Database Users

Google maps update fixes compass and GPS issues

Hey so I just installed the update for google maps and now the GPS and compass finally seem to be working properly. Anyone else seeing this?
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App

Yes and no. The pointer turns a little smoother in maps but if you go to street view and activate compass mode you will see that the XY axis lags terribly. The vertical axis is fine and very responsive but horizontal is slow like molasses. Compass is IMO still broke.

I installed it, and things seem to be somewhat improved. However, I still consider them to be broken.
Hopefully, this isn't the 'fix' Samsung and T-Mobile was talking about. Spotted nine satellites again, but can only lock onto a single one. The cycle continues.
The Compass is still slow to update and not at all 1:1 with my movement. GPS reception is still poor, and Google Maps still can't decide if I'm in Seattle or Issaquah (hint: I'm not in Issaquah).
Slight improvements, but not fixed.
Thanks for the heads up, though. Anybody else tried it?

I'm pretty sure you're imagining things. The compass problem is strictly a hardware/firmware issue. Simply updating a single app like GMaps isn't going to fix it. But don't take my word for it.
To see the raw sensor data, go to the dialer, and type in *#*#1472365#*#* then press Test Application, then Show Sensor Data. Look at the compass and tell me it's functioning correctly.

My GPS connects faster than heck, but being 30meters off really sucks. I mean my G1 would be 3-9meters off not 30

My vibrant isn't even connecting to a satellite tonight. This ain't no G1.

[Q] Does the compass work...?

I've yet to find a Compass app that works on my Omnia7. I don't know if it's the lack of a GPS signal (been trying it indoors) - my old Hero used to work fine with no GPS signal as does my Wife's iPhone.
Has anyone else found a Compass app that works on the Omnia7 without GPS signal? I'm wondering whether my phone is faulty or whether the phone just doesn't have the hardware to get a Compass reading without GPS.

Isn't there a diagnosis code to test this?

Ya, pretty much.
One in the test menu, Not sure it's working 100% tho when i checked, so maybe any apps running off it's readings might be wrong. *guessing*

I read that there isn't a Silverlight API for the compass yet, hence no apps.
*#0*# from the Diagnosis app takes you to the LCD Test screen where there is a Compass tile, which gives you a functioning compass

oweng said:
I read that there isn't a Silverlight API for the compass yet, hence no apps.
*#0*# from the Diagnosis app takes you to the LCD Test screen where there is a Compass tile, which gives you a functioning compass
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes sence, Call me silly, but which way up is best for the compass, Flat on phones back, Or Back of phone Facing away from me.
As i seem to get two diffrent readings and havn't got a "normal" compass to compare too.

Having the phone horizontal will give you the best results - if you just rotate your position, the needle should point in the same direction. I've tried it in two locations and it seems accurate enough

oweng said:
Having the phone horizontal will give you the best results - if you just rotate your position, the needle should point in the same direction. I've tried it in two locations and it seems accurate enough
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note to self *test outdoors before saying anything again about compass *

Thanks for the *#0*# trick - works fine, so it's just the apps that don't work as is suggested above.

Compass accuracy?

It seems like my compass is somewhat off. I've downloaded a compass app from the market and used its calibration function several times, but it still seems off. This appears to be somewhat problematic when using google maps 5.0 in compass mode as well, since the actual compass directions don't line up with the calibration of the phone.
What's the most accurate way to calibrate the compass? Is there an app, or some other way, to manually adjust the calibration if its off?

In what way does the compass seem off? I have no problems with the compass on my end.

in maps 5.0, is so OFF!
Tested actually a few hours ago, my compass was like 30 degrees off.

ArcticWolf91 said:
In what way does the compass seem off? I have no problems with the compass on my end.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Like the previous poster said...using compass mode in Google Maps 5.0, the direction of the map is off compared to how I'm holding the phone (if that makes sense).

Omg I know what you guys mean in the new maps 5.0 the compass is showing for me that its pointing a couple of degrees to the right. So has anybody figured out how to fix it?

Make sure when you're checking the accuracy of the compass that you are not using it around something that would be causing interference, especially the MyTouch Car Dock that T-Mobile sells. For some reason, that thing causes major interference, and makes my compass think it's 90 degrees off.
... Ironic for a Car Dock designed to help the phone act as a GPS device.

Gps fix by using an app "gps booster"

Hi, people,
Just to let you know that I have fixed my gps issue by installing this app called "gps booster" from the market.
I have always believed that the gps issue was caused by hardware and given up on fixing it.
However, for the last resort, I tried this app and what do you know, it fixed it!!
On average, it takes less than a minute to get a solid lock.
Now, I know that sometimes, you get a fast random locks but I have used this app over a month now and every single time, I get a fast lock, so this is not a random case. I have tried this in different regions too.
Also, I have recommended this to numerous friends who were experiencing bad gps as well, and they all have told me that the problem has gone after installing this app.
I would like to know if this is actually a fix for all sgs out there.
There is a trial version for free, so if you are experiencing a bad gps, why not try it and leave a comment.
It worked for me and all of my friends so hopefully, it will work for ya.
After getting few comments, we can find out if the gps issue is software or hardware problem.
I sincerely hope it's software issue so it can get fixed in later firmware.
Thanks

I've been using GPS Booster (paid) for a few weeks and it has definitely improved the GPS. After installing, it found more satellites and got a faster lock.
But accuracy and tracking is still a problem. The accuracy is a bit better but I still end up shouting to the phone "I'm over here! I'm over here!". Maintaining a lock when I'm walking, no problem. Maintaining a lock when I'm driving, forgetabouit. Out of all the "fixes" I've tried (minus the hardware fix) GPS Booster has had the most positive effect (but it's still no where as good as my old Touch HD).

are you using standalone gps app?
I'm using Navigon currently, and it tracks pretty good when I'm driving.
It does sometimes lose signal for a while but it rarely happens.

I'm just using Google Maps/Navigation. Maybe 3rd party apps are better optimised at maintaining a lock.

If your phone is set to use AGPS and uses the best pool data then i doubt if this app can do any better .
All its doing is using the AGPS in a manner that boosts the signal location by using networks location as well as GPS .
jje

Is AGPS the same as "Use Wireless Networks"? I actually get better results when I disable "Use Wireless Networks" and use Cold Start. If I enable "Use Wireless Networks" the accuracy is ridiculously bad.

laconic5 said:
Is AGPS the same as "Use Wireless Networks"? I actually get better results when I disable "Use Wireless Networks" and use Cold Start. If I enable "Use Wireless Networks" the accuracy is ridiculously bad.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my gps works good with google maps , if i turn "use wireless netowrks " on .

GPS booster noticably improves the GPS for me aswell. I do not use AGPS so I don't think it only affects AGPS.
I use this combined with TrackerBooster, and with those two, my GPS is quite close to perfect. It very rarely deviates more than 5m.
Without them, my GPS is still not horrible but definately less accurate and losing locks more often (with them, extremely rare to happen).

A-GPS picks up wireless/network settings .
jje

GPS booster does nothing but keeping your GPS on. It doesn't improve GPS at all.

zorxd said:
GPS booster does nothing but keeping your GPS on. It doesn't improve GPS at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I was thinking the same, how can a magical app fix a hardware defect. Placebo effect?

At first I thought it might be a placebo effect, but I have been getting satellite locks in places where there use to be none. It could be a coincidence that the day I installed GPS Booster is also the day the satellites in the sky became stronger or closer. I don't think it has "fixed" the GPS issue, but it has made the GPS useable (for me at least).
I've read that GPS Booster is a rip-off of FasterFix http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=825717
I had FasterFix installed for a week, first adjusted to UK then Europe, and did not see any improvement.
This app must be using some kind of magic or witchcraft or VOODOO.

JJEgan said:
If your phone is set to use AGPS and uses the best pool data then i doubt if this app can do any better .
All its doing is using the AGPS in a manner that boosts the signal location by using networks location as well as GPS .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, I'm not using any AGPS. (wifi + 3g turned off)
And it still gets a fast lock.
Why don't you try this app and see it for yourself?
you can tell us if it worked or not.
Looking at the comments, it seems that it's working for people

PaulForde said:
I was thinking the same, how can a magical app fix a hardware defect. Placebo effect?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought it was a hardware defect as well but now I'm not too sure.
For example, many users reported improved gps with JM8 firmware
and also I've found a thread which says installing OCLF lagfix fixed their gps.
In both cases, it's got something to do with software.
Wat have you got to lose? Try the app, see it for yourself and let us know!
Who knows, it might fix your gps

zorxd said:
GPS booster does nothing but keeping your GPS on. It doesn't improve GPS at all.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NOT true.
App only gets activated when you turn on gps.
Do a bit of research before making an absurd comment.

Interested but 3 times
Seems like an interesting app to try but given the skeptics, it seems like 3 runs is a little lite to make a conclusion. I'll likely still try it but if you can't make a solid conclusion, why buy?
G

[email protected] said:
NOT true.
App only gets activated when you turn on gps.
Do a bit of research before making an absurd comment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah ok there is a on/off switch in the app. So what? What can it do? I think it only keeps the GPS on when the screen is off an you are in google maps. This is useful to avoid posts such as this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=932724
I certainly won't pay for this app without knowing what it does. This is trap, don't buy it. If it worked the trick would be well known and it would be free.
and also I've found a thread which says installing OCLF lagfix fixed their gps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
An other placebo.

zorxd said:
Yeah ok there is a on/off switch in the app. So what? What can it do? I think it only keeps the GPS on when the screen is off an you are in google maps. This is useful to avoid posts such as this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=932724
I certainly won't pay for this app without knowing what it does. This is trap, don't buy it.
An other placebo.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Once again, it does not keep gps on.
Otherwise, my battery would drain fast az.
Never had that problem so gps isn't on all the time.
try the app will ya?

[email protected] said:
Once again, it does not keep gps on.
Otherwise, my battery would drain fast az.
Never had that problem so gps isn't on all the time.
try the app will ya?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I installed the lite version. No change. Uninstall. Thanks for loosing my time with yet an other baseless GPS fix.

Tried it.
I tried it too. I near as I could tell I had horrible GPS without and still horrible GPS with. Never did get a fix even when it saw 6-8 sats... I then went and changed to cold start on the gps application settings and all was OK for the moment(*#3214789650#).
I just re downloaded and tryed again - back to no sats/no fix (though I am inside now). Well uninstalled again and still no sats/no fix so lets just say inconclusive so far and I think my 3 starts are up...
G

Compass Calibration always off

Hi. My compass is usually up to 90 degrees off.
I can calibrate it with GPS Status, UT it lasts a day or so. In daily life , I have to recalibrate the compass each time I want to use it, which is not very pleasant.
I think I never ever calibrated the compass of my S3.
My firmware is ANE2.
Do you also have this problem and is it fixed in a newer firmware (which I'm not looking forward to use because of towelroot).
thx

nearlygod said:
Hi. My compass is usually up to 90 degrees off.
I can calibrate it with GPS Status, UT it lasts a day or so. In daily life , I have to recalibrate the compass each time I want to use it, which is not very pleasant.
I think I never ever calibrated the compass of my S3.
My firmware is ANE2.
Do you also have this problem and is it fixed in a newer firmware (which I'm not looking forward to use because of towelroot).
thx
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS should be dead on, even out of the box and unrooted. Never had an issue with it beeing off on the S5. Kompass is good for me, no deviation here. Do you use a (flip) case with metal or magnetic parts in it.

no flip case or anything. my motherboard is the older revision 0.8

Is it really just me? Maybe I have a hardware defect?

nearlygod said:
Is it really just me? Maybe I have a hardware defect?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have now my second S 5 and the compass is still off, every time I use it. annoying
Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Same for me - I buyed phone with this annoying bug. But only in Google maps. If I use anothe maps provider compass is calibrated. I don't understand

oia12344321 said:
Same for me - I buyed phone with this annoying bug. But only in Google maps. If I use anothe maps provider compass is calibrated. I don't understand
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's true, I didn't notice that before. It's just gmaps. If I switch to here maps and then back to gmaps, the compass is ok.