HTC

[speedbird1]

I've just used GMaps for the first time and it is great.

Question is does it need internet access to work or just GPS? If I go to another country will it work WITHOUT using internet access?

As internet roaming charges are so high i don't want to access the web whilst overseas.

[darrenrmiller]

Hi,

It will need internet access as the maps are downloaded. I don't believe there is a way of pre-loading google maps onto your phone.

At present as you move location or zoom in the new data required to render the map will downloaded over the internet.

[zzubnik]

I wish you could download a set of maps for this, like with my current Satnav. The fear of data use stops me from using this, as 500mb per month certainly isn't "unlimited" by any means!

[NeoBlade]

If you want maps pre-cached then you can use Brut's version of Google Maps (its on XDA) which stores the map tiles onto your SDCard before you travel. Or you could purchase CoPilot for around £22 which won't require an internet connection for it to work.

[zzubnik]

Wow, that sounds great, I'm reading up on it now. Thanks mate!

[NeoBlade]

I remember using it in CM5 builds as it was the first to enable Navigation to UK users via a hack Obviously its enabled now officially so he's been working on storing the map tiles on SDCard. Tell me how it goes as it should install alongside your stock Maps.

[James]

Hi Speedbird1,

Looks like Neoblade has this one sorted here, thanks for the help NeoBlade.

James
eForum team

[speedbird1]

If you want maps pre-cached then you can use Brut's version of Google Maps (its on XDA) which stores the map tiles onto your SDCard before you travel. Or you could purchase CoPilot for around £22 which won't require an internet connection for it to work.

Many thanks NeoBlade, what the dickens is XDA? is this going to be something so complicated that an idiot like me will never manage?

[speedbird1]

Having looked a bit at XDA, there is no way that i could master that.

I have looked on the VF website and it appears to be a quid a Mb a day, up to 5Mb then a fiver each further 5 Mb (which i'm sure is the same as each other)

Now that does not appear too bad, however i do not know how much Mb-ness Google maps uses in operation.

Any ideas anyone?

[NeoBlade]

Hi Speedbird. Well here's the thread I was talking about...

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=630887

Might be worth going through it. I used to use it before when it was version 7 and as you can see its been updated to version 17 now! When having an Android phone its well worth paying for the Data package. See if you can have it added to your contract or if VF offer a data bundle if you're on Pay&G.

I wouldn't use the internet though when abroad as the costs are just crazy...

[speedbird1]

Hi Speedbird. Well here's the thread I was talking about...

http://forum.xda-dev...ad.php?t=630887

Might be worth going through it. I used to use it before when it was version 7 and as you can see its been updated to version 17 now! When having an Android phone its well worth paying for the Data package. See if you can have it added to your contract or if VF offer a data bundle if you're on Pay&G.

I wouldn't use the internet though when abroad as the costs are just crazy...

Thanks guys for all the advice, especially NeoBlade, however after starting to read the link above, if i tried that i would end with a brick.

I will take my chance with VF and roaming charges.

Thanks

[NeoBlade]

You can't brick a phone by installing this app... The term "brick" means that it will render your phone 100% dead and will not turn on at all. The worse case scenario for this app, would be a Force Close and then you just un-install it like any other Android app in the Market.

Depending on how often you will use the maps, it might be better off purchasing CoPilot and the Maps required... See if the costs work out the same. Granted though speedbird, I had a quick read to catch up on the Brut Maps mod and it looks like its grown a hell of a lot since! Not quite as user friendly as it could be, especially with the map tiles and map editing.

Don't blame you though for not using it for now but keep an eye on it, I'm sure Brut will make it a bit more user friendly in the future Have you tried looking at alternatives for navigation?

[speedbird1]

You can't brick a phone by installing this app... The term "brick" means that it will render your phone 100% dead and will not turn on at all. The worse case scenario for this app, would be a Force Close and then you just un-install it like any other Android app in the Market.

Depending on how often you will use the maps, it might be better off purchasing CoPilot and the Maps required... See if the costs work out the same. Granted though speedbird, I had a quick read to catch up on the Brut Maps mod and it looks like its grown a hell of a lot since! Not quite as user friendly as it could be, especially with the map tiles and map editing.

Don't blame you though for not using it for now but keep an eye on it, I'm sure Brut will make it a bit more user friendly in the future Have you tried looking at alternatives for navigation?

Sorry about that, by brick i meant a phone that would not work due to me being rubbish at this sort of stuff.

Alternative nav? yes i have a Tomtom but it just looks wrong to be walking and holding that great thing.

I will look at Co-Pilot and maybe have to try that.

It is only Munich to start with that i wanted to use the phone with, so if there are alternatives pray tell.

Thanks for your input again NeoBlade.

[NeoBlade]

No worries speedbird I probably reacted to the word "brick" as I see it bantered about a lot on XDA and from others when the term doesn't fit the bill at all. Its much like how a Windows desktop could get slow and its blamed on a "virus"

CoPilot - http://www.alk.eu.com/copilot/
Hmm... I forgot to factor in the costs of the Maps actually with CoPilot - http://www.alk.eu.com/buynow/maps/

NavDroyd might be worth looking at but sadly its not free - http://www.navdroyd.com/onboard-turn-by-turn-navigation-software

If I get some spare time I'll install it on my Magic and give it a quick blast to see if it can be installed alongside stock GMaps without fuss, and how difficult/easy it would be to cache the maps.

There was a free/no data solution to maps and navigation but for the life of me I can't remember the name of it...

[speedbird1]

No worries speedbird I probably reacted to the word "brick" as I see it bantered about a lot on XDA and from others when the term doesn't fit the bill at all. Its much like how a Windows desktop could get slow and its blamed on a "virus"

CoPilot - http://www.alk.eu.com/copilot/
Hmm... I forgot to factor in the costs of the Maps actually with CoPilot - http://www.alk.eu.com/buynow/maps/

NavDroyd might be worth looking at but sadly its not free - http://www.navdroyd....gation-software

If I get some spare time I'll install it on my Magic and give it a quick blast to see if it can be installed alongside stock GMaps without fuss, and how difficult/easy it would be to cache the maps.

There was a free/no data solution to maps and navigation but for the life of me I can't remember the name of it...

You've been a star. Thanks again.

[speedbird1]

Just for information:

I took a look at NavDroyd as suggested and for the princley sum of about £4.50 i now have all the maps i need without incurring data charges as it runs purely from GPS.

It is very similar in feel to Google Maps so is quite easy to operate.

All and every map is free, so i guess the charge is for the software to run it on the Android phone.

So far it seems good, hopefully it will continue to be.

Saves me from carrying the Tomtom to boot.