How to use smart2go and GPS on your mobile phone
Smart2go is a map and navigation application for Symbian S60 V3 and Windows Mobile 5. The application can be used both with and without a GPS receiver.
This post documents step by step who to get started using smart2go on Symbian S60 V3. For this post a Nokia N95 was used - as most reader will probably know, the N95 comes with a built in GPS receiver. Actually, smart2go is also "built in" since it comes pre-installed on N95 and can be found as the 'Maps' application, in the main menu. It is thus not necessary to install the application manually.
One of the neat features of smart2go, is the application's ability to download map data from the Internet as needed and that Nokia provide this map data for free. It means, however, that users should consider when and how the application fetches map data. For instance, map data for Denmark is almost 22 MB, and even though Telmore has just dumped prices on GPRS data, it is going to get expensive, if a lot of data is downloaded. I therefore suggest to download map data manually and in advance via WLAN (e.g. at home or in a public place with free wireless access. In Odense where I live, libraries provide free wireless access). In another post I demonstrate how to download map data manually.
It is important to use the smart2go application at least once, before any map data is downloaded manually. This is because running the application initializes the phone memory card by creating a folder ('\Private\20001f63′ plus sub folders) for map data. Be also aware that it is best to slide out the keypad when using the GPS receiver - the GPS antenna is placed underneath the keypad.
When smart2go is launched it displays a screen with a globe with a status bar on top. The status bar reflects the progress of reading data into the application. At the first launch of the application, you have to confirm that the application can use a data connection for downloading map data, and you must specify the default data access point to be used.
Once data has been read in - this may take a while at the first launch - the GPS connection icon appears. This icon is a satellite dish shown in the screen's lower right corner. If no GPS signal is received the dish is shown with a red cross. If signal reception is ok, the icon is shown with radio waves emitting from the dish. Sample images:
It may take a while for the GPS receiver to lock on to satellites - anything from 15-30 seconds to a couple of minutes, depending on signal conditions. Connection status can be inspected by going to »Options« | »View« | »Satellite Info« (see screenshot to the right), which displays the signal strength of current »locked on« satellites . It is possible to zoom in (use the »*«-key to zoom in, while the »#«-key zooms out) on the globe, while waiting for 
satellite »lock-on«, but be aware that the application does not know your position. If there is no map data on the phone, the application will try to download map data off the net. When smart2go is first used, it is therefore advisable to have a WLAN access - if not, be prepared to spend some money on GPRS data.
On subsequent launches, smart2go will automatically zoom in on the globe once data has been read in. If the receiver has managed to get a satellite fix, it zooms to the present position. If not, it zooms to the last known position.
Ok, what is GPS good for then? Here is a short list of applications, which I am not going to elaborate further in this post - but maybe in a later one?
- Smart2go can show your current position on a map and update that position as you move about.
- Using smart2go you can search for locations in the vicinity of a position.
- Smart2go is capable of planning and tracking routes.
- Use »Tools« | »Landmarks« to define landmarks.
- Use »Tools« | »GPS data« to display position in "raw" GPS coordinates.
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March 18th, 2008 at 20:03
Can this product be used on a GPS PDA?
I can’t figure out how to get the folders loaded onto my memory card.
In other words, the software can’t find my device.
any help would be appreciated.