XRoad G-Map app brings bona fide navigation to the iPhone

At long last, iPhone users who have grown increasingly frustrated by using Google Maps as their primary navigational tool can find relief... sort of. Available right now in the App Store, XRoad's G-Map application requires no internet connection whatsoever in order to function; rather, it packs oodles of maps into a 932MB package that covers most of western America and a few sporadic locales on the east. We're a bit baffled (and angered) by the not-at-all-comprehensive coverage, but we suppose we can expect updates to patch the gaps in the near future. It provides most of the same amenities you're used to seeing on real-deal GPS units, including POI editing, memo capabilities, location searching, etc. A word of caution, though: early reviews don't seem too stoked about it, so you may want to gloss it over good before hitting your card for $19.99.

[Thanks, Karel]

Gallery: XRoad G-Map app brings bona fide navigation to the iPhone

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[Raphael Salgado @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:46PM]

I suppose the reason it doesn't have any east coast data is because the application is called "G-Map U.S. West."

I'll stand back and wait for the east coast version and, of course, when others have pulled the trigger on the "Buy App" button to let others know how well it works.

[munir @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:51PM]

reviews for the West Coast version have been largely negative. im debating whether or not to give it a whirl myself. review this sucka, engadget!

[Flashpoint @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:59PM]

Your battery WILL DIE before you get where you are going.

[tom @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:34PM]

^ Have you heard of a cigarette lighter plug, it can supply 12 volts of DC power. With an appropriate adapter, it can provide electricity for electronic devices such as an iPhone?

[Rob @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:57PM]

these guys are idiots....east coast is where the cash money at

[theantipop @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:15PM]

@tom, I'd be wary of plugging in your hard and expensive to replace battery into the battery-damaging car power plugs.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:03PM]

No, you've got it confused. East coast is where the crappy weather is at :)

[Fragmit @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:59PM]

Flashpoint's car does not have a cigarette lighter socket.

.and by car I mean skateboard.

[Josh @ Dec 24th 2008 12:00PM]

The cigarette lighter adapter cleans the power for you. Nothing to worry about. Also there is also the selection of extended battery cases to pick from.

[Preston @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:51PM]

I thought navigation apps were forbidden on the iphone?

[DSeaver @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:54PM]

Navigation using Google maps are against the EULA.

If you roll your own maps into it, its fine

[IndiaTech @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:58PM]

Only apps that directly compete with apps already loaded on the iPhone are forbidden. Since Real Time Navigation apps are not allowed since they compete directly with G Maps.
This App is nothing but a giant atlas and is not capable of RT Navigation.

[aardWolf @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:41PM]

Actually, turn-by-turn is forbidden by Apple. If you check out this application closely, you'll see that it isn't providing true turn-by-turn. It plays a prerecorded path that you can speed up or slow down, and it happens to show you your GPS position on that path at the same time.

That said, should Apple remove the requirement from the EULA it makes sense that this app could implement turn-by-turn relatively easily.

[Preston @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:52PM]

That was one of the most massive fails I've ever seen.

[eyEi @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:36PM]

With the iPhone, there are no "massive fails" as you so eloquently put it...

anything that the iPhone, ahem 'Touches' turns to GOLD!!!

[Jinto @ Dec 23rd 2008 3:08PM]

You misunderstand. A post was deleted... in effect it said, "FIRST!!!!!0001" Then that SAME poster posted and cussed himself out. (He wasn't first either!)

[D.S = digtal shit @ Dec 23rd 2008 4:47PM]

AMEN

[GenoMalice @ Dec 23rd 2008 7:12PM]

You can delete posts now??....Say wordd

[ssoltero @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:52PM]

Sounds kinda neat. I wonder if it does turn by turn.
I also wonder if it actually says street names or just generic vocal directions.

[IndiaTech @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:53PM]

Almost 1GB of download. Can this app be bought on 3G network or WiFi / Slide Loading the only option?

[Jinto @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:55PM]

Well, if j00r iPhone is jailbroken with certian ...updates... you can install it from anywhere. But, yet, this app is over the 10MB limit, so you'd need to use your MAC/PC or download it on WiFi, but on the MAC/PC would be better I'm sure.

[IndiaTech @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:00PM]

@Jinto

If I had a Jail Broken iPhone why would I be using the App Store? There are better apps available than this.

[Jinto @ Dec 23rd 2008 3:13PM]

This is true in theory. But to do this you or someone would need to make a map application that could be installed via Cydia, but I've not seen any. Do you know of any? If so, show them to us!

What I was referring to is the fact that with a hack from Cydia you can ignore the download limits while on 3G.

Also, for me the main reason to jailbreak is to not update the baseband. My baseband is an older version, and when the Dev team releases the unlock on New Years, I'll be able to unlock my 3G iPhone. This is not for me to get out of Att, but so that when I'm in other countries I can use the local networks without major fees.

[Hackettman @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:53PM]

This app is very pretty at the least..... Makes me upset at my Sprint Navigation software for my winmo phone....

[CL @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:27PM]

There are plenty of other great choices on a WinMo phone. The only time that I will recommend the Sprint Navigation is if you only need navigation software occasionally.

[rob @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:55PM]

when i used to use a winmo phone, msn live worked great as a turn-by-turn navigation app.

[roach @ Dec 23rd 2008 3:28PM]

Get Navizon ...its free! My HTC diamond doesn't pay Telus one cent of GPS data.

[bokeen @ Dec 23rd 2008 3:29PM]

I agree. That cartoony 3D view of "5th Street" looks great. I wish more mapping application had sexy graphics.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Dec 23rd 2008 5:05PM]

Looks like driving in cartoonland...

[neodorian @ Dec 23rd 2008 7:41PM]

I dunno. My Sprint WM phone has been doing fine with Google, Live, and Tomtom for a year or so now. There are a few better packages out there but I don't use it enough to warrant buying one of them right now.

[Brad @ Dec 23rd 2008 7:42PM]

Get iGuidance. It's a little expensive, but turn-by-turn, 3d maps with voice guidance support for built-in and external GPS is great.

[Jay @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:54PM]

Really? Nothing for New York?
fail...

What ever happened to tomtom working on a turn by turn for the thing?

[Camperton @ Dec 23rd 2008 10:20PM]

I'd like to know the same thing. No turn by turn app seems like such a waste of the hardware.

[mingistech @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:57PM]

The U.S. West app is out now and the U.S. East app comes out near the end of December.

http://www.xroadgps.com/Maps/GMapforiPhone/tabid/2463/Default.aspx

[Jay @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:11PM]

love the deleted comments...
whatever I guess I'm not allowed to return the insult with an equally offensive one -

so I leave you with this holiday greeting...

May you receive the yule log across your pillow you truly deserve. :)

[Rekit @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:57PM]

iTunes reviews look a little sketchy.. think I'll wait til they fix some bugs.

[dzhiurgis @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:58PM]

Huh??? Probably Engadget didn't heard xGPS ?
http://xgps.xwaves.net/

[Tanooki @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:08PM]

And clearly that is an illegal app which isn't in the app store retard. This is an app that is supported by apple and since 70% of people don't even have a jailbroken iPhone they can use this.

[oki @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:34PM]

@tanooki

where did you get the statistic of 70% dont have jailbroken iphones? i dont remember apple doing a survey or anyone for that matter

xgps is a good project i think

[Frankfurter @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:33PM]

@Tanooki - 70%? And where did you read that little nugget? I'd guess it's more like 98% aren't jailbroken. I'd love for you to prove me wrong, though.....

[oki @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:36PM]

@frank i guess we commented at the same time haha

lets see if tan can prove us

[dale1v @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:53PM]

Well i moderate an iphone jailbreaking site where most, if not all of the 360 000 members have jailbroken iPhones or iPods.

[Phoenix @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:57PM]

Yes. an iPhone /JAILBREAKING/ site.

people who don't know about or want jailbreaking AREN'T going to join your stupid site. That may come as a surprise to you, but it's true.

I own a computer, but I'm not a member of any forums about creating drivers.

[dale1v @ Dec 23rd 2008 3:51PM]

Yes, phoenix, I am aware that you own a computer.
The point I was trying to make was that more than 2% of iPhone owners are jailbroken; and you don't need to talk down to me, kthx.

[Pete @ Dec 23rd 2008 1:59PM]

Web site says
"G-Map U.S. East will be available in end of December, 2008."

Also people are posting it does not have voice turn by turn directions. i.e. it will not tell you when to turn by voice. Also its like google maps where it shows you the route but it will not show on the screen "take right turn now "

oh well maybe they will improve it or this will get Garmin/Tom Tom off their ass.

[Boarderwoot @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:01PM]

Man, i'd hate to see what happens when the temperature gets to 423

[iomatic @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:24PM]

Huh. Paper maps and preplanning seem to work well for me.

[OS4All @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:34PM]

Why do even BOTHER visiting a gadget oriented web site, then?

/sarcasm off

[puhsitch @ Dec 23rd 2008 4:40PM]

You will receive my response to this comment via postal mail in approximately 3 to 5 days.

[Bill @ Dec 23rd 2008 2:34PM]

"We're a bit baffled (and angered) by the not-at-all-comprehensive coverage"

"angered"? Really? Because an app you're not forced to buy doesn't do everything you'd like it to? Write your own damn app.