Navigon announces nav app for Android, Google threat looms

Google has taken much of the wind out of the turn-by-turn navigation industry's sails this Fall thanks to the introduction of fee-free Google Maps Navigation, but it's got a fatal flaw for the moment: it's only available in the States. Navigon must be banking on the fact that Mountain View is going to take its sweet time spreading the love around the world, because it has announced at iCE Amsterdam today that it'll be releasing its own app for Android on December 10. Pricing hasn't been revealed, but for comparison, Navigon's European solution for the iPhone runs a stout $140 -- and as long as Google doesn't tell everyone that European navigation is no longer a valid business model as they've done in the US, that could very well be the number we can expect on the Android side. It'll be compatible with devices running anything from 1.5 to 2.0, so Dreams and Milestones alike should be welcome to apply.

[fontendet Posted Nov 26th 2009 7:42PM]

Anyone know - what is the name or manufacturer of that car-holder on the picture?????????

[okEric Posted Nov 26th 2009 8:46PM]

@fontendet looks like it's made by navigon, http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10346063-48.html

[OstePoppers Posted Nov 27th 2009 7:30AM]

@fontendet Found it here: http://navigon.com/portal/int/shop/zubehoer/produkt.html?produktFamilieId=14970&produktId=6964612

[kokoon Posted Nov 27th 2009 5:39AM]

i'm amazed by how everybody seems to think USA is the world.
in Europe, WE DON'T USE DATA CONNECTION in foreign countries, because it's insanely expensive. you know, Europe isn't a country. there are many countries in Europe. for instance Austria. and Germany. and France. and Italy. if you want to travel from Austria to a specific address in Germany, you won't be willing to pay the high charges to the foreign (it's called "roaming") service provider.

so for us Europeans, that kind of navigation (online) is practically USELESS. one usually doesn't need navigation in his own country, but when we go abroad. there are some times you need it in your own country, but not as often.

that is why navigation system with offline (loaded into memory/card) maps is what we Europeans need and will continue buying.

[Om Posted Nov 27th 2009 11:39AM]

fontendet is the only one asking the really relevant question... Who makes the windshield mount in the picture?

[peter1981 Posted Nov 27th 2009 2:55PM]

This amazing mount is made by Navigon

check: http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/09/09/04/navigon.intros.car.mount.for.iphone/