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Post by budgall on Sept 15, 2018 22:57:13 GMT -5
After 14+ years my GPS started showing its age and started forgetting it where was supposed to lead me to and even getting lost on my recent trip from California to Indiana and back. So when I got home I bought a Garmin Smartdrive 61 LMT-S GPS which is Smartphone aware. A couple of days later my wife and I decided to change phone providers as we had become very unhappy with the current provider. In this process we had to buy new phones. I decided that since my new GPS was smartphone aware I should buy a smartphone, my first smartphone. So far I have learned that the new smartphone is smarter than the old me. Progress is slow but I'm learning more about it daily.
What I'm looking for suggestions for must have useful apps to put on my phone. The only app I have installed so far is the Garmin Smartphone Link which links the GPS and phone together and adds more stuff to learn.
So if you know of a must have app for my new toy I'd appreciate hearing about it. NO GAMES Please.
Bud
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Post by Everton on Sept 16, 2018 1:44:01 GMT -5
What brand is your smartphone. ?
I have a rather ancient iPhone.
We rarely use our gps any more as the phones seem to manage to get us where we want to go.
There are a few apps I would not want to be without WhatsApp is one of them.
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Post by bigbarney on Sept 16, 2018 3:30:33 GMT -5
It's a shame that you purchased the Garmin first. All smartphones come with Google maps installed which is an excellent sat-nav. I have used Google maps all over the UK and Spain too and it is extremely accurate and easy to use. Type in zip code and it will guide you right to the door.
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Post by jholland1964 on Sept 16, 2018 8:23:11 GMT -5
We don't have smart phones but my daughter & all of her family does and the one app they always talk about is WAZE. They have stopped using the GPS app and the google gps app and gotten rid of their Garmin entirely. Honest. All four of them use this on their smartphones.
My daughter has to travel for her job and says it has saved her hours of driving. She also has a long commute every day and it has saved her "tons" of hours sitting in traffic.
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Post by bigbarney on Sept 16, 2018 12:51:36 GMT -5
Thanks Judy I have downloaded and now trying out Waze. It would appear to be based around Google Maps......even has the same female voice for guidance.
Looking good so far  |
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Post by jholland1964 on Sept 16, 2018 13:16:45 GMT -5
Thanks Judy I have downloaded and now trying out Waze. It would appear to be based around Google Maps......even has the same female voice for guidance.
Looking good so far I know our kids and grandkids all swear by it. They all have to spend a lot of time on the roads. |
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bigtoe
Member
Posts: 111
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: BigToe
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Post by bigtoe on Sept 16, 2018 15:52:42 GMT -5
Thanks Judy I have downloaded and now trying out Waze. It would appear to be based around Google Maps......even has the same female voice for guidance.
Looking good so far Waze was purchased by Google in June 2013 and is part of Google Maps since that time.... Google purchased Waze to include the Waze users and their community input into the mapping/current traffic conditions that is a major part of Waze purpose (users posting and alerting other users to conditions on a roadway).... The active traffic conditions helps Google Maps tell drivers conditions they might wish to avoid to alter their travel route.... Waze updates are available in Brazil, Argentina, US, UK, France, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, Panama and Peru. Google Search is now associated with the Waze app. Waze Map Editor has added Google’s Street View and all types of satellite images to provide the most accurate maps. Budgall.... curios if you took the step in your smartphone choice to go to Apple iPhone with iOS operating system, or an Android operating system phone, or a Windows operating system phone? iPhone users have the " FaceTime" app for video communicating with each other, and if you have a mixture of Apple iPhones and Google android os phones in your family you can use the free Google Duo app which allows iPhones and Android phones to video conference (call/communicate) with each other just like FaceTime app.... Worked great for an extended family vacation cruise where we could all use Duo to chat back and forth even though having different operating system phones... If your car has " Apple Play" or " Google Play" included infotainment/entertainment/GPS system you'll find Google Maps and or Waze great for your travels as mentioned by others for traveling, or just for your travels via the smartphone while traveling in a car, on a bike, by foot or by boat.... those old large fold out paper maps for routing no longer necessary as they tend to be out of date just after they get printed up.... You might also enjoy " I Heart Radio" or similar apps for your smartphone as well..... There are literally thousands of free and pay apps you can get for all types of activity with your smartphone (Excel, Word, financial programs, etc).... you can drive yourself crazy with all the choices....   Your smartphone is basically just a pocket sized computer with an app included that lets you make phone calls..... enjoy.... just don't text while walking or driving....  ... catch myself traveling with just an iPhone and leaving laptops and tablets at home... EDIT*** Although you are looking for app choices, since a lot of discussion was on maps and travel assistance, here is a really superb recent article that offers a choice of which is the best navigation app.... Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps..... www.androidauthority.com/navigation-wars-google-maps-vs-waze-vs-apple-maps-783994/And the winner is...... (hint.... your choice.. ) |
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Post by Everton on Sept 16, 2018 17:03:48 GMT -5
I am a great fan of google maps. However, the combination of the Garmin GPS and the free app Garmin Smartphone Link seems a most sensible and economical way to go as the savings on data use on the phone is significant. The combination also saves a considerable amount of phone battery.
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Post by budgall on Sept 16, 2018 22:17:57 GMT -5
What brand is your smartphone. ? I have a rather ancient iPhone. We rarely use our gps any more as the phones seem to manage to get us where we want to go. There are a few apps I would not want to be without WhatsApp is one of them. The phone is a Moto E4 Plus. And the other apps are what? |
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Post by budgall on Sept 16, 2018 22:45:12 GMT -5
It's a shame that you purchased the Garmin first. All smartphones come with Google maps installed which is an excellent sat-nav. I have used Google maps all over the UK and Spain too and it is extremely accurate and easy to use. Type in zip code and it will guide you right to the door.
When I purchased the Garmin, a new phone was not planned and the phone I had was just a flip phone that only made calls received calls and had voice mail. My old providers service had gotten pretty bad in the last 6-9 months. Several times a week we would go to use the phone and get greeted with a "no service" message or a call would disconnect during a conversation. We just got fed up and decided to change carriers. I realize that my new phone duplicates some of the Garmin functions, but it also offers a lot more functions that the old phone didn't have. Do you have any suggested must have apps? |
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Post by budgall on Sept 16, 2018 23:19:36 GMT -5
Waze was purchased by Google in June 2013 and is part of Google Maps since that time.... Google purchased Waze to include the Waze users and their community input into the mapping/current traffic conditions that is a major part of Waze purpose (users posting and alerting other users to conditions on a roadway).... The active traffic conditions helps Google Maps tell drivers conditions they might wish to avoid to alter their travel route.... Waze updates are available in Brazil, Argentina, US, UK, France, Ecuador, Colombia, Mexico, Germany, Switzerland, Panama and Peru. Google Search is now associated with the Waze app. Waze Map Editor has added Google’s Street View and all types of satellite images to provide the most accurate maps. Budgall.... curios if you took the step in your smartphone choice to go to Apple iPhone with iOS operating system, or an Android operating system phone, or a Windows operating system phone? iPhone users have the " FaceTime" app for video communicating with each other, and if you have a mixture of Apple iPhones and Google android os phones in your family you can use the free Google Duo app which allows iPhones and Android phones to video conference (call/communicate) with each other just like FaceTime app.... Worked great for an extended family vacation cruise where we could all use Duo to chat back and forth even though having different operating system phones... If your car has " Apple Play" or " Google Play" included infotainment/entertainment/GPS system you'll find Google Maps and or Waze great for your travels as mentioned by others for traveling, or just for your travels via the smartphone while traveling in a car, on a bike, by foot or by boat.... those old large fold out paper maps for routing no longer necessary as they tend to be out of date just after they get printed up.... You might also enjoy " I Heart Radio" or similar apps for your smartphone as well..... There are literally thousands of free and pay apps you can get for all types of activity with your smartphone (Excel, Word, financial programs, etc).... you can drive yourself crazy with all the choices.... Your smartphone is basically just a pocket sized computer with an app included that lets you make phone calls..... enjoy.... just don't text while walking or driving.... ... catch myself traveling with just an iPhone and leaving laptops and tablets at home... EDIT*** Although you are looking for app choices, since a lot of discussion was on maps and travel assistance, here is a really superb recent article that offers a choice of which is the best navigation app.... Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps..... www.androidauthority.com/navigation-wars-google-maps-vs-waze-vs-apple-maps-783994/And the winner is...... (hint.... your choice.. ) As stated in another the post, the phone is a Moto E4 Plus (Motorola) with an Android OS. My prior phone didn't text so texting and driving will not be a problem. I live in California and even just holding (not using) a cell phone will get you a ticket while driving. Eveton's comment regarding the combination of the Garmin and Smartphone Link app and the data cost savings resulting from using them together was important to me. I have no plans to use phone as a computer as I have 5 computers, 2 laptops and a tablet already. Thank you for the info and link to androidauthority, I will check it out. Isn't a apple something you eat? |
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Post by budgall on Sept 16, 2018 23:21:38 GMT -5
I am a great fan of google maps. However, the combination of the Garmin GPS and the free app Garmin Smartphone Link seems a most sensible and economical way to go as the savings on data use on the phone is significant. The combination also saves a considerable amount of phone battery. That's my thinking too. |
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Post by bigbarney on Sept 19, 2018 10:23:41 GMT -5
Maybe I'm lucky to have unlimited data and I also have my phone plugged into charge while using in the car.
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Post by bigbarney on Sept 19, 2018 11:46:16 GMT -5
Going back to Judy's suggestion of using Waze.
I find it too fussy with garish colours and unnecessary icons onscreen.
Think I'll stick with Google maps.
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Post by Everton on Sept 19, 2018 15:20:34 GMT -5
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Post by budgall on Sept 19, 2018 17:54:12 GMT -5
Thank you for the link to the article. I've only had the new GPS for a couple of weeks and every time I have used it I discovered something new. The combination of the GPS and the phones Garmin app amazes me. Today I discovered the GPS alerts me that a speed limit change is approaching. Other recent warning I have received include warnings you are approaching a school zone, railroad tracks, curves ahead, stop light camera and best of all it warns of traffic delays and offers alternate routes including the added mileage and the added time it will take if you take the detour. I'm happy with both purchases and am slowly learning of the capabilities of both devices. Hope I live long enough to master both. I had my old GPS about 14 years, it has traveled across the United States several times and has visited many other states not on the cross country trips. It even visited Canada a couple of years ago. Like you said it never let me down until my most recent visit to Indiana when it got lost and confused at an intersection in Goshen, Indiana. The good part was that I knew where I was and knew how to get to where I wanted to go so no harm done. I decided that after 14 years I got my monies worth out of it and it deserved retirement. |
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wrongnumber
Member
Posts: 73 
Former World Start Member: Yes
World Start Name: Wrong #
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Post by wrongnumber on Sept 20, 2018 3:19:22 GMT -5
Isn't a apple something you eat? If it wasn't for "walls" and "fences" we wouldn't need "Windows" and "Gates"...........! |
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Post by Everton on Sept 20, 2018 8:08:27 GMT -5
After 14+ years my GPS started showing its age and started forgetting it where was supposed to lead me to and even getting lost on my recent trip from California to Indiana and What I'm looking for suggestions for must have useful apps to put on my phone. The only app I have installed so far is the Garmin Smartphone Link which links the GPS and phone together and adds more stuff to learn. So if you know of a must have app for my new toy I'd appreciate hearing about it. NO GAMES Please. Bud A few to consider. Not sure they are 'must have' but all are useful.
I use similar ones on my iphone, except for Sky View which I have just discovered and am looking forward to trying it out.
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Post by budgall on Sept 20, 2018 12:45:55 GMT -5
After 14+ years my GPS started showing its age and started forgetting it where was supposed to lead me to and even getting lost on my recent trip from California to Indiana and What I'm looking for suggestions for must have useful apps to put on my phone. The only app I have installed so far is the Garmin Smartphone Link which links the GPS and phone together and adds more stuff to learn. So if you know of a must have app for my new toy I'd appreciate hearing about it. NO GAMES Please. Bud A few to consider. Not sure they are 'must have' but all are useful.
I use similar ones on my iphone, except for Sky View which I have just discovered and am looking forward to trying it out.
Thank you |
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... catch myself traveling with just an iPhone and leaving laptops and tablets at home...
