One thing that annoys me about the Android phone is that there isn’t a built in way to check the status of your GPS unit on the device – in other words you can never be sure if the damn thing is working or not, has a fix, or is just trying to direct you to the nearest coffee shop.
Thankfully developer EclipSim has taken the time to come up with a brilliant Android App that is yours for free, is stunningly simple in execution, but literally tells you everything you ever wanted to know about all the sensors packed into that remarkable little device you currently hold in your hand.
GPS Status & Toolbox (more commonly referred to as just GPS Status) basically grabs all the readings from your phone’s sensors and then displays them in a compass and data table form, constantly refreshing so that you can see exactly what your phone is getting up to. Amongst the data it reveals is GPS Position, Signal Strength of Satellites, Accuracy Level, Speed, Acceleration, and Bearing.
This information is then packed into a compass with both magnetic and true north, a leveling tool, and of course the data list. The display is quite configurable, giving you different color options that are suited to different light conditions, and a slew of unit formatting options and settings which should cover every possible user imaginable.
An absolutely essential tool in my opinion, simple, effective, well thought out, and more importantly, one that does everything you could possibly need to feel secure that your device is functioning like you need it to.
And did I mention it is free? (Ad-supported, but nothing a click of the donation button can’t solve.)
Search for GPS Status in the market place to download and install!
