Make google maps possible to use offline - store maps on sdcard ? - Android Software Development

Hey,
Ususally im in places where i have no 3g coverage(for example while bicycling :] ), so i can't use google maps on my htc magic there. Im looking for something that will let me change google maps cache size, which I believe is very hard. Currently cache has only 1mb, and allows to store just small fragment of map.
There are some other solutions like, RMap and AndNav2 that can work offline, but google maps is used in several other useful apps.
Im learning android development just now so im thinking of writing some proxy app that will record downloaded maps tiles into sdcadrd, and later it would be possible to use them again without internet access.
I think all i need to do is to make google maps use 127.0.0.1 instead of google server and write proxy app that will be running on android device.
Do you think its possible?
Or there is another way to do that that I'm not aware of?

Im recommending Mapdroyd (lovely OSM maps) and its free
http://www.mapdroyd.com/

I don't know why google maps can't just cache to the SD card (let us have a setting to turn it on or off!) It would be really handy for low/no signal areas. I don't think as of now it's possible at all, but maybe google will enable it in the future.

codito said:
I don't know why google maps can't just cache to the SD card (let us have a setting to turn it on or off!) It would be really handy for low/no signal areas. I don't think as of now it's possible at all, but maybe google will enable it in the future.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google just badly wants to know all your whereabouts to better geotarget ads ;(

Related

Google navigator

Hi,
Have anybody tried google navigator on the HD. I heard it's supposed to work with the hd. Anybody know if a dataconnection is needed, or can we download the maps and use it "offline" with the built in GPS reciever ??
anybody know where we can find a trial ?
oldings said:
Hi,
Have anybody tried google navigator on the HD. I heard it's supposed to work with the hd. Anybody know if a dataconnection is needed, or can we download the maps and use it "offline" with the built in GPS reciever ??
anybody know where we can find a trial ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Attached Google.
This is freeware
thx for reply. But isn't this the same that came pre-installed with the HD.
I tried Google Maps but that uses the data connection. I heard on google navigation you can save maps on storage and the use it "offline", so no need of data-connection, only GPS reciever.
Sorry, I should have read your thread properly, been a long day.
Google Navigator attached
I haven't used this application to be honest, but just installed it and a data connection appears to be required. I'll play with it and let you know if this can be disabled.
I have also downloaded the trial from http://www.pdafun.net/
and first time I started it I saw it downloded dato. I then used HD tweak to stop all data connection, and went in to Google navigator and changed som settings.
I can still start the prorgam wihtout any problems and activated GPS. It find my postition(still noe data connection used, yet). But don't know how to get a map. I only see a "world" map.
SO would be nice to know how we can download offlien maps so we can use with GPS and not need to use dataconnection, since it says it's possible
Without sounding flipant, the CAB is 1.73Mbs so I would expect it does not contain map data, bearing in mind that TomTom Maps are in the region of 1Gbs.
Maybe you have to download from somewhere else though.
<double post>
The map are downloaded using Data connection, they are download on demand by the software.
Google Navigator
the meaning of offline Navigation in this Software is that you can specify an interested area and tell the program to download the related topo, road maps, etc to the device over a data connection at a a given Zoom level. (wifi or gsm)
once the download is complete you can switch off the data connection or remove the sim and use the application to locate/Navigate your self in the downloaded area. The purpose is to enable you to use the phone to navigate yourself in a area without network coverage and/or to cutdown on the data download cost over GSM.
FYI
Google Navigator works fine on the HD except for the 3D view. it creates some areas of the map to disappear. I wrote to the developers on this bug and they said they will correct that error in their 4.9V but till the latest version the problem is still there.
is it just me or is the trial version of this completely useless? what is the point in disabling the only features that actually make this different to google maps? surely a time-limited version rather than feature-limitedwould make more sense?
I for one will certainly not be shelling out for this unless I know it works (and on my phone too).
this is most unlike google, who's software (until now)I have always been most impressed with. google maps is simply phenomenal, but does lack the turn-by-turn voice commands necessary to operate it whilst driving.
the data, for me (and many who own this type of device - why on earth would you have a device this capable without some data included?!) is not an issue. but i need to see it in action before I can abandon Tomtom properly...
is this software actually from google or just based on google maps? I still can't work out why I have to pay for this when everything else google is free (and this looks decidedly shoddier)?!
kindregards
dr_nick
Apparently Google Navigator has nothing to do with Google. The developers are just using the name "Google" because it taps into the Maps database. Caveat emptor.
Google Navigator is one of the worst PDA Apps I've ever seen.
Not only do they #1 -- Use the FREE google maps service, and charge you for their crappy front end, but #2 -- Put the name "Google" in the title of their product, so you think it's actually from a reputable source.
Google really needs to put a stop to this company because they are basically ripping people off.

Store Google Maps locally

Hey guys,
wondering if there is a way to store the map data locally?
This way I dont need to always use the wireless connection to get maps on the run, and im sure it would speed up the application too.
Of course i dont expect to store the whole world, just my city. Is there a method to do this?
tia!
sephstyler said:
Hey guys,
wondering if there is a way to store the map data locally?
This way I dont need to always use the wireless connection to get maps on the run, and im sure it would speed up the application too.
Of course i dont expect to store the whole world, just my city. Is there a method to do this?
tia!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I made myself a simple workaround - just make screenshots!
gpsVP
This is what the open source project gpsVP is all about.
http://code.google.com/p/gpsvp/
Code is free, and there is ateam working on enhancements.
I have had it running on the X1 for past week. Works great.
I have tried both Google and MS map caching. Not Openstreet yet.
In addition I created my own raster map using Mapcruncher to calibrate coords.
It take s a bit of getting used to, as user documentation is catching up.
You can seed the cache while connected to PC/Landline. Starting at the most zoomed-in level you want, the app will automatically download the higher levels maps.
Hi,
Nowadays I'm testing this one:
http://terracrosser.com/
This program has two parts:
- Mapper.exe
You have to copy it to the PC and it allow to select an area at gooblemaps or yahoomaps and tke zoom levels.
It dowloads the images with the size you have selected and at the end compress them in 1 file (that you have to copy to the PDA​
- Terracrosser itself: for the PDA.
This is not a navigation program. It show in the photo or map image where you are.
The speed is not very fast, development is in progress. Also depends in how many maps have you download and the resolution of them.
Nice program and very, very nice downloader. Very simple.
I use NoniGPSPlot (http://aeguerre.free.fr/Public/PocketPC/NoniGPSPlot/EN/index.php) it's free (I donated though for the extra features & because it's awsome) and there's a free map downloading app that lets you cache maps from google, yahoo, live and openmap, builds the image (or slices to help with memory usage) at whatever zoom level you want. You just then load them into NoniGPSPlot and you've got the ultimate GPS tool, with no data connection required.
I mostly use it to log walks for Geotagging my photographs. I can download maps with footpaths on so I can plan in advance a route, the dog gets a good walk, I get some good shots and can geotag them later in lightroom, and we never get lost!

Offline GPS navigation

I'm willing to get a Hero, I never use 3G and I'm not willing, besides I think it won't be supported in my country.
Well, I want to know which decent app allows you to have just the maps you need on memory to use the GPS in offline mode. I don't need voice navigation, just a dot which tells you exactly where you are. I used to do this very easily on a Nokia phone and with just 100MB for maps stored, yes just a few cities but enough.
And yes... I want Android but this is the main buy or not buy feature I'm looking for.
Is there such app? What about Android 2? Any chance on a Google maps mod?
CoPilot is a (pay) app and the only way for offline GPS.
Smartphone without internet access is useless, imho. Get a dumbphone and a proper GPS, and you'll be much happier until they implement mobile internet access in your neck of the woods ;-)
I know what you mean
i am with you on this one, i have ported over from Windows Mobile where i used Memory Map which was FanBloodyTastic........but unfortunatly its not on android, i have asked them by email and they say not yet....but i am sure something will come out soon for this as a lot of people are asking for this type of app.
I downloaded Maverick from the market and it works fabulously well. Google mpas, Bing maps, and others, and all will be stored on the SD car, but you obviously need first to download the pieces that you need with WiFi.
RMaps works well too but doesnt store maps on SD card, only uses a cache of 4MB.
If i were you i would check out this maverick thing, coz thats what im about to do!
giovanni645 said:
RMaps works well too but doesnt store maps on SD card, only uses a cache of 4MB.
If i were you i would check out this maverick thing, coz thats what im about to do!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
RMaps does not store maps but you can download the maps using Trekking Buddy and use them with RMaps. I use RMaps to view Google Maps offline and it works great. The only problem is, of course, you can't search for an address.
Volker1 said:
CoPilot is a (pay) app and the only way for offline GPS.
Smartphone without internet access is useless, imho. Get a dumbphone and a proper GPS, and you'll be much happier until they implement mobile internet access in your neck of the woods ;-)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Offline GPS seems to be the only way to get GPS abroad for me. Data roaming is just too expensive.
I use NDrive and it is absolutely fantastic... you should check it out
CoPilot is cheap, easy to use, and fast.
NDrive is very similar to TomTom (there's no TomTom GPS apps for Androids btw) in that it requires you to go through lots of sub-menus just to do a simple task. Its slow, buggy, and not worth the extra money.
Offline GPS is far superior to any online version (doesn't require nearby cellphone towers), just a clear line of sight of the sky. The whole GoogleNavigator is very gimmicky. While its nice that you can see a picture of the actual destination, its nav software is far from accurate.
Here's a list of the Offline GPS software available (that I know of):
Co-Pilot Live 8
NDRIVE SatNav
Motonav - iGO
Papago X5
Sygic Mobile Map 9
I use IGO 8 and love it better than tom tom or google maps
PM me for links to IGO 8 with world maps best navigation app with latest maps
Mapdroyd will let you download and store maps. It then gives you your position on the map. No navigation though.....
Sent from my X10i using XDA App

NavDroyd - 100% Offline navigation with Open Street Maps

hello guys,
i stumbled over an app called navdroyd in the market. it promises 100% offline turn by turn routing and tts with osm and android tts voice (sdk >1.6). does anybody has some experience with this app? it sounds really promising so I tried the free mapdroyd app from same developer.
navdroyd $6.49/€4.99: http://www.androidpit.com/en/android/market/apps/app/com.osa.android.navdroyd/NavDroyd
mapdroyd free: http://www.androidpit.com/en/android/market/apps/app/com.osa.android.mapdroyd/MapDroyd
mapdroyd works like a charm. you can download worldwide mapcontent via wifi an store them on sd but i'm missing the ability to search and set pois, which navdroyd provides. I think this would be a really awesome alternative to navigon or motonav for people without a dataplan. but before I purchase this app, maybe somebody can share his experience!?
hi there..
i've try both apps on my phone and yes navdroyd is much better than mapdroyd. actually both interfaces and appearance are quite similar but the diff is u get "cruise mode" on navdroyd which provides you 3d navigation =)
ahm ... yeah, that was already clear for me ... just like its named navdroyd and their homepages mapdroyd.com and navdroyd.com discribe: mapdroyd shows map and navdroyd navigates you ... i wanted to know how good this works, not which abilities each program has
e.g ... i'm interested if navdroyd announces only directions or also streetnames via text to speech and if navigation continues if the display is turned off (for motorcycle navigation)... etc
Why dont you simply buy the app, you have 24 hours to ask for a refund! Navdroyd has a simulate route feature, which gives a nice demo of the software.
I have used navdroyd now a couple of times for actual car navigation. It does work pretty well, announces instructions in time, also reads out road names (with comical results when the names are not english), recalculates routes if you miss a turn and so on....
It feels a bit rough still in some places, given its still a very early version. The search function is too basic for my liking, and the routing has a tendency of generating too many keep left/right messages when in fact you simply need to keep driving ahead on the same road.
I only used it in the car, and the display is kept on all the time, so dont know about switching the display off, or even switching to a different app ?
Given it uses OSM data, there still can be data gaps, but hey you can just go to openstreetmap and add the road!
Finally, the developers are very responsive and I have submitted some bug/missing features reports, hopeful this will all be added soon. Just email them if you still feel you have questions.
Anyone care to review this app?
were my brief comments not enough ?
does it have offline routing?
i was wondering how it does it considering it uses OSM maps (yes i know you pre download them).
cheers,
Cool but realistically MotoNav is just as easy. 1 State file and bam.
I wish Google Nav would have something like this. Where I have problems with Google Nav is when I get out of Airports and trying to pull data whilst in a concrete parking garage isn't fun.
Google Maps is worth its weight in gold but I can't get into the Navigator. I use Google Maps to search and navigate mosty and use MotoNav as a backup.
you cant actually go to specific addresses like someones house
Yes its 100% offline routing and maps ... so no need for a data connection once you have downloaded the maps initially. they are pretty small, the whole of the uk for example is 103mb.
because its based on OSM, it doesn't have that many addresses at the moment, but I find that street name in general is more than enough to get where you want to go. You can also search for junctions between two streets which might help as well.
HA
petzlux said:
were my brief comments not enough ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HA!.....................
sorry for bumping this old thread but I had a question:
After paying for the app, do you have to pay for each map you download or is all that free?
Also, does this offer POIs, such as Dunk n' Donuts, restaurants, or gas stations?
Thanks.
yeah, opnce you have bought the app, the maps are free.
2 things, and i hope the Navdroyd people read this, I have been fairly disappointed in the customer service ( i know, $5) but i offered to help with the maps in my local area, as at the moment they are VERY old and near on unusable. well actually, they are unusable as there are WAY too many unnamed streets, which are named in OSM...
secondly, the POIs seem a little limited, not sure about other areas (im in Perth, Western Australia)
well one more, they don't seem to update the maps too often (definately not every 6wks as they say). As a result there is no use updating OSM for your area as you don't see any changes.
Navdroyd people please read this! I would like to assist!!!
Palitu
i'm not very happy with navdroid, ended up driving totally wrong with the out-dated maps, heck, the street where i grew up isn't even on the map (im from belgium)
Wow... they tore down your street? bummer!
alloin said:
i'm not very happy with navdroid, ended up driving totally wrong with the out-dated maps, heck, the street where i grew up isn't even on the map (im from belgium)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
One option would be to contribute to the OpenStreetMap project and fix those problems you know of
wwwald said:
One option would be to contribute to the OpenStreetMap project and fix those problems you know of
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no, that wont work, i have gone through and updated this on OSM and there hasn't been any changes.
Not only that, the OSM has the streets alread named. Not sure why they don't cross over onto NavDroyd...
Is there a way to replace the maps from Navdroyd for other ones like google or something more updated?. The area where I live doesn't have the street names and has very limited POIs.
Ahkbal said:
Is there a way to replace the maps from Navdroyd for other ones like google or something more updated?. The area where I live doesn't have the street names and has very limited POIs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
nope
you cannot... amking up the length of the message
Palitu said:
no, that wont work, i have gone through and updated this on OSM and there hasn't been any changes.
Not only that, the OSM has the streets alread named. Not sure why they don't cross over onto NavDroyd...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The problem is with the update frequency of the NavDroyd maps. They use their own "micromap" format, so the OSM data have to be "compiled" into that format every once in a while.
It's actually in their FAQ, see questions "How often do you update NavDroyd's map database?" and "Can I download OSM maps and use them directly in NavDroyd?".
(sorry, I'm apparently not yet allowed to post external links)

[Q] Caching Google Maps Data?

Is there any way to cache or download the data for Google maps? I'm going out of the country and taking the Vibrant. I'd like to use the map (and broken GPS), but data is $15 per MB for international T-Mobile. Is there any way to download the map data and have it cached for a week? Thanks.
The license for google maps specifically says you aren't allowed to do that. You need to get something like Navdroyd that allows you to download map data. That one uses OSM data, but it's more detailed in other countries. The US data is a little rough. You might be able to get a better deal on data using a pre-paid SIM in the country you are going to as well. Might be edge/gprs only, but it's good enough to maps.
http://damiendebin.net/archives/gMapMaker/
I recall brut was at least planning to make brutmaps compatible with this, since it already can cache Google maps tiles.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=630887
Also, more simply, what about running brutmaps with caching on and viewing the area you'll be going through? That way you'll be caching tiles in advance.
One other option is to use a computer to print the maps you need to hi-res pdf. You can then use a pdf viewer to view them instead of Google maps.
CoPilot. Nuff said.
google has a map editor app that, from what i can tell (haven't tried it yet), lets you save and edit maps/directions/etc. in google maps.

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