Comments on: Why You Shouldn’t Hold Your Breath Waiting for Realtime Turn-by-Turn Directions within Google Maps

By: Armin

Armin — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 06:09:36 +0000

The flaw with AT&T Navigator, etc. is that they don’t download the maps. So no cell signal = no directions. Even when Apple finally gets its app from TomTom, it may continue this unholy trend. And anyway, iPhone users will still be a bunch of “alternative” geeky losers. Have you ever looked in an Apple Store? What a bunch of sad, pathetic little nerds.

By: Anon

Anon — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 05:48:10 +0000

We got it via an AT&T App. For your analysis I say “Fail”.

By: Darren S

Darren S — Wed, 13 May 2009 13:39:11 +0000

This is all very typical of Apple, they would cut off their nose to spite their face as they chase as many bucks as possible.

I turned down an iphone for a more modest and significantly cheaper handset and I run amAze GPS quite happily, very handy it is too.

By the time these squabbling children have sorted something out you iphone'er will all be upgrading to your next phone no doubt.

By: Tony

Tony — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:27:28 +0000

@ Daniel iTunes serves up 1+ gig files all the time. The movies are all more than a gig.

By: BKOTI

BKOTI — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:21:06 +0000

TomTom’s best bet is to partner up with Apple and Android (Google)…inside of 5 years most cars will offer Nav as a standard option so the TomTom, Magellan, etc. handheld market is going to drop. What’s left to replace it? That’s right…turn by turn Nav on cell phones. Leave it to Jobs to be an idiot though…hmmmm, let me put an iPod on the iPhone and leave off stereo BT, then I’ll give it GPS without any Nav software…GENIUS!!

By: kevind

kevind — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 13:02:51 +0000

Currently TomTom sells their smartphone navigation app for US$150. I doubt there are "millions" of iPhone users that will pay that.

Moreover, TomTom might not be happy with Apple wanting 30% for doing almost nothing, whereas TomTom gets it all now by selling from their website. (Ditto for Slingbox players.)

All that said, TeleNav (using TeleAtlas data) is reportedly working hard on their version, which would probably require a monthly subscription model that the App Store doesn't support yet.

By: Insider

Insider — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 06:31:08 +0000

The issue for TomTom is not if Apple will let them create a turn-by-turn app. It's the 70/30 business model that takes a lot of profit away. It's also -impossible- to sell added services and new maps via the current app store model. For example, how can you add an extra map (eg Canada) on the iPhone? If you buy it stand-alone, how can the TomTom navigator find it? as far as i know, apps are self contained and cannot access data from other apps. The same applies for connected services. That's the main issue here. But on the other hand, it might be a blessing for TomTom. This might mean that the iPhone would be a complementary solution. You'll still need a TomTom in your car for the best experience.

As far as Garmin is concerned. They're focus on their own phone and are making a big mistake. Who wants a satnav with phone integration? People want the opposite, a phone with gps functionality. They are up for some rough times...

By: Andy

Andy — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:59:26 +0000

How does Garmin play into this? They do turn by turn directions for phones and I like their maps better than TomTom or TeleNav.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 07:00:04 +0000

@ Daniel W – multi-gig, really? My symbian version of TomTom 6 is ~30MB. My Great Britain Map with major roads of western europe is ~200MB. Something like this could easily be hosted on App Store I’m sure.

By: FRED

FRED — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 23:56:57 +0000

The only hold up is that Apple has to decide if they want to make a direct profit by selling or licensing a turn by turn GPS solution, or if the think they can benefit from having 3rd parties sell solutions where they can share provides and help drive sales of iPhones.

Personally I would like to see TomTom have a go. I used their product successfully on my Palm Treo for the last 3 years without any problem. MOST IMPORTANTLY I also like to have the maps running on my device so that they are available ANYWHERE I go and do not depend on a Cell connection. That way I can use them out in the sticks where cell towers do not excist or in a foreign country where I can not afford dada service. People forget this important aspect. GREAT IDEA!!!

Google maps and TeleNav (TeleNav also requires an additional expensive monthly/yearly $$$ subscription both depend on a cell connection to provide gps maps. BAD IDEA!!!

Apple, get it together!!! The GPS in the iPhone 3G is more of a novelty right now and not very useful without Turn by Turn directions!