GPSLogger [100% free - 100% offline]

emacf1 · Thread Author #1 02-07-2009, 02:41 PM

GPSLogger
I would like to use the opportunity to present the first release of an application that I have written for the all BB with OS 4.2.1 or higher [successfully tested (by other users and myself) with 8100, 8310, 8800, 8820, 9000 & 9500].

It's a quite straight forward application, that is recording your movement with your BB-phone over time - this includes Elevation and Speed (and some more data).

The main motivation to write this application was first of all to learn how to program my new Blackberry (via RIM's Java API) - The main benefit (compared to a JavaME Midlet) is, that you have full access to the hardware (like the Filesystem) without any confirmation from the user. Of course this will restrict the usability of the application to Blackberry devices only - but well - I own now one - so I do not care ;-)
The second reason for creating a own application was that I wanted to have a GPSLogging application without any kind of online access (so without any additional costs).

Of course I am looking desperately for feedback from other Blackberry Users (specially devices that I do not have tested) - your feedback is highly appreciated.

Features
What you can do with GPSLogger:

Record your movement (as long as you take your BB with you) ;-)
Display current Position:
- Longitude / Latitude
- accuracy for Longitude & Latitude values
- # of Satellites
- current altitude (in WGS84)
- current course/heading
- current speed [Ø speed (if available)]
- travel distance
- travel time
While recording you can mark your current position and specify a Note for it
While recording you can pause & resume the recording
Copy your current location data [Lon|Lat|Alt] into the Clipboard to be able to paste it in a SMS or eMail (or where ever you like)
4 different Main views:
- Path View: 2D-View of Longitude & Latitude values
- Elevation View: Altitude over time
- Speed View: Speed over Time
- GPS View: Longitude / Latitude / Speed / course in a large font
- Switch between Day/Night Mode
Options:
- Select GPSLogger Font Size:
  - Small (= BB Default Font Size/1.5) [GPSLogger default]
  - Medium (= BB Default Font Size/1.25)
  - Large (= BB Default Font Size)
- Specify the initial view of GPSLogger
- Specify if the background should be always ON
- Select NightMode Color Scheme [Yellow/Red/Green/Blue]
- Specify the sample frequence (in which period the application will record the current position)
- Directory on your BB device to which your Paths will be recorded (can be also SDCard)
- Units in which the Data will be displayed (Metric/Imperial/Nautical)
- Confirm Exit (default OFF)
- Export Directory on your BB device
- Specify the recipient list (when you have chosen eMail-Export) - separated multiple recipient eMail addresses by space
- Export format(s): KML (GoogleEarth), GPX (+GPX MapSource compatible)
Load previously recorded Paths
- Navigate with the trackball through your Path
- Navigate with the Keyboard through your Path
  - a|s: Start Position
  - e|r: End Position
  - y/z|x: 15 Positions back
  - c|v: 1 Position back
  - b|n 1 Position forward
  - m: 15 Positions forward
- Load previously recorded paths into the Background (as many as you like) to compare the current (e.g. recording) Path with previously recorded Paths. [e.g. to compare your actual hiking or biking route with the ones you did in the past]
- Export a Path to GPX/KML (depeding on your Settings) to the BB filesystem
- Export a Path to GPX/KML and send it automatically by BB-eMail to a recipient (list) [recipients configurable in options dialog]
The exported KML files can be loaded into GoogleEarth and you can get a detailed view of your paths [download GoogleEarth]
The exported GPX file contains the following information about each recorded location (not all the info is included in the Mapsource compatible output):
- Longitude / Latitude
- Altitude (in WGS84)
- Timestamp
- Course/heading
- Name of the Point (if it's a named waypoint)
- # of Satellites
- Accuracy for Longitude & Latitude values

Installation
You will find the download link of the latest Version (incl. OTA installer link) at the GPSLogger Homepage

Additional Notes

Even if I own a Storm myself there is no TouchScreen support (yet) - but once there is a stable/complete version of GPSLogger there will be a Strom enhanced Version, that allows to browse though a recorded Path via the TouchScreen (instead of the Keyboard)
GPSLogger currently only work with 'JSR179 LocationProvider' compatible Devices (this is the Java spec.) - these are for sure all BB with build in GPS-Receivers (as long as supported by the provider) - but I have already feedback from people using the software with external (Bluetooth) GPS-Pucks (as long as they are activated before the application start)

Looking forward for your comments
Matthias

lakepark · #2 02-07-2009, 04:16 PM

Your app sounds promising. I'll give it a try.

lakepark · #3 02-07-2009, 05:30 PM

OTA install did not manage to connect to your web server. Downloaded zip file from Forum and tried to install via Desktop Manager. After picking your alx file it failed to install. Error displayed was is couldn't find the following dependency (none listed).

Ended up manually installing with JavaLoader and that worked fine.

emacf1 · Thread Author #4 02-07-2009, 07:20 PM

strange - a friend of mine owns also a BB-Bold (also Vodafone) and he had no problems with installing the app OTA ?! But fine that you solved the trouble yourself!

schizrade · #5 02-09-2009, 06:23 PM

Does this have a live display of Lat/Long info?

krypton_john · #6 02-09-2009, 07:12 PM

Looks great - if there could be a screen with lat/long/speed in BIG font that would be fantastic!

emacf1 · Thread Author #7 02-10-2009, 02:24 AM

I will integrate a LON/LAT/SPEED (large font) view for sure... I can understand, that the current display of the data is way to small when you are on the sea...

emacf1 · Thread Author #8 02-10-2009, 10:39 AM

update 0.4.2 is available:

what's new?

Main views:
- GPS View: Longitude / Latitude / Speed / course in a large font
Options:
- Specify the initial view of GPSLogger
- Specify if the background should be always ON

tclancy911 · #9 02-10-2009, 11:04 AM

Thanks-
just dl OTA and installed fine
any particular settings for the GPS?

inside at the desk but no joy yet.

tclancy911 · #10 02-10-2009, 11:11 AM

Is it because I have Verizon ?
"locked GPS"??

emacf1 · Thread Author #11 02-10-2009, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tclancy911

Is it because I have Verizon ?
"locked GPS"??

I am sorry but I do not know anything about this Subject (yet) - yes I am aware that there exists plenty of posts concerning Verizon and GPS - but I haven't followed this issue - GPSLogger reads the Data from the RIM provided JavaAPI - if this is disabled by your provider, there is nothing I can do about it (at least I am not aware of).

Sorry
Matthias