Comments on: GPSed for Blackberry: version 0.962 beta

By: GPSed

GPSed — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 17:30:50 +0000

Roque »
Thank you for your report. We are planning to release a new stable version of GPSed for BlackBerry in nearest future.

By: Roque

Roque — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:39:28 +0000

Great app, still needs some work, but I’m having fun with it.
Running the .962 load on Blackberry Curve over AT&T with a stand alone GPS reciever, SE Michigan.

Many of the same problems as listed in other posts:

Not finding the SD card when starting a new track, have to switch to system memory.

Uncaught exception: java.lang.NullPointerException.

Sometimes only uploads part of the track over the network but shows up ok if I upload via USB. (this sucks since if I have to switch to system memory, I cant find the track file.)

Still marks in KM (on the blackbery) even if I have it set to miles.

Sugested features:
Add a waypoint with a single button press without naming. I use this for bicycling and too many keypresses is a PITA.

Convert to KML from the blackberry (are there settings on GPS Babel for converting these files?)

Sample more points? I get too many straight lines across trails which make it inaccurate over a 25 mile ride at 17 mph avg.

Sweet app, heading in the right direction to do just what i need it to. keep up the good work.

By: Fernando

Fernando — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:44:00 +0000

Thanks GPSed:

I tried that today while I was driving my car. It was true the compass was stable and point exactly to north or where I pointed. Althought when I walked, at a regular speed, still shake. I had to run in order to stabilize it. Maybe the next version will correct this details. Besides those detail it is a great tool for me. I can survive with this minors details.

Thank you. Keep innovating.

From El Salvador.

By: GPSed

GPSed — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 08:18:17 +0000

Fernando »
Actually every GPS receiver shows a big inaccuracy at low speed which makes the compass turn all the time. It is recommended to move in one direction at a reasonable speed at least.

By: Fernando

Fernando — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 01:28:50 +0000

I have a BB 8310 an installed the v.0.962 it’s work fine. I made some short tracking and worked fine. But I would like the compass be mores stable. I would like to use to set the north while I use the GPS during walking to the jungle but keeps turning erratically.
does someone knows how to stabilize it.

By: Rik

Rik — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:02:32 +0000

The “Distance” appears to be tracking kilometers even though it’s set to imperial “Miles” - v.0.962 on the BB 8310.

Great app! Thank you.

By: Enrique

Enrique — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:57:00 +0000

I used the app in my visit to the USA the past few days. My device is a German T-Mobile BB 8310. What I have found:
- when the GPS connection is lost, the track somehow is stopped and when I choose resume track, the app resumes a previous track from the one that was just active. why not just simply “pause” taking track points when GPS has no info?
- I uploaded my tracks directly from BB. The tracks I uploaded I made sure was stopped. When I look at the tracks on the web site, they are incomplete. When I upload the track again but this time using USB connection to BB, the track is complete.
- the calculation of where the pictures are is done using the timestamps of the track (and hopefully waypoints) and pictures. this is not very accurate and often shows the pictures in a different location from where it was taken. why not just have the BB app take the picture and georeference the picture using the GPS info?

And one idea: why not link to FaceBook photos as well?

By: Enrique

Enrique — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 06:46:08 +0000

1) I keep getting the Uncaught exception: java.lang.NullPointerException. I believe it is because I deleted (via USB connection to my computer and FileExplorer) the old gpsed track files.

2) I would like to make an enhancement request. For live-upating tracks, we need a way to get the URL (directly from the BlackBerry) for the track so that we can send it via email (directly from the BlackBerry device).

3) Another enhancement request. Not related to tracks. But a live update of just the user’s location so that “whereis” shows the last known location. This should be configurable separate from tracks directly on the device.

By: GPSed

GPSed — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:52:18 +0000

Dear GPSed users,

Thanks for all comments and feedback. You are helping to improve our software.

By: Marty

Marty — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:21:40 +0000

Well, if you’re looking for Beta testers, I’ll provide some input.

First of all, I’m in the USA, on an AT&T Blackberry Curve 8310.

I’d say that the software is - barely - a Beta, as it’s got some serious deficiencies that would preclude me from being able to say that this is a product ready to ship.

In all cases, the issues are repeatable.

1. When attempting to upload a track manually, stopping the track and then selecting “upload” reports “Already Uploaded” even if the previous upload attempt failed.

2. While unit is searching for GPS connection, it will hang forever if an “empty menu” item is selected.

3. Program incorrectly reports SD media card unavailable when attempting to start a new track if the old track is still active.

4. Many null pointer exceptions, as well as “too many threads” errors.

5. Rarely, if ever, managed to upload track on the every 2.5 minute schedule. See “features” for an idea.

Features/Suggestions
a. Enable a more verbose mode to show the negotiation during uploads. Many of my errors seem network related.

b. DO NOT have that horrible beep if there is a loss of network. Respect the settings of the phone - I was in a very quiet place when the program lost connection with the network and it let lose with a BEEP BEEP BEEP that was as loud as a U2 Concert.

c. Create an ability to locate myself in “point” mode; rather than uploading a track, just have a short position burst and leave the track recording to the web site. Unless I’m mistaken, this is not how it works now.