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Add Apple iPad to list of Geocaching GPS's

blb9556

By blb9556
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cerberus1

+cerberus1

Posted
Posted (edited)

Curious...

Would you plan to take this close to notebook-sized gizmo into the woods with you ? One slip/trip and a grand worth of playtoy is now scrap. Not weather-proof either.

Would you plan to use this in your car ? May want to check your state's motor vehicle laws, as quite a few have a screen size limit on viewable devices operating while driving.

 

edited/spelllling

Edited by cerberus1
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user13371

+user13371

Posted
Posted

The WiFi iPad currently available does not contain or suport an add-on GPS. The 3G model will have a real GPS chip in it, but it's not a shipping product yet. Wait until the end of the month.

 

And then -- sure, it should be an option on the GC website for users to list, so we can all target our snarky comments to folks who take a bulky, fragile, not weatherproof item into the field with them.

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The Leprechauns

+The Leprechauns

Posted
Posted

target our snarky comments to folks who take a bulky, fragile, not weatherproof item into the field with them.

Is there an app for that?

You can wait for the official Groundspeak application, called iSnark, which is currently in development. They've promised a third quarter release, though they didn't say which year.

 

Or, there is a free app called c:snark that you can download today, and which the developer updates regularly. The problem is that the app violates the terms of use. It screen scrapes the forums, searching for snarkiness using keywords like "micro spew," "power trail" and "bittsen."

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Ceolmhor

+Ceolmhor

Posted
Posted (edited)

Well I'd like to second the original motion (not the later snarkiness stuff) ;-)

 

I have the iPad 3G now, use it for geocaching, and absolutely love it. I can see its display from across the car, so I can use it hands-free for navigating to parking near a cache. I find it much better than an iPhone for gaining a satellite view of the cache (and it will be terrific when the apps provide this information at iPad resolution). So even for use only in the car, it's a terrific improvement over: my in-car highway GPSr, my iPhone, and my geocaching GPSr.

 

It's also easier to type on than the iPhone, for typing field notes that allow automated uploading to geocaching.com.

 

And yes, I do take it with me on foot if I'm geocaching in good weather in an urban setting. I only leave it behind if the weather's bad, the terrain is really challenging, or I'm caching by bike.

 

I think the iPad's GPS accuracy is a bit better than the iPhones, though for about one cache in three, I find that I need to use my Garmin Oregon to get a better GZ.

 

I've used the iPad with both the Groundspeak app and (my preference) Geocaching with Geosphere, and I'm really pleased.

 

That said, wouldn't it be appropriate to add it to the device list and just let the snarks choose not to buy it? It's their loss. ;-)

Edited by Ceolmhor
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t4e

+t4e

Posted
Posted

 

I think the iPad's GPS accuracy is a bit better than the iPhones, though for about one cache in three, I find that I need to use my Garmin Oregon to get a better GZ.

 

That said, wouldn't it be appropriate to add it to the device list and just let the snarks choose not to buy it? It's their loss. ;-)

 

my loss how, for choosing not to walk around like Moses?

 

i rather just carry around one unit that works all the time

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Ceolmhor

+Ceolmhor

Posted
Posted

i rather just carry around one unit that works all the time

 

Fine, I was just snarking back. Bad idea. Sorry. :)

 

But this thread is not about whether or not I *should* choose to utilize an iPad in my geocaching, nor is it about whether or not the line should be stretched so far as to include a netbook. It's about whether or not the iPad should be added to the device list on the geocaching.com site. I would argue that it should, based on the following properties:

 

1. It (at least, the 3G version) has a built in GPS receiver, accurate enough to support geocaching.

2. It (at least, the 3G version) has an always-on internet connection

3. It runs the Groundspeak geocaching app.

4. It works well for real-time geocaching, even though some users wouldn't choose to use it themselves.

The latter, of course, is true of every device on the list.

 

While the iPad is a good deal more than just a large iPhone, that alone should be enough to qualify it, IMO.

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user13371

+user13371

Posted
Posted
Is there any useful purpose in telling GC.com what brand of GPS unit you use?
Yes.

 

1) It helps identify to GC what devices people use, helping them plan software development.

2) It helps users choose devices, providing a database (inckuding ratings/reviews) of what others are using.

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dfx

+dfx

Posted
Posted
It's about whether or not the iPad should be added to the device list on the geocaching.com site.

which comes down to what your (or rather GS's, in this case) definition of a "GPS device" is. the site talks about "a variety of devices, from dedicated GPS handheld units to GPS-enabled cell phones and PDAs". now let's see.

 

1. It (at least, the 3G version) has a built in GPS receiver, accurate enough to support geocaching.

that's very likely a definite requirement. but that alone doesn't mean it automatically qualifies, because a lot of devices have built-in GPS chips with enough accuracy, but don't qualify for the GPS devices list.

2. It (at least, the 3G version) has an always-on internet connection

no. my home PC also has that and doesn't qualify. on the other hand, my PDA (which is listed as GPS device) does not have that.

3. It runs the Groundspeak geocaching app.

again, no. the app can run on anything that provides the correct OS framework, which can be just an emulator on a PC. that doesn't make it a GPS device. and again on the other side, all the other handhelds don't run the app, but still qualify as GPS devices.

4. It works well for real-time geocaching, even though some users wouldn't choose to use it themselves.

The latter, of course, is true of every device on the list.

exactly.

 

so there's gotta be something missing there.

 

in my book, the ipad is not "portable" or "mobile" as a phone, PDA or handheld is. it's only mobile/portable as a laptop is, and that alone disqualifies it.

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Ceolmhor

+Ceolmhor

Posted
Posted (edited)

dfx,

 

I absolutely agree with you that no one of my four items could possibly qualify the device. But I tend to think that all four together *are* enough to qualify it.

 

Regarding emulators, let me reword what I said about the Groundspeak app. Groundspeak has deliberately written their application to run on the family of devices of which iPad is a member.

 

Finally, I agree with you that the iPad isn't as portable as, say, the iPhone. But I don't agree that it's in the same class as laptops. I'm a retired Windows software developer and Ph.D. software ergonomist. I have lots of experience with laptops, and have lost count of how many of them I've owned (at least five or six). I also have lots of experience with user interfaces. The portability of the iPad is not merely a result of its size and weight. It's a (tablet) style of device that lends itself well to portable operations, as it's easy to deploy, fires up from closed-cover in less than three seconds, and has a user interface that lends itself well to operation with one hand while holding it with the other. Indeed, the user interface is superb in many respects, and not at all comparable to ordinary laptops or netbooks. Carrying it and using it is more like carrying and using a small clipboard than it is like a typical laptop. Just my 2c.

 

Of course, I have a vested interest here, as I'm sufficiently sold on this device AS A GEOCACHING AID that I would really like to see Groundspeak invest the (relatively small, I think, but I'm not certain) extra effort to make their app really iPad friendly, with full-resolution map and other displays. We'll see what they decide. Their main competitor for iPhone-based geocaching software is certainly working on this, FWIW.

 

I guess it's up to Groundspeak what their criteria will be for including devices in the device list, but it seems quite reasonable to me to include the iPad. That also might give them a better idea how many of us start using our iPads for geocaching, which would in turn assist them in making the resource-allocation decision I just mentioned.

Edited by Ceolmhor
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t4e

+t4e

Posted
Posted (edited)
Is there any useful purpose in telling GC.com what brand of GPS unit you use?
Yes.

 

1) It helps identify to GC what devices people use, helping them plan software development.

2) It helps users choose devices, providing a database (inckuding ratings/reviews) of what others are using.

 

1. to my knowledge the only software for GPS devices that GC has developed is the one for iPhone

 

2. users will not choose a device just because say 30% of the users have it, personally i would still want to read reviews and such

Edited by t4e
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t4e

+t4e

Posted
Posted

 

1. to my knowledge the only software for GPS devices that GC has developed is the one for iPhone

 

 

The one for Android is in Beta testing even as I type... :)

 

yes, i heard about that, but the vast majority of cachers do not use iPhone nor Android

 

my reply was intended to point out the fact that GC does not develop software for what the majority of people use, not that is needed anyway

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Viajero Perdido

+Viajero Perdido

Posted
Posted (edited)
1. to my knowledge the only software for GPS devices that GC has developed is the one for iPhone

Well, there is that "cartridge"-based system for role-playing games, or whatever it is, I can't remember the name at the moment. But maybe that was developed by partners.

 

I suppose Groundspeak may be trying to avoid ploughing money into new projects that don't go anywhere...

Edited by Viajero Perdido
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t4e

+t4e

Posted
Posted
1. to my knowledge the only software for GPS devices that GC has developed is the one for iPhone

Well, there is that "cartridge"-based system for role-playing games, or whatever it is, I can't remember the name at the moment. But maybe that was developed by partners.

 

I suppose Groundspeak may be trying to avoid ploughing money into new projects that don't go anywhere...

 

i believe you are referring to Wherigo, that's something that quite a few gps units are supporting lately

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Jessiep

+Jessiep

Posted
Posted

We just wanted to let you all know that we are in the very early stages of working on an ipad app for Geocaching. The extra screen real estate offers a lot of possibility that the iPhone lacks so we'll be looking at how to take advantage of that rather than just releasing a sized-up version of the current app. This will take some time but we hear what you are all saying and will be trying our best to make an awesome app for the new ipads.

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Ceolmhor

+Ceolmhor

Posted
Posted

We just wanted to let you all know that we are in the very early stages of working on an ipad app for Geocaching. The extra screen real estate offers a lot of possibility that the iPhone lacks so we'll be looking at how to take advantage of that rather than just releasing a sized-up version of the current app. This will take some time but we hear what you are all saying and will be trying our best to make an awesome app for the new ipads.

 

Thanks very much for letting us know. I can wait quietly and patiently now. :)

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Jeepster++

+Jeepster++

Posted
Posted

1. to my knowledge the only software for GPS devices that GC has developed is the one for iPhone

The one for Android is in Beta testing even as I type... :laughing:

That's good, since Android devices are outselling iPhones now.

 

That's just in the USA. Worldwide 8,357,000 iPhones were sold phones during Q1 2010 while 5,214,700 Andoid phones were sold during the same period.

 

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/05/19/gartne...e-manufacturer/

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dakboy

+dakboy

Posted
Posted

i believe you are referring to Wherigo, that's something that quite a few gps units are supporting lately

Really? Aside from a couple Garmins (Colorado & Oregon), what other handheld GPSrs do Wherigo? Magellan doesn't, DeLorme doesn't, I can't figure out if Lowrance does.

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roziecakes

+roziecakes

Posted
Posted

i believe you are referring to Wherigo, that's something that quite a few gps units are supporting lately

Really? Aside from a couple Garmins (Colorado & Oregon), what other handheld GPSrs do Wherigo? Magellan doesn't, DeLorme doesn't, I can't figure out if Lowrance does.

 

We just discovered that we can use Wherigo on our pocket PC with a GPS card. :laughing: We did the tutorial yesterday, and now we just have to drive up to Salem to try a real one, so you'd be surprised.

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dakboy

+dakboy

Posted
Posted

i believe you are referring to Wherigo, that's something that quite a few gps units are supporting lately

Really? Aside from a couple Garmins (Colorado & Oregon), what other handheld GPSrs do Wherigo? Magellan doesn't, DeLorme doesn't, I can't figure out if Lowrance does.

 

We just discovered that we can use Wherigo on our pocket PC with a GPS card. :laughing: We did the tutorial yesterday, and now we just have to drive up to Salem to try a real one, so you'd be surprised.

But without the PDA, you'd be sunk. Note that the statement I replied to was "quite a few GPS units", and I was asking about dedicated handheld GPSr devices - a PDA or computer with a GPS attachment is a different story.

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Prime Suspect

+Prime Suspect

Posted
Posted

1. to my knowledge the only software for GPS devices that GC has developed is the one for iPhone

The one for Android is in Beta testing even as I type... :rolleyes:

That's good, since Android devices are outselling iPhones now.

 

That's just in the USA. Worldwide 8,357,000 iPhones were sold phones during Q1 2010 while 5,214,700 Andoid phones were sold during the same period.

 

http://www.macrumors.com/2010/05/19/gartne...e-manufacturer/

For now. Compare world-wide same quarter sales, and the iPhone increased sales 147%, while the Android was up 600%.

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