Database Users

New Version of Google Maps (11/16/2007) Available

According to msmobiles.com (see http://msmobiles.com/news.php/6898.html) a new version of Google Maps was released on November 16th. I have DLd it, but haven't yet installed it.
From reading about it, I am not too sure how much has changed. Here is the list the site speaks to:
Real-time traffic conditions
See where the congestion is, and estimate delays in over 30 major US metropolitan areas.
Favorite places and routes
Save time (and avoid sore thumbs) by keeping a list of residential or business locations, and driving routes.
Insta-KB-o-meter
Monitor your data consumption in real-time — just look to the top right portion of your phone screen while using Google Maps.
Enhanced business info
After selecting a particular business, select the "Details" tab for hours of operation, hotel amenities, and more.
BlackBerry support
Just visit www.google.com/gmm on your BlackBerry's web browser, and you're all set to go.
The update can be found here: http://www.google.com/gmm/GoogleMaps.CAB
Enjoy,
-pvs

thanks for the post, wouldn't have known about it otherwise

Yeah, appreciate the heads up!

thanks for the link

Sweet thanks for the headsup! I installed it, and it works better than ever over HSDPA and with my bt gps!

How does this compare to LiveSearch?

sook said:
How does this compare to LiveSearch?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm not really sure. LiveSearch was the best for a short while (IMO), until Google Maps came out with an executable version. I dropped LS back then, and have not looked back.
Google Maps has many nice features:
1) Look up any of your Contacts for whom you have Address Information
2) Drag-scroll around the map, in map or satellite view
3) Shows real-time traffic conditions
4) Zoom-in and out quickly and easily
5) Provides directions from point A to point B
6) Integration with GPS devices (I haven't used this, but imagine it works ok)
7) Find info on searched-for businesses and easily saving it into Contacts
Some "features" I'd like to see are:
1) Storing data in user-defined locations on the device
2) Management of that data ... selectively deleting old location searches
3) Tilting of the map aka Google Earth
Again, I don't really know how well LiveSearch has developed, so I really can't compare. But maybe you can judge for yourself from what I show above for GM.
-pvs

I'll install it and play around with it, but from what you describe it sounds much the same. LiveSearch also has something called community search that will show you events, movies, and todos in your area, along with traffic and local gas prices.
If I read you correctly, the only thing on your list LiveSearch doesn't have is an easy way to look up contact addresses.
I will report back this weekend, either bumping this one or starting a new thread. I'm quite attached to LS, but if I can find something even better, well, right on.

ER... just in case anyone is having a blond moment like me
the link is CAsE SenSitivE!!
nice find.
has it got rid of those anoying no data warning messages that you had to keep clicking OK to in order to continue?

I was originally using (the previous version of) Google Earth. So far, I like Microsoft Live. The addressing and directions are a LOT more accurate. When I look up addresses, google doesn't even find most of them. Live also does a lot better with one way streets and stuff like that too.

Yes, Live is much, much better, even the diectory is better. Map loading seems a little quicker also.

I wish google showed on the page what version it was up to, so I can know when they've updated it.
I love google maps mobile.

Wow, judging by sook's and Braingears' comments, it sounds like Live Search has come a long way in the past year. Might be time to give it another shot.
And yes, frenchglen, wouldn't it be nice? I guess they have some reason to want to keep the version number a secret, eh?
-pvs

Is there a GPS alarm? - Wake Me Up when I am "there"

Although I own a mogul and a bluetooth GPS, i don't own a car and still take the bus/train/taxi/ferry to and from work. Does anyone know of a program that can sound a customizable alarm/command based on GPS location?
I was hoping for something like rk-Sleep or rk-Location -- both of these programs can run intricate sets of commands based on location, but this only uses cell towers and not gps.
Code:
rk-LocSwitch: Phone Tower based app/commandline trigger
>> [url]http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=328114[/url]
rk-Sleep: Location based auto Phone Switch
>> [url]http://forum.xda-developers.com/show...76#post1428076[/url]
Maybe I might find a mort script that can help.

That would be so cool!
(Yes, pointless post, but I'd love a program like that.)

isn't that a navigation software exactly what you want? enter your destination and done.

I think this would be a great feature for Google Maps, especially with the My Location thing. I feel like it's a bit out of the scope of their program, but I think I'll recommend it.

you could enter a range of coordinates and execute a file when you are there,
it shouldnt be that difficult to make, is it? you dont need any map software. you could locate the coordinates on google maps and then put them in the program or something liek that

Couldn't you just replace the sound file in the sat nav software thats says "You have arrived" with a bell/ring sound file.

The idea of changing the "you have arrived" or the sound files in general would be a great idea, except it would still make an extremely battery intensive program with the screen on, running a full mapping program and all.
I like the idea of using the coordinates, because really that is all I would need (and most mapping programs can tell me that in advance anyways.
Now, just need to find some source code to mash together!

This would be so helpful.
Anybody who claims there is no point in programming such an application has never fallen asleep in a train/bus because of alcohol and slept through the whole ride missing their stop.

E_Shinobi said:
This would be so helpful.
Anybody who claims there is no point in programming such an application has never fallen asleep in a train/bus because of alcohol and slept through the whole ride missing their stop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.trackr.eu/ has promised a tool like this. When you enter a specific location or when you leave a predefined line you can send a email or sms.
When you send it to yourself and make a rule in Phonealarm for example, voila you have what the topicstarter wanted

you could check out:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=340667
there is a geo fence feature that you could set up, so when you get within "x" distance of where you are going it will send you a text message or email, the notification could wake you up.
Make some money as well while you are traveling, check out www.navizon.com
its a pretty cool free program that gives you credit for every cell tower and wifi ap you see, you earn money for helping the company build up its database. if you sign up you can use my referral link so I get extra points, otherwise just sign up normally if your not into the whole referral thing, it really is a kick as program if you have GPS, its maps are similar to google maps as well.
here is my referral link if you are so inclined:
http://my.navizon.com/Webapps/UserAdmin/register.aspx?referral_code=5D56565E5A56

Finally found a program that does this!
BeelineGPS http://www.visualgps.net/BeeLineGPS/ Has the option to sec "Active" POIs - when you set one up you give it the lat and lon and you can tell it how far away you want it to play the associated sound file. So I set it up with a bus stop and told it to play some Offspring when I am within a mile of my stop, worked like a charm!
They list the feature as being useful for doing an audio tour, I guess something like "you are currently in front of the south entrance, this is where we buried all the dead bodies"
Now, Beeline will keep the device awake but that keeps the screen on and touchscreen active, If you turn off the device it turns off the GPS and Beeline loses the lock. The solution is to have an audio player (I'm using Pocket Tunes) running in the foreground, then you can turn off the device, the GPS stays active and the alarm sounds come through your headphones. If you want silence you could run TrackMe or another program that has the ability to turn off the screen and keep the OS working.
I also created a bunch of crossroad POIs and associated the street names spoken by AT&T's text to wav site http://www.research.att.com/~ttsweb/tts/demo.php so I can know where I am without even opening my eyes.

E_Shinobi said:
This would be so helpful.
Anybody who claims there is no point in programming such an application has never fallen asleep in a train/bus because of alcohol and slept through the whole ride missing their stop.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's the problem then......don't drink and you won't fall asleep..hahaha!!!

What do you want? (Developing Silverlight App)

It looks like the future of applications for Windows Mobile is leaning towards silverlight 2. So My goal for this summer is to create a good, fun or useful application using silver light. I just need some ideas. What do you guys want?

One app I've been looking for for years. Some apps have some functionality but nothing puts it together in a simple package.
Location Aware Reminders
set up points on a map where a reminder of user defined text would pop up when the device is within a specified distance from that point.
Case #1:
I get off of my freeway exit going home, pass the stoplight before the store, my device plays a recording "DUDE! PICK UP SOME MILK!".
Case #2:
I drive away from my house on a vacation, my device plays a recording "Did you remember to pack your underwear?"
User should be able to:
1. View a map with current location based on gps.
2. Move map to different locations.
3. Define and save a point on the map.
4. Define a distance from that point where reminder would fire.
5. Define the text of a reminder.
6. Define an audio file as a reminder.
7. Define a title for reminder
8. View list of reminders
9. When reminder fires there should be a Snooze and Delete Option.
10. Reminders should have a date/time window of when to fire.
10 ex. All Days, only between 4pm and 7pm.
10 ex. On May 25th. any time.
Yes, there are apps that "sort of" do this. But they are unuseable for this use.
Keeping the functionality simple and specific will ensure EASE OF USE and actual functionality.
I will GLADLY pay you $10 for this app.

sudermatt said:
One app I've been looking for for years. Some apps have some functionality but nothing puts it together in a simple package.
Location Aware Reminders
set up points on a map where a reminder of user defined text would pop up when the device is within a specified distance from that point.
Case #1:
I get off of my freeway exit going home, pass the stoplight before the store, my device plays a recording "DUDE! PICK UP SOME MILK!".
Case #2:
I drive away from my house on a vacation, my device plays a recording "Did you remember to pack your underwear?"
User should be able to:
1. View a map with current location based on gps.
2. Move map to different locations.
3. Define and save a point on the map.
4. Define a distance from that point where reminder would fire.
5. Define the text of a reminder.
6. Define an audio file as a reminder.
7. Define a title for reminder
8. View list of reminders
9. When reminder fires there should be a Snooze and Delete Option.
10. Reminders should have a date/time window of when to fire.
10 ex. All Days, only between 4pm and 7pm.
10 ex. On May 25th. any time.
Yes, there are apps that "sort of" do this. But they are unuseable for this use.
Keeping the functionality simple and specific will ensure EASE OF USE and actual functionality.
I will GLADLY pay you $10 for this app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would it use GPS or the GSM/3G Network to determine location? Also what navigation software would this use for the maps? This is a good idea however this seems very intermediate. More ideas people.

I'd like this...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=426089

I would hope it would use the internal GPS.

I like the voice mail thing Like the iPhones right?

It would be nice if my wife could easily make entries via a website or a client on her desktop. (maybe not).
Actually, it would be kinda interesting. Driving down the street and having the app pop up something my friend put in there.
So you could have a group, and allow people to post GPS Pop Ups to your app.
"This is where I proposed to my wife".
"Don't even bother coming to the game tonight sucka cuz you're goin' down".
That would be kinda fun.
Just thinking out loud.

sudermatt said:
It would be nice if my wife could easily make entries via a website or a client on her desktop. (maybe not).
Actually, it would be kinda interesting. Driving down the street and having the app pop up something my friend put in there.
So you could have a group, and allow people to post GPS Pop Ups to your app.
"This is where I proposed to my wife".
"Don't even bother coming to the game tonight sucka cuz you're goin' down".
That would be kinda fun.
Just thinking out loud.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is a great Idea. Only problem it is not even close to easy and I have no gps experience. But i might assemble a team to create this.

An XDA-Developers forum program that tracks your threads and alerts you when there's a new post, etc. Something that would be cooler than the actual site, and if you could, make it for our phones too.

This is very easy to answer:
1) To the date there isn't a SINGLE mobile e-mail client on the market, which is SIMPLE and FINGER FRIENDLY. In fact, there isn't any finger friendly e-mail clients at all. I think hords of users would welcome this kind of app.
2) Also there still isn't an on-demand connection chooser - look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=408243
Thank You.

sudermatt said:
One app I've been looking for for years. Some apps have some functionality but nothing puts it together in a simple package.
Location Aware Reminders
set up points on a map where a reminder of user defined text would pop up when the device is within a specified distance from that point.
Case #1:
I get off of my freeway exit going home, pass the stoplight before the store, my device plays a recording "DUDE! PICK UP SOME MILK!".
Case #2:
I drive away from my house on a vacation, my device plays a recording "Did you remember to pack your underwear?"
User should be able to:
1. View a map with current location based on gps.
2. Move map to different locations.
3. Define and save a point on the map.
4. Define a distance from that point where reminder would fire.
5. Define the text of a reminder.
6. Define an audio file as a reminder.
7. Define a title for reminder
8. View list of reminders
9. When reminder fires there should be a Snooze and Delete Option.
10. Reminders should have a date/time window of when to fire.
10 ex. All Days, only between 4pm and 7pm.
10 ex. On May 25th. any time.
Yes, there are apps that "sort of" do this. But they are unuseable for this use.
Keeping the functionality simple and specific will ensure EASE OF USE and actual functionality.
I will GLADLY pay you $10 for this app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wow. I had the exact same idea. I'll be making this in silverlight/xaml since I know it's the future of WinMo.
Me and a couple of friends are trying to do this on 3 different platforms - and will be using WPF/Silverlight for WinMo

Don't we kinda need the WM Silverlight runtime first? Last time I checked, it's not out yet.

G-Profile??
aiiro said:
This is very easy to answer:
1) To the date there isn't a SINGLE mobile e-mail client on the market, which is SIMPLE and FINGER FRIENDLY. In fact, there isn't any finger friendly e-mail clients at all. I think hords of users would welcome this kind of app.
2) Also there still isn't an on-demand connection chooser - look here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=408243
Thank You.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For #2, I might be completely misunderstanding you, but have you looked into G-Profile for this?

TheParadox said:
I like the voice mail thing Like the iPhones right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep. Pretty much

@ Sean D:
About #2. You remember back in the dial-up days when You started Internet Explorer it had an option whether to ask the connection to use or not? Well, I think for PPC and the apps that need internet connection this would be the ideal solution - if You start PIE for example, the system will ask You whether You'd like to use WiFi or GPRS or whatever else connections You have and You'd just check the option that suites You the most at the given location. If You're in a cafe with free WiFi You'd choose to use WiFi, if You're in the woods You'd choose GPRS (or 3G or whatever similar). Instead of manually connecting to desired network before launching browser. I hope You get the idea...
G-profile is not asking You how to connect, it just manages Your connections with profiles for different occasions. You'd still have to manually choose a profile with the desired connections before launching a browser.

Ha!
aiiro said:
@ Sean D:
About #2. You remember back in the dial-up days when You started Internet Explorer it had an option whether to ask the connection to use or not? Well, I think for PPC and the apps that need internet connection this would be the ideal solution - if You start PIE for example, the system will ask You whether You'd like to use WiFi or GPRS or whatever else connections You have and You'd just check the option that suites You the most at the given location. If You're in a cafe with free WiFi You'd choose to use WiFi, if You're in the woods You'd choose GPRS (or 3G or whatever similar). Instead of manually connecting to desired network before launching browser. I hope You get the idea...
G-profile is not asking You how to connect, it just manages Your connections with profiles for different occasions. You'd still have to manually choose a profile with the desired connections before launching a browser.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Okay, I misunderstood you. But the funny thing is, i was just thinking that WM needs this function the other day.
So yeah, this gets my vote too.

Good, then it's settled
Well, OK, just one minor issue left - kinda have to wait for the approval from the thread starter too

FloatingFatMan said:
Don't we kinda need the WM Silverlight runtime first? Last time I checked, it's not out yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The whole point of this thread is that since it's pretty much confirmed there will be a silverlight or some type of WPF subset for WinMo, applications can be designed so that when devices do release, some changes can be made (e.g. support for accelerometer) so that the program can be released from the get-go.
It's also to provide devs with some practice with WPF/Silverlight

ND4SPD said:
Wow. I had the exact same idea. I'll be making this in silverlight/xaml since I know it's the future of WinMo.
Me and a couple of friends are trying to do this on 3 different platforms - and will be using WPF/Silverlight for WinMo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I could care less about how it's written....I got $10 burnin a whole in my pocket for this app...
BTW...did you read my post about the community part of the app?

OK, seems it's again just one of those countless threads that get started with a big hooray and then is forgotten forever. I mean I still do post in these in hope that someone will some day build the connection manager I keep asking for, but having posted it already to couple of threads and seeing that after couple of days the thread just dies and the original author of thread mysteriously disappears, I think there are some dark forces behind it. OK, just kidding, but seriously, just from top of my head You can check this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=413600 - or this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=506672. They have all died as far as I know. Or if You just wanna have a laugh (completely off-topic) check this thread - http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=425424

what app would you find useful ?

Hey guys.
I'm now looking for a bachelor thesis and I was thinking about writing an android application.
Preferably one of which aren't millions out there and a more complex one (using GPS and stuff).
So I'm hoping you could help me. Do you have any tips ?

Cool idea! good luck with this.
Unfortunately i can't think of anything my phone can't already do

May be some thing like an android firewall, which pops up when an applications initially try to connect to internet asking if we want to allow or reject the connection and remember the choice.. You know.. Much like an OS firewall. Something like littlesnitch (MacOS)
I dunno if this is possible, but would be great.

How about a GUI for bluetooth..
See what's connected and easily transfer files to another device..

I would double request for interactive firewall
Sent from my Legend using XDA App

Interactive firewall, that remembers your settings for each Application based on your GPS co-ordinates & the network you are connected to (Wifi, mobile and the IP range on the Wifi network - or options to that effect ) That's some advanced stuff to do!
Maybe build a complete network tool on top of the firewall? one that does subnet/CIDR calculating, pinging, MTR, tracerouting/pathping, SMTP/POP3 checker etc
I'd use it for sure!

Thanks for the ideas.
The BT GUI looks more interesting to me, but I see there's a bigger demand on the firewall.
Aren't there any similar firewall apps out there ?
I found Droid wall... Anyone tried it yet ?
On the other hand, I didn't find any BT app...
btw keep 'em comin'

grandioso said:
I found Droid wall... Anyone tried it yet ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup, i'm using it, but... Always after installing new app i keep forgeting to set up rules for it on Droid Wall So interactive firewall would be awesome.

There are two apps I want that don't exist. One is dead simple - a timed SMS sender. How often have I thought "must text Mum about X" at past her bedtime, then forgot to send it come the morning. It would be well handy to be able to specify a send time for a message.
Other is location-aware to-do/reminder. Most "Remind Me" apps work on times - either set times or countdowns. That's not how I roll. I want reminding when I get somewhere, not at a time.
"Remind me of $message when I get [home|work]"
Where $home = joining wireless network "HomeNet" and $work = joining wireless network "Worknet"
You could also do notifications on leaving those networks - "When I leave work, remind me to pick up milk/eggs"
There are GPS versions of these, but I'm not leaving my GPS on all day just for one thing. Wifi is accurate enough for me (although you could build in GPS as well, for added accuracy if want/needed by the user)
Hand-written notes (a la Staesj) is good too. As is speech-to-text notes.

Those are all good ideas. I'd use all of 'em. Lol
Good luck mate!

johnnytruant - that is a BRILLIANT idea !!
Already contacted my professor.
If he won't agree with it, I think I'll stick with the firewall (if no one has a better idea).

johnnytruant said:
There are two apps I want that don't exist. One is dead simple - a timed SMS sender. How often have I thought "must text Mum about X" at past her bedtime, then forgot to send it come the morning. It would be well handy to be able to specify a send time for a message.
Other is location-aware to-do/reminder. Most "Remind Me" apps work on times - either set times or countdowns. That's not how I roll. I want reminding when I get somewhere, not at a time.
"Remind me of $message when I get [home|work]"
Where $home = joining wireless network "HomeNet" and $work = joining wireless network "Worknet"
You could also do notifications on leaving those networks - "When I leave work, remind me to pick up milk/eggs"
There are GPS versions of these, but I'm not leaving my GPS on all day just for one thing. Wifi is accurate enough for me (although you could build in GPS as well, for added accuracy if want/needed by the user)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
These are pretty much all already covered by Tasker...

Ah. I didn't know about Tasker.
Still, an easy-to-use, single-purpose location-aware reminder/notes app is probably more useful to more people - plenty of non-techie types, who would likely be scared of Tasker - would definitely find such a thing useful.

So I finally got this app as my bc thesis.
Get ready for the best organizer ever
There's gonna be a usual calendar, plus location based reminders, plus friend location based reminders, notes (usual/voice, with/without notification) and alarms (with shake/flip/cover/voice-to-snooze), web-sync, and much more

Personally the main thing I've been dying for is SAMBA shares from my phone, but without having to root. If this was possible (or at least easy to do) I'm sure it would have been done by now, though.
Otherwise I think a facebook video uploader would be nice. I can't share more than 1 at a time with the onboard apps and have never found anything better, so I end up using Qik and sharing them to facebook from there.
Another idea (which has already been done, poorly) is to use your phone as a mouse/keyboard. I am not sure how many apps there are for this, but the last one I used (I forget the name) was pretty terrible. It's handy for HTPCs. The app itself wasn't the big problem, it was the Windows server program. It would take focus randomly, freeze, and there was no good way to hide it other than minimizing it.

grandioso said:
Hey guys.
I'm now looking for a bachelor thesis and I was thinking about writing an android application.
Preferably one of which aren't millions out there and a more complex one (using GPS and stuff).
So I'm hoping you could help me. Do you have any tips ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No gps, but a video player (with flv support) that works on azure would be very useful to many people

grandioso said:
So I finally got this app as my bc thesis.
Get ready for the best organizer ever
There's gonna be a usual calendar, plus location based reminders, plus friend location based reminders, notes (usual/voice, with/without notification) and alarms (with shake/flip/cover/voice-to-snooze), web-sync, and much more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sounds great

what's the best music player ?

rewen said:
Personally the main thing I've been dying for is SAMBA shares from my phone, but without having to root. If this was possible (or at least easy to do) I'm sure it would have been done by now, though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
estrong file manager can access pc samba shares no problem...not sure if thats what your wanting to do though...

kazzaz said:
what's the best music player ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I quite like Cubed.

Nice things to do in my phone

hello, my phone is borring and i'm searching cool things to do. someone has ideas ?

Root, look for fun root apps
Custom recovery, custom ROM
GeoCaching - Find hidden GPS devices with phones GPS

*Detection* said:
GeoCaching - Find hidden GPS devices with phones GPS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What is GeoCaching? And what's the benefit of using it?

Masum56k said:
What is GeoCaching? And what's the benefit of using it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's an outdoor activity you use your phone for, people hide packages with a GPS inside, the package could contain just some paper for you to write your name on to say you found it, or it can contain fun items you can take / leave you own
You use your phone to hunt them down via GPS
Google it, you'll find out more

*Detection* said:
It's an outdoor activity you use your phone for, people hide packages with a GPS inside, the package could contain just some paper for you to write your name on to say you found it, or it can contain fun items you can take / leave you own
You use your phone to hunt them down via GPS
Google it, you'll find out more
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fact, that are spots which were marked with coordinates. I never heard that people let their gps in the spots
As soon as people would see the device, it'd be stolen But still, a good activity for people with too much time

dreazer said:
In fact, that are spots which were marked with coordinates. I never heard that people let their gps in the spots
As soon as people would see the device, it'd be stolen But still, a good activity for people with too much time
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would anyone steal a GPS device? It's a GPS device, which means it can be tracked lol
And if you take the battery out, it's useless to you anyway
Anyway, not all of them are GPS devices, some are just little tubs or tubes with paper in to sign to say you found it

Haha didn't even think about that
How can your phone be boring, barmor24? You should take a look into the Play Store, or just start developing Apps for your phone.
Your phone is just boring if there is nothing on it to play around with