Using my JBL as a "GPS"

tomereader · 09-10-2010, 10:37 PM

Thought I would share this, which I'm sure you all have already considered, but in case you hadn't...of course any ereader could do this but the small size of the JBL in fitting in a coat pocket helps...

Being blind, (and err umm broke, couldn't afford an ereader and a gps) I have difficulty in getting around, especially when getting out of the suburbs and into the "city" where the street signs hang over the streets/traffic and I have difficulty in seeing them... or they do not have street signs at every intersection

But I also want to try and be "independent" and not run to a friend to get to a new appointment every time...

So I use my favorite internet map site, use the get directions feature set to the walking or public transportation mode and take a screen shot, crop etc then export the image to the JBL and I have a reference that really helps

Before I had the JBL the map site really saved me, I was going from memory (not always a good idea doh) and was thoroughly lost but having used the map sites traffic (or satellite?) version of my route really blown up, I had noticed a parking lot where the cars came right up to the sidewalk, no "bumper stones" or grass just bam right to the sidewalk, and that visual cue let me find my way, so if you know a low vision person who is trying to retain their mobility, suggest that they scout their route thoroughly beforehand (then put a picture of it in their JBL!)

and yes I could print the map but remember broke

ink = $ and stored in the JBL will not get wrinkled etc

Seabound · 09-11-2010, 02:53 AM

Nice idea, tomereader. I will try using my JBL as a notes repository. Should come in handy.

Lady Fitzgerald · 09-11-2010, 03:15 AM

I've already started using my JBL to carry the manuals for my camera, external flash and two "smart" battery chargers and to carry a list of the books I've entered into calibre so far (real e-books and image PDFs scanned from p-books; 'tis incomplete but once I finish my scanning project, I'll have the list available whenever I'm in a used bookstore). I also put my personal address/phone book on the JBL.

GhostHawk · 09-11-2010, 07:23 PM

I had some map routes loaded in my jetbook last year when I drove from Fargo ND to KS, then the next day on to Dallas.

Made finding the guys house I was looking for in KS really really easy.

Pinnacler · 09-11-2010, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomereader

So I use my favorite internet map site, use the get directions feature set to the walking or public transportation mode and take a screen shot, crop etc then export the image to the JBL and I have a reference that really helps

Before I had the JBL the map site really saved me, I was going from memory (not always a good idea doh) and was thoroughly lost but having used the map sites traffic (or satellite?) version of my route really blown up, I had noticed a parking lot where the cars came right up to the sidewalk, no "bumper stones" or grass just bam right to the sidewalk, and that visual cue let me find my way, so if you know a low vision person who is trying to retain their mobility, suggest that they scout their route thoroughly beforehand (then put a picture of it in their JBL!)

Wow... what an incredibly smart thing to do. :-) I have to commend you on that idea. It seems a lot time consuming though, so I'd probably stick to using the GPS software on my cellular phone. Pending on the type of phone you have, you can use a lot of GPS systems for free. One that comes to mind that I use a lot on my HTC TouchPro is the Google Maps. I especially like the Google Latitude program where you can see where your friends are and vice versa. Me and a friend of mine use it all the time when we go for walks in different directions to meet back up later.

tomereader · 09-11-2010, 11:22 PM

me broke no phone

me LIKE tap water and ramen noodles umm umm good

actually I was lucky only took 25 months from last paycheck to first ssdi check, got in without having to appeal (the lucky part)

I read that the kindle g3 devices can be "hacked?" to use the built in gps that amazon tracks them with to display to google maps showing location and route

edit -> http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-the-...ion&id=4865775

SonDan1 · 09-21-2010, 11:40 PM

Thank you tomereader for sharing. I had been debating with myself for about a week now on wether or not to purchase the sale priced Libre Pro from Borders as a second eReader.

Your post pushed me over the line to make the purchase. I'd rather carry around an electronic note repository than notebooks and paper scraps in my purse any day!

Thanks again.

SonDan1 · 09-21-2010, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lady Fitzgerald

I've already started using my JBL to carry the manuals for my camera, external flash and two "smart" battery chargers and to carry a list of the books I've entered into calibre so far (real e-books and image PDFs scanned from p-books; 'tis incomplete but once I finish my scanning project, I'll have the list available whenever I'm in a used bookstore). I also put my personal address/phone book on the JBL.

Awesome uses. Thanks for sharing.

tomereader · 09-22-2010, 09:59 PM

If I could do it again I might have gone with the regular JetBook (I had purchased the JBL before it could read library books) which would have let me have _two_ free library sources mp3 audio books and the newly updated ADE support (I discovered that overdrive mp3 audio books from library didn't seem to have DRM like the WMA audio books, BIG statistical sample, 2 downloads

on friends mp3 player)

BUT in reality, I need to hear traffic while out on the streets and do have two NLS book players (the old tape, new digital) in house to hear books from....

But in the months of research I had found so few players that could play 2 library formats...

For the price isn't the JBL amazing, having SD slot, auto page turn, LARGE fonts etc?

09-10-2010, 10:37 PM	#1
tomereader Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 664461 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: North Coast of Ohio Device: Ectaco JBL, Archos 5, 7, 70, Kindle DXG, Craig 7, Vizio Vtab	Using my JBL as a "GPS" Thought I would share this, which I'm sure you all have already considered, but in case you hadn't...of course any ereader could do this but the small size of the JBL in fitting in a coat pocket helps... Being blind, (and err umm broke, couldn't afford an ereader and a gps) I have difficulty in getting around, especially when getting out of the suburbs and into the "city" where the street signs hang over the streets/traffic and I have difficulty in seeing them... or they do not have street signs at every intersection But I also want to try and be "independent" and not run to a friend to get to a new appointment every time... So I use my favorite internet map site, use the get directions feature set to the walking or public transportation mode and take a screen shot, crop etc then export the image to the JBL and I have a reference that really helps Before I had the JBL the map site really saved me, I was going from memory (not always a good idea doh) and was thoroughly lost but having used the map sites traffic (or satellite?) version of my route really blown up, I had noticed a parking lot where the cars came right up to the sidewalk, no "bumper stones" or grass just bam right to the sidewalk, and that visual cue let me find my way, so if you know a low vision person who is trying to retain their mobility, suggest that they scout their route thoroughly beforehand (then put a picture of it in their JBL!) and yes I could print the map but remember broke ink = $ and stored in the JBL will not get wrinkled etc

09-11-2010, 11:22 PM	#6
tomereader Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 664461 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: North Coast of Ohio Device: Ectaco JBL, Archos 5, 7, 70, Kindle DXG, Craig 7, Vizio Vtab	me broke no phone me LIKE tap water and ramen noodles umm umm good actually I was lucky only took 25 months from last paycheck to first ssdi check, got in without having to appeal (the lucky part) I read that the kindle g3 devices can be "hacked?" to use the built in gps that amazon tracks them with to display to google maps showing location and route edit -> http://ezinearticles.com/?Using-the-...ion&id=4865775 Last edited by tomereader; 09-25-2010 at 10:50 AM. Reason: added link to using kindle as gps

09-21-2010, 11:40 PM	#7
SonDan1 Connoisseur Posts: 91 Karma: 2088 Join Date: Aug 2010 Device: Nook 1, Aluratek Libre Pro,Kobo Wi-Fi, Samsung Galaxy Tab, KoboT, NST	Thank you tomereader for sharing. I had been debating with myself for about a week now on wether or not to purchase the sale priced Libre Pro from Borders as a second eReader. Your post pushed me over the line to make the purchase. I'd rather carry around an electronic note repository than notebooks and paper scraps in my purse any day! Thanks again. Last edited by SonDan1; 09-24-2010 at 12:09 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
"Settings," then "311" - Int'l Kindle searches for wireless providers in the area	Dr. Drib	Amazon Kindle	2	08-28-2011 10:27 AM
Yep. It's official. Sony Reader has "ruined" books for me. A final "review."	WilliamG	Sony Reader	48	01-14-2011 03:49 AM
Real competition with the jb/jbl... Augen's "The Book"	jblitereader	Ectaco jetBook	6	06-10-2010 03:23 PM
6" GPS as a reader?	jozicka	Alternative Devices	1	03-31-2010 09:56 PM
JBL- Calibre ePub sometimes = "File too Large" Error	Ken Maltby	Ectaco jetBook	13	01-09-2010 01:27 PM

09-11-2010, 02:53 AM	#2
Seabound Steerage Class Posts: 711 Karma: 505995 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Pacific Northwest, USA Device: Won't fit here anymore, see sig for a list of liseuses.	Nice idea, tomereader. I will try using my JBL as a notes repository. Should come in handy.

09-11-2010, 03:15 AM	#3
Lady Fitzgerald Wizard Posts: 2,013 Karma: 251649 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tempe, AZ, USA, Earth Device: JetBook Lite (away from home) + 1 spare, 32" TV (at home)	I've already started using my JBL to carry the manuals for my camera, external flash and two "smart" battery chargers and to carry a list of the books I've entered into calibre so far (real e-books and image PDFs scanned from p-books; 'tis incomplete but once I finish my scanning project, I'll have the list available whenever I'm in a used bookstore). I also put my personal address/phone book on the JBL.

09-11-2010, 07:23 PM	#4
GhostHawk Data Privateer! Posts: 586 Karma: 62887 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fargo ND Device: Ectaco Jetbook& Jetbook Lite	I had some map routes loaded in my jetbook last year when I drove from Fargo ND to KS, then the next day on to Dallas. Made finding the guys house I was looking for in KS really really easy.

09-22-2010, 09:59 PM	#9
tomereader Zealot Posts: 124 Karma: 664461 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: North Coast of Ohio Device: Ectaco JBL, Archos 5, 7, 70, Kindle DXG, Craig 7, Vizio Vtab	If I could do it again I might have gone with the regular JetBook (I had purchased the JBL before it could read library books) which would have let me have _two_ free library sources mp3 audio books and the newly updated ADE support (I discovered that overdrive mp3 audio books from library didn't seem to have DRM like the WMA audio books, BIG statistical sample, 2 downloads on friends mp3 player) BUT in reality, I need to hear traffic while out on the streets and do have two NLS book players (the old tape, new digital) in house to hear books from.... But in the months of research I had found so few players that could play 2 library formats... For the price isn't the JBL amazing, having SD slot, auto page turn, LARGE fonts etc?

Advert

Advert