Bing Interchangeable? - Windows Phone 7 General

Hey guys does anyone know if there's any chance of being able to substitute Bing for Google on the WP7? Granted I don't think Bing is that bad but being in Australia it seems Bing is only focussed towards America and so when doing items such as local searches I can tell I am going to get a subpar experience.
Thanks for your replies

So far the answer been a bit fat NO. Google also defaults on all Android devices *cough*
So it's perfectly reasonable Microsoft want value for their money. Besides, Bing ain't that bad Specially for the type of searches you typically want to do on a phone (and it integrates with Bing Maps, the phone's default maps solution)

Bing maps is brilliant especially the Silverlight version which is what i believe the phones use is particularly faster than google maps. But I agree that at the mo it's very US focused featurewise, hopefully this changes before launch

Yeah so far from what I've seen the Maps is definitely the best feature, I just hope MS will allow for the chance for say Google to port the search over as that local thing would be great on there where (from what I've seen) Google has a far larger database of customers and choice around me. It would surely be pretty commercially viable for Google if MS allowed it so fingers crossed

There will be a Google app, but you won't be able to change the local search engine from Bing (you can change the default search in IE, though). If all else fails, see if you can change Bing's settings to "US English".

Related

Using satellite Maps offline

Hi,
in about two weeks i'll be travelling to London.
As i hopefully get my Desire this week, i've wondered if there was a way to get any satellite maps (or even google maps) to work offline.
Connecting to the internet would be pretty expensive (roaming), so it would be great if i could download the City Map for London on my device and then just use it offline.
Does Google Maps currently offers a possibility to save the cached data? Or are there any good Apps for that?
What's with google navigator? Possible to download maps there?
Thanks in advance
fooXeh
I've never tried (Still waiting for my desire) but i was already checking for some handy apps to do this and found MapDroyd. Just google it (i can't post urls)
Seems it's exactly what u need but maybe there are others apps out there
Thanks,
just looked at Mapdroyd, looks nice.
Not as good as a Offline Google Maps but should do the thing.
- www.mapdroyd.com/
Any other suggestions?
If you download the patch to let you use google nav, (search this forum) it will save the route to your phone, so you dont require data.
This clearly only works if you dont re-route.
Fon22
Look at either Sygic or Co-pilot. Also see the threads that mention them in the Themes and Apps folder. I use Sygic and like it a lot.
I don't need a full navigation software, just want to browse the Satellite map for underground stations, sightseeing stuff and so on.
I'd never dare to drive a car in England, you guys drive on the wrong side of the street
I will wait for this:
http://aura.sygic.com/
3D map ftw!
It is the next product from Sygic.
In the meantime, probably I will buy Co-Pilot, cheaper
norm2002 said:
Look at either Sygic or Co-pilot. Also see the threads that mention them in the Themes and Apps folder. I use Sygic and like it a lot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still, those are all full navigation softwares.
Any free, non-navigation alternatives besides MapDroyd?
I did read somewhere recently on some official Google forum a thread about offline use of Google Maps. A Google employee posted a response along the lines of Google being aware of this requirement amongst the user community and something might be in the works. But not to hold our breaths.
Edit: Found it:
h**p://w w w.google.co.uk/support/forum/p/Google+Mobile/thread?tid=3634773013544912&hl=en&fid=363477301354491200047ea68ef31c45&hltp=2
Look half way down the page at the "Best Answer" from Thom dated 3rd February 2010, which says:
Best answer - Thom (Google Employee)
Hi all,
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. The reason I haven't replied directly to this thread is that I and my forum colleagues don't comment on the future availability or functionality for any Google products, including Navigation. That said, the development team and I are very, very aware of the desire to have an "offline" mode for Google Maps Navigation. We're currently exploring options about how to provide a better experience when in limited or no data coverage areas, so please look for changes to Navigation in the future. Thanks for understanding.
Best,
Tom
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did a quick google search for you and found this.
http://www.nutiteq.com/
It does offline viewing of streetview maps and wont break the bank at 2 euros.
looks nice, nicer than mapdroyd, thx

[Q] Offline Maps

Is there any free offline maps for HTC Desire?
try Mapdroyd
Thanks for your help
It does not have turn-by-turn navigation. Is there any offline turn-by-turn navigation for Ontario, Canada.
Try Motonav. Good GPS program.
Copilot is nice, although is paid app with full functional gps navigation
try navigon
All of these are paid apps. Can't i have something free?
Nokia offers OFFLINE OVI Maps how come Andriod does not have something like that.
..alee said:
All of these are paid apps. Can't i have something free?
Nokia offers OFFLINE OVI Maps how come Andriod does not have something like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is. You can use Google Navigation. If you are not in US or UK (or whatever country that is available) you can use "Google Maps brut". You can cache your maps to use them offline.
search for NavDroyd. It costs €5 and works with OpenStreetMap.
Works pretty good.
spritable said:
There is. You can use Google Navigation. If you are not in US or UK (or whatever country that is available) you can use "Google Maps brut". You can cache your maps to use them offline.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Afaik it only caches the ones you have loaded before, i.e. you can't use it for navigating in areas you have never been before...which is kinda the reason why you'd need navigation in the first place
..alee said:
All of these are paid apps. Can't i have something free?
Nokia offers OFFLINE OVI Maps how come Andriod does not have something like that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nokia offers free offline maps because (a) they are very much playing catch up with Android these days, and (b) purchased Navteq for $8 Billion which means that the maps they are giving away are their own property.
As I understand it, Google "owns" their maps for the US, but have to license maps for most of the rest of the world. You can see this if you zoom into a US map on Google Maps - it will say the map is (c) Google. If you do this on a UK map, it will say (c) Teleatlas.
In order for Google to make navigation available legally, in territories outside the US, they have to come to an agreement with the owners of the maps, which presumably involves money changing hands. Clearly they have done this with Teleatlas as the UK now gets Navigation, whereas other regions are having to rely on Brut Maps (which is a non-Google sanctioned hack).
At the end of day, the free offline OVI maps is very much a unique selling point for Nokia, and will likely remain so until Google and/or others purchase their own map data.
Regards,
Dave
Let me clear one thing .. I am currently in Canada. So I guess, legally i am in the territory whose maps are copyrighted by Google.
Now back to the offline maps. I will check the brut maps for google. Thanks
I was under the impression that Google Nav was available in Canada!
See here.
Regards,
Dave
foxmeister said:
I was under the impression that Google Nav was available in Canada!
See here.
Regards,
Dave
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
no doubt its free but i have to have DATA PLAN :| .. I am looking for "Offline Free Turn by Turn Navigation System"
..alee said:
no doubt its free but i have to have DATA PLAN :| .. I am looking for "Offline Free Turn by Turn Navigation System"
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMO you are not going to find one - at least not one of acceptable quality.
Google and Nokia have very, very different business models.
To Google, Android is just a mechanism through which they can serve up their services and thus their adverts, and so an fully offline solution just doesn't suit their business model.
Nokia on the other hand want to sell you phones, and given that they rather dropped the ball with Symbian (which is a fantastic OS, let down by a poor UI), they need to do something different to try and recapture some momentum.
Sorry, but what you are looking for just doesn't exist. The harsh reality is that if you want turn by turn navigation on Android that is both good quality and offline, you are going to have to pay for it. My suggestion would be Copilot because it is a great application, and it is very cheap for what it is.
Regards,
Dave
Today HTC announced the new service:
" HTC Sense adding pre-cached maps! No more waiting for maps when zooming or panning." So just wait. Think soon it will be available not only for announced HTC Desire Z anв Desire HD.

Can you change the search provider to Google?

I am now pretty much sold on the HD7, however I really need to know if I can change the search provider to Google, I doubt this but... you know: Bing is on Android, lol... everyone here knows that Bing isn't very special, it's a Google wannabe... at least in my opinion... anyways, possible or not?
I'm pretty sure it's integrated, but there will most definitely be a 3rd party app. Hell, maybe even Google will develop a few apps for the marketplace.
ericc191 said:
I'm pretty sure it's integrated, but there will most definitely be a 3rd party app. Hell, maybe even Google will develop a few apps for the marketplace.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I sure hope so, and maybe a Google Maps app as well.. I just don't look Bing :|
i have to agree with you guys, bing results for my country (poland) are just awful
Been trying to use Bing lately, but it just does not give me the matches I want. So many searches get zero hits in Bing, yet thousands of accurate hits in Google.
Also can't figure out how to limit results to recent webpages, i.e last 24 hours or last week. I use that on Google everyday, so lacking this on Bing is a major flaw.
Smokexz said:
I sure hope so, and maybe a Google Maps app as well.. I just don't look Bing :|
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that it will be good if Google develop a few good applications for the market as Google is the best search engine.

Bing Maps is useless

Today I tried to use Bing Maps for ANYTHING.
Poland. Country where WP7 is officially sold.
Well this native app is a total useless crap.
The only thing I can find there is cities. THAT'S IT!
It is not able to find ANY STREET neither any place I am looking for.
Nothing.
So in fact it's a useless ****. The question is:
1. When Google will provide a WORKING app for WP7
2. Or do we know when MS will move it's ass and support countries they sell devices in?!
Yes, yes it is.
Oh and to answer your question.
1. I am guessing that Google doesn't really help the competition. There Google search app looks really bad on WP7.
2. Most likely, it will come with an update when they decided turn by turn navigation. Pretty certain of that because the website shows street names.
doministry said:
Today I tried to use Bing Maps for ANYTHING.
Poland. Country where WP7 is officially sold.
Well this native app is a total useless crap.
The only thing I can find there is cities. THAT'S IT!
It is not able to find ANY STREET neither any place I am looking for.
Nothing.
So in fact it's a useless ****. The question is:
1. When Google will provide a WORKING app for WP7
2. Or do we know when MS will move it's ass and support countries they sell devices in?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree that it is very limited, but I have found a way to make it work in Sweden. I have to set System locale abd Browser & search language to English (United Kingdom). Then you search for adresses with this exact formula: Streetname number, city, country. With these settings and formula, Bing maps have found every adress I've wanted in Sweden.
Strutten said:
I agree that it is very limited, but I have found a way to make it work in Sweden. I have to set System locale abd Browser & search language to English (United Kingdom). Then you search for adresses with this exact formula: Streetname number, city, country. With these settings and formula, Bing maps have found every adress I've wanted in Sweden.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. I have my device set to these values.
But nothing. It says cannot find a desired place. The only thing it understands is cities. Even when I write it with the formula you showed.
BTW, you write it with comas?
Doesn't matter, whatever I do - nothing.
Pure crap.
doministry said:
Thanks. I have my device set to these values.
But nothing. It says cannot find a desired place. The only thing it understands is cities. Even when I write it with the formula you showed.
BTW, you write it with comas?
Doesn't matter, whatever I do - nothing.
Pure crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats very strange... Whitout comas, it works 90% of the times. With comas, it works every time.
The maps are, however, very outdated. Buildings and streets that are three years old does show up in the searches, but they are not shown in the satelite pictures.
It might suck for you, but here in the UK, it works absolutely perfectly.
GenkaiMade said:
It might suck for you, but here in the UK, it works absolutely perfectly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ditto
Obviously can't comment outside of UK, but it does suck if it doesn't work in other countries without cocking about
It absolutely doesn't work besides city name search.
Doesn't find anything in Poland.
That makes me reconsider using this OS.
I have no slight piece of information when this will ever happen.
There will be google maps at some point. Google has a different business model to most other companies, it doesn't matter that they have android the idea is that they push as many google services out to as many people as possible (and that will include Windows Phone 7 users).
More users = more viewers/clicks on google ads = more revenue. About 80% of google's revenue comes from Advertising.
doministry said:
Today I tried to use Bing Maps for ANYTHING.
Poland. Country where WP7 is officially sold.
Well this native app is a total useless crap.
The only thing I can find there is cities. THAT'S IT!
It is not able to find ANY STREET neither any place I am looking for.
Nothing.
So in fact it's a useless ****. The question is:
1. When Google will provide a WORKING app for WP7
2. Or do we know when MS will move it's ass and support countries they sell devices in?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, it is. The whole system is crap right now. And it won't be anything good for a whole friggin year. I've been waiting for voice nav for a long time and then I find out it won't make it in for at least a year, if even then.
have you tried using 'justanothermaps' i think its called, its based on google maps...might work better for you
Bing Maps sucks indeed
Bing Maps is just a terrible program...A real shame actually
I cannot use it in my country.
Bing Maps sucks...
Bing maps is FAIL! they should take it off as it destroys the platform. in my city, it only shows 4 roads! we need google maps now!
sergioiacobucci said:
have you tried using 'justanothermaps' i think its called, its based on google maps...might work better for you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. But I can't buy this because of the Marketplace not supported in my country!!!!!
slighmd said:
Bing maps is FAIL! they should take it off as it destroys the platform. in my city, it only shows 4 roads! we need google maps now!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe take it off in countries it does not work, but in the UK it's great and I would prefer to have it.
The fact is it support almost nothing in countries like Poland.
doministry said:
Thanks. But I can't buy this because of the Marketplace not supported in my country!!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
this could help
http://wmpoweruser.com/wp7-marketplace-enabler-brings-marketplace-to-new-countries/
domineus said:
this could help
http://wmpoweruser.com/wp7-marketplace-enabler-brings-marketplace-to-new-countries/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, but I don't want to screw my PC.
And I don't use the PC version to buy apps but the phone one.
The U.S.
I can't believe Microsoft would sell a phone and not fully support the area that they are selling it in. It seems like something small and extremely stupid Microsoft would do. Hopefully they will fix that along with the many other little things that they decided to leave out on their system. From the U.S. standpoint though, I have got to say I actually like Bing maps a whole lot more than Google maps. I have used Android for a long time and I use everything Google. I decided to go with WP7, because it was newest and I loved the size of the HD7. Bing maps is amazing, it is what free GPS programs should be. I hope other companies take a look at this and I hope Microsoft updates maps to make it a worthwhile application everywhere.
doministry said:
Thanks. I have my device set to these values.
But nothing. It says cannot find a desired place. The only thing it understands is cities. Even when I write it with the formula you showed.
BTW, you write it with comas?
Doesn't matter, whatever I do - nothing.
Pure crap.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried to open a contact and tap on the (map home) address. Then it should find the address at the map.

Finally! I voice guided nav - NavFone

Guys, I just saw this in Zune software. NavFone by Bali. The description says it's a voice guided navigation app for WP7 devices.
http://www.marketplacebrowser.com/291557/navfone-bali-gps
MartyLK said:
Guys, I just saw this in Zune software. NavFone by Bali. The description says it's a voice guided navigation app for WP7 devices.
http://www.marketplacebrowser.com/291557/navfone-bali-gps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use Navi Ninasus for voice guided navigation. Maybe it's not available outside of Germany.
Not available in the UK.
MartyLK said:
Guys, I just saw this in Zune software. NavFone by Bali. The description says it's a voice guided navigation app for WP7 devices.
http://www.marketplacebrowser.com/291557/navfone-bali-gps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not available in Australia... and in description it says its for Bali.
But it surely prove the implementation of voice guided navigation.....
What about silver navigator? Voice turn by turn navigator.
Sent from my OMNIA7 using Board Express
rajivshahi said:
Not available in Australia... and in description it says its for Bali.
But it surely prove the implementation of voice guided navigation.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hehe...I thought that was the brand name. I need to get out and see the world someday.
Until they can fully multi-task I don't see them being that good. I tried the other one after I seen something about it on Twitter, and I just can't deal with it unless it can multi task and pop up when you need to do something on screen in voice with a Toast-Like notification (think the Zune Controls when the phone is locked).
SilverNavigator shows promise. All it needs is local business search and voice input for searching and I think it would be great.
anyone else find this interesting? somewhere down the line microsoft is going to bring out navigation for bing maps like in 6.5 for free right?
in the meantime private developers can make some money by providing apps that fill in those feature gaps. (don't get me wrong, I'm willing to pay, i need a navigation app asap).
I was just wondering if any of you thought it was microsoft giving those folks a bone or their software is just not prepared at all and they're like oh dang we're too slow everyone else is making apps...
gkoonjul said:
anyone else find this interesting? somewhere down the line microsoft is going to bring out navigation for bing maps like in 6.5 for free right?
in the meantime private developers can make some money by providing apps that fill in those feature gaps. (don't get me wrong, I'm willing to pay, i need a navigation app asap).
I was just wondering if any of you thought it was microsoft giving those folks a bone or their software is just not prepared at all and they're like oh dang we're too slow everyone else is making apps...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
With MS, nothing is sure. I'm of the mind to think they just aren't smart enough to do it. But any number of scenarios could be true. However, from all I've understood of MS, deception is certainly high on the list. MS isn't a consumer oriented company and they don't seem to know how to deal with the public to make them happy. Personally, I believe this ethic will cost them again like it has with Zune and WinMo. I figure stuff like free Bing nav in WinMo 6.5 was a last ditch effort to try to stave off the bleeding. I believe if MS could take your money and give you nothing in return, that is their highest business goal.
I couldn't have imagined that Microsoft would launch WP7 without any GPS app available at launch.
Turn-by-turn is an essential feature on a smartphone.
MS have been working for 2 years on WP7. I thought they would work hand in hand with a major GPS software developer. But no. Nothing.
More than 6 months after launch there is still nothing. Navigon is not available in my country, Google Maps is not available, Tom Tom is not interested in WP7... and I can't stand Bing Maps which is unusuable.
arturobandini said:
I couldn't have imagined that Microsoft would launch WP7 without any GPS app available at launch.
Turn-by-turn is an essential feature on a smartphone.
MS have been working for 2 years on WP7. I thought they would work hand in hand with a major GPS software developer. But no. Nothing.
More than 6 months after launch there is still nothing. Navigon is not available in my country, Google Maps is not available, Tom Tom is not interested in WP7... and I can't stand Bing Maps which is unusuable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that is a little bit of an over-reaction. To my knowledge, the only smartphone with a bult in turn-by-turn app is Android (wich technicaly is a free downloadable app, not built in). The free app for WM6.5 only worked on phones with the correct resolution display (still doesn't work on my Vogue).
Although I don't like Bing as much as I did google maps, it actualy works fairly well.
I think the biggest issue is multi-tasking. How can you run a Turn-by-Turn app, then after answering the phone, the app has to re-load.
arturobandini said:
Navigon is not available in my country, Google Maps is not available, Tom Tom is not interested in WP7... and I can't stand Bing Maps which is unusuable.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been testing Navigon in France since two weeks.
The software is basic, but it does the job.
All you need to do to make it work you will find in this forum. For the files... Google will be your friend.
Higherflight said:
I have been testing Navigon in France since two weeks.
The software is basic, but it does the job.
All you need to do to make it work you will find in this forum. For the files... Google will be your friend.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you very much for the help.
If only Bing Map could be as efficient.... : http://youtu.be/8UT0wJ1Go7A
I just discovered it, and I am amazed. Maybe I chose the wrong OS
arturobandini said:
Thank you very much for the help.
If only Bing Map could be as efficient.... : http://youtu.be/8UT0wJ1Go7A
I just discovered it, and I am amazed. Maybe I chose the wrong OS
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your call. Bing Maps won't be the solution, I strongly doubt that.
LE: I stand corrected, MS is at it, apparently they're looking into it
Microsoft already announced its partnership with Nokia and Ovi maps are okish (something to read here)
As for the Google Maps... needs Android. And for that, ask yourself: do you think it's perfectly ok for someone else to know everything you've done, browsed, phoned, texted, etc? Also to be able to control what apps you install, eventually block or uninstall them remotely without your interaction? Not for me...
Personally I've used both TomTom and iGo, and I prefer the later. Hopefully one of these solutions will be here for WP7. One can dream
Btw, there is a thread here about Navigon on HD2 WP7
Thanks a lot EnderPsp

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