CamerAlert Enhancement Requests

[lbendlin]

First the bad news. The program doesn't know anything about roads. Our Google maps are simple bitmaps. So you'll have to live with the occasional false positive.

Now the good news. Yes, presets and defaults are on the roadmap for the next version. Generally you can play with the advanced settings to your heart's content, and then pull al the sliders back into their middle positions. That's the default setting.
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

[Privateer]

Hi Lutz,

First of all, please forgive me if I ask a stupid (or previously asked question) but as I don't have an iPhone (both Bo Peep and I have HTC Desire Android phones) we don't use CamerAlert and thus we don't know it very well.

1. Does CamerAlert have a .ini file that can be set up by one user and shared with other CamerAlert users, on the iPhone or perhaps on day even across other platforms (e.g. Android, Windows Mobile 7, etc)?

2. CamerAlert uses Google maps. Can you store an area of Google maps on the phone or do the maps always have to be downloaded?

3. Can CamerAlert use OpenStreetMap maps, which can sometime be far more accurate and up-to-date than Google Maps? If CamerAlert can use OpenStreetMap Maps do they always have to be downloaded or can they be stored on the phone? If CamerAlert doesn't yet use OpenStreetMap Maps could it be changed so that it could use OpenStreetMap Maps?

Regards,
_________________
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

[Darren]

[Privateer]

Hi Darren,

Thanks for the quick reply.

CamerAlert seems to be a rapidly evolving project with new functionality and settings being added with each new release. Whilst a .ini file isn't necessary it allows users to test settings and if things go wrong you just reset or restore a backup of the .ini file. It also allows users to swap settings.

You may have users who just want to be warned of cameras on their side of the road and if they are exceeding the limit. You may also have users who want to be warned of all camera, regardless of whether they are exceeding the speed limit. CamerAlert may have extra features added to help PGPSW Verifiers in their task. These settings might be controlled by a .ini file. It's just a thought.

Sounds Like OpenStreetMap could be a worthwhile addition to CamerAlert, especially if the maps could be saved on the phone which would stop the need for downloading and costly roaming charges if in a foreign country.

Regards,
_________________
Robert.
iPhone 6s Plus, iOS 14.0.1: iOS CamerAlert v2.0.7
TomTom GO Mobile iOS 2.3.1; TomTom (UK & ROI and Europe) iOS apps v1.29
Garmin Camper 770 LMT-D

[lbendlin]

From where I sit the sharing of settings/profiles is actually a quite neat idea. At the simplest we could show the actual numeric value for each of the advanced settings, and people could then say which combination works for them and which one doesn't.

Caching: The iOS Google Maps interface does some caching internally, but we have absolutely no control over that. So if you drive the same short route every day you WILL be able to see the (previously cached) maps even without a data connection. But this is of questionable value - since you drive there every day you know where the cameras are.

OSM: We are currently the built-in map API offered by iOS (and based on Google data). Switching to a different map provider (and pin management) is a substantial effort. OSM is an option, but not in the very near future.
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

[GPS_fan]

One other thing which might be a useful addition to CamerAlert could be an icon which works in conjunction with the warning that a new database is available. ie when using CamerAlert in the time between a new database being released an downloading the new db.

It could be even better if this icon could then take the user directly to the download option.

I generally download the new db before i get underway, but if you could reduce the number of presses required, it could make the app more user friendly.
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Andy
PocketGPSWorld.com supports Help for Heroes - Read here

[Darren]

I like that idea, we do need to look at making the steps to updating simpler. I get a few support tickets each week from users asking how to update.

Lutz, another issue is the HUD, can we set this to 'off' by default. Had a few tickets from confused users complaining about a rotated/mirrored display who weren't au-fait with HID.
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Darren Griffin

[GPS_fan]

Is there an easy way to semi-automate night colours? Could you utilise the iPhone's clock to have night colours for, say, 6pm to 6am?

Or, perhaps increase the options:
a) permanent day colours
b) permanent night colours
c) semi-automatic night colours from x pm to x am

There is a built-in sensor for auto screen brightness, but I don't know if that could be used for switching between day and night colours
_________________
Andy
PocketGPSWorld.com supports Help for Heroes - Read here

[MaFt]

[lbendlin]

[Darren]

[MaFt]

[lbendlin]

[Darren]

[lbendlin]

Funny - that's how ours works too... I didn't know that.

The problem is one that I also mentioned in the Android forum. We need hard data on the usage frequency for each feature/setting before we can rearrange the settings menu.
_________________
Lutz

Report Map Errors here:
TomTom/TeleAtlas NAVTEQ

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