Thursday, April 21, 2011

My LG Optimus One Has Transformed Into An "OFF-LINE" Navigation Device

After unlocking my LG Optimus One and constructing a VOIP infrastructure to make free outgoing calls, my next project is to turn this cell phone into a r-e-a-l GPS.  LG Optimus has a built-in gps chip in the cell phone, but the stock gps software - "Navigation" requires a data plan and could become very expensive when you are travelling south to the States.  As I understand it, most cell phone navigation software requires a data plan in order to download the map as you are travelling during your trip.

To accomplish this project, the first app I try is MapDroid which is a free app from the Android Market.  Mapdroid allows you to view maps which can be downloaded free from OpenStreetMap.  OpenStreetMap claims it covers the whole world through collaborative effort from the public at large.  The viewing of the download map using MapDroid is static.  It is not interactive with the user and does not give you any directions to go from point A to point B.  However, I think it is still nice to have a city map on your cell phone that does not cost you anything.  For more information about this app, just follow this link below:

http://www.mapdroyd.com/



The second app I try is called CoPilot Live.  This paid app has different maps of the world and the North America edition would cost about $20 U.S.  If you download the apps from the Android Market, the installation is very simple.  On the other hand, if you install it from the sdcard, you have to make sure "allow installation of non-market applications" is checked under Unknown Sources <- Applications <- Settings. This apps has premium voice-guided turn-by-turn GPS navigation with USA & Canada street maps stored on your phone so you can navigate "offline" without a data connection. CoPilot Live is packed with advanced navigation features including 3D maps, Lane Assist arrows, millions of POIs, multi-stop trip planning and more.  So far, I am very impressed by this apps and the 3.2" display screen of the phone seems quite adequate for this navigation software.

The developer of this navigation software has a video on youtube for your viewing pleasure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LBClgC-Bcg&feature=player_embedded



Before I come to any conclusion, I would like to try out one more app called iGO My Way.  Hopefully, I can do that in the not too distant future when I can get hold of it on the internet.
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1 comment:

  1. AnonymousApril 21, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    This sounds very complicated.

    A simpler alternative to a smart-phone GPS, is an old-style street-map in book form, which you can buy from a bookshop for $10.

    It's as easy to carry as a smart phone. And, while you can't increase the size of the print or images if your eyesight isn't good, you can get around this problem if you buy a magnifying glass along with your street map.

    By adjusting the distance of the magnifying glass from the page, you, in effect, adjust the size of the print or images to your convenience.

    Keep things simple, is what I say.

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