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Locus Map - help desk Topic Problem Locus Map (Android)

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Category Locus Map (Android)

Tags live tracking, network

Comments 7

Subscribers 8

Votes 5

Live tracking startup procedure is very cumbersome in real life

joeloc shared this problem ago

Solved

The procedure for starting up live tracking is very cumbersome when network reception is spotty. After you press the green button, Locus makes you stare at a "Working..." requester for twenty seconds. When you're out of luck, it throws some "unknown errors" or "handshake errors" in your face and refuses to start live tracking. Which means you can go through the whole procedure again after cycling/hiking/whatevering a few minutes. And then again. And again. And again. This is not a theoretical complaint but happened to me on 4 out of 10 days cycling in the alps.

I really cannot see a reason for this complex startup procedure, it's just a major nuisance. Enabling live tracking should simply be an instant on/off checkmark. No "startup procedure" please... no handshakes... no networking... no waiting... no nothing. If points go through, all is fine. If not, all is fine as well... it will start working sooner or later and Locus will notify me anyway of failed attempts. There's nothing the user can do about errors anyway in his current location, so why intentionally bother him and force him to repeated manual retries?

The same problem 0

Replies (2)

joeloc ●

On a related note: You developer team guys in your perfect WiFi/4G environment never see any problems with this... but please print the following line on a piece of paper and stick it to your monitor:

###

No Networking On Main Thread.

None.

Never.

###

The people being outdoors with Locus will thank you :-).

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Menion ●

Hi joeloc, guys,

current login system will be improved in next version. Locus Map now starts live tracking service and this service will try to connect with 1 minute repeat step. In case of any problem, you will be notified in system status bar.

Let me know if this will work fine for you in next Locus Map version, thanks!

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joeloc ●

Not released as beta yet is it? The last time I tried was still messy... blocked Locus completely with uninterruptable "Working..." windows for a minute, 2-3 times in a row. The only way to escape was to switch phone offline... or force-kill and restart Locus.

I hope you tested the new fix by switching your phone to GSM and running a 50% packet loss simulator. Because that's the unfortunate reality... even in the most civilized mountains on this planet :-(.

Speaking of Locus live tracking in general: if it dies for some reason (phone crash, no reception for two long, accidently switched off, battery change, godknowswhat) and cannot be restarted, I will lose my last successfully transmitted point on screen? Is there any way to get it back when offline?

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Menion ●

Nono, not yet released. During next days will be published full version on Google Play, so you will have a chance test it there. Even in my area, I have also problems with internet connection, it's not problem only in "wild areas". So I understand annoying loading dialog(s), that are in Locus Map, like this.

I'm trying to test it on simulator and seems to be quite stable. First initial request on server is already send on background and in case of fail, is repeated every minute. No disturbing, no extra notifications, only changed state in top system notification panel.

"Last location" ... I'll look at it.

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Lorenzo Cassani ●

In this new release of live tracking the user without gps fix will be able to see on the map the other tracked users?

This situation occurs when I'm out and my wife look for my position at home, she has mobile connection but not a gps fix.

The new way of log in to the tracking service with this "try and repeat" every minute how does affect the battery consumption?

Sometimes I'm out of mobile coverage for hours, if this can be a problem for the battery drain, can you insert an option to customise the interval between the attempts?

Thank you

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Menion ●

Good day Lorenzo,

this won't currently be possible. Whole mechanism works on simple principle ... Locus send data about you and as exchange receive data about other users. When you have not a valid GPS location, data are not send so ...

Your situation will be solved once web page with map will be visible. It's in preparation, it just take us weirdly too loong, sorry for that (it should be already done few months ago).

Battery ... well, effect ... zero. System that handle whole Live tracking feature just sleep for a one minute, then wake up, give it a try and sleep again, so no worry about battery. Anyway to be sure, best is to let new Locus lay on device without internet and then check battery consumption. It should be really really low.

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Lorenzo Cassani ●

Thank you Menion for the answers

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