Samsung Galaxy S3
Discussion
Is anyone using offline maps on their S3 or Note 2?
I'm getting very tempted by the Note 2, but would really like downloadable maps, so that I can e.g. download the whole of France and then navigate around without needing a 3G connection.
Google Maps offers some offline capability, but it is limited to caching of nearby tiles. I'm looking for full offline maps that can be zoomed, rotated, panned etc.
I've looked at OpenStreetMaps and they seem to publish all the data in a range of file formats. They mention a number of different reader apps but it's not clear which ones will let me do what I need (there is a feature matrix, but it gives minimal info, and some of the apps look unfinished). I presume I want to download map data and then run an app that renders it. I don't need route plotting or navigation - just the map, a search feature and a "you are here" feature.
Nokia Maps claims to offer this so if it isn't possible I might need to go down the WP8 route (still undecided).
Any thoughts appreciated. (Conversely, if I work it out, I will write it up in case others are interested.)
I'm getting very tempted by the Note 2, but would really like downloadable maps, so that I can e.g. download the whole of France and then navigate around without needing a 3G connection.
Google Maps offers some offline capability, but it is limited to caching of nearby tiles. I'm looking for full offline maps that can be zoomed, rotated, panned etc.
I've looked at OpenStreetMaps and they seem to publish all the data in a range of file formats. They mention a number of different reader apps but it's not clear which ones will let me do what I need (there is a feature matrix, but it gives minimal info, and some of the apps look unfinished). I presume I want to download map data and then run an app that renders it. I don't need route plotting or navigation - just the map, a search feature and a "you are here" feature.
Nokia Maps claims to offer this so if it isn't possible I might need to go down the WP8 route (still undecided).
Any thoughts appreciated. (Conversely, if I work it out, I will write it up in case others are interested.)
AmitG said:
Is anyone using offline maps on their S3 or Note 2?
I'm getting very tempted by the Note 2, but would really like downloadable maps, so that I can e.g. download the whole of France and then navigate around without needing a 3G connection.
Google Maps offers some offline capability, but it is limited to caching of nearby tiles. I'm looking for full offline maps that can be zoomed, rotated, panned etc.
I've looked at OpenStreetMaps and they seem to publish all the data in a range of file formats. They mention a number of different reader apps but it's not clear which ones will let me do what I need (there is a feature matrix, but it gives minimal info, and some of the apps look unfinished). I presume I want to download map data and then run an app that renders it. I don't need route plotting or navigation - just the map, a search feature and a "you are here" feature.
Nokia Maps claims to offer this so if it isn't possible I might need to go down the WP8 route (still undecided).
Any thoughts appreciated. (Conversely, if I work it out, I will write it up in case others are interested.)
I use Co Pilot Live on my Galaxy S2. If I remember correctly you can get a free version with one free map download of your choice.I'm getting very tempted by the Note 2, but would really like downloadable maps, so that I can e.g. download the whole of France and then navigate around without needing a 3G connection.
Google Maps offers some offline capability, but it is limited to caching of nearby tiles. I'm looking for full offline maps that can be zoomed, rotated, panned etc.
I've looked at OpenStreetMaps and they seem to publish all the data in a range of file formats. They mention a number of different reader apps but it's not clear which ones will let me do what I need (there is a feature matrix, but it gives minimal info, and some of the apps look unfinished). I presume I want to download map data and then run an app that renders it. I don't need route plotting or navigation - just the map, a search feature and a "you are here" feature.
Nokia Maps claims to offer this so if it isn't possible I might need to go down the WP8 route (still undecided).
Any thoughts appreciated. (Conversely, if I work it out, I will write it up in case others are interested.)
It downloads all maps to your phone so you don't need a data connection to be able to use it.
I went with the paid version and used it on a recent holiday to the US. It was brilliant, and without it I would have got hopelessly lost on a number of occasions.
I have also downloaded and used the map of Germany, also very good.
gibbo37 said:
I use Co Pilot Live on my Galaxy S2. If I remember correctly you can get a free version with one free map download of your choice.
It downloads all maps to your phone so you don't need a data connection to be able to use it.
I went with the paid version and used it on a recent holiday to the US. It was brilliant, and without it I would have got hopelessly lost on a number of occasions.
I have also downloaded and used the map of Germany, also very good.
Another vote for Co Pilot here with the S2. Free first, extra countries cost money. Bought "Europe" for our trip to Italy and it was brilliant, also great with the POI like hotels, restaurants,... Not like Gmaps of course, but for an offline DB (2GB for Europe iirc), more than enough.It downloads all maps to your phone so you don't need a data connection to be able to use it.
I went with the paid version and used it on a recent holiday to the US. It was brilliant, and without it I would have got hopelessly lost on a number of occasions.
I have also downloaded and used the map of Germany, also very good.
DonnyMac said:
ApexJimi said:
Daft question, but I assume offline maps is for use in the same way as you'd use a paper map for directions? (ie no turn-by-turn for offline stuff)
I don't have copilot but I guess it uses the GPS instead of data transfer whilst abroad to save roaming costs.D'oh!
ApexJimi said:
Ah, forgot one could use GPS independantly of data connection.
D'oh!
no problem, I get that question a lot. My sis has a smartphone she uses on wifi a lot, but was truly stumped I told her she could download maps and navigate.D'oh!
Her response... but... but... I don't have internet and that'll cost me a lot of money.
Fletch79 said:
Well my NFC arrived today and started using tasker and nfc tasker
Very cool what you can do with them
Ps anybody else having problems on pistonheads with chrome? My cursor jumps all over and the spell correction does wierd things
Damn I want several, I have some great ideas for them but no NFC on my S2 .Very cool what you can do with them
Ps anybody else having problems on pistonheads with chrome? My cursor jumps all over and the spell correction does wierd things
gibbo37 said:
I use Co Pilot Live on my Galaxy S2. If I remember correctly you can get a free version with one free map download of your choice.
It downloads all maps to your phone so you don't need a data connection to be able to use it.
I went with the paid version and used it on a recent holiday to the US. It was brilliant, and without it I would have got hopelessly lost on a number of occasions.
I have also downloaded and used the map of Germany, also very good.
Thanks gibbo37 and ZesPakIt downloads all maps to your phone so you don't need a data connection to be able to use it.
I went with the paid version and used it on a recent holiday to the US. It was brilliant, and without it I would have got hopelessly lost on a number of occasions.
I have also downloaded and used the map of Germany, also very good.
I have ordered a Galaxy Note 2, it should be arriving soon
AmitG said:
Is anyone using offline maps on their S3 or Note 2?
I'm getting very tempted by the Note 2, but would really like downloadable maps, so that I can e.g. download the whole of France and then navigate around without needing a 3G connection.
Google Maps offers some offline capability, but it is limited to caching of nearby tiles. I'm looking for full offline maps that can be zoomed, rotated, panned etc.
I've looked at OpenStreetMaps and they seem to publish all the data in a range of file formats. They mention a number of different reader apps but it's not clear which ones will let me do what I need (there is a feature matrix, but it gives minimal info, and some of the apps look unfinished). I presume I want to download map data and then run an app that renders it. I don't need route plotting or navigation - just the map, a search feature and a "you are here" feature.
Nokia Maps claims to offer this so if it isn't possible I might need to go down the WP8 route (still undecided).
Any thoughts appreciated. (Conversely, if I work it out, I will write it up in case others are interested.)
Nav Free is, as the name suggests, free, and doesn't need a data connection.I'm getting very tempted by the Note 2, but would really like downloadable maps, so that I can e.g. download the whole of France and then navigate around without needing a 3G connection.
Google Maps offers some offline capability, but it is limited to caching of nearby tiles. I'm looking for full offline maps that can be zoomed, rotated, panned etc.
I've looked at OpenStreetMaps and they seem to publish all the data in a range of file formats. They mention a number of different reader apps but it's not clear which ones will let me do what I need (there is a feature matrix, but it gives minimal info, and some of the apps look unfinished). I presume I want to download map data and then run an app that renders it. I don't need route plotting or navigation - just the map, a search feature and a "you are here" feature.
Nokia Maps claims to offer this so if it isn't possible I might need to go down the WP8 route (still undecided).
Any thoughts appreciated. (Conversely, if I work it out, I will write it up in case others are interested.)
I've got it on my phone, but couldn't tell you if it's any good yet, as I've yet to not have a phone connection when looking to use Google Maps. Worth noting that so long as you've got signal when you start out with Google Maps, you'll only need it again if you deviate from the planned route or you want the real time traffic updates.
AmitG said:
Google Maps offers some offline capability, but it is limited to caching of nearby tiles. I'm looking for full offline maps that can be zoomed, rotated, panned etc.
You should be able to select an area to download for offline viewing. The maxium size is about 85Mb, which is a pretty large area. eg That size used around London is enough to cover from Bracknell out to Canvey Island, West to East and Hitchin down to Horsham, North to South. I think you can have up to 6 areas saved, and the maps have as much detail as you would get online. The major disadvantage is that you can't search them while offline.I don't know if that was a feature introduced in Jelly Bean, but if so that update should be available for the S3 very soon anyway.
If you're planning on navigating using the offline side of Google Maps, it's very hit and miss. It'll save the roads but not the features on it - and because it's so feature/POI orientated it becomes a nightmare. You can't just press and hold a point on the A591 and navigate to there, when you long press it has to find the nearest building. Which needs data.
If navigating by eye/using someone to read the map for you however it works fine, but it is an irritating flaw in the offline GM setup.
If navigating by eye/using someone to read the map for you however it works fine, but it is an irritating flaw in the offline GM setup.
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