The most important change is the new GPS Compass display. A nice needle compass will point to north and show the heading of your actual movement in degrees.

Please note that the compass is based on GPS information, so it will only work when GPS is fixed and you are moving.

You can download the new version from the downloads page.

ChangeLog:

NaviMapper:

• Fix: OpenPisteMap map source

NaviComputer:

• New: GPS Compass
• New: Possibility to switch between GPX, Maps and Bookmarks lists by tapping the arrows (without sliding)
• Fix: Possible crash when deleting a gpx file
• Fix: OpenPisteMap map source

finally the updated NaviComputer Samsung Omnia II Special Edition is available on the Samsung Application Store.

(NaviComputer at SamsungApps.com)

It is now based on the latest Version 0.93 and has an graphically improved magnetic compass visualization.

(NaviComputer Samsung Omnia 2 Edition)

Please understand that I have to ask for a small fee at Samsung App Store. The reason is that it is not allowed to encourage donations at Samsung App Store. Owners of an Omnia II who already donated will of course get the Samsung version for free. Just send me a short email.

If you can't use the Samsung App Store or Kies, simply donate a few bucks via Paypal and add a remark about the Samsung Edition. I will send you the application via email then.

But there are also some small new things included: By tapping on a POI marker on the map, the name of the POI will be shown on the map. Your current distance and bearing to the POI will be displayed in the top bar.

By tapping the topbar, it is possible to switch between different display modes (Altitude/Speed –> Location(Lat/Lng) –> POI distance/bearing)

ChangeLog:

NaviMapper:

• Fix: OpenStreetMap map source

NaviComputer:

• New: Possibility to select a POI on the map and display its name
• New: Possibility to display distance and bearing to the selected POI in the top bar
• New: Possibility to display current GPS location (Lat/Long) in the top bar
• Fix: OpenStreetmap map source

Please Note: Unfortunately the OCM server administrator asked me to remove OpenCycleMap from the MapSources.xml. Too much traffic was caused by NaviComputer/NaviMapper.

Below is the complete changelog:

NaviMapper:

• Change: Faster map download. (Download time reduced by 80-90%)
• Change: Improved map rendering (faster, no more hangs)
• Change: More flexible MapSources.xml format for more possible map sources.

NaviComputer:

• New: Possibility to add POI as waypoints to recording track/gpx
• New: Possibility to edit Bookmarks
• New: Map scale
• New: Dutch translation (Thanks to Manfred)
• Change: Improved map rendering in online mode (faster, non UI blocking)
• Change: Faster map download. (Download time reduced by 60-80%)
• Change: More flexible MapSources.xml format for more possible map sources.

Get version 0.91 from the download page

Important for those who have modified their MapSources.xml: The format of the MapSources.xml file has changed. The new format allows much more flexibility and thereby it is possible to use more map sources. All custom sources that worked in the old format can still be used but the MapSources.xml file has to be adapted to the new format. Old xml files won't work in the new version. The map sources blog post has already been updated to the new format. A description of the new format can be found in the FAQ section of the website here.

However, NaviComputer  user Iñigo has  found a solution to download maps for use in NaviComputer on a Linux PC.

He has has set up a package including all needed files as well as a detailed instruction .

You can download the package here.

Since I do not own a PC with Linux myself, please understand that I can not provide any support regarding this topic.

All credits belong to Iñigo. Thanks again!

Here is the changelog:

• New: Square Screen support
• New: Spanish translation (Thanks to Iñigo)
• New: French translation (Thanks to Paul)
• New: Italian translation (Thanks to Giovanni)
• New: Possibility to toggle gps on/off by tapping the right corner in the topbar.
• Fix: Wrong location when adding POI while 2xZoom is enabled
• Fix: Importing some gpx files / waypoints failed

Download version 0.91 from the download page

NOTE: If you are upgrading from previous versions and have modified your "MapSources.xml" file, make sure to have a backup since the installation will overwrite the file. However, bookmarks, maps and GPX files will NOT be overwritten or deleted.

This is the basis version with new features which will be extended and improved in the following 0.9X branch.

It contains the basis of Waypoints/POI handling, extended GPX support and Map managing. Additionally, several things have been improved to simplify everyday use. The changelog is pretty long and if I listed up the internal changes it would be even longer. With this version as a basis I hope I will be able to release next versions in the 0.9 branch (0.91, 0.92, …) more frequently.

Below is  a short introduction video and the ChangeLog:

Click here to view the embedded video.

ChangeLog

NaviMapper:

• New: Retain selected map directory
• Change: Create valid nmap file even if max 5% of tiles could not be downloaded.  (Previously a single missing tile caused the nmap file to be invalid)
• Fix: Do not require admin rights anymore
• Fix: Ask before overwriting an already existing nmap file with same filename

NaviComputer:

• New: Userinterface with sliding animations and kinematic scrolling lists
• New: Extended GPX support: Support all kinds of GPX elements – Tracks, Routes and Waypoints.
• New: Extended GPX display: Show altitude graph of imported GPX Tracks
• New: Possibility to display GPX tracks and waypoints on the map without manually scrolling to that location
• New: Bookmarks: Add, remove and show Bookmarks/ POI on the map
• New: Offline maps management: Browse/delete maps, show a specific map without manually scrolling / centering to that location
• New: Automatically change map and (if necessary zoom out/in) if moving out of current map area
• Change: Do not activate/deactivate digital 2xZoom automatically
• Change: Do not render map while it is not visible -> Less power consumption
• Change: Hide WM topbar in fullscreen mode
• Change: Improved QVGA/QWVGA downscaling
• Fix: Track rendering: Connection to trackpoints ouside the screen bounds
• Fix: Compatibility to some GPX devices. Altitude data could not be retrieved from some devices (e.g Xperia…)
• Fix: Ask before overwriting an already existing GPX file with same filename
• Fix: Add an index to default GPX filename if the default filename (->date) already exists
• Fix: Ask before overwriting an already existing nmap file with same filename

NaviComputer Version 0.9 is getting closer. Only some minor tweaking here and there still needs to be done.

Lately there has been an interesting discussion at xda developers forum about where the zoom buttons on the map page should be located for best usability.

Here you can vote for your favourite layout. Please participate, take part in the project of turning NaviComputer into one of the best GPS / Maps Software  in terms of usability

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Follow these simple steps to get a quick overview about NaviComputer functions and handling.

1. Open NaviComputer on your device.
2. When the main screen displays, notice that in the upper right corner is a red OFF.  This signifies that the GPS is not tracking.  This will be set in the Menu
3. In the top bar, there are displays for Altitude Speed, and on the far right, the satellites that are being used for tracking
4. The lower tray contains seven icons/buttons:
   1. -/+ Keys used for zooming maps
   2. Map button top row left: returns user to main map screen
   3. Track button top row center:  starts/stops NaviComputer track function
   4. GPX button top row right: displays stored tracks
   5. Full screen soft key on left lower row:  toggles screen from standard display to full screen for maximum area.
   6. Menu soft key on right lower row:  Displays GPS Active, Options sub menu, Help file, About NaviComputer and Exit (this shuts down application) (Note:  The X, which appears in the upper tray on some devices, might only minimize the application.)
      1. Under Options:
      1. 1. Maps, and Logging file paths.
         2. Setting of Units: US system or Metric system.
         3. Keep device always on: Prevent automatic device standby.
5. Enter the Menu and select GPS Active.  This causes the GPS to seek a satellite fix.  Once this is done, the “flag” in the right upper corner of the screen goes yellow while searching, and changes to green when the GPS has a lock.
6. Tap and hold on the center of the main screen to display the CONTEXT MENU.  The options on the menu are: Center GPS Position, 2xZoom, Map, Online Mode and Download Map.
7. Click on Center GPS Position.  Once the GPS has a lock, NaviComputer will know where you are and place your location at the center of the map screen.  This makes it very easy for Navi to load the map set and display all relevant zoom levels.
   1. 2xZoom will magnify the view again
   2. Map:  Use this function to select different maps for a different view or from another source (if stored).
   3. Online Mode:  Maps will be “live” and all zooms will be available by using -/+ keys
   4. Download Map:  NaviComputer will download and store maps in the same manner as NaviMapper
8. Once NaviComputer has a lock and the “flag” is green, you are ready to start a track.
9. Click on the Track button on the top row center, and tap “Start New Track”, NaviComputer will start to record your track once you move provided the present track point and the preceding track point are at least 3 meters apart.  This prevents the size of the track file from increasing when you are not moving.  The track will be indicated on the map screen by a red line.
   1. The speed displayed in the top bar is the true speed
   2. The speed displayed on the Track Screen labeled Speed preceded by a zero/slashed is the average speed.
   3. To stop the track, enter the Track Screen again and tap the red Stop Track button.
10. When you stop the track, the screen will change to the Save Track file screen where you will name the track, select the interval between track points to be kept in the file, and store it, to be recalled when desired.  You can also choose Do not Save (or OK), which will return you to the Track Screen.

That’s all there is!  Nothing to it!

Once you have downloaded and installed NaviMapper, follow these simple steps to create your map set.

1. Open NaviMapper (NaviMapper is the application on your PC, not on the device.)
2. The open search box is used to locate a geographic point by name.  Ex:  If you enter Argentina and press GoTo, Navi will center the world map over Argentina. This speeds up map area selection at the higher zoom levels, and makes geographic navigation much easier.
3. From the drop down box at the top, select the source from which the maps will be downloaded.
4. Using both the slider and the right mouse to bring into the center of the screen the approximate area for want to create a map set.
5. Outline the area by holding the left mouse and dragging out to cover the area.  A blue box will form around the area selected. Note: If you make a mistake and want to redraw the blue outline, click again within the area that has been selected, and the box disappears.
6. In the Zoom level window, you will see the zooms based upon the slider position.  The zooms have been limited for each slider position to prevent a user from downloading the entire world at zoom level 17!  This would not only be impractical, but would prompt many complaints from users waiting for the download to complete.    Below the zoom window is the estimated size of the map containing all the selected tiles. The real size may differ because it depends on the chosen mapsource and the map area.  In most cases the file size will be considerably less than shown in the Estimated File Size box.
7. Select the levels by clicking in the box next to a level, and then click the Download button.
8. A “Download Map” screen will open.  Fill in the filename for your map set (It can be any name you choose), and enter the folder location where you wish the map set to be stored.  (I recommend the Map folder within the NaviComputer root if possible, or create a folder on a storage card to preserve device internal memory)   The  to the right of “Save to Folder” will allow you to browse your device for this location.
9. When you are satisfied with the map set created, and its destination folder, click on Start.  Use Cancel to stop the download at any time. Note:  Once you cancel a download, it cannot be resumed.  The app will allow you to save whatever you have downloaded.  However, to insure that you have not corrupted a zoom level, you should continue the download from the next to last zoom shown when the download was cancelled.
10. The status of the download will show via a green flow bar under Status in the top data block.  The total tiles to be downloaded and the total tiles that have been downloaded will appear in the lower data block.
11. When the download is complete, you will see the nmap file located in the folder to which it was directed in the Options Menu.

That’s it!   Download as many map sets, as you like.  You can even store them on your PC and transfer whatever map set you need, on and off the device as easily.  Have them, load them, and go!