text editor and map app for android os

[Chuck in Indiana]

MyRadar's display of moving radar images is unsurpassed,

<Throwing down gauntlet> Hah! Sir! You are mistaken. Dorcia has MyRadar on her phone, and it cries wolf.  If you really want to see precip, download one weather. 

[screamday]

ES File Explorer app will allow you browse folders on android os.

[rodekyll]

I found ES and tried it -- it wants to take over the screen lock function and display updates continuously, as though the most important thing I do with my day is check what files have been added or changed I the last 2sec.  I tossed it for a popular 'file manager'.  I'm giving that a try now as I look for Synic files to delete.  Even reinstalling the map program won't let it work -- there's something broken in a configuration file that controls the way it opens, and I can't find the file.

Physics suite seems to be stuck in metric.  I can do 7.142 meters/sec, but I can't do any miles per hour.

[Wayne Orwig]

You'll find that there is a basic file explorer of some form built in. Often a odd name like "my files".

[charlie b]

Yep, My Files is the app I use to look at the contents of the system.

What is the text editor for?  I use the Memo app to make notes for myself.  Polaris Office for stuff that I need to transfer to a PC.

Have you tried OSMand for mapping and nav or not enough memory to hold the maps or did you need it for something else?

[Moto]

<Throwing down gauntlet> Hah! Sir! You are mistaken. Dorcia has MyRadar on her phone, and it cries wolf.  If you really want to see precip, download one weather. 

Perhaps I ventured to say too much. I guess you mean "1Weather." I loaded it. I can't see how to manipulate the point the map is centered on, but I'll keep at it.

Moto

[rodekyll]

No, this one had no memo or file manager app.  The giggling girls were puzzled by it, too.  One looked it up and confirmed that they were now 'options' to the OS.  I think it's just a way to suck you into the google store for that first identity-stealing purchase.  I don't trust google.

I'm going to sort out the sygnic map before moving on to the weather.  That will be after I wash the boat.  I'm selling it.  Anyone need a boat?

[rodekyll]

Yep, My Files is the app I use to look at the contents of the system.

What is the text editor for?  I use the Memo app to make notes for myself.  Polaris Office for stuff that I need to transfer to a PC.

Have you tried OSMand for mapping and nav or not enough memory to hold the maps or did you need it for something else?

I want to keep a trip log and work it into a story.  I'm getting the synic mapping program under control.  Although it does odd things like telling me to pull a U-turn and get back on track (home address chosen) when I pull into my driveway, it sends me to Canada for local points of interest, and had me making a left at no intersection to get to the brewery, it's doing ok.

[Chuck in Indiana]

Perhaps I ventured to say too much. I guess you mean "1Weather." I loaded it. I can't see how to manipulate the point the map is centered on, but I'll keep at it.

Moto

It follows you around. The text wx information is for where you are. The radar rox..

[charlie b]

Android is much like the different distros of Linux (not surprising).  Each vendor uses a slightly different package for their systems.  Some work well, others not so much.  The Nook version was really bad, but, it worked well if all you needed was a reader, also not surprising.

In the end, Google developed Android so if you don't want to play in their sandbox it will be a bit more difficult.

You can 'root' the system and do whatever you want to it, again kinda like Linux.

[screamday]

I found ES and tried it -- it wants to take over the screen lock function and display updates continuously, as though the most important thing I do with my day is check what files have been added or changed I the last 2sec.  I tossed it for a popular 'file manager'.  I'm giving that a try now as I look for Synic files to delete.  Even reinstalling the map program won't let it work -- there's something broken in a configuration file that controls the way it opens, and I can't find the file.

Physics suite seems to be stuck in metric.  I can do 7.142 meters/sec, but I can't do any miles per hour.

ES.....like most apps, has a option to turn off updates and notices. I have it on my Samsung S5 phone and my Samsung Tab4 Tablet. Don't even know that it's there unless I want to use it (also didn't notice any problems with screen lock). I also have all my apps set for manual update. That way, only the apps I use get updated when I want them to update. It seems, that if you let them update automatically that's all the phone would be doing everyday....updatin g apps.

[Wayne Orwig]

ES.....like most apps, has a option to turn off updates and notices. I have it on my Samsung S5 phone and my Samsung Tab4 Tablet. Don't even know that it's there unless I want to use it (also didn't notice any problems with screen lock). I also have all my apps set for manual update. That way, only the apps I use get updated when I want them to update. It seems, that if you let them update automatically that's all the phone would be doing everyday....updatin g apps.

The updates over the past year have really turned ES from a tool, into an annoyance. It once was my go to app for exploring my network servers, FTP, and of course Android storage. Now it has pop ups and automatically 'checks' your apps for who knows what. Some of those notifications show up on the lock screen. If I were a new user, I would be deleting in about 2 minutes after installing it instead of dealing with it.

[screamday]

Now it has pop ups and automatically 'check' your apps for who knows what. Some of those notifications show up on the lock screen.

Wierd.......I haven't seen any of that. Maybe because I just don't use it much......or have it set up correctly.

[rodekyll]

The updates over the past year have really turned ES from a tool, into any annoyance. It once was me go to app for exploring my network servers, FTP, and of course Android storage. Now it has pop ups and automatically 'check' your apps for who knows what. Some of those notifications show up on the lock screen. If I were a new user, I would be deleting in about 2 minutes after installing it instead of dealing with it.

That was about how long I had it installed.  It also had ads.  I don't need ads in my file manager.

I ran around town with the sygic mapping stuff last evening. Overall it look like I could live with it.  It has a heads-up-display mode where it flips everything backwards, you lay it on your dashboard and it projects onto the windshield.  I liked that a lot.  But it also has menus and a 'side panel' that has a number of fields.  You can change what is in the display field, but you can't leave it blank and you can't remove a field.  That's annoying.  It gets busy to the point that some of the stuff is too small to read.  The difficulty is a distraction from driving.  I don't like distractions whan I'm driving.

[Moto]

<Throwing down gauntlet> Hah! Sir! You are mistaken. Dorcia has MyRadar on her phone, and it cries wolf.  If you really want to see precip, download one weather. 

Sirrah, you go too far! I compared your 1Weather radar with MyRadar on a storm out in Nebraska. The storm-blob on 1Weather was larger, meaning any wolf-crying was being done by it! MyRadar was more conservative, with a smaller blob.

Also I noticed the radar display in 1Weather was a bit drab, with only two colors for intensity (yellow and green), while MyRadar showed blue, green, yellow and red, I believe.

I think you should re-examine Dorcia and your own displays, side-by-side for a particular storm.

BTW, there is an option letting you move the focal point around the map.

Moto

[charlie b]

RK,

I have the same problem with most other GPS units/software.  They have stuff I don't want and stuff I want is either not there or too small to read.

Copilot has two small windows at the bottom that you can put different info in, which is really nice.  But, to read them I have to pull over.  Doesn't keep me from using it cause I like everything else about it.

[LowRyter]

I use google maps just like GPS.  I have a bracket that mounts the phone on the CD slot on my radio.  I can play music from my phone through the car stereo and get verbal navigation instructions.

[rodekyll]

I don't want to be dependent on an internet or cell connection for my mapping software to work, and I'm so far getting by without a google account.  So google maps-dependencies are currently out.

Tried the sygic heads-up display in daylight -- not as impressive.  I think I need some tint on the windshield right there.

I'll look into co-pilot , but the HUD (if I can make it work for me) feature in sygic overcomes a lot of shortcomings.

[Wayne Orwig]

I don't want to be dependent on an internet or cell connection for my mapping software to work, and I'm so far getting by without a google account.  So google maps-dependencies are currently out.

Tried the sygic heads-up display in daylight -- not as impressive.  I think I need some tint on the windshield right there.

I'll look into co-pilot , but the HUD (if I can make it work for me) feature in sygic overcomes a lot of shortcomings.

I really like CoPilot for point A to point B on the interstates. It has good routing. When I get off on the side roads or a long day ride through the mountains, and just want to know what the roads and terrain ahead look like, I use OSMand. The routing in it works OK, but not as polished as CoPilot. But OSMand if good for viewing the Open Source Maps.

[ITSec]

I'm so far getting by without a google account.  So google maps-dependencies are currently out.

Use of Google Maps by software (for example, Tyre, etc) does not require the user to have a Google account. What makes Google Maps dependency a problem is that you must be online to access them.

[rodekyll]

I don't see the need for real-time maps.  I'm not commuting, so I don't care what the local traffic is like and I don't need the photo view and stuff.  So having an internet connection open to google is all in the ISP or data provider's and google's favor, not mine.

[oldbike54]

 Any chance there is a GPS that will indicate how many Sheppies per Friedman I am traveling ?

 Dusty

[rodekyll]

For Wx, I like One Weather. Good precip images with the radar, and text explanation of what is and will be happening. Even has an aviation section. It's like talking to a chatty FAA wx briefer. 

Not finding this one.  I can find something called 1weather, but it's not like you describe.

[charlie b]

I've been using Intellicast, mainly because the first screen that comes up is the radar.  I may lose it soon since Weather Underground 'bought' them.

Copilot does display speed (or ETA or time to next waypoint/checkpoint or distance or etc) but the little windows are too hard to see, at least for me.  It is the main thing I'd like them to change.

But, if all you want is a speed display try DigiHUD.  It can be set up as a HUD in a windscreen or just as an overlay on top of any other program.  I use it all the time (cause my speedo is so far off).

[Chuck in Indiana]

Not finding this one.  I can find something called 1weather, but it's not like you describe.

Yeah, it's 1weather, and yes it is.  My tablet has a button for the wx briefer. The phone's second button from the left on the bottom "area forecast discussion" at the top. Tapping that  gives a very detailed description of what is happening and why.

I think you should re-examine Dorcia and your own displays, side-by-side for a particular storm.

We have. MyRadar has pretty colors.    It shows moisture that isn't and won't hit the ground. If 1weather shows rain ahead, you can take it to the bank..

[ITSec]

Any chance there is a GPS that will indicate how many Sheppies per Friedman I am traveling ?

 Dusty

No, but you can get a route for doing the Kessel run in less than twelve parsecs!

[rodekyll]

I think parsecs is the distance, not the time.   

Still at it -- got the Bluetooth ear thingie in the amazon package today.  Gonna see if that helps the robot lady give me directions on account of she keeps complaining that I'm not listening.  I used to have a wife for that.  Aren't tablets wonderful?

Chuck -- is this the free 1weather or something else?  So far that program is looking like fluff to me, but then I don't always know what's a button to push and what's just clutter on the screen, so there may be more to it than I can see right now. 

It's kinda silly when you have 20 choices for 'wallpaper' in a program, but no choices on how the program actually operates.  I'm finding that most of these apps let me use funny voices or RED, but don't offer a compass (nav software) or allow you to change the default reporting site (mexico city for weather?????  I don't live there!).

Also -- why can't stellarium tell where I'm looking and automagically pull the picture around to that orientation?  If it's so darn smart it knows the names of all those stars, it ought to know where they live.  Maybe it's the compass thing.

[Moto]

Also -- why can't stellarium tell where I'm looking and automagically pull the picture around to that orientation?  If it's so darn smart it knows the names of all those stars, it ought to know where they live.  Maybe it's the compass thing.

I does that.

[LowRyter]

I don't want to be dependent on an internet or cell connection for my mapping software to work, and I'm so far getting by without a google account.  So google maps-dependencies are currently out.

Tried the sygic heads-up display in daylight -- not as impressive.  I think I need some tint on the windshield right there.

I'll look into co-pilot , but the HUD (if I can make it work for me) feature in sygic overcomes a lot of shortcomings.

I am not sure how the cell phone navigation works.  I suppose the map is loaded from the phone connection and location is set by GPS?

[rboe]

I picked up  a Samsung Galaxy S5 (phone not enabled) as a mini tablet. Needed it for some Android only apps I wanted to use; mostly OBD2 dongles.

Have not used it on the bike as intended, yet. Just around the house and to control my ham radio (one of the apps I needed as Icom does not have an IOS app yet).

So I have very limited experience with Android and it has been a mixed bag - as you're finding out yourself. First thing it did; upgraded to Marshmello (Android 6.0.1).

Little things I have discovered: Samsung does not allow apps to run from the SD card. App writers may or may not allow their apps to use the SD card for data. The camera automatically started to use it for single photo's, won't do video to it. Can't put music there - yet.

I have down loaded the following apps:
Flashlight -
DoubleTwist - to play music, hopefully using the SD card. No joy yet. This was to use my iTunes library. Low priority.
Facebook.....
GPS Status - this was really useful to see what my GPS was seeing as the dang phone seems to do a better job than the GPS built into my two ham radios.
HERE WeGo - GPS tripping software, maps loaded on the SD card (many of these apps have to be told to use it, will not go there on their own). Seems to be a very good product but have not used it. google maps, in my limited experience, led us astray and I much prefer my TomTom to google maps. So far, I think this will be a good one. I tried osmand app and found it totally un-useable; clear as mud.
Intellicast - I prefer this on the laptop. got it for the phone
MyRadar - use it on the iPad, really like it but now it appears it uses predictive software for approaching rain which in Phoenix is a very bad thing to do as it is too unpredictable.
NOAA Weather Radar - seems more realistic. Has ads. Yuck.
OBDLink - for the OBD in the F150
PdaNet - forgot why I installed it. Has something to do with Bluetooth.
Photos - to manage photos, this thing as a really good camera. Not sure I really need the app though; google thing.
QR Code Reader - needed it once for something. Left it in case it comes in handy again.
RPN Calculator - about the only kind I can use any more. Not impressed with this one, but the really good one on the iPhone does not seem to be available in Android.
RS-MS1 - controls my Icom radio via bluetooth.
ScanM5X 1.29 - OBD2 reader for the dongle I installed on the Griso. Since it shows ambient and engine temps I can look at blocking off the oil cooler this winter. It's an experiment.

Peel Smart Remote came on the phone and I discovered it last night. I can now control our TV remotely, which is cool but not earth shaking. The earth shaking part; once I told it in the setup that we get our signal via an antenna (in Phoenix), it lists the popular TV channels available (you can edit the list it provided) and shows you whats on at the time, or later in the day. The movies (just touch the thumbnail on the show or movie and boom, it takes you to that channel!! You can also look at the channel list and it shows what is on at the time. This is very very cool.

There is a bunch of other crap I have no need for but since we're on t-mobile, I'm leaving it there for now just in case my iPhone dumps, I can have a quick and dirty back up phone.

Side note; being a Samsung phone, there is a Samsung version of Google Play for Samsung's apps. Hold me back. :p