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What cool GPS and maps apps are there?

S

Sapa

Member
I've got a new HTC Desire and I'm loving finally having GPS functionality on my phone and use a few apps regularly which are very useful. Can you recommend any other ones that make good use out of GPS and mapping functions.

The ones I use are...

Google Maps - Needs no introduction. Just amazing.

Google My Tracks - Another amazing one. Records your runs, bike rides, car journeys, etc. Plots them on a map and gives you things like average speed, top speed, altitude. This one has made me actually want to go out for a jog or bike ride.

Layer - Probably really good in a city, not so good in my small town.

What else is there?
 
MapDroyd for when data connection is not available. You download maps for states/provinces/countries around the world. Based on OpenStreetMaps projects. Also can use GPS to find where you are on the maps.
 
Trapster: crowd sourced speed trap warnings..(free)

More location than GPS, but Setting Profiles: change your settings (volumes, ringtones, etc) based on location, time, day, and other variables.
EG: I use this to do the following:
1. Mute all notifications and tones when charging in my desktop dock at home during a set range of night-time hours
2. Switch media volume to 1/2 volume on plugging in headphones
3. Lower volumes when at work during my usual business hours
4. Text my girlfriend to let her know I'm on my way home when I pair my headset with the phone at the work location during a set range of hours on weekdays.
NB: a free 'Lite' version lets you try this paid app out before buying.

Here I Am: small free app to text / email your location to someone.

Pintail: small free app to respond to a text containing a user-set code with location information

Glympse: free app that provides 1 time / permanent realtime track of the phone's location by email to a specified contact (by providing a URL)
 
An impressive app is Wardrive (free in the market). It will discover and map out open WIFI networks as you are driving. It does a great job. CardioTrainer is great when I am inclined to drag myself off the couch and workout.
 
Copilot Live.
In my opinion, this is a great GPS app, that is as good or better than the Garmin GPS that I have in my car. It has all the usual features such as turn-by-turn voice navigation, POIs, route planning, etc. Best of all, it has its own maps so you needn't rely on an internet connection for it to work. This means, not only do you not have to worry about data usage that could cost you money, but also that even when you are not in range of a cell tower, it still works.

By the way, thanks to the previous posters, I'll also check out Waze and Back Country.
 
Apps that aren't cost free but may save you from getting lost when you have no data are CoPilot Live 8, iGo MyWay and Navigon. I used Google Maps but uninstalled it after I realized it's only good if you are within range of the towers. With the other programs your maps are stored locally. Another issue is that I live in Germany and I frequently travel to neighboring countries so having data on at international roaming rates is not an option, but it's good if you don't really go anywhere. There are positive and negative aspects of everything but it doesn't make sense getting lost while waiting for your data connection to come back.


Reason no. 4,682 for NOT using Google Maps.
http://www.canyon-news.com/artman2/publish/santamonica/Mistaken_Identity.php
 
MrQuietguy said:
Copilot Live.
In my opinion, this is a great GPS app, that is as good or better than the Garmin GPS that I have in my car. It has all the usual features such as turn-by-turn voice navigation, POIs, route planning, etc. Best of all, it has its own maps so you needn't rely on an internet connection for it to work. This means, not only do you not have to worry about data usage that could cost you money, but also that even when you are not in range of a cell tower, it still works.

By the way, thanks to the previous posters, I'll also check out Waze and Back Country.
Click to expand...

I tried CoPilot Live 8 with North America. The zipcodes and data were all wrong for my area. It showed me in the next town. My zipcode 02919 also showed that same wrong town. Used it once and the exit numbers were wrong. It said take exit five for Atwood Ave. Atwood is exit 6. I submitted the data fix requests, and tech support said it may be fixed next quarter map release. Since a map release came out the end of May, I am not willing to wait that long. Android Market says contact ALK for refund (past 24 hours). ALK says since I did not buy from them, I must get the refund from the market. Guess I wasted my money. Anyone have a recommendation for a working on-board gps nav system that will work with HTC Incredible.
 
Another one you may want to try is NDrive, available through the market. The application is free, and you get a 7-day free trial of the maps. I tried it, but did not like it because it did not track my location well, and at times froze for as much as 10 minutes. I think they have more work to do on it. However, you may have better luck with it.

By the way, if you have upgraded your phone to 2.2 (froyo), CoPilot won't work on it yet. They're working on it.
 
Jayziac said:
MapDroyd for when data connection is not available. You download maps for states/provinces/countries around the world. Based on OpenStreetMaps projects. Also can use GPS to find where you are on the maps.
Click to expand...
This is just maps, no navigation, right?
 
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