BlackBerry® PlayBook™

[peter9477]

---

TROONORTH wrote:

"Try the free version of What's Up instead, or the free Compass app, since both of those will not give up as quickly as the others you mentioned"

With all due respect Peter you recommended downloading an app called compass. Not Magellan Compass. Just 'Compass'. I "just typed it in" and did not find it. Hence the question about the actual name.

---

First of all, please don't take things out of context. This thread started by someone basically asking us to confirm "that the Playbook has a built in GPS?"  It does, and apparently until you came in most of the discussion revolved around that, not maps.

Secondly, if you'll actually follow the thread of discussion to that point, you'd see now that my response was to help someone in verifying that GPS itself does work, by pointing out two apps with known-good implementations of the GPS capability.  GPS meaning Global Positioning System, not meaning maps, route planning, or navigation features. I can't help that the term is overloaded from use with car-based GPS systems which generally include maps, but there are many GPS devices in the world which have no maps, and I believe the context clearly established that's what this thread was about.

Thirdly, if you search for "Compass" in App World, the (currently) 4th and 5th apps listed in the results with the default search order ("Relevance") are called Compass and Compass, only one of them being free, and only that one actually using the GPS for its source of data.  (The other is the first app to use the magnetometer aside from What's Up, which also has an excellent GPS implementation that can be used to verify your GPS works properly.)

Finally, to answer a question you are almost asking, Magellan Compass is an excellent implementation of a GPS-capable map and navigation app (or whatever we can mutually agree on calling it).  Only problem is that in the current form, it requires a data connection because it uses Google Maps.  By requesting only apps which basically act like the car GPS units do, this presumably isn't sufficient...

Now if we add in the requirement that the app function offline, then it requires cached map data and there are no good current options for this except perhaps one of the Android ports which I believe have just been mentioned. I haven't looked at MapDroyd myself so can't comment on it, but you're probably now equipped to look at comments about it for yourself and judge.

I'm using "Maps(-)" (yes, that's the full name) just for the offline caching of map data, because I don't require navigation features. It's a very basic, free (with minimal ads), implementation of an OpenStreetMap tile viewer with a for me unreliable GPS feature that merely shows your position on the map.

Also as I believe I noted above, Magellan Compass in an upcoming version will act similarly, using the OpenStreetMap data instead of Google and thereby being allowed to cache effectively unlimited quantities of map data, for full offline use. I included a video link to it above.

[tanguera65]

I would like to say that the post above has an unnecessarily discourteous tone. It's obvious the developer has a very thorough understanding of GPS technology, but he appears somewhat put off by what he feels is a lack of clarity or understanding in the questions being submitted. However, many  or most of the people who post on these types of sites have a somewhat limited understanding of technology -- and that's why we ask questions. I had the same issues and questions as some other individuals on this thread, and I don't appreciate the inconserate tone one developer in particular has taken in trying to demonstrate his superior knowledge base. Some of us are not very familiar with this technology and terminology. But we don't deserve to be condescended to.

[peter9477]

If you believe you saw condescension in my post, then I'm sorry it came across that way, but it wasn't intended as such. I agree you don't deserve condescension, and I believe I don't deserve to be taken to task for being confused by a lack of clarity in the questions.

I realize people are not familiar with the terminology, which is why my posts are both instructive, and carefully precise. Those reading it will likely be better equipped in future to avoid confusing either themselves or the volunteers in this forum who attempt to assist them.

[TOF]

The continuing questions posed in this thread generally seem to have been answered earlier as follows:

Does the Playbook have built-in GPS? 

Answered as Yes it does.

Where is a GPS icon? 

Answered as GPS is enabled through hidden or visible  icons in other applications, either compass type or as mapping\navigation apps.

Can it be used to navigate?

Answered as Yes, within limits of the map/nav application installed. The best one I've found so far requires sideloading (see page 4, reference to Google_Maps_6.1.1_nonrooted.bar.  It uses Google maps and provides route, written and verbal directions.  It does not require WiFi connection. I do not know if it can be used succesfully for cross-country travel but it serves well for local/city navigation.  The primary drawback to using the Playbook for navigation is it's 5 minute standby timer.

Hope this clarifies these points.

[tanguera65]

You're right. You shouldn't be taken to task for seeking clarity. It's the way you've done it that is disrespectful and unnecessary.

[peter9477]

I'm sure others will agree with you, but let's please move on...

It does seem clear that the options are pretty limited at the moment.

I haven't tried the Google_Maps one, but I'd note that if it provides full offline support it's likely violating Google's terms of service for Maps. They don't allow unlimited caching of their data, which is why many people are moving to the use of the OpenStreetMap data and tiles generated from it.

The "offline maps" apps which someone mentioned earlier have certainly not been well received. Don't judge them by their reviews and ratings either... it's well known that the vendor deletes negative reviews quickly and efficiently, and I've heard of only one or two people out of 100 who thought those apps were worth it. Also, there should be no reason for such an app to come in separate versions for each geographical area. Look at things like Maps(-) for how it should be done... one app, access to data for the entire planet.

Magellan Compass in its upcoming version still sounds like the best bet, and it would feel more "native" to the PlayBook than the ported Android apps seem to feel.

[TROONORTH]

Thank you tanguera65 for your kind support. I must say that the 'attitude' displayed was rather off-putting. Sarcasm is a rapier not a club. However, I find it difficult to become upset with typed words on a screen from someone I don't know. Perhaps if peter lived life a little more in the world of we humans he would realize that there are a lot of vagaries in language and a little more time listening and less time judging would go a long way to reducing the number of incidents like these.

Having said that, thank you peter for your help. I will give Magellan Compass when it becomes available.

[godot2011]

As I said above the so called "on-device" maps on App Wrold, by Skylab Mobile Systems, are every poor. Once you loose wifi contact you will run out of the map, stored in your PB very quickly. 

MapDroyd on the other hand allows you to download an entire province or state or country.  They do a brilliant job of compressing a large amount of map data. However, these maps are still large and take some time to download and do take up some of the memory space in your PB. But you will not run off the map! Once your location is found, it is marked by a cross on the map and the cross will move on the map as you move.

Now to run MapDroyd you need to install  the mapdroyd.bar file on your PB. You will need to download a free PC program which will install the bare file on your PB. The process was written up on the website of BlackBerry Daily. The Site is now under development but if anyone is interested, I have the process and the bar file. 

If your goal is to leave your paper maps at home, and follow your move on your PB, this is the best app I found so far. 

Read my notes above. Some more info there. 

[TROONORTH]

Thanks Godot. Would you publish that information here or is it already on the site somewhere?

[saritam]

After reading the whole thread I understand that

1. Playbook has a GPS that can work withought wifi.

2. Or use BB bridge to use online navigation apps.

3. Sideload Google maps with navigation or MapDroyd through a PC installer (like DDPB installer?)

I am at work right now. I am going to try this out tonight. I bought my PB yesterday and have already sideloaded google maps with navigation from the Good-E-Reader app store.

Also, have a BB phone so shall try the bridge thing too.

Will keep u guys posted!

I wish to use playbook as a media system with GPS navigation in my car! I have a Garmin GPS and and HTC EVO but need a bigger screen