point out.... I tried using the gps on x1 when I was on the plane... while it was always able to lock on to a couple sats... it wasnt able to locate where I was at .... and the worst part is after I get back on the ground... the gps stop working and I had to hard reset my phone .... I tested it twice and both seems to be the case... so if you dont want to hard reset your phone.... I suggest you not to try it next time when you are on the plane

You guys must have really big houses to need GPS to work indoors

Angelusz said:
GPS signals are not strong, you have to be near a window (e.g. less than 50cm) or outside to get it to work properly. Inside I get 8 sats with too little to lock, outside I can get up to 11 locked. I use modified GPS settings to improve the lock. I've created a CAB for you.
http://rapidshare.com/files/179766394/X1_GPS_Enhancements.cab.html
Try them and then tell me how it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I really appreciate the quick reply and cab file. I will load it shortly. Is my understanding correct that A-GPS is turned off by default? If so, does this cab enable it? What improvement did you see with your cab file? Lastly, do you use Chartcross GPS test? I'm trying to figure out what the different fields/values mean in it.
Thanks!

Careful with changing the A-GPS to on by default. You can do this through Schapman's advanced configuration tool too, but I've had nothing but bad luck with it.
I use iGO8 and after I turned A-GPS on, the gps signal would drop every few seconds and would have a hard time finding satellites. Switching everything back to factory "defaults" and just using quickgps updates, I've had zero issues. Apart from the initial sat discovery, it's always fast to start and fast to pick back up (maybe 2-3 seconds) again.

jhoffa said:
Careful with changing the A-GPS to on by default. You can do this through Schapman's advanced configuration tool too, but I've had nothing but bad luck with it.
I use iGO8 and after I turned A-GPS on, the gps signal would drop every few seconds and would have a hard time finding satellites. Switching everything back to factory "defaults" and just using quickgps updates, I've had zero issues. Apart from the initial sat discovery, it's always fast to start and fast to pick back up (maybe 2-3 seconds) again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Speaking of iGO8, does 8.1 work with the Xperia or only 8.3?

Dead link....
Hello everyone !
Can someone repost the cab file ? as it was uploaded to a limited RS account it is not downloadable anymore.....
Thanks a lot in advance !

Angelusz said:
GPS signals are not strong, you have to be near a window (e.g. less than 50cm) or outside to get it to work properly. Inside I get 8 sats with too little to lock, outside I can get up to 11 locked. I use modified GPS settings to improve the lock. I've created a CAB for you.
http://rapidshare.com/files/179766394/X1_GPS_Enhancements.cab.html
Try them and then tell me how it works.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Per RapidShare...
Error
This file is neither allocated to a Premium Account, or a Collector's Account, and can therefore only be downloaded 10 times.
This limit is reached.
To download this file, the uploader either needs to transfer this file into his/her Collector's Account, or upload the file again. The file can later be moved to a Collector's Account. The uploader just needs to click the delete link of the file to get further information.

odobo said:
another thing I want to point out.... I tried using the gps on x1 when I was on the plane... while it was always able to lock on to a couple sats... it wasnt able to locate where I was at .... and the worst part is after I get back on the ground... the gps stop working and I had to hard reset my phone .... I tested it twice and both seems to be the case... so if you dont want to hard reset your phone.... I suggest you not to try it next time when you are on the plane
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS is only able to keep a lock under a certain speed. Airplanes are fast, so you will lose the lock. Once on the ground you can get a lock again by running QuickGPS. As your location has changed tremendously (depends on how far you fly ofc), the sattelites aren't where your phone thinks they are.
ohiosux said:
I really appreciate the quick reply and cab file. I will load it shortly. Is my understanding correct that A-GPS is turned off by default? If so, does this cab enable it? What improvement did you see with your cab file? Lastly, do you use Chartcross GPS test? I'm trying to figure out what the different fields/values mean in it.
Thanks!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You're welcome. My CAB does not enable aGPS, as it sometimes causes problems like quoted below. It changes some registry settings that basically tell your phone to keep looking for a better lock, for a longer period of time.
jhoffa said:
Careful with changing the A-GPS to on by default. You can do this through Schapman's advanced configuration tool too, but I've had nothing but bad luck with it.
I use iGO8 and after I turned A-GPS on, the gps signal would drop every few seconds and would have a hard time finding satellites. Switching everything back to factory "defaults" and just using quickgps updates, I've had zero issues. Apart from the initial sat discovery, it's always fast to start and fast to pick back up (maybe 2-3 seconds) again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not that your individual experience with aGPS doesn't generalize to everyone. I've personally tried aGPS here. It made 0 difference (as far as I could tell), so turned it off again.
If you wish to try aGPS, feel free to do so, as it can be disabled as easily as it can be enabled, a hard-reset should not be neccesary.
ragnascroutch said:
Hello everyone !
Can someone repost the cab file ? as it was uploaded to a limited RS account it is not downloadable anymore.....
Thanks a lot in advance !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yet again: http://rapidshare.com/files/180048557/X1_GPS_Enhancements.cab.html
As I don't have a better rapidshare account, it's yet again a 10-DL limit CAB. If anyone can mirror it for me, that'd be nice.

My iGO works fabulous after installing Angelusz's cab. GPS connection is now very fast even in my apartment.
What did u do man....?

Many thanks !
Angelusz said:
Yet again: http://rapidshare.com/files/180048557X1_GPS_Enhancements.cab.html
As I don't have a better rapidshare account, it's yet again a 10-DL limit CAB. If anyone can mirror it for me, that'd be nice.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot for the upload mate, i'll share some feedback when i'll have some time to test...
Cheers.

GPS Program

I search for a GPS Program for fishing! I want save my position on water and 2 days later the program navigate me to the saved position!

Try this: http://www.cradle-software.de/en/software/gpsspot
It works very fine, not limited just for fishing. I'm using it often to find my car LOL For some people it may be good at night, when returning back home from a pub

looooooooooooool i dont think they would make much sense off the 3 inch display like that

Thanks! And sorry for my bad english!

But where do you get a serial?

Buy it of course. Didn't notice you want freeware

2,90€ is almost freeware THX for this tip - the program looks quite interesting

I test it, but its not that what i´m looking for. it have to be preciselier. or maybe with same card where i can see the piont.

i would recommend using Garmin. you can save any point to the gps program (much like any GPS) but with Garmin, as you are just browsing the map, it will show you all the points when you are approaching without having to 'route' to it. it's perfect if you have many fishing spots on the lake and simply want to jump from one spot to another (again, without having to have the program 'route' to it).

Try this:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-where-is.html
I haven't tried that one myself (it has problems conecting to some in-built GPSs accordingto the comments and I can confirm this with my X1), but it looks pretty good and is still in dev.
Or this is a great GPS programme that might help:
http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-turbo-gps.html
a lot more features than you need, buy being able to store waypoints and showing them on live plots could be useful. I thoroughly recommend this app and have been using it for a couple of years now.
-FM

Update:
Latest version of 'Where Is' seems to work fine with the X1.
It's got a really nice simple interface and, if its granularity is enough, it should do exactly what you want.
Where Is will show a warning that it can't connect to the GPS until it acquires a lock - tap the icon that looks like a notepad to view the raw GPS log and if you see data then it's seeing your GPS fine and will lock as soon as it has enough sats.
I originally thought the GPS needed to be switched to 'unmanaged' by unchecking the box in the WinMo External GPS settings, but this seems to be a red herring. Maybe a soft restart of the device was what got it working, or maybe the message about not being able to connect to the GPS was just misleading.
Hope this helps,
FM

GPS Troubleshooting & Solutions

Hi all,
I am new to the android OS, got my galaxy s a week ago.
I still keep my HD2 and to be honest I may sell the galaxy due to the poor gps reception and keep the hd2 for the next year.
The other thing I do not like is the fact that I cannot program the buttons behaviour.
Any way my question is, is it possible to disable the build in gps and use an external Bluetooth GPS Receiver?
The gps on my hd2 is miles, miles better.

I dont think its possible in this version of android. There is no way to tell the app to use the external gps instead of the internal one.
All we can hope for is a fix from Samsung.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

what is all the fuss about android then...
it doesnot support such a basic thing...
absolute joke

GPS won't start
Hello, I am experiencing an issue with my phone and I was wondering if anyone knows a solution.
Basically the GPS receiver won't turn on when an application requests it, so it won't get any location information (the gps notification icon doesn't appear at all). This is definitely a software issue, because if you go to the settings menu and keep fiddling with the location settings (gps on<->off, wireless on<->off) at some point it WILL turn on and work correctly (and the gps icon appears), but randomly afterwards it will go back to not starting up again and you have to go back to the settings menu.
Is there a workaround for this? I'm hoping that a firmware update will fix it, but in the meantime is there anything that can be done? (I'd prefer to wait for the official firmware before flashing it).

Not really a fix but Extended Controls can make a switch on your home screen that will flip the gps function on and off, that will save some time if you have to go into that menu a lot.

darnap said:
Hello, I am experiencing an issue with my phone and I was wondering if anyone knows a solution.
Basically the GPS receiver won't turn on when an application requests it, so it won't get any location information (the gps notification icon doesn't appear at all). This is definitely a software issue, because if you go to the settings menu and keep fiddling with the location settings (gps on<->off, wireless on<->off) at some point it WILL turn on and work correctly (and the gps icon appears), but randomly afterwards it will go back to not starting up again and you have to go back to the settings menu.
Is there a workaround for this? I'm hoping that a firmware update will fix it, but in the meantime is there anything that can be done? (I'd prefer to wait for the official firmware before flashing it).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can confirm the same issue, rumour is that the upcoming firmware is going to improve the GPS a lot.

You can also use the 'Power Control' Widget that comes with the device.
Here you can turn On/Off a number of items, one being GPS.

I had this issue but it's just a case of going into settings and toggling the gps off and on again.
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

Good to know about the GPS on/off switch.
I was always rebooting my phone to get the GPS back to work.

There is an option in the secret GPS menu where you can set it to cold start, instead of hot start. Fixed it for me.
More here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=725748

not sure this will work but...
not sure this will work but found thin in Android market...
3 x w. appbrain dot com/app/googoo.android.btgps
Cleaner

Bluetooth External GPS
Hey guys. I wanted to know if we can 'natively' from within Android 2.1 / Samsung Galaxy S use an external bluetooth gps...
In the bluetooth menu I can conenct to the TomTom bluetooth gps module but it can't be paired...
however after some digging I found this app:
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.googoo-android-btgps-AtDE.aspx
It does what it says. I get satellites straight away.
Now one big big problem with this app is that it closes as soon as I try and open another app by pressing the home button or even holding down the home button to switch between apps...
when the app closes it ends the connection between the TomTom bluetooth gps module meaning by the time a satnav app has opened the message box pops up and says 'do you want to enable gps'
why does this app close when you try open another app? No other apps like Asphalt etc close like this...
is there a way to use the external gps?
many thanks

From my limited understanding, no it's not possible. I don't know why, but Android has been a bit slow on the uptake for Bluetooth.
It's taken to FroYo to actually get Bluetooth Hands Free dialling - we'll see how good Google is in interpreting what you say to it, so far, it hasn't been successful for me on the phone itself let alone Bluetooth.
With regards Bluetooth GPS, I understand that it isn't possible. There would at least have to be some kind of underlying interface to overrule the internal GPS and feed the Bluetooth GPS information into the OS in place.
I want it to be possible, then we wouldn't care so much about broken GPS's.
Cya
Simon

Another GPS fix
Hey guy give this a try and let me know if it works for you.
http://theandroidrevolution.blogspot.com/2010/07/android-tips-tricks-samsung-galaxy-s.html

working like a charm, faster fix and i can actually use the GPS while driving (EU)

Isn't this like turng skyhook on?
Ie ,..whilst locki it uses wifi to identify where u are?

this fix it seems very accurate in Maps, whereas all other "fixes" did not work for me.
i don't notice anything different in GPS tester (i still hardly get any satellites if any) but in Maps my position seems to be very accurate....i'm just inside in my flat, but all other fixes never helped me before even in this situation.

Hello
Thanks for your suggestion for a GPS fix
Immediate I can not see the big difference in standard configuration and the change which you refer to.
I still have a unsettled GPS fix when I use Google maps.
However, I think I can see a slight improvement in the Google navigation. Now I remain almost always in the correct lane.
I use (default) I9000XXJF3
I've read that a newer version should resolve the GPS "problem", but is it possible to change the parameters of GPS I9000XXJF3 match the parameters of the new versions. ?
And just one question more.
If I close the GPS from the phone to calculate my position after mobile mast or WIFI.
How do I get it to find my location by WIFI.?
Hope for a response.
Thanks
Herman

This fix gives an instant , i mean instant gps fix with a clear sky.
on gps test gets 8-9 satellite now , when previously i could max get 1-2, that too not connect.
thanks a ton for this.
outside this fix i also had operation mode as ms based and had skyhook on.

I found this suggested fix a few hours back as well and have been trying it out.
I didn't get much better results from it to start out with but having played the accuracy setting I've found putting this up to 150 seems to make a big difference. Once I made this change GPS Test seems to show that the Galaxy is a bit less picky about the signal strength it needs before making a lock.
I've not gone any further in testing accuracy numbers beyond 5, 20 (the default I believe) 50 and 150. It might be worth trying other values.

Htcsense Location!!!

I'am a user italian (nord)
Why does my DHD is in the sea?

Do not worry, my friend's phone is on the beach straight up north from your phone, even though he lives in Finland like me

oh wow my phone is there too.. Even though I live in new zealand lol

Have you tried clicking "update location" up to the map?
I know it could seem a fool hint, but I didn't notice it before yesterday evening (it's two days I've the phone), and for me it works: it switches on gps (you can see the icon in the notification bar on the top) and locates the phone correctly within a bunch of seconds!

ErMeglio said:
Have you tried clicking "update location" up to the map?
I know it could seem a fool hint, but I didn't notice it before yesterday evening (it's two days I've the phone), and for me it works: it switches on gps (you can see the icon in the notification bar on the top) and locates the phone correctly within a bunch of seconds!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
wow!!Good

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

I'm still stuck in the water o_o clicking refresh does nothing, it doesn't load or move at all. Most puzzling.

enable gps and locations?try outside with no building blocking?

faby71 said:
wow!!Good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for giving us your location; we will be along shortly.

I Can't get this working at all!!!!
It's enabled on my phone but on the website I get
“Phone finder" is currently disabled. For security reasons, go to your phone to enable this feature in Settings >> Location >> Phone finder."
Any ideas???
I'm in the UK

El_Nino9 said:
enable gps and locations?try outside with no building blocking?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is this outside you speak of?
Is it reliant on full GPS for the location? I thought it might give an approximate location with A-GPS. I'll give it a shot and see if I can stop paddling in this big patch of water.
Edit: Yup, that got it!

Well, seems like it uses cell based location when not having full gps coverage (ie deep inside a building) and if this is the case the phone comes with a large blue circle around it, indicating how wrong the location can be. Must admit that when having full gps it works almost instantly while when out of signal it needs some more time to approximate the position
Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

Already discussed at length!
See progress on HTCSense.com in my thread here:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=817833