I am developing a new gps app

[mvpiggott]

I am developing a new gps app for android. It will have route and waypoint navigation and online/offline mapping. I am interested to hear of any features you would like to see in this kind of app. I have a free app called GPS Test (the one by chartcross ltd) in the market already and the screen design will be similar.

 

[HumanContract]

I am interested to hear of any features you would like to see in this kind of app.

Definitely need an app that automatically shuts off voice directions when you answer a call. A favorites list, a "search nearby..." would be cool.

 

[TheSultan]

no offense, but, why bother? Google Maps is pretty bad ass, you think you can create something better with labs and layers and satellite view and everything?

 

[mvpiggott]

This app will be something different to Google maps. It will have offline mapping and online mapping. You will be able to scan in your own maps. Google maps will only work where you have a cell signal. This app will be for people who hike in the countryside without cell coverage or for marine use.

You will be able to store routes and way points. It will guide you between waypoints on the route automatically and guide you back to the start again.

It will store stats about your trip.
It will store points in 3D so if you are climbing it will show height to climb etc.
It will eventually have voice only navigation, so you can keep the phone in your pocket and every few minute the app will tell you distance, direction and time to destination.

 

[stinkyrex]

I'm definitely interested in something like this. I like to go on fun drives and discover new routes. I would like to be able to start off somewhere, have it track the route and then afterwards be able to save it to my google maps, so I can share with my friends.

I'll check out your GPS Test app!

 

[SMD]

Please do this!! Outdoorsmen are underserved by existing apps. What are talking about is what we (hunters, backpackers, fishermen) need.

 

[gnath9]

Please do this!! Outdoorsmen are underserved by existing apps. What are talking about is what we (hunters, backpackers, fishermen) need.

+1 ^^^

I would like to mark "hot spots" on the lake without having to buy a new fish finder. I would pay for an app like that !!! Been looking and I can find anything so far.

 

[SMD]

Are you still doing this? I could give a lot of input about what we need, and would sure love to have it.

 

[mvpiggott]

Yes I am still going to write the application. I have made a start. If you do have suggestions for the app please reply to this. I will try post some screen shots of what I have done so far. The look and feel of the app will be the same as my GPS Test app.

 

[jdv007]

I like several of the features that Garmin has including the ave speed, highest speed, change voices, arrival time, etc.

 

[gary baruch]

if it could save stuff like home and if u could get the speed limit of where ur like garmin that would b great

 

[SMD]

Absolute Musts:

-Ability to store waypoints and edit their info.
-Ability to create a waypoint without being in that location. In other words, ability to edit ALL info, including lat/lon
-Some sort of red lighting or backlight other than the device backlight.
-ability to use different N/WO formats and decimal positions.
-Notes for waypoints, and ability to add/edit notes after waypoint is created.

Blackstar for Blackberry did the bare minimums well enough for me and was free. I was elated when I found it (my cheap Garmin went on Craigslist) and shocked that Android had no such.

If you add to these features PC interface, download/uploadable maps, color topo, etc. you'd have an app I'd gladly pay for.

For a model of the bare minimums hunters/fishermen are looking for, take a look at BlackStar, or a cheap Garmin eTrex (the simple yellow one).

PLEASE DO IT!!!

 

[SMD]

I think a couple of the posters need to realize that this is for outdoor/field use, not for driving. There is definately a market niche here.

 

[mvpiggott]

I have been developing this app and have got a fair way. Here is a screen shot of the navigation screen.

The red arrow points to the direction to travel to reach the next waypoint. It also shows the time distance to the next waypoint. I hope to have all the functionality of a handheld GPS e.g. the Garmin Geko 301. From this base I will add more functions later.
http://chartcross.co.uk/android/screenshots/gpsadventurer/screen_shot_001_med.png

 

[trankster]

I am interested for offroad / trail hiking. Any chance of adding a "battery conservation" feature as the GPS and compass use a lot of power. Thanks.

 

[OFI]

that screenshot looks great so far

 

[PinchApp]

You can also use GPS to locate your friends by giving their details.
Just as we have done in Pinch iMessenger.

 

[bwsmith]

It sounds great but the interface is different than what I thought. I am trying to find one where I can map a trail to hunting spots and it will get me back via the exact route I took. Basically I need "As the Man Walks" directions, not "As the crow flies" which is what all the other apps I have found seem to be.

 

[mvpiggott]

bwsmith it will do what you want. As you walk it will record a point every x meters or x second. Once you reach your destination you can press the 'Back track' button and it will guide you using the interface above back via each waypoint stored. Once you get to a waypoint it will automatically point to the next one and so on until you reach your start point. If you stray off path and the next waypoint is no longer the nearest to your route it will find the next nearest waypoint, a bit like how Sat Nav re-routes you if take a wrong turn.

 

[mvpiggott]

Here are some more screenshots I am making good progress

 

[jt807]

This looks like a pretty good app. I will defenitely try it when you finish.

I like that you will be able to label and describe a waypoint. Most GPS let you do this, but they don't have a keyboard, you have to select each letter to type. Don't skimp on the size of the text fields.

You probably won't allow duplicate waypoints. It would be cool if it suggested good alternate names. For example, if I already have a waypoint called truck, then suggest the name truck1. My GPS now suggest waypoint1 if truck is already taken.

Import and export of waypoints would be cool.

If it was compatible with NAT GEO mapes, it would be awesome!

When creating waypoints, allow a default expiration date. For example, when I hunt, I leave my truck. I create a waypoint called truck. It would be cool if when I created this I could make it automtically expire in say 7 days. That way I wouldn't ever have to clean up the 22 truck waypoints I have stored.

One Idea I have thought of is making multiple arrows that point towards the destination. One would be based on direction using the internal compass, the other would be based on the direction travelling based on GPS fixes.

 

[Soaring]

Great idea, wish you luck. I use BlackStar for BlackBerry regularly, would love to have similar capability on Droid. Having the option to set units to include nautical miles and knots would be helpful for aviation backup. If you really wanted to get cosmic, recording tracks in '.igc' format would be wonderful for sailplane pilots -- let me know if you would like info on that. If you could include the ability to underlay a moving user-supplied georectified bitmap, that would put you over the top. Would love to help you test, or even develop....

 

[MonDrew]

I love your graphics! What are you using to get all those graphics? I can't imagine you are drawing them from scratch! I'd like to display electronic items like switches and led lights, but I have no idea where to get them. Can you guide me?

Thanks!

 

[KHeeney5]

Looks awesome! Let us know when it is out!!!

 

[Vladivir]

Good luck with this. The screenshots look great. It's interesting that you mentioned the Garmin Geko 301 functionality as I came across this forum whilst looking for an app which is equivalent to my Geko 201. There doesn't seem to be anything quite like the Geko functionality at present. I'm currently using Waypoint Free but I'd certainly be interested in this app. One advantage that the Geko has is the better accuracy (using DGPS), but I suppose that you can't have it all! I'd happily pay a few Dollars/Pounds for this.