yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Android Apps and Games] sshvetsov:
Installed it over USB, using "adb install" command on my Rogers Samsung Galaxy S Captivate (rooted, stock). Worked without any problems. I like the ability to enter custom ntp pool since I know how to test and choose better ntp servers in my vicinity.

To skeptics out there: the idea behind this app makes sense. GPS is all about precise timing, that's how you position is triangulated, if you can improve your local clock so it's as close to accurate time as possible you should be able to fix on satellites faster using assisted GPS data. Using NTP helps, using local NTP definitely helps, especially when you take into account how slow the round trip is over wireless networks. Now in practice... we'll see. I'm currently in Indonesia and my Canadian Galaxy S has been having a really hard time getting a good fix here. I'm going to put these theories to the test.

@The_Double, it would be much more helpful if the original post described a little what exactly is this app doing. So far the only thing I know for sure is that it modifies /etc/gps.conf file to change the NTP_SERVER value and appends SUPL settings for supl.google.com. Does it also download fresh ephemeris?
[Android Apps and Games] Eggcake:
Cool, thanks. I could directly use the example in your quote - worked.

What was the default setting by the way (just in case something doesn't work).
[Android Apps and Games] Adevem:
"north-america" instead of whatever you set to.

and without the google supl settings below.
[Android Apps and Games] xpcomputers:
As already said north-america was the default, however, if what you pick as a replacement doesn't help, you should find the closest ntp server rather than north-america, as that has got to be the same or better that the default (unless you really do live in north-america!).

Thinking though this laterally, the shortest latency ntp time server might well be one provided by your mobile network provider! They might not publish it though, so might take some discovery.

Maybe we could compile a list of ntp servers for particular mobile networks world-wide and the results of a latency test to show if it is indeed better or worse than the pool for that country.

Does anyone know how to test ntp latency from our phones?

Mike
[Android Apps and Games] :
Looks nice, tried it 5 times, and got it able to run. (busybox was not installed)

I cant test my GPS at the moment, but i will test it as soon as possible.
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
V1.0 Released!

Over 5000 users, and 100 downloads a day. :D

No bugreports that contained any actual bugs caused by the app, so i suppose its stable :D

@sshvetsov

It only changes the contents of that file.

@xpcomputers

adb shell

ping <server>

;)
[Android Apps and Games] sshvetsov:
@xpcomputers: That list would get out of date way too fast, it's better to use pools instead of individual servers.

If you want to test latency use ping. For actual ntp testing use ntptrace and ntpq commands in linux.
[Android Apps and Games] starbase64:
Hi,

works fine on Desire HD.

with friendly greet

starbase64
[Android Apps and Games] Pickx:
Works well (HTC Desire Z running Cyanogen - should therefore work on any HTC Vision phone)

Time to first fix is now almost instant. I wish I knew about this earlier. Great job!
[Android Apps and Games] xpcomputers:
Thanks. Great point. Of course that just leads me to more questions!

Often NTP is entered as multiple parallel server entries. Does the gps.conf file allow this sort of notation? If so, we could enter an ntp server for our provider first, with the country pool as a fallback? Is so, does anyone know the notation?

A few background questions too:

Does anyone know how often the ntp server listed in gps.conf is polled and under what conditions?

Does it only poll the server when certain gps modes are set in the gps settings? If so, what settings are recommended to go with this?

When polled does it actually update the phone's displayed system clock, or just a special clock used only for gps connections? If it updates the system clock more accurately (even once), then it will still help on next occasion (even without a data connection) since the now accurate time will be retained (assuming the clock in these phones doesn't gain or lose time!)

Thanks to the OP and others for excellent software and information about this...

Mike
[Android Apps and Games] sshvetsov:
My guess is that ntp info is used only when a-gps is trying to predict the location of a given satellite in the sky, not to keep a local clock accurate. If you want to do the later, get an app like clocksync or similar from the market.
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
It gets the data the first time you use GPS after a reboot. (That's what i found out from testing. Perhaps it also requests it after a long enough time since the last time it had a fix.)

It only uses it for GPS. (:mad:)
[Android Apps and Games] xpcomputers:
So does it only use the ntp server when in MS-Based or MS-Assisted? (i.e. not in Standalone mode?)

Or is there a different setting that controls whether the NTP server is polled or not?

Sorry for so many questions. Keen to explore best settings to use alongside this ntp stuff.

Certainly it is a no-brainer to change this to the closest NTP server pool (in terms of latency), as this is how ntp pools work, you get the most accurate time, the more local the pool you set. Assuming the closest pool has suitable reliability (see note below), it can't do any harm, it can only improve things for you, or at worst leave you the same!

(Note: Really small ntp pools (in number of servers) might not be as accurate or as reliably available, so in the case of small countries, you might get a more stable result with a larger neighbouring country's pool set instead, or your continent etc)

Mike
[Android Apps and Games] xpcomputers:
I wonder if FasterFix (or another application) could be designed with a feature to test different NTP pools for latency, jitter and accuracy, directly from the phone itself. It could then display the results next to the server pools to aid in selection of the best pool from your connection (which not might not be the closest geographically). Would those ntptrace and ntpq commands work from a rooted Android phone?

If it also kept a history for those server pools too, then you could see which ntp server pool was actually consistently faster and more accurate over time, as well as instantaneously on that particular visit.

If you wanted to get fancy with it, you could sort the pools fastest to slowest with a pretty graph bar to show how fast they were relative to each other (like the quadrant graphs!). But to start with, just a single number for ping latency would be better than nothing!

Any thoughts on this?

Mike
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
All the options in the list are reliable, i only added pools that have like 10+ servers in them. Adding a test isn't worth the effort, the app is pretty much considered "done". If you know how to use the custom option, you probably are capable of pinging them yourself.

"So does it only use the ntp server when in MS-Based or MS-Assisted? (i.e. not in Standalone mode?)"

It uses it at least in MS-Assisted, and you should probably use that option on your phone. Using only "MS" or only GPS seems unlogical to me.
[Android Apps and Games] xpcomputers:
Fair enough. Its your app, and I respect that.

Still think it could be a useful facility, but don't have the skills to do it myself. Could be a separate standalone app I guess, cos then it could be used by someone to pick an ntp server for their phone clock too, not just the gps.

Thanks for confirming which modes work.

My understanding of the two MS modes, are that MS-assisted sends all the gps data and offloads all the processing to the server and waits for the position to be reported back to the phone.

Whereas, MS-Based uses a data from the server alongside the gps data to assist the phone in calculating its position.

Both will presumably use the ntp to help get accurate time fix, but, my understanding was that most people think that MS-Based is the better of the two?

Mike
[Android Apps and Games] montrealguy:
Update: It DOES work. I installed Busybox and the app opened properly.

Doesn't work on JL2. I installed it and it said it was applying superuser permissions. Then it went blank. I have to force close it every time.
[Android Apps and Games] shong84:
Thank you for the great app!!!
[Android Apps and Games] bnwg:
It goes blank screen for milestone. I wonder if there is different 'structure' for milestone as there is no gps.conf in /etc. It does great help if it is workable on MS.
[Android Apps and Games] betoNL:
Very nice!

And specially for those who travel a lot in different continents, now being able to change gps.config settings in a faster and more elegant maner.

Smooth implementation on sgs running froyo 2.2.1 (jpy).

Some questions if I may:

- Which gps suppliant host is added? Google's?

- Are the settings relevant also for users that use only onboard / offline gps software and also no full a-gps (supl)?

Tks
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
@BetoNL

Yep, Nope

@bngw

If there is no gps.conf, it won't work. Blank screens are caused by not having busybox.
[Android Apps and Games] PeeHoo:
did not change gps.conf file but I did it manually ;)
[Android Apps and Games] jjwa:
Hey, this seems to work very well (for my SGS i9000)!

Bedankt :).
[Android Apps and Games] aftabbabar:
I live in the Caribbean island of Dominican republic. so what should I put in the file so it could locate my satellites quickly.
[Android Apps and Games] betoNL:
If you are talking bout NTP servers, have a look here:

http://www.pool.ntp.org/en/
[Android Apps and Games] kmetek:
Root and busybox are needed, modern HTC phones need to be S-OFF!

WHICH ONES needs S-OFF?
[Android Apps and Games] 1234556789:
after i choose the country no reaktion, and i hsd to close,then only black screen

desire with custum desire hd rom.

kind regards

gandalf
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
@kmetek

Desire series and newer.

@1234556789

I can't reproduce the bug, it's probably caused by your setup.
[Android Apps and Games] jonata:
hi,

when download the app I have a zip file and not the apk ...

where I wrong ?

please help, tks

try to downlaod with explorer and firefox ....
[Android Apps and Games] shiminis:
what do i choose for Israel?
[Android Apps and Games] jonata:
anyone can upload the apk on another site ?

tkanks so much
[Android Apps and Games] Marvelix:
It has been said many time so far, you have simply to rename .zip in .apk and that's all! ;)
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
Updated the app to 1.1, Germany, France and Japan added, move to sd, compiled for 2.3.

Any feedback?

The app will be in the market soon, just waiting for #%(#*%& WireCard.
[Android Apps and Games] 1234556789:
As before after selecting the country- the message: no reaktion- you had to close.-After that i get only a black screen if i try to start.

-i had a rootet desire, busybox 1.17.1 in system /xbin and superuser (fasterfix allowed).

I install it 3 times.

so sorry:(- but thanks for your work.:)

with kind regards

gandalf
[Android Apps and Games] Heppieboeddah:
Great stuff

Thanks to [OP] works like a charm on the Galaxy Tab, root, Roto-JMIv1.0

Indoor within just 3 or 4 seconds 7 sats 7 fixes...Changed the pool to NL....;)
[Android Apps and Games] shiminis:
answer anybody?
[Android Apps and Games] MaXmeOliver:
That would be il.pool.ntp.org or asia.pool.ntp.org
[Android Apps and Games] shiminis:
Thank you.
[Android Apps and Games] IPB_Refugee:
Hello The_Double,

I downloaded your app from the market but unfortunately it doesn't work (I get just a black screen).

Device: Orange San Francisco / ZTE Blade

Android: 2.1-update1

Superuser: v2.3.6.1

Su binary: v2.3-ef

Busybox: tested with 1.17.1 and 1.18.0; installed via Stericson's BusyBox Installer from the market

Superuser and BusyBox are working (tested with several root apps and via terminal: "busybox date"), but your app doesn't. Killing the task of your app and restarting it, also doesn't help.

Kind regards

Wolfgang
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
@IPB_Refugee

I'm sorry, since the app operates outside of the SDK, unexpected behavior is expected. ;)

I don't know on what phones my app is used, so it could be that it just doesn't work on the ZTE Blade.
[Android Apps and Games] valedarius:
JFYI,

This works on my Blade ...

Device: Orange San Francisco / ZTE Blade

Android: [ROM] [froyo] Japanese Jellyfish RLS9 [2011-01-24] [OLED+TFT] .

Superuser: v2.3.6.1

Su binary: v2.3.1-ef

Busybox: tested with 1.15.2

SQLite:3.7.2
[Android Apps and Games] cheskote:
Seems to work fine on my X10i :)

Could you add support for Spain region in the next version?

Meanwhile I'm using France region settings, that seems close enough and has the same time zone. Do you think this will work properly?
[Android Apps and Games] N0rdo:
So far the GPS fix time is my only and biggest annoyance with my phone.

I'm with Telus Canada using a rooted LG Shine Plus with the latest busybox version, programs starts fine and edits the gps.conf no problem.

I've tried the North America pool and ca.pool.ntp.org in custom and neither work for me. It still takes me 10-15+ minutes to get a position fix, if at all.

I also noticed that when opening the gps.conf file in root\etc or root\system\etc, all the original settings and text are gone and there are only the entries made by fasterfix. Is this normal?

PS: which apps are people using to see their GPS information (eg. satellites and coordinates), do any of these apps screw with internal settings in a negative way?

-thanks for the help
[Android Apps and Games] Freekers1337:
Try 'GPSTest'

Doesn't work on my Blade and I'm running JJ9 too !

FasterFix keeps saying 'Failure ! Are you shure /system is writable ?'
[Android Apps and Games] schizophrenia:
First of all many thanks for the app.

I am a Nexus One Cm7 user in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, after using the app I seem not be able to get a better fix even if I Get more than 4 satellites fixed (checked using GPS status)(sometimes I can't get an accurate location fix even with 7 satellites fixed). I used to be able to get a better location fix even with 3 satellites fixed before using the app.

so my question is, is there a reverse procedure that I could do? I am not sure if the app permanently altered some settings? If so, how do I reverse it?

Many thanks
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
@schizophrenia

There is no reverse procedure, but you could get the gps.conf file from the CM7 package.
[Android Apps and Games] schizophrenia:
thanks a lot ..

i just reconfirmed with my other friends that the default pool is "north america" so I will change it back to north america and see if it works better.
[Android Apps and Games] KarlosTheJackal:
Just wanted to say it fixed my GPS problem perfectly! Gave 5 stars for you on the market :-D

Delivered by Western Union in the rain after 70 Years
[Android Apps and Games] Lapicidae:
Black Screen

I also had the "Black Screen" problem....

The file "/system/etc/gps.conf" doesn't exist on my Defy (Android 2.2 Build 3.4.2-117 UK Froyo Rom).

Since i manually created this file (contents: search Google - can't post links), everything works fine :D
[Android Apps and Games] Freekers1337:
Works brilliant on ZTE Blade using Customised BladeVillain (Android 2.1 Eclair), altough I couldn't get it to work on JapaneseJellyfish9
[Android Apps and Games] sydneyozguy:
Tried this twice now, keeps says that I don't have root access, this action requires room access. I have rooted the phone with OneClickRoot, and in settings it shows that it is rooted, so no idea why this is not working for me.

Samsung Galaxy S, firmware version: 2.2.1, Kernel version 2.6.32.9 root@SEP-51 #1

Build number: FROYO.XXJPY

Any help would be appreciated.
[Android Apps and Games] darkwoof:
Have you just rooted the phone? If so, reboot it first. FasterFix should work after that.
[Android Apps and Games] stevenhippie:
signal

does this improve the cellphone signal for texting and such also?
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
@stevenhippie

Nope.
[Android Apps and Games] boydivalor:
It Worked.

Im from Portugal and selected Europe.

Quite good ! Thanks Dev & all included .
[Android Apps and Games] BryanChung:
Go on and add Singapore NTP please! :D

http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/sg
[Android Apps and Games] peterqluu:
@BryanChung: Try using the custom input by typing in: sg.pool.ntp.org
[Android Apps and Games] nicholasbgr:
Hi, I installed your app on my Nexus S running 2.3.3. I tried the south american server provided by your app but it just kills the gps and I get no fix at all. If I set it to north-america the gps starts to work "properly" again. Then I tried to set br.pool.ntp.org but nothing happens when I touch the "go button" and the setting is not saved. Any thoughts?
[Android Apps and Games] bur2000:
Do you mean the NTP server? So if I already have the supl server in the gps.conf file I just need to set the NTP_server line to a "good" ntp server and that'd be what the app does?

If so, what NTP server do you use for Germany? I'm using de.pool.ntp.org on my DHD, but on my computer I use the T-Online one since it has the lowest ping for me (though my ISP is Vodafone).
[Android Apps and Games] zeppelinrox:
I got the same error. "Current server: no server found. Don't proceed!"

Ok I ignored it too :)

Me too. Cool.

So my gps.conf file looks like this:

NTP_SERVER=ca.pool.ntp.org
XTRA_SERVER_1=http://xtra1.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
XTRA_SERVER_2=http://xtra2.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
XTRA_SERVER_3=http://xtra3.gpsonextra.net/xtra.bin
SUPL_HOST=supl.google.com
SUPL_PORT=7276

What are those XTRA servers for?

On this page http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/ca it states:

I guess that is a different thing in regards to the xtra server commands?

Regardless of the error, it worked fine after ignoring it :)
[Android Apps and Games] stylez:
On ZTE the stock 2.1 roms some root apps don't work 'think due to 1 click root', using your app for long time via market and all works rom: jjv9, thx.
[Android Apps and Games] adriaan_botha:
Country not Found.

It works, but does not have my country in - New-Zealand, which option(country) should I point it to ?
[Android Apps and Games] zeppelinrox:
You can use the custom option and put either nz.pool.ntp.org or oceania.pool.ntp.org

See http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/oceania
[Android Apps and Games] :
It's embarrassing to admit I thought this app doesn't work. But what I was doing was turning OFF fasterfix (pressing the back button to go back to home screen) when I start the navigation app.

The app does work and my gps locks on alot quicker.
[Android Apps and Games] TotallydubbedHD:
Great job, works perfectly in the UK.

Got it with Darky's 9.3 ROM
[Android Apps and Games] Pisca:
Might have been asked, but any ideia to add Africa to your great tool ?

Thanks
[Android Apps and Games] felipemadox:
Cant Download

For some bizarre reason i cant download ANYMORE (before was possible) it on the Market.

I click install on the app and on the popup query the install button is deactiveted.

Its possible to share the .apk?

(HTC HD2 - Android 2.3.3)
[Android Apps and Games] corrsea:
Same here. Barcode link is not working and a manual search of market gives no results

OK googled the .apk. Works great on HD2 HyperdroidGBX ROM
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
If you press the QR-code it downloads the apk file.

(forgot to change it when it went live on the market ;) )
[Android Apps and Games] duffymm:
request :

can you add italian NTP server ?

it.pool.ntp.org

thanks
[Android Apps and Games] sunster:
Thanks. Worked perfectly. For some reason my server was set to Europe (i'm in Canada). Gps fix was always around 15sec and after changing to the North American server, the fix is now in 5 sec inside my house. Can't wait to test it outside. :)
[Android Apps and Games] Crem@tor:
Hi,

can you add ukrainian NTP server? ua.pool.ntp.org
[Android Apps and Games] Hegemor:
I chose europe since there was no for Norway, have busybox and superuser, but notheing happens..

What does S-off mean??

Have a htc hd2 with ginger nand android 2.3.3
[Android Apps and Games] orlox:
rooted optimus 2x with 1,84 busybox gives blank black screen
[Android Apps and Games] thedreadedgman:
doesn't work in GB?

hi I can't get the market to install it, it doesn't find it and the market website on PC says it's not supported.

I'm using Cronos GB 2.0.1
[Android Apps and Games] marhensa:
asia is HUGE man...

could you add pool to specific country from this:

Africa: http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/africa

Asia: http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/asia

Europe: http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/europe

North America: http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/north-america

Oceania: http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/oceania

South America: http://www.pool.ntp.org/zone/south-america
[Android Apps and Games] Psylosteriva:
Thanks. Worked perfectly.
[Android Apps and Games] apxitektop:
pls, can u add into FasterFix

ukrainian NTP server - ua.pool.ntp.org

Thx =)))
[Android Apps and Games] aankun:
This is what I need

this app rocks :D

must have on your phone

thanks for sharing...
[Android Apps and Games] cykalu:
QR doesnt work, Market disallows me from installing it - saying Compatibility issue even when i access it from my phone, doesnt work from desktop either... why market so bad nows? :(

edit: nvm, manually changed gps.conf ._.
[Android Apps and Games] kimycai:
where is the 1.5 version?
[Android Apps and Games] cmlow0:
I am running 1.1.7 which I downloaded from market which working fine.
[Android Apps and Games] SuperSheeep:
Brilliant app fixed my GPS issues I was having. Super fast now!
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
Just pushed a 1.5 release that adds some more servers, and makes the UI somewhat easier to understand.

I'm getting a lot of bad feedback from motorola defy and LG optimus 2x users. Error reports suggest that it can't read the gps.conf file. (tough i can't know for sure, because the market error reporting service doesn't show me on what device the bug occurred)

Can someone with a defy or 2x please confirm, the existence of non-existence of the etc/gps.conf file on your device? I also attached a copy of my app with debug enabled. If someone could send me a logcat it would be highly appreciated.

note: I'll be out sailing for a week, so I can't react to your posts for until 20th of may.

Warning: 1.5.0 contains a bug when using landscape orientation. (This has been fixed in 1.5.2 available in the android market.) Use the debug version only for making a logcat.
[Android Apps and Games] cyman83:
cant download 1.5.2 from the market, anyone have the link to the apk?
[Android Apps and Games] Sander:
Wow, this really works! I sometimes had to wait 2 or 3 minutes for a fix before using this app. Now it takes me a few seconds. Thanks man!
[Android Apps and Games] Antiheld86:
For an unknown reason market doesn't find the app when i search it on the phone. From PC it say it would be installed but it isn't.

Could someone post a direct link to the .apk or send a PM?

I would appreciate

Does it work on rooted device with stockROM and busybox?
[Android Apps and Games] The_Double:
On what device are you if you cant find it?

Its hidden for the lg x2 and defy, and should be in the market for all other 1.6+ devices.
[Android Apps and Games] lhinsz:
Faster Fix 1.5.2 apk

Here is the current updated version from the market 1.5.2.

UPDATED: May 15, 2011

Awesome program!! Thanks, Double!!