HAHA.

Clarifications : Sarawak / Kuching mapping

Well what user's have to do here is to update their mapping by downloading the latest map source from the website. But I think it only works in Singapore and KL, and not the other states as what you said, "It won't work" because a company won't dare start a new investment on new (risky prior to less users) continents, won't they?

That's why I'm suggesting if it's time for Kuching / Sarawak itself to upgrade and call of expert to assist on GPS system here as it might be useful in the rain forest / less reachable area.

Hmmm...
Perhaps the ausie approach and asia were totally different for all these times when it comes to free maps. Ya know, asia is more onto cost savvy that's why the strive of the open project is still an undergo & profit would majorly came from the unit sold and some special GPS services like alternate tracking functions. hahaha!

I heard N95 do comes with that feature but don't know how realiable it is...

The World Map that comes with N95 seems really reliable. I've tried it in KL and it's pretty accurate. But for Kuching, so far the only road they show is the Kuching-Serian road. And it's not even accurate. My house is supposed to be on the left side of the road but the map shows my position on the right.

Go for google maps, it has everything. Street names even. you have it on your desktop. Oh you want it in mobile devices you say ? Well google maps are available on mobile devices as well :P free. Load it up with your Sony Ericson P1 and your off to pinpoint your self on the world map. Most newer handsets have the ability to connect to a bluetooth enabled GPS device.

N95 maps are preloaded with malaysia and singapore cities. They have all the proper land marks and stuff. But if you buy AP or grey sets, then your out of luck cos you might find your self staring at cities in belgium or something(where ever the phone came from). ^^". Even then Nokia maps got nothing on Kch and KK, just a blank piece of land with ONE road running thru it.

So far google maps I have tried it on the n95, and the n82. Small and fast. Directions? not working yet(for kch). Traffic updates? Not working yet(for kch). But how long ago was it when we had google maps and there were no street names? Give it some time and google will conquer everything. Google Android is out too. The next 2 years will really be interesting.

Well if you like microsoft, they also have their own mapping system. If your in the states, you can plan routes by a few clicks o f the address. easy.

the approach is not only different in ASIA and OZ, but with other European country as well. Our mentality is why pay when can get free or cheaper. We are always looking to get a good deal. Intellectual properly is like nearly non-existent here.

links :

http://maps.google.com/
http://maps.live.com/

Maps is just a map. I think what bytes wanted is a GPS Satellite Navigator compatible mapping, meaning, you can route, directed, assisting navigation to your destination.

The Goggle Maps only shows, maps. They don't tell you your current Global Position, and how to get to your destination, just like a GPS Sat Nav would.

And how do you attached a bluetooth GPS receiver to work in conjunction with the Goggle Maps and run the direction, I have no idea.

There are currently only a few companies that does mapping for GPS Sat Nav running on mobile phones, companies such as Navigator, Route 66, Whereis (for Australia), CoPilot:

Examples

And as far as bytes is concerned, here are the few popular brand names for the GPS Sat Nav and the maps they provides:

Navman

TomTom

Garmin

Mitac Mio

As you can see, Garmin is perhaps, the only one that truly specialised in GPS Sat Nav mapping in Malaysia (unfortunately only for West Malaysia) and Singapore. Mitac Mio (one of my favourite brand), however, does not show much information on their mapping from their website, despite selling in Malaysia, even in Kuching:

Comcable & Supply Lot 3.28, 3.08, 3rd Floor, Wisma Saberkas, Kuching, 93000, Sarawak +6086-335 336

you might give that a try and see what do they sell. But as far as my experience go, the Mitac Mio GPS Sat Nav can only be used in the country you buy it from. Say for example, I bought mine here in Australia, and it can only be used in Australia, despite them selling maps for other countries. How that works is, they sell maps of a country especially for the customers from that country, as an updated maps. They don't see maps of a particular country, to customers from another country, because all of their units are encoded to run on one country only.

Not sure about the newer models, but my older model will not work if I put maps of other countries in.

I have to say, it is safe and best to purchase Garmin units, because there are plentiful of mapping and software support you can get from Malsingmaps. Although they are not the best unit, tends to be slow to lock up, slow in route re-calculations, not the best user friendly interface, especially with the small screens and works only via touch screen, they are however, reliable.

map is map of course a map is a map.. else what is it?

Go try google maps on a mobile (meaning on a mobile phone with GPS capability or a p1 with GPS module attached[garmin or what ever all will work]) before yakking. Then press the function call My Location and it will sync your location to google maps :P You can set route as well, show traffic details (only in the states if not mistaken, can try in OZ also). Its free, no matter which country you go to.

Why pay when can get free? (sort of, as u need to download maps as u go, incur network charges)

Oh yeah I also tried Route 66 on the 6110 Navigator. It works well in KL. As the maps are pretty up to date, but still same issue with Nokia Maps in Swak. Nothing!

Sorry for sounding like sounding you Ed. It happens when I get up on the wrong side of the bed. But do give the google maps MOBILE a spin and be surprised. Only charges incurred is network charges. To me its still acceptable as my mobile has WiFi capabilities so I use that to grab the maps instead. Cheaper that way.

I have was charged RM 96.00 for using 3G 2 months ago. bloody expensive, with that money I can subscribe to unlimited downloads zz.z.z.z.z.

Though 3G service was introduced in Japan way back in 2002, but personally I think the service doesn't make any sense for normal users like us except for business conferences and medical operations.

1) Too costly
2) 3G phone compatible handheld on both sender & receiver

BTW, the mapping you mentioned sounds interesting. hmmm.... I've got my O2 but dunno how to inject the GPS into my phone. lolx and yeah O2 sux. hahaha!

Hmmm.. looks like Sarawak is still a jingle-jungle which is not coherent with the west part at all.. Wu wu ar ar ar.... the only not that detailed map available for download is located here.

You sound terribly bad with so many mistakes in your post.

Thanks for the suggestion, and I had look through Google Maps for mobile though is good, it seems like it does not have automation direction navigator? You have to hit next turn everytime and the GP is not constantly on, you have to hit 'lock' each time to find out where your current location is?

When you use a GPS Sat Nav unit, as soon as you lock to the GP (Global position), it will constantly secured your position anywhere you go, even a metre ahead, so you know where you stand all the time so long as your unit is still engaged. GPS unit has turn by turn voice navigator.

Correct me if I am wrong, I have never used Google Maps on a mobile before, but have used a GPS Mapping Software that run on PDA phones, which works exactly like a portable GPS unit.

Please to go Malsingmaps and read through the wiki. There is a comprehensive routable map for Sarawak (through lots of hard work by contributors and volunteers). They only have maps for Garmin and Mapking but they are the best available for the public and it's for free. The map is constantly updated and if more people contribute the better it get.