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Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

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Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#401
post #199

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not correct. Wifi is not used to boost precision at speed. That is generally done via dead reckoning using the gyroscope and accelerometer. Wifi helps with bootstrapping a coarse location quickly before satellites can be acquired, and with indoor positioning.

And (along with cellular data) with acquiring the almanac data via the Internet instead of waiting for up to 30 minutes for the satellites to broadcast it.

Just by downloading recent data without any prior knowledge of your location (aside of maybe determining which continent you're on, which most of the time is already known because of which cellular network you're connected to), you can usually easily reduce that to around a minute with no WiFi, BT or cellular triangulation necessary - and that's on a cold start; hot start will be instantaneous anyway.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#402
post #184
post #86

Refusing service when the user does not consent to non-essential data sharing is illegal in the EU, and it also breaches Google Play's developer agreement. WiFi scanning is not essential to navigate with an app, and the least they could do to follow the law is to gracefully degrade the service if the user does not consent to share data about nearby devices, such as disabling traffic predictions. Of course Google's la…

> non-essential data sharing But it is essential. Google (and Apple) maps provide lane specific navigation directions, which are really only possible with assisted GPS. In theory GPS has the accuracy, but remember you are in a big metal box filled with electrical wires. Not to mention other applications like isle specific navigation within stores, which is made possible by bluetooth beacons. Heck, we are on the verge…

"But it is essential."

My box full of old TomToms and Garmins guffaws at this patently absurd claim.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#403

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What I found is that google maps EXCELS in redirecting past traffic jams and what have you, when driving (cross Europe) and really no other navigation available to me (iPhone) does that even remotely as reliable. EDIT: Meaning I am able to keep my wheels rolling and do not end up in traffic jams.

Why not Waze then? It's where google buys traffic data anyway. You also get police / speedcam etc locations and reporting.

Waze is owned by Google.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#404

Try OSMAnd. I started using it because it allows you to download huge areas as vector maps for offline use. But I find myself slowly using it more and more. The only things missing that keep me using gmaps are search, reviews / places, and directions that factor traffic (not a biggie tbh). However, I've been playing with mapbox and, without any prior experience whatsoever got a traffic overlay working within a few ho…

I find Windy Maps feels more polished, and quicker at routing. It's cycling routing seems to work better for me than Google maps too. I just wish it could load in GPX files like OsmAnd can.

Wow, Windy Maps is _beautiful_. Yes, goes to show that OSMAnd has lots of warts but it's extremely featureful.

With OSMAnd you have to make a significant investment in UI customization. It won't really get prettier but it will start to fit you better than anything else.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#406
post #345

Try OSMAnd. I started using it because it allows you to download huge areas as vector maps for offline use. But I find myself slowly using it more and more. The only things missing that keep me using gmaps are search, reviews / places, and directions that factor traffic (not a biggie tbh). However, I've been playing with mapbox and, without any prior experience whatsoever got a traffic overlay working within a few ho…

I use it for cycling, but honestly it's pretty frustrating. Searching for Japanese place names is pretty difficult, and since most place names are only listed in the local language but its TTS can only handle one language at a time I have to choose between "turn right onto " and "右に回って、明治通り", whereas Google will give me "turn right onto Meiji-doori". It doesn't help that I'm stuck on an old version for the "turn on s…

Definitely frustrating. I wonder how hard it'd be to add.

The English TTS is not great compared with anything else I've tried, but it's serviceable

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#407
post #299

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Describe the boiling please.

Easy. The insidious infiltration of advertising and marketing in nearly every aspect of your life. Behind every purchase you make, there's money changing hands between the seller and the person who nudged your hand just a little bit to the left. You're not in control of where you spend your money. Don't notice it? That's the point.

Totally don’t mind it. Sure 99% of people don’t mind it either. I don’t see the actual damage done. Comparing it to "boiling the frog" is ridiculous.

But it surely was an awesome cause for politicians who took this non-issue and made a huge deal out of it. Actual damage done: my browsing UX destroyed and great free services I used every day now under jeopardy.

Congratulations on taking your personal choice and preference and imposing it on the great majority.

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#408
post #268

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not just donate the money directly to charity and not have Amazon notifications?

With Amazon Smile's charity thing, the money donated is not from my pocket. I am pretty happy with the idea of being able to give some of Amazon's money to EFF. Simply don't use the Amazon App, and there are no notifications.

Where does Amazon get the money from?

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#409

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why not just set aside some money yourself and donate to a charity of your choosing without tying it to how you spend your money on Amazon? Making your donations directly will help you better see how your money will be used. For example, Girls Educational & Mentoring Services (GEMS) tells you basically how contributions are used when you donate to them: https://www.gems-girls.org/donate-now

Maybe he does both. I certainly do. I choose to use Smile because I can give 0.5% of my Amazon purchases to my chosen charity with no extra charge to myself. I also give a regular monthly donation; I know that the smile donations help them a lot. I don't have the Amazon app though; I just use the website.

Amazon is setting aside some money that people are paying them specifically to donate to charity if people choose. The donations are coming from your charges

Re: Google Maps now requires WiFi scanning to use navigation

#410

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With Amazon Smile's charity thing, the money donated is not from my pocket. I am pretty happy with the idea of being able to give some of Amazon's money to EFF. Simply don't use the Amazon App, and there are no notifications.

Where does Amazon get the money from?

From Amazon's pocket. It's probably some sort of a tax scheme, though.
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