Y2HH Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 08:39 AM) With all of the hikers out there, maybe someone can help me. We do a decent amount of hiking with the kids at the state park. What I'd like to be able to do is find an app that I am able to tag/flag certain points along the trails for points of interest, that way I can view how far away those certain points are on a different day when we are out hiking. Does that exist in a free app? Google maps, Apple Maps, etc...they all do this, but only too a point. Just zoom down and hold your finger where ever you are...and drop a pin -- and put a note on the pin. Or, for more precision, you'd want to get more advanced cartographer software combined with a GPS, such as a Garmin handheld. When it comes to hiking and whatnot, despite being of lesser technology than a modern smartphone, their batteries will last about 5 days on a full charge with 24/7 usage with far more detailed maps. While expensive (300-500$), me and my friends use Garmin Rino's for this. Not only are they long lasting in the battery department, but they are very strong 2 way radios with weather reports...and you can see each other on the map, wherever you may be. They are also weather proof/water resistant. Edited September 24, 2012 by Y2HH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 08:39 AM) With all of the hikers out there, maybe someone can help me. We do a decent amount of hiking with the kids at the state park. What I'd like to be able to do is find an app that I am able to tag/flag certain points along the trails for points of interest, that way I can view how far away those certain points are on a different day when we are out hiking. Does that exist in a free app? Google's "My Tracks" is free. GPS-tracking of your route, time, speed, elevation gain, etc. and it can be exported to google maps and google earth. e.g. here's one of our hikes in Yosemite from this year: https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=213524...783d1&msa=0 Edited September 24, 2012 by StrangeSox Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 08:56 AM) Google's "My Tracks" is free. GPS-tracking of your route, time, speed, elevation gain, etc. and it can be exported to google maps and google earth. I will check that one out. I am a google fan anyway, so that might work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 I like this site for pre-made hiking trails/guides as well: http://www.everytrail.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Got my credit card bill today. Already got charged for my iPhone 5 and won't see it for another 3 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2HH Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 QUOTE (Brian @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 03:01 PM) Got my credit card bill today. Already got charged for my iPhone 5 and won't see it for another 3 weeks. You will probably get it sooner than that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soxbadger Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 Im waiting for other people to buy the iphone before I decide. It once again appears that neither phone has exactly what I want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 (edited) More on mapocalypse: The issues stem from more than just a lack of data: Apple has a people problem. On top of all the technology stuff, there is a team of human beings behind all maps, who iron out the kinks and turn the data into a whole product the works well together. (Right now Apple's human are "under lockdown ... working to fix it," says Apple.) Compared to Google, Apple's team is a joke in [mapping industry executive Mike] Dobson's book. Not only does Google have 7,000 people already working on mapping, but, the smaller contigent at Apple was not as involved in the map-making process. As Alexis Madrigal's [excellent piece about Google's mapping operation] made clear, people make a huge difference when it comes to map quality. "The sheer amount of human effort that goes into Google's maps is just mind-boggling. Every road that you see slightly askew in the top image has been hand-massaged by a human," he wrote. Apple just doesn't have enough humans on hand to take that kind of care. For example: "Perhaps the most egregious error is that Apple’s team relied on quality control by algorithm and not a process partially vetted by informed human analysis," writes Dobson. Google, on the other hand, has people driving around Street View cars not just to get Street View data, but to get a feel of how people in real life drive on streets. "Google learned that you cannot take the human out of the equation," adds Dobson. "While the mathematics of mapping appear relatively straight forward, I can assure you that if you take the informed human observer who possesses local and cartographic knowledge out of the equation that you will produce exactly what Apple has produced – A failed system." via Edited September 24, 2012 by BigSqwert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2HH Posted September 24, 2012 Share Posted September 24, 2012 QUOTE (Soxbadger @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 04:15 PM) Im waiting for other people to buy the iphone before I decide. It once again appears that neither phone has exactly what I want. What exactly is it you want? I'm sure there is a phone out there that fits your needs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockRaines Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 06:42 PM) More on mapocalypse: via Well Tomtom has 3500 employees which is where Apple got their maps. So it's not that "laughable." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (RockRaines @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 09:28 PM) Well Tomtom has 3500 employees which is where Apple got their maps. So it's not that "laughable." That's 3500 in the company including folks in sales, accounting, hr, tax, public affairs, etc. Not really comparable. Google has 7000+ people solely dedicated to mapping. Edited September 25, 2012 by BigSqwert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2HH Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Sep 24, 2012 -> 11:31 PM) That's 3500 in the company including folks in sales, accounting, hr, tax, public affairs, etc. Not really comparable. Google has 7000+ people solely dedicated to mapping. I don't believe Google has anywhere near that number dedicated to maps anymore...I think that was a one time peak when they were fixing the same problems Apple is having now -- problems people conveniently forgot Google Maps ever had. Apple also has 120 billion dollars at their disposal. In a year, nobody will remember "Mapgate". And even less will care when they realize they can still use maps.google.com and/or the number of map alternatives you can find on the app store. Ohh, boo hoo you have to copy/paste something to use them. As with most things, this is only news because it's Apple. Write a story about Apple...get clicks...get clicks...get ad money. It's a simple equation. If this was Microsoft having the same problem with Windows Mobile...there would be 2 stories about it and everyone would forget about them tomorrow. It's a short term inconvenience...and let's not sugar coat it...it sucks. Google maps are the best in breed right now, and it's always awesome to get to use the best of something. But I also understand Apple's position on this...and I don't see how people can't see their position. They were at the mercy of what became a direct competitor to use their maps...a competitor that could have, at any time, said we aren't renewing our deal with you, please remove maps off of your devices. Apple is better off taking a short term hit now based on that strategic decision versus that very possible alternative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 They could have had a more functional and better-tested product before they made the switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 So do they make an adapter that will plug your cellphone into your TV? My Xfinity player on my phone has a bunch more shows that my On-Demand menu. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 My Droid has a mini-HDMI output, you could check for that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (Y2HH @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 06:25 AM) I don't believe Google has anywhere near that number dedicated to maps anymore...I think that was a one time peak when they were fixing the same problems Apple is having now -- problems people conveniently forgot Google Maps ever had. I don't believe you've read the article I posted or the articles linked within that article. If you did you'd see that as of June this year they had over 7000 people dedicated to mapping. Nothing points to Apple putting in the human effort involved in doing it right. Edited September 25, 2012 by BigSqwert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 08:51 AM) I don't believe you've read the article I posted or the articles linked within that article. If you did you'd see that as of June this year they had over 7000 people dedicated to mapping. Nothing points to Apple putting in the human effort involved in doing it right. How sure are you about that 7000 number? The firm has 54k employees total, so about 1 in 8ish employees is working on just maps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 It's gotta be one of their biggest products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSqwert Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 06:56 AM) How sure are you about that 7000 number? The firm has 54k employees total, so about 1 in 8ish employees is working on just maps? Do I have to read the articles to everyone? It's 1100 google employees and 6000 contractors. And by Rock's logic, google has 54K people working on maps! Edited September 25, 2012 by BigSqwert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2HH Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 08:58 AM) Do I have to read the articles to everyone? It's 1100 google employees and 6000 contractors. I had read the article, for some reason I thought I had read that at their peak they had that many...but that said, they have 1100 dedicated to maps...contractors may work 2 hours a week for all we know... That said... Watch out Samsung Android owners (not BS, who hacks), but if you use TouchWiz, you may be vulnerable -- new exploit out there...just by clicking a link on the internet your phone can be wiped clean... http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/25/3403928/...t-vulnerability Edited September 25, 2012 by Y2HH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2HH Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 08:51 AM) I don't believe you've read the article I posted or the articles linked within that article. If you did you'd see that as of June this year they had over 7000 people dedicated to mapping. Nothing points to Apple putting in the human effort involved in doing it right. You mean aside from the fact Apple has been hiring maps people for months, and has a ton more jobs postings for it? And has been hiring people that were involved in Google Maps? Keep in mind Apple has over 120 billion dollars in cash to solve this problem with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StrangeSox Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 Yeah but they should have used that cash to fix the problem before releasing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
southsider2k5 Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 09:05 AM) Yeah but they should have used that cash to fix the problem before releasing it. They were not going to stop the release of the Iphone 5 for subpar maps. Why should they? People are waiting weeks to get it, even with that problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2HH Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 (edited) QUOTE (StrangeSox @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 09:05 AM) Yeah but they should have used that cash to fix the problem before releasing it. The same could be said of Google fixing Android before releasing 3 s***ty versions of it, too. But that wouldn't be news. Edited September 25, 2012 by Y2HH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Y2HH Posted September 25, 2012 Share Posted September 25, 2012 QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Sep 25, 2012 -> 09:10 AM) They were not going to stop the release of the Iphone 5 for subpar maps. Why should they? People are waiting weeks to get it, even with that problem. ...and millions still are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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