GPS and Weather... - Touch 3G General

To get GPS working on the HTC Touch 3G do you have to have an internet connection or can I just use it like I do with my SatNav system in my car?
Also, I read somewhere that the weather is updated by GPS but I can't seem to get that working. The manual seems to point at needing an internet connection!
Any help on this would be great!
Thanks.

1st question : Gps only needs a software like TomTom to run, no internet connection except if you want google maps.
2nd question : Weather needs a connection (either wifi or 3G) to update, it isn't updated by the GPS.

moedinha said:
1st question : Gps only needs a software like TomTom to run, no internet connection except if you want google maps.
2nd question : Weather needs a connection (either wifi or 3G) to update, it isn't updated by the GPS.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, I used Google Maps and maybe that's why it asked me for a connection. Anyone have any ideas for the best mobile navigation software for the Touch 3G? I don't want something that will run so slow I can't use it. Something simple and fast would be good.
Thanks moedinha

quaium said:
Right, I used Google Maps and maybe that's why it asked me for a connection. Anyone have any ideas for the best mobile navigation software for the Touch 3G? I don't want something that will run so slow I can't use it. Something simple and fast would be good.
Thanks moedinha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try Garmin Mobile XT. It's good.
have a look a this discussion http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=472110&highlight=gps+software

I agree with azahidi,
I've been using Garmin Mobile XT since the day I got my Touch 3G
I always get a satellite lock in under 10 seconds (just update QuickGPS)
I have Thailand and Philippines map installed

Google Maps are good and are free, also TomTom is a good recommendation.

Related

how to get gps on wing like dash ?

I find it funny that the dash is able to get the gps working on google maps and when it comes to the wing (MUMZZZ)the word.!
can someone help me if there is a logical answer and solution to my dilemma ...........
this is wrong in sooooooooo many ways. first, neither the dash (HTC excalibur) nor the wing (HTC Herald/Atlas) have built-in GPS.
Google maps uses data, does it not? So theoretically, anywhere you have a data connection, you can use google maps.
If by gps you mean an external gps, it's only a matter of tethering your gps to your phone, which is relatively self-explanatory
ok
so how is the dash able to track location on google maps also searches for gps and is successful . unless a buddy of mine has a special dash ..
i believe google just implemented a new service that uses cellphone tower triangulation to determine an approximate location. does it show your friends location as a dot or a dot over a larger, lighter colored dot?
I was going to post this yesterday, but didnt get a chance to..
GPS on the wing is NOT possible, UNLESS using a gps device.
THOUGH, google maps (the newest version) has a way of attempting to find your location without GPS. It uses cell phone towers to triangulate your posistion. This is not as accurate as GPS though, it can be anywhere dead on your posistion, or it could be 1500 meters off. it just depends on the amount of cell coverage in the area.
i dont know
if their using triangulation off of towers to get a position how com it doesn't work on my wing ? I have the new version of gmaps there has to be a way to implement a gps program into the wing come on people lets put our heads together something good has to come out off this
rosco32 said:
if their using triangulation off of towers to get a position how com it doesn't work on my wing ? I have the new version of gmaps there has to be a way to implement a gps program into the wing come on people lets put our heads together something good has to come out off this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ofcourse you can "implement a gps program" just connect teh wing to a gps-mouse und use one of these:
- tomtom
- mn
- navigator
- destinator
- route66
rosco32 said:
if their using triangulation off of towers to get a position how com it doesn't work on my wing ? I have the new version of gmaps there has to be a way to implement a gps program into the wing come on people lets put our heads together something good has to come out off this
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you hit 0 (zero) ?
GPS
fzzyrn said:
this is wrong in sooooooooo many ways. first, neither the dash (HTC excalibur) nor the wing (HTC Herald/Atlas) have built-in GPS.
Google maps uses data, does it not? So theoretically, anywhere you have a data connection, you can use google maps.
If by gps you mean an external gps, it's only a matter of tethering your gps to your phone, which is relatively self-explanatory
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got a question for you may be stupid but hey gotta start somewhere... I hae a Garmin and wanted to know how to "tether" my garmin to my wing for Gmaps? Can you help me out?

no GPS signal

Hi. i've just bought a X1. after installing garmine mobil xt, but i cant get any gps signal. any one that knows how or what i've done wrong?. I've tried to use seriell port and the intemediant but whith no luck. Please any one
my google maps have problem too..
always showing me wrong locations.. not moving with car etc..
is there a problem with X1 gps?
i don't know if there is any problem, my garmin prog starts but i cant get any signal on the built in gps
Where have you been testing it? If in-door, try outside. I have seen the same message iwth TomTom when in a building, but when I'm outside and try to get a GPS fix, it's quick.
i've been testing out doors but i cant get any signal with the X1 but with mt Garmin uvi i get it quick. where can i get the GPS fix?
Ves said:
Where have you been testing it? If in-door, try outside. I have seen the same message iwth TomTom when in a building, but when I'm outside and try to get a GPS fix, it's quick.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here had problems inside the TT7 but outside works like a charm.
Run app called QuickGPS, installed by default (you should have icon in programs). It downloads small file with actual settings of GPS satelites. My X1 couldnt fix position too, but after updating this db it works like charm. I get position in less than 30s
it's not a x1 gps thing that it don't work indoors thats a std gps thing
i use tomtom and it never have any problem
leobox1 said:
my google maps have problem too..
always showing me wrong locations.. not moving with car etc..
is there a problem with X1 gps?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
that's because you haven't enable GPS in Google Maps, but instead are using Cell Tower estimations for your location.
Is there a way to only use gps in google maps? I cannot figure out how to. It keeps trying to connect to gprs even with gps selected. [email protected]!
contaygious said:
Is there a way to only use gps in google maps? I cannot figure out how to. It keeps trying to connect to gprs even with gps selected. [email protected]!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It HAS to use a wireless connection to grab the map data.
contaygious said:
Is there a way to only use gps in google maps? I cannot figure out how to. It keeps trying to connect to gprs even with gps selected. [email protected]!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
actually thats connection is to download the map images.

[Q] Google Maps with GPS

hi everyone ! can anyone tell me how i can use Google Maps with Gps technology ?? when i select "Use GPS" it says "Network Unavailable"
You're connected to the Internet?
An activated GPRS, EDGE or UMTS is necessary.
sharax said:
You're connected to the Internet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no i'm not !
Dnst said:
An activated GPRS, EDGE or UMTS is necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you mean if i want to browse maps with gps, i have to connect to the internet ??
Oh yes the maps are not on your device they are downloaded!!
Google Maps gets your location from the GPS sensor, but then has to go online to download the actual map data for that area.
so if the map of the area we are in, was downloaded befor then i think there wont be any problem ! i think it would be just like the quick gps software in diamond ! am i right ?
I think that should be a way of download the map and use it offline. Some cracker should make it easy
diogoperas said:
I think that should be a way of download the map and use it offline. Some cracker should make it easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hehe, i tried 5 different apps and currently use gpsVP /w cached Gmaps imgs
pretty good for a free app, altho not totally easy to set up as there is no info...
since there is no maps for japan that i know of, never tried a commercial product, then again i prefer gmaps and my brain for navigation
diogoperas said:
I think that should be a way of download the map and use it offline. Some cracker should make it easy
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
in the last few versions of gmaps just install it onto the storage card and then you can just save whats in the applicationdata\googlemaps folder and use that offline
Dnst said:
An activated GPRS, EDGE or UMTS is necessary.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can also be Wifi.
hey everybody, first post here....
i read that i should not start new posts if theres one going already.
I got my diamond about a month ago, its an alltel cdma diamond with original ROM, no registry tweaks, pretty much stock.
the GPS is being finicky. ive tried atleast 10-15 different GPS applications (all freeware or trials) and they are alway hit or miss. sometimes i get a 6-12 sat lock in seconds, even indoors... but sometimes i cant lock on outside even after 15min or more (even if i had a lock on less then 8hrs earlier). Ive been trying to find a pattern to why it sometimes works (certain settings, maybe after a resets, quick gps, etc)
side note, i used the G-Watch app while in poland where i have no phone coverage. it worked perfectly everytime i turned it on with almost instant lockon. but back in florida every program i try sometimes works and sometimes doesnt, even if i turned the phone to airplane mode.
question 1- is this considered normal for the alltel diamond
question 2- does the software that costs money (ie tomtom) work any better/more consistently
question 3 - could there be something wrong with my phone
question 4 - any ideas how to make it more stable
thanx for the help
also, on some of the gps programs, it will say i have found up to 8 or so sats, but wont lock onto any of them...
thanx again

Do you have to have data plan for GPS?

I have T-Mobile USA. Can I use the GPS without a data plan?
What is meant by data plan ?
azahidi said:
What is meant by data plan ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Internet Plan
I only have a plan with minutes and no internet.
DanRo80 said:
Internet Plan
I only have a plan with minutes and no internet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some GPS applications, e.g. Garmin mobile and many freeware GPS apps, do not require internet connection. Google maps mobile requires internet connection, of course.
azahidi said:
Some GPS applications, e.g. Garmin mobile and many freeware GPS apps, do not require internet connection. Google maps mobile requires internet connection, of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you are not able to use QuickGPS for faster detection of the satellites.
But I do not know if this is necessary/useful for these programs.
MvBoe said:
And you are not able to use QuickGPS for faster detection of the satellites.
But I do not know if this is necessary/useful for these programs.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
True that QuickGPS is supposed to assist in faster GPS detection. However I am not sure how much faster, I mean by how many seconds faster (no empirical measure). From my experience, satellite detection without QuickGPS updated for a few weeks, is still quite fast, a few ten seconds - but still dependant on the sky/cloud condition. I am talking from where I live - equatorial. I am not sure about north of the tropics (Europe and N.America)
A definite no!
You do not need a data plan to use the GPS! Depending on which cellular company you go with, some of their people will try to tell or sell you on a plan. You do not need it.
For WM 5 and above, it is recommended that you let WM manage your GPS for all programs. To do this go to the System Settings tab and select the External GPS app (why it is called external is beyond me). Then move through the tabs to configure the GPS. Ideally, use a port that is not in use. I typically use 9. Then click the box to have WM manage the GPS for all programs that need data from it.
Now, you just need software and there is plenty of free programs out. One utility I recommend is GPS Toggle (http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-gps-toggle.html ). This small Today screen plug-in will turn on the Jade GPS to quote warm it up for you. If the GPS has not been turned on in awhile, it can take up to 10 minutes or longer to have it lock onto four satellites which is what is considered necessary for satellite navigation (satnav). During this period, the satellites will use your time signal as one of the primary pieces of info to sync your GPS. Then based upon the positon of the satellites, they will identify your location. Once they have downloaded enough data to the GPS and are in sync, your GPS will become satnav capable.
Another app you might to look at is GPSToday (http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-gpstoday-v0-9.html#). I recommend setting this app as separate one and not a Today screen plug-in but that is your choice after reviewing what it is capable of doing. I love that it can geotag pictures taken by Jade which basically takes quote dumb or pictures that do not have typical computer info written into them. You can even use it to mark where you parked your car (at a stadium or large event), store the coordinates and have it navigate back to your car. Another good use is for geocaching.
These are just two small apps. What you really want now is iGO8 (highly recommended), TomTom or another commercial software program.
__________________
WM 6.5 HTC T3232 (clone)
running iGO8
Everywhere I look it seems that iGO8 is only for iPhone, but people say they are using it. I am also in the United States.
DanRo80 said:
Everywhere I look it seems that iGO8 is only for iPhone, but people say they are using it. I am also in the United States.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you look here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=472110&highlight=gps+software), it might give you an idea. iGo8 has been used on Jade.
azahidi said:
If you look here (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=472110&highlight=gps+software), it might give you an idea. iGo8 has been used on Jade.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I was in there. It's just that the website said that it was for the iPhone and it looked like it was for Europe only. Nevermind, I am just dopey. I see that it is also for America and Canada.

[Q] GPS - Does it Really Require Wifi? [SOLVED/ANSWERED]

Does the Tablet Really Require the Wifi to be On to use it? Only way we can get it to work is if we turn the Wifi on and then it uses AGPS.
Downloaded GPS Status and it sorta seems to confirm this. Ive read other sites of people returning the product and getting another and GPS works outta the box w/o Wifi?
Thoughts? Solutions?
--Solved -- Issue seems defective Equipment. GPS works Fine in Airplane Mode with GPS on. Tablet was returned for another and now works.
Haven't checked this, but it seems a bit silly. Why would you need a (static) wifi connection when u use the GPS (for moving around). Doesn't make any sense. I will test this tonight.
spaanplaat said:
Haven't checked this, but it seems a bit silly. Why would you need a (static) wifi connection when u use the GPS (for moving around). Doesn't make any sense. I will test this tonight.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With the one we have here I can Confirm the only way i can get it to work is with WiFi on. And Acer Support confirms this..
But there is so much conflicting information out there that Id like to see if it can get cleared up.
If people are returning them and their new ones are working fine with normal GPS then did ACER have a Bad Lot? Or are these folks just making rumors.
I've just quickly checked this with Chartcross GPS Test. With WIFI on I could see one satellite indoors. I switched off WIFI and then saw four satelites, so it would seem that WIFI does not have to be switched on for GPS to work. However, having a data connection is always a good thing to get AGPS data with.
Sent from my A500 using XDA Premium App
From my experiance, no it doesn't . I have been using mine with the wifi off with no problems. I use Copilot Live USA to get around all day at work. One thing is, is that Copilot freezes on me if I try to go into the settings menues.
Acer Says Yes
I chatted with an Acer rep this morning and was informed WIFI or 3G is designed to work with the GPS. GPS will not work if there is no data signal. Being hardheaded I called hoping to find someone with more knowledge on this matter and was told the exact same thing, NO WIFI/3G = NO GPS. With this set back I have decided to return.
But I am curious why some peoples are working and others are not?
Im sure my Buddy will post here soon.
but he called Acer and they are saying that it requires Wifi for GPS by Design.
So if everyone else is able to do it.. and he isnt and Acer says thats the way it should be..
Then either some folks have an "added' feature design flaw or they are Fibbing about it. Or Acer just dont know what they are talking about and my buddy has a defective one.
I do not seem to need to be connected to Wifi for GPS to work. I did notice something interesting while researching this though. 22% of my battery usage was coming from cellular. Thats a huge amount of power being used up to poll for a cellular signal that a wifi device isn't doing anything with.
I added about two hours to my battery life by turning the tablet on Airplane mode and then enabled Wifi. Thankfully the little airplane icon in the status bar is only there for a few seconds
The issue is not GPS need WiFi. It is the map need WiFi or 3G datalink in order to be updated with the GPS signal. Your tablet does not preloaded a map like a portable Garmin or TomTom GPS device does.
The GPS does not require Wifi to work, however if you are using an app like Google Maps, this app DEPENDS on wifi to download map and pois. Google Maps is not like your GPS software on your TomTom or Garmin GPS, it downloads the data using the cell modem or in this case the wifi on the device.
To summarize, if you use an app like Copilot or another GPS app that has maps predownloaded then the GPS works just fine on it's own without Wifi.
I hope this clears it up.
john0dean said:
The issue is not GPS need WiFi. It is the map need WiFi or 3G datalink in order to be updated with the GPS signal. Your tablet does not preloaded a map like a portable Garmin or TomTom GPS device does.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Neoprimal said:
The GPS does not require Wifi to work, however if you are using an app like Google Maps, this app DEPENDS on wifi to download map and pois. Google Maps is not like your GPS software on your TomTom or Garmin GPS, it downloads the data using the cell modem or in this case the wifi on the device.
To summarize, if you use an app like Copilot or another GPS app that has maps predownloaded then the GPS works just fine on it's own without Wifi.
I hope this clears it up.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then Why Doesn't Foursquare, Gowalla, Or even the GPS Icon Activate.. Or Even using GPS Status.. Using GPS Status It wont do anything unless WiFi is on.
Totally Understand that you need wifi For Map Downloading. But when you have a Static Predownloaded Map using like MapDroid or Even TomTom Software the Maps are preloaded nothing to download.
So you all Are SERIOUSLY saying that your GPS works Fine with out WiFi I ask you to download GPS Status and Try it with out Wifi Being on and See if you can get your GPS to come on and get a Lock.
Because Acer Support has already said that the GPS is WiFi dependent.
sammyboy405 said:
Then Why Doesn't Foursquare, Gowalla, Or even the GPS Icon Activate.. Or Even using GPS Status.. Using GPS Status It wont do anything unless WiFi is on.
Totally Understand that you need wifi For Map Downloading. But when you have a Static Predownloaded Map using like MapDroid or Even TomTom Software the Maps are preloaded nothing to download.
So you all Are SERIOUSLY saying that your GPS works Fine with out WiFi I ask you to download GPS Status and Try it with out Wifi Being on and See if you can get your GPS to come on and get a Lock.
Because Acer Support has already said that the GPS is WiFi dependent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ok, this is what I did. Turned off wifi and ran GPS status. It locked on to 3 of 6 sat so I guess it works. With wifi on it seems to locate more sat and locks on quickee.
Just to make sure in settings you do have GPS on under location and security correct?
Reply
I tried using MapDroyd with all preloaded maps, it would not give me a Red X for location until I flipped on wifi. That was the only reason I contacted tech support and both chat and phone told me the same thing. There is no power to the GPS until 3G/WIFI is active. Sounds stupid I know, I like the tablet and what nothing more than to keep it but I just refuse to keep something that is configured in such a way. I can live with the AdHoc issue since I know that can eventually be resolved.
Disclaimer - These are not my words but the words directly from Acer tech support.
Trust me I was very clear that I had maps pre-downloaded and the person on the phone was very clear what they told me about how the hardware was configured.
michaelg1030 - YES
T0yman said:
I tried using MapDroyd with all preloaded maps, it would not give me a Red X for location until I flipped on wifi. That was the only reason I contacted tech support and both chat and phone told me the same thing. There is no power to the GPS until 3G/WIFI is active. Sounds stupid I know, I like the tablet and what nothing more than to keep it but I just refuse to keep something that is configured in such a way. I can live with the AdHoc issue since I know that can eventually be resolved.
Disclaimer - These are not my words but the words directly from Acer tech support.
Trust me I was very clear that I had maps pre-downloaded and the person on the phone was very clear what they told me about how it the hardware was configured.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not sure I believe what they said.
I just did one more test. I turned wifi off. Reset my tablet. Made sure wifi was still off. Opened up GPS Statues and it locked on to 5 of 7 sat in less than a min indoors. I dont have any nav software with maps so I can't test that. If GPS status shows nothing with wifi off for you I'd exchange it for a new one.
sammyboy405 said:
Then Why Doesn't Foursquare, Gowalla, Or even the GPS Icon Activate.. Or Even using GPS Status.. Using GPS Status It wont do anything unless WiFi is on.
Totally Understand that you need wifi For Map Downloading. But when you have a Static Predownloaded Map using like MapDroid or Even TomTom Software the Maps are preloaded nothing to download.
So you all Are SERIOUSLY saying that your GPS works Fine with out WiFi I ask you to download GPS Status and Try it with out Wifi Being on and See if you can get your GPS to come on and get a Lock.
Because Acer Support has already said that the GPS is WiFi dependent.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of those programs work without a data connection. Once you use a program that works without requiring some sort of data, the GPS will work.
I don't really care what Acer says - if you call acer and ask 10 people the same question, there's a possibility you'll get several different answers.
I know what I've experienced, and that is that the gps works with wifi disabled.
I'm confused on what you're debating exactly though, are you saying that the gps does not activate/work without wifi or that it doesn't lock on to satellites?
If you want a simpler test to see if it works/activates simply refresh your weather widget manually and with no wifi connection - you'll see the gps icon pop up and it will say searching for satellites. It won't work, since the weather can't update without data but you'll see that it activates the gps.
In essence, the gps in the A500 works exactly like our cell gps, there's no difference. It's Assisted GPS (aGPS) and requires a data connection to locate the satellites quickly vs. standalone or autonomous GPS found in our Garmin/Tom Tom/etc. Without data it's going to take you 10m-20m to find a lock, with data, 3-5m. This might be what's messing with people. The good thing is if you lock on when you get into your vehicle with help from your wifi for example, then you won't have to wait for it to lock on at some other point. Since my gps is on in the tablet all the time, it's locked in and I suppose that's why I'm not having a problem in my tests.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the GPS in use on these devices uses aGPS (assisted GPS) - which uses a combination of cell tower info (if using 3G) and/or known WiFi hotspot locations to help nail down the starting location and speed up the discovery of satellites.
Y'know, the stuff that Apple & Google are getting in so much trouble for having recently
michaelg1030 said:
Not sure I believe what they said.
I just did one more test. I turned wifi off. Reset my tablet. Made sure wifi was still off. Opened up GPS Statues and it locked on to 5 of 7 sat in less than a min indoors. I dont have any nav software with maps so I can't test that. If GPS status shows nothing with wifi off for you I'd exchange it for a new one.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK I will be heading that way for an exchange and update the info once I am back home. Thanks everyone for your input, like I said I like the tablet but the no GPS thing just never made since.
T0yman said:
OK I will be heading that way for an exchange and update the info once I am back home. Thanks everyone for your input, like I said I like the tablet but the no GPS thing just never made since.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good Luck.
you can get app fasterfix from market t
it worked great for me.
i also can not keeo co-pilot from crashing locking up sent them email hope its fixed
soon
Replacement
Ok I am back home after going to BestBuy and picking up a replacement Acer A500. This one grabs my current location using current setup.
Airplane Mode On
WIFI Off
GPS On
I will be going in to the city tomorrow and run a few more tests, will post a new update after but this is looking promising. Thanks again for the feedback!

Categories

Resources