GPSLogger v0.4.10
I would like to use the opportunity to present the first release of an application that I have written for the all BB with OS 4.2.1 or higher [successfully tested (by other users and myself) with 8100, 8310, 8800, 8820, 9000 & 9500].

It's a quite straight forward application, that is recording your movement with your BB-phone over time - this includes Elevation and Speed (and some more data).

The main motivation to write this application was first of all to learn how to program my new Blackberry (via RIM's Java API) - The main benefit (compared to a JavaME Midlet) is, that you have full access to the hardware (like the Filesystem) without any confirmation from the user. Of course this will restrict the usability of the application to Blackberry devices only - but well - I own now one - so I do not care
The second reason for creating a own application was that I wanted to have a GPSLogging application without any kind of online access (so without any additional costs).

Of course I am looking desperately for feedback from other Blackberry Users (specially devices that I do not have tested) - your feedback is highly appreciated.

Features
What you can do with GPSLogger v0.4.10:

• Record your movement (as long as you take your BB with you)
• Display current Position:
  • Longitude / Latitude
    
  • accuracy of Longitude / Latitude
    
  • # of Satellites
    
  • current altitude (in WGS84)
    
  • current course/heading
    
  • current speed [Ø speed (if available)]
    
  • travel distance
    
  • travel time
• While recording you can mark your current position and specify a Note for it
• While recording you can pause & resume the recording
• Copy your current location data [Lon|Lat|Alt] into the Clipboard to be able to paste it in a SMS or eMail (or where ever you like)
• 4 different Main views:
  • Path View: 2D-View of Longitude & Latitude values
    
  • Elevation View: Altitude over time
    
  • Speed View: Speed over Time
    
  • GPS View: Longitude / Latitude / Speed / course in a large font
    
  • Switch between Day/Night Mode
• Options:
  • Select GPSLogger Font Size:
    • Small (= BB Default Font Size/1.5) [GPSLogger default]
      
    • Medium (= BB Default Font Size/1.25)
      
    • Large (= BB Default Font Size)
  • Specify the initial view of GPSLogger
    
  • Specify if the background should be always ON
    
  • Select NightMode Color Scheme [Yellow/Red/Green/Blue]
    
  • Specify the sample frequence (in which period the application will record the current position)
    
  • Directory on your BB device to which your Paths will be recorded (can be also SDCard)
    
  • Units in which the Data will be displayed (Metric/Imperial/Nautical)
    
  • Export Directory on your BB device
    
  • Specify the recipient list (when you have chosen eMail-Export) - separated multiple recipient eMail addresses by space
    
  • Export format(s): GPX & KML (GoogleEarth)
• Load previously recorded Paths
  • Navigate with the trackball through your Path
    
  • Navigate with the Keyboard through your Path
    • a|s: Start Position
      
    • e|r: End Position
      
    • y/z|x: 15 Positions back
      
    • c|v: 1 Position back
      
    • b|n 1 Position forward
      
    • m: 15 Positions forward
  • Load previously recorded paths into the Background (as many as you like) to compare the current (e.g. recording) Path with previously recorded Paths. [e.g. to compare your actual hiking or biking route with the ones you did in the past]
    
  • Export a Path to GPX/KML (depeding on your Settings) to the BB filesystem
    
  • Export a Path to GPX/KML and send it automatically by BB-eMail to a recipient (list) [recipients configurable in options dialog]
• The exported KML files can be loaded into GoogleEarth and you can get a detailed view of your paths

Installation
You can install GPSLogger "over the air" directly to your Blackberry device* via the following link:
http://bb.emacf1.com/GPSLogger.jad
(aprox. 90KiB)

or if you like to install it via RIM DesktopManager simply download a ZIP containing the ALX and the COD:
http://bb.emacf1.com/BlackBerry_GPSLogger_v0.4.10.zip

* unfortunately I did not managed to get OTA working with BB 8100 (4.2.1) Series devices - so if you are an 8100 owner, please download the zip below and install GPSLogger via DesktopManager (or javaloader)


Additional Notes

• Even if I own a Storm myself there is no TouchScreen support (yet) - but once there is a stable/complete version of GPSLogger there will be a Strom enhanced Version, that allows to browse though a recorded Path via the TouchScreen (instead of the Keyboard)
• GPSLogger currently only work with 'JSR179 LocationProvider' compatible Devices (this is the Java spec.) - these are for sure all BB with build in GPS-Receivers (as long as supported by the provider) - but I have already feedback from people using the software with external (Bluetooth) GPS-Pucks (as long as they are activated before the application start)

Finally: of course it would be nice, if this application meets your standards, that it can be listed in the 'All-known-gps-applications-bb' Thread (in the section free: 'Tracking, outdoor and recreational related GPS').

Looking forward for your comments
Matthias

PS: Please visit the new GPSLogger Homepage

Cool I will test it soon.

Looks interesting. I fixed the links and stuck the thread for a bit.

thanks a lot - I just hope, that the app can match the expectations - one thing that can be still added to the initial post are some screenshots [which I could not add right now - and I do not want to make "Dummy"-Posts just to get the post count to get permission to do so].

=> the sceenshot I would like to attach can be found here:
http: 'slash' 'slash' emac.sportplanet.gamespy.com 'slash' forum 'slash' download 'slash' file.php?id=7848&mode=view (but I do not mind, if this is too a big hassle for you Stinsonddog (or another Forum Mod)

looking forward to your feedback (and even if xmas is not even close around the corner you can post your wishes as well)

Matthias

Thanks for the application, I will try it out.

update, works great, what is your intended application of the exported data. Are there any good free ones that can inport your datastream and be able to analise some more?

Great app and thanks, keep up the good work.

Go to 'Manage Paths' select a file and choose 'export' from the menu... that give you a GPX and/or a KML File (depending of your configuration). Then use e.g. DesktopManager to get that exported files from your device (I store mine on the SDCard and simply put the SDcard into my Notebook)... Once you have the exported files on your PC, you can load e.g. KML's into the free GooglEarth application.

I hope this answers your question

Thanks emacf1, I was thinking the google for mobile has an import option but it looks not.

Thanks again I will try the full blow descktop application.

I tried it out, and its nice! :D Thanks.

while I was on my way home today I realized, that there have to be a "night mode" as well - so what would be in your opinion the best way to activate it - should it be auto activated by the time? [I assume this will be not so nice when you live not close to the equator]

Any suggestion?

here is a preview of the upcoming night mode... since I could not decide, which color would be the best I simply made it configurable...

I hope tonight (GMT) I'll can make the next release

please delete

please delete

please delete

I am sorry MODs - but I was forced to update the link in the initial post [since stupid me have delete the 0.4.1 already on the webserver] - The Tooltip over the "Edit" button here say: edit/delete -> so I thought I could clean up the mess myself - now I have to realize, that I can't

my apologize
Matthias

update 0.4.2 is available:

What's new?

• Main views:
  • GPS View: Longitude / Latitude / Speed / course in a large font
• Options:
  • Specify the initial view of GPSLogger
    
  • Specify if the backlight should be always ON

I liked the idea of the app, but found it hard to use. On a 8310:

+ the options had to be explicitly saved via the menu. Leaving the options screen and selecting the "save" option on the dialog did not save the options values. I had to bring up the menu and select "save settings" to get them to save.
+ when my blackberry is in a holster (as it is most of the time when I'm traveling) the app did not continue to map my movement. Is there a way to keep it active while the blackberry is holstered?

The holstered behavior is the showstopper for me right now. With it active while holstered, I'd be very happy with the app.

Thanks.

Thanks for you feedback cbaray - I will look into this issues for sure...

This sounds like it could be a pretty neat application.

Now only if my VZW 8830 had GPS enabled... :(

Once I upgrade to the storm in a few months I will definitely grab this.

Confirmed - is fixed in the next release

I am sorry but I can't reproduce this here with my real storm device as well as with various BB-phone simulators [8800, 9000] - all of them have the correct behaviour when they are send to the holster -> the Backlight is turned OFF and the app is still running.

Could I ask you to try the following:
1) start the app
2) start recording
3) put the device into the holster
4) travel around - at least for 10min within two mile radius?
5) take the device out of the holster

TIA
Matthias

update 0.4.3 is available:

What's new?

• Main views:
  • Switch between Day/Night Mode
• Options:
  • Select NightMode Color Scheme [Yellow/Red/Green/Blue]

Preview:
http://www.blackberryforums.com/gps-...ml#post1278978

+ Bugfix:
Leaving the options screen via ESC-Key and selecting the "save" option on the dialog will now save the options.

Matthias

My hat is off, good job, I like the way GPSLogger works.

It took me a minute to figure out that I had to enter "store/" or "SDCard/" to begin browsing the path to stash the files.

I tested v0.4.2 on two AT&T 8310 Curve's with full cell and data coverage and two AT&T 8820's with no SIM Card. (with custom WiFi connections).

Very nice ... this is rapidly becoming my favorite logger.

Just a couple of observations:
1) it *does* work with external bluetooth GPS pucks, at least it does with mine (I don't know if you enabled this capability since the first release or were not aware that it worked)
2) the shortcut keys don't work well for a Pearl 8100 since "b" and "n" are on the same physical key

Servus.

v0.4.3 works well.

I just installed it around 10:15pm and it looks good in the night mode (Blue).

How tough would it be to 'email the resulting file'? Or upload it to a web site?

Will update soon.

Simple and no frills AND well done. Thats why I love it.

Thank you very much for your positive feedback guys - it's really appreciated

That's very interesting - no I did not change anything since the initial implementation - this means, that RIM API will make also external GPS Devices available via the default LocationProvideInterface - that would be really cool - this this would mean, that I do not have to do anything to support external devices

Would be good/interesting to see if others can confirm this - since I can't test this environment at all.

Yes you are right - I have the same problem with the virtual keyboard on the storm [that have to be solved in the next release] - but I hope the trackball nav will work on your 8100?

yes indeed having some folder icons before the text would make it way more obvious...

you mean the exported KML & GPX? [personally I store the exports always on the SDCard and either plug in the SDcard then into my PC card reader - or I use the DesktopManager to access the files on the device]

On thing I am going to add for sure in on of the next releases is, that you are able to copy the current position into the clipboard, so that you can paste it into a SMS or email (to let somebody know, where you are)

Thanks again for your feedback
Matthias

>>copy the current position into the clipboard....

That is a better idea than email the file.

update 0.4.4 is available:

What's new?

• Copy your current location data into the Clipboard to be able to paste it in a SMS or eMail (or where ever you like)
• Options:
  • Instead of Exporting to the FileSystem the Exported files can be send by eMail
    
  • Specify the recipient list (when you have chosen eMail-Export) - separated multiple recipient eMail addresses by space
• Load previously recorded Paths
  • Navigate with the Keyboard though your Path (updated key mapping)
    • a|s: Start Position
      
    • e|r: End Position
      
    • y/z|x: 15 Positions back
      
    • c|v: 1 Position back
      
    • b|n 1 Position forward
      
    • m: 15 Positions forward

Matthias

cause I wanted to learn, how to send eMails anyhow I have added in 0.4.4 an option that allows you to send the export results (XML's) directly by email to multiple recipients

ill check this out when get home today. it sounds like a good app to me =)

update 0.4.5 is available (really minor):

What's new?
Instead of configure in the option dialogue, if you want to export to the filesystem or to a eMail recipient (list) I have now added an additional "Export via Email" Item to the Path-Screen. So now you can select the export method by choosing the appropriate menu item.

Matthias

What's next ?
Actually to be honest, I am running shortly out of ideas, what else could be integrated into the GPSLogger...

Here is something I just can imagine to add (but i want to hear your opinion first, if you find this useful): You can enter a Location and then you will be directed into the direction of this location... This can be used for geocaching... but I have another use case in mind... Thinking about your friend owning also a BB with installed GPSLogger... in this case you can send your friend via GPSLogger & PIN-Messaging your location and then you can see how close (and in which direction) he is...

Yes I know there is now "Google Latitude" for this - but honestly it would come never ever to my mind to tell Google where I am moving around... So this possible new feature would be to share your location with your BB-Friend (to be able to guide him into your direction - so that you find each other in a crowded place).

Or do you have other suggestions/features that make sense to add? If not I do not mind, then my next project will be a FileExplorer or a AudioBookPlayer.

Matthias

V 0.4.5 works well with a T-Mobile Pearl (running HH v4.5) and the TomTom MKII puck.

The email function delivers better than I imagined it would.

The geocaching idea (or Find a target) would work well.

Hat's Off.....

Yes, the trackball nav works quite well... I found out accidentally

Seen on another logging program: a menu link to download the local weather (from Weather Underground, I think) based on the current coordinates.

V 0.4.5 works well with a Verizon 8830 (running HH v4.2) and the TomTom MKII puck.

How about a feature that sends me the current direction of my blackberry if it gets the email request? Of course it should only send to predefined email address and only responds if it's from predefined email... with certain keyword too.

But then it might be too many features for simple tracking program. Above idea should really be its own program.

I found it also works with my Freedom 2000 Bluetooth puck on Verizon 8830. (OS 4.5)

Colored me lost, at least as far as saving, exporting or doing something with the log I just did.

I just logged a 16 mile bike ride. The path shows on the "map" but I don't know how to save it. I tried sending and the email only shows that:

"Lat:47Deg.xx'12.00" N Lon:122Deg.xx'49.88" W #Sat:6 Alt:250ft
300°W V:0.5mph (Ø 6.6mph) 2:19:19/15.3mi
(all data in WGS84 format)"

( edited out the lat/lon data)

No gpx or other file? No data stream?

Maybe I goofed. I did not specify folders before the ride, only after I got home.

Anybody?

Aside from my earlier suggestion to add a menu link to local weather from Weather Underground based on current coordinates, I thought of another couple of things:

Maybe a larger font for the satellite info that's at the top of every page ... it's a bit small on the Pearl's screen.

And lastly, the built-in BBmaps automatically turns on my Bluetooth, thereby saving 1 of 3 steps (turn on GPS puck, turn on Bluetooth on Pearl, start logger or navigation program) ... would it be possible to add this to GPSlogger?

Ok I see various people having problems with the font size - it's always YOUR_DEFAULT_FONT_SIZE/1.5 - but I assume you will not like to change your default BB font size just to make GPSLogger readable for you - so expect another option for setting the font size in GPSLogger....

Matthias