GPS Launcher
 

BAF's GPS Launcher, Current version: 0.1-test
No more running Google Maps in the background!
So, this app will basically let you run an app that is not coded to work with the GPS intermediary driver that is currently being used on 3.16, such as TomTom/iGo/miomap/etc.

It's pretty basic in functionality, but it gets the job done for now. The next revision of this will end up being a background service on the phone that automatically enables GPS as needed, but for now, this is a better solution than running gmaps/holodux/etc in the background.

To use it, just download it (link below), copy it anywhere on your device, and run it. It will give a configuration error on the first run, just hit OK and a window will come up. Put in the path to your GPS app (full path, such as \Windows\Tomtom Navigator.exe or \Program Files\iGo\iGo.exe), adjust the timeout if you need to (timeout is the length of time the launcher keeps the GPS port open before killing itself), then hit save. Now, whenever you run the exe, it will set up GPS, then launch the specified app.

It should work for the most part, but there may be some sneaky bugs in there as I haven't tested it much. Reporting these random problems will help me fix it.

If you need to reconfigure it, either delete bafgpsconfig.txt from the root of your device, or edit that file. Format of the file is GPS app on first line, timeout on the second line.

Timeout should be fine at 20 seconds for most. If the app launches but still doesn't see GPS, try increasing it. The launcher will stay open and keep GPS open until the timeout (in seconds) has expired, then it will close it's copy and exit. If the device goes to sleep or the program you launch closes it's GPS handles after the launcher exits, you will need to close the app and re-run the launcher.

That's about all I can think of. I have been testing it and it's working fine for me with iGo 2006, and llama has been testing it for me and has it working with TomTom.

Anyway, without further ado, here it is: http://code.baf.cc/bafgpsv01t.exe

Please report back with any feedback, bug reports, etc. Thanks!

Clarification: Make sure you click the save button when configuring it. I never set it up so hitting the close button would save it, so if you can't get a config to take, make sure you are actually clicking Save.

Suggestions so far:
- Browse button (I would have set one up, but there are no good pre-made file selectors in .NET CF, and I was trying to get this released ASAP) - Later version of the single launcher will have this, the daemon shouldn't need this.

Reserved Space.

Awesome! Thanks for the dev work!

Sweet! No to go play around with some more GPS apps!

Glad you guys like it so far. Anyway, I edited the OP to add some clarification to some problems I've received complaints of. Anyway, I'm off to bed, I've gotta get up in 7 hours.

Doesn't seem to work right for me.

This is what my screen looks like:
http://192.220.110.154/something/baf_cap_1t.png

I already have a GPS lock before starting your app, the only thing that changes is the above dialog is for "Lat" and "Lon" (about every second). Also the app stays open indefinitely (beyond 20 seconds). The only options for me at this point is to press the "Exit" button.

This is what my "bafgpsconfig.txt" looks like:
I guess I'll try losing my GPS lock first, before trying your app again, and see if that makes a difference....

Edit: Ok, that was the difference, the app doesn't work right if you already have an active GPS stream, but if you don't have an active GPS stream it works fine.

Thanks for the application! works perfectly fine for miomap!

Request for application to pick up GPS software icon. =)

Great App, iGo is working like a charm :p

Try using iGuidanceQVGA.exe as the exe. It seems to be working for me.

wow this is a smart move baffles, and quick turnaround too. nice work i'll be playing with this later.

Awesome idea. Thanks for making this quickly.

Thanks Baffles, works great with TomTom, although I had the change the time from 20-60. But great work. One other thing that would be helpful is to put the save button at the top, because I tend not to read things all the way through

Great work. I just logged in to see if anybody had responded to my complaint about having to start gmaps in order to run TomTom. Look forward to your updates.

works great...
only request i have is that it would be nice if it cloned the icon of the GPS app we select and adds a shortcut into windows>start menu>programs

or if it is at least user selectable...

using tomtom also had to up my time out to 60 but its working non the less...thanks

this app rocks!!! great job and quick development!

Only thing left is to make it pretty =]

This is actually very easy to do. You just need to find the icon within the exe or dll of the program that you want the icon from. I posted a small tutorial HERE

But basicly all you need is to create a shortcut the the program bafgpsv01t.exe
So you have a Shortcut, lets name it bafgps.LNK
Go to properties and it will show you now the "/storage card" part will vary depending on where you put the file.
Next you need to know the location of the icon within the dll or exe file. Use Rviewer for this. TomTom's icon is indexed at the 0 location.
So to add the icon to the shortcut you add
so the Shortcut bafgps.LNK that looked like
will now look like

ill give it ago thanks for the info..

i should be able to do this in total commander right?

i cant seem to download, ive tried on 2 computers

Should be able to. I use Resco, but it should work fine.

worked perfectly thanks again, i forgot the "?" at first...
but its workn now!!

only other problem ive noticed is that when exiting tomtom, it will sometimes lock up, i guess when the app is in the proccess of releasing the gps...ive had to softreset and pull the batter once...

Mine does the same thing. I just AE button plus to kill the application. But other that that it works ok.

The new version will be able to keep GPS up the whole time an app is running. I should have an updated version out sometime late tonight.

The new version will also sport a GPS icon and a better configuration system.

baffle, did i miss the update? lol j/k

Re: GPS Launcher
 

Ah well, I kind of lost interest in this in favor of the new solution that I've done some research on. I just don't have a lot of spare time to code at the moment with school. :(

Re: GPS Launcher
 

I changed the bafgps icon but don't see it in the list of programs when I try adding it to the HTC Home Launcher tab. I had it working a month ago and flashed a few ROM's and can't get it going again. Where do I need to put the shortcut. I have tried program files on my device and card and am not having any luck.

Re: GPS Launcher
 

Like the app weird thing when i use google maps its starts with showing me a area that im in then when it acquires shows me pretty far from where i actually am

Re: GPS Launcher
 

I think you are up to good things

Re: GPS Launcher
 

What do you put in as your path?

Re: GPS Launcher
 

This is the best gps Launcher!!:)