Mobile Solutions
Overview
This is not a formal OSGeo project, just a spot for a few OSGeo folks to share some ideas. The idea is to elaborate foundations of design and implementation of Open Source GIS application(s) for mobile devices.
Our main objectives are to discuss:
- principles of mobile software design
- high usable User Interface on mobile devices
- key functions automation
- usage of latest communication techniques
- portability
Hardware
TODO: What is the best device for mobile GIS application?
Operating Systems / Platforms
This section is devoted to discuss features as well as pros and cons (+/-) of various mobile operating systems and software platforms.
Here are listed platforms we have discussed, in alphabetical order:
Linux
See:
- http://familiar.handhelds.org
- http://intimate.handhelds.org
- http://www.microwindows.org
- http://www.openembedded.org
See also:
Pros and Cons
- +
- -
- less popular
Palm OS
See:
Pros and Cons
- +
- available Open Source tool chain - called
- available JVM
- C/C++ programming language
- -
- dedicated for a very specific hardware platform designed entirely by Palm Inc.
- no choice of user environments
- no multitasking support in versions prior to Palm OS Cobalt, version 6.x
- proprietary
Symbian OS
See:
Pros and Cons
- +
- dedicated to devices with very limited resources
- good support for popular IDEs on Linux, Mac OS and Windows
- open in terms of Open Standards
- very popular on smartphones
- very well documented APIs
- very good support for Java
- wide variety of programming languages: C++, Java, Perl, Python, OPL, Visual Basic
- -
- no choice of user environments
- proprietary
Windows CE
See:
Pros and Cons
- +
- Real-Time Operating System, with full multithreading and multitasking support
- supports wide range of hardware
- very popular on PDAs currently on the market / widely used
- very well supported by Visual Studio 2005
- -
- no choice of user environments
- not compatible with POSIX
- No good free JVM available, both recommended machines IBM J9 JVM and NSICOM CrEme JVM are commercial
- proprietary
- very limited version of C Run-Time library
- Visual Studio 2005 is expansive / no replacement
Open Source GIS for Mobile Devices
TODO: Details of mobile GIS application design and implementation
Key Features
TODO: List of key features
Brainstorm
TODO: Summary of our discussion on the OSGeo mailing list
Spatial Data Formats
This section discusses data formats considered for local spatial datastore on a mobile device. Proposed formats are listed in alphabetical order.
Spatial Data File (SDF)
From Autodesk's FAQ about the SDF format:
Autodesk’s new spatial data file (SDF) is a powerful single file that provides many of the capabilities of a relational database (RDBMS). Each SDF file can contain multiple geometry types (lines, polygons, and points) as well as feature attributes. A spatial data file enables you to organize and manage your data as GIS features, providing a solid foundation for a smooth transition to an RDBMS in the future if the need arises.
TODO: We need more details about SDF format! If you know anything about this format, please share your knowledge here. Thanks!
TODO: Is there any specification available to download?
SQLite
From the SQLite website:
SQLite is a small C library that implements a self-contained, embeddable, zero-configuration SQL database engine.
SQLite engine seems to be a good candidate for a local geospatial database managed on a mobile device. SQLite features which are mostly interesting for Open Srouce GIS system for mobile devices include:
- highly portable library (works well on Linux PDAs, Windows CE devices)
- Open Source Software
- single-file format
- it's been used in GIS, see SQLite driver for OGR
Existing Projects
Here is the list of various existing Open Source GIS projects for mobile platforms:
- GRASS Server by Radim Blazek and Luca Nardelli - client-server system providing access to geographic information from different kinds of devices: PCs, PDAs, mobile phones; with speech recognition support.
- GRASS Server Video by Radim Blazek and Luca Nardelli - Video Demo (AVI File 31MB).