Database Users

Google maps and M700

Has anyone got the Orange M700 to work with the GPS function on Google Maps? Or does the HTC rom have to be installed??

not sure I get what you mean.... do you mean run google maps on the M700 OR use the M700 as a GPS mouse and feed the signal to a lappy and run Google Maps on the lappy?
I have done the second way, BUT you need to upgrade your google maps for $20/year (iirc) which alows you to use the GPS functions.
Not sure about google maps on the M700 as it's a huge piece of software.
Otherwise TomTom 6 has Sat images built in for overlay onto the maps when route plotting.

I'm using Google maps for pocket PC on the M700. Everything is OK.

Sorry for not being very clear....
Google maps works fine as I am messing around with it just now, but i dont get a gps location when "track location (gps)" is selected, my M700 tries to locate satellites, but then fails. I was just wondering if this function worked
Super sheep, does the "track location (gps)" function work when you select it?
On the help pages there is no mention of having to pay a subscription to the gps service to enable it.
Deech, How do you access the sat maps on tomtom??
Thanks

They are built into tom tom 6 and some where in the set-up you can select the Sat overlays, not used it my self but they are there ;-)
/me is now looking google maps mobile ;-)
also El Reg has a report here about it
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/05/10/google_maps_uk/
edit....
Just fired up the wi-fi (keep down data costs) and grabbed google maps, activated the gps in "menu" 30 secs later my location shwn and everything
Just a thought how many other apps are running, first time I ran it it ran out of memory, however it looked like EVERYTHING was running ;-?

AND..... Googlemaps also has to be pointed to the Com9 port

It does?
Never touched it on my M700........... but hey ho ;-)

hey, just got it to work!!
Didnt have to point to com9.
I think the problem was that it normally takes quite a while to acquire the satellites when using tomtom. I dont think that google maps is patient enough before moaning that gps isnt present.
Quite cool, but will cost a fortune in GPRS/3G charges

GPS - Software, Performance

Now that Verizon finally has unlocked the GPS on a new device, I am curious about what navigation software and performance everyone is seeing. I tried TomTom 7 on my Imagio and it is lagging about 10 seconds. I haven't had time to really give it a good test, however it was a little concerning. How is your GPS working for you?

Same with me, Navigator is too laggy to work. I've installed Nav4All (free at nav4all.com) and it works great but is very rudimentary.
Goggle Maps works fine but not TTS so the search continues...

Interesting, I was using version ttn7.915.9196 for the record. I saw somewhere that there is a newer version for the TP2 out but i think it only added the ability to use the keyboard. I noticed that on the TomTom sight it only shows the Iphone edition I wonder if they are tweaking it for the new rev of WM phone. I think i might buy Copilot 8 if we can't find a fix considering its only something like $35.

Copilot 8 works great!

I use Ostia from pharosgps.com.
It was lightning fast to locate me, compared to using my old Tilt.
This is my third phone using Ostia and have to say currently liking it best.

GPS
You must first use HTCs Quick GPS. It speeds up the lock on the satellites. Google maps finds my location within seconds and Bing in less than a minute

Hormazdd said:
You must first use HTCs Quick GPS. It speeds up the lock on the satellites. Google maps finds my location within seconds and Bing in less than a minute
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is QuickGPS a memory hog? And is it always on? I'm a little afraid to install it.
In the meantime, I have always like Garmin software. Garmin XT works very well on the Imagio. I got it off of ebay for about $25. It's also got lots of connected services, like nearby gas prices, flight times, google search, weather etc.

no quick gps isn't a memory hog and should already be on your device. The way it works is:
The GPS chip receives a synchronized timed signal from the satellites (birds) the US DoD launched into orbit. Each bird uses a different channel. With a good signal from three or more birds, GPS starts to get a fix. It does this by calculating the time difference between the reception of the different signals, then calculating the relative distances to each of the birds, then figuring out where it sits in the middle of the birds.
The GPS calculates four spheres, and its located somewhere on the surface of each of these spheres. There is only one point where these four spheres intersect. That's you.
If you're good at geometry, you might think that it needs 4 birds to get a fix, but in fact, if the GPS assumes that you are on earth, that provides another sphere, so it only requires 3 birds to get a decent fix. More adds altitude and accuracy.
But the GPS needs to know where each of the birds is before it can decide where IT is. That information is not calculated, but is available in a detailed download of orbital data provided by the DoD called ephemeris data. It is transmitted...from the bird to your GPS. For a cold start, your GPS needs to download the entire file, without interruptions in the signal - BEFORE it can even start getting a fix. In fact, the GPS may not even know which channels to tune into, since it doesn't yet know which birds are currently overhead. This causes a slow first fix.
Quick GPS, is simple. Ephemeris data is passed thru WiFi or cellular data connection ahead of time, and you never have to wait for it to download over the satellite. Awesome.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I'm using IGo8 and it works perfectly.

I'v been happy with Bing for Maps/Turn-by-Turn GPS, with the bigger screen of the Imagio it's more than adequate for my needs. It also has gas prices, movies, and speech recognition which is very nice. Use Quick GPS to cache satellite info and it locks very quickly after that.

makryger said:
Is QuickGPS a memory hog? And is it always on? I'm a little afraid to install it.
In the meantime, I have always like Garmin software. Garmin XT works very well on the Imagio. I got it off of ebay for about $25. It's also got lots of connected services, like nearby gas prices, flight times, google search, weather etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't Quick GPS already on the Imagio. I don't remember installing it on mine and its been working great.

Boss428man said:
Isn't Quick GPS already on the Imagio. I don't remember installing it on mine and its been working great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is if you go into the All Applications area from the TouchFlo Start Menu.

Boss428man said:
Isn't Quick GPS already on the Imagio. I don't remember installing it on mine and its been working great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was confused, when I opened up QuickGPS, it said "Download", so I assumed it was like the Windows Marketplace icon, and that you actually had to download the program first. I was wrong- download means download GPS Data.

makryger said:
I was confused, when I opened up QuickGPS, it said "Download", so I assumed it was like the Windows Marketplace icon, and that you actually had to download the program first. I was wrong- download means download GPS Data.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Correct, and it will auto-close after as it's not needed to stay running to work, just download cache files and exit.

Give it a try it has always worked will for me

IGO 8 is by far the best navigation software takes some tweaking to get it to work but if you do some searching you can find what your looking for on the net. Garmin XT uses a bit less program memory and still works well but not near as slick as IGO. Make sure you use latest possible release and maps.

Is it Igo 8 or OnCourse 8 in the US. I went to the site and found it a little confusing. Looked pretty nice either way.

Can't get Tomtom to work
On the topic of GPS programs, I have used Tomtom Navigator 6 (purchased version) for some time. Worked great on my AT&T fuze, but when I tried to install it on the imagio, it looks like everything is smooshed to the top of the screen, and is unusable. I contacted Tomtom, but they replied simply that it was an unsupported phone. I guess I'll have to try a different program. Anybody else had issues?

sdph said:
On the topic of GPS programs, I have used Tomtom Navigator 6 (purchased version) for some time. Worked great on my AT&T fuze, but when I tried to install it on the imagio, it looks like everything is smooshed to the top of the screen, and is unusable. I contacted Tomtom, but they replied simply that it was an unsupported phone. I guess I'll have to try a different program. Anybody else had issues?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using TomTom for years too. On my PDA's and winmo phones. I didn't install it on the Imagio because I was going to get the latest maps from TomTom and see if they had any software updates. But all they have on their site now is iPhone and zip for winmo, so it looked to me like they were dropping windows support, so I dropped them.
I can get by with Google Maps and/or Windows Live Search (Bing) - and for turn by turn I'm now using the $35 CoPilot 8. Works real well, but I have very limited time on it so far.
I was going to switch to Garmin XT, but you need a completely dedicated microSD for that - that's a deal breaker.

My friend installed wm 6.5 on his wing and he is having a similar problem with TOMTOM being very laggy. I think its a wm 6.5 issue and not and Imagio!

Optimal GPS settings for faster GPS lock on HD2? (Also using GarminXT)

Hi all,
I didnt want to start a new thread, but after searching the forums and google for a long time, i decided to bring it up
So ive had my HD2 for about 2 days now, and I recently installed GarminXT (I used to have it on my Nokia N82)
the problem i'm finding is that the GPS doesnt lock as fast as i thought it would be..
GarminXT has not been locking on (little over 5 minutes now)
I'm a noob to Windows Mobile and HTC so please bear with me!
1. How do i know A-GPS is working? Is it automatically enabled? (This wasnt the case for Nokia as you could manually turn off A-GPS and use strictly GPS signal). Under Location settings i have "Location Service Settings" = ON
and HTC Location Service = ON
2. Im still not 100% sure what QuickGPS does. I've read about it , but all i concluded was that it uses your data to get a faster GPS lock.
So i tried running QuickGPS and it updates no problem.
I open GarminXT and it doesnt lock on. Do i need to use this?
3. Can someone tell me if these are the optimal GPS settings? I kept searching around the forum but cant find one specific to the HD2.
So under "All Settings" > System > External GPS
Programs Tab > GPS Program Port = COM4
Hardware Tab > GPS Hardware Port = None > Baud rate = 4800
Access Tab > Managa GPS Auto = Checked
Are these settings correct? Or are there "tweaks" to it that I can change?
4. One last question:
Under GarminXT, i have the ability to choose 3 GPS options:
"Use Bluetooth GPS"
"Use GPS Intermediate Driver" = Checked
"Use Serial GPS" > Once selected, i get 4 other options to choose:
COM1: Bluetooth Serial Port
COM2: Bluetooth Serial Port
COM4: COM4:
COM9: 7500 COM port
Does anyone know if i should be checked on "Use GPS Intermediate Driver" or if i should be checking off "Serial GPS" > COM 4?
This is my first WinMo device with a data plan (I'm on EDGE speeds cause I'm in Canada), but I always had the impression AGPS would really help the lock times.
Anyone with help would be GREATLY appreciated!
Again, loving the new HD2
Thanks

For GarminXT, use intermediate driver.
For Google maps, use Com4, 4800 rate, that enables use of the compass.
Quick GPS should increase startup, and so far I had all fixes on HD2 under 30 seconds, and I did not change anything.
Normally GPS would download information about orbits of satellites from the satellites. That can take time, as it is one way communication and GPS can't ask satellite to send data again in case of error, it must wait untill the satellite starts sending them again by itself.
It is much faster to get that data via network .. and that is exactly what QuickGPS is for. Problem is that at least on my previous X1 there were many problems with it. The data from network was sometimes completely wrong, and you had to delete the file manually. That information is in temp\xtra.bin. Try to delete it and try again. QuickGPS does not test existence of the file, it will download new one in predefined time.
I'm still a bit confused about aGPS. I'm not sure what it is. Some people state it is the same thing as QuickGPS. Some say it is something to get quick basic fix based on BTS. But I haven't seen that in any application, except Google maps, and they seem to use their own technology and data for that.
But AFAIK, those 'location services' is generally Google's 'my location' exposed for other HTC applications.

I set it on max rate, do i do a mistake? I think that this is setting the speed or Im wrong?! Im connecting with sattelites below 15sec, with no other tweaks or quickgps...

^^
what's "max rate"?
btw, thanks for the replies
i'll look into deleting the cache file for QuickGPS and see if it does anything

Quick GPS allows you to download a weeks worth of GPS satellite position data (almanac data) at one time, helpful if for example you don't have a data plan - you can get your A-GPS data in one hit over WiFi. It helps speed lock time.
Not sure what is happening with yours, mine always locks in Garmin within 7-15 seconds, I have Quick GPS set to autoupdate, but otherwise no special tweaks or modifications where GPS is concerned.

Same here - in fact, the HD2's locking faster to GPS than my Touch HD ever did. I'm getting locks in the garage now whereas before I had none with my Touch HD. Haven't touched the default WM GPS settings or the Garmin one at all since I upgraded to the HD2.

GPs lover-Google map hater
Hi guys, firstly thanks for this thread as i too look for answer...and find some only here
i had the Diamond and now the HD2 and share the love.
Garmin maps are much more accurate and have even the smallest unpaved roads which Google map lacks. Google is so basic maps, i simply hate it...sorry Google...not to mention that it cost money to be online all the time
HD2 GPS confuse me. Sorry if I ask u basic staff but could not figure it up myself:
1. using the GPS w/google map, how u set simple setting, as: "north up" or ""track up" Route setting such as "faster time" or any other basic settings that I always had on my Garmin GPS including Garmin mobile XT?
2. What happend to voice navigation wiith google?
3. Reading your info, does it means that I can install Garmin mobile XT I got with Diamond on HD2 ?
4. Anybody know TomTom for HD2 (which I will get shotly from HTC?
I trust someone out here is smarter than me and will come to rescue

hey guys,
my HD2 is fine now, usually i just do a QuickGPS connect before opening Garmin XT and now it connects SUPER fast...usually under 10 seconds
Thanks for all the help!!

Google is not, and does not set out to be a full satellite navigation prpgram, so it doesn't have stuff such as 'North Up', 'Track Up' etc, nor does it have spoken directions.
For these you need a dedicated SatNav program like Garmin, TomTom, CoPilot or iGO8 which are all 'paid-for' applications.
TomTom will run fine but TomTom don't officially support it, meaning you can't download the correct vesion direct from their website. There are easy ways around this though!
With regard to some of the earlier posts- the HD2 can aquire a fix faster than any other device I've used (and I've used a lot!). I find QuickGPS makes very little difference, but as it uses only a small amaount of data I keep it updated.
QuickGPS and A-GPS are not the same thing, though there are quite a few different definitions of A-GPS. Genuine A-GPS is not used in UK, nor as far as I know anywhere else in Europe except by dedicated programs and platforms set up with the infrastructure (such as Apple, who use it to enhance the poor performance of the iPhone's GPS chip). It is used in the Far East, and works by enhancing your accuracy of positioning by using the data channels to send your current cell ID plus any other availble stuff like WiFi hotspot info, which is correlated to a database of locations, and sent back as an approximate position to the phone. Google Maps uses something like this if a GPS signal is not available- the 'Locate Me' feature will show you in a radius of around 1km.
The Baud rate makes no ostensible difference to the lock times or accuracy, as the data stream from the satellites is far lower than even the lowest baud rate. The NMEA default is 4800, and most software is happy to connect at that rate.

The google maps GPS finds me within 80 metres.. that's not accurate right? cause it puts it on wrong street technically.. When I first got it it did 800 metres =/

WOW, that was fast, thank you NeilM.
I will get Tomtom for free from HTC as it is included with Thai purchaded HD2.
Meanwhile I will try to load Garmin XT that I got with My Diamond at the time, let's see if the activation works...
As for Goole, well, I get 60 meter accuracy at the best, that make ones totaly lost in a city and for sure miss a turn, what a pity.
Thanks again for ever so fast reply.

When Google Maps is started it is finding your position throught the carrier's network and that is why it is not acurate at all. There is an option however, named "Use the GPS" in goolge maps and it becomes as acurate as any other navigation software It just have to engage an GPS lock as the others so do not blame google on this one Hence, you are not using the GPS when you get the inacurate positioning For the maps however you still have to be online But if you pay for your Garmin, iGo maps it would be that expensive and you can use it wherever you are ...

You absolutly right. i did use the "use gps" and it's accurate. The thing is that as heavy GPS user the lack of detailed info on google maps, and the inability to set the maps at your convinient (such as "track up" for example) it's nearly a secure way to go crazy while nevigating, specially off road...try to tilt your head to understand your position in real time when you turning and turning. Thanks for the gps tip.

I agree. Curent version of Google Maps is not suitable for navigation while driving indeed! It can help you get orientated sometimes or if you are looking for something big iGo and Garmin are in a whole new league of navigation sofware for now. However, the new version of Google Maps should be at least as good as the others but it is only available for Android at the moment and I dont see it coming to WM any time soon so we will have to stick to iGo, Garmin, TomTom and the others. I'm not using Google Maps for navigation at all by the way so It wouldn't be so difficult for me )

ragelord said:
the new version of Google Maps should be at least as good as the others but it is only available for Android at the moment and I dont see it coming to WM
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's called google navigation, not google maps - and it seems to kill every GPS program available today (thank god).

hey guys,
on the same topic, but different nav software. i use iGO 8, can someone please tell me what the optimal setting are for port and baud rate? i did the auto-detect and the signal is a little on/off.
also... is there a way to get iGO 8 to use the HD2s compass? i like the stand-alone compass of the HD2, but i think it would be swell to be able to have iGO's compass function working aswell.
sorry if this has been discussed before, if there is another thread i should be reading... please direct me there.
thanks for all your help.
cheers.

conscept said:
The google maps GPS finds me within 80 metres.. that's not accurate right? cause it puts it on wrong street technically.. When I first got it it did 800 metres =/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Eh, if I'm not wrong, that's agps at work.
It'll find you with the nearest base station. then slowly try to triangulate you. Normally, you'll be in an area with only 1 base station, so there's not much triangulation going on.
When I'm in city, it's pretty accurate. I get my approx distance within a couple of seconds, wait another 10 - 20 secs to get gps fix.

A-Gps and other things
A-GPS is just one thing: Assisted GPS. It is a toggle-- when you toggle it on, in your phone's settings, you will get the locational assistance of the cell towers. That is the towers them selves, two or more towers and your phone triangulate to give an approximation of your location. GPS also uses triangulation (derived from simple trigonometry equations) to determine your location and is much more accurate. In fact it can be ever more accurate as your device locks onto more satellites. I have found that the best thing to do is to turn off A-GPS. I don't know what it is but Googlemaps seems to have a terrible time locking onto satellites on Windows Mobile. But I have found, especially on Android 1.6 and above you get very rapid locks so long as you wipe out the telenav program. I strongly suspect that Google is undermining Windows Mobile in favor of supporting their Android system. They have turn by turn for Android but not for Windows Mobile and it seems like they are also building it not to lock sats nearly as well. You can force it to get moving by pre opening the GPS or other methods just prior to running google maps.
I think everyone should write google and tell them to fully support Windows Mobile (Phone)... T-Mobile is just about set to come out with the HTC HD2 in about a week (March 24th) and I intend to get one. I am not happy that it doesn't have a physical keyboard cloned from the Touch Pro 2, but I expect to like most of the rest of it.
Turning Location on is another thing. You are henceforth allowing all applications to know and your location. this can be helpful but it can also be a potential privacy risk. Of course it's easy to turn off and on. You might want to read the fine print.

Actually, I have a more basic question. Is there a soft "switch" or software application to actually turn the GPS on? On my HD2 I have a few GPS apps and all of them report the GPS being on or "no GPS Device found". Even Goggle maps, if I siwtch to USE GPS mode, keeps endlessly waiting for a GPS signal and then nothing happens. What am I doing wrong?
Thanks much

Gps htc hd2
In my experience with windows mobiles and internal gps, manage gps automatically is best and no ports should be assigned at all unless using bluetooth gps receiver! Also, sounds crazy too many but no every location on this big earth is withing available to public gps devices gps satelite paths (satelites going around the earth!) Make sure your outside the house or flat before thinking your gps ain't picking up. My hd2 is fast, my old mda3 was too and worked better inside but thats down to i was living in a different location at the time and at an higher altitude i would say. 1 of many other reasons could be that the military could be using the sat at the time which would render it unavail to public (offline)!

[Q] How to use GPS with no internet connection?

Hi, What do I need for my blackstone in order to use any (suggestions, which is better, would be a great help) GPS sowtware without internet connection. I am not an expert in this, but I know that GPS devices (like tom tom or similar) use satellite data to show coordinates. How can this be done on my touch hd? As only preinstalled program is google maps that require internet connection.
I don't have unlimited data plan, so this is extremely expensive for me, but I am a fan of geocatching, so I need GPS.
Please help me with description of how this GPS works and what soft should I use?
Thanks

There are lots of good Navigation/GPS Apps around that read standalone maps from your SDCard.
Take your pick.
Some info here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=566657

bethybabes69 said:
There are lots of good Navigation/GPS Apps around that read standalone maps from your SDCard.
Take your pick.
Some info here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=566657
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, thank for the info, but....
I installed TT7 with my region maps, but I still seem not to receive any GPS signal - my phone seems not to catch any satellite signal - is this a setting issue?

in tomtom7, just access the gps settings and set them to "internal gps receiver", then it should work immediately, given that in your very location you have gps coverage.

I've found that my Touch HD's GPS capabilities work great when I'm at home testing them, then fails to locate any satellites when I'm lost! lol
Not exactly true - but has got me before!
I would suggest that you try your GPS in various locations just to make sure that the building you live / work in, or the weather isn't blocking the signal that your phones GPS listens for...
I used TomTom for ages without issue, it can be copied directly from a memory card on a TomTom compatible device usually.
Recently my Dad bought iGo8 with the entire world maps installed, so I pinched that and run it straight off my storage card with just a few teething problems. This is the best GPS / SatNav on my phone so far...

+1 for iGO8
Best GPS software by far for me. This is the only and single reason why I haven't bought an Android phone yet.
If they would have created the same skinable thing for a HTC Desire etc the HD would be history.
If I were you.
1) disable a-gps, causes roaming costs and most gps application freak out on it (download advanced config tool and disable it that way)
Lock, no lock, lock, ... mostly caused by agps (assisted-gps). Assisted means that it also gets data from the cell-tower which abroad can cost you loads of money (and yes I had that once)
If you use HTC quick gps you will probably get a lock in seconds if you are outside so no need for assisted.
2) install the gps mod driver , this one 'thinks' ahead by calculating points that it gets from the GPS receiver. If you don't feel confident about this one skip it but read the thread and keep it in the back of your head.
3) buy iGO8 and install the gurjon skin which makes iGO look fantastic and makes it fully configurable the way you want it.
4) enjoy a fantastic GPS system

[Q] Can you run GPS without a data connection?

My old phone could not run GPS without a data connection and that sucked, massively when I was overseas.
Does anyone know if the Nexus 4 is the same way, or if there is a way to run GPS without a data connection?
Thanks!

I've never heard of a phone that didn't have a separate GPS radio. If like you say your old phone needed a data connection then that wouldn't have been true GPS and was probably using triangulation between cell towers for location and that's a different beast all together. On every android device I've owned since 2010, including the Nexus 4, GPS is a standalone feature.

Your question is confusing. If you're asking if you can use all GPS features without data, in other words navigation/etc the answer is yes. However, Google Maps does not support those features without an active connection, you will need to purchase or obtain a standalone GPS application for Android (Garmin for example has one).

GPS will return location data, but Google requires a data connection for directions. You can download maps for offline use in My Places, but you will still need data for routes and directions. You can buy offline Nav apps for total offline use (CoPilot is one of them).

You might want to check into Backcountry Pro if you're looking for 'offline' GPS support that also has to support things like topographic maps and way points (primarily for backpacking, hiking, and camping). You should check into something like Garmin's app if you need directions and road maps offline.