Geocoder functions

[Guest Wizard]

The Geocoder object in Android provides the ability for apps to:

1. Get a location name (e.g. "George Street, Hastings") from a latitude and longitude

2. Get a latitude/longitude from a placename (e.g. "LHR", "high street, berkhamsted", "N22 5NT", "japan" etc)

It's apparent that these features ONLY work on devices that are Google approved, and so if you're missing GMail/Market/etc on a device, you'll also be missing this. So any app that relies on these features will either not work fully, or blow up.

I'm writing a geo Android app (UK event listings by location) and it's been brilliant testing on the Vega as it breaks so many apps because it's got no GPS, and no way to geocode.

So in my app...

1. The app can't deduce location by GPS or mobile network, and doesn't pick one up via wifi (I believe some wifi locations do provide location data, from StreetView cars I guess)

2. The app feature I wrote to specify your location by typing the name doesn't work either, GeoCoder API missing

3. I've added a facility to specify location by tapping on a map, and that works, but sadly the location name can't be displayed as the app can't get the location name from the latitude/longitude.

Paul, not sure if it's easy to reinsert the Geocoder backend into your Vega distro? Might be worth doing as it'll make geo apps a bit more functional.

I'm finding a fair few apps blow up because they're assuming there's a GPS and/or geocoding available (Zoopla, are you listening?). I report the crash every so often and hopefully one day they'll fix it.

Edited January 26, 2011 by Wizard

[Guest trevor432990]

Most of us who are interested in getting GPS data onto our Vega use the Bluetooth GPS app to gather location data from a mobile or in my case an external Wayfinder GPS box (Just £5 on eBay) so I don't think we really miss the core software you mentioned or maybe it is not missing at all ... I don't know. People have also found when apps don't work because that need GPS location data if they use the 'My Fake Location' app this provides a workaround for that problem as well most of the time. :lol:

[Guest QLF]

Most of us who are interested in getting GPS data onto our Vega use the Bluetooth GPS app to gather location data from a mobile or in my case an external Wayfinder GPS box (Just £5 on eBay) so I don't think we really miss the core software you mentioned or maybe it is not missing at all ... I don't know. People have also found when apps don't work because that need GPS location data if they use the 'My Fake Location' app this provides a workaround for that problem as well most of the time. :lol:

AFAIK it is missing, (hence Google Navigation from Car Home doesn't work), but reports suggest that v1.08 reinstates this. Haven't been able to test myself, plans afoot for this weekend tho - Finally my £5 GPS will bear fruit! lol.

[Guest Wizard]

Most of us who are interested in getting GPS data onto our Vega use the Bluetooth GPS app to gather location data from a mobile or in my case an external Wayfinder GPS box (Just £5 on eBay) so I don't think we really miss the core software you mentioned or maybe it is not missing at all ... I don't know. People have also found when apps don't work because that need GPS location data if they use the 'My Fake Location' app this provides a workaround for that problem as well most of the time. :lol:

The code is definitely missing; Google's Reto Meier confirmed to me that non-Google-approved devices are missing the Geocoder backend.

I agree it's not a big deal. For me I don't need a GPS as it's actually quite useful having a device that doesn't have one (for testing apps!) but useful to know about the location fixer app, thanks.

Unfortunately quite a few apps are only tested on the common devices, which in general are a) Google-approved, and :) have a GPS. but I'm sure that will change as more Android devices appear.

[Guest Wizard]

AFAIK it is missing, (hence Google Navigation from Car Home doesn't work), but reports suggest that v1.08 reinstates this. Haven't been able to test myself, plans afoot for this weekend tho - Finally my £5 GPS will bear fruit! lol.

I'd be surprised if the Geocoder function was in 1.08, as the licensing for it is the same as GMail, Market etc, it's not open-source, and Google only let manufacturers use it if the device fits their criteria, which we know the Vega currently doesn't.

[Guest trevor432990]

AFAIK it is missing, (hence Google Navigation from Car Home doesn't work), but reports suggest that v1.08 reinstates this. Haven't been able to test myself, plans afoot for this weekend tho - Finally my £5 GPS will bear fruit! lol.

I can use Google navigation on my Vega v1.06 system and the £5 Wayfinder + Bluetooth GPS but can't tether my phone so rather limited at the moment :lol:

[Guest QLF]

I can use Google navigation on my Vega v1.06 system and the £5 Wayfinder + Bluetooth GPS but can't tether my phone so rather limited at the moment :lol:

Legend! Would you mind letting me know exact titles of progs you used to manage this / settings within each?

At the moment I get to a screen saying GPS is not currently turned on, (even though the voice reads out the first turn instructions)! Been trying to get this working for weeks, and always fall at the same hurdle.

I should note that the GPS works perfectly, and google maps works fine - just when i move over to navigation that it causes issues :)

Thanks in advance.

[Guest trevor432990]

OK here goes a step-by-step guide to setting up GPS on the Vega with your £5 GPS device

1. Go to Market and download/install the Bluetooth GPS Provider app FREE?
   
2. In Vega settings go to SETTINGS > APPLICATIONS > DEVELOPMENT > ALLOW MOCK LOCATIONS and tick it
   
3. Go to SETTINGS > WIRELESS NETWORKS > BLUETOOTH and switch it on by ticking
   Go to SETTINGS > LOCATION & SECURITY > USE WIRELESS NETWORKS and switch on by ticking
   
4. Click on Bluetooth GPS Provider icon in app tray to launch it
   
5. In BT GPS click on menu and select preferences then set these
   
6. Force tick
   
7. Switch Bluetooth tick
   
8. Raw HDOP tick
   
9. GPS Type set to OTHER
   
10. SIRF settings should be set to SWITCH TO NMEA
    
11. Turn on GPS Wayfinder hardware and position until the Left Green Arrow light is Solid and Right Blue Arrow light is flashing (will turn solid when connected to Vega)
    P.S. You will need to pair this device with the Vega initially before you do this. It should show as 'BT GPS V10 Paired but not connected' on BT device list
    
12. Go to BT GPS app initial screen and select START
    

At this point the screen should blank and pop-up a message saying gathering GPS data (or words to that effect) and you may notice two icons appear on the Vega notification bar a) a blue arrow showing Navigator is loaded :) a blue radio signal showing BT GPS is running. After that a dimmed display will appear with the following options NAVIGATE, PHONE, VOICE SEARCH, CONTACTS, MUSIC, EXIT CAR MODE.

Select NAVIGATE and test it by typing a destination postcode some distance from your own and a pop-up saying 'Getting navigation instructions' will appear and shortly after the screen will display a map or satellite image of your current location with indicators showing which direction to travel.

Click on 'Then' button and thereafter the Right Arrow button on the apps notification bar to follow the route it's found.

You should now be in business !!! Let me know if that all works for you? :lol:

Edited January 27, 2011 by trevor432990

[Guest QLF]

OK here goes a step-by-step guide to setting up GPS on the Vega with your £5 GPS device

1. Go to Market and download/install the Bluetooth GPS Provider app FREE?
   
2. In Vega settings go to SETTINGS > APPLICATIONS > DEVELOPMENT > ALLOW MOCK LOCATIONS and tick it
   
3. Go to SETTINGS > WIRELESS NETWORKS > BLUETOOTH and switch it on by ticking
   
4. Click on Bluetooth GPS Provider icon in app tray to launch it
   
5. In BT GPS click on menu and select preferences then set these
   
6. Force tick
   
7. Switch Bluetooth tick
   
8. Raw HDOP tick
   
9. GPS Type set to OTHER
   
10. SIRF settings should be set to SWITCH TO NMEA
    
11. Turn on GPS Wayfinder hardware and position until the Left Green Arrow light is Solid and Right Blue Arrow light is flashing (will turn solid when connected to Vega)
    
12. Go to BT GPS app initial screen and select START
    

At this point the screen should blank and pop-up a message saying gathering GPS data (or words to that effect) and you may notice two icons appear on the Vega notification bar a) a blue arrow showing Navigator is loaded :lol: a blue radio signal showing BT GPS is running. After that a dimmed display will appear with the following options NAVIGATE, PHONE, VOICE SEARCH, CONTACTS, MUSIC, EXIT CAR MODE.

Down to here is no problem - pretty much what i already tried.

Select NAVIGATE and test it by typing a destination postcode some distance from your own and a pop-up saying 'Getting navigation instructions' will appear and shortly after the screen will display a map or satellite image of your current location with indicators showing which direction to travel.

As soon as I press "NAVIGATE" on the car home screen, it displays an error "GPS is disabled. Show Location settings? [OK]. All i can do is go back to Car Home Screen, or click OK which takes me to the "Location and security settings" menu, which doesn't allow me to turn GPS on, (even thoughBT GPS Provider IS tracking 7 satellites, AND I can get Current location to work in Maps.

This is where i've been stuck for the last 10 days - lol. (I guess i'm not the sharpest tool in the box!)

Just wondering if there's another setting somewhere that i've messed up previously, but think this could take a while to figure out :)

[Guest trevor432990]

Down to here is no problem - pretty much what i already tried.

As soon as I press "NAVIGATE" on the car home screen, it displays an error "GPS is disabled. Show Location settings? [OK]. All i can do is go back to Car Home Screen, or click OK which takes me to the "Location and security settings" menu, which doesn't allow me to turn GPS on, (even thoughBT GPS Provider IS tracking 7 satellites, AND I can get Current location to work in Maps.

This is where i've been stuck for the last 10 days - lol. (I guess i'm not the sharpest tool in the box!)

Just wondering if there's another setting somewhere that i've messed up previously, but think this could take a while to figure out :lol:

Do you have 'Use wireless networks' ticked in the 'Location & Settings' menu? If not it should be. Did you also Bluetooth pair the GPS Hardware with the Vega already? What version of Modaco rom are you on?

Edited January 27, 2011 by trevor432990

[Guest QLF]

Do you have 'Use wireless networks' ticked in the 'Location & Settings' menu? If not it should be. Did you also Bluetooth pair the GPS Hardware with the Vega already? What version of Modaco rom are you on?

USe wireless is ticked, bluetooth is paired, (and working on Maps / earth etc - even in Navigation the first instruction is read out whilst it displays the goto gps settings message)

On latest modaco mod and PP (r6), also latest base ROM prior to 1.08, (1.07 i guess).

Was hoping 1.08 would add back in GPS settings, but not going to have the chance to check until the weekend.

[Guest trevor432990]

USe wireless is ticked, bluetooth is paired, (and working on Maps / earth etc - even in Navigation the first instruction is read out whilst it displays the goto gps settings message)

On latest modaco mod and PP (r6), also latest base ROM prior to 1.08, (1.07 i guess).

Was hoping 1.08 would add back in GPS settings, but not going to have the chance to check until the weekend.

Hmmm difficult to say what might be going wrong but maybe the upgrade from v1.06 to 07 & 08 has removed some vital GPS bits (as mentioned before) can you revert to v1.06 and try again do you think?

[Guest QLF]

Hmmm difficult to say what might be going wrong but maybe the upgrade from v1.06 to 07 & 08 has removed some vital GPS bits (as mentioned before) can you revert to v1.06 and try again do you think?

Will give it a try for sure. Just don't have much time unti lthe weekend. Will let you know how i get on, and thanks for the help :lol:

[Guest Pombolo]

Hmmm difficult to say what might be going wrong but maybe the upgrade from v1.06 to 07 & 08 has removed some vital GPS bits (as mentioned before) can you revert to v1.06 and try again do you think?

On my Mobii i ve tried with the 3 updates and never work, 'My fake location' or similar apps are not possible to install, with always the same message "Missing Shared Library". I ve buy the same GPS receiver as Trevor, i wait for it, i will see.

A fake GPS App is welcome :lol:

[Guest QLF]

Hmmm difficult to say what might be going wrong but maybe the upgrade from v1.06 to 07 & 08 has removed some vital GPS bits (as mentioned before) can you revert to v1.06 and try again do you think?

Actually just checked and realised i'm on v1.06.5

Full Kernal version is: 2.6.32.9_P10_v1.06.5_20101213_DIX_UK

Model Number is: Advent Vega with MoDaCo Custom ROM Add-on and Performance Pack r6

Worth backing up apps and re-flashing do you think?

EDIT: Tried this, and no joy :lol:

Edited January 27, 2011 by QLF

[Guest trevor432990]

Actually just checked and realised i'm on v1.06.5

Full Kernal version is: 2.6.32.9_P10_v1.06.5_20101213_DIX_UK

Model Number is: Advent Vega with MoDaCo Custom ROM Add-on and Performance Pack r6

Worth backing up apps and re-flashing do you think?

EDIT: Tried this, and no joy :)

Oh dear let's try and get to the bottom of this later :lol:

[Guest trevor432990]

Think we've hijacked Wizard's thread for too long and I'll open a new more relevant one for us folks interested in getting GPS working on the Vega.

Here it is

Sorry Wizard :lol:

Edited January 28, 2011 by trevor432990