[ANNOUNCE] GeePS for Harmattan: Native UI around Google Maps

[fcrochik]

To go straight to the download:
http://store.ovi.com/content/286776

For more information:
http://crochik.com/geeps2/

For more screenshots:
http://crochik.com/geeps2/screenshots.html

and for a (incomplete) quick user guide/features showcase:
http://crochik.com/geeps2/help.html

http://crochik.com/geeps2/screen/main.png
http://crochik.com/geeps2/screen/directions.png
http://crochik.com/geeps2/screen/places.png
http://crochik.com/geeps2/screen/place.png

[MohammadAG]

"Sorry, this item is not available for your country."
Why?

[D.Cent]

Same for me (Germany).

[mrsellout]

I get the same when clicking the link (UK). However using the Store application and searching for copilot was successful.

[fcrochik]

"Sorry, this item is not available for your country."
Why?

There must be something wrong with Ovi... Maybe it wasn't pushed to all servers yet... It was just published today....

I will check. It should be available everywhere....

[baem90]

installed, but does appeared blank screen, does it downloading map? im from malaysia btw..

edit: worked! adjusting some settings :)

http://i1141.photobucket.com/albums/n583/baem90/2012-06-16_00-10-57.png

[thedead1440]

works well here in Singapore...thanks fcrochik for another quality Google service for us...

[bnwg]

Same for me (Germany).

It always happen. Some apps may be "delay" to launch in some countries due to some sort of quality procedures that I'm heard some times ago.

I have experienced same issue for one of the apps. But few days later (or a week later...I forgot) it appears in the store.

[superjunior]

Works fine ;) (Germany)

Nice App. Thanks :)

[KTy]

Thank you !!!

[ibrakalifa]

"Sorry, this item is not available for your country."
Why?

all paid app are unavailable on my nokiastore, :(

[fcrochik]

all paid app are unavailable on my nokiastore, :(

It is not paid.... it is free... :)

All my applications are free for Harmattan!

[thedead1440]

fcrochik i've a request...can you make something for hotmail too? i voted for it on your website....thanks...

[ibrakalifa]

It is not paid.... it is free... :)

All my applications are free for Harmattan!

you are the man, +10000000, :)

[cddiede]

This is WONDERFUL! :)

Any chance we may see Google Latitude incorporated?

[bandora]

I will not be using this app, but I just wanted to thank fcrochik for his work. Thank you.

[KTy]

Why can't you include public transportation, when available ? (Like in Singapore :) )

[alephito]

Hi. In my case, the traffic layer does not show. And it is available for my city in Google Maps.

Thanks.

[fcrochik]

This is WONDERFUL! :)

Any chance we may see Google Latitude incorporated?

More than once I planned on looking into it but because I haven't yet - to tell you the truth I don't use it so hasn't been a priority.

I have a backlog of things that I started and haven't finished once I am done maybe...

[fcrochik]

Why can't you include public transportation, when available ? (Like in Singapore :) )

Unfortunately there is no public api for that and all that I read seems to indicate that there will not be one because of licensing issues.

There is an unofficial way of doing it but I am afraid that by using it Google may somehow feel like we are violating the license agreements and demand the end of the application.

This is one thread that has some comments about it:
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2689542/how-to-get-google-maps-public-transit-directions-by-http-server-side-request

[fcrochik]

Hi. In my case, the traffic layer does not show. And it is available for my city in Google Maps.

Thanks.

I have to assume that it does not show because "google" does not want "the api" to show it or it is not available in the API version I used.

The google maps api is not the same that google uses on their web site. I have noticed differences even in the directions you get but it still the best one I found so far.

All that I can say is that works for me (USA). I will have to investigate further... If you find any app/web site that uses the google maps api and can show traffic information let me know and I will try to figure out what is different. Most likely android apps will not help because there seems to be a special version for them as well.

[fcrochik]

fcrochik i've a request...can you make something for hotmail too? i voted for it on your website....thanks...

As soon as I get a chance I will give it a try... unfortunately I have a few "unfinished ideas" I am working on and don't have as much time as I would like...

[HtheB]

If you touch the Nokia drive icon, it will open Nokia Maps, and not the Nokia Drive app :p
hope you'll fix this, thanks!

[fcrochik]

If you touch the Nokia drive icon, it will open Nokia Maps, and not the Nokia Drive app :p
hope you'll fix this, thanks!

Yes.... but with one more click you can start the drive :)

It is a good point. Maybe it can be done ... Not sure how the nokia maps communicate with the nokia drive but we probably can use the same "channel"...

If anybody find out how I will be glad to change...

[SamGan]

Awesome app fcrochik. How do I get it to show a list of directions like the 2nd screenshot in your first post?

[fcrochik]

Awesome app fcrochik. How do I get it to show a list of directions like the 2nd screenshot in your first post?

Have you checked the "help"? It is incomplete but should give you the basics... you can start it on the application by clicking the menu icon, "?" and then "..?" ...

or you can just go to: http://www.crochik.com/geeps2/help.html

If for anything this is not enough let me know and I will tell you step by step...

On a second thought: There in one "trick": if you set in the settings to only calculate one alternative/route you won't see the "directions window" ...

[F2thaK]

Looks great! Im currently unable to view/download also... :(

[SamGan]

For those who can't get it in their ovi store I've uploaded the .deb to a file sharing site. You can download from here. Hope the author doesn't mind. (link deleted)

[fcrochik]

For those who can't get it in their ovi store I've uploaded the .deb to a file sharing site. You can download from here. Hope the author doesn't mind. http://www.sendspace.com/file/tf3y39

I have to be honest and say that I prefer not but, at the same time, I don't want anybody that wants to use the application to be prevented from ... So all in all I am good if there is any good reason for it :) Even better if there is a reason I am more than willing to host one on my web site so I can keep it up to date. How is that for a compromise?

BTW, yesterday I uploaded a new version to ovi (sorry: no new features yet, just a fix) that only applies to first time users - it will have better default settings so user can see a map and the gps will be enabled on first use.

[Dave999]

Thank you for a very good application. It's guys like you that deserves a big hug and a thank you. Great work all the way.

[SamGan]

I have to be honest and say that I prefer not but, at the same time, I don't want anybody that wants to use the application to be prevented from ... So all in all I am good if there is any good reason for it :) Even better if there is a reason I am more than willing to host one on my web site so I can keep it up to date. How is that for a compromise?


Link deleted. I hope you host the latest version on your website. It will reach users faster as ovi store can be very tardy in putting out new versions.

[isfr21]

@fcrochik
Wow finally real gmaps on N9, thanks man-maaaajor props!

[fcrochik]

Link deleted. I hope you host the latest version on your website. It will reach users faster as ovi store can be very tardy in putting out new versions.

Thanks.

I quickly created a changelog page that includes a link to download the deb file. http:///www.crochik.com/geeps2/changelog

Please download the file from the Ovi store whenever possible. If you experience problems downloading from Ovi post here or send me an email.

Note: The release 0.0.2 does not bring any new features for users of 0.0.1 (it is just a fix to the initial settings)

[Ynohtna]

awesome can't wait to use it... I'm stuck on Waiting.... for like ever on Ovi Store

[MartinK]

I hope you host the latest version on your website. It will reach users faster as ovi store can be very tardy in putting out new versions.

Just a suggestion -> Community OBS.
There is a Harmattan target & package repository that is automatically updated once new source package is uploaded & built. And it is also the entry-point to the Apps for MeeGo repository.

(I'm using COBS as a bleeding-edge repository for my projects.)

[Ynohtna]

Got it going, after a few settings setup and a bit of patience, it's all rolling along now it seems. so far so good, I missed google traffic so much!!! Where can I give you all my monies.

BTW: Integration to Nokia maps/drive is brilliant.

[Grazy]

I can't get it to locate me? I'm in London and the red dot says im in Leeds? am i doing something wrong?

[fcrochik]

Got it going, after a few settings setup and a bit of patience, it's all rolling along now it seems. so far so good, I missed google traffic so much!!! Where can I give you all my monies.

BTW: Integration to Nokia maps/drive is brilliant.

I had the wrong "default settings" so it is not a very good experience starting for the first time - version 0.0.2 will fix that.

p.s. I wouldn't take all your money - that just wouldn't be nice of me!!! :D

But just in case this is a link to make donations using paypal (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=MHG9DWQ83P46N&lc=US&item_name=Mobile%20Apps&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donate_SM%2egif%3aNonHos ted) ;)

[fcrochik]

I can't get it to locate me? I'm in London and the red dot says im in Leeds? am i doing something wrong?

That is very strange .... is the "parabolic icon" checked? You may have disabled the "GPS" by clicking on the "manual position".

If that is not the case make sure to check your current position using some other application - I can't quite see how the GPS would report a different position to two different applications.

Keep us posted... this is "interesting" :(

[Rogatti]

-
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hello fcrochik great to app ...
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GPS fixed set a bit slow ... p.ex: cloudGPS fixed GPS much faster ..

[fcrochik]

-
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hello fcrochik great to app ...
-
GPS fixed set a bit slow ... p.ex: cloudGPS fixed GPS much faster ..

I don't know if cloudGPS does anything different...

I am just using the "public qml api" and there are no settings that I can change... It is a little odd that the time the GPS takes to fix the position would be affected by what application is requesting it but I am not expert...

[Ynohtna]

I had the wrong "default settings" so it is not a very good experience starting for the first time - version 0.0.2 will fix that.

p.s. I wouldn't take all your money - that just wouldn't be nice of me!!! :D

But just in case this is a link to make donations using paypal (https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_donations&business=MHG9DWQ83P46N&lc=US&item_name=Mobile%20Apps&currency_code=USD&bn=PP%2dDonationsBF%3abtn_donate_SM%2egif%3aNonHos ted) ;)

Ya I noticed a few other options for mapping but yours hit home with me as most similar feeling to Google Maps on my N8 and I miss it sooooo much. Your menu is Funky, can't say I'm a huge fan, maybe the colours/logos could be nicer. I trust speed can be optimized. Can't wait to get out on the road and give it a real try. I look forward to future developments.... like let me log in to get My Maps!

[Grazy]

That is very strange .... is the "parabolic icon" checked? You may have disabled the "GPS" by clicking on the "manual position".

If that is not the case make sure to check your current position using some other application - I can't quite see how the GPS would report a different position to two different applications.

Keep us posted... this is "interesting" :(

Well to be fair i wasnt outside! but i assumed it would still locate me? like the maps app does?

[fcrochik]

Ya I noticed a few other options for mapping but yours hit home with me as most similar feeling to Google Maps on my N8 and I miss it sooooo much.
I have to say that I think the navigation on the Nokia phones is pretty good but what happened to me several times is that I couldn't find a "business" (by name or category) and since I got lost following directions more than once I really wanted to have a textual description of the path.

Your menu is Funky, can't say I'm a huge fan, maybe the colours/logos could be nicer.
How do you feel about "how it works"? I wanted to have all the options accessible and easy to find. I do agree with about "how it looks". The color came from promising my daughter a purple application. The icons I created myself and clearly is not my "best skill" ... If anybody wants to come up with a new (complete) set of icons and is willing to "donate it" I will change the code to support multiple skins.

I trust speed can be optimized. Can't wait to get out on the road and give it a real try.
I really don't know how much the performance can be optimized. I have to say that I am quite disappointed now that I have the application working on a Symbian - the pan and zoom is much quicker. I guess our hope is to use Qt5 (the standard browser on our harmattan uses Webkit2 but the one available to Qt is not and, probably, not as nearly as optimized for the device. With Qt5 I should be able to use WebKit2 for the application as well).

On the navigation: first of all be careful! While I was testing the application I almost got into an accident. I don't think it is good/ready enough for navigation while driving. Google maps license prevent me from really making it into a turn-by-turn navigation. The best I could do "within the lines" is make the "center button" try to automatically select the step you are in but you have to press it every time :(

I look forward to future developments.... like let me log in to get My Maps!
I have never used the "my maps". What is it about? Another common request is the "street view". I really don't know when I will find the time but I will try...

BTW, Thank you very much for your donation.

[fcrochik]

Well to be fair i wasnt outside! but i assumed it would still locate me? like the maps app does?

Give it another go and let us know. I am not looking for an excuse but I don't quite see how the application would affect the time it takes to fix... this is all done by the "device"

[taviman]

Aaaa - Wow.
Fantastic integration with nokia maps. Hopefully, I'm going to test it in a couple of days, so thanks.

[Ynohtna]

I have to say that I think the navigation on the Nokia phones is pretty good but what happened to me several times is that I couldn't find a "business" (by name or category) and since I got lost following directions more than once I really wanted to have a textual description of the path.

Exactly my same frustration with Nokia Maps, the search, even online search, is no where close to Google for my North American (Canada) needs. So in cases where I need navigation, the integration to maps is brilliant Traffic is way better on google too but I only use that in areas I know very well.


How do you feel about "how it works"? I wanted to have all the options accessible and easy to find. I do agree with about "how it looks". The color came from promising my daughter a purple application.
LOL on the purple. Ok forgiven. I have a 2.5 year old. I need to actually use it more in real life to have a better feeling of how the menu works... I'm thinking the buttons need to be bigger for reaching to push the buttons while it's mounted on the dash for example.


On the navigation: first of all be careful! While I was testing the application I almost got into an accident.

I'm not really that interested to use this for navigation. I do wonder if the center button might be better suited in the bottom left corner instead of left middle. I'm sure you've played around with it a lot though and the fact if you use it landscape blah blah...

I have never used the "my maps". What is it about? Another common request is the "street view". I really don't know when I will find the time but I will try...

My Maps are basically custom POI. Like I have a map with friends and family addresses. If I'm in someone's town, I can load up that map and quickly get to their location and not worry about look up the address and address search.

I have maps for my vacation destinations where I research all I need and put it in a personal Map... though normally I would use nokia maps cause of offline mode for vacations.

BTW, Thank you very much for your donation.
sorry "all my monies" was so underwhelming :)

[inamak]

Brilliant app!

One request - could we have an arrow indicating direction instead of a red pin - it is very useful to know which direction you are facing so you walk in the right direction :)

[kai_en]

Hi, I remember that while I am using PR1.2, it will launch Nokia Drive but now after upgrade to PR1.3, it launches Nokia Map instead.

[fcrochik]

Hi, I remember that while I am using PR1.2, it will launch Nokia Drive but now after upgrade to PR1.3, it launches Nokia Map instead.

It is possible but I really can't confirm or deny (don't remember!)

[jalyst]

Is this still being developed? CloudGPS & Marble seem to have stalled (at least for Harmattan) too...

[setter]

I don't think so but why not send a mail to Crochik and ask?

[jalyst]

Done. Asked if he could respond to my post in this thread by providing a status update.

[zaidk9]

For those who cant download from store :)
https://www.box.com/s/ytt3gjmkb9vxc7zu4j1w

[setter]

Done. Asked if he could respond to my post in this thread by providing a status update.

Good idea :)

Would be nice to hear that it is still alive cause it's the only one that works with Google Maps for me.

[fcrochik]

Hi...
I am still here but have to confess that haven't done anything more about GeePS.
I had many plans and really wanted to give another go on the UI. I have to say that the existing UI didn't turn out to be as good as I had hopped - it is in fact a pain! :( For GApp I think it works fine though.
If anybody has specific requests I can look into them.
p.s. Google announced that it would discontinue the API I used and when they do a lot may have to be fixed.

Felipe

[jalyst]

Bummer, oh well, one can hope for some more invigoration via Sailfish/Nemo/Ubuntu... hopefully.

[vi_]

I have a request! Port geePS 2.0 to fremantle!

[purplewakanda]

For those who cant download from store :)
https://www.box.com/s/ytt3gjmkb9vxc7zu4j1w

Can you please upload it again?

[mp107]

https://openrepos.net/content/mp107/geeps
Here is a version 0.0.1 .
If there exists newer version - let me know.