N95 GPS and Tomtom (Emulate bluetooth device)

There was a huge thread (thats now locked) about some idiot claiming to have something working (GPSMidlands). This was a scam and was eventually uncovered on this board.

It has been discussed before - but no one has the programming knowledge to do this. The closest thing to what you are talking about is a Python app that someone created to translate the internal GPS codes to NMEA codes and sending that to other devices via the Bluetooth. The tricky part is to get it re-routed back into TT6 which no one has done yet.

Tom Tom still havent released a symbian version. However the new HTC Kaiser now comes with a working TOM TOM solution that uses it's internal GPS. Unfotunately this is WM6 device 😞

Hi Dave,

Tomtom has been able to use internal GPS on Windows Mobile for a while.

My XDA Orbit running TomTom used the internal GPS via a virtual COM Port.

Bringing this back on topic to the N95 - I believe that Symbian doesnt have COM Ports and the GPS is managed through an API.

I've been using Navicore Personal since 2006 with my N80 (with the excellent bundled external SIRFIII GPS Module).

I now have a N95 and have been using the updated Navicore Personal 2007 with the N95 internal GPS and works really well.

This updated Navicore Personal 2007 release came out sometime in August 2007.

I have never used TomTom but have friends who have either the dedicated TomTom SatNav devices or on Windows Mobile/5/6 devices. They are pretty happy with them but I have not heard that their TomToms have anything that the Navicore doesn't have except for the device specific differences e.g. touch screen.

Listed below are my Pro's and Con's:

======================
Pro's:
======================

- Cheap to buy and so far free to update (over the internet).

- Accurate Positioning

- Very quick routing and on-the-fly dynamic rerouting calculations.

- Very good POI's (with option to add your own - must download free app. from their website).

- Free Traffic Camera Locations + Free Traffic Camera Location Updates over GPRS. The packets are tiny so you won't incur any large costs - even without some dedicated data option, which I don't have.

- Free Traffic Situation Updates e.g. traffic jams, road works etc. Again, tiny packed to update over the GPRS.

- Num Pad shortcuts to most used functions.

- 2D, 3D and GPS Display

- Day view, Night view(cool blue screen) and Bright Light View.

- 7 Digit Postcode, Street Name, City etc. ...

- Favorites can be stored easily (at least with my N80 but not yet figured out how on the N95 😉

Well, the Pro's list could go on with several additional features that may not even exist on other SatNav platforms.

======================
Con's:
======================

- N95's internal GPS is not as fast on locking onto satellites as SIRFIII is = slower start up time.

- Somewhat slow Voice Prompts when e.g. in roundabouts. If you don't watch the screen but only follow the voice prompt you might miss the exit or turn.

- The inability to to choose other languages than English if you have an UK/English phone. However I suppose one could flash the phone with an alternative region code and this would be resolved because most European and major languages are available for Navicore.

- Not much use of traffic alerts, except for when I was in Scandinavia when it was very handy(in the UK they just seem to be slightly old).

- Annoying that there is no shortcut for switching between Night and Day view (at least I have not found it).

- Annoying that there is no shortcut for switching between 2D and 3D modes (at least I have not found it).

======================
Info and Links:
======================

Note that Navicore was recently Acquired by Wayfinder, which I think will be a perfect match - as log as Wayfinder does not try to impose their GPRS only Dynamic Maps navigation (a'la Nokia style) onto the already very good Navicore GPS only navigation.

navicoretech.com/Consumer/en_GB/productshome

wayfinder.com/?id=4781&lang=en-UK

Good luck with any choice you make and have fun!

HH

H_H wrote:I now have a N95 and have been using the updated Navicore Personal 2007 with the N95 internal GPS and works really well.

The problem is that EVERYONE wants TomTom as it is the de-facto ultimate GPS app for mobiles.
(R66 v7.3.545 - with 2007 maps - is the next best thing IMO, but now this thread is in danger of going off-topic).

It would be a lot easier if TomTom just updated their S60 software to use the internal APIs.. after all, there are now several S60 phones with GPS, and Nokia aren't likely to stop selling them.

Mithent wrote:It would be a lot easier if TomTom just updated their S60 software to use the internal APIs.. after all, there are now several S60 phones with GPS, and Nokia aren't likely to stop selling them.

The more cynical amongst us think TomTom will support Nokia internal GPS with the forthcoming TomTom7 (which we would need to buy or pay for an upgrade).

But you never have to pay for TomTom upgrades, just the maps.

Course, its not like Tomtom have ever released versions which wont work with old maps 🙄

There is clearly not a technical reason why they haven't released a version compatible with the internal GPS, given that many smaller companies have. They also can't claim it isn't a big market as the N95 is a huge selling device and Nokia are releasing more phones with the same GPS system. I am therefore convinced they are just going to release a version which supports it soon, but it will be a NEW version forcing all old users to upgrade

TomTom *should* be using the Nokia API anyway, regardless of whether the device has a built-in GPS or not. Well thats according to the Nokia documentation 😉

The S60 location API wraps not only internal GPS, but also bluetooth GPS; so the idea is that an application uses this API and is agnostic to the GPS device being used. TomTom wrote their code before this API existed, i'm sure, but they probably should be moving across anyway..

Perhaps TomTom is preparing a phone themselves with built in GPS. No need to use a nice phone as the N95?

I seriously doubt it. There would have been rumours by now, and TomTom have absoloutly no assets which have any expirence in making phones, nor have they bought any.

I should think even tomtom would realise this would stupid given the amount of GPS enabled symbian phones (just think how many N95's, 6110's and E90's have been sold, and will be sold) there are in the market.

Spending a vast amount of money to try and get a rival to those instead of the small cost of updating the software for the existing ones would not be good business practice.

Besides, not many people buy phones for GPS, most buy GPS for their phones, if that makes sense.

If i hold my N95 8GB in hand, outside for a few seconds I get a perfect lock on. Signal is great, until I get in my car where by i can see all the sats available, but I cant get a lock.

I have got a car window mount for my phone, where is the best place to mount it to get the best signal?

I mount mine to the window myself just like a regular GPS device, i hardly ever lose signal too 😊

D4n958GB wrote:If i hold my N95 8GB in hand, outside for a few seconds I get a perfect lock on. Signal is great, until I get in my car where by i can see all the sats available, but I cant get a lock.

I have got a car window mount for my phone, where is the best place to mount it to get the best signal?

Dashboard, windscreen mount (have to buy one by the sound of it). Unless you have a car that has some sort of cubby on the dash to stop it sliding around, you have to find some way of securing it.

Any news yet on when TomTom will be releasing v7 for mobiles?

None at all. The last best guess by someone whom knew someone (vauge I know) was November/October. Obviously this isnt going to happen now.

Tomtom will not say anything about it, Ive asked thema few times.

Basically, its anyones guess. Tomtom are being an unreasonable PITA in my opinion.

bartmanekul wrote:Dashboard, windscreen mount (have to buy one by the sound of it). Unless you have a car that has some sort of cubby on the dash to stop it sliding around, you have to find some way of securing it.

Got one them, just wondered where the best place to mount is? I guess its a bit unfair to ask, because car windscreens are different shapes.

Thanks anyway, I shall keep trying till I find the right position to mount it.😊

Im thinking maybe you have a thermothingy windscreen, or a UV one which can block the GPS signal.

Perhaps mount it (if possible) as near to the side window as you can. Say in the bottom right hand corner by the steering wheel (assuming your in UK, reverse if not) but obviously this depends on what sort of car you have and if theres enough room, etc.

Only other way, which really isnt ideal, is to buy a sirf3 BT reciever and use that, that way you can put it wherever you get a signal in the car, although being sirf3 thats most likely anywhere.

Yeah I am from the UK; I have got a bluetooth sirf3 BT reciever from my old PDA setup, so I could give that a go, but sort of defeats the object.

I know, thats exactly why Im not using tomtom. But if you experiment, maybe you can find a patch where you can mount it and still see it. There shouldnt really be a problem, you must have a special sort of windscreen.

Good luck anyways.

D4n958GB wrote:If i hold my N95 8GB in hand, outside for a few seconds I get a perfect lock on. Signal is great, until I get in my car where by i can see all the sats available, but I cant get a lock.

I have got a car window mount for my phone, where is the best place to mount it to get the best signal?

It might be the glass. Some athermic heat-reflecting windscreens and built-in windscreen heaters can block the GPS signal. Try parking up somewhere, hold the phone out the window, get a lock then move it to the holder and see if it drops off.

3Shirts wrote:It might be the glass. Some athermic heat-reflecting windscreens and built-in windscreen heaters can block the GPS signal. Try parking up somewhere, hold the phone out the window, get a lock then move it to the holder and see if it drops off.

I have got non heated front screen; I am going to have a play in a bit and see how i get on.

Thanks again for all the input 😊

D4n958GB wrote:I have got non heater front screen; I am going to have a play in a bit and see how i get on.

Thanks again for all the input 😊

Further update;

I have got a strong signal and found a place with the cradle mounted to keep the signal.

Now I have come across a few issues when driving; firstly the map doesnt seem to rotate around with the true driving direction. Secondly, the position updates to slowly, so you could easily miss a turn off. And thirdly, I cant use the navigate too option now because my 3 day trial has expired.

Do I pay £50 ish for a year of voice navigation or is there an alternative software that uses the internel GPS?

Edit - seems to be acting a little like my old pda setup; took ages to get a lock the first time, but after a couple of uses it gets a lock with in seconds.

Thats because once it gets the first lock, it knows roughly where you are, so takes less time.

As for alternate software, yes. Personally I dont use nokia maps, its got terrible address finding function.

Theres:

Copilot

Garmin XT mobile

Route66

Navicore

Navigon

And of course, tomtom if you use a BT receiver. Also there are other ones, mainly data based so only use if you have a good dataplan. Wayfinder is one.

Personally I use navigon. Ive tried all the others (legit uptodate versions), but none have as good routing and address finding as navigon. Instructions seem better too.

Sadly, its a little lacking in features, no custom POI (so no speed cameras) and no traffic updates. But for navigation, its the best of the bunch.

I would like the POI feature as speed cam detection would be nice. Can recommend another out of all the ones you have tried?

Mmm. Stuck between navicore and garmin on that one. Probably swing towards navicore, though I have to say I wasnt impressed by either.

bartmanekul wrote:Mmm. Stuck between navicore and garmin on that one. Probably swing towards navicore, though I have to say I wasnt impressed by either.

I used Navicore when I was in the Middle East, and with the exception of the greatly-lacking Iraq maps it worked perfectly fine in Kuwait.

I have used Co Pilot on my dated Gizmondo and it wasnt all that compared to Tomtom. Damn it why cant Tomtom bring out a patch for N95🙄 I will look into the 2 above mentioned, and which ever is cheaper then buying the voice activation, I shall buy.