UFO <tech@parts-link.net> wrote:

>> Please give the URL to their web page stating such. I didn't see any
>> mention of 32-bit versus 64-bit, or any downloads from their site.
>
> I emailed: support@magicearth.com
> they responded with a URL and PW for the DL's.

Ah, a special-use file server only accessible to their customers; i.e.,
a hidden file download. That's why I couldn't find a download link at
their web site, and mentioned it might be customer-only access.

Maybe they have a hidden web page: no links to it from their other web
pages, so their support has to give you the URL to the hidden web
page. Maybe their support provides a URL to the .apk file on a file
server that they inform you about when you contact them

Did you manage to download the .apk file to your Windows host to then
copy to your phone to run it on your phone? However, since it is a file
server, you could probably just use a web browser on your phone (with a
wifi hotspot since you don't have cellular data).

VanguardLH, 2024-08-07 14:53:

> Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote:
>
>> UFO, 2024-08-06 04:39:
>>
>>> Was given a Moto G5 plus phone, with just the emergency service and was told
>>> I can install this GPS tool to it and use it for driving directions.
>>
>> A "GPS tool" will not give you driving directions, you need a navigation
>> app.
>>
>>> How would I get the app onto the phone since its not got service?
>>
>> Using USB sideloading.
>>
>>> I have a Windows Desktop and I can plug the USB into it, and exchange files,
>>> but I dont think the app can be downloaded on a Win Machine
>>> because its a differenet OS?
>>
>> You can download APK files, copy them to the phone and use the file
>> manager app of the phone to install the app by opening the APK file.
>> However you also need map data not only the tool.
>
> According to https://www.magicearth.com/faq-en/#maps-help:
>
> - Although they are using the crowd-sourced map data from
> OpenStreetsMap, their app downloads offline maps from their web site,
> not from the OpenStreetMaps web site.
> Maybe that is a requirement for 3rd-party apps to eliminate OSM from
> having to brunt the bandwidth.
> - Maps are updated approximately once per month (middle of month).

OSMAnd also allows to download the map files for offline use:

<https://osmand.net/docs/user/start-with/download-maps/>

And you can also download the map data on your computer, unzip it and
copy the files to the phone via USB when you know where OSMAnd expects
the map files on the device:

<https://download.osmand.net/list.php>

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

Andrew, 2024-08-06 09:02:

> VanguardLH wrote on Tue, 6 Aug 2024 00:25:00 -0500 :
>
>> "Magic Earth uses OpenStreetMap data"
>> Well, you could just use the OsmAnd app.
>
> The OP doesn't appear to be technical so this solution may be too much.
>
> 1. The problem with the Google Play Store is you need a login/passwd.
> 2. Sure, you can get the APK off of a mirror - but it takes knowledge.
> 3. Better to give the OP a way to get the APK w/o a login/passwd needed.

Or just use F-Droid:

<https://f-droid.org>

No user/password required, just install the F-Droid APK once.

And OSMAnd is available there as well:

<https://f-droid.org/en/packages/net.osmand.plus/>

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote:

> VanguardLH, 2024-08-07 14:53:
>
>> Arno Welzel <usenet@arnowelzel.de> wrote:
>>
>>> UFO, 2024-08-06 04:39:
>>>
>>>> Was given a Moto G5 plus phone, with just the emergency service and was told
>>>> I can install this GPS tool to it and use it for driving directions.
>>>
>>> A "GPS tool" will not give you driving directions, you need a navigation
>>> app.
>>>
>>>> How would I get the app onto the phone since its not got service?
>>>
>>> Using USB sideloading.
>>>
>>>> I have a Windows Desktop and I can plug the USB into it, and exchange files,
>>>> but I dont think the app can be downloaded on a Win Machine
>>>> because its a differenet OS?
>>>
>>> You can download APK files, copy them to the phone and use the file
>>> manager app of the phone to install the app by opening the APK file.
>>> However you also need map data not only the tool.
>>
>> According to https://www.magicearth.com/faq-en/#maps-help:
>>
>> - Although they are using the crowd-sourced map data from
>> OpenStreetsMap, their app downloads offline maps from their web site,
>> not from the OpenStreetMaps web site.
>> Maybe that is a requirement for 3rd-party apps to eliminate OSM from
>> having to brunt the bandwidth.
>> - Maps are updated approximately once per month (middle of month).
>
> OSMAnd also allows to download the map files for offline use:
>
> <https://osmand.net/docs/user/start-with/download-maps/>
>
> And you can also download the map data on your computer, unzip it and
> copy the files to the phone via USB when you know where OSMAnd expects
> the map files on the device:
>
> <https://download.osmand.net/list.php>

That's the one I mentioned earlier as an alternative to Magic Earth
which also says they download maps to use offline. Using offline maps
means you know or plan the areas where you'll be visiting.

What is the granualarity of the offline maps from OSM? Here [WeGo] lets
you download by city, county, state, or country. I found:

https://osmand.net/docs/user/start-with/download-maps/#download-maps-menu

where it seems "regions" are countries or continents. The web page only
shows partial lists, so I cannot see if smaller regions are available,
like states, counties, and cities.

I found a list at:

https://download.osmand.net/list.php

It shows states and cities, but few cities.

Arno Welzel wrote on Sat, 10 Aug 2024 10:11:12 +0200 :

> Or just use F-Droid:
>
> <https://f-droid.org>
>
> No user/password required, just install the F-Droid APK once.

While a lot of people use the F-Droid app on Android, if people want to use
an app on Android to get APKs off the F-Droid repo, the Aurora developers
recently recommend F-Droid Basic instead as they say it's better supported.
<https://f-droid.org/packages/org.fdroid.basic/>

I keep F-Droid & F-Droid Basic around, but most of the time I download my
Android apps using either Aurora on Android or a web browser on the PC.
<https://i.postimg.cc/5tzd8kCF/fdroid-basic01.jpg>

Dave Royal, 2024-08-06 09:22:

[...]
> Magic Earth: "Get real-time traffic info, updated every minute"
> How - even if you have mobile data? I know some countries (NL?)
> have open data sources for traffic data.

Yes, of course they must query some kind of traffic service for the
current location and this needs mobile data enabled.

> Are speed limits remotely up to date on OSM? In England they
> change frequently.

I don't know - I do not drive with a car very ofen. Most of the time I
commute by bike and for that purpuse OamAnd is totally fine, especially
in combination with BRouter and custom profiles - complete fast offline
navigation and much better routes than many online services.

> I have OsmAnd (on an iPhone) for walking. For driving I use Google
> Maps.

With Google Maps I already had some serious issues for car navigation
when you do not only take major roads and highways. OsmAnd was much
better for that.

--
Arno Welzel
https://arnowelzel.de

On 2024-08-06 09:02, Andrew wrote:
> VanguardLH wrote on Tue, 6 Aug 2024 00:25:00 -0500 :
>
>> "Magic Earth uses OpenStreetMap data"
>> Well, you could just use the OsmAnd app.
>
> The OP doesn't appear to be technical so this solution may be too much.
>
> 1. The problem with the Google Play Store is you need a login/passwd.

That's a problem only for people like you, not for normal people.

--
Cheers, Carlos.

Carlos E.R. wrote on Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:40:17 +0200 :

>> 1. The problem with the Google Play Store is you need a login/passwd.
>
> That's a problem only for people like you, not for normal people.

Most people are incredibly stupid.

Therefore, that's a problem for YOU, as I get all the apps I want to get
off the Google Play Store repository WITHOUT creating a login on my phone.

People who put a login on their phone are fundamentally stupid because then
they need to add all sorts of idiotic biometrics to PROTECT that login.

Rest assured, I'm not stupid.
If you are using the Google Play Store app, then it's you who is stupid.

But this isn't about you, so the fact you don't know how to get apps isn't
the issue - the issue is the OP said he had trouble getting the APK.

We need to know from the OP why he doesn't just use the Google Play Store
client on his phone with the phone connected to his LAN over a Wi-Fi AP.

Arno Welzel wrote on Sun, 11 Aug 2024 18:26:19 +0200 :

>> I have OsmAnd (on an iPhone) for walking. For driving I use Google
>> Maps.
>
> With Google Maps I already had some serious issues for car navigation
> when you do not only take major roads and highways. OsmAnd was much
> better for that.

I do a lot of routing on foot, on backcountry & on the car where....

1. IMHO, Google Maps is the best, bar none, unfortunately, for roads.
2. OSMAnd~ is surprisingly good for walking about such as between buildings
at apartment complexes, or along park trails, or outside shopping malls.
3. But OSM maps suck like you can't believe for backcountry topography.

For backcountry topography in the USA, nothing beats the USGS topo PDFs.
These PDFs load perfectly into backcountry apps on Android for hiking.
<com.Avenza>
<ca.abbro.androidmap>
<com.mirfatif.mylocation>
<net.psyberia.offlinemaps>

In the USA, this free program has all the georeferenced park maps in it.
<com.trailheadlabs.outerspatial>

On Wed, 7 Aug 2024 16:40:32 -0000 (UTC), Andrew <andrew@spam.net> wrote:

>While for road routing the online Google Maps can't be beat, since I do
>backcountry hiking, I am very happy with offline topographical mapping.
>
>I'm not disappointed but I use the free USGS geocalibrated PDF 7.5-degree
>quadrangle maps, which work great in all the good offline map programs.

I'm just getting used to using a "smart" phone, and was quick to install a
hiking-based map app, and chose GPS Tracker, but it seems to not use
offline maps as far as I can tell.

I'm extremely interested to know which app you use to work with USFS topo
maps. That sounds perfect.

--
croy

On 8/11/24 1:01 PM, Andrew wrote:
> Arno Welzel wrote on Sun, 11 Aug 2024 18:26:19 +0200 :
>
>>> I have OsmAnd (on an iPhone) for walking. For driving I use Google
>>> Maps.
>>
>> With Google Maps I already had some serious issues for car navigation
>> when you do not only take major roads and highways. OsmAnd was much
>> better for that.
>
> I do a lot of routing on foot, on backcountry & on the car where....
>
> 1. IMHO, Google Maps is the best, bar none, unfortunately, for roads.

BUT... I wanted to put a certain route on my phone because I only cared
about the twists and turns at the far end. I was absolutely unable to
change the route from what IT wanted. I finally just wrote the turns on
a piece of paper. Old school, right? How can it NOT allow you to
choose your own route?

Supposedly you can do it with the web version, but it's like pushing
string and only a little more effective.

> 2. OSMAnd~ is surprisingly good for walking about such as between buildings
> at apartment complexes, or along park trails, or outside shopping malls.
> 3. But OSM maps suck like you can't believe for backcountry topography.

And last time I used it several years ago it was more battery-hungry
than was tolerable.

> For backcountry topography in the USA, nothing beats the USGS topo PDFs.
> These PDFs load perfectly into backcountry apps on Android for hiking.
> <com.Avenza>
> <ca.abbro.androidmap>
> <com.mirfatif.mylocation>
> <net.psyberia.offlinemaps>
>
> In the USA, this free program has all the georeferenced park maps in it.
> <com.trailheadlabs.outerspatial>

--
Cheers,Bev
aibohphobia - fear of palindromes

The Real Bev wrote on Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:54:27 -0700 :

>> 1. IMHO, Google Maps is the best, bar none, unfortunately, for roads.
>
> BUT... I wanted to put a certain route on my phone because I only cared
> about the twists and turns at the far end. I was absolutely unable to
> change the route from what IT wanted. I finally just wrote the turns on
> a piece of paper. Old school, right? How can it NOT allow you to
> choose your own route?

I've been using Google maps for routing to a destination and then finding
something (like a Target store or whatever) in between the start & finish.

> Supposedly you can do it with the web version, but it's like pushing
> string and only a little more effective.

It's rare I'll say something good about Google but can't you use your
finger to "push" & "move" a section of a route on the Android Google maps?

>> 2. OSMAnd~ is surprisingly good for walking about such as between buildings
>> at apartment complexes, or along park trails, or outside shopping malls.
>> 3. But OSM maps suck like you can't believe for backcountry topography.
>
> And last time I used it several years ago it was more battery-hungry
> than was tolerable.

What I found useful was that OSMAnd~ seemed shockingly useful for walking
between buildings in areas such as parking lots and apartment complexes.

My battery on my 2021 Samsung Galaxy A32-5G is 5 amp hours so I never even
look at it so I can't say about that but I remember your thread on that.

croy wrote on Sun, 11 Aug 2024 17:51:06 -0700 :

> I'm just getting used to using a "smart" phone, and was quick to install a
> hiking-based map app, and chose GPS Tracker, but it seems to not use
> offline maps as far as I can tell.
>
> I'm extremely interested to know which app you use to work with USFS topo
> maps. That sounds perfect.

There are fire service geoPDFs, but I think that was a typo on your part.

For USGS topo maps, mostly I use Avenza, which has a free limit of 3 maps
(you can combine them & swap them in & out so it's not a real limit).
<https://www.avenza.com/avenza-maps/>

Avenza is recommended by the USGS and it works on both mobile platforms:
<https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id388424049>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Avenza>

Given Avenza can swap out USGS geoPDFs, I don't need Paper Maps but it will
handle any number of geoPDFs but rarely you need more than 3 quadrangles.
<https://www.paper-maps.com/>
PaperMaps works on both iOS and Android just like Avenza does.
<https://apps.apple.com/app/nextmap/id1147385120>
<https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.abbro.androidmap>

The USGS keeps changing their web site for how to download the free PDFs
so any instructions I provide will change - but they're easy enough to get.
<https://www.usgs.gov/programs/national-geospatial-program/topographic-maps>

You can go back to the 1800s to hike along old logging roads if any are in
your area, where I generally find the 1:24K 7.5-minute quadrangles best.

On 8/11/24 8:29 PM, Andrew wrote:
> The Real Bev wrote on Sun, 11 Aug 2024 19:54:27 -0700 :
>
>>> 1. IMHO, Google Maps is the best, bar none, unfortunately, for roads.
>>
>> BUT... I wanted to put a certain route on my phone because I only cared
>> about the twists and turns at the far end. I was absolutely unable to
>> change the route from what IT wanted. I finally just wrote the turns on
>> a piece of paper. Old school, right? How can it NOT allow you to
>> choose your own route?
>
> I've been using Google maps for routing to a destination and then finding
> something (like a Target store or whatever) in between the start & finish.
>
>> Supposedly you can do it with the web version, but it's like pushing
>> string and only a little more effective.
>
> It's rare I'll say something good about Google but can't you use your
> finger to "push" & "move" a section of a route on the Android Google maps?

No. And I was unable to find some sort of option/setting that would
permit such a thing. The movable dots on the web version are OK when
they work, but sometimes you just create knots and have to start all over.

>>> 2. OSMAnd~ is surprisingly good for walking about such as between buildings
>>> at apartment complexes, or along park trails, or outside shopping malls.
>>> 3. But OSM maps suck like you can't believe for backcountry topography.
>>
>> And last time I used it several years ago it was more battery-hungry
>> than was tolerable.
>
> What I found useful was that OSMAnd~ seemed shockingly useful for walking
> between buildings in areas such as parking lots and apartment complexes.
>
> My battery on my 2021 Samsung Galaxy A32-5G is 5 amp hours so I never even
> look at it so I can't say about that but I remember your thread on that.

--
Cheers,Bev
aibohphobia - fear of palindromes

The Real Bev wrote:

> I wanted to put a certain route on my phone because I only cared about
> the twists and turns at the far end.  I was absolutely unable to change
> the route from what IT wanted.  I finally just wrote the turns on a
> piece of paper.  Old school, right?  How can it NOT allow you to choose
> your own route?
>
> Supposedly you can do it with the web version, but it's like pushing string

If you use the web version, you can plot a course from start to
destination, then "drag" midpoint(s) to make it go whichever way you want.

There is then a button to "send to phone", unfortunately all that does
is send the start and destination to the phone, which then calculates
the route from scratch, ignoring your alterations in the web version ...
grrr!

Andy Burns wrote on Mon, 12 Aug 2024 06:54:33 +0100 :

>> I wanted to put a certain route on my phone because I only cared about
>> the twists and turns at the far end.� I was absolutely unable to change
>> the route from what IT wanted.� I finally just wrote the turns on a
>> piece of paper.� Old school, right?� How can it NOT allow you to choose
>> your own route?
>>
>> Supposedly you can do it with the web version, but it's like pushing string
>
> If you use the web version, you can plot a course from start to
> destination, then "drag" midpoint(s) to make it go whichever way you want.
>
> There is then a button to "send to phone", unfortunately all that does
> is send the start and destination to the phone, which then calculates
> the route from scratch, ignoring your alterations in the web version ...
> grrr!

1. I set my GPS location to the north end of the golden gate bridge
2. I turned off "Precise Location" to hinder Wi-Fi geolocation
3. It wouldn't route without "Precise Location" so I pinned the start point
4. When it routed, I tried to push and drag the route on the Google Map

You're right. TheRealBev was right. I was wrong. Mostly I was wrong anyway.
You can't move the dark blue route around on the Android Google Maps app.
But you can tap on the light blue alternative route - and that will switch.
<https://i.postimg.cc/qv5RpC8n/map-change-route.jpg>

I also have a Google Maps shortcut to Ungoogled Chromium set to "Home",
which, if necessary, we might test to see if there's a way to change it
on the web Google Maps and then feed that to the Google Maps APK maybe?

The Real Bev wrote on Sun, 11 Aug 2024 21:01:30 -0700 :

>>> Supposedly you can do it with the web version, but it's like pushing
>>> string and only a little more effective.
>>
>> It's rare I'll say something good about Google but can't you use your
>> finger to "push" & "move" a section of a route on the Android Google maps?
>
> No. And I was unable to find some sort of option/setting that would
> permit such a thing. The movable dots on the web version are OK when
> they work, but sometimes you just create knots and have to start all over.

Yeah. I see what you mean. I just tested it using the Android Maps app.
<https://i.postimg.cc/qv5RpC8n/map-change-route.jpg>

You can tap on any of the light-blue alternative routes and the Android
Google Maps app will switch the routing to that alternative route but you
can't push and shove the route to go the way you want using the Map app.

I tried using the shortcut to Google Maps on Ungoogled Chromium but that
too only allowed me to tap on an existing light-blue route to change it.
<https://i.postimg.cc/9MRq3Hzd/maplink-change-route.jpg>

You're right. I was wrong. I'm not sure why I thought it would work.

On 8/11/24 10:54 PM, Andy Burns wrote:
> The Real Bev wrote:
>
>> I wanted to put a certain route on my phone because I only cared about
>> the twists and turns at the far end.  I was absolutely unable to change
>> the route from what IT wanted.  I finally just wrote the turns on a
>> piece of paper.  Old school, right?  How can it NOT allow you to choose
>> your own route?
>>
>> Supposedly you can do it with the web version, but it's like pushing string
>
> If you use the web version, you can plot a course from start to
> destination, then "drag" midpoint(s) to make it go whichever way you want.

Within limits. Did I mention knots?

> There is then a button to "send to phone", unfortunately all that does
> is send the start and destination to the phone, which then calculates
> the route from scratch, ignoring your alterations in the web version ...
> grrr!

I'm just going to let it run and see how many snotty U-turn messages it
gives me before it gives up.

Google gives us something nice and then cripples it. Recently I can't
see highway numbers with Firefox, but they show just fine with Chrome.

--
Cheers, Bev
"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can
only exist until a majority of voters discover that they can vote
themselves largess out of the public treasury."
-- Alexander Tyler (Unverified)

On 8/12/2024 7:52 AM, The Real Bev wrote:

> Google gives us something nice and then cripples it.

I always liked Google for the speed trap and accident/road problems
ahead warnings. My theory was that likely more folks were using it and
thus more immediate and accurate warnings. I haven't traveled in recent
years so things may be different now...

On 8/12/24 8:11 AM, AJL wrote:
> On 8/12/2024 7:52 AM, The Real Bev wrote:
>
>> Google gives us something nice and then cripples it.
>
> I always liked Google for the speed trap and accident/road problems
> ahead warnings. My theory was that likely more folks were using it and
> thus more immediate and accurate warnings. I haven't traveled in recent
> years so things may be different now...

Until recently I haven't had a data plan so I was never aware of such
things. The Garmin GPS was good about giving warnings about traffic
jams after you were in one.

--
Cheers, Bev
"A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can
only exist until a majority of voters discover that they can vote
themselves largess out of the public treasury."
-- Alexander Tyler (Unverified)

On Mon, 12 Aug 2024 03:42:37 -0000 (UTC), Andrew <andrew@spam.net> wrote:

>croy wrote on Sun, 11 Aug 2024 17:51:06 -0700 :
>
>> I'm just getting used to using a "smart" phone, and was quick to install a
>> hiking-based map app, and chose GPS Tracker, but it seems to not use
>> offline maps as far as I can tell.
>>
>> I'm extremely interested to know which app you use to work with USFS topo
>> maps. That sounds perfect.
>
>There are fire service geoPDFs, but I think that was a typo on your part.

???

>For USGS topo maps, mostly I use Avenza, which has a free limit of 3 maps
>(you can combine them & swap them in & out so it's not a real limit).
> <https://www.avenza.com/avenza-maps/>
>
>Avenza is recommended by the USGS and it works on both mobile platforms:
> <https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id388424049>
> <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Avenza>
>
>Given Avenza can swap out USGS geoPDFs, I don't need Paper Maps but it will
>handle any number of geoPDFs but rarely you need more than 3 quadrangles.
> <https://www.paper-maps.com/>
>PaperMaps works on both iOS and Android just like Avenza does.
> <https://apps.apple.com/app/nextmap/id1147385120>
> <https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ca.abbro.androidmap>
>
>The USGS keeps changing their web site for how to download the free PDFs
>so any instructions I provide will change - but they're easy enough to get.
><https://www.usgs.gov/programs/national-geospatial-program/topographic-maps>
>
>You can go back to the 1800s to hike along old logging roads if any are in
>your area, where I generally find the 1:24K 7.5-minute quadrangles best.

Thank you, Andrew!

--
croy