Pocket Pocket Query: paperless geocaching for mobile phones

Discussion about software such as GSAK, OziExplorer etc, as well as all things hardware, GPSrs, laptops, PDAs, paperless caching, cables etc
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sentience
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Pocket Pocket Query: paperless geocaching for mobile phones

Post by sentience » 20 July 07 5:20 pm

<p>Hi all,</p>

<p>[<strong>Note:</strong> The beta release is now available for a number of devices, as noted later in this thread. Visit ppquery.com for the latest details.]</p>

<p>This weekend, I will release the first public beta of Pocket Pocket Query (PPQuery for short), a free paperless geocaching solution for Java-enabled mobile phones. Because I live and cache in Melbourne, I'd like to provide the members of the Geocaching Australia community with the first opportunity to try it out!</p>

<p>Image</p>

<p>In its first version, here's how the program will work:</p>
  1. Get a geocaching.com Premium subscription (I know, I know...).
  2. Set up a pocket query to receive a list of caches as a ZIP file via email.
  3. Submit your pocket query ZIP to the Pocket Pocket Query web site.
  4. Download the Pocket Pocket Query application JAR for your mobile phone model, including the contents of your pocket query.
  5. Install the downloaded JAR onto your mobile phone.
  6. Go caching!
<p>The final release will provide more automation and convenience; for example, you'll be able to send your pocket query from geocaching.com directly to the Pocket Pocket Query web site where it will be processed automatically, and the bundled application emailed directly to you. If possible, I'll also provide some options for users without geocaching.com Premium membership.</p>

<p>If you happen to have the popular (but aging) Motorola V3 RAZR mobile phone, and are familiar with the process of installing Java applications on it, you can actually try out the current alpha release immediately. I recommend you use a pocket query containing no more than 100 caches.</p>

<p>Although the initial beta release will only be available for a couple of phone models, I am anxious to expand device compatibility as soon as I can find people willing to test the application on more devices.</p>

<p>If you're interested in PPQuery, and have a Java-enabled mobile phone other than the Motorola V3 RAZR, please post your mobile phone model so that I can provide you with a version of the application to test on your phone.</p>

<p>In anticipation of some common questions, here are a few of the plans I have for additional features:</p>
  • Support for many phone models.
  • Mark caches as found.
  • A multi-cache assistant.
  • List caches according to distance from arbitrary coordinates.
  • List nearby caches from any other cache.
  • More attractive/graphical cache details display.
  • Persistent "recently viewed" list.
  • Configurable coordinate display formats.
<p>I do not have any immediate plans to support the GPS features of GPS-enabled mobile phones, or phones that can connect to Bluetooth GPSrs, but this might change if there is sufficient demand from users.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance for trying out PPQuery!</p>
Last edited by sentience on 21 July 07 8:05 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Mr Router
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Post by Mr Router » 20 July 07 5:43 pm

I have an LG 5000 3g thingy will that work? This sounds very cool 8)

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Post by sentience » 20 July 07 5:56 pm

Mr Router wrote:I have an LG 5000 3g thingy will that work? This sounds very cool 8)
<p>I can't find any information on the LG 5000, and the LG web site doesn't list it among its 3G phone models. Any chance you got the model number wrong?</p>

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Post by CraigRat » 20 July 07 6:26 pm

Great idea...could it be modified to also work with GCA GPX files as well??
(I can provide the schema to you if required)

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Post by Mr Router » 20 July 07 6:38 pm

:oops: :oops: how about lg tu500 :!: it does have java ability.
This be it
Last edited by Mr Router on 20 July 07 7:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post by sentience » 20 July 07 6:48 pm

CraigRat wrote:Great idea...could it be modified to also work with GCA GPX files as well??
(I can provide the schema to you if required)
<p>It absolutely can! Pocket query data is crunched on the server and bundled into the PPQuery JAR. There is no reason I couldn't build in support for another GPX format.</p>

<p>Once the beta is up and running, I'll ping you for the schema.</p>

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Post by sentience » 20 July 07 6:51 pm

Mr Router wrote::oops: :oops: how about lg tu500
<p>It should be possible to support this phone, but I'll need your help to test it. I'll be in touch!</p>

<p>By the way, would you mind editing the long URL out of your post? It's messing up the display of this thread.</p>

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Mr Router
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Post by Mr Router » 20 July 07 7:18 pm

sentience wrote:
By the way, would you mind editing the long URL out of your post? It's messing up the display of this thread.
if it is of such importance to have a tidy thread why not :?

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Post by rhinogeo » 20 July 07 7:34 pm

I've managed to successfully install the alpha version on my Motorola V360 :)

Instead of a new PQ, I just created a GPX using GSAK 8)

I found the easiest way to install the jad and jar files to the correct place was using MotoMidMan

Now to have a good play with it :P

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Post by sentience » 20 July 07 7:50 pm

rhinogeo wrote:I've managed to successfully install the alpha version on my Motorola V360 :)
<p>I'll be able to compile a version specifically designed for V3xx phones, but do let me know how the V3 version works for you.</p>
Instead of a new PQ, I just created a GPX using GSAK 8)
<p>I hadn't even thought of that as a possibility! Let me know how it works. Assuming GSAK and Geocaching.com both use the same GPX extensions for geocaches (which I assume they would), it should work fine!</p>

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Post by caughtatwork » 20 July 07 8:05 pm

SAMSUNG SGH-A701
This is site says:
http://www.imobile.com.au/PhoneReviews/ ... ewsnov0611
MIDP 2.0 Java games and applications

Is that good?

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Post by homedg » 20 July 07 9:22 pm

Will it work on my Blackberry Pearl?
It would be a great solution for us if it does. :lol: :lol: :lol:

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Post by sentience » 20 July 07 10:00 pm

caughtatwork wrote:SAMSUNG SGH-A701
<p>That device is relatively new, and isn't present in the device database I'm working with. That said, it has all the capabilities required by Pocket Pocket Query, so with a bit of research and testing we should be able to get you a version that works.</p>

<p>I'll let you know when I've got a build for you to try!</p>

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Post by sentience » 20 July 07 10:03 pm

homedg wrote:Will it work on my Blackberry Pearl?
<p>Yes, that device is supported. I've seen a couple of problems reported with Java applications on that device, but I'll build you a version and you can let me know if you notice anything wrong.</p>

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Post by embi » 21 July 07 10:03 am

I have a nokia N73.

I'll try it now.

I'd be interested in anything that can utilise my bluetooth GPS on my phone.

(currently running tomtom)

Thanks.

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