Catfood Software Blog

Tracker generates Google Earth KML files from GPS equipped Windows Mobile devices. You can also use the KML files in Google Maps.

1.30 adds a few commonly requested options to Tracker.

Sample Interval - you can now configure how frequently Tracker records a position sample, from once a second to as long as you like. The default is twenty seconds.

GPS Power - if you're recording samples infrequently you can choose to power down the GPS between readings. The default is to keep the GPS powered up and in most cases this means that location samples will be more accurate.

Store elevation in KML - it's now possible to log your altitude above sea level to the KML file. The default is to not record elevation. Google Earth will automatically fit the KML track to it's internal elevation and in most cases this is what you want. If you're a pilot recording a flight then set this option to show the GPS altitude rather than fitting the track to Google Earth's data.

Download Tracker 1.30 from the original Tracker post, or on your Windows Mobile device from http://www.catfood.net/m/.

Tracker creates Google Earth KML format track logs for GPS equipped Windows Mobile devices. 1.00 failed to create the KML file for at least one SmartPhone user. 1.10 fixes this problem, and also lets you control when Tracker starts and ends a track. Read more and download on the original Tracker post.

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Tools | Tracker

Tracker is a GPS tracking tool for Windows Mobile. You'll need to install the .NET Compact Framework 2.0 SP2 if your device doesn't already have it.

Tracker writes a track log to your My Documents folder while it's running. When you exit Tracker it will generate a Google Earth KML file and some statistics (distance, time taken, total elevation gain and average speed). Both the track log and KML file are saved with the current date in the file name. Tracker will prevent your device from powering off while it's running, so you can just kick if off and then lock your phone while it's running.

You can open the KML file in Google Earth, or upload the KML file and use it in Google Maps (see these instructions). The map below is a walk around Crissy Field in San Francisco that I logged earlier today using Catfood Tracker:



(Updated 2009-01-26: Tracker now has a menu to start and end tracks. This solves a problem reported on SmartPhone editions and means that you can log multiple tracks without restarting the app. Also, if you have any problems with Tracker you can get in touch here.)

(Updated 2009-02-23 to version 1.20.0008: Tracker will now start a log if your GPS doesn't report altitude (this doesn't affect the Google Earth KML). Tracker also now supports phones with regional settings that don't use a full stop for the decimal symbol.)

(Updated 2009-05-02: If you'd like to know the format of the Tracker log file see the comments on the Catfood Tracker 1.10 post.)

(Updated 2009-09-07 to version 1.30.0025: Tracker now includes options to configure the sample interval, switch off the GPS between samples and log altitude data to the KML file. Read more at Catfood Tracker 1.30. Download above or at http://www.catfood.net/m/.)

(Updated 2009-10-09 to version 1.31.0003: Fixed a problem that caused some devices to fail to receive samples from the GPS.)

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