Seven years ago that was going to be the next thing. Then widows changed platforms about a dozen times and said embedded handheld would be end of life by now. I don't know anything, just a user, but I think they are fighting the 'phone-for-collector' thing. I would still use a collector, but it sure would be nice to use a phone to check the instrument, move files around and be a remote screen. But what do I know, I am just a customer that pays for things.

@oldpacer agree but every time I see a new robotics or gps ad I see them using a cell phone 90% of the time. If nothing as a hotspot but some just use a phone.  I remember when it was gonna be the thing to go to. I am just wondering who is using if any are. 

There is too much money in those gigantic data collectors. The big three will probably never go to third party apps.?ÿ

0.02

Coming soon - the TOPCON FC-6000A (Android)

The Powerful Topcon FC-6000 Now in Android Version

Powerful, tough, and versatile, the FC-6000A brings the processing speed expected in the office directly to your project site. Your daily field computer just arrived and it set to?ÿimpress.

With best-in-class features including an ultra-rugged ergonomic design, sunlight-readable display, and all-day battery life, FC-6000A field controllers provide the ultimate device for a variety of mobile data collection applications

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Not a direct answer to the original question, but related:?ÿ When Javad first released the Triumph-LS, it ran Windows (forget which flavor).?ÿ It worked fine, but the boot time was annoyingly long.?ÿ Eventually the processing overhead of the Windows OS became a burden, and the licensing costs were not insignificant, so the Javad team rewrote everything to run on Linux (Yocto Project).?ÿ The move to Linux has proven to be very successful:?ÿ lower processor demand, boot time roughly halved, and enhanced UI quality and functionality, all with a lower cost.?ÿ

My point isn't that Linux is the way everyone should go, rather that Microsoft isn't the only platform provider that can support robust field surveying applications.?ÿ Android seems like another suitable candidate.

Android is based on Linux.?ÿ Many Chinese receivers use a Linux OS internally.?ÿ I have tested a couple of Android apps, X-pad (hexagon) and Surv-X.?ÿ Field Genius has been recommended by my GNSS supplier, I have not tested.?ÿ?ÿ

Android?ÿis a?ÿmobile operating system?ÿbased on a modified version of the?ÿLinux kernel?ÿand other?ÿopen source?ÿsoftware, designed primarily for?ÿtouchscreen?ÿmobile devices such as?ÿsmartphones?ÿand?ÿtablets. Android is developed by a consortium of developers known as the?ÿOpen Handset Alliance, with the main contributor and commercial marketer being?ÿGoogle.

I hope they fix all the bugs associated with android program development prior to releasing surveying software. After being an android fan since it was discovered I switched to iOS about a year ago. Although iOS is behind (way behind) android with respect to surveying applications, at least iOS apps don't crash. That has been my problem with android. That and the fact everybody and their sister is an android "app developer." The main thing about iOS I like is everything you do on your daily business routine is synced across the platform to all apps on all your iOS devices. Considering what's available today, I agree, the data collectors are big bulky and inconvenient to lug around all day. There is no reason a phone could not be a data collector given the correct software. ?????ÿ

I've tried running Survey Master (Con Nav) and Egstar on my Samsung S9 and had relative success. I've also had limited success on other android based app's. My biggest issue so far is that I can not find a way to set my state plane coordinates in US Foot. It does not appear to be an option on either Survey Master or Egstar. Also, I find the battery life is very short. I found a solution by cellphone case that has a 4000maH battery.

I also tried Field Genius for Android, but the biggest flaw is not being able to add a specific description to points.

BTW, Survey Master and Egstar are free!