This page is rather simple and sparse, but the goal is to let you download the NetMonks GPS tracking software for the i730 GPS enabled phone. Right now, we're in testing phases, but it is all looking really good so far.

You can view where I am with live data at http://www.netmonks.ca/projects/research/nmgps/map/.

The web side of things is going to be quite a bit more complex than it is right now. It currently has all the data to provide distances to over 22,000 locations in Canada (and it could be extended to any area in the world, but no one has asked yet).

Some things to note about using the program:

• It will cause more battery drain than usual, since it is always running. I found it is about 75% of the regular battery life I used to have before using this. It's enough so that my battery is dead by the end of the evening, instead of by the next morning.
• Packet data charges may apply to certain service providers (I have no idea how Nextel does their billing). But, the packets are small so that it only sends about 1,000 bytes every two minutes.
• In settings, don't change the update host and port if you want to send real updates to the server. There are no other options at this point to send the data to.
• As of version 0.8.0, pick any username and password you like. When the website is done, you will be able to find your account that way.
• The update interval selection in the settings shows Minutes:Seconds, so you can choose how often to send updates. Keep in mind that the system does two things. First, it gets a position update about every 8 seconds (if possible, longer if not) and keeps them stored until it's time to update the server, it then sends all the updates at once. The longer interval you choose for the updates, the longer it will take to send all the data. While the phone is sending data, phone calls and direct connect calls cannot be received. Once it is done sending data, everything goes back to idle, however. Also keep in mind that since data and voice can't both be sent at the same time, if you're on the phone, position updates will not be sent since the phone call will be blocking it.
• Don't exit the application unless that's what you want to do. It is meant to run suspended, so either use the Hang Up button or close the phone flip to suspend it.
• When the flip is closed, it can display current status (in version 0.8.0, GPS/UDP status, not your position) on the outside display. To get to it, hit the 'smart button' (the one with the square on it) until it says 'NetMonks GPS', then hit the Speaker button, and it will show status.
• When you're viewing status in the application, there is a button marked 'Mark'. This will send a notification to the server that you want to make special note of the current position. When the web site is done, you will be able to give names to the various locations you have Marked (look at the example map above, it has some Marks on it).
• In the submenu of the status screen (hitting the menu key), you can choose 'Force/Unforce'. This will cause the program to send updates to the server as soon as they are available. This is a bad idea in normal operation, since it will effectively block any incoming phone calls. But, feel free to try the 'Force' option if you feel like it.

The Files and Information

Version 0.8.0 is the most current. It is also the most useful. It actually supports usernames now.

Download the two following files:

• nmGPS.jar -- version 0.8.0 (beta)
• nmGPS.jad

• nmGPS-0.7.2.jar -- version 0.7.2 (alpha)
• nmGPS-0.7.2.jad

• nmGPS-0.5.0.jar -- version 0.5.0 (alpha)
• nmGPS-0.5.0.jad

Once downloaded, install them to the phone. And then run them according to the instructions up above. If you have any questions, concerns or want to help, please contact me at slepp@netmonks.ca.

If you like the program, keep checking back here. I will provide updates from time to time as I progress with it, and it will soon have a link to the place where you can look at your GPS logs (at this moment, the info is sent into the database, but can't be retrieved from the website yet).

Also, since the web side of the database isn't written yet, if you want a log of all your information that was sent to the server, please e-mail me and I'll send you the list of information it's sending. The packets look like this:

/V0/I00080000635030/N1=/T;1074300561796/P;321439199;-920029310;98000/A;720;0/S;5;0/H;182;0/C;0;0/O;4;true!

It all means something. /Version 0, /SIM ID 00080000635030, /Number 1 = /Timestamp, /Position, /Altitude, /Speed, /Heading, /Cellular Tower position, /Other data: satellites; assisted(t/f). If that all made sense to you, maybe you want to work on the project too. Hehe.

A bit of a disclaimer..

Please keep in mind that you may have to pay for bandwidth when using Nextel or Telus networking facilities (since it sends UDP packets every few minutes). I'm pretty sure Telus doesn't charge for it, but I'm not at all sure about Nextel. It sends approximately 100 bytes every 2 to 4 minutes when you have a GPS signal. When you have no signal, it sends 30 bytes every 15 minutes to just make sure things are still all working.

Of course, there is no warranty or guarantee to functionality or suitability of purpose for this program, and it is still in extreme alpha testing status. So far, it hasn't blown up my phone or caused any problems at all, but this product is far from being ready for the general public.