Develop Bugs

New Live Search - very nice!

Have you seen the new Windows Mobile Live Search. Just got the update and its nice. It adds Internet (shortcut), and Weather of your current location.
Then it has something cool in there. Its called Collections, you get anything from Flickr, to recent Home Sales, Wikipedia, Upcomming Events, etc.
Very nice little add on.
I mainly use it for, well just about everything when I'm out on the street. Now if they could make the UI a little more pleasing, that would be nice.

Pretty nice. I have not figured out the "collections" area yet... not really a feed reader but it asks for RSS?? I had to update twice for some reason before I got the newest version 3.0.3047.24749 5/5/08 and I really like how it works with VR (voice recognition) since I almost live with my bluetooth on any more LOL

i don't like live search to much i use google mostly..but i'll give it a try where do u get the dl. from???

Talk To Me! {Voice Command}
yneill said:
i don't like live search to much i use google mostly..but i'll give it a try where do u get the dl. from???
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Just talk to the new Live Search via your speech, also you can get instant weather for you area and lots of other stuff, this new Live Search is really slick. Now Microsoft is in their "A" game, like the LA Lakers. You can get the new live Search by pointing your mobile web browser to http://wls.live.com.........!:D

I also prefer Google search over the Live search (web search, not the app) but I quit using the Google app since this started getting updated. I've got it running on both of my Dashes, my Kaiser, and my HP iPAQ 510 and while it renders differently on all of them, it works the same. And if you have a device with GPS, it's a TON more useful.
As I say at work, "better living through Microsoft."
-Mc

I found a bug today, maybe it's just my phone as it is overclocked. When I use Maps/Directions with a Bluetooth GPS and someone tries to make a call my phone freezes and the call goes to VoiceMail. It didn't do it on the previous version. I'm going to send a messege to MS to let them know, BUT, could someone else try this out?
I wish there was an option where it always ran in the background as well as on the sliding bar as I use it 95% of the time.
MS has felt the pressure and they are now (I think) catching up.

daleksic said:
I found a bug today, maybe it's just my phone as it is overclocked. When I use Maps/Directions with a Bluetooth GPS and someone tries to make a call my phone freezes and the call goes to VoiceMail. It didn't do it on the previous version. I'm going to send a messege to MS to let them know, BUT, could someone else try this out?
I wish there was an option where it always ran in the background as well as on the sliding bar as I use it 95% of the time.
MS has felt the pressure and they are now (I think) catching up.
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It does not freeze on mine. Either answering a call with bluetooth headset or without. I am overclocked at 260

Since it's in nobody's signature and it's not been explicitly mentioned, I ask: is this version intended/designed for wm 6.1, hence in form of a CHome plugin/panel or only a fullscreen app?
Thanks in advance.
Cheers.

good FREE GPS software?

i have google maps... i like it, does the job but i know theres gotta be better?
i tried nav4all and cant stand it really.. its ehh
amAze isnt bad, its funny it dont show gas stations or anything but it shows all the mom/pops type places you'd never think would show up, thats only thing i like bout it
and live search, it doesnt show certain **** right on the map but its got gas prices, restaurants, movies, etc i can search through and route so thats beautiful
but any others im missing?? i wanna try all the ones considered good or better and see what im feelin the best

I think you pretty much covered everything here. I use google maps and live search and they are pretty good. never tried amaze or nav4all but I've heard of them.

IMO, a combination of google maps and live search is the best you are going to find for free.
Although you may want to try out GPSToday. I havent used that in quite some time, but i enjoyed always having my exact location on my today screen. (before we had TF2D)

What about GPS that costs money?
I've recently been tryin Garmin Mobile XT.. not bad, it's sort of like Live Search to me, the only upside I've found so far is I like the map layout..
I did run into the problem of not being able to route my ****..
I think because the maps I downloaded for it weren't complete or somethin? It has all streets w/ names, it follows me on them directly, but if I set a route it will do a straight line to the place instead of taking streets
No biggie though I still have amAze, Live Search, and Google Maps..
I wanna try TomTom, is it worth it?
Or is there a clear cut "best" when it comes to paid for GPS software??

My girl and I both have vogue's, and I installed tomtom6 on hers, she likes the different funny voices available. I installed igo 8 on mine, I thought that the 3D was done a whole lot better. Tom Tom6 ran fine on hers always, I couldn't get igo8 to launch without having at least 70% memory free.
For me to use igo I would have to soft reset and make sure that was the only program running.
My verdict is TT6 is reliable but boring, gets the job done always and starts with no issues. Tons of free POI stuff out there.
iGo8 looks way better, but is pushing the vogue to the limit in terms of processing.
Both get you where you need to go easy-
Working on getting TT7 now-

j18yo said:
..
but any others im missing?? i wanna try all the ones considered good or better and see what im feelin the best
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you looked at GPSToday? Give it a shot. Some recently added features(which doesnt cut even half of it):
Driving/Walking directions in many countries, with traffic-optimization option.
Log file plotting on map and animated "playback". Also, the geologger will now never clip corners, and will perfectly follow loopy highway ramps. You can now also upload your log-files to the desktop website from within the app and export to GPX format.
Location Tracking and sharing (GeoLocation). Track your location history online for your own private use, or share with friends/family. The power-saving ability of GPSToday means you can leave it on indefinitely without worrying about the battery.
Easily and privately (or publicly) share points-of-interest, pictures, messages with like-minded folks (GeoGroups). eg. Track or update swine-flu locations, right from your phone. The possibilities are endless.
'Slideshow' through all your address-book contacts on the map, or through driving directions, or local search results, or all friends' mobile locations
Satellite,Hybrid map views, and many more enhancements for ease of use.
Nearly worldwide support for many features that were previously US only.
Update your twitter status manually from within the app. Just send a message to username 'twitter' via the Inbox in GPSToday.
Screenshots and download at: http://www.freewarepocketpc.net/ppc-download-gpstoday-v0-9.html
or
http://www.geoterrestrial.com/ from desktop
http://m.geoterrestrial.com/ from phone
Thanks,
-The GeoTerrestrial Team

Nearest Tube Augmented Reality App for iPhone 3GS

I found this on de.engadget.com:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fZk0HaIs4s
This is ****ing awesome, isn't it? Is there anybody being able to write sth. like this for WinMo?

this proggie makes use of the compass, which is not on blackstone
therefore i guess the answer is no

Okay, but where's the problem with compass-function when having GPS?

gps uses actual movement in order to understand your direction, while with the compass it simply knows it, because, heck, it's a compass so getting such a program on a hd would mean relying on a gps which has a less accurate understanding of directions, which in the end would result in a crappy program working quite bad compared to this one

I didnt find it that great - the text kept jumping around and the person was still only moving it slowly. I think ill stick to google maps or a gps app for the time being.

Also, you forgot the delay of the showing video VS realtime(about 3 seconds!!!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2uH-jrsSxs&feature=related look at the children running..
imagine if you use it while driving...you''ll have to look at your rear view mirror to understand what the Iphone is showing

Yeah, okay, I understand your arguments! GPS does know the position but not the direction - this is quite clear... Moreover, GPS apps as TOMTOM are really great running on the HD!

Yeah, okay, I understand your arguments! GPS does know the position but not the direction - this is quite clear... Moreover, GPS apps as TOMTOM are really great running on the HD!

Have a look at my thread "Augmented Reality Games / Apps" for a collection of Apps/Games like this.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=493333
I will update it soon.

[Q] Any News on Navigation???

I can live without custom ringtones, bluetooth file transfer, and sideloaded apps. However turn by turn navigation is a must. I have spent 3 days trawling the net for when and if we will get a working sat nav program. Obviously Navigon Select has an option for Deutsch Telekom, as does TeleNav for T-Mob and AT&T. When will these apps appear to the buying user....nobody knows. Bing Navigation has been rumoured as a free option since WP7's release, yet there is no info beyond its release for WinMo early last year.
Anyone got any new information on SatNav for the general user, as obviously sideloading the above apps is a NoGo for NoDo!

A-to-B works for me.

Jim Coleman said:
A-to-B works for me.
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Wish it did for me, seems fine for the US, not to great in Europe

But how to build a turn by turn app if the api for the compass is not available?
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App

No news for any real GPS based navigation with maps loaded etc.
All those ones incl. A-to-B are based on mobile data so in a real life they are useless, whether you enter any worse coverage area or especially roaming.
And it doesn't look like it will change soon.

Compass API isn't necessary for turn-by-turn navigation, it can serve as an enhancement (and more so on paper than in real life).
Regarding Navigon, I've read somewhere that they have an exclusivity agreement with T-Mo Germany till summer. Don't know how reliable the source is, but the info sounds reasonable.

doministry said:
No news for any real GPS based navigation with maps loaded etc.
All those ones incl. A-to-B are based on mobile data so in a real life they are useless, whether you enter any worse coverage area or especially roaming.
And it doesn't look like it will change soon.
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The route is actually calculated at the start, so only the tiles don't download if you lose signal meaning you can actually carry on with the route.
Casey

have any of you tried "Outdoor Navigation"?
http://www.wpcentral.com/outdoor-navigation-now-offers-offline-maps
I personally haven't, but could be promising?

These programs are nice but as I said, they require internet connection to be really used so they can't be really considered as full navgation programs.
But XMaps are amazing BTW.

The only real one is Nacigon select from T-Mobile Deutschlad.
If you are the adventurous type the .xap is very probably *cough* out there somewhere. But don't be tempted it's illegal you know?
Tuts how to add non German maps (If you own them!) are in the Dev forum

**mod edit**​do not post warez links​

It was asked a while back on the windows phone radio podcast and they said that they are trying to improve bing in europe before releasing a bing maps. Now with the nokia deal, I think they are going to integrate bing and ovimaps and get something released. Probably be late this year at the earliest.

doministry said:
These programs are nice but as I said, they require internet connection to be really used so they can't be really considered as full navgation programs.
But XMaps are amazing BTW.
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If you're using A-to-B and you drive through a mobile deadzone, all that happens is the map data for that area doesn't load. You still see your planned route overlaid on blank grey terrain, and you still get your directions on-screen, the only thing is you can't see other side-roads etc.
It actually works sufficiently well. and the biggest benefit, of course, is that you don't need to purchase maps, nor provide oodles of storage on the phone for those maps, and the maps are always bang up-to-date as well.
It would be nice to have voiced directions and auto-recalc, but as it is, for a free app, A-to-B works pretty damn well, with or without a signal.

chingy213 said:
Enjoy =)
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Very good idea to link to a site well known for supporting piracy. Duh.

Jim Coleman said:
If you're using A-to-B and you drive through a mobile deadzone, all that happens is the map data for that area doesn't load. You still see your planned route overlaid on blank grey terrain, and you still get your directions on-screen, the only thing is you can't see other side-roads etc.
It actually works sufficiently well. and the biggest benefit, of course, is that you don't need to purchase maps, nor provide oodles of storage on the phone for those maps, and the maps are always bang up-to-date as well.
It would be nice to have voiced directions and auto-recalc, but as it is, for a free app, A-to-B works pretty damn well, with or without a signal.
Click to expand...
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Yes as for free app and lack of possibilities on WP7 it's quite OK. Those guys do a great job.

Silver Navigator

Appears to be the first WP7 app with voice navigation (just included in the new update). Has anyone tried it out after this new update? I'm wondering how good it is.
I'm also wondering if anyone knows what kind of approximate rate charges are involved with the use of this or other similar GPS apps (ex. 10Mb per hour).

cgibsong002 said:
Has anyone tried it out after this new update? I'm wondering how good it is.
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It can't be good by default: it uses your 3G data connection and Bing maps so it slow, inaccurate and pricey (if you exceed your data plan).
BTW, any (including most wanted to hack Navigon) currently existing WP7 gps apps a complete BS even compared with cheapest $30 standalone auto gps. My suggestion: don't try to use any of 'em in big city (like a Boston), all of 'em bad and can cost you a troubles.
So, WP7 still doesn't have gps solution at all Damn MS with closed sources & API's...

Closed Sources have nothing to do with this, and the APIs aren't closed. They just either don't exist or are hidden so deeply that developers cannot access them (Microsoft does use Native Code for much of WP7, even though 3rd party developers can not).
Also, Bing is fine in a big city like Chicago. I know because I went there with my WM6.5 device a while back and the voice nav was very much on point. Stop spreading FUD. Bing has holes in other countries, but in the US is quite good...

FYI, I'm not flooding but just publish my own impressions based on my own real experience. I've especially tried all existing solutions working in Boston (last attempt was yesterday, riding to Somerville). All these applications working very bad: no construction info at all, wrong routes, bad accuracy, awful UI. Navigon shows a little better result but still no comparison with my TomTom XL 335SE (costs me a $29.99 + tax on huge local sale) at all!
I don't know which criteria is "fine" for you (may be it's just "Oh my God, it works and showing something on map!") but it's absolutely not affordable for me (I do have an experience and example to compare).

sensboston said:
It can't be good by default: it uses your 3G data connection and Bing maps so it slow, inaccurate and pricey (if you exceed your data plan).
BTW, any (including most wanted to hack Navigon) currently existing WP7 gps apps a complete BS even compared with cheapest $30 standalone auto gps. My suggestion: don't try to use any of 'em in big city (like a Boston), all of 'em bad and can cost you a troubles.
So, WP7 still doesn't have gps solution at all Damn MS with closed sources & API's...
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1) You haven't even tried the app suggested by OP. Please don't pass judgement. I am sure developer is doing his best. Try it... if you still don't like it.. fair enough.
2) I will beg to differ about bing being inaccurate than likes of google. Navteq maps have always worked much better than teleatlas in US.
3) APIs are there and more are APIs are coming with Mango. Open or closed source has nothing to do with it.

I use A&B . But I did give this nav app a try. On the trial it only sets routes within a 4 mile radious but thats because it's the trial. Now indicators for speed and sistance sits on the top on map and it's rather small and hard to see at a glance. Where as on A&B it's on the side and much larger and easyer to see at the glance.
The maps about the same. as A&B overall the interface UI on A&B is much better. it's really a shame that WP7 does not have a full blown Nav app. I would much rather be able to download the maps and have it always on route even when I'm out of range of towers.

cgibsong002 said:
Appears to be the first WP7 app with voice navigation (just included in the new update). Has anyone tried it out after this new update? I'm wondering how good it is.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Forget it. It's based on Bing Maps, so totally crap and inaccurate anyway (except if you live in the US).

arkavat said:
1) You haven't even tried the app suggested by OP. Please don't pass judgement. I am sure developer is doing his best. Try it... if you still don't like it.. fair enough.
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Did you read my post above? Seems like not. I don't judge anyone either, just posted my own opinion.

Nothing wrong with this application. No mapping software has 100% map accuracy, always takes time to update maps. Within the trial limitations I found the journey I planned was accurate with routing and location, but could improve the featureset.
Not sure there's too much to complain about for $3 and obviously anyone not on an unlimited data plan shouldnt be looking at offline navigation applications.

Thanks guys. I agree and I have a Garmin. I'm very upset that there's no map based GPS's out as of now, since I'm on a limited data plan. I was just curious. If it was a really good app, it might be worth to use in the event that I need it in an emergency. If it's no better than A-B though, why bother. Thanks for the input guys.

Message from the developer
Hi guys,
I´m the developer of Silver Navigator. Thanks a lot for your comments.
Any question or suggestion is really welcome.
SN do not pretend to be a perfect replacement for full GPS navigation devices like TomTom, etc, but I think for the price it´s a very useful option, when no TomTom is available.
In addition to that, it´s able to calculate your aprox. position from cell tower triangulation, pretty useful when no GPS reception is available. I´m also already adapting it to Mango (next release of Windows Phone), which will include digital compass and a much more precise calculation of position and orientation. It works perfectly, and it´s particularly useful for navigation when walking, as you don´t need to move to know what direction you are headed.
Later this week, I´m releasing v 1.2, which includes many more improvements. Among others:
Local Searches (business, shops, etc), improved user interface, "clear route" function included, improved GPS accuracy, voices volume increased, etc.
You can follow SN progress at Facebook. Just search for "Silver Navigator".
Thanks !!!!

Needs orientation via the compass, ie like tomtom, google nav, in order to be useful while driving.
As it is its unusable while in a car unfortunately.

GraphicDNA said:
In addition to that, it´s able to calculate your aprox. position from cell tower triangulation, pretty useful when no GPS reception is available.
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How about "no cell tower reception" (for me it's happened much more frequently; GPS signal is available everywhere except downtowns with skyscrapers)? And did you tested your app with cell tower triangulation in places like a downtowns of big cities?

I just tried it this morning (Birmingham UK)
I have a good data connection but the map downloading is way too slow to be used for driving. All I had was a yellow arrow against a blurry background.
It could really do with being able to cache map data possibly via WiFi before you set off to avoid these issues.
Also the screen was North up instead of being track up and the unfortunately the quality of the speech/instructions was very poor.
But it does work and apart from buying Navigon this is the only other real sat nav application for WP7. I have seen posts for A-to-B but you cant download from the marketplace so hopefully it will improve.

It seems that when mango is released that more turn-by-turn apps will come out.

Nice
I have used this for a month now and like it. I suggest that the triangle indicating the cars position point in the direction and orientation of the phone, and that there be an option for the display to point either north or in the direction of travel. Just a suggestion to improve an already good application.

This really does look to be one of the better nav programs available right now. I'd by this if it had support for 3d view much like tomtom, navigon, magellen etc. A - B had this and it was by far the best angle to get directions in when driving.
Any plans on adding this feature and if so is there a timeline?

Can I be really picky and ask for a slicker looking tile?

@ GraphicDNA
Very nice work..!
will do you a view 3D with this program of style A to B..?
maybe a multilanguage too..?

Just heard from the developers of Drive on.... they arent implementing the 3D driving mode for at least 4 months... here's hoping Silver Nav gets it WAY sooner!