Android Phone for NexRad and Navigation

I sent Dennis a PM today asking about changing from Base to Composite and vice versa on the "follow me" weather. I was having some trouble with it and needed some clarification. I have to say that Dennis was quick to reply and very helpful. If he doesn't mind too much I am going to add his information to help others because it answered my question and more.

Dennis

There is another thread on-going about using an Android tablet for GPS navigation for those of us tired of squinting at font-sizes only a teenager can read. (Link: http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=847431 ). My Garmin CS60 series is almost illegible given it's 2x2 inches. So here's my question.....

Are the maps in EFMB stored internal to the phone (or in this case, tablet) or must they download realtime via WiFi or 3G ??
How does it work when out of range of a signal ? Sorry if this is mentioned in the thread previously, but I haven't seen it addressed.

I'm about THIS CLOSE ( II ) to buying a cheap tablet and experimenting with the concept.

Thanx

Coop

either way.. you can download on the fly if you have signal.. or Google Maps lets you preload as many maps "chunks" as you wish in advance..
.. each one is limited to about 500 sq miles.
i.e. when I go up the GREAT SMOKEY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK (Bryson City area) I make sure and preload the maps because the hills and valleys often block the signal.. ONE map can cover just about the whole park but I usually "checkerboard" around the main map so with about 5 preloaded maps I cover a good chunk of the entire SouthEast.
Remember, most tablets are are WiFi only.. so when you leave your house if you want to continue using it, you have to use your phone as a WiFi "hot spot"..
..the carriers charge a few bucks extra for that feature but it's worth it.
With that, your tablet will work just about like a phone.

well, anything that needs to be "fetched" from the network is not accessible.. but I'm never "out of range" for very long..
.. it comes and goes when you're in the mountains.
I live in Florida and they have that really covered well.. I'm hardly EVER out of range..
.. out in the middle of Nevada it might be a different story..
... but again, for maps you can preload them.. it's only the weather portion of my app that requires a connection to remain continuously "fresh".

if you do, get the Nexus 7 inch with 32 gig.. (about $250)..
..I just started work on making my app compatible with tablets.. it already is but is not really optimized for all that additional screen area yet. I'm working on it..
Tablets ARE NOT all made the same.. the OEM adds and takes away as suits their purpose so what works on one may not work on another.. it's called "fragmentation"..
That is why both my phone and table are from GOOGLE NEXUS... that is pure android without anything added or removed..
I can tell people my app will definitely work on a "real" Android device but if you buy some cheapie thing which I call "an Android-LIKE" device ..
..well then it's a roll of the dice on whether or not stuff works..

Please repost this on the other thread if you think it worthwhile to do so..
.. I'll be happy to answer any questions..

I field many similar questions between this site and the cruiser site so I put together a "getting started" FAQ
.. if you are interested and have some time to read, check out:
http://www.fogbog.com/gl1800/AndroidHowToEverything/index.htm

also find links to screen shots and more FAQ and change logs at:
http://www.fogbog.com


I love my "big" screen Nexus.. my eyes don't work so good anymore either and that's what got me into making apps that work FOR ME
(and others that no longer have "20 year old eyes").

thanks and let me know if I can help...
Dennis

Great answers ! Thanx !!

May have already been discussed, I didn't read the whole thread, any plans to develop this app for the iPhone?

Not at this time..

Dennis

At the time of posting this, the app is not available in the Play Store. Should I keep checking back or is there some other problem?

Please keep checking.
I have suspended new sales.

Google Maps is about to make some changes which may impact one feature of EMFB..
.. that is the "follow me radar".
..everything else still works normally.

I'm working on redoing the code for that part of the app and thought it would be in everyone's best interest to suspend sales until I solve the problem.

I appreciate your patience until I can get this satisfactorily resolved.

Thanks,
Dennis

Hi Dennis,

I'm new to GPS navi on a bike and have one main question so far!
I want something to use to pre-plan rides at home on the laptop and Google Maps is good for that. The places I'll pass through will be way out of range of the mobile phone service, so my question relates to the functionality of the maps when they're cached onto the tablet: Is each map which you cache a simple snapshot view which can be zoomed into but doesn't have any more info to reveal as you zoom in? Or is it fully functional so that you can keep zooming in to find more detail as you do with Maps on line.
In case the words are getting in the way of the question: Example: I'm to travel a mountain road for 100 miles with no side roads or turn-offs. So I have a map showing most of the 100 miles in one screen view - just to keep track of progress. Then I come to a town in which I have a couple turns to make into side streets, so I want a zoomed in map with maybe a few hundred yards shown on the one screen view. Am I going to be able to use the one map, and zoom right in when I get to town, or should I be caching another map with the zoomed in view?

I'm hoping the long question makes a short answer!

Thanks for all your work, I'm looking forward to trying out your efforts.

Yes...


Once you cache an area on the phone the roads map is just like you are connected..
.. you don't have the SAT view.. only roads and your current position superimposed over the map.

.. easy to simulate..
First cache a map on the phone..
.. then put your phone in airplane mode..
(that simulates being out of signal range)
... now open maps to your saved area and see how far you can zoom in.

Dennis

Thanks again. I'm off to find me a 7" Nexus, then to wait patiently for your latest work!
The 2300km trip Melbourne to Hervey Bay is plotted on GooMaps and the plan is coming together.

I've never used this app so I can't speak to its usefulness, but as a long time Android user (and recent Nexus 7 owner) I can assure you that you won't be disappointed with that purchase.


Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

App is not available in play store!!!!!!?????? Денис what happend?

Please keep checking.
I have suspended new sales.

Google Maps is about to make some changes which may impact one feature of EMFB..
.. that is the "follow me radar".
..everything else still works normally.

I'm working on redoing the code for that part of the app and
thought it would be in everyone's best interest to suspend sales until I solve the problem.
.. hopefully only a week or two..

I appreciate your patience until I can get this satisfactorily resolved.

Thanks,
Dennis

I"m getting optimistic about a fix..
.. best case: same as before
..worst case: same image but looping (animation) will be a toggle switch.

In ANY case, nothing will change until Google pulls the plug on API v2..
(scheduled for May 19th)
.. there is a lot of chatter on the boards that they may not but no one knows for sure.

I've reactivated EMFB on the Google Play store if you want to take a chance with me.

regards,
Dennis

Once you reactivate sales, how long before the app shows up in the store?

usually about two hours...

thanks for looking..
Dennis

Dennis,
Just bought the app and can't wait to "test" it myself.
thanks,
Dog

Hi Dennis,
I just purchased your app today.

I will give it a try.

It looks Great
Thanks for all of your work!

Dave

Hi Dennis,

I've tried several times since your post on reactivating sales, and can't get Google Play to find it.
Any clues / suggestions?