[gps-talkusers] Re: Preview of Sendero GPS LookAround 1.1
- From: Mike Arrigo <n0oxy@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2010 22:16:44 -0500
What can you do in the tom tom app? Can you at least enter a destination? I may
purchase it if that can be done. Kapten GPS is very accessible also, but I
don't think the voice guidance is as good. The Magellan app isn't even
compatible with IOS 4 yet. I'm actually surprised Garmin has not developed an
iphone app. The one advantage to having a few different apps is that it can be
good to have an app from each map provider. Navigon uses the navteq maps, and I
think the kapten GPS does too. Tom tom uses teleatlas. Actually Tom Tom owns
teleatlas now I think, and Nokia owns navteq.
On Oct 12, 2010, at 7:47 PM, Kevin Chao wrote:
> TomTom is somewhat accessible. navigon is by far the best in that it
> gives you intersection information, spoken street names etc. Skobbler
> doesn't have spoken street names, intersection information, but is
> free and gives directions. AroundMe or Where are great for searching
> for POIs based on categories, names etc. Where has benefit of social
> aspect, which also uses crowd source to get reviews, check ins,
> ratings, gas prices etc.
> Great thing with these various companies is they are very receptive to
> feedback, especially Navigon, TomTom and Skobbler, all whom I have
> provided feedback.
> Kevin
> http://twitter.com/kevinchao89
>
> On 10/12/10, Mike Arrigo <n0oxy@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> I can type decently on my iphone, but I am faster on a keypad, no doubt
>> about that. I actually got an unlocked iphone and I use it with t-mobile.
>> Apple knows how to put out some unique products, but I have no idea what
>> they were thinking when they got in to this exclusive at&t deal, I mean, if
>> a carrier is going to subsidize a phone, that's fine, but to refuse to sell
>> the phone unlocked in this country makes no sense whatsoever. Fortunately,
>> they are available unlocked via import. I've been testing some GPS apps, so
>> far, the best one seems to be the navigon app. The kapten GPS app is also
>> good. I'm pretty sure that a combination of the sendero look around app and
>> the navigon app will give me the features I use with mobile geo on my
>> windows mobile phone. Of course, you can't virtually explore the map with
>> this combination, but I never use that anyway. Another accessible app is
>> called motion GPS drive, it's accessible, but the voice directions don't say
>> the street names. There'
>> s another one called copilot, but it's completely inaccessible with
>> voiceover. I've also heard that the tomtom and magellan apps are also
>> inaccessible, does ayone know if this is true?
>> On Oct 11, 2010, at 10:05 PM, Michael May wrote:
>>
>>> This is a very relevant topic for everyone.
>>> The writing aspect of the iPhone is its weakest link. Every piece of
>>> technology has its trade offs and this is the issue with the iPhone.
>>> Like all trade offs, there are some work arounds. You will get better at
>>> writing with practice, not without some frustration. How good you get
>>> really depends. Some people are quite fast with the touch screen keyboard.
>>> Others hate it. I personally fall somewhere in between. I am still way
>>> faster texting on a keypad on the N86 than I am writing a text message on
>>> the iPhone. Forget about writing any long emails.
>>>
>>> You can also acquire an external wireless keyboard to use for writing. You
>>> can also interface with the Apex and other Braille devices. I find this
>>> the most exciting combination. It is very cool to be able to read
>>> everything that the iPhone speaks on the Apex Braille display and then to
>>> be able to respond to emails using the Apex keyboard.
>>>
>>> I consider the iPhone my media center and my N86 my phone for calls and
>>> text messages. It is kind of expensive to have two phone lines so I will
>>> eventually bite the bullet and probably use the iPhone. Just don't expect
>>> prompt text messages from me if you write.
>>>
>>> Mike
>>>
>>>
>>> From: gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> [mailto:gps-talkusers-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of GianniP46
>>> Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2010 2:33 PM
>>> To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Re: Preview of Sendero GPS LookAround 1.1
>>>
>>> Hey Guys,
>>> I know this is off topic, but can someone who is using the IPhone email me
>>> off list?. I am contemplating getting one, but I am nervous about the
>>> touch screen interface. Is texting and dialing really that efficient with
>>> out buttons? Or am I better off with a nokia n82 or E 73?
>>> My email address is
>>> giannip46@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Thanks!
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: Michael May
>>> To: gps-talkusers@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 7:40 PM
>>> Subject: [gps-talkusers] Preview of Sendero GPS LookAround 1.1
>>>
>>> We sent this updated version to Apple today. I hope it is posted within 3
>>> or
>>> 4 days. Not sure if the weekend impacts these things.
>>>
>>> As you will soon see, we fixed the bugs having to do with the saving of
>>> settings and the country selection.
>>> We added the ability to select a POI category and to dial the POI phone
>>> number.
>>>
>>> We will have another round of small improvements after this version gets
>>> the
>>> real world test.
>>> Mike
>>>
>>> Sendero GPS LookAround, Version 1.1 Documentation
>>>
>>> Sendero GPS LookAround for the iPhone is available in the app store. It
>>> works with the iPhone 3GS and higher. It will not function with the iPod.
>>> No
>>> telephone support is available from Sendero Group. There is no
>>> turn-by-turn
>>> navigation information in Sendero LookAround for the iPhone. There are 5
>>> applications powered by Sendero GPS on other platforms, which have
>>> comprehensive navigation features. For information on these products,
>>> visit
>>> http://www.AccessibleGPS.com
>>>
>>> To use Sendero GPS LookAround:
>>>
>>> Touch the Sendero GPS icon to launch the application. You will be
>>> presented
>>> with a disclaimer. Touch the OK Button to accept the disclaimer. Also,
>>> touch
>>> the OK Button when asked if it is ok to use your current location. If
>>> there
>>> is compass interference, you may find that touching the OK button does not
>>> work at first. Read the screen to see if there is an error message. Wave
>>> the
>>> phone in a figure eight motion to clear the compass message if necessary.
>>>
>>> To receive the LookAround information, shake the iPhone until you feel a
>>> vibration and hear a swishing sound. It may take from 5 to 30 seconds
>>> depending on the point of interest data location. The swish will give you
>>> a
>>> progress indication every 3 seconds. Once you move positions and want to
>>> "Look around" again, shake the iPhone to receive new information. Remember
>>> when you press Home and leave the application and then launch it again,
>>> the
>>> previous information may still be on the screen. Shake again to get new
>>> information.
>>>
>>> If you don't hear anything several seconds after shaking the phone, touch
>>> the top of the screen to hear what is being displayed. Perhaps the
>>> information wasn't spoken, the request timed out or there is no GPS
>>> position, in which case you may hear, "Limited position data. Change
>>> location and try again."
>>>
>>> Once you have launched Sendero GPS LookAround, a shake of the iPhone will
>>> cause LookAround to display the current Heading, street, city, cross
>>> street
>>> and nearest point of interest based on the POI category you have chosen
>>> under settings. It defaults to the Restaurant category. Note the Variety
>>> category is a combination of 8 categories containing the letter E such as
>>> restaurant and hotel. Searching 8 categories at once may cause the app to
>>> time-out more frequently.
>>>
>>> The main screen is laid out with output text displayed toward the top of
>>> the
>>> screen with 3 long buttons in the lower half of the screen, one above the
>>> other. There are 5 small buttons evenly spaced across the bottom of the
>>> screen. Don't tap too hard when activating these buttons as you may
>>> trigger
>>> the iPhone shake feature.
>>>
>>> The 3 main buttons are:
>>> 1. Where Am I button:
>>> The first long button is the Where Am I button, which announces heading,
>>> nearest address and city. You receive a vibration and beep after
>>> activating
>>> it.
>>>
>>> The LookAround software makes its best guess as to which street you are on
>>> and which is the cross street. Many positioning factors go into whether
>>> this
>>> information is correct. This may be particularly problematic if you are
>>> inside or among tall buildings. This is because of your distance away from
>>> the street and because the positioning indoors is worse than it is
>>> outdoors
>>> and out in the open.
>>>
>>> 2. Nearest Cross Street Button:
>>> This is the second of the 3 long buttons. It announces the nearest street
>>> and cross street. Again, this refers to the nearest street and not
>>> necessarily the one ahead in your direction of travel. If you are at an
>>> intersection, it is common for GPS systems to get confused as to which
>>> street you are on versus which one is the cross street. A vibration and
>>> beep
>>> will confirm that you activated this button.
>>>
>>> 3. Nearest 5 Points of Interest button:
>>> Whereas the Shake gives you the nearest single point of interest, this POI
>>> button displays up to 5 nearby points of interest in the category you
>>> choose
>>> under Settings. The search goes out to 2 kilometers, 1.24 miles. These
>>> points are based on proximity, 360 degrees around you. A vibration and
>>> beep
>>> will confirm that you activated this button. A swish every 3 seconds will
>>> indicate that a search is in progress.
>>> Note: You can hear the distance to these various items in feet, yards or
>>> meters. The default is Yards. This can be changed under the Settings menu.
>>>
>>> Once POIs are found, a list will be shown in a separate screen with the
>>> name
>>> of the POI followed by the distance and compass direction to that POI.
>>> These
>>> are buttons you can click on to receive more details like the address and
>>> phone number. Click on the phone number to call that business. A Call or
>>> Cancel button will then be presented. The Back button will take you to the
>>> POI list. If you do call the business, you will be taken to the phone
>>> application and will need to launch LookAround again. It will of course be
>>> in the task switching list.
>>>
>>> The 5 buttons across the bottom of the iPhone main LookAround screen from
>>> left to right are as follows: There is a beep after the touch of each
>>> button. There is no vibration.
>>> 1. The Map button takes you to Google maps and a push-pin is displayed
>>> on the screen to indicate your position. Voice Over will not announce any
>>> of
>>> the map information. Press the Back Button to exit the Map and return to
>>> the
>>> main screen.
>>> 2. The Compass button will indicate which direction the iPhone is
>>> facing if there is no compass interference, which may come from nearby
>>> electronics or magnetic forces. Once you have changed direction with the
>>> phone, touch the Compass button. Once you receive the confirming beep, the
>>> new compass direction should be spoken. If not, touch the top of the
>>> screen
>>> to hear the text output. If you are told there is compass interference,
>>> slowly move the phone in a figure eight shape while it is laying flat.
>>> When
>>> the interference goes away, the error will disappear from the screen.
>>> 3. Shake on/off toggle button. If you hear Shake On button, this means
>>> the Shake feature is enabled as described above. The purpose of this
>>> toggle
>>> is so you can turn the shake feature off when you place the phone in your
>>> pocket or bag without closing the LookAround application. Normal walking
>>> will tend to make the phone shake inadvertently and keep talking unless
>>> you
>>> switch off the Shake feature. Alternatively, press the power button on the
>>> top of the phone briefly to lock the screen temporarily. You will need to
>>> unlock the screen before LookAround will function again.
>>> 4. The Setting button will open another screen with a list of options
>>> such as Shake on and off, Country, Metric/Imperial distance units and
>>> Help.
>>> The item which is enabled will say "selected."
>>> The POI Category Button, which has a flag icon, takes you to a list of
>>> categories. There is a Picker list. Voice Over users can swipe up and down
>>> to change the category. Press the Back Button to return to the main screen
>>> and your new POI category will be used when you shake the phone or press
>>> the
>>> 5 POI button. This category list is in alphabetical order.
>>>
>>> Note: When you touch any of the 3 primary buttons on the main screen, the
>>> focus is moved to the text portion of the screen and you will hear the
>>> text
>>> spoken. If you want to activate one of those buttons again, you need to
>>> move
>>> focus back to the button before activating it.
>>>
>>> Secondary Sendero LookAround Screens:
>>>
>>> Settings Screen:
>>>
>>> There are 4 items on the Settings screen, one above the other and a Back
>>> button in the top left of the screen, which takes you out of Settings and
>>> Back to the Main screen. These settings will be saved until you install a
>>> new version of LookAround.
>>>
>>> The first item is Shake Gesture. To its right is its on/off status. You
>>> will
>>> hear Selected for the active status.
>>> If you select the Off status, the Shake button will be removed from the
>>> main
>>> screen. This is different than the function of the Shake button on the
>>> main
>>> screen, which turns it off temporarily.
>>>
>>> The second button allows you to select the map region and you will hear
>>> which one is selected to its right. The current options are North America
>>> for the US and Canada and the other is Europe, which contains most but not
>>> all maps for the region. We hope to add other countries in future
>>> versions.
>>>
>>> The third button is Distance unit, Feet, Meters or Yards. The active unit
>>> will say selected. The default is yards.
>>>
>>> The fourth button will take you to the Help screen.
>>> This screen has hints and tips for using the iPhone. There is a link at
>>> the
>>> bottom to the Sendero iPhone page, which has more details. The Back button
>>> is in the top left corner. The disclaimer button is in the bottom right
>>> corner.
>>>
>>> POI Category Screen
>>>
>>> This screen starts with a Back button in the upper left corner followed by
>>> the title text, Select POI Category.
>>>
>>> Below that is the currently selected item. Touch this item and then move
>>> up
>>> and down through the list of categories. Whichever category is highlighted
>>> is the one that will be used once you return to the main screen. There is
>>> no
>>> Save or Done button. Just press Back to return to the main screen.
>>>
>>> Known Issues:
>>>
>>> There may be locations where you hear a POI label spoken but no data
>>> reported. Please email us with the city and state or lat/lon to
>>> GPS@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx if you come across this.
>>>
>>> There may also be situations where the POIs are far away or for some other
>>> reason the swishing goes for a long time. It should time out after 2
>>> minutes.
>>>
>>>
>>> Operational items to be aware of:
>>>
>>> Map data for most countries is from Tele Atlas with POI content from Info
>>> USA. The data resides on a server so if phone connectivity is lost, the
>>> data
>>> cannot be accessed. There is no data resident on the phone.
>>>
>>> The iPhone performs its positioning based on triangulation of the nearest
>>> cell towers as well as with GPS. This means that if you are indoors, you
>>> can
>>> still receive rough location information even without GPS reception. It
>>> depends how far away these cell towers are as to the accuracy you will
>>> receive.
>>>
>>> When you are outside, the built-in GPS receiver and antenna can improve
>>> accuracy to the typical 30 to 50 feet range. For maximum accuracy, give
>>> the
>>> phone some time to acquire a GPS fix outside and away from tall buildings
>>> if
>>> possible. See the Sendero "GPS Accuracy" document for a comprehensive
>>> explanation.
>>>
>>> The iPhone compass direction within Sendero LookAround helps to indicate
>>> which way you are oriented but it does not synch up with the direction of
>>> the street it says you are on. It may be that it says you are heading West
>>> and announces a street that only goes North and South. There is currently
>>> no
>>> way to corroborate this information. Magnetic fields in the environment
>>> such
>>> as electronics, elevators and large masses of metal can influence the
>>> compass.
>>>
>>> It almost goes without saying that map and POI data can be out of date as
>>> soon as published. We encourage users not to take it personally if their
>>> street or favorite business is not in the database. Amazingly, most are.
>>>
>>> When you press Home and leave the Sendero LookAround app, it remains
>>> running
>>> in the background but the GPS position is not active. When you open it
>>> again, the last function you performed will display its information on the
>>> screen.
>>>
>>> The Sendero LookAround app works with the iPhone 4 and 3GS but does not
>>> work
>>> with the iPod Touch or the iPhone 3G.
>>>
>>> If you encounter a problem not listed here, please let us know as well as
>>> feature requests. Send to iPhone @SenderoGroup.com or join our Email
>>> Lists (http://senderogroup.com/social_media/email.htm)
>>>
>>> Copyright 2010 Sendero Group, LLC.
>>>
>>> Michael May, CEO Sendero Group
>>> Developers of accessible GPS and distributors of technology for the blind
>>>
>>> Voice, 530-757-6800
>>> MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> http://www.senderogroup.com
>>> http://www.AccessibleGPS.com
>>> http://www.CrashingThrough.com
>>>
>>> 429 F Street, Suite 4
>>> Davis, CA 95616
>>>
>>>
>>> Michael May, CEO Sendero Group
>>> Developers of accessible GPS and distributors of technology for the blind
>>>
>>> Voice, 530-757-6800
>>> MikeMay@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>>> http://www.senderogroup.com
>>> http://www.AccessibleGPS.com
>>> http://www.CrashingThrough.com
>>>
>>> 429 F Street, Suite 4
>>> Davis, CA 95616
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
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>>
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