[Announce] Oh My G...PS! - geeps: native front-end for google maps - maemo.org

fcrochik | # 1 | 2010-10-12, 22:55 | Report

GeePS

I just uploaded to extras-devel geeps. It is a front-end for google maps and uses the internal gps for your position.

It is very limited as it is but quite useful. More than once I have relied on it to get directions and arrive at my destination.

I don't have any intention to compete with all the other great location/gps packages but couldn't resist creating my own.

The most important piece missing, for me, is finding an address for a place (something like: take me to the nearest McDonalds?)... Google Places API is the perfect answer for this - unfortunately it is not an open api yet. If you know of any other api that could do the trick let me know! If you know how to get me a google maps key even better EDIT: I still don't have a google places api key but implemented the google local search for now.

Another idea for a next release is to allow other applications to request directions for a given address (e.g. from MyContacts get directions to visit grandma, from movie schedule get directions to the selected movie theather, ...). I will implement it as a DBUS interface and any developer will be able to make use of it.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

ENTER: show your current location (if GPS is enabled)
F: full screen
1-9: zoom
left, right, up,down arrows: pan map
shift + left arrow: center on previous step on current route
shift + right arrow: center on next step on current route
shift + up/down arrow: loop trough different routes (if alternative routes was selected on directions)

Some issues/comments/tricks:

~~access to the internet is required (make sure to establish the connection before you start geeps)~~ It will automatically popup the "connection" dialog (note: it will not work w/o internet connection so you can't just dismiss the connect window)
you need to enable the GPS on the application menu ("position updates")
in order to get directions from a location, other than your current location, you first need to deactivate the "position updates"
use the volume buttons to control zoom

Some other ideas:

~~allow to drag map~~Done!
auto rotate the map (like any gps)
record POI
track path
calculate speed
mixed view (map+directions)
detect current step automatically
...

Last edited by fcrochik; 2010-10-28 at 17:10.

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fcrochik | # 2 | 2010-10-12, 22:59 | Report

Some screenshots:

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YoDude | # 3 | 2010-10-12, 23:37 | Report

Nice! D'loading now...
Is the traffic layer in the future?

BTW, I pretty much drove that route you plotted, today out of New Castle, DE.

Laughing Man | # 4 | 2010-10-12, 23:43 | Report

I am constantly surprised about the number of people who go near or in Maryland. =P

craftyguy | # 5 | 2010-10-13, 00:10 | Report

Originally Posted by fcrochik View Post

I don't have any intention to compete with all the other great location/gps packages but couldn't resist creating my own.

You should!!!! Google maps on iOS is the only thing I miss about my old iphone, and every maps solution on Maemo leaves something to be desired.

You should chat with the author of the ModRana application. He includes Google Maps search in his app, and fetching coordinates, etc.

fcrochik | # 6 | 2010-10-13, 00:39 | Report

Originally Posted by craftyguy View Post

You should!!!! Google maps on iOS is the only thing I miss about my old iphone, and every maps solution on Maemo leaves something to be desired.

You should chat with the author of the ModRana application. He includes Google Maps search in his app, and fetching coordinates, etc.

I have already the coordinates search for an address. What I am missing is what google calls "Place search" so you can look for business by name, monuments, ... and get the address/coordinates. Even more important google will give you nearby places first so you can find the nearest movie theather for example.

By the way: have you tried google maps on the macuco browser? Soon I will be able to have it use gps ...maybe another option for you

EDIT: I have downloaded modRana and you are right: it does search for places.

Last edited by fcrochik; 2010-10-13 at 01:29.

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cjp | # 7 | 2010-10-13, 08:27 | Report

Hi!

Would it be possible to enable scrolling the map with your finger? The 4-direction buttons don't quite work as well, I think.

Looking really promising!

sands.m | # 8 | 2010-10-13, 09:16 | Report

Does it support Zoom In\Out functionality ?

Thanks for your effort . I really appreciate it .

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ikirk | # 9 | 2010-10-13, 09:18 | Report

Wow, that app looks really cool, well done! Look forward to trying it.

mele | # 10 | 2010-10-13, 09:27 | Report

hi!

i gave i quick test for this and it looks neat. i ocassionaly have problem with freezing. the app frozen few times it just didnt do anything for a few moment. Dont know if that was just or because i use media player same time

to the directions it could be useful to have some sort of info about the route. lenght and time

nice!

EDIT: second time it didnt froze anymore, so it was my phone which caused it

Last edited by mele; 2010-10-13 at 11:02.