Accessories GPS Accessories?

OncTech · 08-17-2010, 04:52 PM

I was curious if anyone has done any tinkering with GPS functionality on the eDGe.

I currently have a Palm TX that pairs via Bluetooth with a Holux M-1000 receiver, and it works. No drivers were needed to do this, just basic pairing, and several unrelated GPS dependent apps (such as TomTom and WhereAmI?) all work fine this way.

So, is it possible to get a GPS app to work with an external GPS device like this? Granted, the eGDe's large size makes it's use as a navigation tool a bit limited, but I can think of many uses GPS location would be handy for.

(btw, I can't search this forum for "gps" because it's too short a word)

nprnncbl · 08-18-2010, 10:21 AM

I've wondered about this, too, as I have the same GPS receiver.

A quick search came across a Bluetooth GPS Android app, but it appears it does not implement the LocationProvider API, meaning that other applications can't access the GPS data.

I think there's an app opportunity here, but there's a catch, because I think there are OS hooks for the LocationProvider API, and a typical user application can't access them.

If I had more time I'd be interested in developing something, but in the hopes that someone else picks this up:

- connect to a GPS via bluetooth
- implement the LocationProvider API, getting data from the BT GPS
- add a hook to the OS location providers; I think this involves putting a file in a particular (privileged) directory, which would require root access
- wrap it in a GUI that allows the user to connect/disconnect, select the device, etc.

guyjack · 08-28-2010, 12:09 AM

I really wouldnt use GPS on the eDGE!

1966Hemi · 09-28-2010, 08:30 AM

Ii think it would be great to have gps capability oon the edge. I would use it a lot.

OncTech · 10-07-2010, 10:18 AM

I have found a few apps that do seem to get around the issue and make an external GPS device accessible to location-based apps, but all of them I have found so far requires Android 2.0+. These include Bluetooth GPS Mouse and this independently made one: http://sourceforge.net/p/bluegps4droid/home/

Think anything workable can be found? Or are we stuck until we get that much-anticipated update something this fall to 2.2?

Dragginz · 10-15-2010, 01:35 PM

I have a gps keychain Bluetooth dongle setup that I originally got for my eee netbook but never got working. I honestly thought there was some kind of gps already in the Edge because Google maps generally knows where I am. Not sure how they do that!!

Anyway I will follow up when/if I find the thing and try it out.

nprnncbl · 10-16-2010, 09:00 AM

Google knows where you are because they know everything.

Seriously, though, Google locates you approximately by using your IP address. They know roughly where you're plugged into the internet.

keng2000 · 11-07-2010, 06:15 AM

Problem may be EE that may not accept any bluetooth profiles except HeadPhone Profile.
There are several programs for using external GPS, http://www.androidzoom.com/android_a...receiver%20for

We need virtual serial bluetooth profile on EE to get GPS signal from other devices such as external GPS, android mobile phone with GPS and program GPS rerouted to Bluetooth.

08-17-2010, 04:52 PM	#1
OncTech Edge User	GPS Accessories? I was curious if anyone has done any tinkering with GPS functionality on the eDGe. I currently have a Palm TX that pairs via Bluetooth with a Holux M-1000 receiver, and it works. No drivers were needed to do this, just basic pairing, and several unrelated GPS dependent apps (such as TomTom and WhereAmI?) all work fine this way. So, is it possible to get a GPS app to work with an external GPS device like this? Granted, the eGDe's large size makes it's use as a navigation tool a bit limited, but I can think of many uses GPS location would be handy for. (btw, I can't search this forum for "gps" because it's too short a word)

10-15-2010, 01:35 PM	#6
Dragginz Edge User	I have a gps keychain Bluetooth dongle setup that I originally got for my eee netbook but never got working. I honestly thought there was some kind of gps already in the Edge because Google maps generally knows where I am. Not sure how they do that!! Anyway I will follow up when/if I find the thing and try it out. Last edited by Dragginz; 10-15-2010 at 01:55 PM. Reason: left out a sentence

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08-18-2010, 10:21 AM	#2
nprnncbl Edge User	I've wondered about this, too, as I have the same GPS receiver. A quick search came across a Bluetooth GPS Android app, but it appears it does not implement the LocationProvider API, meaning that other applications can't access the GPS data. I think there's an app opportunity here, but there's a catch, because I think there are OS hooks for the LocationProvider API, and a typical user application can't access them. If I had more time I'd be interested in developing something, but in the hopes that someone else picks this up: - connect to a GPS via bluetooth - implement the LocationProvider API, getting data from the BT GPS - add a hook to the OS location providers; I think this involves putting a file in a particular (privileged) directory, which would require root access - wrap it in a GUI that allows the user to connect/disconnect, select the device, etc.

08-28-2010, 12:09 AM	#3
guyjack Edge User	I really wouldnt use GPS on the eDGE!

09-28-2010, 08:30 AM	#4
1966Hemi Edge User	Ii think it would be great to have gps capability oon the edge. I would use it a lot.

10-07-2010, 10:18 AM	#5
OncTech Edge User	I have found a few apps that do seem to get around the issue and make an external GPS device accessible to location-based apps, but all of them I have found so far requires Android 2.0+. These include Bluetooth GPS Mouse and this independently made one: http://sourceforge.net/p/bluegps4droid/home/ Think anything workable can be found? Or are we stuck until we get that much-anticipated update something this fall to 2.2?

10-16-2010, 09:00 AM	#7
nprnncbl Edge User	Google knows where you are because they know everything. Seriously, though, Google locates you approximately by using your IP address. They know roughly where you're plugged into the internet.

11-07-2010, 06:15 AM	#8
keng2000 Edge User	Problem may be EE that may not accept any bluetooth profiles except HeadPhone Profile. There are several programs for using external GPS, http://www.androidzoom.com/android_a...receiver%20for We need virtual serial bluetooth profile on EE to get GPS signal from other devices such as external GPS, android mobile phone with GPS and program GPS rerouted to Bluetooth.

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