How to: Get faster GPS locks and Get more from Navigation with Nokia Maps
Steve Litchfield shares a little of his sat-nav experience, hopefully of help to anybody suffering from slow GPS locks, especially under S60 and Nokia Maps, and frustrated by the apparent 'unreliability' of mobile navigation software.
If I had a pound for every time I heard a user complain that the GPS in their S60 smartphone was useless and took forever to show their position.... With this common complaint in mind, here are some tips to pass on to your friends who make the same ill-informed comments.
How to: Get faster GPS locks using your smartphone
- First and foremost, make sure that your device has the latest firmware. In many cases, new firmware means support for Assisted GPS, a way of vastly speeding up GPS acquisition time - see my piece on this on AAS.
- Make 100% sure that 'Settings | General | Positioning | Positioning server' has the right access point - it should be set to your main 3G data provider, e.g. 'Vodafone live' or 'Orange Internet'. If this is wrong, then GPS locks will be several minutes at least on many S60 phones.
- Make sure you're in an area of data coverage - being stuck in the wilds or in a valley will mean no data, which in turn means no Assisted GPS.
- Don't try and get a GPS lock while moving, unless there's absolutely no alternative. It's hard enough as it is for your phone to lock onto half a dozen satellites whizzing overhead at thousands of miles per hour - adding in extra complications by moving the device itself just slows down lock times considerably.
- Be realistic if you are moving or if there are tall buildings around, or if you're in a vehicle with an incomplete view of the sky - locks may take several minutes. The reason why dedicated sat-navs can acquire GPS locks more quickly in these challenging circumstances is that they have higher power, more sensitive receivers on board - the GPS inside most smartphones tends to be of lower power, to save battery life.
- Don't cover up the GPS antenna. On the N95, this is at the bottom of the keypad, so extend the slide. Find out where the GPS antenna is on your device and don't cover it with your hand during use - human flesh is reasonably good at blocking radio waves.
As a reference, if the last lock was in your current location and if not more than a day or so has elapsed, a GPS-equipped, data-enabled phone with a good view of the sky should get a lock in around 10 seconds. Each of the factors above play a part in extending this time, but with care you should never have to wait more than about 40 seconds.
You can check how the GPS is getting on, in terms of which satellites it's tracking and how strong the signal, using the 'GPS data' utility supplied in all S60 devices. In the 'Position' screen, use 'Satellite status' on the menu. As each satellite gets locked and used in a position fix, its bar will be filled in.
How to: Use Nokia Maps 2.0 more productively
With this software now being built into all new S60 devices and a free download for all others, here are some tips to help you get more from it:
- Maps 2.0 can work offline and online, with the choice made by you in 'Settings'. Make sure you enable 'Go online at startup', since the depth and accuracy of searches is far better. For example, many UK seven-character postcodes aren't matched properly when working totally offline, whereas the extra data online produces exact and perfect matches.
- Do make sure that you save yourself potentially big data bills by using Nokia's MapLoader utility to pre-load country data onto your phone's memory card. This also makes navigation smoother, since Nokia Maps doesn't have to spend half its time downloading and processing new map tiles over the air!
- You can save a huge amount of fiddling, embarrassment and time by planning ahead. Search for, find and set as favourites any places that you know you'll be wanting to drive to when on a trip. Then, with wife and kids waiting, you can calmly select the appropriate favourite rather than fiddling around ('What's the postcode?' 'Are you sure that's right?' 'What do you mean 'No matches'?', and so on).
- Use a 12v power cable if at all possible. With GPS, data and screen all on permanently during navigation, even a one hour jaunt will drain much of a daily charge. And, when plugged in during a car journey, you've got the peace of mind that your phone is actually charging. A win-win situation.
- If navigating at night, don't forget switching to the 'night mode' - in addition to being more useable in the dark, it also makes a nice change!
- Having found a match for one of your searches, if there's any doubt about whether it's the one you want, opt for 'Show on map' and check. You can then position the cursor exactly, e.g. on the right junction or end of a road and then still press in the d-pad and do 'drive to', etc
- Note that your Nokia Maps favourites can also be used later in Google Maps 2.1, so it's worth building up a good set of favourites. It's also worth noting that Google Maps favourites also now appear in Nokia Maps, albeit with a slightly different icon.
- While following a route, you can still use the zoom out shortcut key (#) in order to get a larger picture of the route the software's got planned - often this will show up a flaw in its thinking ('That's a bad idea, that junction's always jammed solid. Let's try heading further south.' Etc.)
- Accept, with real world resignation, that the planned route will never, ever be the best - but it will get you there. Most times, a combination of human intuition (e.g. avoiding city centres) and real time routing will produce good results - it's a shotgun marriage between man and machine!
Steve Litchfield, All About Symbian, 9 June 2008
Published by Steve Litchfield at 19:29 BST, June 8th 2008
Categories: How To, Software
Platforms: General, S60 3rd Edition
Feature Discussion
Unregistered
Comment: > Find out where the GPS antenna is on your device
How on earth does the ordinary punter discover that exactly!? But perhaps you guys at AAS can fill us in.
Where then are the GPS antennas in the following devices please?
N82, N95 8GB, 6220 Classic, any other Nokia devices (NSeries or not) with GPS.
Aside from the N95, are they all in the top of the handset?
Thanks.
How on earth does the ordinary punter discover that exactly!? But perhaps you guys at AAS can fill us in.
Where then are the GPS antennas in the following devices please?
N82, N95 8GB, 6220 Classic, any other Nokia devices (NSeries or not) with GPS.
Aside from the N95, are they all in the top of the handset?
Thanks.
bartmanekul
Comment: One thing that should really be added to that list, is the positioning server.
I have found that quite often networks replace it with seemingly mumbo jumbo text, that appears to be completely ineffective.
So for the server address, make sure it has [COLOR="Red"]supl.nokia.com[/COLOR]
I have done this to a number of phones, and it appears to make AGPS work.
I have found that quite often networks replace it with seemingly mumbo jumbo text, that appears to be completely ineffective.
So for the server address, make sure it has [COLOR="Red"]supl.nokia.com[/COLOR]
I have done this to a number of phones, and it appears to make AGPS work.
krisse
Comment: [quote]How on earth does the ordinary punter discover that exactly!? But perhaps you guys at AAS can fill us in.[/quote]
It does actually say in the phone's manual where the GPS receiver is located, at least it does in my N95's manual.
I don't have any of the phone's you've listed, but I'd imagine their manuals say where the receiver is too.
It does actually say in the phone's manual where the GPS receiver is located, at least it does in my N95's manual.
I don't have any of the phone's you've listed, but I'd imagine their manuals say where the receiver is too.
snoyt
Comment: For those people like 'unregistered' complaining about:
'How on earth does the ordinary punter discover that exactly!? But perhaps you guys at AAS can fill us in.'
The God of Smart Phones punishes those who don't read the holy smart phone bible. Or in other words: RTFM (Read The 'Flaming' Manual)! Though Nokia should put that 'GPS is under the keypad'-info in the quickstart guide.
'How on earth does the ordinary punter discover that exactly!? But perhaps you guys at AAS can fill us in.'
The God of Smart Phones punishes those who don't read the holy smart phone bible. Or in other words: RTFM (Read The 'Flaming' Manual)! Though Nokia should put that 'GPS is under the keypad'-info in the quickstart guide.
snoyt
Comment: [LIST]
[*]Know that there are 24 GPS sattelites around the world. Thus at best there are 12 satelites visible on a clear horizon. You need at least signals of 3 satelites to get a position lock, meaning that when between buildings you need to see a quarter of the clear sky when getting a lock.
[*]For getting an altitude estimate you need at least signals from 4 sattelites. This should give you some idea of the concept 'clear reception'.
[*]Many windowshield of cars have a metal base sun-reflective coating absorbing GPS signals partially. Getting a lock before you get into the car can speed things up. Particular the C5 of Citroen seems very abosorbing.
[*] Maps 2.0 allows to set a driving destination without a GPS lock. Just start driving and when the GPS is locked and Maps plotted you a route it will start advising you. This is particular useful when you are parked in side a parking garage. ;^)
[*] When not relying on AGPS to accellerate a lock, a complete new lock requires at LEAST 60 seconds for all ephemeris data to be received. Often longer, particular if you have relocated more than an few hunderd kilometers between GPS=on locations. I.e. car, train or plane trip.
[/LIST]
[*]Know that there are 24 GPS sattelites around the world. Thus at best there are 12 satelites visible on a clear horizon. You need at least signals of 3 satelites to get a position lock, meaning that when between buildings you need to see a quarter of the clear sky when getting a lock.
[*]For getting an altitude estimate you need at least signals from 4 sattelites. This should give you some idea of the concept 'clear reception'.
[*]Many windowshield of cars have a metal base sun-reflective coating absorbing GPS signals partially. Getting a lock before you get into the car can speed things up. Particular the C5 of Citroen seems very abosorbing.
[*] Maps 2.0 allows to set a driving destination without a GPS lock. Just start driving and when the GPS is locked and Maps plotted you a route it will start advising you. This is particular useful when you are parked in side a parking garage. ;^)
[*] When not relying on AGPS to accellerate a lock, a complete new lock requires at LEAST 60 seconds for all ephemeris data to be received. Often longer, particular if you have relocated more than an few hunderd kilometers between GPS=on locations. I.e. car, train or plane trip.
[/LIST]
Unregistered
Comment: Steve, do you mind me asking how the hell you get that black screen with the icons, ie the last screenshot you posted? I have tried pressing everything on Nokia Maps and I can't seem to get it, lol, it's freaking me out :p
krisse
Comment: Steady on snoyt, I don't read phone manuals either, I think most people don't, so I do have some sympathy for unregistered's confusion. ;-)
I only looked it up in the manual just now because I wondered if the receiver position was in there, and indeed it was.
This is one of those rare occasions where it's actually worth consulting the manual. Maybe we should all do it more often?
Strangely the GPS receiver position wasn't mentioned in the "quick start" leaflet though, which is where people would be more likely to see it.
I only looked it up in the manual just now because I wondered if the receiver position was in there, and indeed it was.
This is one of those rare occasions where it's actually worth consulting the manual. Maybe we should all do it more often?
Strangely the GPS receiver position wasn't mentioned in the "quick start" leaflet though, which is where people would be more likely to see it.
snoyt
Comment: The black screen appears when selecting options during voice navigation. The alternative is to select an icon directly by pressing the corresponding numeric key. The layout matches the numeric keypad.
snoyt
Comment: [quote=krisse;380352]Steady on snoyt, I don't read phone manuals either, I think most people don't, so I do have some sympathy for unregistered's confusion. ;-)[/quote]
I rarely read manuals myself. I consider my self a tech-junky an logical reasoning solves most 'configuration riddles'. Still I do browse the manuals after a while for worthwhile tidbits like that. And the first place to look when having troubles is the manual. I'll just shut up now. As I said the info about the GPS should be in the quick start guide. Still it has also been well documented on the Nokia website [URL="http://europe.nokia.com/A4425308"]here[/URL] for quite some time now. Nokia seems to be aware of the forums. The 'slide open' for better reception was quite a topic a year a go.
I rarely read manuals myself. I consider my self a tech-junky an logical reasoning solves most 'configuration riddles'. Still I do browse the manuals after a while for worthwhile tidbits like that. And the first place to look when having troubles is the manual. I'll just shut up now. As I said the info about the GPS should be in the quick start guide. Still it has also been well documented on the Nokia website [URL="http://europe.nokia.com/A4425308"]here[/URL] for quite some time now. Nokia seems to be aware of the forums. The 'slide open' for better reception was quite a topic a year a go.
brrip
Comment: n95 8gb the receiver is below the keypad. most guides tell you to keep the keypad open when using gps. most of the times i dont have a problem with they keypad closed though
jamieladc
Comment: LOL - the guide to getting a quicker lock seems to be basically a number of suggestions of what not to expect, ie:
1. Don't expect a lock in a built up area with tall buildings
2. Make sure there is 3G coverage in the area
3. Use 3G - really expensive.
I thought a guide was something that told you how to do something, not something that told you to lower your expectations!!
Obviously I was wrong!!
I could've written that article and a few more suggestions besides.
1. Don't expect a lock in a built up area with tall buildings
2. Make sure there is 3G coverage in the area
3. Use 3G - really expensive.
I thought a guide was something that told you how to do something, not something that told you to lower your expectations!!
Obviously I was wrong!!
I could've written that article and a few more suggestions besides.
slitchfield
Comment: Jamie: you're being totally unfair. And the guide was aimed at a friend of mine. With a v11 firmware N95 on O2, she said that she basically never used the GPS 'because it never worked'. Getting the likes of her over the firmware/assisted-GPS/positioningserver/antenna location/lock-while-moving' hurdles was my aim. There must be lots of people in that boat.
If you think you can do better, feel free to submit articles to Rafe or myself.
If you think you can do better, feel free to submit articles to Rafe or myself.
krisse
Comment: On the locking time, it certainly put me off using GPS at all.
However, with the latest N95 firmware and latest version of Nokia Maps, it works so smoothly that I do actually use this feature now.
If there was just one bit of GPS-related advice that was most important, it would be: update your phone and map software!
I'd say that about the N95 in general actually, this is a totally different device to what I had last year even though the hardware hasn't changed, because the firmware is so much better.
However, with the latest N95 firmware and latest version of Nokia Maps, it works so smoothly that I do actually use this feature now.
If there was just one bit of GPS-related advice that was most important, it would be: update your phone and map software!
I'd say that about the N95 in general actually, this is a totally different device to what I had last year even though the hardware hasn't changed, because the firmware is so much better.
Rafe
Comment: [quote]I could've written that article and a few more suggestions besides.[/quote]
Please do mention these, its always good to get new suggestions / tips etc. As Steve noted this is more aimed at the novice user. We discussed including other stuff (e.g. creating your own .lmx files), but we'll probably do a more advanced user version at some point in the future.
Please do mention these, its always good to get new suggestions / tips etc. As Steve noted this is more aimed at the novice user. We discussed including other stuff (e.g. creating your own .lmx files), but we'll probably do a more advanced user version at some point in the future.
snoyt
Comment: In front of my living room windows (from the inside) I had a cold start lock in 17 seconds with AGPS. Wich shows how useful the new firmware and a cheap internet connection is.
However with all these little tidbits of usefull information for the N95 and its bretheren why is there no S60 Wikipedia with how-to's? Ehhh, I mean AAS-pedia ;^)
However with all these little tidbits of usefull information for the N95 and its bretheren why is there no S60 Wikipedia with how-to's? Ehhh, I mean AAS-pedia ;^)
Unregistered
Comment: I have found that the way to get a very quick position fix even when moving along in a car with a metal roof in a street with tall buildings either side is to use an external bluetooth GPS receiver.
The built-in one in the N95 is poor, but OK in emergencies if you are not in a hurry and not in car in a busy city centre.
Better still use 3rd party software and maps without ongoing charges.
Better still, buy a dedicated sat nav. They are dirt cheap these days.
The built-in one in the N95 is poor, but OK in emergencies if you are not in a hurry and not in car in a busy city centre.
Better still use 3rd party software and maps without ongoing charges.
Better still, buy a dedicated sat nav. They are dirt cheap these days.
bartmanekul
Comment: But would you have a dedicated satnav unit in your bag/pocket? Probably not. Thats the beauty of satnavon mobiles.
And my 6110 easily rivals any sirf 3 reciever when using AGPS. The N95 was flawed in the location of its reciever, but nokia wont make that mistake again.
Oddly enough, ebuyer advertised their cheap satnav unit today, only about £50. I do wonder if a comparision could be done...
And my 6110 easily rivals any sirf 3 reciever when using AGPS. The N95 was flawed in the location of its reciever, but nokia wont make that mistake again.
Oddly enough, ebuyer advertised their cheap satnav unit today, only about £50. I do wonder if a comparision could be done...
SamCritch
Comment: Hi,
On my N95 I have the following set in "positioning methods":
Bluetooth GPS - OFF
Assisted GPS - ON
Integrated GPS - OFF <==== NOTE!
Network Based - ON
Turning off integrated GPS helped me (and a few other people) get much faster fixes.
Thanks,
Sam
On my N95 I have the following set in "positioning methods":
Bluetooth GPS - OFF
Assisted GPS - ON
Integrated GPS - OFF <==== NOTE!
Network Based - ON
Turning off integrated GPS helped me (and a few other people) get much faster fixes.
Thanks,
Sam
krisse
Comment: [quote]Turning off integrated GPS helped me (and a few other people) get much faster fixes.[/quote]
Are you sure you're not just seeing the AGPS fix (which isn't really GPS)? If that's good enough for your needs then you wouldn't really need a GPS phone at all, you might as well go for a cheaper model.
Indeed, it's an interesting idea that GPS might not be needed any more if our phone can locate us from phone masts alone.
[quote]However with all these little tidbits of usefull information for the N95 and its bretheren why is there no S60 Wikipedia with how-to's? Ehhh, I mean AAS-pedia ;^)[/quote]
There's the AAS support section, it's full of bits of info, try clicking on it at the top of the screen.
I did try to do an S60 tutorial site full of step-by-step tutorials, but the problem is that every S60 phone seems to have a different menu structure, so it's very difficult to give exact instructions to cover many models.
Are you sure you're not just seeing the AGPS fix (which isn't really GPS)? If that's good enough for your needs then you wouldn't really need a GPS phone at all, you might as well go for a cheaper model.
Indeed, it's an interesting idea that GPS might not be needed any more if our phone can locate us from phone masts alone.
[quote]However with all these little tidbits of usefull information for the N95 and its bretheren why is there no S60 Wikipedia with how-to's? Ehhh, I mean AAS-pedia ;^)[/quote]
There's the AAS support section, it's full of bits of info, try clicking on it at the top of the screen.
I did try to do an S60 tutorial site full of step-by-step tutorials, but the problem is that every S60 phone seems to have a different menu structure, so it's very difficult to give exact instructions to cover many models.
n14lad
Comment: [quote]On the locking time, it certainly put me off using GPS at all.
However, with the latest N95 firmware and latest version of Nokia Maps, it works so smoothly that I do actually use this feature now.
If there was just one bit of GPS-related advice that was most important, it would be: update your phone and map software!
I'd say that about the N95 in general actually, this is a totally different device to what I had last year even though the hardware hasn't changed, because the firmware is so much better.[/quote]
Very very true.
Plus - I've only just realised that the "show restaurants/bars/etc" feature is really handy too as it has a link to call the place directly, meaning I've been able to impress the family by booking ahead and by letting the restaurant know we've been delayed but to hold the table. Their TomTom can't do that!!!
I know this can also been done via the browser, but searching a map and a couple of clicks is a damn sight easier than searching online, finding the correct site (if it exists) or a site that's readable on a mobile and then cutting and pasting the number to call.
Full marks to Nokia for making this work and for FREE.
But nil points that to get it working seamlessly involves a firmware update - my non-techy friends will probably NEVER do this which is a real shame, especially as not a single one has a non-branded handset.
However, with the latest N95 firmware and latest version of Nokia Maps, it works so smoothly that I do actually use this feature now.
If there was just one bit of GPS-related advice that was most important, it would be: update your phone and map software!
I'd say that about the N95 in general actually, this is a totally different device to what I had last year even though the hardware hasn't changed, because the firmware is so much better.[/quote]
Very very true.
Plus - I've only just realised that the "show restaurants/bars/etc" feature is really handy too as it has a link to call the place directly, meaning I've been able to impress the family by booking ahead and by letting the restaurant know we've been delayed but to hold the table. Their TomTom can't do that!!!
I know this can also been done via the browser, but searching a map and a couple of clicks is a damn sight easier than searching online, finding the correct site (if it exists) or a site that's readable on a mobile and then cutting and pasting the number to call.
Full marks to Nokia for making this work and for FREE.
But nil points that to get it working seamlessly involves a firmware update - my non-techy friends will probably NEVER do this which is a real shame, especially as not a single one has a non-branded handset.
Unregistered
Comment: "But would you have a dedicated satnav unit in your bag/pocket? Probably not. Thats the beauty of satnavon mobiles."
That's why I said 'OK in emergencies'.
But even then, in a city centre whilst driving, junctions and turns come up too quick and often the GPS has lost its fix. It's just not in the same class as a dedicated satnav, just not up to the job.
That's why I said 'OK in emergencies'.
But even then, in a city centre whilst driving, junctions and turns come up too quick and often the GPS has lost its fix. It's just not in the same class as a dedicated satnav, just not up to the job.
aatifsumar
Comment: you know how when u use ur radio, u need headphones plugged in to get better reception?
why dont they make a gps tool which u connect throught the 3.5mm/microSD port which increases the range of the gps?
say ur in a car. u connect it and hook it up to the antenna, or just keep the other end outside ur car?
wont that help a LOT??
why dont they make a gps tool which u connect throught the 3.5mm/microSD port which increases the range of the gps?
say ur in a car. u connect it and hook it up to the antenna, or just keep the other end outside ur car?
wont that help a LOT??
bartmanekul
Comment: [quote=Unregistered;380421]"But would you have a dedicated satnav unit in your bag/pocket? Probably not. Thats the beauty of satnavon mobiles."
That's why I said 'OK in emergencies'.
But even then, in a city centre whilst driving, junctions and turns come up too quick and often the GPS has lost its fix. It's just not in the same class as a dedicated satnav, just not up to the job.[/quote]
As I said, the N95 was a mistake in where they placed the reciever. I have no such trouble with my 6110, and from what I have heard, neither do N82 users.
Mine outperforms a sirf3, unless Im inside somewhere, in which case its pointless anyway.
That's why I said 'OK in emergencies'.
But even then, in a city centre whilst driving, junctions and turns come up too quick and often the GPS has lost its fix. It's just not in the same class as a dedicated satnav, just not up to the job.[/quote]
As I said, the N95 was a mistake in where they placed the reciever. I have no such trouble with my 6110, and from what I have heard, neither do N82 users.
Mine outperforms a sirf3, unless Im inside somewhere, in which case its pointless anyway.
snoyt
Comment: GPS needs satellite positional and satelite time data. These tables are encode in the GPS signal and repeated every 60 seconds. AGPS can support these location data as well as computing power. With AGPS enabled en internal GPS disabled only the AGPS datatables are used for positioning. When GPS is also enabled the phone might check for local GPS datatables first saving on internet data. Cellbased location has a separate toggle in the firmware.
So I'd suggest when on a cheap internet connection set GPS off and AGPS on, when roaming set AGPS off? Hmmm, damn why is there no AGPS roaming switch?
Hey Nokia here is another for my firmware update;-)
The support section is nice, but I was hoping for a user contributed wikipedia with some administrating ;-) This would allow for accellerated growth.
So I'd suggest when on a cheap internet connection set GPS off and AGPS on, when roaming set AGPS off? Hmmm, damn why is there no AGPS roaming switch?
Hey Nokia here is another for my firmware update;-)
The support section is nice, but I was hoping for a user contributed wikipedia with some administrating ;-) This would allow for accellerated growth.
pintofale
Comment: @aatifsumar
A length of wire works well as an FM antenna - if fact it's hard to fold one up into the size of the handset, which is why you need the headset connected. But a GPS antenna is a small helical coil, an either must be very noise free (i.e. no audio signals in the linking cable, so you can't use earphones on the same wire) or needs a bias voltage for the LNA, which would mean running power out on the cable, requiring more pins. I think the external antenna is best satisfied by using a bluetooth one with a separate battery - I believe Steve once mentioned a tiny one which fits on a keyfob. This might be a nice way to get better performance and also save your phone battery! This option will obviously become more attractive when the next generation GPS chipsets become available late next year - if I still have my E90, that is...
A length of wire works well as an FM antenna - if fact it's hard to fold one up into the size of the handset, which is why you need the headset connected. But a GPS antenna is a small helical coil, an either must be very noise free (i.e. no audio signals in the linking cable, so you can't use earphones on the same wire) or needs a bias voltage for the LNA, which would mean running power out on the cable, requiring more pins. I think the external antenna is best satisfied by using a bluetooth one with a separate battery - I believe Steve once mentioned a tiny one which fits on a keyfob. This might be a nice way to get better performance and also save your phone battery! This option will obviously become more attractive when the next generation GPS chipsets become available late next year - if I still have my E90, that is...
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