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nDrive debuts navigation solution for webOS 2.0, offers assistance for your next global adventure
A new navigation solution now graces the webOS App Catalog, offering the platform's first turn-by-turn assistance that operates without a data connection. Although it's pricey ($49), nDrive comes packaged with all the requisite maps needed to chart your destination within the US, and also provides spoken directions via the handset, headphone jack, or Bluetooth. For times when you're not blazing trails, the app uses a cellular signal to deliver weather information, as well as check-ins via Facebook Places and Foursquare. International users will appreciate knowing that nDrive is also well-suited for use abroad, though additional country maps must be purchased as add-ons. Follow the source link for a complete review of this travel companion, and don't forget to send us postcards while enjoying your next excursion.
NDrive Australia/NZ: A competent GPS nav app with a few flaws
When asked if I wanted to review NDrive Australia & New Zealand (currently US$24.99, AU$29.99, and NZ$30.99), I was initially reluctant. "The problem with these nav apps is they don't really seem to offer me a compelling alternative to the free Maps app plus a co-pilot," I said. Since getting my iPhone 3G a bit over a year ago, my wife has been the human half of my turn-by-turn navigation system. The biggest advantage she offers over any nav app is her ability to intelligently adapt to changing conditions. When it was pointed out to me that I won't always have a co-pilot with me, thus making it all but impossible to use the built-in Maps app without unintentionally going off-roading in my Toyota, I agreed to give NDrive Australia & New Zealand a try. After using the app for a few days navigating around Palmerston North and some of the backcountry roads of New Zealand, I came away more impressed with the app than I thought I would be -- but it still has some flaws that will likely keep me from relying on it as my primary GPS app. Read on for a more comprehensive review.
NDrive brings a low cost nav solution to the iPhone
Gee, I thought we had seen all the nav apps, but new ones keep popping up. NDrive, a new U.S. $32.99 app [iTunes link] is actually pretty good for the money, and has a reasonably complete feature set. I don't put it in the class of the TomTom, Navigon or Magellan apps, but they cost twice as much. Here's what you get for your 32 bucks plus change: The maps are built into the app. No cell connection needed Auto day/night switching Alarms for speeding Portrait, landscape mode Alphabetical or QWERTY keyboard option POIs with favorites, descriptions, phone and website links The app features voice instructions, but no text-to-speech until a Mid-December update. While driving around town it worked pretty well. The POI database was not better or worse than some of the more expensive apps, as I think most are drawing on the same sources. I found it to be reasonably complete. An added feature is some limited 3D landmarks in the larger cities. The app has a strange syntax when announcing a turn, saying something like "in miles .3 turn right." The developer says that will be fixed in a couple of weeks. IPod support is weak with no control of the music, it just keeps playing what you are already had on. That's going to be fixed too. I thought the GUI was actually quite nice. Zooming is and out is done by pinching and squeezing, but if you zoom out too much you won't see many details. The app was quick to get a GPS fix, but I found turn instructions came just a bit late. It needs to anticipate the upcoming turn in enough time that I can get in the correct lane. Bottom line: A pretty good app for a reasonable price. If you are on the fence about a GPS app, and want to get something for holiday travel but don't want to sink $80 or more into some of the other offerings, NDrive is a pretty good app. With the update scheduled for a couple of weeks out, the app will get even better. %Gallery-79101%
Windows Mobile 6.1-based NDrive S400 gets specced and pictured
Tired of the same 'ole, same 'ole when it comes to Windows Mobile 6.1-based handsets? Yeah, well you probably won't dig the NDrive S400 too much. Sure, it has its own personal charm, but by and large it's fairly predictable. Not that we're kvetching about a 624MHz Marvell PXA310 CPU, 128MB of RAM, quad-band GSM connectivity, HSDPA support, a VGA (640 x 480) display and aGPS, but there's no denying this thing could use a dash of personality. At any rate, we're also informed that it'll arrive with Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, a microSDHC slot, video out, a 1,500mAh battery, accelerometer and an FM radio module, and being just 16.9-millimeters thick with a slide-out QWERTY keyboard isn't too shabby, either. As these things always seem to go, pricing and availability is anyone's guess.
NDrive rolls out new NDrive Touch GPS units
NDrive's GPS units may not ever make it over here, but it looks like folks in Europe now have two more models to choose from, which the company says are a full 40% thinner and lighter than anything else on the market. Those include the 3.5-inch NDrive Touch and 4.3-inch NDrive Touch XL, which are each available in 1GB and 8GB versions and include all the usual the GPS-related features, plus a few slightly less than common ones like a light sensor and, perhaps most notably, "gesture support," though it's not clear exactly what that entails. There's no word on an exact release date just yet either, but it looks like they'll run you between €139 and €249, or roughly $170 to $310.
NDrive intros photo mapping G280, G800 GPS units
Ever the one to find a somewhat unique selling point for its GPS units, NDrive has now announced a pair of new devices that employ what the company claims to be the "world's first photo mapping system." That slightly dubious claim aside, the new G280 and G800 units certainly look like they'll get the job done and then some, with them each boasting visual and audible speed camera alerts, a pedestrian mode for out-of-vehicle use, and of course the usual range of PMP features with an SD card slot provided for expansion. The G800 also takes things a couple of steps further with built-in Bluetooth and an FM transmitter to pump audio through your vehicle's speakers. No word on a release 'round these parts, but those in the UK will apparently be able to grab 'em later this month for £199 and £315 ($400 and $630) for the G280 and G800, respectively.
NDrive's G400 PND knows when you're one sip over the line
Who do you trust more to tell you when you've had too much to drink -- your family, friends, or lovers, or a cold, emotionless piece of technology? We all know the answer -- you want the NDrive G400. We're not sure if this will actually keep idiots from driving drunk, though it will at least give a realistic impression of just how much you've knocked back -- which might be enough of a deterrent for some people. Other then the built-in breathalyzer, we assume this GPS nav does all the usual things PNDs do, but let's be honest, no one is buying it for the turn-by-turn directions. You can pick one of these puppies up for €200, and you can see the breathalyzin' in action in the video after the break.[Via Navigadget]
NDrive reveals internet-enabled G700 navigator
It's not exactly likely that we Americans will ever see NDrive's G700 on our soil, but for folks overseas who can look forward to receiving it when it launches next month, here's what you can expect. This navigator sports a 4.3-inch display along with a snazzy integrated GSM / GPRS module for connecting to the intarwebs and pulling down traffic, weather, local movie listings, etc. when cruising about. Unfortunately, that's it for the details right now, but if you've heard enough, you can round up your €480 ($704) and start counting down the days.[Via NaviGadget]
