Navigation Comes to G1 (android)

With the release of the Verizon Droid, Google released a new maps program with that phone that allows you to get turn by turn directions. Of course the rest of the Android users didn't get this yet. So because of the open nature of Android, we have figured out how to port this maps to the HTC Dream/T-Mobile G1.

I don't take credit for figuring it out the great Android community at XDA developer forums did that, however I do want to share it with you, in a nice format that makes it easy.

The only prerequisite is that you must have rooted your phone already. If you need help with that. plaese go here. http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/index.php/Full_Update_Guide_-_G1/Dream_Firmware_to_CyanogenMod

They say you need to be running the custom rom "CyanogenMod 4.2.3.1" however if you back up first you can probably run it on any rom.

ink to the file.

How to install

1. Unzip Google_Maps_with_Nav.zip
   
2. Run Part 1.bat
   
3. When prompted to press any key, do it.
   
4. Don't Panic! The phone will reboot automatically.
   
5. When your phone is running again, run Part 2.bat
   
6. When prompted to press any key,
   
7. The installation process is done.
   

Using the turn by turn navigation.

1. Make sure GPS is enabled
   
2. Open Maps and press OK
   
3. Press Menu
   
4. Select Directions
   
5. Enter an end point
   
6. Click Go
   
7. Now Just under "Show on map", click Navigate.
   
8. If you don't have the voice codec installed it will prompt you to install the voice codec. Do this.
   
9. Use this responsibly and enjoy.
   

If you have CyanogenMod 4.2.5 then you should probably follow these instructions.

These instructions below were written by theomajigga over at XDA developer forums

"Hey guys,

After a longs day of work, I got it.

Put together a recovery flash-able zip file to add the new Google navigation.

REQS:

1. Dream or Sapphire/Magic/Mt3G

2. 1.6 Rom as a minimum

3. Custom recovery either Amon's or Cyanogen's

4. A brain

5. The download at the end of the post

STEPS:

1. Download this for most Donut builds (Cyanogen based). (also attached now  )

2. Place in the root of your sdcard

3. Reboot in recovery

3. Select chose update.zip (or rename the downloaded file to update.zip)

4. Select update_navigation.zip

5. Reboot

Extended steps:

If "Navigate" doesn't show up the first time:

1. Go to settings

2. Click on applications

3. Click on Manage applications

4. scroll to apps

5. click on Maps

6. Clear data

OR

1. Install Google Voice

2. Uninstall Google Voice

3. Reinstall Google Voice"

Let me know what works for you..

G1 Quick Thoughts

Been using my G1 for a while, and here is how everything breaks down.

I have been switching between many different ROM's. 
Currently this if my phone setup:

• CyanogenMod - 4.0.2 Build CRC1 (Click here for List of G1 ROMs)
• 8gb Class 6 microSDHC
• 6732MB fat32 | 4443MB Free (Browser/Maps/GMAIL/ETC Cache moved to SD)
• 941 MB ext3 (over 50 Programs installed.)
• 32 MB linux-swap
• 72 MB free internal
• Seidio Innocell 2600mAh Extended Battery
• Zagg Invisible Shield

I like:

• How configurable it is being open source
• The free programs easily accessable on the Android Marketplace
• The touchscreen
• The hardware and software keyboard
• The Wifi
• The bluetooth
• The Google integration
• The Compass and Accelerametor
• The GPS

I dislike:

• Stock Battery time
• Lack of flash for camera
• That you have to Root your phone or have a Dev phone to do the really cool stuff.

Programs I use Daily

• Advanced Task Manager
• Stumble Video
• StreamFurious.
• dxTop (replacement home screen)
• OverclockWidget (for Dev/Rooted phones)
• Meebo IM easly connect to meebo and talk on all major chat platforms.. AIM, Yahoo, MSN, etc..
• SMS Backup (emails your SMS's to your Gmail account)
• Fusion Voicemail+

Programs that I use often

• Gmote
• My Coupons
• PicSay
• android-vnc-viewer
• Dilbertdroid
• Toggle Settings
• DroidSans
• etc.

For more Cool Tech information check out the sites below.

http://www.cooltechspot.com/pages/the-android-corner.htm

http://www.androidspin.com/

http://androidandme.com/

http://www.androidguys.com/

http://www.CoolTeckSpot.com

~Sound Off ~

T-Mobile G1/Android Community Stepping up again

Many people are wondering if and why the G1 is better than the iPhone. There are my reasons some of them include hardware features, but I think the biggest reason is that the operating system of the phone is Open Source, with the only restrictions being ones that keep vandalism and other devious acts to a minimum.

You may be wondering why this is such a big deal. The iPhone has a shop for applications. Well unlike the iPhone pretty much anyone who has a drive to create an application can on Android with out big licencing fees. Then without becoming a criminal he can use it on his phone, and give or sell it to friends or the world. No need to jailbrake your phone etc. worry about the next firmware upgrade and your apps still working. 

The next intelligent question would be then will anyone really take the time to make these progams being that as of right now being that the G1 hasn't launched and there are no other phones that use android yet? (other than people hack projects) The answer is yes, there has already been a contest to support the community that builds these applications, many times using their own money and making them available for donations. The imaginative and creative applications that emerged were nothing short of amazing. I would like some of my favorites however there are just too many interesting ones out there look for your self would you like any of these programs ? 

http://code.google.com/android/

http://code.google.com/android/adc_gallery/index.html#3

Sound off what do you think about all the open handset hype? How much would you pay for some of these programs? What programs would you like to see?

Android Features I Crave

Of course we all want different things from our cell phones, here are some of the features I would like to see (no particular order). Let me know if there are other features you would like to see? 

• Video MMS / Video recording / streaming / Video Out via mini usb adaptor to hdmi or ?
  
• Screen orientation / Step counter / G force meter for use in car / inclimeter (using accelerometer)
  
• Turn by Turn Navigation with traffic avoidance.
  
• Call Recording (with and without beep)
  
• Ability to view flash websites like Skyfire does http://www.skyfire.com/
  
• Divx player
  
• Bluetooth keyboard / other bluetooth profiles
  
• Internet sharing ie: 3G->Wifi or 3G -> MiniUSB etc.
  
• gdesklets http://www.gdesklets.de/
  
• the ability to use the mini usb port as a usb port ie usb flash and hdd support or wireless usb (dreaming)
  
• touchscreen keyboard for when you don't have the time or will to open the phone, or when you have it in a dock.
  
• Call filter. http://www.anfymobile.com/callfilter/
  
• WIDSETS (all you Nokia fans know this one :) ) http://www.widsets.com/
  
• Multiplayer games (quake :) )
  
• 3d or 2d cad (ok I know it sounds odd but it is helpful for inventors like me drawing up blueprints while we are waiting for shit) 
  
• A lite version of open office :) (although I think google docs will suffice)
• Gas Mileage tracker using GPS (& for tax man)
• Remote Control for electronics devices (TV, DVD, DVR, Stereo, Laptop, etc.)
• Graphing calculator / ti89 emulator
• FTP hosting
• BitTorrenting
• Graphic editor (with reasonably cool features)

Cool Features I found with the Android Emulator 1.0 r1

• Looks Like Android already has some of these built in you can filter calls in the contact book by checking the box send calls directly to voice mail.
• The Web Browser allows you to use most webpages. Including Google. Documents, Reader, and most all the other Google services. It seems that all google features are specially formatted.  
  
• Robust alarm clock
• Many sweet graphical features for developers, many sample API's to take advantage of.
• Widgets