Android Development Underway

[manimaul]

Developers should check out Dave's post about OpenGL and OpenCPN yesterday. This could be good news for us on Android also. As OpenGL(es) is available on Android. This could be a path forward to vector chart formats on Android.

dan - jonasaberg... good comments on CM93/Vector rastorization. The zoom quality issue would not be a problem as there are different rasterized zoom levels in a gemf/tile collection. However, your mileage may vary disc space wise if you rasterize so many zoom level scales over a vast area. I'm not sure how much good even quantized images tiles would do for you. Perhaps OpenGL(es) is our path forward in the future for vector charts.

As for OpenCPN, I think this move of Dave's may bring higher quality chart display, smoother zooming and panning, and better hardware utilization.

Will

[Aussie Sealady]

Don't forget us in OZ.

[manimaul]

MX Mariner is just about ready for the first round of beta testing. If anyone here is interested in getting a beta copy to test please PM me.

Thanks,

Will - MXMariner.org

[barnakiel]

Android Open CPN?

YES!

Here iPads are not too popular but Android tablets seem to be gaining ground quickly.

Will it work in lower resolutions? I noticed many sub-10'' tablets have lower resolutions.

b.

[Quincofish]

Great idea, which OpenCPN was ported to Android.

[manimaul]

@Quincofish MX Mariner is not a "port". I haven't used any OpenCPN code... yet. Perhaps we will in the future. MX Mariner is BSD licensed, so I'm pretty sure it's compatible license wise.

I've sent MX_Mariner_1.0beta out to 10 beta testers yesterday. If you'd like to test it out please include your email address when you PM me so I can attach a copy.

You can download NOAA raster chart regions directly from within the app for off-line use. Region files range from 60MB to 400MB... so I don't want to release the app directly out into the wild until I'm sure my server is up for the task.

Thanks,

Will - About | MXMariner

[sunodyssey]

Hello does it uses the internal GPS or you can couple it with a Bluetooth GPS? If you cannot this would be a really good addons as the GPS Chips on my phone is quite slow and I'm sure I'm not the only one on this situation.

[manimaul]

Originally Posted by sunodyssey

Hello does it uses the internal GPS or you can couple it with a Bluetooth GPS? If you cannot this would be a really good addons as the GPS Chips on my phone is quite slow and I'm sure I'm not the only one on this situation.

Great idea, yes you can use bluetooth or internal GPS. I have been using Bluetooth GPS by Googoo Android to do this. I can pair with the nmea instruments on the boat using a ShipModul MiniPlex-2S/BT. This worked great this summer off-shore using the satellite compass' gps on the boat.


Will

[sunodyssey]

Thanks I will try this apps. Did you had a chance to send me the Beta I sent you a PM for this. Thanks

[smithy]

Originally Posted by manimaul

Great idea, yes you can use bluetooth or internal GPS. I have been using Bluetooth GPS by Googoo Android to do this. I can pair with the nmea instruments on the boat using a ShipModul MiniPlex-2S/BT. This worked great this summer off-shore using the satellite compass' gps on the boat.


Will

I'm pondering a Kindle Fire for Christmas, which has no internal gps or bluetooth, but does carry a USB 2.0 port, which my Garmin would hook straight to. If I can figure out how to make your app read my tethered GPS underway, after downloading charts ashore, this would rock.

[oldjags]

How long before the Android version of OpenCPN is ready to go?

This new Panasonic 10" Android tablet looks like the perfect ticket, as long as the price is right, that is. It's supposed to be waterproof, shock-resistant, and daylight-viewable. Built-in GPS receiver.

Available Spring, 2012.

Panasonic Toughpad Android Tablet - Best Rugged Android Tablet

[manimaul]

Hi oldjags, I'm working very hard at getting MX Mariner released. We've completed 2 rounds of beta testing with 24 volunteers mostly from this forum thread. I will be sending out a "release candidate" out to all our beta testers soon. If all goes well the "release candidate" will be released out into the wild very soon.

PS ~ MX Mariner technically does not have any common code with OpenCPN ... yet. It may in future versions.

Thanks,

Will

[sailias]

Will:

Here is your next test platform available in Q2 next year. See Cotton Candy (prototype) « FXITech basically android on a stick with, now check this, wifi, bluetooth, HDMI, micros SD, dual processor... Stick it anywhere and you have a complete android environment, connect it to any screen and you have tons of options. They play up cloud computing of course but thats still a dead horse IMHO due to the bandwidth restrictions outside of the USofA. The rest of us pay far too much do dont even ask...

[manimaul]

Originally Posted by sailias

Will:

Here is your next test platform available in Q2 next year. See Cotton Candy (prototype) « FXITech basically android on a stick with, now check this, wifi, bluetooth, HDMI, micros SD, dual processor... Stick it anywhere and you have a complete android environment, connect it to any screen and you have tons of options. They play up cloud computing of course but thats still a dead horse IMHO due to the bandwidth restrictions outside of the USofA. The rest of us pay far too much do dont even ask...

Looks interesting. This might be fun to play with also: Pandaboard

W

[ehlen000]

Hi all, I am all new here, and just looing at options for onboard navigation.
Off course I love the idea to have opencpn on my tablet.....

Is it still in beta? can I join please?
running homneycomb on a Point of view tablet with GPS module integrated.

If I can receive a version, please tell me how to proceed.

Kind regards,
Andrew