I got my Galaxy Tab last week, and about to head off to Australia for some vacation. Of course, I will be renting a car and driving. Of course, I don't want to pay an extra $10 per day for GPS. after all, I got one in my Tab, right? right?
Well.... Kinda... Yes the Google Map work as such, but you can't use it when you're offline, and who wants to pay the data charge of downloading all those maps as you roam Sydney. There got to be a better way.
I have downloaded all kinds of maps, ... to name a few. But none quite get it there.
Then I learn that the new Google Map 5.x has a "Lab" feature for offline caching of 10 mile radius. That will do it.
Sadly, My Galaxy Tab doesn't come with Google Map 5.x. It doesn't show on my android market, and everywhere I go on the official update sites, it says it can't find the update.
Fortunately, someone "cache" all the Google Map versions, and that's what I finally use.
So if you have a Galaxy Tab (7" variety) and want to add Google Map 5.8 (or more) please go to this URL:
http://www.freewarelovers.com/android/app/google-maps
and just pick and load the Google Map you want. You will be warned that you're replacing a system app, but I did it, and so far so good.
Incidentally, one 10 mile radius (20 mile x 20 mile box, actually) is enough for downtown Jakarta, and the entire island of Singapore.
Thanks.
Donald
