Android - Google Map - data usage.

Forums › GPS, maps and mapping software › Android - Google Map - data usage.

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#89313 30-Aug-2011 21:09

Hiya, my brother is planning of getting an Android handset, so I have 2 questions.

My understanding is that Google Maps does not provide a NZ map to be downloaded onto the handset. The handset uses 3G to establish the position (which might account only a couple of KB) then the GPS chip kicks in. However, the phone has to display the map.

1. So this real time downloading of map, how much does it use per hour of driving? Ie., if one is driving from Wellington to Auckland and the memory cache is clear.

2. In areas that does not have cellphone coverage or 3G coverage, does it just display a single colour blank map and the map automatically resumes displaying when it is in coverage?

Many thanks.

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#514092 30-Aug-2011 21:16

You can pre-download map areas of 10 miles now, its a feature enabled in labs, so there is no need whatsoever to need to download maps on the fly - do it at home from the comfort of your WiFI connection :)

Google changed the maps too, they're all vector maps now, and consequently use far less data to download than they did previously (don't know why Google didn't use vectors in the first place, but anyway).

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#514095 30-Aug-2011 21:18

Thanks. :)

Could you expand on that 10 mile please? How do you choose which 10 mile to download?

Thing is, is 10 mile enough for a trip away for a weekend ie., Wellington to Auckland and then trips around Auckland for a few days.

oxnsox

1923 posts

Uber Geek

#514104 30-Aug-2011 21:45

You select the 10sq mile areas you wish to down load.

Personally I don't really think you need to use Google maps (or any GPS device) to go from Wellington to Auckland... enjoy the journey.
But a mapping system is a great boon in a place like Auck or Wellers if you're not familiar with the place... and often even if you are.
Remember its an aid to help you get to where you're going, it's not in control of the vehicle.

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#514105 30-Aug-2011 21:47

Yeah we got pretty lost last time in AKL and it was at night and low on gas, the Shell station was also just about closing when we got there, when the Navman broke down on when we were around Levin. But we would be doing more than 10M travelling around AKL anyway. Never lived in AKL so totally unfamiliar with the place.

Any idea of costs per hour in fetching the map?

Yeah I know HTC has free downloadable map apart from voice guidance, text prompts yes (via HTC Locations) but he quite likes the LG phones which uses Google Map only, plus I don't think he would pay $60 or so for the N Drive map of NZ even if the phone he wants supports it.

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#514129 30-Aug-2011 22:17

The amount of data google maps uses if you leave satellite off is maybe a few MB a month depoending on how much you move around.. If you get lost in auckland, I imagine it'd be 100KB or so at most.

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#514730 31-Aug-2011 21:39

So this 10 mile thing. Do you just get the map or do you get the POIs as well?