Google Navigation/Maps App = poop

[cti]

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.

 

[alostpacket]

welcome to AF

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 :\

 

[cti]

if i find a solution i will be sure to post it here.

 

[milrtime83]

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.

 

[inssane]

Try the reroute function.
This is an extremely beta app, so there is much to be desired, but it's coming along.

 

[cti]

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.

 

[breadnatty08]

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.

 

[messenger13]

(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.

Unbelievable...

 

[bigdroiddog]

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.

 

[magnus]

What motorcycle do you own, Joe? Is it a Honda by any chance?

 

[tsaunders]

I personally like the Google Maps navigation, it does what it suppose to do an directs you to your location.

You also have to remember the iPhone one doeesn't give you spoken directions, it just shows you on the map.

I need to figure out a way to mount my droid to my motorcycle for when the spring/summer time comes.

 

[Gunner]

Menu>Route Info> tap alternate route icon

 

[messenger13]

What motorcycle do you own, Joe? Is it a Honda by any chance?

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.

 

[alostpacket]

Menu>Route Info> tap alternate route icon

I learn something new about the Droid every day still. Nice tip.

 

[cti]

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.

 

[cuskit]

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

 

[magnus]

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.

 

[cuskit]

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.

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

 

[magnus]

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!

 

[cuskit]

Oh wow!!! I know exactly what that is!!!!

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):


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

 

[SinfulDragon]

02 F4i over here, traded the 900rr last summer for a Banshee

 

[hondapro]

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.

 

[virtus]

...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.

 

[Jim Dawson]

it gives me 2 alternate routes....but they still all want me to take this silly ferry! ...

Are you afraid of water?

 

[bdal1]

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.