Telmap taps NAVTEQ for iPhone GPS solution, understands the inevitable
By Darren Murph 
posted October 30th 2009 9:47AM
posted October 30th 2009 9:47AM
posted October 30th 2009 9:47AM
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Did I miss something, when did Google say that it was coming to other platforms? I think they should keep it on android phones only to attract people to their own OS. Also being that Google Navigation is going to be in Beta, I don't think apple would even approve that, would they?
I'm sorry, but I don't want Google navigation (even if it is free). Having to depend on AT&T's wireless network for my maps is a no-go for me.
So Darren, going to give us a source on this "just an approval away" line? Google said they'd be bringing Navigation exclusively to Google *branded* handsets, so I'm really interested to see where you got that from.
No they didn't. At most they said it's only coming to Android phones right now. That's a world of difference from "exclusive" to Android. Google doesn't do exclusive. Google's business model is to get their products into as many people's hands as possible to maximize ad revenue.
For all of you who bemoan live data stream mapping in case you go out of service area... how many of you have actually done that? I have, extensively, and with catching, it is possible, and I did it because TOMTOM is such a sucky interface for freeform driving, which is what I do a lot. I rarely have a set destination to bnon driving, like mountain hiking and e guided to...
I would like to mention MotionX gps solutions for the iphone, they are very very good. GPS sport is awesome for non driving, like sailing, hiking, biking and such, if you are out of service, then browse the maps at the res you want, before you set out, and the app will catch the maps. It records your route, you can export your route to google maps via facebook to share with your mates, or import the track to google earth... and their Drive app is almost the same as googles nav app, just no voice recognition, it also works quite well, but yes, it does cost a fee for voice directions because that is licensed...
All in all, imho, the winning uses for Tomtom and garmin devices are very limited now.
Oh, this senseless fever about droid... In my country google dont have good maps, only some streets in capital are named. And you have to download map data... This is silly.
"Pending Apple Approval" With Google and Apple going at it recently I would be surprised if Apple didn't try to delay or just completely stop any update to the iPhone.
Besides...why would Google want this additional function on a competing phone? I would imagine because things have gone sour, that Google would keep that functionality on their Android platform.
I, for one, am getting kinda tired of all this hype. Remember all those iPhone lovers who kept saying "phone to end all phones", "unbeatable", "everyone else should pack up shop and leave town"? Those same people must be writing these stories.
Yes, Google Nav will be a worthy competitor to paid GPS apps on a phone. But not if you want to pre-plan your route on the plane before you get to your rental car. Not if you're driving into the hills to go camping. Not if you ever want your Nav to come out of Beta...
All this will do is cause cell based services to drop from $10 a month to $3. It will drop TomTom and Navigon from $100 to $30. It will be good for consumers, and that's all that matters.
Hey those streets are in my hometown, cupertino sunnyvale border
Well don't you think Google's revenue will increase if the navigational map app was exclusively on android phones. More people would want android because of the free GPS service, which will attract more nationwide carriers and phone manufacturers. Google obviously wants Android to be the top OS. It doesnt make sense that one of the most appealing things about android 2.0 will be ported to the iphone. Think about it, Google has been pushing android to be on every carrier, putting alot of work into their product, thinking of innovating ways to appeal to customers to one day eclipse apple, but you are still helping out the enemy by giving them software that should be used to lure apple users to Android. I love competition and Google is being to friendly with Apple! Next thing you know Apple will come out with a commercial broadcasting free GPS on the iphone blah blah..SMACk in Verizon's face!
Don't really know why they need this for the iPhone...all those iPhone and Apple folks keep trashing Google. Why should Google do anything for iPhone and Apple? WHY?
You couldn't GIVE me a GPS app that uses Mapquest! Their maps have never failed to send me in a wrong direction.
If Apple ditches Google Maps as a native app, I would be willing to pay for a Google Maps/Earth/Latitude/GPS all-in-one app for a large sum of money.
Typically I use Vlingo when navigating in non rural areas - I don't need turn by turn in the city. I have Tom Tom and I use it where all other resources fail. Try using google navigation or even the iPhones built in GPS map program anywhere you don't have a good clear cell phone signal.
In the city and along most interstates you usually have good enough signal - and plenty of signage to get you where you are going. Typically a secondary road in a lower population areas is where you will need it most, especially when you don't have a signal to call someone for directions. Cross the border into Canada? Well guess what data services cost $14.95 / MB for AT&T customers traveling in Canada. Google's maps will be useful where you have good signal (and lots of other resources to get you directions) but useless when you need it most.
A standalone device with all the map information for the entire U.S. stored locally is still superior to something that has to periodically suck the map data down off a wireless connection. The iPhone GPS is a joke when you get outside of a 3G area...intermittent EDGE = iAmLost. And even if the Google application does store at least your planned route, it can't possibly locally store all the alternatives when you miss a turn or get diverted by road work or traffic to an alternate route. The U.S. wireless infrastructure just isn't robust enough for the cloud computing model to really work here.
Besides, car-based navigation is going to become like air-conditioning within 10 years. Virtually every car will have it standard - and the car will have a wireless data connection to feed you live traffic information and keep the local map data constantly updated, as well as a connection to inertial sensors and wheel speed sensors in the car to further refine accuracy. Nobody really wants something they have to plug into their cigarette lighter and mount to their dashboard with wires hanging all over the car - the integrated solution will eventually kill off the standalone units, once the price comes down from the current, robbery without a gun level.
Standalone GPS units are going the way of the "bag phone" cellular phone eventually, but Google isn't going to kill them off, Toyota will.