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I've been buying HTC devices every year since the very first XDA came out. It seems to get harder each year to choose a device as more choice becomes available. I don't think the Athena was out last year (or only just out and a bit out of my price range) so it wasn't really a consideration.
Anyway I went for an Orbit/Armatis which I've really enjoyed, it has just about everything I need. Perhaps the only improvements I would make is 3G, VGA, more memory, faster processor and I do like the sound of the tv-out. So sounds like the Athena is still on the cards.
I'm just a bit worried I've missed the boat. What I mean is, is it a bit outdated now? Will they bring out a smaller/lighter version soon?
Other questions you could answer for me are as follows..
How have you all coped with the size?
For those of you using them as phone (rather than a umpc) how have they stood upto being in your pocket (without the case/keyboard)
I've heard they're not too good playing Divx movies (700mb variety). Is this true. Will the Roms available here correct this?
Any more advice great fully received.
Many thanks
DannyBoy
Now is good many peoploe are looking for something new Umpc's, Asus eee or shift type things and a few going on ebay mine will be gone soon i expect but its a great device if ur using as a phone a lot get a good BT headset like LG Style-i
Id recommend it, as long as you wanted a mini-pc, rather than a phone. The internet features, harddisk, screen, and connectivity options really tick all the boxes, and the enhanced roms really improve the product.
If you want to use it as a phone, be prepared to use a BT headset or the wired option, or the speakerphone. I can't fault it on sound quality, but if you're a pub regular, you'll feel like a bit of a tit having it on your belt or in your pocket. Either that, or face swapping your sim out to another more portable phone. Luckily I've got a work mobile as well, so I can take that out with me.
The TV out is pretty good as is the VGA, provided you're not putting it on too large a screen (only 640x480 res). But is ok on my work monitor, watching last nights telly programme that I missed, or a film. One thing to be wary of, is that you MUST run the movies off the Microdrive (or memory). If you try and play it off a USB keyfob, its just too slow to support it. MP3's are ok (although can take a fair few seconds to load).
All in all, it comes down to if you want a mini-pc, or a phone with PDA functionality.
the size took quite a bit of getting used to but once u get the feel of its awsome w/the 5" touch screen.i use my jabra bt8010 and its probably the best bluetooth stereo headset for the athena coz its got a caller ID and vibrate.i usually keep the athena in a pouch or in my pocket.i dont use the case since it makes it fatter and kind of akward to hold.playing divx,xvid,flv..etc videos are great on the athena.there are specific settings to be made in TCPMP and once they are set ur good to go.ive never had any problems playing videos after making the settings.just make sure u go look for a demo or someone with on and test it out for a while and try to get a feel for it.hope this helps
If you're mainly looking for a phone, I suggest you look elsewhere. But if you want internet on the move, this is just about the only device in the market currently. The smaller screens may be VGA, but the're too small to run REALVGA program. REALVGA is one of the greatest improvements to WM6's useability. If I have access to a notebook, I would of course prefer to use that to surf internet. But on the road, do I want to carry a ASUS eee with me just to surf internet or would I prefer to just carry an Athena? The answer is clearly Athena. But please don't expect the speed and functionality of a full web browser like some do.
Besides the large VGA screen, the presence of harddisk AND MicroSDHC is also brings about benefits that no other devices AFAIK can offer. By installing all your programs in the Microdrive, you give yourself the ability to swap the MicroSDHC (currently 8GB each max) in and out. I place all my musics, pictures, and videos on MicroSDHC. This means I have UNLIMITED storage capacity. Currently I have close to 80 applications on my microdrive, and uses less than 10% of microdrive's capacity.
GPS works great on screen of this size, although it looks good enough on smaller screen.
Another application of mine that works great on this 5 inch screen is Meta Trader 4, which displays chart of shares, currencies, commodities. The ability to know what's happening to your investments anywhere anytime is just fantastic.
Carrying it around has not been an issue for me. I have a home made belt pouch with velcro flap. I carry the device without keyboard, as a software keyboard called Tengo is far better than the hardware keyboard anyway.
I don't have any issue using the phone even without bluetooth headset, but others prefer to use it with one. Someone just posted a wristwatch styled headset which should complement this device perfectly. Google "bluevision watch" and you will be able to read more about this.
I don't have any issue with playing videos. It looks excellent from my perspective (always smooth and clear), although some think that it is crap, something I could never never understand. I don't compare that with my home theatre system's quality.
Next comes the camera. Its quality under bright daylight is excellent, but in indoor situation it is a bit lacking.
MP3 plays very very well on this device. Battery life is reasonably long. Depending on the use, about a quarter of people polled in another thread run it down in less than one day, a quarter in one day, a quarter in two days.. something like that.
In summary, this is the best convergent device in the market with the most ideal size imaginable. HTC SHIFT has got the size completely wrong IMHO. It is too big to be carried around 24/7 whereas Athea is not.
I've been a very very satisfied owner for about 9 months now. If I lost it today, my next phone is still going to be Athena, of course, unless they come up with a skinnier and lighter version, with FM radio, TV tuner, and infra, without reducing the size of the screen.
Thankyou for giving such detailed opinions guys. It is much appreciated.
I think i'll get one but probably second hand rather than start a new contract.
Looking forward to playing with the Rom's in here. they look great.
The athena is a cracking device, but for me it was a case of it falling between two devices and not doing either as well as they could be done.
too small to be a laptop and too big to be fone
so i have gone down the separate small fone and small laptop route.
i found after a while the phone function just became a pain in the bum and i actually wanted XP and not WM6 functionality
spacecat said:
The athena is a cracking device, but for me it was a case of it falling between two devices and not doing either as well as they could be done.
too small to be a laptop and too big to be fone
so i have gone down the separate small fone and small laptop route.
i found after a while the phone function just became a pain in the bum and i actually wanted XP and not WM6 functionality
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And I'm the opposite - I want a machine for instant email access and web access with GPS etc which I can carry. I ahve a computer at work and at home.
The truth is, I'm afraid, you're going to have to make up your own mind! It is a big device but very usable (especially with a bluetooth headset). Everyone has their own opinion of it / uses for it but they may not match yours.
if you use the GPS function in a car its a no brainer, as its nearly as a cheap as a decent satnav and can do a lot more.
otherwise ..like he said
spacecat said:
if you use the GPS function in a car its a no brainer, as its nearly as a cheap as a decent satnav and can do a lot more.
otherwise ..like he said
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GPS in a car does not meet my need. Only a mobile one allows me to find direction after parking my car. You don't have to drive to enjoy the benefits. I use it to find points of interest such as restaurants . I use it while walking downtown to get to unfamiliar places rather than carrying a heavy streets directory.
Only a mobile one lets me play golf with a golf GPS software, telling me how far I'm from water hazards, from green, from trees, etc.
Only mobile GPS allows me to bring it overseas.
Also, after trying out a few 'dedicated' GPS, they are just inferior to mobile ones in terms of functionality.
Sure you can tell me that there are dedicated mobile GPS around which can satisfy my needs. But how many devices do you want to carry? For me, I want to take with me only one convergent device. I don't want a dedicated phone, another dedicated GPS, another dedicated web surfing subnotebook, another dedicated mp3 player, another camera, another video recorder. I'm sure there are people who fervently wants the best equipment dedicated to every single task, but that's their choice. I'm very happy to have made the Athena choice and sticking with it until a better convergent device comes along.
eaglesteve said:
GPS in a car does not meet my need. Only a mobile one allows me to find direction after parking my car. You don't have to drive to enjoy the benefits. I use it to find points of interest such as restaurants . I use it while walking downtown to get to unfamiliar places rather than carrying a heavy streets directory.
Only a mobile one lets me play golf with a golf GPS software, telling me how far I'm from water hazards, from green, from trees, etc.
Only mobile GPS allows me to bring it overseas.
Also, after trying out a few 'dedicated' GPS, they are just inferior to mobile ones in terms of functionality.
Sure you can tell me that there are dedicated mobile GPS around which can satisfy my needs. But how many devices do you want to carry? For me, I want to take with me only one convergent device. I don't want a dedicated phone, another dedicated GPS, another dedicated web surfing subnotebook, another dedicated mp3 player, another camera, another video recorder. I'm sure there are people who fervently wants the best equipment dedicated to every single task, but that's their choice. I'm very happy to have made the Athena choice and sticking with it until a better convergent device comes along.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
? im referrering to the GPS system in the Athena
Let's not forget I've had it built into a device literally half the size of the Athena for a year so its not really a selling point for the Athena.
Have you seen this? ...7501!
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3153290&Sku=H224-1010
As an ex Clie pda user, I have ditched the little keyboard and use the WM6 version of graffiti text input, and have never looked back at the keyboard again. With the supplied leather case, it improves portability so much it can fit into the back of my jeans pocket.
Haven't loaded gps, but will in the coming year.
A must is the Jabra bt8010 for stereo bluetooth, and phone use, so you don't have to pull out the athena everytime. Otherwise you are using the speaker phone to talk to people, not the best.
I would have to say, if you want the screen size, the Athena is hard to beat when you look at the spec sheet. Most UMPC's don't have a cell phone built in. Most cell phones don't have a big screen that give you pda functionality.
I would say the only other alternatives is the HTC Touch, if you can live with the smaller screen size.
My only gripes on the Athena:
Video performance @30fps is BAD
Occasional A2DP stereo bluetooth skips, A2DP is so good I would never use an iPhone or iPod or any phone without it again!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If they come out with an Athena2, this is what I would like to see:
Solid State Hard Disc of at least 32GB
Solid video performance
Drop the keyboard - it scared away a lot of people with the gimmicky magnet attachment and small useless size.
To sum up, if you like the large screen of the PDA's (480x320), and love pda functionality, then you will like the Athena. It lets me carry only one device.
DON'T FORGET THAT THE CES SHOW IS ONLY A MONTH AWAY, there could be a new device that manages to top the Athena there, lets hope it is the Athena 2!
keithwwalker said:
As an ex Clie pda user, I have ditched the little keyboard and use the WM6 version of graffiti text input, and have never looked back at the keyboard again. With the supplied leather case, it improves portability so much it can fit into the back of my jeans pocket.
Haven't loaded gps, but will in the coming year.
A must is the Jabra bt8010 for stereo bluetooth, and phone use, so you don't have to pull out the athena everytime. Otherwise you are using the speaker phone to talk to people, not the best.
I would have to say, if you want the screen size, the Athena is hard to beat when you look at the spec sheet. Most UMPC's don't have a cell phone built in. Most cell phones don't have a big screen that give you pda functionality.
I would say the only other alternatives is the HTC Touch, if you can live with the smaller screen size.
My only gripes on the Athena:
Video performance @30fps is BAD
Occasional A2DP stereo bluetooth skips, A2DP is so good I would never use an iPhone or iPod or any phone without it again!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If they come out with an Athena2, this is what I would like to see:
Solid State Hard Disc of at least 32GB
Solid video performance
Drop the keyboard - it scared away a lot of people with the gimmicky magnet attachment and small useless size.
To sum up, if you like the large screen of the PDA's (480x320), and love pda functionality, then you will like the Athena. It lets me carry only one device.
DON'T FORGET THAT THE CES SHOW IS ONLY A MONTH AWAY, there could be a new device that manages to top the Athena there, lets hope it is the Athena 2!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with your wishlist. I'd add to that TV tuner, FM radio, infra. Would also be nice to shed some weight and thickness.
I hope there is an Athena 2 soon. This is a wonderful size for a convergent device.
Just a reiteration here, but it is about personal preference. I tried to get along with the athena with pks rom, and although it was noticeably better than before it still didn't quite do it for me. I had constant complaints about the quality of voice calls using the speaker phone, and although a bluetooth headset worked fine, for me it still wasn't as practical as i would've liked. I went back yesterday to an n95, and bought a nokia n800 for portable browsing and email (although the n95 is more than capable here anyway). The two combined cost me about the price of an athena, and for my personal needs they work together to give a superior experience. The n95s gps locks on much quicker than the athena's so is in many ways a more practical device to use for personal navigation - especially with google maps' integration of the internal gps. The browser on the n95 is also better than pocket internet explorer, but when required i have the unbeatable os2008 browser to hand with the n800. Nokia have also just released a firmware update for the n95 which makes everything snappy and enjoyable - how it should have been all along really! The only thing i really miss about the athena is texting on a big screen. For some reason i really enjoyed that. The wmwifirouter app was useful too, though that's not exclusive to the athena. I think among the current fold of handsets the only thing that sets the athena apart is the screen size. There is nothing else on the device that can't be seen elsewhere. It just didn't cut the mustard for me as i had to persevere too much and it was a little embarrassing to use, but as they say - each to their own. One final point i will make is that i DON'T THINK the athena is a good convergence device. It provides no more than a big screen. Video performance is often shoddy, browsing does not offer full internet, the camera is pretty crap and usb host is only really of use for hid and playing music\photos. Aside from the large screen, usb host and touchscreen the n95 8gb offers: better multimedia playback (multi codec with coreplayer), a far superior camera, with shockingly better video recording functionality, integrated gps which locks on quicker than the athena and a quicker browser which allows effortless access to all but flash sites (soon to be remedied. With flash lite 3.0).. If the athena is a convergance device then the n95 8gb is just as good, particularly given it's size. You can even use a bluetooth keyboard with it. P.s. I typed all this on an n95 and it was a piece of cake!.
leoni1980 said:
Just a reiteration here, but it is about personal preference. I tried to get along with the athena with pks rom, and although it was noticeably better than before it still didn't quite do it for me. I had constant complaints about the quality of voice calls using the speaker phone, and although a bluetooth headset worked fine, for me it still wasn't as practical as i would've liked. I went back yesterday to an n95, and bought a nokia n800 for portable browsing and email (although the n95 is more than capable here anyway). The two combined cost me about the price of an athena, and for my personal needs they work together to give a superior experience. The n95s gps locks on much quicker than the athena's so is in many ways a more practical device to use for personal navigation - especially with google maps' integration of the internal gps. The browser on the n95 is also better than pocket internet explorer, but when required i have the unbeatable os2008 browser to hand with the n800. Nokia have also just released a firmware update for the n95 which makes everything snappy and enjoyable - how it should have been all along really! The only thing i really miss about the athena is texting on a big screen. For some reason i really enjoyed that. The wmwifirouter app was useful too, though that's not exclusive to the athena. I think among the current fold of handsets the only thing that sets the athena apart is the screen size. There is nothing else on the device that can't be seen elsewhere. It just didn't cut the mustard for me as i had to persevere too much and it was a little embarrassing to use, but as they say - each to their own. One final point i will make is that i DON'T THINK the athena is a good convergence device. It provides no more than a big screen. Video performance is often shoddy, browsing does not offer full internet, the camera is pretty crap and usb host is only really of use for hid and playing music\photos. Aside from the large screen, usb host and touchscreen the n95 8gb offers: better multimedia playback (multi codec with coreplayer), a far superior camera, with shockingly better video recording functionality, integrated gps which locks on quicker than the athena and a quicker browser which allows effortless access to all but flash sites (soon to be remedied. With flash lite 3.0).. If the athena is a convergance device then the n95 8gb is just as good, particularly given it's size. You can even use a bluetooth keyboard with it. P.s. I typed all this on an n95 and it was a piece of cake!.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry, I disagree that web browsing and emailing experience is even practical at all with N95. The device is just too tiny for such purposes. I went to the shop and asked the assistant to demo it. It is way way too slow for once. The screen shows a small portion of that Athena would have shown. The input with the keypad is completely unacceptable and unpleasant.
I hate to say this, while I understand your desire to find a better browser and email client on Athena, I don't think N95 is a better one.
eaglesteve said:
Sorry, I disagree that web browsing and emailing experience is even practical at all with N95. The device is just too tiny for such purposes. I went to the shop and asked the assistant to demo it. It is way way too slow for once. The screen shows a small portion of that Athena would have shown. The input with the keypad is completely unacceptable and unpleasant.
I hate to say this, while I understand your desire to find a better browser and email client on Athena, I don't think N95 is a better one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that was too polite.
Leoni, you can't seriously be suggesting that a buggy S60 phone with a tiny screen and a gimmicky media player is even close to the Athena. My other half has an N95 and even she (a gadget hater!) thinks it is a dysfunctional version of the Iphone (now that is quite an insult, coming from her!). The only good think about it is the camera.
Leoni is right, it is about personal preference. But iof you want decent browsing, decent email, decent screen size, decent satnav, the N95 is most certainly not the way to go. Sorry.
a viewty and an EEE pc thats the way to do it
spacecat said:
a viewty and an EEE pc thats the way to do it
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
my brother just got the viewty, nice camera but the rest sucks lol
can anyone make such app - or - anyone any clue were to get a compass for our win mobiles http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlKvW89Q7Z8
As a wm power user, you should know that a compass is hardware, not software
Fitz said:
As a wm power user, you should know that a compass is hardware, not software
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yea i thought about the gsensor aint that enough for te hardware part
Gsensors don't always point north...
well if u no of any compass's i can try via gps send me the site but would be beter if we got one like the assphone
Most higher end GPS units have "electronic" compasses. It is not just something that can be enabled through software, there needs to be a hardware component as well.
As a side note, my garmin vista Hcx has an electronic compass and it makes geocaching so nice
Like this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=524294
Go to the link in the first post.
you may like this
http://htcdriver.com/index.php?page=richesse-GPS
and i also have such feature on my mapking GPS app
Any GPS app for windows mobile has a "Compass" by seeing which way you are moving and comparing that to north. A real compass can be stationary and point north more accurately. This is a hardware feature that no WM phones have. Maybe the Touch Pro 3 will have it.
Yeah, buy a real compass buddy. Its more accurately and never run out of battery and you never fear of losing GPS signal.
Oh, btw, I do have a real compass. and never use it.
Tomtom, GPS cycle, any navigation software would have a compass.
If that doesn't satisfy can always use the good old, sun rises in the east and sets in the west strategy. or go watch a few eps of Man vs Wild or survivor man and they'll show you how to find the direction.
rungvang said:
Oh, btw, I do have a real compass. and never use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly my thoughts. Who needs yet ANOTHER gimmicky app that has no real purpose? In my time on this Earth I have never needed a compass or ever even thought '**** I wish I had a compass for X task'. So why would we need a digital one in our pockets ?
The sun sets in the west and rises in the east. There's your compass.
Don't you guys sleep facing the north? After the sun has set, how do you align your salt and pepper accurately? The hardware component is a magnetometer, pigeons have them, get a pigeon!
No sorry guys, a compass can be usefuill for a lot of Apps like navigation or Games, and the IPhone ist the most powerfull mobile divice ever build compared with a stabil and smooth operating system and a gigantic and cheap Appstore with 50.000 Apps.
And half of the Apps here are just wannabe iphone-Apps.
Thats fact, and sorry that i must tell you the truth : Windows Mobile is ulgy, slow and not state of the Art.
this is a littel preview to demonstrate you the Power of the "old" iPhone 3G (the brandnew 3Gs is getting much bette/faster and has a graphics chipset similar to xBox)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWDDPAmZd5k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3TeX4OCfLc
dickenz said:
Exactly my thoughts. Who needs yet ANOTHER gimmicky app that has no real purpose? In my time on this Earth I have never needed a compass or ever even thought '**** I wish I had a compass for X task'. So why would we need a digital one in our pockets ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think lot's of people, of which you are probably one of them, don't have a clue to the purpose of the compass feature several new phones have. Apple clearly wouldn't emphasize on this feature if it were only useful to tell you where north and south are relatively to your location.
More and more apps are becoming available, which give you a view through the camera of your device, overlaying certain information, such as where the nearest ATM is, where you can find a particular shop, etc. (this technique is called Augmented Reality and it really doesn't work as good without a compass, as with a compass). There are a dozen apps available for Android at the moment using the build-in compass. That's where you need such a piece of hardware for.
Yes,
While going hunting I always take my compass, cell phone, gps, SUV, remington gun and a small atomic device...
You only need a compass if you are in the army. For night time LEARN the sky and if you get lost in the woods???during the day and need to go north??? for some reason than an application on a cellphone is the least of your problems
dickenz said:
Exactly my thoughts. Who needs yet ANOTHER gimmicky app that has no real purpose? In my time on this Earth I have never needed a compass or ever even thought '**** I wish I had a compass for X task'. So why would we need a digital one in our pockets ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Obviously you weren't geocaching yet . In the forest it can be quite difficult to say where the sun is (especially if the weather isn't that good), so a "real" compass could be really helpful. There are also a lot of other things a "real" compass is good for.
As far as I know the HTC Magic (running Android) has got one, hasn't it?
And please stop this "Iphone vs. WM" talk, I think it was covered so many times in so many threads already ...
I don't understand these people claiming that their Iphone is so much better, but actually they are using a WM device and using forums for WM devices. That's quite strange, isn't it?. My suggestion: Get an Iphone and let us enjoy our WM devices please!
I want to compare Nexus S's GPS to Galaxy S's. So could anyone there make a simple track with Nexus S walking and driving for atleast 2km. If possible do the tracking with a Galaxy S tracking at the same time as well.
Thanks
I actually have both a Nexus S and Vibrant, so I could do this for you. Is there any particular app you have in mind to do it with?
I guess you can use MyTracks.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
I did a 14km mountain bike ride with Runkeeper on, yesterday. Was my first try with the app (normally use MyTracks but this was my first ride since switching to the Nexus S). Not sure how to share it but this link is a start.
One thing I did notice is that the beginning of my ride included a 28 mile 'warp' from where I'd been using Google Maps the day before! I guess in future I need to give it a little more time establishing that initial fix before I press start. Luckily I was able to edit out that point to get the real route.
Please someone make a Mytracks tracking With a Nexus S and another phone (preferably HTC cause those have very good GPS units) and upload the results.
There you go.
I just made this one with my Nexus S:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U....555383,-44.264713&spn=0.002128,0.003484&z=19
Keep in mind that the sky was full of heavy clouds so I can't guarantee that the GPS was operating on its full accuracy.
A couple of months ago I made a track recording with my Motorola Milestone, here's the link:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...900089483924351110.0004990b6c3698b559c65&z=14
When I first saw the Nexus S track i was like "holy sh*t this looks bad". But then I went to my old milestone track and it was almost the same. You can only see how bad it is once you zoom in a lot.
nicholasbgr said:
There you go.
I just made this one with my Nexus S:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U....555383,-44.264713&spn=0.002128,0.003484&z=19
Keep in mind that the sky was full of heavy clouds so I can't guarantee that the GPS was operating on its full accuracy.
A couple of months ago I made a track recording with my Motorola Milestone, here's the link:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...900089483924351110.0004990b6c3698b559c65&z=14
When I first saw the Nexus S track i was like "holy sh*t this looks bad". But then I went to my old milestone track and it was almost the same. You can only see how bad it is once you zoom in a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Based on these two I would say that the Nexus S GPS is still not good enough or its just the weather. I hope the latter.
I'll try to post one of my old tracks from the same location made with HTC Hero (custom ROM though) and Google MyTracks. I'd do it now but the interface is impossible on this netbook screen!
Anyway - for me the Nexus S gets a fix much faster and seems generally at least as accurate, possibly more so.
You will only get at best about 3.5m accuracy from a regular gps device without dgps (waas/egnos). No phones that I know of, support dgps. With dgps you can get accurate to about 0.9m
If you need more accuracy then there are external gps/bluetooth modules that have dgps and fast refresh rates, for about $80.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
Worse GPS than N1
Anecdotally and without any quantifiable experimentation, but based on using mytracks with GPS extremely regularly for running, I can say the GPS in the Nexus S seems a bit worse thanin the Nexus One. I didn't have both in my possession simultaneously for long enough to do the same track with both but I have loads of old Nexus One tracked routes I could re-run with the Nexus S to compare. The N1 gave me trouble every once in a while too though and the clouds have been rowdy lately, possibly contributing, so I'm optimistic. It's bearable in any case other than seeming to take more of a battery drain (again, anecdotally).
OK, here's a bunch of tracks from my HTC Hero if you're interested in trying to compare them.
http://goo.gl/maps/XSG4
(For convenience, the Nexus S link from earlier is this)
As I say, based purely on my observation the Nexus S gets the fix faster. Having a zoomed-in look at the two maps would say to me they're both as accurate as I could wish for.
from what I understand, the gps chip in the ns is good in terms of performance, locks faster, keeps lock longer under low signal conditions etc but isn't necessarily any more accurate than any of the previous models wear. gps accuracy is purposely limited for civilian use and I believe most chips out there can achieve that accuracy as long as they are able to track the required number of satellites.
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA App
eahiv said:
Anecdotally and without any quantifiable experimentation, but based on using mytracks with GPS extremely regularly for running, I can say the GPS in the Nexus S seems a bit worse thanin the Nexus One.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with this. I use my gps and navigation all the time to drive around and the nexus s gps is typically 30 - 50ft behind the positioning marker. With my N1 it felt like the marker was about 10ft within my location.
Also I notice that the gps sometimes misplaces my postioning marker on the map and the compass points in the wrong direction. These arent problems I had with my N1 but perhaps because its cloudier now than when I had my N1.
I'd give the N1 gps a 9, and the NS gps a 6. What makes up for the weird accuracy issues is the bigger screen.
Thank you for all the replies. If at all possible, could someone still make one comparison with an external bluetooth gps, for example the nokia LD-3W. Also the higher update rate GPS's would be nice to compare.
As of the results, I'd conclude that Nexus S definitely has the same GPS chip and almost the same firmware as the SGS's, but antennas have definitely been improved. Atleast now the GPS on all SGS series devices, including the Nexus S, are capable of running a "satnav" properly. Now if I only could get my compass and accelerometer working on my SGS / JPX
I'm planning on getting an external bt GPS module for autocross, I'll report back then.
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Hi, I have an idea for an app but lack the knowhow to create it.
It is a relatively simple idea, an app that allows you and your friends to connect to a "racing track" (Made on google maps) and for it to show your friends speed, distance in front of you and the remaining distance of the track.
I have not been able to find anything similar to this on the market. If anyone thinks this app would be useful/cool and wants to develop it please let me know.
I like thw way your thinking but this has sooo many flaws that would just not make it marketable.
Is this for being on foot? If so, not bad, but quite dull I imagine.
If its by car, then youre inciting speed, using a mobile whilst driving, and not paying attention to the road.
Maybe if you had a start position, and then the end position, plus the route was secret til tou reached certain checkpoint?
posted direct from the legend that is the x10i... the fastest processor, the slowest response...
Lmao. It would be sweet. But I can't help think of death and a complete disregard for traffic laws while using this type of app. Hilarious.
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Dr_Ownage said:
Hi, I have an idea for an app but lack the knowhow to create it.
It is a relatively simple idea, an app that allows you and your friends to connect to a "racing track" (Made on google maps) and for it to show your friends speed, distance in front of you and the remaining distance of the track.
I have not been able to find anything similar to this on the market. If anyone thinks this app would be useful/cool and wants to develop it please let me know.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you are talking about running, I believe CardioTrainer has a feature to race people around the world. I have not tried it out.
i think (hope) that dr_ownage it's referring to something like trackaroo but reference to your friends / anyone who use the app on the same track.
For example I used to record and post videos when "racing" in Monza Gp Track once a year; it would be good to see pals times in real-time while driving and "race" a little bit.
Sometime you are half a lap distant of your pal and no one wants to stop and wait for the others (yep we are competitive and we have payed fair enough to waste even a single second).
+1 for the idea, I could've helped (I'm a java developer) but I have my hands full with other projects.
Regards
It does not necessarily require the disregard of laws. You see there would be certain areas of road where the speed limit is far beyond what someone would/could reach around an uphill curvy road.
On google maps you can make routes could we use this predetermined route as our race track?
Could we display this map on the bottom half of the screen?
on the top half could we have rectangular boxes filling the screen in width displaying |driver name|current speed|distance in front|
eg.
|John|60km/h|50m |
|Matt|62km/h|25m |
|Me |58km/h|-----| (display this one larger)
|Mike|65km/h|-20m|
then if mike we to over take me, his name would swap position with mine.
I was thinking there should be an emergency button so if someone has a problem you can hit the button and their name on everyones screen would start flashing so people know to stop and wait.
Could the times and tracks be stored and recorded, for ghost racing (beat your own times or friends time without them been there)?
I dont think this app would mean you have to break the law it would just be a good way to go driving together in general. There are lots of roads where the speed limit is FAR above what you can reach around when your going uphill and around a corner.
I have a Sony smartwatch an thinking about picking up a fitness band. Looking at the Garmin vivosmart because of its touch screen yet slim profile. Also does notifications. But main reason because android wear sucks at fitness stats. But I can't help but feel having both is a bit redundant. Anyone out there using both? Together? Separately for different occasions?
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What specifically are you looking for that you can't get out of programs like Endomoto, Runkeeper, and Ghostrunner?
So, i ask, because before my SW3, i had (and returned) a Garmin 920XT (same software line as the VivoSmart). While the 920XT was functional, i couldn't find anything it did that justified the price over the SW3. While its not a great program, Google Fit keeps track of steps, and the aforementioned programs track and record fitness activities just great (Ghostrunner can export to Runkeeper or Strava). Perhaps you are in need to the really serious stats that the Garmin RUN-HRM, but then i would point you to the 920XT, and not the Smart...
Divine_Madcat said:
What specifically are you looking for that you can't get out of programs like Endomoto, Runkeeper, and Ghostrunner?
So, i ask, because before my SW3, i had (and returned) a Garmin 920XT (same software line as the VivoSmart). While the 920XT was functional, i couldn't find anything it did that justified the price over the SW3. While its not a great program, Google Fit keeps track of steps, and the aforementioned programs track and record fitness activities just great (Ghostrunner can export to Runkeeper or Strava). Perhaps you are in need to the really serious stats that the Garmin RUN-HRM, but then i would point you to the 920XT, and not the Smart...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not running activity that my Sony SW fails to take care of, it's the daily day to day fitness aspects such as steps taken, distance, inactivity, etc. And it's not a direct reflection on the Sony. It's android wear and it's terrible implementation of fitness tracking. The sony just actually benefits for running/biking because of the gps. But I wish it did the things I mentioned a second ago. It does steps but can't trust it at all.
For what its worth (again, having had the Garmin and going to the Sony), the Sony does no worse than the Garmin in terms of step accuracy (as in, its not). My 920 would count any bump (driving was particularly bad). Between google fit and runkeeper i get my same total information i did using garmin connect, so it works. But certainly, YMMV.
I'm using a Moto 360 and a Fitbit. The Fitbit is nice because you can use it to connect to MyFitnessPal to update and compensate for how much working out you've done. Currently Moto 360 has to be linked with the Jawbone UP app, which kinda blows.
I use a vivosmart to compliment my wear watch. In the end I didn't think the integration with my health ecosystem worked well enough and I am a heavy Garmin user as I am a keen cyclist
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spencer_uk said:
I use a vivosmart to compliment my wear watch. In the end I didn't think the integration with my health ecosystem worked well enough and I am a heavy Garmin user as I am a keen cyclist
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Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had bought that and returned as I thought it was redundant having two things that displayed notifications. But now I'm tempted to get it again. Just sick of android wear an its lack of fitness tracking. I was going to get the fitbit flex because its the most minimal at $100 but than the vivosmart is just as minimal an actually shows you your info. So I don't know what to do.
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I went for the vivosmart as I am already in their ecosystem as I use their cycle computers. Also I like the fact I can stick on an heart rate monitor with it when I go running
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