Navigon brings MobileNavigator to iPhone's App Store, we go hands-on
By Darren Murph 
posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:06PM
posted Jul 22nd 2009 2:06PM
_103x88.png)
_103x88.png)
_103x88.png)
_103x88.png)
_103x88.png)
While the program definitely takes up a good chunk of your internal storage, the onboard approach is highly preferable in our eyes. Maps don't have to load over the air, and there's no recurring charge to grate your nerves. As with Navigon's standalone units, this app includes Reality View Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode. As expected, users can establish a Home address, setup favorite addresses, access nearby POIs and get from point A to point B via voice guided, turn-by-turn directions. The app also takes full advantage of the iPhone' accelerometer, switching from horizontal to vertical mode as soon as you flip the phone. There's even support for multitouch zooming, and while it'll typically run iPhone OS 3.0 users $99.99, Navigon is offering it up for just $69.99 until August 15th.
We managed to snag a copy of the software this morning, and by and large, we're impressed. One beef we had right away, however, was the apparent lack of real-time traffic updates, particularly since it's available gratis on its dedicated PNDs. Our iPhone 3G did take an annoyingly long time (a few seconds -- we're just hard to please) to recognize inputs when searching for states, cities and street numbers, but once it chugged through that grueling process, everything else sped along just fine. The POI menu was dead simple to navigate, and the switching from horizontal to vertical mode was as quick as we've seen in any app -- even compared to those that Apple includes on the phone. The lady telling us where to turn was loud and easy to understand, and the fantastic routing options let us avoid tolls / ferries and even interject a few stops along the way. We'd still recommend carrying around a car charger for your phone if you really plan on using this as a dedicated navigator (it drains the battery fairly quickly), and just remember -- without support for background apps, every phone call you receive will take your nav offline (seriously, we tried it, and any incoming call exits you from your route). Thanks, Apple.
Mmmkk. I'll still be using my TomTom.
How well does the TomTom do with making phone calls?
Very well! :)
It keeps tracking my position while I make one on my phone.
Ah, so what you meant to say is that it doesn't at all. Got it.
(hint for the truly slow among you: the iPhone actually does a lot of things besides directions, so comparing it to a device that only does one thing is stupid)
Why does the TomTom need to make phone calls?
@Zak: unfortunately, this app costs almost as much as a standalone tomtom unit. Do you seriously need to attack everyone who makes something even close to a dig at Apple/the iPhone?
At this price I would lean towards a regular GPS too. Besides that, do I really want to hand over that much to the company that just pulled out of the US market for actual GPS devices.
I also have trouble understanding Zak's reaction to the OP
?:)
"unfortunately, this app costs almost as much as a standalone tomtom unit"
yeah, but it's another bulky device you carry around, another device you need to charge, another device you forget at home when you really need it, another device some ass takes from your locked car and breaks the window ....
This line kills it for me.
"without support for background apps, every phone call you receive will take your nav offline. Thanks, Apple."
I love my phone, but this is a show stopper for me.
Mark "Do you seriously need to attack everyone who makes something even close to a dig at Apple/the iPhone?"
I think he does... it's just the troll in him. I'm sure he'll come back with his version of "don't hate the playa... hate the game baby."
Actually, a Navigon device starts at $300 or so and they're the priciest PDN on the market. $69.99 to $99.99 is a bargin!
I'll hold out for the TomTom.
@JimboJones: "yeah, but it's another bulky device you carry around, another device you need to charge, another device you forget at home when you really need it, another device some ass takes from your locked car and breaks the window"
How often and why would you carry GPS navigator around? All GPS navigators come with a car charger. Why do you "really need" GPS at home? And Why not just store it in a glove compartment?
Nutmac, you carry it around so people don't steal it after smashing your window and looking through your car. That's how I lost my Navigon a few weeks ago.
@ Zak
Well, since you're on AT&T, I would imagine that your iPhone sure doesn't handle making calls very well.
5 bars disguised as one? Check!
duke, same here - some ass stole it from glove compartment. I'm guessing he saw me putting it away (i did not keep even the suction cup nor cables out).
Nutmac, I had Garmin 265T - it has traffic cable which is more than $50 (just the cable). Yes you can leave it in the car, but I've seen people stealing even used sun lotion.
my point is that it's much better to have GPS on cell phone (in this case iPhone) if the features and eas-of--use are comparable with GPS unit It loos like that in this case it is.
"without support for background apps, every phone call you receive will take your nav offline. Thanks, Apple."
I just had the Navigon app open, got a call, answered it, while on the phone pressed the home button and then reopened the Navigon app. The Nav route picked up where it left off, while I was still on the phone. It just shows the green strip at the top of the iPhone to show you that you are on a call.
So what's the problem?
My 3 year old HTC artemis came with TomTom out of the box, all Western Europe maps included AND is able to continue with GPS while I talk.... my iPhone?, still waiting for a proper Turn by Turn GPS app, Thanks Apple!! ;)
Never Never buy anything Navigon, they are thieves. They will only make their money and run trust me I have a Navigon 7200t, as many people do, it is broke and I am left with buying another. TomTom is not perfect but they have better support then navigon. Shame on Apple or letting the wolves in the chicken house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
nicepost
niceuseofspacebar!!!
So is great for showing directions, just don't count on making any calls once u arrive at your destination ...
Actually the app goes right back to where it was after you are done with the conversation. Navigon announced this, engadget didn't check up on it. Great job guys.
Navigation was one of the biggest reasons I stuck with the Palm Pre instead of returning and going to the iPhone 3GS. Sprint Navigation is actually quite good. I was very surprised to say the least. With multitasking, I can use the GPS while on a bluetooth call. Best part about all of this...It's FREE! Well, it is included in the Sprint plan but I'm still saving money over the similar VZW or AT&T plan.
I'm sure I am igniting some fanboy flame war. But seriously VZW & AT&T, charging people $9.99/mo to access features that are built into the phone is highway robbery. The fact that people will pay $9.99/mo when more economical solutions exist is proof that humans are NOT the superior species.
@justin paulson
so it doesnt have to recalculate its current position? im sure thats what the writers were talking about. the constant recalculation from phone calls would certainly drain some time.
iPod Touch + this = $300
Garmin/TomTom PND = $200
Hm..
Exactly... I will charge 29.99$ for a GPS app, will sell like biscuits! come on! you have NO cost for hardware!
Would be more clever sell the app for small price and accessories (like tom-tom in car holder) plus premium services on fee like real time traffic informations etc...
Not having to carry around multiple devices = priceless
iPod Touch doesn't have GPS
Oops I'm an idiot.
You may be good at math, but logic isn't your strong suit.
Your iPod Touch/iPhone can do far more than just be a PND... unlike that $200 PND which can ONLY navigate.
If iPod Touch had GPS, this would be perfect, but it makes no sense to have it on a phone that can't do more than one thing at a time.
I use my ATT Tilt for navigation with MS LiveSearch navigation which is free. The voice commands are great too. Google Maps' version is pretty good too and now has voice commands and also free.
On top of that, my WinMo device can still take calls, email, text message, etc while providing navigation!
Any Android users want to pipe up out there. I'm sure they can do all this too better than the iPhone.
@reuthermonkey1
That's why I said hm..
It's up to you to decide whether the WiFi, web browser, music player, fart apps, and other things are worth the extra $100.
But of course it's a null point since the Touch doesn't even have GPS, yet (wait for September).
@kjb434: yep, Android user here and there are multiple solutions for this all of which let you do other things at the same time(control music, etc). Gonna try out CoPilot soon which is $35.00 and gives the full 3D turn by turn navigation. Currently been using Nav4All which is fairly decent(especially considering it's free) and waiting on AndNav to get its act together for the US.
@reuthermonkey1
Actually my Garmin Nuvi in addition to navigating can:
sync to my computer
display pictures
play audio books
play mp3
has a translator program built in - English / Spanish and pronounce the words.
and has several other (pricey) add-ons to make it do other things.
Now, after 2 years of owning it, I've never used any of the other features longer then to see that it could actually do it. But they were there. The Nuvi mostly sat in my glove box until I needed it. And after I picked up my iPhone I found myself using it more to get a general idea of where things were with Google maps vs pulling out the Nuvi to have it guide me there.
@Mark: I've got CoPilot on my G1 and, after some initial sluggishness, it works like a charm. I can also play music on it while the program is running. One nice feature is the ability to tap a point of interest on the map, and then CALL that place with a single tap. The outdated Navteq data hobbles it somewhat (as it does every nav unit), but apart from that, it's worth the $35 easily.
This software on the 3G is nothing more than a complete beta disaster! Seems to work better on the 3GS.
I won't be putting the dedicated TomTom on ebay quite yet. I'll wait for the TT iPhone version first.
It must be that "useless compass" everyone is busting on that makes it run better on the 3GS
The compass has zero to do with it. Last I checked my Garmin doesn't have a digital compass in it, but rather ascertains my direction based on trending GPS coordinates.
I'll ditch my Garmin Nuvi as soon as Tom Tom (or a competitor like this) releases a halfway decent GPS solution with ACCURATE TRAFFIC! The Nuvi is half baked, at best - the traffic data is old and slow to update/re-route. I want someone to use the 3G internet connection to give me more accurate traffic, like the Dash GPS that was offered.
Traffic Data does not come from Garmin or Tom Tom, it's a global service that every PND maker can access. Therefore, if traffic data is slow/outdated on one device, it will be on all. This is the single area with the most room for improvement in the PND market. Current traffic data is actually pretty bad.
It's the same dilemma with maps. There are only a handful of digital map makers, and all PND manufacturers use these few map companies for their products. You can't blame Garmin or Tom Tom if something that exists in real life isn't in the map's database; blame Navtec or TeleAtlas.
Ha... of anywhere in the country to show in the screenshots.. I live right off of I-287 in White Plains
Then this is the app for you!
lmao I know, I live in Croton and I was like wait, Tappan Zee? Shit thats right up the road...haha
Whoa, whats up with all the Kona town searches? Nice!
This app doesn't seem to be available..
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=321506742&mt=8
I'm considering this as, I don't currently own a navigation device, I do already have an iPhone 3G, and, like any iPhone owner who uses their phone with any regularity, I always have a charger in my car.