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All posts tagged "gps"


Friday, January 28, 2011

Do You Share Your Location?

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "The Competition" @ 04:00 AM

http://www.businessinsider.com/most...locatoin-2011-1

"Location-based services are going to have a hard time overcoming privacy fears and proving their worth."

The survey about privacy and sharing with location-based services was done by Microsoft, and it does reveal some interesting tidbits. Over 80% of those polled have never used a location-based service to tell others where they are, or to find the location of their friends, family etc. And of the roughly 20% that had used it, the most popular service was Google Latitude or Places at 52%, followed close behind by Facebook Places at 50%. Foursquare was only used by 15% of those users in the United States, and less in the other countries polled (Japan, Canada, UK and Germany). I am not too surprised that the "have-used" crowd was smaller than the "have-not" used crowd, but I didn't think the disparity would be that large between them. And for those that use those services, I would have thought that Foursquare, for all it's hype, would have had a greater percentage of users. I wonder just how many that said they didn't actually did but didn't know it. I guess the bigger point they are trying to make here is that people are just not comfortable putting that information out there yet. Personally I don't have too big a problem using Facebook Places every now and then, since I've vetted those that are my friends there, but there aren't too many on a regular basis that I do use other than that. How about you, any qualms about using these services and letting the 'Net know where you are?


Thursday, January 6, 2011

Pioneer SmartCradle for the iPhone

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad" @ 05:30 AM

http://www.cultofmac.com/pioneer-em...w+(Cult+of+Mac)

"Pioneer launched its SmartCradle for the iPhone at its CES presser today, further proving that the aftermarket auto industry seems to be embracing the iPhone with rapidly increasing gusto."

The wire was full of stories about products from CES today of course, including this one. I like the enhanced GPS and that it charges the iPhone, and the improved accelerometer and speakerphone capabilities, but I'm not sure about the rest of the features. I mean really, do you have to have updates read to you from Facebook or Twitter? I suppose in the case of teenagers this might be less of a distraction, but it sounds like they are adding way to much to it. Perhaps it can be turned off so you can just use it for the normal stuff, but info and pricing is limited, well in the case of pricing it's non existent since they aren't releasing that tidbit just yet.


Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Some CES Navigation Help From Audi and Navigon

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 02:46 PM

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2011/01/...e-navigons-app/

"Navigon and Audi have teamed up to offer CES 2011 goers a free and convenient way to navigate the streets of Las Vegas."

It's a free app [link] and comes with a lot of features, that even if you weren't going to CES you would find useful in Las Vegas. The bonus is that it comes with data for the entire state of Nevada, not just Las Vegas. But if you are in Las Vegas, it offers turn-by-turn, weather conditions, parking and even pedestrian mode if you are walking and need some guidance. It's based on the Navigon app MobileNavigator, and obviously has some branding you need to put up with since Audi is sponsoring it.


Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Get a Deal on CoPilot Live, This Week Only

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 08:05 AM

http://prmac.com/release-id-18381.htm

"CoPilot Live, the full-featured, voice-guided GPS navigation application for iPhones and iPads is slashing the price of its award-winning apps starting today and through the busy Thanksgiving holiday travel week ahead."

CoPilot Live USA sells for $2.99 USD [affiliate link], and the North America version sells for $9.99 USD [affiliate link], with both including a 14-day free trial of the ActiveTraffic reporting, which gives updates on traffic conditions throughout the US. The reviews vary from best thing since sliced bread to dont buy ever, but for $2.99 USD, might be worth a chance if you are looking for a GPS program for your iPhone. Personally, on my last trip, I just used the Google Maps app and did fine.


Monday, October 4, 2010

AT&T Navigator v1.7i, Updated to Avoid Traffic Cams

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 02:00 AM

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/10/...e-improvements/

"The new AT&T Navigator v1.7i is probably one of the most significant updates in some time for the application. AT&T has improved the overall map graphics, enhanced the 3D framerate performance, utilizes iOS 4 multitasking, warns for traffic cameras, added a battery saving feature, provides lane guidance, and integrated speech recognition."

Of course, as you can see from the above information, it was updated to do more than just help you avoid the traffic cams. Pretty significant updates to this service from AT&T, including the voice recognition which is, according to them, the first of it's kind in any iPhone GPS application. Pretty cool, as you can search for various things simply by tapping on the microphone at the bottom and talking to your iPhone. The app itself is free [link], but you have to pay a subscription fee (monthly $9.99 USD or yearly $69.99 USD).


Thursday, August 12, 2010

Navigon Anniversary Sale in the App Store

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 03:08 PM

http://www.tuaw.com/2010/08/12/navi...-much-anything/

"Has it really been a year since we started reviewing true turn by turn GPS solutions? It's a one year anniversary for Navigon in the App Store, and the company is celebrating the event with a half off sale on almost every nav app and upgrade offered."

Here is the breakdown of the sale going on now until August 15th:

  • MobileNavigator North America (includes maps for Canada & US): US $39.99 instead of $79.99 [affiliate link]
  • MobileNavigator USA: $24.99 instead of $49.99 [affiliate link]
  • MobileNavigator Canada: $29.99 instead of $59.99 [affiliate link]
  • MobileNavigator US MyRegion East [link], Central [link] or West [link]: $14.99 instead of $29.99, additional regions $11.99 instead of $14.99.
  • In-App PurchasesTraffic Live lifetime subscription: $12.99 instead of $24.99
  • Panorama View 3D: $4.99 instead of $9.99

That is quite a price drop, and I think about where apps like this should be priced at, what are your thoughts? Have you used this particular one, and if so, how do you like it? Or are you like me and don't have a GPS app, relying instead on the mapping app for the iPhone? Is this enough of a price drop to entice you to enter the GPS or navigation app marketplace?


Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Speaking of TomTom, They Dropped Their Prices!

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 01:00 PM

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2010/05/...-lowest-prices/

"TomTom has placed both of their U.S. iPhone navigation apps on sale for their lowest prices ever, which means you can give your mom the gift of navigation for Mother's Day without breaking the bank. It will also probably be more fun for her to use than that cooking apron you gave her last year for Mother's Day."

TomTom for the U.S. has dropped to $39.95 USD ($20 off the normal price) while the TomTom U.S. Canada version has dropped to $49.99 USD (also a drop of $20 from the normal price). Couple this with the Star Wars voices and they are making it very attractive to own TomTom don't you think?


Let Darth Tell You Where to Go

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "The Competition" @ 12:00 PM

http://gizmodo.com/5530773/darth-va.../full+(Gizmodo)

"TomTom has decided to celebrate Star Wars Day-May 4th-with a Darth Vader voice for their GPS devices, complete with Imperial March playback, rattling lightsabers, and flying TIE Fighters. And there are more Star Wars characters coming soon."

Each voice will cost $13.00 USD, and C-3PO will be coming to you in June, Yoda appears in July and Han Solo will wisecrack his way to your TomTom in August. This could be really cool or very very annoying, I haven't decided.


Monday, May 3, 2010

Destinator 9, Turn-by Turn for New Zealand and Australia

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad)" @ 07:00 AM

http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/...h-aus-a-nz-maps

"Intrinsyc has made its Destinator 9 turn-by-turn navigation application available for iPhone with Australia and New Zealand maps, claiming it to be "the most feature rich turn-by-turn application for the iPhone."

It uses NAVTEQ map data and with this version they have added features including integrated iPod controls, Google local search and expanded their places of interest listings. You can also send your location or a point of interest to a friend, and use the address book to fill the locations on a route if you choose. Its available now for $39.95 USD, or $A47.99.


Monday, February 22, 2010

Tom Tom a Success on iTunes App Store

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch)" @ 11:00 AM

http://www.ipodnn.com/articles/10/0...ths.to.achieve/

"Over 100,000 copies of the TomTom iPhone app have been downloaded, the company claims in its latest quarterly results. The title is one of the more expensive ones at the App Store, currently costing at least $60 in a US-only edition. It does however supply functions not available in Google Maps, namely turn-by-turn instructions."

This certainly helped the bottom line, contributing to the fourth quarter profit of $99.2 million. In the same quarter from the previous year they posted a loss of $1.3 billion, which was the result of debt from buying Tele Atlas, a map producer. I don't have GPS other than the one in my iPhone 3GS, and to be honest using Google Maps on it works just fine for me. I suppose if I was traveling in a city I was unfamiliar with that the turn-by-turn would come in handy, but I'm thinking using the AT&T Navigator would work find and I'd only need it for a short time anyway. Do you use one of the GPS programs on a regular basis, and if so, is it handy to have even in locales you are familiar with?


Monday, December 14, 2009

AT&T Updates Navigator

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch)" @ 12:00 PM

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/12/12/atan...iphone-updated/

"Not wanting to feel left out of the festival of updates for GPS apps, AT&T has given AT&T Navigator some new features that are sure to please people who use the app."

This is the GPS app that is subscription based through AT&T, $69.99 USD per year or $9.99 USD per month. This app requires a cellular connection to operate since all the maps are streamed so if connection speed is an issue this may not work well for you. They have thrown in some enhancements this go around that are nice, such as being able to search through your music from within the app as well as listing AT&T hotspots in the POI entries. But one that I think should have been standard from the beginning that is just now being included is full landscape view integration. The very nice thing about this is that you don't have to be tied into the subscription since it is month to month so if you are going to be traveling and need an app for that, just subscribe and drop it after you return.


Tom Tom Drops iPhone App Price, and a Country!

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch)" @ 11:00 AM

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/12/11/tomt...o-go-to-canada/

"Maybe they're feeling a bit of pricing pressure? Whatever the reason, TomTom just released a stripped down version of its Navigation app that leaves out Canada. Oh my."

If you don't need to go to Canada, and are strictly a US kind of traveler then this will work out fine for you, and at only $49.95 USD which is about half what the full version costs. This will work with iPod touch or older iPhones as long as they are running 3.0 software and you have the Tom Tom car kit with the built in GPS receiver. I haven't found the need yet for any of these GPS programs, the Google maps work fine for my needs but since we are doing some traveling this next year, I may have to break down and get one. What do you use for your GPS needs?


Friday, December 11, 2009

NDrive, Providing GPS City by City

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch)" @ 09:00 AM

http://www.cultofmac.com/new-city-f...w+(Cult+of+Mac)

"The crowded iPhone GPS nav market is already starting to resemble a Southern California freeway on a Friday afternoon. But two just-launched GPS apps by Portuguese-based NDrive are different: they cover a much smaller area - they also carry a much lighter price tag."

NDrive has navigation apps that cover larger areas, such as the entire United States, Eastern Europe, etc that cost $32.99USD, but they came out recently with some smaller city oriented GPS apps that are much less. NDrive for Los Angeles and New York City sell for $4.99 USD each. Another GPS option for you to consider, but one caveat is that the price only covers the map licenses for one year, so there may be additional charges once that runs out. But if you live in either area or plan to travel there, it is pretty cheap GPS.


Thursday, November 5, 2009

Use Augmented Reality to Find Your Car

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch)" @ 09:00 AM

http://www.iphonealley.com/current/...mented-reality?

"There have been a lot of apps in the App Store for helping you find where you parked your car, but now there's one that shows you where it is with the awesomeness of augmented reality."

This is an interesting use of the Augmented Reality feature, but not sure how well it would work in a parking garage. Since you have to use the GPS, I'm guessing open lots work best. The results they achieved were close but not exact, but as long as it gets you in the general area I suppose that is good enough. I find taking a picture of the location if they use markers for the parking areas works pretty well, but if they don't this might come in handy for those that need the help. I have to be honest though, I haven't lost my car yet no matter the size of the parking lot.


Monday, October 19, 2009

TomTom Updates Their App

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch)" @ 07:00 AM

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2009/10/...gps-technology/

"I woke up this morning to what I thought was a welcoming surprise: a TomTom iPhone app update! Yes, it's true, TomTom finally realized that they still had an app sitting in the App Store just waiting to be updated with all kinds of glorious new features."

It has been a couple months since the app was released so it was certainly due for an update. However, even though they have updated the address formats and accuracy with U.S. addresses, they still haven't given it text-to-speech or real-time traffic options, two things that users wanted. I'm certainly no expert on GPS devices since I don't own one, and all I have used with GPS is the iPhone mapping with Google maps but I can understand the frustration.


Friday, October 9, 2009

MapQuest Offering GPS

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch)" @ 11:00 AM

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/10/08/mapq...avigation-pool/

"MapQuest is now offering a GPS navigation system for iPhone users in the U.S. and Canada. MapQuest Navigator is U.S. $0.99 for a 14 day trial. After than you have to buy it for $3.99 a month, $9.99 for 3 months, or $29.99 a year."

Mapquest also has a video of how it all works if you are interested.


Thursday, October 1, 2009

CoPilot Live for North America Update

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch)" @ 10:00 AM

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/09/30/copi...-more-features/

"CoPilot Live for North American roads is becoming the little engine that could. At only US$34.99 it is quickly adding new features, and in this latest update has added the coveted text to speech capability. For drivers, that means the nav app will say turn left on Elm street instead of turn left just ahead."

The big change, besides the text to speech capability, is that you are now able to use the iPhone keyboard instead of the one that was within the application, a much needed improvement from what I've read. The biggest complaint about this program, however, is the lack of map data for certain areas, which is a big problem. The company says they are aware and subsequent updates will address this problem. $34.95 USD may not be too bad of a price, but not if the map data isn't correct.


Tuesday, September 29, 2009

TomTom Car Kit Announced for October

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple iPhone & iPod Touch" @ 09:00 AM

http://www.macworld.com/article/143...l?lsrc=rss_main

"Are you lost? I don't mean metaphorically, I mean literally: are you at this very moment stuck in an unknown location, scratching your head and wondering if you should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque? Well, if you don't mind waiting a bit-and forking over some cash-help could be on the way. TomTom has announced that its car kit for the iPhone will ship in October for $120 (or €99 if you live on the other side of the Atlantic from me)."

Still no word on if software is part of this price, but TomTom did say they were going to bundle this with software so my guess is that this is stand-alone unit price.

Read more...


Thursday, August 20, 2009

Yet Another Choice for GPS on Your iPhone/iPod Touch

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch)" @ 02:00 PM

http://www.tuaw.com/2009/08/18/copi...avigation-ring/

"Well, another day, another iPhone GPS app is released to the eager hordes. One of the latest entries is CoPilot Live."

The latest entry in the GPS wars, also available in the UK iTunes store, retails for $34.99 USD here in the States. It is full featured, no subscription, and among the highlights are ability to get real time weather at your starting or ending point, stability and accuracy with the GPS system, and configurable map screens. But there are some glitches to go along with the highlights, such as incomplete mapping and points of interest. Anyone out there using GPS on your iPhone/iPod Touch? If so, which one and how is it working for you? I'm still in the market, but nothing out there has convinced me.


Tuesday, August 18, 2009

TomTom Debuts Their Software in the iTunes Store

Posted by Jeff Campbell in "Apple Software (iPhone/iPod Touch)" @ 08:00 AM

http://www.appleinsider.com/article...ore_for_99.html

"A day after the TomTom navigation software saw an overseas roll out, the iPhone application hit North America and Europe and is now available for download in the App Store."

Yesterday it was finally available in the US iTunes store having previously been released in Australia and New Zealand among other places. The US and Canada version goes for $99.99 USD, whereas Australia is $79.99 USD and New Zealand is $94.99 USD. If you plan on travel to Western Europe, that version goes for $139.99 USD. These will work in either the 3G and 3GS since they have built in GPS, however once the combo hardware kit comes out, this will work in the 1st gen iPhone and iPod touch since the combo unit has it's own GPS. No price yet on the combo kit.


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