Best standalone GPS apps? - Sony Smartwatch 3

Hello, just bought a SW3.
Does Google Maps work with the built in GPS? I noticed that it starts to look immediatly for the phone...also is it possibile to move the offline maps I downloaded to the smartwatch internal memory? How does it work? I am new thanks.

I've got an LG G5 which is affected by the GPS hardware issues (ie GPS is non-existent) - my SW3 works fine in maps when paired to this phone so would guess the watches GPS is working well. Guess it could be using the phone to grab location via phone masts, but not as slow as phone location so doubt it.

gurningchimp said:
I've got an LG G5 which is affected by the GPS hardware issues (ie GPS is non-existent) - my SW3 works fine in maps when paired to this phone so would guess the watches GPS is working well. Guess it could be using the phone to grab location via phone masts, but not as slow as phone location so doubt it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In fact I was wandering if it was possible to use the smartwatch alone for running, with its built-in GPS (and perhaps offline maps loaded) but without the 4G connection of the phone.
Sony said the point of this smartwatch was to leave the smartphone at home, but I saw that the location doesn't fix if the smartwatch doesn't connect to phone first (Bluetooth and 4G).
Am I doing something wrong?

Menomis said:
In fact I was wandering if it was possible to use the smartwatch alone for running, with its built-in GPS (and perhaps offline maps loaded) but without the 4G connection of the phone.
Sony said the point of this smartwatch was to leave the smartphone at home, but I saw that the location doesn't fix if the smartwatch doesn't connect to phone first (Bluetooth and 4G).
Am I doing something wrong?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have two of these devices. In order to use the google fit stand alone gps, i suggest that you turn off your phone or BT connection between the phone and watch as well as the wifi setting on the watch prior to a run. When you go outside, turn on the google fit app and wait a few moments while you warm up, this will give the watch a chance to lock into GPS. Then all you have to do is start moving and the standalone gps will work. The problem with google fit is that it so dependent on communications between the phone and device as well as not having a gps locking icon. I prefer to use Ghostrunner app for the sony smartwatch 3, its completely independent from the phones gps and has such a setting in the app to force the watches gps to work over the phone.

Thanks and what about google maps? Can it be used in standalone for running? Just for mapping andò routes

And what about runtastic? Can I use it with position on the phone turned off but watch GPS turned on? Apparently it doesn't work for me

I use mine for running and I use Endomondo. I just use the watch GPS on its own and after the run it syncs via bluetooth to the phone. I've heard there has been issues with this but with my LG G4 it's all worked fine.

Does anyone know how to use the smartwatch in standalone with Google Maps tracking while running? It searches for the phone connection everytime...do I have to turn BT off or follow specific steps?
thank you in advance

Menomis said:
Does anyone know how to use the smartwatch in standalone with Google Maps tracking while running?
thank you in advance
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean? Maps doesn't record your path, if that's what you're after.
If you want to see yourself on a map, including your trail where you've been, use ghostracer. You can also load a gpx path and follow it on the map, but it doesn't give you navigation instructions, you have to watch for the turns yourself.
Navigation is in osm offline maps, but I never had much luck with it.

Related

[APP] Solution for using bluetooth GPS in many different applications!

I thought it would be of interesrt:
I found an app with which one can use an external bluetooth gps-mouse with many different apps. I am currently using it with google maps, C:geo, Motonav, even gpstest (where it only doesn't show the sat infos but everything else works).
Search for bluetooth gps provider in the market from mobile-j.de. It costs 1.99€ and it's well worth the money!
Now I have accuracy of 1.2 m and spot on tracks with my bt-gps.
Hugo
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
I did not manage to find it, can you please post it here?
Great find. 2 Euro well spent. 1m accuracy inside my home with my trusty old bluetooth gps
Cheers,
Ric
PS can't post link but if you google on 'bluetooth gps provider' then it is in the top results.
that was mentioned previously in the GPS blasting topic
yet every one believed it was a dud
now somebody else post it, and every one takes it for granted... great... this is just great...
AllGamer said:
that was mentioned previously in the GPS blasting topic
yet every one believed it was a dud
now somebody else post it, and every one takes it for granted... great... this is just great...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Even if it was posted in the "GPS blasting topic", which I suppose is the GPS Poll topic, before it didn't catch my attention although this is a topic, that I am very closely following. What I did see was an app that catches raw NMEA data and put's it on the screen. Now that program is not useable for anything, while the app I mentioned above can distribute the GPS data to many different programs running on the SGS.
And not meaning to offend you, but I think that this little app is worth an extra thread rather than to be mentioned in a several hundered post thread where it drowns easily under the posts.
And if it was you, who found this app at first: Your the Man!
Just bought this, and tested it on my external Bluetooth GPS and wow, this app works perfectly with my tracks, run.gps, alpinequest, gps test, gps status, runner...
Works with EZCam which is great. Because my car has an infra-red coated windscreen the phone's GPS doesn't work when the phone is placed in the dashboard Brodit mount. This makes it possible for me to place the GPS unit in the rear, where there is no infrared coating.
Cant get this to work with any programs...
EDIT: After a couple of reboots and reconnects to my BT-GPS it works.
Thank you for the tip!
Just a short update:
The bluetooth gps provider app works with sygic mobile maps as well!
Alternative - use your Bluetooth GPS receiver as GPS source
Try this as an alternative: Bluetooth GPS Mouse (I have a link here as well -- but I am somehow not allowed to post links in this forum ). Anyhow, you should be able to find the program -- just search for 'Bluetooth GPS Mouse' in the Market
You can test it freely and later buy the commercial version if it works for you as well!
mrmagmrmag said:
Try this as an alternative: Bluetooth GPS Mouse (I have a link here as well -- but I am somehow not allowed to post links in this forum ). Anyhow, you should be able to find the program -- just search for 'Bluetooth GPS Mouse' in the Market
You can test it freely and later buy the commercial version if it works for you as well!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using bluetooth gps mouse and it works quite well with sygic, motonav, copilot, navigon etc.
Of course it also depends on the quality of your external bluetooth gps receiver. I use the nokia ld-3w with a sirfstarIII chipset and replaceble battery. Probably there are better ones out there, but this one was cheap and works good.
My question is wich app is better: GPS mouse or GPS provider?
Shall I just stick with GPS mouse?
Greetz
betoNL said:
I am using bluetooth gps mouse and it works quite well with sygic, motonav, copilot, navigon etc.
Of course it also depends on the quality of your external bluetooth gps receiver. I use the nokia ld-3w with a sirfstarIII chipset and replaceble battery. Probably there are better ones out there, but this one was cheap and works good.
My question is wich app is better: GPS mouse or GPS provider?
Shall I just stick with GPS mouse?
Greetz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought both program & i certainly want to recommend GPS provider over GPS mouse:
Pros of GPS Provider over GPS Mouse:
1. Icon on notification bar showing the program is running
2. Satellites signal status displayed in the program windows
3. The gps data streaming is smooth, i tested both with Papago satnav, GPS Provide makes the position mark run smoothly while GPS mouse cause the position pointer jerk while moving --> very weird behavior
So far both program stable, no force close encounter.
My final words, GPS mouse still premature...
yc1437 said:
I bought both program & i certainly want to recommend GPS provider over GPS mouse:
Pros of GPS Provider over GPS Mouse:
1. Icon on notification bar showing the program is running
2. Satellites signal status displayed in the program windows
3. The gps data streaming is smooth, i tested both with Papago satnav, GPS Provide makes the position mark run smoothly while GPS mouse cause the position pointer jerk while moving --> very weird behavior
So far both program stable, no force close encounter.
My final words, GPS mouse still premature...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OK Thanks for your reply!
Just one more question:
With GPS provider do you also have to enable "allow mock locations" (Settings » Applicatios » Development » Allow mock locations) ?
Greetz
oops double posting
yc1437 said:
I bought both program & i certainly want to recommend GPS provider over GPS mouse:
Pros of GPS Provider over GPS Mouse:
1. Icon on notification bar showing the program is running
2. Satellites signal status displayed in the program windows
3. The gps data streaming is smooth, i tested both with Papago satnav, GPS Provide makes the position mark run smoothly while GPS mouse cause the position pointer jerk while moving --> very weird behavior
So far both program stable, no force close encounter.
My final words, GPS mouse still premature...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Points 1 and 2 have been adressed by them now -- so you have both a status icon and a display of satellite SNR values. Another plus is that you can purchase the program outside of the Android market as well (which is a bonus as the market is not available in many countries).
I don't have problems with the position jerking around, but if there is an issue and you report it to them I guess it will be fixed soon.
Didn't try GPS Provider yet
Bluetooth GPS Mouse unlimited is doing great though...
Hi, I use Bluetooth gps mouse. I have zero problems.
I have try to use it with the app gps test but don't display the sattelites on this app.
Do you know a similar app to work with external gps so as can check how meny sattelites, signal e.t.c?
nanoo-eg said:
Hi, I use Bluetooth gps mouse. I have zero problems.
I have try to use it with the app gps test but don't display the sattelites on this app.
Do you know a similar app to work with external gps so as can check how meny sattelites, signal e.t.c?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a free app called Bluetooth GPS form googoo android (nothing to do with "bluetooth gps mouse).
It connects to your external BT device (without the need of gps mouse)and gives nice readings and even your position on map (and that's all it does)
Have fun
Galaxy S GPS sucks and I didn't want to pay for something like that.
I don't understand either why I should give phone call or network access to such an application...
So I've have developed mine:
it' free,
it's open-source (you can verify what it's really doing and you can improve it!),
it just asks for needed permissions.
The application, as the previous one, allows to use an external bluetooth GPS on Android devices:
The application starts a service, then connects to a Bluetooth device (NMEA GPS) and creates a mock GPS provider which can be used to replace the internal GPS.
It's also possible to log the external GPS NMEA data in a file on the device.
The app needs the following permissions:
bluetooth and bluetooth admin (connection to the GPS device),
location and mock location (replace the GPS location provider by a new one using the bluetooth GPS device),
write external storage (if you want to log the NMEA data into a file on the sdcard).
It should run on all android devices (2.0 and above) and NMEA bluetooth devices.
I have tested it with a GlobalSat BT-338 bluetooth GPS (SiRF III), a Galaxy S (I9000) and a HTC Sapphire (Froyo CM-6).
It works with Google Maps, Wikitude, GoPenS and my own personal navigation app. Normally, it should work with all applications that use Android official location API.
Notes: in order to install the app:
enable Settings/Applications/Unknown sources,
enable Settings/Applications/Development/Allow mock locations,
download and install the apk.
You have also, of course, to enable bluetooth and pair the the phone with the GPS.
Project page:
Bluetooth GPS for Android on SourceForge
BlueGPS4Droid apk: BlueGps4Droid_1.0.apk
Just installed it, brilliant, I had a small BT GPS lying around anyway so I can now use it when GPS is important and not have to rely on the very flakey SGS GPS.
I hope Samsung is reading these forums!

Bluetooth GPS - anyone tried one?

Seeing as I can't get a satellite lock with the internal GPS on my Archos 80 G9 (running stock 4.0.6) I was wondering if it would be worth getting a bluetooth GPS module.
I can pick one up for about £15 on eBay and there are a couple of apps on the Play store that are designed to support these modules.
Has anyone tried one of these with their G9?
What are your experiences?
Alternatively does anyone know for sure if Archos are planning any upgrades to their firmware specifically to address the GPS issues that many appear to be having?
(I know that for some people the internal GPS is working fine on their G9, but it seems it's a bit like the wi-fi issue where some people are unaffected and yet others are having problems)
When you are in the house, you never have a chance to get a signal
Did you try it outside?! And did you wait a little bit?! My Galaxy 5 needs 4-5 mins
to get a fix-sattelite! Normaly you shouldn´t have problems with that...
And Archos is updating their firmware more or less every 4 weeks! So you have a good chance to get a fix for that, if it´s a bug...
Yeah I took my tablet out to an open field last weekend and left it for well over an hour and didn't even catch a glimpse of one satellite.
My daughter has a cheap ZTE phone and can always get an instant lock. Makes me jealous!
Have you tried?
This may seem like a dumb answer but I have found that my 80g9 sometimes loses GPS lock and all satellites if I have been indoors for a while or had the tablet on sleep. If I then turn off the GPS under settings and then re enable the GPS works fine. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the advice but I have tried your suggestion.
I have tried everything conceivable with no success.
It might be considered bad form but I'll reply to my own original question anyway.
I bought a Bluetooth GPS keyring from eBay for £7 inc. delivery and along with the Bluetooth GPS app I'm getting great results.
Might help someone in future...
Extreme_One said:
It might be considered bad form but I'll reply to my own original question anyway.
I bought a Bluetooth GPS keyring from eBay for £7 inc. delivery and along with the Bluetooth GPS app I'm getting great results.
Might help someone in future...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
you are not alone
i have the same problem with my 101g9. gps did not work at all since honeycomb until ics 4.07 on my tablet.
can you tell us which gps mouse do you have and which bluetooth app is in use? i'm interesting to hear more about a working combination because archos cannot fix the gps problem for all devices (i guess). seems, i need an external bt receiver too.
thanks for info
I use "Bluetooth GPS" by "Googoo Android" from Google Play to connect.
The receiver is listed on eBay as "Vodafone keyring receiver 51 ch GPS sat nav receiver for laptops and mobiles"
I bought this because it is so small; really handy to keep on my keyring.
The seller seems to have loads of the same for sale.
I hope this is useful.
yep, very useful.
thanks a lot
holux
Hi,
I can use my Holux M-1200 USB Gps, on my G101. It works far, far, better than the built in GPS. It locks on many satellites even in the house.
I cannot use the Archos one on V4.06, only on V 3.2.80 and ONLY with WiFi assist on!
The Archos GPS really sucks!
cheers
P
superpat999 said:
Hi,
I can use my Holux M-1200 USB Gps, on my G101. It works far, far, better than the built in GPS. It locks on many satellites even in the house.
I cannot use the Archos one on V4.06, only on V 3.2.80 and ONLY with WiFi assist on!
The Archos GPS really sucks!
cheers
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hi,
the holux m-1200 can work as bluetooth device or over usb cable. you use it via usb?
Holux Bluetooth
Hi,
Yes, The M-1200 works well on Bluetooth.
There are a number of steps to take to get it working.
1. Install Bluetooth GPS from Play.com
2. Go to Settings and turn OFF GPS, and Google location services
4. In Settings go to Developer options and turn ON "Allow Mock Locations"
5. Pair and connect Holux M-1200 to Archos tablet.
6. Run Bluetooth GPS. On its main page enable mock GPS Provider, and Connect.
7. If it doesn't connect, go to Bluetooth GPS settings and try various settings in "Connection Problems related". ( I ticked all three choices)
run any GPS app, Syric, mmTracker, Google maps, they all work fine!
cheers
Patrick

standalone offline maps, and activity

not sure if is right place to ask, but as far as i know sony watch is the only with build id GPS
i would like to know what app can i use to track my walk and as offline map that works without phone
i can use 2 different apps
how long can i expect the watch battery to last with those features?
what i need to do is track my walking days during my vacations and use the map without phone
You can use google my tracks and/or google fit as activity tracker. Also runkeeper and others are availabe with support for sony smartwatch 3 gps. For off line maps use osm city maps.
Enjoy
I think backcountry navigator has offline capability, but I have not tested that function yet.

Can you turn Bluetooth off on the watch?

Hello all,
I have been researching smartwatches as I would love to get one however i have one caveat, I cannot have bluetooth on at work. Do you know if you can turn bluetooth off on the Zenwatch? I looked through the manual and it didnt mention the option. If not, has anyone come across one that can do this and is actually good?
it has an airplane mode which will turn Bluetooth off
Thats great to know. I didn't remember seeing that in the manual. Does the wellness manager still function without that connection?
I'm not sure as I don't use it, but I would imagine because shouldn't use any wireless sensors to capture data. the only thing would be if it stores the data and syncs once you reconnect the phone. I use up and google fit and if I loose connection the watch just pushes the data to the phone once the connection is reestablished

Bluetooth GPS With Pixel?

I paired the Qstarz 818XT I have and it would not show up, in GPS Test software. Has anyone successfully gotten a bluetooth GPS to work with the tablet? It's not a deal breaker for me, but it would be nice to have the option of GPS.
I use the tablet with a Dual XGPS150A, no problem. You may need to use an app called "Bluetooth GPS" and enable mock locations so that other apps think they are getting an internal GPS feed.
Thanks, it works now.

Categories

Resources