A couple of suggested enhancements

brgdata · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 3

Having trawled through this forum I don't think these have come up before, but apologies if they have.

CamerAlert v1.3.5.548 on Android

1. Whilst it is suggested in the user guide that using satellite map view may be better for night time use, could you not offer an option to either reduce the brightness or have an alternative colour scheme. Even better, to enable this automatically based on time and date and location.

2. Currently, to display maps the phone has to be 'connected' to mobile data while in use. Whilst this may be normal use for many people (although not necessarily safest use), it does also use more battery power. Could you not make use of the OpenMap data to enable 'offline' use, as the MapFactor Navigator application does.

Generally, great appliction though. Very Happy

Regards,

brgdata · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 3

I may have previously focused on the enhancements 'sticky' post I think, but have now found some previous posts regarding these items and have the following additional comments:

1. Regarding the night use. The suggestion to use the ScreenFilter may well be an adequate option, but whilst it would appear to be suggested that managing the screen brightness is a problem (both in iOS and Android), surely if you offer an alternate colour scheme you can make it as bright (or dull) as you wish?

2. Apparently Google won't allow map caching and it is believed that the storage requirements for 'locally' held maps is too great, due to support for zooming. The MapFactor Navigator uses OpenStreetMap data, holds it locally and allows a degree of zooming. It may be that the degree of zooming is less than required although it appears adequate to me. I don't believe I have a particularly large amount of storage space on my mobile (in fact definitely not on the phone itself but I do have a 2Gb SD Card). So could it not either be an option to support these maps if found, or to offer to include them if downloaded. In terms of a re-write of the software if needed, perhaps the OpenStreetMaps data could be converted to the Google maps format?

Regards,

brgdata · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 3

Further to the last update, I have found Mapsforge which you may already know about and probably is not the only offering/solution, but would suggest that it may not be that hard to include as a facility (easy to use API). However, I'm not a programmer (well not a regular one that could currently offer any help in this area), so this might be easier to write and say, than actually achieve.

mostdom · Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 11:28 am Post subject:

Thanks for the suggestions brgdata. If I recall the idea of having inbuilt maps is on the wish list but has not yet made the app for several reasons including; Storage space for the maps. Processing memory as the app can be power hungry especially when run in conjunction with a Navigation app. And for that same reason that most users tend to run it in the background while a Navigation program runs in the foreground. But it is something that has been considered.

As for the maps. We cannot alter the map data therefore we cannot offer a night mode for maps at this time, but you have already found that out. Consider it also on the wish list!
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MaFt · Posted: Sat May 05, 2012 1:35 pm Post subject:

On Android you can use ScreenFilter which is free and will overlay a dark filter - something that can be done as an android app but would be impossible to do in iOS.

MaFt

Kremmen · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 6:21 am Post subject:

I've only just started using Cameralert on a Wildfire S so excuse my ignorance.

The only feature I would find useful is to be able to adjust the warning volume via the phones normal side volume buttons, or can you already ?

Seems a tad quiet for me and I've got the dedicated volume setting at 95%

Nice app though, better than Garmin as it's directional and has a bigger true speed display. Plus I'm using the satellite maps, superb Very Happy

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Duddy · Posted: Thu May 10, 2012 7:56 pm Post subject:

Kremmen · Posted: Fri May 11, 2012 6:40 am Post subject:

lbendlin · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 4:08 am Post subject:

This sounds more like an extremely slow SD card. On a reasonable card (class 6 and better) there is no performance difference.
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Kremmen · Posted: Sat May 12, 2012 6:25 am Post subject:

I reckon you're right, I've moved it back to the phone and it's fine again. I've got plenty of room so I'll leave it alone now.

Nice app though Very Happy

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m0nbr · Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2014 10:40 pm Post subject: Maps

I use mapforge maps on my cgeo app and it isn't a massive file and can be split into areas. Is it possible to use the maps on CamAlert?

253 · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 11:37 am Post subject:

AsI understand things, camera alert isa free standing app, and doesn't embed intoa map. It either runs in front of or behind the map. So you can use any map system that works on your phone.

CA will then pop up and show according to the preferences you've applied in the CA settings. There is an option to always show map, never show map, or show map close toa camera. I know these work when using Google maps, but can't say about others.

There isa post further back and the poster seems to be using the map you refer to.

Hope helps a bit. Hate this tab, trying to type is spain.
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M8TJT · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 12:43 pm Post subject:

I think that m0nbr means that he wants to use a preloaded map in conjunction with the CA 'Always show map' feature, instead of using the default data consuming Google maps for the map display.
If this is the case, as opposed to be running CA 'behind' a different map set/nav program, then I'm certain that what he wants to do is not possible.

m0nbr · Posted: Tue Nov 25, 2014 11:00 pm Post subject:

thanks for the replies. I was hoping to use the CA with a map all built in. I have a tab that doesn't have data. Not a lot else on it either.
So the idea was to have CA with its own map therefore not needing another app ( ie google map) to run.

lbendlin · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2014 2:50 pm Post subject:

When you choose the Google map v2 on CamerAlert you get something similar. Depending on the available space on your device a substantial portion of the map is cached on the device, and you will be able to use it without incurring constant data charges. This is only really helpful when your radius of movement is limited to let's say the trips between home, work and shopping. At some point the cache also goes stale and needs to be refreshed.

What do you see as the benefit of running CamerAlert with offline maps? How much are the visuals contributing to the value you are getting out of it?
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