Re: Request: Nokia Maps alternative for Maemo 5
 

I think mapping software really has two major components.

1) Updated POI - People just use their mapping software because it puts things into a location aware content.
2) Turn-by-turn or good navigation interface - people wanting to know how to get from point A to point B.

Currently Google Maps is the leader for updated POI (at least for US). There is no current application (that I am aware of) that can provide the second piece of functionality.

I'm perfectly fine with having two different apps for those different pieces of functionality.

Re: Request: Nokia Maps alternative for Maemo 5
 

Google has just announced its own "maemo mapper", with turn-by-turn 'n all... only it's "android mapper" :-)

Re: Request: Nokia Maps alternative for Maemo 5
 

Google Maps is getting turn-by-turn directions for android 2.0.. I wonder how easy it would be to port it to Maemo

http://lifehacker.com/5391781/google...gps-to-android

Re: Request: Nokia Maps alternative for Maemo 5
 

Very considering a good chuck of it will be written in Java ;)

Re: Request: Nokia Maps alternative for Maemo 5
 

Aha here's how it goes:

1) See a great open source project, Maemo Mapper
2) Hire the Maemo Mapper guy
3) ????
4) Release a product called "Android Mapper"
5) Profit!

Re: Request: Nokia Maps alternative for Maemo 5
 

Can i get the ovi maps europe maps to my pc.
And later on install it on my n900 .
Wich one/maps do i need.
Where can i download them for free.
Please help me

Re: Request: Nokia Maps alternative for Maemo 5
 

Well I would have thought that the basic logic shouldn't have been too hard to sort, Java is a C style language so other than having to sort out memory managment it should be straight forward, though labourious, to port it to C++ and make it work faster too.

Re: Request: Nokia Maps alternative for Maemo 5
 

I concur and hope somebody from maemo developer community pick it up for porting sooner than later.

Re: Request: Nokia Maps alternative for Maemo 5
 

not to destroy anybody's hopes, but i doubt that we'll see a port of the google turn by turn navigation.
first, you need the source code. android is partly open source, yes, but i'm sure google keeps this one closed to have a competitive advantage. i searched a bit but couldn't find any licensing info on this. maybe someone has better information?
second, porting from java to c/c++ is a bit more involved than just having to sort out memory management. this application might depend on many dalvik-specific classes, which would have to be ported as well. you'd be opening a pandora's box of additional dependencies which would have to be sorted out...
it's probably easier to write a front-end application to maps.google.com which implements turn by turn navigation and relies on the google maps API.

Re: Request: Nokia Maps alternative for Maemo 5
 

I agree. The current version of maeMaps took only around 20-30 hours to develop, and already features Directions and GPS integration, with LocalSearch coming up soon.
One could probably parse the directions list and compare it to the GPS every 5 seconds to determine current route progress, then auto-pop the map detail and a large banner for the next turn.