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LOCKED:TomTom patch for N95 available now? (warning: scam information in this thread)

520 replies · 156,966 views · Started 22 July 2007

Hi, this is my 1st post here, so be easy on me 😊

I have read this thread, and I am not going to get in the middle of an argument about if gpsmidlands clames are true or not, I see it as a added hope that we will get the TT software working as so far its the only hope we have, since TT are keeping their plans to them self�s.

If what we have been told is true and they got it working with a port number from copilot, how hard do you think it would be for us to do it our self�s?

I am no programmer but maybe with the combined talent on this forum it could be done?

I wish someone would change the title of this thread. Anyone stumbling across it for the first time would assume that it contained details of a TT6 patch, rather 25 pages of arguments, accusations and hyperbole. Indeed, the only reason I keep revisiting it is to check whether there has been any update on the patch.

If you want to do that, simply check the GPS midlands site, thats where it would be first.

Besides of which, if one did come out Im sure there would be more threads popup instantly.

Myself Im toying with the idea of looking into what Id need to learn in order to do one. Whats stopping me is the fact I dont know how close tomtom are to releasing version 7 (which everyone is guessing will support the N95 etc).

I dont want to start learning something new which shall take ages, and only for tomtom to release it while Im doing it.

Trouble is, I dont even know where to start.

If any of this makes sense to you.....I would say go for it !!!
😮

9.1. About External GPS Drivers
You can provide your own GPS positional information to TomTom Navigator. Whilst the GPS support application for TomTom Navigator allows you to connect to a GPS feed through the built−in COM ports, certain applications require a feed which is delivered through a different source, such as a TCP/IP
connection. The mechanism described here also allows multi−plexed GPS/GSM/Telemetry data delivered over a built−in COM port to be demulti−plexed by you − the GPS feed can then be passed on to TomTom
Navigator. Many blackboxes apply this mechanism. When providing your own GPS feed, you may supply NMEA 0183 V2 or SiRF binary data formats.
You must at least supply UTC, Longitude, Latitude, Direction, Speed and HDOP (horizontal dilution of precision).
For NMEA 0183 V2 the RMC, GLL, GGA, GSA, GSV and VTG verbs are recognised.
Caveats: The feed works in one direction only − you will never receive any commands (such as GPS reset) from TomTom Navigator. The "Reset GPS for this location" feature in TomTom Navigator will have no effect, and you will need to implement such features yourself.

9.2. Providing GPS information

9.2.1. Configuring TomTom Navigator
In TomTom Navigator, go to the GPS information screen and select the "GPS" tab. Choose either the "NMEA 0183v2 Driver" or the "SiRF Driver" as your GPS device. The usual COM port drop down list will only allow you to select "Ext Driver".
The driver may be selected programmatically by setting the following registry keys (TomTom Navigator and the GPS support application should not be running on the device):
For an NMEA 0183 V2 feed:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TomTom\GPS Engine]
"Enabled"=dword:00000001
"Device"="NMEA 0183v2 Driver"
"Option"="Ext Driver"
For a SiRF Binary feed:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\TomTom\GPS Engine]
"Enabled"=dword:00000001
"Device"="SiRF Driver"
"Option"="Ext Driver"
Caveats: Changing any other registry keys may render TomTom Navigator unusable.

9.2.2. Providing your own feed
TomTom Navigator installs a Control Panel applet in the \Windows folder on the Pocket PC. It will show up in the System tab of the Settings option on the main Start menu and pops up the GPS support application.

The applet also exports these three functions:
DWORD AttachToTomTomGPSEngine();
VOID DetachFromTomTomGPSEngine(DWORD aHandle);
BOOL CopyDataToTomTomGPSEngine(DWORD aHandle,
DWORD aNumberOfBytes, LPBYTE aBuffer);
To call these functions, include "ttgpsextdriver.h" in your C++ project, provided in the \Sdk\TTNCom\include\ folder. This header file contains all the necessary declarations.
You will need to dynamically load the Control Panel applet, located in the \Windows\ttgpscpl.cpl DLL on the device. After succesfully loading the DLL, use the Windows API function GetProcAddress to find the proper function addresses.
An example is provided with the SDK in the \Sdk\TTNCom\examples\extdriver folder.

9.2.3. DWORD AttachToTomTomGPSEngine( )
Returns: An opaque handle is returned if succesful, otherwise 0 (zero)
Supported Since: GPS 2.00
Creates a session between your application and the TomTom Navigator GPS support application. A session must exist. The returned handle must be passed in to the other functions. Warning: Although it is possible to create multiple simultaneous sessions, this is not recommended, as the receiver of the feed will only recognise one feed stream.

9.2.4. VOID DetachFromTomTomGPSEngine( DWORD aHandle)
Command Parameters:
• DWORD aHandle: the session handle returned by a succesful call to
AttachToTomTomGPSEngine().
Supported Since: GPS 2.00
Terminates a session between your application and the TomTom Navigator GPS support application.

9.2.5. BOOL CopyDataToTomTomGPSEngine( DWORD aHandle,
DWORD aNumberOfBytes, LPBYTE aBuffer)
Command Parameters:
• DWORD aHandle: the session handle returned by a succesful call to
AttachToTomTomGPSEngine().
• DWORD aNumberOfBytes: the number of bytes that you intend to feed to the TomTom Navigator GPS support application.
• LPBYTE aBuffer: a pointer to a buffer of at least aNumberOfBytes bytes containing the data to be fed.
Returns: TRUE (non−zero) if succesful, FALSE (zero) otherwise
Supported Since: GPS 2.00
Synchronously passes your GPS information. Pass the data exactly as it is received from the GPS receiver, including all field and record delimiters. It is not necessary to pass data on exact record boundaries.

s15lvo wrote:Hi, this is my 1st post here, so be easy on me 😊

I have read this thread, and I am not going to get in the middle of an argument about if gpsmidlands clames are true or not, I see it as a added hope that we will get the TT software working as so far its the only hope we have, since TT are keeping their plans to them self’s.

If what we have been told is true and they got it working with a port number from copilot, how hard do you think it would be for us to do it our self’s?

I am no programmer but maybe with the combined talent on this forum it could be done?

I had a quick go using S60 Python. Initially, I produced a bluetooth server socket which would stream fake GPS data to any incoming requests. This worked to some extent but would not allow me to listen on port 1 (symbian restriction?) which is where I believe tomtom looks.

Looking at the info which kevree has posted - I would assume that the reigstry parts indicate that this info is designed for windows mobile use - although maybe it gives an indication of where a symbian hack may lie! Unfortunately, TomTom have published a lot of APIs for winmobile/pocketpc which allow a lot of customisation - but none (to my knowledge) for symbian.

Nope, thats pocket PC. Note all the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE type stuff. I dont know squat about symbian, but Im pretty sure its not like that.

Basically, all I know is that I have to find out how to create my own apps for symbian. Other than that, I have no idea what else I need to find out.

So if someone can direct me to an idiots guide to start off with...

Another worry is that with a second application running, getting the info then passing it on, it might not be quick enough, and have a little 'lag'. Still, I might have a go. I am daunted by the fact that its not been done already, so its obviously not easy.

Kevree: That is Windows Registry stuff. for Windows Mobile 4/5/6 as S60 does not have a registry of a similar fashion..

Bartmanekul: Read my earlier posts about a GPS to BT wrapper. That is possibly the best way to get any BT enabled GPS program to work with the internal GPS..

pennas wrote:This worked to some extent but would not allow me to listen on port 1 (symbian restriction?) which is where I believe tomtom looks.

So would this mean that hacking tomtom would be many times easier, in the sense of chaging/adding a port to listen to?

Not that Im advocating that, but its useful to know.

Im thinking on this, and will post again in a mo. Might create a new thread even, this one is a bit stagent.

bchliu wrote:Kevree: That is Windows Registry stuff. for Windows Mobile 4/5/6 as S60 does not have a registry of a similar fashion..

Bartmanekul: Read my earlier posts about a GPS to BT wrapper. That is possibly the best way to get any BT enabled GPS program to work with the internal GPS..

I sort of remember them, but could you post them in the new thread I made? That way we will have all the needed info without going back and forth on pages on this one.

bartmanekul wrote:So would this mean that hacking tomtom would be many times easier, in the sense of chaging/adding a port to listen to?

Not that Im advocating that, but its useful to know.

I was attempting, initially at least, to run my Python app on one phone (N73), with TomTom running on my N95 trying to connect to it. Only once this was working, was I going to try running it on the same device (once running on the same device and TomTom picks it up, then implementing the internal GPS stream would be relatively trivial).

So hacking tomtom to look at a different port may work in terms of getting it to pick up the stream from the python app on my other phone... then that may or may not work once on the same phone :s:

Hacking tomtom though - no idea how one would approach that!

Trying to directly stream into the bluetooth stack on the N95 (as suggested by bchliu in post 203) is an alternative approach to using a socket and listening. This (if possible) may require lower level access only provided by C++.

Edit: posted on other thread now!

Hi All,

I am not normally one to post on forums, but I find myself compelled to do so after reading much of the rubbish in this thread. I am an owner of TomTom and a N95 and have been following this thread for some time now. I find some of the attitudes here amazing.

I have worked in IT for about 10 years and have learnt that priority must be give to the most important and profitable jobs. Looking at GPS Midlands' site, they don't seem to be a huge company with man hours to burn on love jobs, although some love jobs may be fun, profitable jobs always take priority and the love job gets pushed down the list. The fact is that GPSM have stated that they will supply this patch for free, so what should we do? We wait for the patch to be released and we get on with our lives.

I am still able to use TomTom with my external GPS, which I have happily done with my previous phone and now my N95, it would be nice to be able to use the in-built GPS, but until TomTom release a new version/patch or GPSM release their patch, the external unit is still doing a good job.

And now for the people who are giving GPSM a hard time😡 . GET A BL**DY LIFE, you are behaving like a bunch of spoilt children who want their Christmas gifts now. If I was GPSM, after reading this thread, I would have thought "stuff you all", kept the patch in-house and given/sold it to my clients. I now feel that GPSM are possibly having doubts about releasing the patch to the public and we may all miss out. By talking GPSM down, we had everything the loose and nothing to gain.

Lets hope that GPSM release the patch soon, but if they don't, back luck! Nothing lost, and my life will go on as normal.

Regards
Sikm8

BTW: British Association of Social Workers (BASW) who have an international presence. (Google and about 2min)

Already saw the social worker thing, and can you tell me how they are international?

I have worked in IT for about 10 years

Whoopie, join the club.

And now for the people who are giving GPSM a hard time . GET A BL**DY LIFE, you are behaving like a bunch of spoilt children who want their Christmas gifts now.

Yeah Im giving them a hard time, because I think I was personally lied to. Its not about getting the patch, because I dont beleive it exists.

You can say what you like, but I dislike being lied to.

Im also wondering what the other phone numbers redirect to.

Yep....I'm aware that was Pocket PC stuff.

All I meant was....if you understand all that stuff.....you're probably in with half a chance of developing a patch for Symbian.

:icon13:

This thread was started on the 22/07/2007, i have been watching gpsmidlands:icon13: home page since 12/07/2007, underground i have read of many people who have contacted them & called them, myself included & it is the same old!!! bla!!bla!!!bla!!!!! From_12/07/2007:icon13:

Just a way to get traffic to that pooooooor cheap_charlie site:icon13: they have!!!!!!!

Regards, ywe

cruz wrote::icon13:

This thread was started on the 22/07/2007, i have been watching gpsmidlands:icon13: home page since 12/07/2007, underground i have read of many people who have contacted them & called them, myself included & it is the same old!!! bla!!bla!!!bla!!!!! From_12/07/2007:icon13:

Just a way to get traffic to that pooooooor cheap_charlie site:icon13: they have!!!!!!!

Regards, ywe

hi Cruz,

when GPSM reads comments like yours I'm sure they are not going to speed things up

they have the patch, they have invited mods to go see it, when all is approved, it will be on your N95 as well as mine, simple....
😊

they have invited mods to go see it

Have they?

Perhaps some of the invited mods could post in here, if only to let us know they cant go for whatever reason.

monica _69 wrote:hi Cruz,

when GPSM reads comments like yours I'm sure they are not going to speed things up

they have the patch, they have invited mods to go see it, when all is approved, it will be on your N95 as well as mine, simple....
😊

speed things up????? 7days this! 7 days that!😡 Lets see who pays to learn!!!!?

:icon13: ----- Original Message -----
From: <salesgpsmidlands.co.uk>
To: <xxxxxxxxtiscali.co.uk>
Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2007 7:27 PM
Subject: Re: Website Form Submission

> Hi xxxxn
>
> Check our website chap do we really look a 'hoax' outfit.
>
> We have compiled a patch but unfortunately the patch overwrites part of
> the tomtom registry. This link was posted on the website but 11 hours
> later we received notification from the software author that we were in
> breach of the VERO software policy.
>
> This effectively means we are providing a form of unlicensed software
> which as a tomtom distributor means we will be in deep water unless we can
> amend it.
>
> We are in the process of compiling a different source code which will
> effectively only allow 'licensed' users use of the patch.
>
> Hopefully this will be available within 7 days.
>
> We will post a download hyperlink on the home page to confirm
> availability.
>
> Thanks
>
> Simon
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <xxxxxxxxxxtiscali.co.uk>
> To: <salesgpsmidlands.com>
> Sent: Saturday, July 14, 2007 7:13 PM
> Subject: Website Form Submission
>
>
>> Mr.xxxxxxx sxxxxxxxx
>> [email]r.xxxxxxxtiscali.co.uk[/email]

>> hi, still waiting for your reply as you said in e-mail re- nokia n95
>> patch.please reply, is this a hoax.two e-mails three phone calls,i
>> guess the joke😃 is on me. thanks xxx.

monica _69 wrote:yes

Lets have a mod comment on that then. Nothing else GPSM has said has been seen to be true.

Well technically they said it, as it came through Xdaman after he got in touch with them.

bartmanekul wrote:Lets have a mod comment on that then. Nothing else GPSM has said has been seen to be true.

Well technically they said it, as it came through Xdaman after he got in touch with them.

agreed 100%

are we still really going on about this???

Grrrrrrrrrrr...

Just wait until it's released!!

I want Tom Tom for my N95 too, as i'm also sick and tired of the slow Route66 deciding where in the world I am and telling me to turn right after 300 metres when i've passed the turn off by 300 metres, but im just sitting here waiting for it patiently, why don't you all just do the same or alternatively, go and slag off Tom Tom instead of the people that are trying to help FOR FREE!

Come on guys, give it a rest... please?

I dont see why your complaining, you dont have to read the thread.

Besides of which, I presume your on about the pirate route66 - my paid for one runs fine. Obviously many want it because tomtom is hacked and can be got for free. Me - Im willing to pay for it.

Im also willing to pay for a patch. What Im not willing to be, is be lied to. I have already said they will not get off lightly if they have been.

bartmanekul wrote:I dont see why your complaining, you dont have to read the thread.

HOORAY! At last someone has said what I have been wondering for weeks.

To anyone who does not appreciate the negative comments against GPSM, simply do not read this thread!

As long as free speech exists, this thread has a right to exist.
GPSM has deceived many AAS forum users with repeated failed promises.

I hope the mods visit GPSM and I hope they verify the patch exists... but I don't think either will happen.

dez_borders wrote:GPSM has deceived many AAS forum users with repeated failed promises
Most examples of commercial deception have some financial dimension to them. In this case I cannot see what GPSM have to gain? The patch is free and they're clearly not making anything from irate phone callers. If anything it sounds like a nightmare they probably wish they'd never gotten themselves into.

sebringer wrote:Most examples of commercial deception have some financial dimension to them. In this case I cannot see what GPSM have to gain? The patch is free and they're clearly not making anything from irate phone callers. If anything it sounds like a nightmare they probably wish they'd never gotten themselves into.

Um.... An 0871 Telephone line generating 10p/min for several weeks from 1000's of callers....

Google for 0871 suppliers and they almost all split the profits with the company hosting the line.

Oh but they are. Its a revenue line, 10p per min of which they get a cut. Check it out on google.

They never replied to my first email either.

And its not as bad as people think. There is life outside this forum.

Basically, step back and look at the situation. They said they can produce a patch, and it all kicked off on one forum on one site on the interent about a few people not beleiving them. Its hardly going to damage business is it?

If their main business is PDA repairs etc as they claim, then this forum is not going to appear in any search results. Sure, it might if people search for GPS midlands, but whats the chance of that?

Why they would be particuarly bothered about this forum I dont know, if their business is as they claim, then this wont affect it in the slightest.

However, I do think your right about them wishing they hadnt gotten into this. I say again, my opinion on it all is that it was a lie to gain a little fame and interest, but it snowballed from there.

You know, Id like to be proven wrong about this, I really would. But unfortunatly, I have a habit of being right about such things.

I doubt anyone knows of it, but a long time ago there was an ISP starting up called 'Unreal' (how apt). It simply didnt look right to me, And I mentioned it, and suprise, the rep came storming onto the forum I was on. He argued his business model was good, and nothing dodgy was going on. I was told to shutup by a few other members, and lo and behold, it was all a big scam.

I just get a feeling of deju vu here. I could be wrong, and I hope I am.

bartmanekul wrote:Oh but they are. Its a revenue line, 10p per min of which they get a cut. Check it out on google.

They never replied to my first email either.

And its not as bad as people think. There is life outside this forum.

Basically, step back and look at the situation. They said they can produce a patch, and it all kicked off on one forum on one site on the interent about a few people not beleiving them. Its hardly going to damage business is it?

If their main business is PDA repairs etc as they claim, then this forum is not going to appear in any search results. Sure, it might if people search for GPS midlands, but whats the chance of that?

Why they would be particuarly bothered about this forum I dont know, if their business is as they claim, then this wont affect it in the slightest.

However, I do think your right about them wishing they hadnt gotten into this. I say again, my opinion on it all is that it was a lie to gain a little fame and interest, but it snowballed from there.

You know, Id like to be proven wrong about this, I really would. But unfortunatly, I have a habit of being right about such things.

I doubt anyone knows of it, but a long time ago there was an ISP starting up called 'Unreal' (how apt). It simply didnt look right to me, And I mentioned it, and suprise, the rep came storming onto the forum I was on. He argued his business model was good, and nothing dodgy was going on. I was told to shutup by a few other members, and lo and behold, it was all a big scam.

I just get a feeling of deju vu here. I could be wrong, and I hope I am.

Can we just put these negatives out in the rain for 1 hour please

Either I am being completely misled or someone on this forum and I am told it is an established member whom has been offered the patch to try as a 5 day demo.

Anyone out there want to own up !!!!!

This information was relayed to me by email at 4.30pm and I followed it up IMMEDIATELY I read it with a phone call.

Apparently they have offered quite a few people the opportunity to see it working (with no takers) and this is obviously a step nearer to a form of release.

Please come forward to confirm or are we going to see the first shuffling off to ebay like a demented penquin !!

Who the f*** is it ?

Firstly, if it had been offered to anyone....surely it would be someone active in this thread ?

If it were me and I had the patch working I would have offered it to the biggest doubter here (probably bartmanekul).

The fact thet nobody has even mentioned they have been offered a trial would lead me to believe it's a wind up.

Might be time to take the blinkers off Xdaman, wake up and smell the coffee......and remove the large fish hook from your mouth.

No offence mate.....but I think you're being played like a violin.

Either I am being completely misled or someone on this forum and I am told it is an established member whom has been offered the patch to try as a 5 day demo.

Well, they had better make themselves known otherwise its an utterly pointless exercise.

If GPSM are offering this, then they plainly are reading, and bothered about what goes on here.

Xdaman, did they say how it was offered?

I.e. was it someone who contacted them, or did they contact someone, presumably a major doubter on this thread (me or Dez), or a forum admin or some such?

If you are in contact with them, can you find out who it was?

If it is a time limited demo, and it expires, they could simply send it to anyone they want without them having to go there.

And if it is limited in that way, theres no putting it on ebay.

I think Rafe would be the best, as if it was me I could just be a really clever plant 😃