I am taking a trip tomorrow, the first long drive with the droid(or any internet/smartphone for that matter) in the car. I am VERY stoked to listen to internet radio, search Wikipedia and all the other loveliness that comes with having the intertubes with me, but I am dreadfully disappointed with the bundled maps/navigation ap.
the suggested(read: only effing one it will let me use) route wants me to take a ferry, which doesn't fit my travel plans. no biggie, ill just modify the route by dragging one of the waypoints. NO, wont let me.
no biggie, ill just add a "via $someplace" into the route and avoid the ferry that way. NO, wont let me.
fine ill use a browser (on my desktop) to map out my route, save it to my maps, and sync to the phone. NO, loads the map, but not the directions.
WTF, i mean, I was annoyed enough that there was no way to save favorite places, like home, nice hiking spots etc (or drop a pin) in the map app (functionality that is WAY trivial to include) but this is just unacceptable. who cares if there is traffic ahead of me? here in vermont, if there is traffic, we just wait. am i missing something? (i really hope so) my non-touchsceen garmin quest (from 2004!) does this (lets me save my own points, and build a custom route) why cant my brand new superdevice? cmon google! you guys have a better map application on the competitor's phone! and dont get me started on the lack of gmail task/google sites sync/functionality on here. google goggles? really? lets get the real tools that people use working first!
i tired searching to see if this functionality was coming with 2.1, but all i found was info about multitouch(big whoop).
</rant>
can anyone suggest a way to get this on the phone, ive already memorized the route i plan to take, but in the event i want to let the wife drive and take a nap, or just for future reference, a solution would be nice. yeah, i downloaded the map and have it to _read_ but that kind of defeats the purpose of having a computer do things for me, and could require pulling over to look at(oh the horror!).
btw, hello all, i'm Chris. Debian/ubuntu Linux and fluxbox/Gnome Desktop user. i have a stock droid and a lot of old computers.
Last edited by cti; February 5th, 2010 at 01:45 AM.
Reason: corrected one of many typographical errors. clarified slightly
The Nav app will reroute you while you are in transit if you veer off course, other than that I'm not sure what to tell you. It would be nice if it did at least one of the things you tried, kinda a bummer :\
One thing to keep in mind is that it is a fairly new product and still in beta.
You can just go the way you want and it will change it eventually which has been mentioned. The other option is to just program in whatever location you were going to use for the "via" route and then when you get that far, program in your final destination.
Try the reroute function.
This is an extremely beta app, so there is much to be desired, but it's coming along.
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OK so maybe the route manipulation is coming. But maybe its not. Imho this map software was not ready for release beta or otherwise.
At least let me drop a pin! Why was this left out? Id be glad to swallow the "its only beta" if the iphone didn't already have this. I've been doing it in the browser for years! They got these silly ooh and ahh features like traffic and streetview working but neglect the fundementals of a useful map app, namely plotting routes and marking places.
I will just write the directions on a napkin like a peasant.
Menu-Alternate Route, and select one. Try that out. We've used that function a couple times when we want to avoid certain spots in DC. Aside from it not finding a certain street in Charleston, it's worked well for us.
The Following User Says Thank You to dreadnatty08 For This Useful Post:
(Just a little background) I'm a long-time Garmin owner/user. And when I also say long-time, I should also say long-distance as well. I've used my Garmins to tour long-distance via motorcycle all around this wonderful country of ours. I only have 7 or the 48 contiguous States left to tour, then I'll move on to Alaska, and ultimately Europe.
Currently, I have my Garmin 2820 still on the dash of my car whilst comparing it to the DROID's navigation system. When I bought my DROID, I figured there was NO WAY that the DROID could take the place of a Garmin. No way.
Now, I've only taken short trips thus far ... but I have compared the two side-by-side. And I must say that I am very impressed with Google maps, some of the built-in functionality, the UI, and it's clarity when giving visual directions (i.e. as you're approaching your next turn, etc...). I see no reason why this DROID, with this beta version of Google Maps / Navigator cannot take the place of my beloved Garmin. Sure there's a learning curve, but I expected that.
Having said that ... Mr. cti comes in here ranting like some 3-year-old, and then expects us all to solve his problems? You're kidding, right? You've got a lot to learn about people skills and forum etiquette. Had you stated your issues and asked questions like an adult, I and many others would be much more apt to try to solve your obviously unsurmountable issues with the DROID's horrific GPS app.
So go on with your bad Debian/ubuntu Linux and fluxbox/Gnome self. A smart guy like you should be able to figure this stuff out without ranting like a child. Or ... maybe that's what you geniuses do.
Yea this is not a tom tom, if you want all that kind of functionality, pick up one of those. As others have said its a beta version, the next version will add alot of new functionality such as night mood and i believe it will add the functionality that the app Nav launcher does.Lets not forget this is not a miracle device, its first and foremost a phone and a navigator 3rd or 4th.
I learn something new about the Droid every day still. Nice tip.
it gives me 2 alternate routes....but they still all want me to take this silly ferry!
thanks for the tip!
With google maps in the browser and google earth and the my maps app, hopefully its only a matter of time before seriously awesome mapping comes to android.
Last edited by cti; February 5th, 2010 at 01:12 PM.
Reason: fixed typos
Previous maps ARE saved, though you can't manually save them. When beginning a new search, as you type previous searches immediately appear - just select. Okay - not the best - but still available. Works for me. Your other complaint - I'm with you on that! I've got several local areas I need to avoid due to construction - damn Droid just has no clue how to re-route me around them - I begin driving my alternate route and it tries to direct me BACK through the construction areas! Yikes! Other than that - I'm tickled pink with the map features. I don't want to carry two devices, so I'll settle for a couple small missing features. cuskit
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Last edited by cuskit; February 5th, 2010 at 01:17 PM.
In this order, I've owned 11 Honda's, 1 Kawasaki, and 2 BMWs. In a month or so, I'm buying a new sport-tourer ... probably the Kaw Concours 14 ABS.
Have I seen you on HondaShadow.net?
I could be mistaken but I vaguely remember seeing one of your previous avatars on that forum
I ride a Shadow Spirit VT750DC :-)
Same user name on that forum as well....though I haven't been there in a while since it appears to be blocked at work.
I could be mistaken but I vaguely remember seeing one of your previous avatars on that forum
I ride a Shadow Spirit VT750DC :-)
Same user name on that forum as well....though I haven't been there in a while since it appears to be blocked at work.
Talking Honda's? Okay - how about my vintage 1984 Honda Nighthawk? Still own it since new, don't ever expect to sell it! One of the best sport bikes ever built with minimal maintenance. We should have a poll on Smartphone owners and their bikes! cuskit
Talking Honda's? Okay - how about my vintage 1984 Honda Nighthawk? Still own it since new, don't ever expect to sell it! One of the best sport bikes ever built with minimal maintenance. We should have a poll on Smartphone owners and their bikes! cuskit
Oh wow!!! I know exactly what that is!!!!
Nice!!! I second the vote for a new subsection of the forum for Bikes!
Nice!!! I second the vote for a new subsection of the forum for Bikes!
Yes - I'm not surprised. It seems it was a very popular model - there are several websites dedicated just to this bike!
Here's a picture I took last summer in my shop (click photo to enlarge): NighthawkUpload.jpg
tsaunders: I'll try and dig up a couple of posts over on droidforums.net - I seem to recall a few great threads on mounting phones on motorcycles. I didn't bookmark as I carry mine in my jacket pocket with bluetooth earphones. Yea - I know - not good for navigation if you need to watch the street map, but the Droid does a great job of verbally instructing turns well before you need to. But I like that I never miss a call! Hmm - wonder if a call breaks into navigation? I'll have to check that out - unless someone hear already knows?
There are a couple of helmet manufacturers with built-in bluetooth that I'm contemplating. But I do intend on some kind of either tank mount or handlebar mount. Thanks for reminding me - touring season up here (Jersey Shore) starts in another two months! cuskit
Nighthawks Rock! cuskit
Last edited by cuskit; February 5th, 2010 at 04:05 PM.
When I started using Google maps on the phone I also was hoping I could do a lot of the thing I could do on Google maps on the computer like dragging the rout around. I was disappointed that I couldn't but it is still beta and I'm sure Google will add this functionality. I think it is great navigation app with a lot of potential and its free! I have a Garmin that I paid a few hundred for and now there is a map update that cost $60. Google gives us the navigation for free and they update the maps for free! So I don't think we can complain too much.
...Hmm - wonder if a call breaks into navigation? I'll have to check that out - unless someone hear already knows?
I use nav a lot, and IIRC, navigation plays at the same time as your phone call. It does not transmit through the call - but the other caller might hear the nav instructions if it is loud enough for your mic to pick it up.
Keep in mind that the Nav will not re-route you if you are in a phone call and you deviate from the cached route if you are using a Droid. The Milestone is GSM, so it does not have this issue. So if you are in an unfamiliar area where you are receiving a lot of instructions from the Nav, it's best to stay off of the phone, otherwise it will just stop giving directions without a warning.
BTW... If your bluetooth headset is only using the Hands Free Profile (like most single ear pieces), the nav will play from the droid itself (or through the 3.5mm jack) and your call will continue through the bluetooth headset. In fact, the nav can only be heard over bluetooth through the A2DP protocol, which most single ear pieces don't use. So make sure your helmet system supports A2DP if you want nav spoken in your helmet.
dude
what do you mean you cant save favorite places?
first way- Just star it
second way- use layers and set up favorites on google maps from your computer
third way- set up custom maps on google maps and use that layer.
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dude
what do you mean you cant save favorite places?
first way- Just star it
second way- use layers and set up favorites on google maps from your computer
third way- set up custom maps on google maps and use that layer.
fourth way- long press for "Add to Home Screen," scroll down to "Directions & Navigation," enter the address (or contact name if it's saved), and press the save button. Then you'll have a shortcut on your desktop that starts you navigating in one tap. Or, like I do, you can store a bunch of favorites in a folder. In two taps I can start navigating to any of my favorite places.
Fact of the matter is that you bought A PHONE with GPS navigation on it. If you *really* need all those features then maybe you should invest in stand alone navigation unit. You really don't need all that crap do you though - your a capable man are you not?
I've been on a few road trips with previous phones using either TomTom or Sprint Nav and from my recollection they didn't offer all the wiz bang features you want. In fact once in Washington state I ran into the exact same problem as you; it wanted us to use the ferry and we didn't want to. Easy fix though - act like a MAN and look at a map. Seriously is reading a map (paper or digital) that difficult for people these days? Yes I understand that reading a map while driving is difficult and dangerous - well then be a MAN and look at it when fuelling up, at a rest stop or heavens forbid the night before in your hotel room.
Prior to GPS I navigated all over the country with just a road atlas and perhaps a piece of paper where I wrote an address or exit number on. Now in the days of GPS I like to have it with me because I am a gadget freak - but chances are I already know the route just as well as the GPS.
dude
what do you mean you cant save favorite places?
first way- Just star it
second way- use layers and set up favorites on google maps from your computer
third way- set up custom maps on google maps and use that layer.
bdal1 - I'm interested, but I couldn't figure out how to get your suggestions to work.
Quote:
Originally Posted by shrugger
fourth way- long press for "Add to Home Screen," scroll down to "Directions & Navigation," enter the address (or contact name if it's saved), and press the save button. Then you'll have a shortcut on your desktop that starts you navigating in one tap. Or, like I do, you can store a bunch of favorites in a folder. In two taps I can start navigating to any of my favorite places.
shrugger - Nice! I just found something else out about my Droid!
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Last edited by AzJazz; February 6th, 2010 at 12:16 AM.
5th Way -- Use Nav Launcher or similar app from the Market. You can add favorites, select Contacts, etc.
Or cti could purchase CoPilot (or any other option) to use a different nav app all together. Let's not forget that Google Nav comes free with the phone. There are other options if you are not happy.
Last edited by geezman; February 6th, 2010 at 01:47 AM.
Oh god. Sometimes it works wonders, but depending on your location it can be just HORRIBLE. Like for instance, me and my sister went to Roseville the other day, and we were trying to get to the Galleria. Before we left she looked on Google Maps on the internet and found the fastest way there. She had to move around some of the routes and whatever, but she found the quickest way from Shingle Springs. Anyway, I put on my navigation on the droid on as we drove. That thing wants you to go THE LONGEST ROUTE EVER. And its like the most rediculous route too. It wants you to take all of the back roads. We didn't follow it the way there, but afterwards we were going to Folsom and I set it. The thing made us get off of one road, turn onto a million gazillion different roads, back ON TO THE SAME ROAD WE WERE ON, OFF AGAIN, it just seemed like we were going in freaking circles. Anyway we finally found ourselves on Hazel and it was telling us to turn on all these roads we kept passing. Then all of a sudden, according to the droid, we were driving THROUGH houses and trees.
I'm geussing Roseville, CA is a BAD place to use Google Maps/Navigation.
I use nav a lot, and IIRC, navigation plays at the same time as your phone call. It does not transmit through the call - but the other caller might hear the nav instructions if it is loud enough for your mic to pick it up.
Keep in mind that the Nav will not re-route you if you are in a phone call and you deviate from the cached route if you are using a Droid. The Milestone is GSM, so it does not have this issue. So if you are in an unfamiliar area where you are receiving a lot of instructions from the Nav, it's best to stay off of the phone, otherwise it will just stop giving directions without a warning.
BTW... If your bluetooth headset is only using the Hands Free Profile (like most single ear pieces), the nav will play from the droid itself (or through the 3.5mm jack) and your call will continue through the bluetooth headset. In fact, the nav can only be heard over bluetooth through the A2DP protocol, which most single ear pieces don't use. So make sure your helmet system supports A2DP if you want nav spoken in your helmet.
Thanks for that tip! Do you use a helmet system, and if so - what do you recommend? mike
I too have had difficulty with Google Navigator. My specific issue is that once I get to my destination and want to save it as a favorite, I can't. This is odd since my VZ Navigator on my last phone did this with the press of a button.
And while I haven't used it much, I did test it on my way to work and it tried to send me along a far worse route. My office is 30 miles away with 25 being freeway - it tried to send me along surface streets with numerous stop lights.
Anyway, it is extraordinarily bad when it comes to saving our locations. I don't know what the designers were thinking and if anyone knows a way please share.
I too have had difficulty with Google Navigator. My specific issue is that once I get to my destination and want to save it as a favorite, I can't. This is odd since my VZ Navigator on my last phone did this with the press of a button.
And while I haven't used it much, I did test it on my way to work and it tried to send me along a far worse route. My office is 30 miles away with 25 being freeway - it tried to send me along surface streets with numerous stop lights.
Anyway, it is extraordinarily bad when it comes to saving our locations. I don't know what the designers were thinking and if anyone knows a way please share.
Google Mpas is far from perfect, but for free, AND on the same device I already have with me anyway, it has served me quite well.
Regarding "favorites", when you search for an address, you can click on what shows up and either add it as a contact or star it. If you star it, you can go into Menu/More/Starred Items, and you will have a list of those addresses you starred. I've never actually used this, but it seems to do what you want.
My biggest gripe is theres been what 5 or 6 updates? more? it only seems to get less accurate and lose features such as the ability to long press a house or building and instantly get the addy, of course my favorite feature. Its been a beta for how long? I'm sure it will be forever. It was one of the major advertised plusses in buying the droid in the first place. I would gladly pay for it if it were semi reliable. Let's face it most of us probably use our droid's other features more than the phone or you wouldn't own one.
There is no reason it shouldn't replace a tom tom or garmin your absolutely right and the gripes people have here are quite legit as I use it often for deliveries and originally fell in love until it began becoming increasingly inaccurate or showing terrible routes and I became aware of all the cons. Its unreliable at best. vz navigator was arguably better at many facets of navigation, just not flashy and it only used cell towers. That borders on pathetic..... it was well worth 7 or 8 bucks a month.
I read this forum daily and rarely post as i find it unnecessary with the wealth of knowledge here, With that being said his etiquette minus the topic title was not inappropriate for any of the dozens of forums I've been or am a member of. His gripes are more than legitimate. Perhaps you dont like the phrasing, it called frustration. Happens to people of average and above average intelligence alike. There was no need for the underhanded shot at his intelligence, thats poor forum etiquette. You wanna see child stuff visit some auto forums. So let's hold hands guys and never speak ill of the mighty droid, its apps, or any of its MANY shortcomings, especially in a frustrated tone. That seems to be the proper forum etiquette.... genius out.....
Last edited by 97'es; March 26th, 2010 at 02:36 PM.
Sorry if this is a repeat response, I stopped reading every response when people started talking about motorcycles (nothing against them, I'd just kill myself if I tried to ride, I have that type of luck. They look fun as hell though)...
Anyways, everyone does know you can go to Google Maps on your computer and save maps to your GMail account (and make them private) and then access them via a layer on your Droid called "My Maps"?
Furthermore, you can save multiple locations within each map you create. So in your instance, cti, you could "drop a point" that bypasses the ferry as your initial destination and then create a 2nd point that gets you to your ultimate destination, in the same map.
For work, I have about 100 or so locations that I need to travel to at any given time and I have them all saved to a single map. On my Droid I load this map and then click the little list type button on the lower left portion of the touchscreen and it brings up all the points in my custom map. I can then choose to navigate to any of them.
I too have had difficulty with Google Navigator. My specific issue is that once I get to my destination and want to save it as a favorite, I can't. This is odd since my VZ Navigator on my last phone did this with the press of a button.
And while I haven't used it much, I did test it on my way to work and it tried to send me along a far worse route. My office is 30 miles away with 25 being freeway - it tried to send me along surface streets with numerous stop lights.
Anyway, it is extraordinarily bad when it comes to saving our locations. I don't know what the designers were thinking and if anyone knows a way please share.
I have an upscale Garmin unit and its routing isn't worth a pound of fudge! I have found the phone GPS to be far more accurate in routing for my needs. However, they are all different. You can have three GPS units in the same suto, and each one of them will route a different way. I know, I tried them. My Garamin, a Tom Tom, and Google navigation. I was so impressed by the phones navigation I bought the windshield car mount. It isn't as feature rich or as reliable as a true GPS unit, but sure the hell is convienent. Far as favorites, you can create as many direction shortcuts as you want, then use them as one touch destinations. Works great!
Sorry if this is a repeat response, I stopped reading every response when people started talking about motorcycles (nothing against them, I'd just kill myself if I tried to ride, I have that type of luck. They look fun as hell though)...
Anyways, everyone does know you can go to Google Maps on your computer and save maps to your GMail account (and make them private) and then access them via a layer on your Droid called "My Maps"?
Furthermore, you can save multiple locations within each map you create. So in your instance, cti, you could "drop a point" that bypasses the ferry as your initial destination and then create a 2nd point that gets you to your ultimate destination, in the same map.
For work, I have about 100 or so locations that I need to travel to at any given time and I have them all saved to a single map. On my Droid I load this map and then click the little list type button on the lower left portion of the touchscreen and it brings up all the points in my custom map. I can then choose to navigate to any of them.
What would be very useful in Google Navigation is a minimum set of routing choices: shortest, fastest, offroad and 'avoid heavy traffic', like in my 3 Garmins. Actually, I stopped using my nuvi 770 except when in non-CDMA countries (which is everywhere except the US, Australia, China, New Zealand, Israel and South Korea), but the routing algorithm in my nuvi is definitely better than in Google Nav. However, the auto reroute and live traffic partially makes it up.
I found the best way to create a custom route is to do so under My Maps in google maps. Sign in with google maps, learn to create maps. Create points along your route that are short so that you know the GPS will take you the way that you want to go. I even draw the route that I want to go. Save the map. Go into "My Maps" on your phone by going into Maps, Menu, Layers, More layers, My Maps. Select the map you created. You can now navigate to all the points on the map you created along the way. It can do much, much more than that if you learn how to use My Maps well.
While you are on My Maps you can also learn how to name a starred address whatever you want, such as "Home". Here is how to name a starred address. When you type an address in your search bar (google maps on your computer only, not on your phone). Immediately after the address type in parentheses the name you want to call it. Example: 555 general lane, naperville, Il 60540 (home). Now, look on the left side of the screen to see where you can star that address called "home". Once you star it, you can see that starred item on your phone and it will be called "home".
I am taking a trip tomorrow, the first long drive with the droid(or any internet/smartphone for that matter) in the car. I am VERY stoked to listen to internet radio, search Wikipedia and all the other loveliness that comes with having the intertubes with me, but I am dreadfully disappointed with the bundled maps/navigation ap.
the suggested(read: only effing one it will let me use) route wants me to take a ferry, which doesn't fit my travel plans. no biggie, ill just modify the route by dragging one of the waypoints. NO, wont let me.
no biggie, ill just add a "via $someplace" into the route and avoid the ferry that way. NO, wont let me.
fine ill use a browser (on my desktop) to map out my route, save it to my maps, and sync to the phone. NO, loads the map, but not the directions.
WTF, i mean, I was annoyed enough that there was no way to save favorite places, like home, nice hiking spots etc (or drop a pin) in the map app (functionality that is WAY trivial to include) but this is just unacceptable. who cares if there is traffic ahead of me? here in vermont, if there is traffic, we just wait. am i missing something? (i really hope so) my non-touchsceen garmin quest (from 2004!) does this (lets me save my own points, and build a custom route) why cant my brand new superdevice? cmon google! you guys have a better map application on the competitor's phone! and dont get me started on the lack of gmail task/google sites sync/functionality on here. google goggles? really? lets get the real tools that people use working first!
i tired searching to see if this functionality was coming with 2.1, but all i found was info about multitouch(big whoop).
</rant>
can anyone suggest a way to get this on the phone, ive already memorized the route i plan to take, but in the event i want to let the wife drive and take a nap, or just for future reference, a solution would be nice. yeah, i downloaded the map and have it to _read_ but that kind of defeats the purpose of having a computer do things for me, and could require pulling over to look at(oh the horror!).
btw, hello all, i'm Chris. Debian/ubuntu Linux and fluxbox/Gnome Desktop user. i have a stock droid and a lot of old computers.
Get a Garmin. A real GPS designed for being a GPS. Google tells you up front that its in testing stages.
Edit: can you look it up on mapqest from the Droid?
The Motorola Droid - the first ever Verizon Android Phone - exploded onto the mobile market with an incredibly successful ad campaign that brough Android to the masses. With a huge and vibrant touchscreen, solid metal body, full QWERTY keyboard, 5M... Read More
Google Navigation/Maps App = poop
cuskit
