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Google shutters My Tracks outdoor activity-logging app
Google's My Tracks app for logging outdoor activity isn't long for this world. The company plans to shutter the software at the end of April, though it regularly updated the GPS-based app in quite some time. This isn't just an end of support, the app won't run at all after that date. If you stuck with My Tracks, Google says you can export collected data to Drive or external storage. The company says closing down the app will allow it to focus on "more wide-reaching mapping projects."
Google My Tracks update brings Drive integration and a lock screen widget
Cyclists and runners with Android phones have had a rare first-party option for keeping tabs on their performance through Google's My Tracks, but the app hasn't been entirely in step with those who upgrade their OS as quickly as they barrel down the street. It's back on pace with a quiet update: My Tracks now has a customizable lock screen widget for Android 4.2 users who want to know their distance or speed details at a glance. Whether or not you're running the latest and greatest Android version, the upgrade will sync finished tracks with Google Drive for safekeeping and sharing; extra-competitive types can also import KML files and view others' tracks for comparisons. Hit the source link if time (or simple oneupmanship) is of the essence.
Google delivers My Tracks 2.0 for Android, includes playback in Google Earth and aggregation of statistics
We've long since been fans of Google's My Tracks app -- perhaps the only issue is the Android exclusivity, at least for those using Windows Phone, iOS or BlackBerry. Of course, Columbia's GPSPal accomplishes some of the same tasks, but even it will need a major overhaul to compete with the feature set in My Tracks 2.0. Available now for no charge in the Play Store, the new route tracker adds the ability to play back your tours, runs, etc. on Google Earth for Android. Moreover, it now aggregates statistics over time to show trends in performance, and we're told that the user interface is "simpler and faster." Those who weren't so keen on the prior build's charting system may also dig the newfangled charts / stats tables, which are said to be "easier to read." So, how's about that midnight run in Crystal Lake?
Columbia's GPS Pal app for Android and iOS logs your hikes, geotags memories (video)
Move over, My Tracks -- you've got serious company. Google's own adventure tracking app just got majorly one-upped by a company that also happens to make heated jackets. Columbia's just-launched GPS Pal app is not only available on both Android and iOS, but it's actually designed to be used with a user account so that activity logs are neatly housed in a searchable, organized portal. It's free to download, and aside from monitoring your hikes and treks via GPS, it also syncs photos, videos, and trail information to a web journal automatically, complete with pinpoint geotagging information on each piece of media. As for data points? It'll keep track of elevation changes, current speed and distance traveled, and it makes sharing said trips to social networks quite the lesson in simplicity. Naturally, you'll need a data connection in order to upload media while on the trail -- something that's often hard to find -- but at least the app tells you how poor (or great) your GPS signal is at all times, which is all that's required to keep track of your actual steps. Head on past the break for a promo video, or hit the links below to grab it for your platform of choice.
Google warms to location-based apps with My Tracks, new Gmail signatures
As if the addition of TeleNav GPS to the T-Mobile G1 wasn't evidence enough, Google is totally into exploiting the GPS capabilities of its Android-based handsets. First up is My Tracks, which quite simply "records tracks of outdoor activities using the phone's built-in GPS." From there, it shows the data points on a map and presents live statistics (which even includes an elevation profile); obviously, sharing said routes is a lesson in simplicity thanks to Google Maps and Google Docs. Next up are location-based Gmail signatures, which oddly enough, use your IP address in order to append a current location to your sent emails. Granted, this approach is better than nothing, but there's certainly the chance of it missing your real whereabouts by a town or three. At any rate, feel free to dig into both in the read links below.Read - Google My TracksRead - Location-based Gmail signatures
