yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
"Enforce interval" is exactly what you need in the scenario that you described. If the update does not happen please change your preferences to run ALTitude as a foreground service, this may help under certain circumstances.

Quick action is a settings that allows you to change the settings for a given time. When the time is expired the settings go back to default. The idea of that feature is a scenario of mine: I use quick settings with a high precision when I go for a jog and want to have GPS precision. I set this to stay active for e.g. one hour and am sure that ALTitude jumps back to an energy saving mode after 1 hour without further interaction.
[Android Apps and Games] Nathanf:
Ahhhh, the quick settings explanation is exactly what I needed. That makes perfect sense now!

So I'll try the foreground service option, but as my very recent post states, it does seem to update now but maybe every 30minutes or so? I'll report back with some battery figures after tonight also. But so far today, with ALTitude installed, I've had the best battery life from my S2 since owning it!

Very happy so far :)

Regards,

Nathan
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
No worries Sven, I totally understand! Have replied accordingly, and thanks for taking the time to consider these requests :good:
[Android Apps and Games] rp_guy:
hi Sven,

i left the app when I switched to my nexus 4 because I liked the accuracy and updates of the built-in latitude. i'm back because i would like to get the location caching.

1. do you know what the precision/updates is for built-in maps latitude?

2. i noticed that the built-in one would use WIFI hotspots (if i left my wifi on) to keep a very accurate detail. will altitude ever do this?

3. I am trying to use the quick settings on the free version. turning GPS on does not activate quick settings, but using the 1x1 widget does (the current mode changes to "changed precision"). i am testing by manually activating GPS, as well as using a Llama profile. can you add a shortcut instead of a widget or help me troubleshoot quick settings?

thanks
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Re: [APP][2.2+][03 Jan-0.12.1] ALTitude, Latitude updater with a low battery footprin

1. No I don't and there is no way to find out as there is no source code available

2. My understanding is that the android location manager does not use wifi. Latitude does but caching wifi positions and by uploading that info to Google so that is a Google (maps) feature not an android feature. If that is correct the answer is no

3. Looks like a bug and I will look into it too. A logcat after you turned GPS o n would help me (added as issue #79)
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
I'm not sure if I 100% follow you here, but I can tell you the following:

My old SGS2 doesn't currently have a SIM card, but I am still running Backitude (sorry!) on it. Using Taskers "GetLocation (Net)" command on a walk from home to the station on a 5 minute poll, Backitude is receiving (via passive location/steals) my position. It can ONLY be receiving WiFi hotspot data, as there is no SIM card and its not using GPS. As far as I know, Tasker is doing nothing specific with the location detection, just using the builtin location manager, which would imply that it does indeed use WiFi.

If on the other hand I totally misunderstood what you were trying to say, then please accept my apologies :D
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Well in that case I have to go back read some code. I was of the understanding that the location manager of android did not do any wifi caching so if tasker doesn't do this a wifi awareness must have been added to the android codebase. What version are you on?
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
Slim ROM 2.5.0, which is Android 4.1.1.

I was always under the impression that it did, under the Settings on my Xperia Z, it says for "Google's Location Service" .... "also allow permitted apps to use data from sources such as Wi-Fi and mobile networks to determine your approximate position".

On my mates Nexus 4 it says something like "use WiFi and mobile networks for location".

And how would location detection work on a WiFi only tablet it it only used mobile networks for location detection ? :)

Just to update, I asked Pent about Tasker, and he said it does just use the standard location manager and doesn't do anything special. He also said that Android's net location does indeed use WiFi access points for location fixing.
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Re: [APP][2.2+][03 Jan-0.12.1] ALTitude, Latitude updater with a low battery footprin

Cool, I learned something new then. But I still wonder how this is handled where the caching happens and where the data comes from. I'll keep you posted. It may take a while though as I am in a middle of a bbs iteration
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
If I recall correctly, the location data is obtained directly from Google, which is why a data connection is needed when using net locations. However, it must be cached somewhere on the system, because it was working on my WiFi only phone. Now I say was working, because now it isn't - its only picking up the wifi hotspots I am connected to - which makes sense, as the data connection is then available again.

I was away on business last week, so I am assuming the cached location database must have become stale, hence no updates without the data connection again.

What causes it to re-cache I have no idea - I'll see what happens when I play around with it a bit :)
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
Hi which are the best configuration settings for battery saving?
[Android Apps and Games] Musko:
I have another question.

When I have set interval 15 minutes, accuracy is 500m and untick enforce interval, my latitude position not change after one hour and I change my position about 2km.

But same setting, only change enforce interval (tick), then my latitude position is every 15 minutes recorded although I stay in same position (home, or work).

Please can some help me with good or best setting?

Thank you.

Martin.
[Android Apps and Games] spupuz:
i need this too...

how can i also remove icon from status bar?
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
If you are on Jelly Bean, open Notifications, long press on the notification, select "App info", unselect "Show notifications".

If you are not on Jelly Bean, you will need to stop ALTitude running in the foreground, but I forgotten what the option is called in the settings ... however, doing so means Android can kill the service. It should auto restart if it does, but its not guaranteed, so you could potentially lose location updates as a result.

---------- Post added at 02:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:17 PM ----------

I should prefix this by saying I am not currently using ALTitude and I can't remember all the settings options, but I believe the following is correct:

By selecting "enforce interval" you are telling ALTitude to update it no matter what has (or hasn't) changed - hence even when you are stationary it will update it. With it unselected, you need to meet other criteria to trigger the update. With accuracy being 500m, if you are only getting cell tower fixes, their accuracy might be anything up to 2000m or more, so they would not meet the 500m accuracy requirement, hence the position is not reported to Latitude and the position doesn't change, irrespective of how far you have actually moved.

eg.

fix 1, accuracy 10m (wifi hotspot) - latitude updated

fix 2, accuracy 1500m (cell tower) - latitude not updated

fix 3, accuracy 1800m (cell tower) - latitude not updated

fix 4, accuracy 750m (cell tower) - latitude not updated

fix 5, accuracy 150m (cell tower) - latitude

You may have moved 2000m between each fix, but as the accuracy was not met, there was no update.

Something ALTitude could do with is a connected to WiFi setting, which would use different intervals when connected to WiFi - that way you could use enforce interval to ensure its updated every 15 minutes, but when connected to WiFi the interval could be changed to 1 hour, for example. There is a request for a similar option on the issue tracker, but that is simply requesting no updates while connected to WiFi, which is not very flexible: https://github.com/asksven/ALTitude/issues/42
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
That depends on a lot of parameters and there is no such ideal setting for everyone. The defaults work pretty good for me
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
The first point that you mention is not supposed to be. Can you please check the logs to see if a location change was detected but maybe simply not updated to latitude.

Enforce interval as you have found out forces the location to be updated every x minutes and is obviously more energy consuming.
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
If you have android 4.2 just disable the notification for ALTitude from settings - apps.

If you have < 4.2 then you can run ALTitude as a background service (preferences) but you may have a problem if android decides to terminate the service (then you will have no updates). As per android SDK foreground services have to have a notification so there is nothing I can do about that
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Interesting idea, added #80

Edit: I really need to spend some time on ALTitude again
[Android Apps and Games] Musko:
OK, I try it tomorrow again and check log. Maybe I publish log here.
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
Hi Sven! I decided to switch back to Altitude on my new Xperia Z as I promised I would when you added the Tasker plugin :) However, I am experiencing all kinds of issues (60 min enforced refresh is only updating once every 120 mins, the "ownlog" file consists of the same time stamp over and over, the plugin seems to always send 0,0 etc etc).

I've no idea if its Altitude or the Xperia Z, but as soon as you are free to start work on Altitude again, feel free to drop me a mail and I will do as much beta testing with you as necessary to fathom out what's happening, and to streamline some features.

Cheers,

Dave
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Here we go for another iteration: new release is up
[Android Apps and Games] Musko:
Dear chamonix,

can you please explain new features of this app?

Thank you.
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
Hi Sven, I've been really busy this week, and will be next week too, so haven't had a chance to properly test everything on this release, but I can note that several issues (such as the error log containing the same date stamp no matter what the actual date was), is fixed at least :)

I'll do what I can and let you know how it goes.
[Android Apps and Games] MichunB:
hello

I have a problem wtih latitide updating location

logcat

https://www.dropbox.com/s/nudwbl3r16nqnfz/logcat-2013.04.18-11.26.log.7z

summary

D/LocationService(26947): Service Updating Latitude with position Lat: 54.... Long: 18....

D/dalvikvm(26947): GC_CONCURRENT freed 416K, 9% free 12333K/13511K, paused 18ms+7ms, total 200ms

D/LocationService(26947): updating latitude (insert.execute)

E/LocationService(26947): error in insert.execute

E/LocationService(26947): An error occured in UpdateLatitude.doInBackground(): Write error: ssl=0x5a565360: I/O error during system call, Connection timed out

E/LocationService(26947): Exception info: javax.net.ssl.SSLException: Write error: ssl=0x5a565360: I/O error during system call, Connection timed out

is it latitude or my device problem (samsung galaxy s3 i9300xxemb5 android 4.1.2 stock rom)?
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
The idea behind Limit Interval (and the Max Interval) is as follows:

You set the standard interval to 30 minutes. So every 30 minutes, ALTitude will update its location. However, using Passive Location, ALTitude can also grab location updates performed by other applications. These do not conform to the standard interval of 30 minutes, for example if you are using an app for running (eg. Run Keeper) and that is using the GPS to get your location, it could be doing so every 5 seconds. With Passive Location enabled, ALTitude will receive these updates every 5 seconds, and update Latitude.

If you enable Limit Interval, and set the Max Interval to 5 minutes, it means it will enforce a 5 minute limit between updates, no matter what the other settings are.

Example (with Run Keeper polling the location every 1 minutes for simplicity):

10:15 - ALTitude does its standard update

10:45 - ALTitude does its standard update

10:51 - you launch Run Keeper

10:52 - Run Keeper obtains a fix, ALTitude receives the location passively and does an update

10:52 - Run Keeper obtains next fix. ALTitude receives the location passively, but because the Limit Interval is enabled and set to 5 minutes, it is ignored.

10:53 - as above

10:54 - as above

10:55 - as above

10:56 - as above

10:57 - Run Keeper obtains next fix, ALTitude receives the location passively and does an update as the 5 minute Limit has been reached.

etc etc.

Limit Accuracy

The idea behind this one was that even if you ask ALTitude to update every 5 minutes, it should only do so if you have moved. Example, you commute to work on the train. ALTitude is updating every 5 minutes. You stop at a red signal, and the train is stationary for 15 minutes. Under normal conditions, ALTitude would carry on updating for those 15 minutes (so 3 updates). With Limit Accuracy enabled, it would stop updating until you have moved at least the distance set in Min Accuracy.

Those were the ideas behind the suggestions I put to Sven. Whether that's how they work or not, I haven't had the chance to fully test yet.

I'm sure Sven will chip in if he has implemented them in a different way to my explanations though :)
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
That error simply says that the latitude Webserver did not process the connection call and that no data could be updated. There can be many reasons for that, mainly because the Web service could not be reached. I would consider that kind of error as normal in a distributed environment as long as at least some connections / updates are positive
[Android Apps and Games] Musko:
lordgoata thank you for good explain :good: :good: :good:
[Android Apps and Games] mrmrmrmr:
Hi,

I couldn't find how to set Google Latitude for "manual update". If I select "define location manually" then my location is unknown to my friends. Even when ALTitude updates my location, it is not shared to my friends.

So what is the correct way of disabling Latitude and letting friends see me on map ?

Thanks.
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
"set location manually" and "enable location sharing" have to be set
[Android Apps and Games] mrmrmrmr:
nder "Location Settigs" I have,

- Detect your location

- Set your location

- Do not update your location

Which one is "set location manually" ?
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Set your location
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
A new release is up.
[Android Apps and Games] mrmrmrmr:
Ok. I've done that. But after some time I lose the setting "enable location sharing"

Why does that happen?
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
th

I have never had that and it is definitely a problem with the google software as such settings are private to each app / package. Have you tried deleting the app cache/data and reconfiguring it?
[Android Apps and Games] mrmrmrmr:
the setting is spoiled after a few hours. I don't know what causes it but I have 4 different Android devices . At first, I thought that my settings is spoiled because of one of these devices. But none of the devices are not connected to internet.

so what da....
[Android Apps and Games] mrmrmrmr:
I noticed that the setting is turned of right after I start my laptop (windows 7 , Chrome)

Until I turn on my laptop, the setting is preserved. Is it settings on Chrome ?

How can I fix it ?
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
I really would like to hear your feedback about the latest release
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
As you have located the problem to be on your laptop I suggest that you take that question to a more suitable forum as t is not related to ALTitude
[Android Apps and Games] mrmrmrmr:
yes you are right but I don't know where I can ask it.

Also, if I can't solve this then I am not able to use ALtitude (no meaning)

And, it began after I start using ALtitude. When I was sharinglocation through Latitude originally, I didn't have this issue.

So, I am just looking for a solution. If you can point me to a correct place, I'd gladly look for help there...
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
Sorry Sven, been a bit behind of late and missed that you'd released it! I'll install today and do some monitoring tonight/tomorrow.

Have you considered using the Beta facility of PlayStore by the way ? I've been using that with the author of AutoLocation plugin (for the geofences and activities from Googles Fused Location stuff), and it works very well as the betas get pushed via Play so you don't miss one like I did with this ;)

---------- Post added at 11:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:31 AM ----------

Same issue was reported on Backitude. Its either a bug in the location services prefs, or maybe related to Latitude phasing out in favour of Google+

I also had it happen a couple of times, but its been ok for the past few weeks :confused:
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Hey Dave!

no need to apologize, we are all busy ;)

For ALTitude and maybe BBS I will try the gplay beta program at some point in time as I feel that - in the contrary to BBS - those apps do not require to have testers being close to the development.
[Android Apps and Games] superbobup:
Hi Sven,

I have a question/recommendation for the app...is there any way you can utilize the new geofences API that Google introduced? Example: I have a fence around my house. While in here, ALTitude knows to set the maximum time limit for updating Latitude as I'm very unlikely to move. However, if I leave the fence (say I'm driving to work) it could notify me whether I want to start the "quick settings" mode and change the update/precision. Then, as I enter another known fence, it would switch back to the slow-updating mode. No clue if this is part of the app...or if Google has to implement the new APIs into Maps first. Guessing it's the latter, but I figured I would suggest anyways :D

BTW, do you know the update time/precision for Latitude without any 3rd party app? I was looking at my location history data, and it seems without ALTitude, Google updates my location about once every 15 minutes or so....I'm guessing that's a sort of "heartbeat" for Google to query my location?

Anyways, glad you decided to develop this app, as I've finally given in to background location updates:p

P.S.

Mind if I get an invite to the G+ community for the beta updates? I can PM you my info!
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Today's announcement of Google discontinuing Latitude is bad news for ALTitude. I have already depublished the donation app as I don't want to earn money on something that is doomed in its current stage.

Before Latitude closes definitely I will:

- release a new version based on the latest beta for you to enjoy the features as long as they work

- make all features available in the free version

I have also started looking into alternatives of using ALTitude to update the google+ location. Unfortunately neither is there a documented API to do that nor does Google be willing to allow third parties to update google+ as the location reporting must be active in maps.

If anyone has a suggestion about a serious alternative to latitude with an API to develop against I'd be happy to take a look and evaluate the option of switching from google to another provider. Personally I feel that there is a need for such a service to manage a user's location as a data object and not only an attribute to an action like a post or checkin. Most implementations I know are like facebook, foursquare or twitter where the location can only be attached to an action.
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
I guess we saw it coming Sven, I wouldn't be surprised if half the problems I have had lately is related to this decision! I had a look at the G+ location stuff last night, and its just utter crap. All I want is a map with my and my family's location on it, so we can see where we are (especially with frequent travelling), and nothing on G+ offers that, from what I can see :(

I started playing around with making my own alternative using Tasker and uploading to my home server, and that seemed to work for me, but for my family members with an iPhone, that doesn't really help :(

Thanks again Google. What's next for the cull, GMail ? ....

PS. my sincere thanks for all your work on ALTitude (and the other devs for their work on Backitude, Latify etc), as I have used them all at one point or another, and they all had their pros and cons - but they all without question, vastly improved Latitude! Thanks also for all your help and support offline Sven, I know some (all?!) of my emails can ramble on a bit :D
[Android Apps and Games] teorouge:
Yeah, Latitude closing down really is bad news. Anyone ever tried Glympse? Can you get the same functions? https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.glympse.android.glympse
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
There is a new "location" topic in G+ navigation that shows the map

What holds me back is the potential costs of running a server infrastructure. That i not my world and I would feel better being able to hook into a sustainable one and provide an updating agent.

I am always happy to get such detailed descriptions of bugs and ideas for improvement as yours!
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Glimpse's sharing features are not relying on a server infrastructure because the user has to explicitely say when and to whom he wants to share his location. It may be the right use case for many users but that is not what I am looking for. I want a realtime update for a list of people I know and who have agreed to share their location with me.
[Android Apps and Games] teorouge:
This is exactly what I want too, I'm going to try Glympse if you actually never tried that: I read you can set how long you want to share your position to someone, maybe there's an "always on" option and that would do.
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
Hmm, where abouts would I find this ? Forgive me, I hardly use G+, I find it a confusing mess to be honest!

Indeed - and I think this will be the issue. I mean its not like its as easy or cheap to set up, reliably and especially in the time frame before Latitude dies completely, like a replacement for Reader was - there will be a gap for some time, assuming anyone does step up. I guess time will tell, and perhaps Google will add something into G+ at some point.

Thanks Sven!
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
In the navigation (upper left corner) there is a 'location' option (at least after I enabled location sharing)

Edit: here is some more info on that: http://www.geek.com/android/how-to-move-from-google-latitude-to-google-location-1561653/
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
Location Sharing is enabled, but I can't see 'location' in any menu or navigation bar ? :confused:
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Sorry, I forgot to mention: in G+ on android :(
[Android Apps and Games] teorouge:
Too bad, Glympse is indeed useless for that use. Gonna keep digging...

Sent from my HTC One through Tapatalk 4
[Android Apps and Games] lordgoata:
Ah :) Found it - thanks!
[Android Apps and Games] cdmackay:
sorry to hear this news; thanks again for all your work on this app (and your others, too). Much appreciated.
[Android Apps and Games] houtx2:
I really don't like Google+. I downloaded Life360 yesterday. Seems OK so far but unfortunately not available for tablet. Check it out.
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
Well, uninteresting as they do not provide an API. This thread is about div not about location based services
[Android Apps and Games] chamonix:
0.13RC4

New release is up, removing all limitations. The donation version has been discontinued as sadly Latitude's end-of-life was announced. Please test if all features are available in this RC without the donation version is that I can release asap.