GPS Features - Is livecode capable?

[alvysyngr]

Hi everyone - I have an idea for a basic ios and Android app that would map out a University on a map and give the location of the device on the map. I would create the graphic but would need Livecode to plot the location and use my graphic as an overlay. Is this possible within Livecode? Is this considered an advanced capability or will I have this up in running sooner than later? I want to buy Livecode but need to know how it works and what the limitations/advantages are.

thanks!

[Mark]

Hi,

The Android Release notes, which you can find in the Help menu, say:

Apart from the list of general engine features that do not currently work in the LiveCode Android environment, the current release has the following limitations that we are looking to lift in future releases:
• no ability to configure the status bar visibility
• no access to gps
• no native control support
• no support for clearing pending interactions

GPS works fine on iOS.

Kind regards,

Mark

[Dixie]

Mark...

Keep up !... read the android release notes for 5.5, start at page 22 !

be well

Dixie

[Mark]

Dixie...

Keep up !... read the android release notes for 5.5, start at page 18 !

be well

Mark

[Dixie]

Location tracking (GPS)
Note that as of 5.5-dp-1, this syntax has been deprecated in favour of the new generic sensor syntax.
See the section “Sensor tracking”.... page 20

now go to page 22... but I am not going to get into a 'row' about this !... err...perhaps try it and see

be well

Dixie

[Mark]

Dixie,

Froom what is written there, I can't infer whether those features actually exist or are currently being worked on. Also, RunRev doesn't let me have a trial copy of LiveCode, which means that I can't test it.

Kind regards,

Mark

[Gene]

Hi,

The Android Release notes, which you can find in the Help menu, say:

Apart from the list of general engine features that do not currently work in the LiveCode Android environment, the current release has the following limitations that we are looking to lift in future releases:
• no ability to configure the status bar visibility
• no access to gps
• no native control support
• no support for clearing pending interactions

GPS works fine on iOS.

Kind regards,

Mark

Hi Folks - I'm going to go out on a limb here and comment from my own experience. The GPS functions have worked fine for me since 5.5 was first released, and the GPS capability is mainly what triggered my purchase of a commerial license (I've been a GPS junkie for years).

I think the apparent contradiction in the released notes is what is meant by "supported." I have a couple of market apps that access the GPS unit itself for details of the GPS unit's funcitons, such as number and strength of the current satellites, whether or not GPS augmentation is available, etc. Thus, full interaction with the GPS is not supported, and I think that is what is meant by the non-support statement in the notes. However, the position data can be read as advertised later on in the release notes, and I have written two experimental apps since 5.5 was released that work just fine on my Motorola phone. If you're interested I can upload a simple example.

So, I guess the answer to the question, "Is GPS supported on Android as of 5.5 or isn't it," is yes.

Cheers - Gene

[Simon Knight]

Hi Gene,

I have just started playing with GPS on Android and agree with your comments. I would be interested in knowing which commands/functions you used as it seems to me that LC 5.5 has duplicated functions now that the new sensor commands have been added. I put a support request in re page 18 of the release notes and the answer came back that the page will be changed.

best wishes

Simon

[Simon Knight]

The support request emails:
Dear Simon,

Thank you for your request.

GPS is now supported on Android, the release notes on page 18 need updated. I will
pass this on to the person responsible.

Regards,

Heather

07/05/2012 08:31 - smk@anvic.net wrote:

Received from: smk@anvic.net

I need to create an Android application that reads the phone's GPS position and
transmits the information to a nearby LapTop computer. I would like to write the
application using Livecode but I am confused by the information published in the
Android release notes : the limitations on page 18 states that there is "no
access to GPS" yet pages 20 to 23 describe how data from the sensors may be
accessed.

Please will you explain what the limitations with GPS are when using Android.

Thanks
Simon
smk@anvic.net





Heather Nagey
--
RunRev Support Team ~ http://www.runrev.com
LiveCode – Realize fast, compile-free coding

[Mark]

Thanks Simon!