Why is ODK Collect so slow in obtaining geolocation where other apps are way faster?

Development
1

Hi,

I've noticed that the GeoPoint widget is tremendously slow in obtaining
a position. In the very same places, other apps such as Maps and "GPS
Status" obtain the position almost immediately.

Does anybody know what those apps do differently so that I can modify
the geopoint widget and make it as fast as those apps in obtaining a
position?

Thanks
m.

2

Most apps use cell phone towers for geolocation. ODK Collect relies on a
full GPS satellite lock.

Since ODK Collect was designed to operate out of cell tower connectivity in
remote parts of the world, the GPS locking was the initial and only choice.

Not sure what is needed to support both. Seems like this would be a choice
with each form and/or geopoint question?
Any changes should probably be discussed with the wider javarosa community,
as this is likely a change to the XForms parsing.

Mitch

··· On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 4:49 AM, Matteo Sisti Sette < matteosistisette@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I've noticed that the GeoPoint widget is tremendously slow in obtaining a
position. In the very same places, other apps such as Maps and "GPS Status"
obtain the position almost immediately.

Does anybody know what those apps do differently so that I can modify the
geopoint widget and make it as fast as those apps in obtaining a position?

Thanks
m.

--
Mitch Sundt
Software Engineer
University of Washington
mitchellsundt@gmail.com

3

From version 1.1.7+ Collect actually uses both GPS and cell/wifi for
localization (it'll use either or both depending on what has been enabled
in the phone's preferences by the user). Likely the reason it seems slow
is that it requires a certain accuracy before automatically recording the
location, regardless of the method used to get location.

··· On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 10:18 AM, Mitch S wrote:

Most apps use cell phone towers for geolocation. ODK Collect relies on a
full GPS satellite lock.

Since ODK Collect was designed to operate out of cell tower connectivity
in remote parts of the world, the GPS locking was the initial and only
choice.

Not sure what is needed to support both. Seems like this would be a
choice with each form and/or geopoint question?
Any changes should probably be discussed with the wider javarosa
community, as this is likely a change to the XForms parsing.

Mitch

On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 4:49 AM, Matteo Sisti Sette < matteosistisette@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I've noticed that the GeoPoint widget is tremendously slow in obtaining a
position. In the very same places, other apps such as Maps and "GPS Status"
obtain the position almost immediately.

Does anybody know what those apps do differently so that I can modify the
geopoint widget and make it as fast as those apps in obtaining a position?

Thanks
m.

--
Mitch Sundt
Software Engineer
University of Washington
mitchellsundt@gmail.com

4

Those settings are set from the phone's Settings menu, Location & Security
screen, at the top.

Thanks Carl!

Mitch

··· On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 10:29 AM, Carl Hartung wrote:

From version 1.1.7+ Collect actually uses both GPS and cell/wifi for
localization (it'll use either or both depending on what has been enabled
in the phone's preferences by the user). Likely the reason it seems slow
is that it requires a certain accuracy before automatically recording the
location, regardless of the method used to get location.

On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 10:18 AM, Mitch S mitchellsundt@gmail.com wrote:

Most apps use cell phone towers for geolocation. ODK Collect relies on a
full GPS satellite lock.

Since ODK Collect was designed to operate out of cell tower connectivity
in remote parts of the world, the GPS locking was the initial and only
choice.

Not sure what is needed to support both. Seems like this would be a
choice with each form and/or geopoint question?
Any changes should probably be discussed with the wider javarosa
community, as this is likely a change to the XForms parsing.

Mitch

On Wed, Jul 11, 2012 at 4:49 AM, Matteo Sisti Sette < matteosistisette@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi,

I've noticed that the GeoPoint widget is tremendously slow in obtaining
a position. In the very same places, other apps such as Maps and "GPS
Status" obtain the position almost immediately.

Does anybody know what those apps do differently so that I can modify
the geopoint widget and make it as fast as those apps in obtaining a
position?

Thanks
m.

--
Mitch Sundt
Software Engineer
University of Washington
mitchellsundt@gmail.com

--
Mitch Sundt
Software Engineer
University of Washington
mitchellsundt@gmail.com