Google Maps Now Starts The GPS OK
In my last post I reported that if I started Google Maps Application the GPS appeared to start but the Maps never received a fix.
A new version of Google Maps arrived by Auto Update last Friday 21st October (I have ‘Update’ set on most of my Apps). I had not used the GPS for about a week, so I made sure it was not running by Shutting Down the A500 and then Starting the Tablet again.
Going outside, I started Google Maps Application and waited. In just under 4 mins I received an accurate fix. Whilst I was waiting I also noticed that the little location arrow rotated as I moved in a circle. So this indicated that the arrow is connected to the Compass Sensor and points in the direction the top of the pad is facing.
Most of my other GPS’s you have to travel in a given direction for a few meters before you get the direction indicated by the pointer. If you touch the little circle with spikes at the top status line then maps switch to 3d Mode and as you turn the map shows the straight direction.
The last test was to start the GPS Status application from the Android Market this then gave me the 1st fix time of 9 seconds.
Google Maps did not crash whilst testing so fingers crossed that’s fixed as well.
Another tip, If the compass does not point in the correct direction spin the tablet through 360 degrees in all 3 axis’s 3 times. Apparently this calibrates the Sensors. Be very careful to not drop the Acer Iconia A500 as you rotate!
Old Timer.