Google Maps in compass mode?

Lefthand · October 4th, 2009, 05:08 PM

Apologies if this has already been answered, I couldn't find one.
Is it not possible to view Googlemaps in compass mode, I mean in map view, not streetview. Like on the IPhone?

cheggerspop · October 4th, 2009, 05:15 PM

Run Google Maps and then press

Menu > Map Mode and you can select either Map, Satellite or Traffic mode.

Hope this helps,

Chegs.

Lefthand · October 4th, 2009, 06:03 PM

sorry, that wasnt what I asked. I wanted to know if it was possible to actrivate the compass in map view..

trick202 · October 4th, 2009, 06:08 PM

I could be being stupid here, but on google maps, up is always north?

NSXLA · October 4th, 2009, 07:49 PM

He means something like this, Compass

Good question i would like to know this as well cause the Hero does have a digital compass.

kabbie_mcfeely · October 4th, 2009, 10:04 PM

Goto "spare parts" scroll to bottom, check "show compass in maps".

If you have "spare parts" it will be with your apps.

phillevy · October 5th, 2009, 01:57 AM

Spare parts has a bug - even though you tick show compass it forgets the setting.

NSXLA · October 5th, 2009, 02:12 AM

In the video the feature is shown at 44 sec mark, is that what Spare part is suppose to duplicate? OP didn't mean a compass being shown on the google maps. oh well i give up.

daveybaby · October 5th, 2009, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kabbie_mcfeely

Goto "spare parts" scroll to bottom, check "show compass in maps".

Doesnt work for me.

phillevy · October 5th, 2009, 06:26 AM

It seems evident that the Android version of Maps doesn't support compass mode, making it even more inferior to the iPhone version (we already know it doesn't support multi-touch). Remind me, who is behind "maps" and Android? I thought they were one and the same

phillevy · October 5th, 2009, 06:54 AM

Just found this official response on Google support forums - after may postings asking what had happened to Compass mode they said:

Compass:
Apologies as I may have misunderstood what you were speaking about. I believed you were referring to "Compass mode" within Street View, where the image rotates based on the phone's compass; this is still included in 3.1.x. I now understand that you were referring to an actual compass on the map. This only appeared if you had installed the separate Spare Parts app that created a compass on-screen. This was not part of the pre-installed native Maps app originally and was never an officially supported feature of the Google Maps app.

Spare Parts uses some protocols that are non-standard and unsupported; therefore, the features that Spare Parts created are not compatible with the new version of Maps in Android Market.

We've certainly heard you on the popularity of an on-screen compass and will take a look at this feature. Apologies again for the confusion. Please let me know if you're referring to something else without having installed the Spare Parts app.

So - there you have it

KlaymenDK · October 5th, 2009, 07:36 AM

Wait, you're saying that:
1) the Spare parts thing is supposed to superimpose a compass rose&needle onto the map
and that
2) Google Maps already orients the map according to compass reading
?

I follow you on (1) so if it's experimental, that's okay if it doesn't work.

But regarding (2), I have never seen Google Maps point North anywhere but up. I'm on a semi-broken Galaxy so that may be the reason, but maybe I missed a setting somewhere?

phillevy · October 5th, 2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KlaymenDK

Wait, you're saying that:
1) the Spare parts thing is supposed to superimpose a compass rose&needle onto the map
and that
2) Google Maps already orients the map according to compass reading
?

I follow you on (1) so if it's experimental, that's okay if it doesn't work.

But regarding (2), I have never seen Google Maps point North anywhere but up. I'm on a semi-broken Galaxy so that may be the reason, but maybe I missed a setting somewhere?

Answering the 2 questions
1. Spare parts did supermpose a compass on the previous version of maps but is incompatible with the latest version.

2. No it just points North/up - no integration with built in compass whatsoever (unless you go into street view)

We just have to hope it is implemented in the next version.

SDscorch · October 5th, 2009, 10:17 AM

wow

you keep putting up those really mean looking angry faces - are you really THAT mad??

just try to understand, android is a work in progress - and we're all "early adopters" in a sense

phillevy · October 5th, 2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SDscorch

wow

you keep putting up those really mean looking angry faces - are you really THAT mad??

just try to understand, android is a work in progress - and we're all "early adopters" in a sense

Absolutely but the iPhone version has it so why can't a Google based device when they make the app?

daveybaby · October 5th, 2009, 10:55 AM

It is kind of bizarre. Android phones have had compasses in them since the G1 (i think... the magic definitely has one though), the iPhone only just got one with the 3GS, yet the iPhone version has the compass functionality in it and the android version doesnt. Bah!

phillevy · October 5th, 2009, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveybaby

It is kind of bizarre. Android phones have had compasses in them since the G1 (i think... the magic definitely has one though), the iPhone only just got one with the 3GS, yet the iPhone version has the compass functionality in it and the android version doesnt. Bah!

I thought the big advantage that Android had over iPhone was that apps could address functionality at operating system level, so it really is strange that one of Google's own apps is not doing this. I would assume that maximum functionality would be with a Google app running on Android.

SDscorch · October 5th, 2009, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillevy

Just found this official response on Google support forums - after may postings asking what had happened to Compass mode they said: ...skip ...

hey.. post (or PM me) the URL to that

i'll add my "me too" to that thread - let google know we want the compass over here in the android world

cheggerspop · October 5th, 2009, 11:10 AM

Here ya go!?!

Cut this out, stick it to the screen of your Hero and everyone's a winner!!

Chegs.........turning sad faces into happy ones

phillevy · October 5th, 2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheggerspop

Here ya go!?!

Cut this out, stick it to the screen of your Hero and everyone's a winner!!

Chegs.........turning sad faces into happy ones

Thanks - that will save embarrasment when an iPhone user gets a peek at our screen - until we get a proper one

NSXLA · October 5th, 2009, 03:19 PM

Its a shocker that a google phone wouldn't support a GOOGLEMAP feature! Rubbish!

I'm guessing its the current andriod phone hardware specs that are limited this feature?

Lefthand · October 5th, 2009, 06:43 PM

Ok.... I take it the answer is no then?

bunt83 · October 6th, 2009, 04:44 AM

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Hero DOES have compass mode.

1. Go to google maps
2. Long press a point on the map to bring up the address
3. Click on the address and select street view
4. Press menu and select compass view

Voila! (or am I missing something)

Impress your iphone buddies with this feature, I've shown a few ppl and their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets!!!

It SHOULD be easier to use this feature, but it's included!!

phillevy · October 6th, 2009, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt83

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Hero DOES have compass mode.

1. Go to google maps
2. Long press a point on the map to bring up the address
3. Click on the address and select street view
4. Press menu and select compass view

Voila! (or am I missing something)

Impress your iphone buddies with this feature, I've shown a few ppl and their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets!!!

It SHOULD be easier to use this feature, but it's included!!

As posted earlier in the thread this is not what is being discussed - please look at the video posted at the beginning.

daveybaby · October 6th, 2009, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lefthand

Ok.... I take it the answer is no then?

It certainly seems that way unless google decide to add the feature in a later version of google maps.

Very very odd.

Jebus Christ · December 22nd, 2009, 04:24 PM

I was going to make my own thread about this issue but saw this one here? Is there still no way to get a compass on googlemaps? I find it very strange that the iphone has it but android,googles os, does not.

phillevy · December 22nd, 2009, 05:02 PM

I think it is an experimental feature in the latest version of maps - however this only comes with later versions of Android - until HTC comes up with the elusive 2.1 update, the wait for compass mode continues

Jebus Christ · December 22nd, 2009, 05:11 PM

See thats the thing. It's a feature that was removed. The g1 was able to do it and for some reason they removed it when they upgraded to the new versions of google maps.

heero884 · January 29th, 2010, 08:06 AM

I found this thread from doing a Google search and I guess I'm glad its not my Hero that is broken.. just the platform its on =/

BTW is there a mobile view for this forum?

phillevy · January 29th, 2010, 08:13 AM

As slight consolation, I've found an app in the market called RMaps - this actually supports compass mode and also has the ability to save maps to SD. The downside is that there is no navigation though

heero884 · January 29th, 2010, 07:40 PM

I found out Google's own My Tracks app has the compass in map view.. what a way to add insult to injury :X

Quazar · January 29th, 2010, 07:58 PM

Anyone know if this is available on the 2.1 android version?

Slug · January 30th, 2010, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heero884

BTW is there a mobile view for this forum?

Bottom left, change "Phandroid Skin" to "AF Mobile".

dam5s · March 9th, 2010, 06:44 PM

On my Nexus One with Android 2.1, the feature is available in Menu > More > Labs > Compass Arrow.

Anthony1 · March 10th, 2010, 03:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bunt83

3. Click on the address and select street view

Has anyone in the UK actually managed to get this to work? Whenever I try to do it all I get is "Street View Unavailable here"

I'm not talking about 'Off the beaten track' places either. I've never got it to work in London. I've never yet seen this 'feature' on my phone.

ldn-j · March 10th, 2010, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony1

Has anyone in the UK actually managed to get this to work? Whenever I try to do it all I get is "Street View Unavailable here"

I'm not talking about 'Off the beaten track' places either. I've never got it to work in London. I've never yet seen this 'feature' on my phone.

Mine works fine, sitting at my desk here in London & I can get it into streetview in either mode.

daveybaby · March 10th, 2010, 08:36 AM

Streetview coverage is still pretty sparse in the UK outside of major cities, there are even parts of greater london that arent covered yet.

But it definitely works on the hero. If youre in the same spot as the streetview car was (that'll be... um... in the road) its pretty cool to have it match up with reality. Pretty cool, but ultimately pretty useless.

Edit: helpful hint, if you want to see if your area is covered, go to gogle maps on a PC, and drag the little streetview guy (located on top of the zoom bar) onto the map - the areas covered by streetview get shaded in blue.

phillevy · March 10th, 2010, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dam5s

On my Nexus One with Android 2.1, the feature is available in Menu > More > Labs > Compass Arrow.

Yes, but we know this - however as this is Hero-specific (hence the post being in the Hero forum), we can't use the latest version of maps with Android 1.5

monkegeo · March 10th, 2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillevy

Yes, but we know this - however as this is Hero-specific (hence the post being in the Hero forum), we can't use the latest version of maps with Android 1.5

I've got a Hero with 2.1, so it is kind of relevant, but all you get with 2.1 is an arrow showing you which way you are facing, you do not get the rotating map from the video.

phillevy · March 10th, 2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkegeo

I've got a Hero with 2.1, so it is kind of relevant, but all you get with 2.1 is an arrow showing you which way you are facing, you do not get the rotating map from the video.

Fair point - however I think that all but the most adventurous of us are still on 1.5 for the time being. I'm surprised and diappointed if all you still get is an arrow - that wasn't my understanding when the new maps was announced. Why do Google shoot themselves in the foot by continuing to make the iPhone app superior to the Android version?

dam5s · March 10th, 2010, 02:17 PM

The arrow thing is still in "Labs" so there is nothing final about it. Just a beta... hope they will do the map rotation as well in future version.

phillevy · March 10th, 2010, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dam5s

The arrow thing is still in "Labs" so there is nothing final about it. Just a beta... hope they will do the map rotation as well in future version.

I cant understand why we are still hoping and waiting for something the iphone has had from virtually day one - as well as multi-touch zooming - but that's a whole other story!

dam5s · March 10th, 2010, 02:38 PM

No multi-touch zooming on 2.1 with the HTC Hero? Is the Hero multi touch capable? I mean hardware-wise.

daveybaby · March 10th, 2010, 03:54 PM

My 1.5 hero has multi touch. Think the US (sprint) ones had it disabled due to an agreement between apple & google.

phillevy · March 10th, 2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveybaby

Streetview coverage is still pretty sparse in the UK outside of major cities, there are even parts of greater london that arent covered yet.

But it definitely works on the hero. If youre in the same spot as the streetview car was (that'll be... um... in the road) its pretty cool to have it match up with reality. Pretty cool, but ultimately pretty useless.

Edit: helpful hint, if you want to see if your area is covered, go to gogle maps on a PC, and drag the little streetview guy (located on top of the zoom bar) onto the map - the areas covered by streetview get shaded in blue.

All about to change: Google Street View Full UK Coverage unveiled tomorrow

jim_h · March 10th, 2010, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony1

Has anyone in the UK actually managed to get this to work? Whenever I try to do it all I get is "Street View Unavailable here"

I'm not talking about 'Off the beaten track' places either. I've never got it to work in London. I've never yet seen this 'feature' on my phone.

It works fine for me here in West Yorkshire. Only Bradford and Leeds are covered near my home.

Seeing street view in compass mode on the Hero is truly amazing. I didn't know it could do that until reading this thread just now. Awesome!

daveybaby · March 11th, 2010, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phillevy

All about to change: Google Street View Full UK Coverage unveiled tomorrow

Haha, yeah. Just came back to post exactly that. I post about lack of streetview coverage and then the very next day...

Maybe google employees actually read the android forums

Anthony1 · March 11th, 2010, 08:22 AM

Blimey, what a coincidence. I've now got streetview on all the places I didn't have before

Maybe they do read the forums. Ok. We're on a roll now, let's push our luck:

Anyone know if Android 2.1 will be here by the end of the week?

jim_h · March 11th, 2010, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony1

Anyone know if Android 2.1 will be here by the end of the week?

LOL! 10 out of 10 for effort Anthony!

Caloy · March 11th, 2010, 11:00 PM

I have to say that it's a pretty cool feature to have. But I don't see any real world advantages to this feature for the common user. If you're trying to go somewhere you'll just use the phone's navigation feature and it will point you to the right direction.