Nokia N95 Maps/ GPS, applications, updates, etc.

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1841 posts

Uber Geek

#76407 30-Jun-2007 20:39

MGMaps (Mobile Google Maps) is now in alpha for downloaded maps and seems to be working well. There is a perl script to download and manage the map tiles but if the thought of running perl scripts sends shivers up your spine, there is an excellent tutorial here by a fellow kiwi, a really well done tutorial. Google street maps look really nice on the N95 with all street names showing up, unlike the built-in maps. I have not checked out map guidance yet, that is next on the list. If anyone needs help getting the maps on your phone, leave me a message.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

Americancars

223 posts

Master Geek

#76409 30-Jun-2007 20:50

Really, there is guidance available on MGMaps! That would make me be more likely to download it as last time, somehow, I managed to corrupt my 'Nokia maps' files on my memory card. I really want map guidance.

As for the stored maps, I might wait for the beta or even release version to come out.

EDIT: I have just installed the new Maploader. You have to have your phone connected to open Maploader but it is much faster to download maps. I downloaded the New Zealand (5.5 MB) maps last Wednesday using the old Maploader and they took just over half an hour to download. I've just downloaded the maps for Connecticut (13.8 MB) and they took under 3 minutes to download. This is a great improvement. TRULY AMAZING!!!!

Can't beat the burble of that American V8. Ohh yea!

Aloha

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#76422 30-Jun-2007 22:43

Last week I was in Australia. I had to drive from Sydney to Dubbo, which is 403kms away West.
Before the trip I downloaded the OZ maps via Maploader.

However the navigation option works in OZ I didnt subscribe to it, I used the plan route function instead.
I set the destination address which was a motel and the start point which was the airport and then calculated the route.
It showed on a map, with blue line, so the only thing I had to do is to follow it and it was easy.
The map was detailed enough with street names, petrol station symbols, etc.

I had a car charger, I sticked the N95 onto the dashboard and I used a bluetooth headset for the phone calls.
It was very convenient, all-in-one. I never drove before in Sydney and in OZ and I didnt need to buy a map.
I just used my phone and that's it.

I'll go to Europe at the end of July where I will pay for the navigation feature and will test it how it works.

I is a kollege stoodent. Bee nice.

Americancars

223 posts

Master Geek

#76425 30-Jun-2007 23:30

Sorry to keep posting.

I just found this on the internet, it is a different version of Google maps. So far, I prefer it to MGMaps as it is easier to use but only time will tell.

Here is the link

Can't beat the burble of that American V8. Ohh yea!

peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek

#77074 5-Jul-2007 18:09

But it has no GPS fuctionality, just downloaded (data charges!) maps. MGMaps currently is facing issues with memory management that make it unsuitable for the N95 at the moment but I am sure it will be resolved. Currently my preference is still Smartcom GPS.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

Americancars

223 posts

Master Geek

#77076 5-Jul-2007 18:16

Yea, I discovered that but if you are just wanting to browse google maps, this one downloads the maps faster than MGMaps.

I really want navigation for NZ!!!!!

EDIT:

Does anyone know how to get the N95's internal GPS to work with smartcomGPS as I hear that it doesn't and I can't get it to work?

Can't beat the burble of that American V8. Ohh yea!

da5id

550 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#77342 8-Jul-2007 17:27

Newbie here - I only bought the N95 last week.
So this MGMaps - is it worth downloading and installing?

Does it actually show your location using the GPS or is it just a map you can look up?

Sorry for the newbie questions.

I did manage to use the inbuilt nokia Maps app and locate myself and see a map of where I was.
As has been said, it is a little sketchy on detail.

Is there some kind of consensus as to which is the best app so far?

Thanks :)

Quic Broadband

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Americancars

223 posts

Master Geek

#77358 8-Jul-2007 19:20

Hi da5id, MGMaps shows you your position using the N95's inbuilt GPS reciever.

As for the best application, I can't find anything other than MGMaps which works on the N95 using it's inbuilt GPS AND has accurate maps.

The only problem with MGMaps is that, at the moment, if you want to be able to access the maps when you are offline, you have to go through a very complicated process to store them, otherwise, you have to be connected to the internet sometimes so that it can download them when you need them. You can cache a few maps if you want them for use when you get out of internet coverage but these will dissapear as soon as you shut the application.

I don't keep MGMaps installed on my phone because with it's constant need for internet access and the complicated method to store maps, I don't use it.

I would definitely recommend downloading and installing sports tracker which is an excellent application for tracking where you have been and putting your recorded route onto Google Earth.

Oh yea, MGMaps uses Google, MSN and Yahoo maps so you can choose between these and which satellite, hybrid and road only maps that you want displayed.

Can't beat the burble of that American V8. Ohh yea!

upsilon

84 posts

Master Geek

#77371 8-Jul-2007 21:20

Americancars:

Oh yea, MGMaps uses Google, MSN and Yahoo maps so you can choose between these and which satellite, hybrid and road only maps that you want displayed.

Ah cool, as i have found MSN/Live's maps are generally better than google local maps. Does navigation work in there? i.e. on maps.live.com you can select an origin and destination and it will tell you where to go (and how to get there ;-)

da5id

550 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#77394 9-Jul-2007 09:25

Thanks for your reply.
I think I could use that MGMaps with with the link that peejayw gave above. The tutorial is very clear.
Being that I live in Auckland though, I suppose it's a question of space to store the maps.

Americancars

223 posts

Master Geek

#77423 9-Jul-2007 12:39

upsilon:
Ah cool, as i have found MSN/Live's maps are generally better than google local maps. Does navigation work in there? i.e. on maps.live.com you can select an origin and destination and it will tell you where to go (and how to get there ;-)

On MGMaps, not that I know of. You can with just "google maps" (I gave a link above), get turn- by- turn directions (not with GPS help though), it just tells you where you need to go although you need to be connected to the internet as is with MGMaps.

da5id:
Thanks for your reply.
I think I could use that MGMaps with with the link that peejayw gave above. The tutorial is very clear.
Being that I live in Auckland though, I suppose it's a question of space to store the maps.

I also live in Auckland, please tell me how you go.

Can't beat the burble of that American V8. Ohh yea!

peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek

#77501 9-Jul-2007 19:32

This whole maps situation needs clarifying, here is my 2c worth if it helps.

The N95 has a native app called Maps (Smart2Go). This uses maps which are resident on your phone and can be downloaded to your pc for transfer. There is no need for a data or inetrnet connection to your phone when using the Map app, only when you want to get turn-by-turn guidance. Currently the NZ map is poorly detailed and TBT is not available, maybe next year this may improve.

Google Maps in a map-browser, it has no GPS functionality ie it cannot tell you where you are, it just displays maps on your phone, these have to be downloaded as "tiles" over the net and incur data charges!

Mobile Google Maps Or MGMAps is a freeware project that currently uses a perl script to download 100's or 1000's of "tiles" from Google Maps and store them on your phone. The app, which is free, uses the N95 in-built GPS receiver and calls up the needed map tile from your phone as required. You do have to put a bit of work in getting the map tiles but once you have done it, it's like riding a bike! However, the big issue is that currently, MGMaps is causing big problems with memory usage on the N95 and until Christien can find the answer, really MGMaps is not an option.

SmartcomGPS is a commercial product ($40US I think) that works with the N95 internal gps unit. It has voice guidance, map rotation and lots of other features but you have to make or obtain your own maps using a range of software. At first I found the procedure quite daunting but now its a piece of cake. This is the only piece of GPS software that has given me the ability to get turn-by-turn navigation and detailed NZ maps. You need to be comfy with things like Photoshop or at least stitching image files together as well as basic GPS issues. If anyone is serious about using this product I am happy to help.

SportsTracker is not a mapping app, it has some other nice features but is not going to help you with navigation.

Well thats my thoughts, feel free to shoot me down in flames but I have spent a lot of time with all of the above so if you want to know any more, just ask

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

Americancars

223 posts

Master Geek

#77518 9-Jul-2007 21:18

peejayw: SmartcomGPS is a commercial product ($40US I think) that works with the N95 internal gps unit. It has voice guidance, map rotation and lots of other features but you have to make or obtain your own maps using a range of software. At first I found the procedure quite daunting but now its a piece of cake. This is the only piece of GPS software that has given me the ability to get turn-by-turn navigation and detailed NZ maps. You need to be comfy with things like Photoshop or at least stitching image files together as well as basic GPS issues. If anyone is serious about using this product I am happy to help.

So you can get the internal GPS working. I can't. How do you do it? Is it a menu thing?

Thanks, Matt.

Can't beat the burble of that American V8. Ohh yea!

peejayw

1841 posts

Uber Geek

#77520 9-Jul-2007 21:20

Make sure you specifically request the N95 version from Smartcom, not the generic version.

I'm supposed to respect my elders, but it's getting harder and harder for me to find one now.

Americancars

223 posts

Master Geek

#77522 9-Jul-2007 21:29

Ok, thanks.

Where is it on the purchase menu, I can't seem to find it?

EDIT:
I keep looking and trying. I can't find the option for downloading the one for the N95. I have tried downloading the beta version but it only gives me the option to download the release edition.

Can't beat the burble of that American V8. Ohh yea!

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