Kobo Aura Browser - Google Maps?

canuck100 · 10-09-2013, 06:52 PM

New to eReaders, anticipating B'Day gift of Kobo Aura. Currently reading on (heavy!) iPad4.
How usable is the browser? Can I access google maps in it? Can I grab the screen to get a pic of the map for later off line reference?

I have an LG Eclypse (low end smart phone) that can tether - it seems to work with my iPad. Can I use it in a pinch to tether to the Kobo Aura in order to use the browser?

Reason for asking - I've considered buying a 7 in tablet for use when travelling - 3G not absolutely necessary but would like to access google maps in a pinch when lost (in London UK - I'm from Canada)

Thanks!

ETA: The display on my phone is too small & often not visible in bright light to be of much help when I get lost - perhaps due to my age and "mature" eyes

jiminrussell · 10-09-2013, 08:27 PM

You can load the Google maps site in the kobo browser and it does a best guess on your location (I assume using your network location as there is no GPS on the kobo). You can even zoom in and out on the map but I don't see anyway to drag the map around if it isn't centered on the right spot. Using my finger to try and drag the map up and down or side to side does nothing but redraw the map in exactly the same place, maybe it can be done but I can't figure it out.

It seems to work fine if you use the directions mode, enter your current location and your destination and it will show you the usual 3 choices to get there and list the directions in text.

There is a way to do screen shots using the power button on the kobo but requires that you edit a config file and that saves the screenshots to the device and then I assume you could view them on the kobo, but I have never done this myself and don't recall the details of how to set this up or know if it works with the firmware on the new Aura or not, check the forums for the kobo threads that mention screenshots and you should find your answer on this one.

Tethering should work fine, from the kobo device it won't care what the wifi source is.

PeterT · 10-09-2013, 08:45 PM

I'm certain that current f/w has removed the screenshot option.

paola · 10-10-2013, 07:40 AM

cant' googe maps be grabbed by Pocket?

Nightyume · 10-10-2013, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jiminrussell

You can load the Google maps site in the kobo browser and it does a best guess on your location (I assume using your network location as there is no GPS on the kobo). You can even zoom in and out on the map but I don't see anyway to drag the map around if it isn't centered on the right spot. Using my finger to try and drag the map up and down or side to side does nothing but redraw the map in exactly the same place, maybe it can be done but I can't figure it out.

It seems to work fine if you use the directions mode, enter your current location and your destination and it will show you the usual 3 choices to get there and list the directions in text.

There is a way to do screen shots using the power button on the kobo but requires that you edit a config file and that saves the screenshots to the device and then I assume you could view them on the kobo, but I have never done this myself and don't recall the details of how to set this up or know if it works with the firmware on the new Aura or not, check the forums for the kobo threads that mention screenshots and you should find your answer on this one.

Tethering should work fine, from the kobo device it won't care what the wifi source is.

Right now I am without ereader so I can't really test it but any chance the double tap to zoom works? If so you could zoom out and tap on a different area in order to shift the image to the area you want... just a thought but no idea if it'll work.

jiminrussell · 10-10-2013, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paola

cant' googe maps be grabbed by Pocket?

Didn't work for me, just ended up with a more or less blank page

jiminrussell · 10-10-2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightyume

Right now I am without ereader so I can't really test it but any chance the double tap to zoom works? If so you could zoom out and tap on a different area in order to shift the image to the area you want... just a thought but no idea if it'll work.

Zooming is not a problem, pinch to zoom or using the + or - to zoom works fine on the Aura, but Zooming out and then tapping to change the area you want does nothing.

canuck100 · 10-10-2013, 11:15 PM

Thanks so much this gives me a hint as to the capabilities/limitations of the browser which is very helpful.
I did a direction search on google maps from my iPad which requires sending an email to put something in Pocket -- all that resulted was an email with a generic google maps address (google.ca) - not an address containing anything that would bring up my search or directions. But it was worth a try.

10-09-2013, 06:52 PM	#1
canuck100 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 11516 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Aura, iPad4	Kobo Aura Browser - Google Maps? New to eReaders, anticipating B'Day gift of Kobo Aura. Currently reading on (heavy!) iPad4. How usable is the browser? Can I access google maps in it? Can I grab the screen to get a pic of the map for later off line reference? I have an LG Eclypse (low end smart phone) that can tether - it seems to work with my iPad. Can I use it in a pinch to tether to the Kobo Aura in order to use the browser? Reason for asking - I've considered buying a 7 in tablet for use when travelling - 3G not absolutely necessary but would like to access google maps in a pinch when lost (in London UK - I'm from Canada) Thanks! ETA: The display on my phone is too small & often not visible in bright light to be of much help when I get lost - perhaps due to my age and "mature" eyes Last edited by canuck100; 10-09-2013 at 07:13 PM. Reason: addition, clarification

10-09-2013, 08:27 PM	#2
jiminrussell JimInRussell Posts: 355 Karma: 143302 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Russell Ontario Canada Device: kobo Aura One, Forma, Elipsa, Sage	You can load the Google maps site in the kobo browser and it does a best guess on your location (I assume using your network location as there is no GPS on the kobo). You can even zoom in and out on the map but I don't see anyway to drag the map around if it isn't centered on the right spot. Using my finger to try and drag the map up and down or side to side does nothing but redraw the map in exactly the same place, maybe it can be done but I can't figure it out. It seems to work fine if you use the directions mode, enter your current location and your destination and it will show you the usual 3 choices to get there and list the directions in text. There is a way to do screen shots using the power button on the kobo but requires that you edit a config file and that saves the screenshots to the device and then I assume you could view them on the kobo, but I have never done this myself and don't recall the details of how to set this up or know if it works with the firmware on the new Aura or not, check the forums for the kobo threads that mention screenshots and you should find your answer on this one. Tethering should work fine, from the kobo device it won't care what the wifi source is. Last edited by jiminrussell; 10-09-2013 at 08:32 PM. Reason: typos

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Arc Google maps api v2 is not working in kobo arc	Angel Shah	Kobo Tablets	3	05-29-2013 11:27 AM
Google maps coming to iOS	injapan	News	38	12-20-2012 01:46 AM
Android new google maps 4.3 for android	teelu	enTourage Archive	4	06-24-2010 10:44 PM
Jetbook works well on Google Maps	Slash5	Ectaco jetBook	5	03-08-2010 10:39 PM
PRS-500 google maps to pdf converter	leha	Sony Reader Dev Corner	4	12-25-2006 09:09 AM

10-09-2013, 08:45 PM	#3
PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 12,141 Karma: 73448616 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Nexus 7, Clara, Touch, Tolino EPOS	I'm certain that current f/w has removed the screenshot option.

10-10-2013, 07:40 AM	#4
paola Wizard Posts: 2,824 Karma: 5843878 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: UK Device: Pocketbook Pro 903, (beloved Pocketbook 360 RIP), Kobo Mini, Kobo Aura	cant' googe maps be grabbed by Pocket?

10-10-2013, 11:15 PM	#8
canuck100 Member Posts: 14 Karma: 11516 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Aura, iPad4	Thanks so much this gives me a hint as to the capabilities/limitations of the browser which is very helpful. I did a direction search on google maps from my iPad which requires sending an email to put something in Pocket -- all that resulted was an email with a generic google maps address (google.ca) - not an address containing anything that would bring up my search or directions. But it was worth a try.

Advert

Advert