The smartphone as navigator
New software transforms your phone into a GPS device – and a pretty good one, too
Navigon's MobileNavigator app for the iPhone has features some standalone units lack. Photo: Navigon.
As my wife will tell you, I have a comically bad sense of direction. I once got lost driving home from the mall.
This makes me a prime candidate for a GPS device. I’ve used a few for brief stints, mostly on long road trips, but never got into the habit of using one for everyday errands. There are a couple of reasons for that. For one, it’s a hassle to dig the thing out of the glove compartment. For another, entering an address on most of these things is a crazy-making experience.
My perspective changed recently, though, when I bought a new GPS unit for $70. Well, that’s not exactly what happened. I actually downloaded a GPS-based iPhone (AAPL) app for $70.
Yes, 70. Seven-zero. I’ll be the first to admit that it sounds crazy to pay that much for software that runs on a phone. The overwhelming majority of phone apps out there cost between 99 cents and $10.
Why would I pay so much for an iTunes download? Well, this directionally challenged consumer needed another GPS device. We had one in the newer car that my wife usually drives, where it did me absolutely no good. I had been compensating by using Google Maps (GOOG) on my phone to find my way to meetings in a pinch, but wasn’t comfortable – or safe – to keep glancing over to prepare for the next turn.
So in late August I took the plunge and went shopping for navigation software on the iTunes app store. At the time, there were two main options: TomTom’s app was $100; Navigon’s was on sale for $70. Both had gotten decent reviews, but I was drawn to Navigon’s for its ability to speak street names; rather than say, “Ahead, turn right,” it can say, “Ahead, turn right on Embarcadero.” It also has the bells and whistles we've come to expect from GPS units: points of interest, gas stations, restaurants. I decided to go with Navigon.
I was prepared to have serious buyer’s remorse. For $69.99 (plus another $30 for a windshield mount) this had to be good.
And it is. I’ve loved Navigon’s MobileNavigator software since I bought it. It’s actually better than the few standalone GPS units I’ve used. I can pull addresses from my phone’s contact list to set a destination and avoid the hassle of tapping through annoying menus. It shows me highway signs, indicates the best lanes to move into, and warns when I’m pushing too far past the speed limit. Best of all, my phone is always in my pocket – so I have navigation help even when I’m not in my car. On a hectic day trip to Southern California recently, I used MobileNavigator in a rental car to find my way from LAX to an out-of-the-way spot in Santa Monica. (Next time, though, I'll have to remember to bring the iPhone charger; by the time I got home, the iPhone's battery was all but dead.)
From the look of things, it won’t be long before a lot more phones start doubling as GPS devices. Smartphone customers seem to see value in the software. A few examples: MobileNavigator (now $90) is the #3 top grossing app on iTunes. AT&T (T) has begun selling a navigation service that works on dozens of phones in its lineup. And Motorola’s (MOT) Droid, a smartphone that’s arriving next week on Verizon’s (VZ) network, comes with free turn-by-turn directions via the latest version of Google’s Android operating system.
That’s not so great for companies like TomTom and Garmin (GRMN), who make a lot of money selling standalone GPS devices – their stock prices took a hit this week on the announcement of Google’s free software. But for wayward travelers like me, GPS navigation in phones is a killer app.
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That is nice but I am using this one and it only cost 99 cents, It is called Ratcheer. And I can send an MMS to someone showing me where I am at so they can tell me where to go 
Once again, Apple is late to the show but people simply will not accept this. Not new technology whatsoever.
Why is he thinking GPS navigation on mobile phone is like a new thing? Yes, maybe it is new for Apple but I have been using it on my Motorola phone for over 4 years on Verizon's VzNav. It works the same as any other GPS navigation device out there although I have to pay a monthly of $9.99.
Agreed Jon. I've been thrilled with my Navigon since i bought it 4 months ago. Real easy to use and still worked when i had zero cell or GPS coverage.
My free turn-by-turn directions from Sprint says the street names too. So you pay $70 in addition to $75 to $100 a month for the iPhone? I guess some app makers will have a nice Christmas.
Tried this for a while on my Windows based phone. Although it worked the problem was always when someone calls while you are trying to get somewhere.
The other problem was when using the phone as a handheld GPS. Running that screen and radio would kill the battery and in the end you would be without the GPS and have a dead phone that you couldn't use to call and get directions.
Maybe the industry has improved on this and it actually works now but I'll stick to the multiple devices, each doing the job it was built to do.
Even though the GPS chip in these phones works outside of cell coverage, typically the maps are not stored in the phone, so if you lose coverage before having all the map data downloaded, you're out of luck. I much prefer my Garmin nuvifone which was designed with nav in mind first and foremost. The nav is free and it works anywhere. Depends on your priorities — if you crave the iPhone and only occasionally need nav, buy a smartphone app. If nav is more important than the smartphone part, get a nuvifone.
Been using Garmin Mobile (the staple of GPS based navigation) on my Blackberry for over two years now. This tech / software isn't at all new. Maybe for iPhone, but RIM has been ahead of the game already. The flow of the software is FANTASTIC! I have Garmin GPS (Kenwood head unit) installed in my vehicle as well, and simply can't live without it. It's great too, but honestly, the Garmin Mobile on my Blackberry beats all. Text to speech, re-routes on a dime and since it uses Google to find POIs, its database is limitless. $99
Take some time to research what TomTom / Navigon / Garmin actually do, vs. what Google maps does. The "turn by turn" Google gives you is, at best, suitable for walking – not driving.
My Palm Pre had GPS as a standard app., no charge. It works great, also. It saved me thousands of dollars, when buying a new car, because I refused the GPS navigation option Toyota offers.
Why would you buy an app for the iPhone that already has built in Google Maps with live GPS AND navigation? It even has turn by turn directions, satellite view and never goes out of date because everything comes via the Internet… The only advantage to the additional software would be voice prompting, but is that really worth $70?
For those asking, one need not have cell phone service for many of these Navigation tools to work. They run off GPS which is seperate from your "bars." I disagree that no one has done this "right" as of yet (as per Rodney). Honestly, I've yet to get lost with my TeleNav that Sprint gives me with my plan. It speaks most road names and is turn by turn. It works in conjunction with my Live Search; meaning, I say, "pizza" and it gives me a list of places close. I tap the little car icon, it pops me right into Navigation, and I'm on my way to the pizza place of my choice. I am certainly one of the "idiots" mentioned here. As are most people when it comes to technology, in my humble opinion. Still, I have had no problem getting my TeleNav to work properly, even when lost with two crying kids in the car. It's easy and free.
GPS navigation in cell phones? Wow, that's news. Nokia has sold tens of millions of phones like that over the last four years. iPhone is a few years late, as usual, but Yankees drool… "Another Apple first!"
Um, didn't you forget that Google's mobile map app does the same thing with your phone's GPS for FREE?
I used to own a very expensive Magellan GPS and it got stolen. Then I got a MIO and it sucked. After that I bought a 920 Tom Tom and it is Great!!! Only complaint is that it doesn't tell you whether the location is on the right or left side. It does however, tell you to stay in right, left lane or veer to … However, the GPS service on the Sprint site sucks. So I think GPS are still better unless Tom Tom etc are able to provide the service on the cell phone.
The price point is high but it seems that app developers will need to start charging at some point. How are they going to stay in business otherwise. I have lots of apps on my iphone but have only paid for NeuroMobile and a few others. Eventually the markers of free apps will go out of business and paid apps like NeuroMobile will cost more.
I wonder what percentage of the "ignorant masses" know the difference between to and too. Steven didn't make the list.
You can't write an article on GPS navigators for cell phones without talking about Nav4All. If you have a cell with a built in GPS there's likely a version for you (sorry, IPhone users need not apply, but droid, symbian and blackberry uses take a look) It's free for now but does require a data stream. It's rudimentary to say the least but free is free, at least until 2010 when they start charging ($10-$25 annually is the current guess)
I am curious whether these Smartphone GPS apps work where there is no cell phone signal. I often find myself in places where there is no signal and my standalone GPS is not bothered by that. Also, can you set waypoints with smartphone apps?
@Steven – Apple is not too late to this game. No one else has done it right. It's a prime market for someone to come in with a superior product and get that market share. Obviously, it won't be anything Simbian based. It might cut it in Europe, but not in the US. Simbian is just ancient. Look for Nokia to lose even more market share and then wake up and use Android. Simbian just can't offer a high enough user experience for the US market.
BTW – AR(augmented reality) is old news for Apple as well. I've used a handful of apps that restaurant, real estate, etc. overlayed on the hybrid map view.
Guess you are squarely in the realm of the "ignorant masses" as well.
I think that this article is informative for a general user that doesn't follow technology closely.
This is nothing new. I can do everything this writer named and more using telenav navigation on my regular non-smart phone thru Sprint. Using a headset, I can even send the nav app to the background, make a phone call and talk to the other person while the nav system keeps giving me audible directions, that the other person can't here.
Alot of morons making comments on this article. Drum roll please…. Yes, iphone has gps navigation for FREE as well!
Apple is way to late to this game. But the marketing machine from Cupertino will spin this to the ignorant masses.
This is old news. Simbian OS can run Garmin or TomTom without a cell signal and it will get you there, where ever that is.
The latest phones in Europe and the latest Android runs an augmented reality program that maps places in real time on you screen. Such as real estate prices just by pointing your phone at a house. But wait in about two years augmented reality will be the big thing from Apple.
Another article pointed at the ignorant masses about a device that has an idiot proof interface for an idiot user.
If my iPhone rings–it pauses everything. Also–it can go through my radio system with blue tooth. No hands needed.
If I am in the middle of nowhere–ON STAR takes over. Of course, ATL has 100% coverage. If you have never driven in a large metro area you have no idea how wonderful MAPS app is. Maps leave out lots of things and are outdated the day they are printed. My apps are updated at the least change.
Are you NUTS? I have a Sprint Instnct and Navagation is FREE! ANYtime…ANYplace. Used it thousands of times, and it always sends me to the right place. It even will look for the cheapest gas, and a hotel. Did I mention its included FREE with my plan?
This op piece looks like an IPhone ad. Step by Step driving directions? My old phone did that…..my Nokia is reliable pretty much anywhere, even gets reception in the subway, and has an ap for $10 that not only has better maps, but subways and trains included, not to mention the walking function, great for those of us who who don't drive everywhere.
Title's way off, many other 'smartphones already do this, like my Sprint HTC Hero. And they do it for FREE!, or at least it's included in the $69 monthly plan fee. That's right iPhone users, the rest of the world already does what you are discovering, and paying way less to boot.
I was an iPhone user. I sold it and went Treo Palm OS. I'm in love.
GPS? For errands? Just know the city, what happened to actually getting to know your town?
You geeks just love gadgetry.
"What if you don't get any cell phone reception …??? Meaning when you need directions the most and you are in the middle of fre*ng nowhere?
Hm."
Ah, why would you even need a navigator in the middle of nowhere? Learn to read an old-fashioned road map. Anybody who needs a navigator outside of any urban area must be brain dead.
This will be one app for the Apple Tablet that would be successful due to a larger display area for overviews.
To the guy who said idiots. Read the link first before commenting. Iphone apps for the easily lost!! not The smartphone as navigator!
Yes you are realy crazy to pay a stupid amount. I guess Most of us has too much money to burn that most of you are so indebted your whole life. What if your looking at the GPS and your phone rings you panic and screwed. No description on how it works here, but seperating GPS for driving and phone is a must unless both can work at the same time and using bluetooth.
Just to let you know, in Europe we use to have tomtom for sybian devices about 4 years ago (I had on my Motorolla A1000 and on my nokia communicator) and it was great, so it's not a new thing, maybe for iphone it is.
I'm going w/Jim of CT. My Treo 680 (remember them?) GSM smartphone is about 3 yrs old & delivers TomTom GPS like a standalone device. It's great for when you're in areas that you can't even make cell phone calls. And as a professional traveler, anytime I can carry one less device, the better.
Wow….once again apple catches up to the rest of the market years behind and everyone acts as if it is some type of long awaited breakthrough. Oh, this author also forgot to mention sprint has been offering this service for over a year. But then again it doesn't come from the oracle of technology. Ahh…the brainwashed minions keep marching on.
Last year when my speedometer stopped working my FREE gps apps on my blackberry fit quite nicely. Blackberry MAPS has all the features you spoke of with the one you purchased except for the voice. Another good FREE gps app for the blackberry is LIVE SEARCH. Both are pretty darn accurate in the "how fast am I going" department and both were great with directions. There are some great free apps out there but usually for voice you have to pay something…
I have used Verizon's GPS on my Blackberry and it works great when i have signal, only thing i do not like is i can not talk on the phone(with bluetooth ear piece)while in Nav mode and continue to receive directions! I think still a need for Garmin or TomTom…
Verizon Wireless has been offering this on even regular phones for years. VZNavigator is a fraction of the price and 10X better!
Ummmm…Better improve your ability to search App Store, pal.
CoPilot Live for iPhone costs $34.99 and is considered a better app than either of the two you mentioned.
Sure you can use your Smartphone as a nav unit, just like you can use it as a camera. That doesn't mean it does it as well as a dedicated unit. My cell phone takes pictures, just nowhere near as well as my point and shoot $100 camera. Those who say this is the end of dedicated nav units…has cell phone cameras replaced the digital camera business? For what I paid for my Magellan, I could replace the entire unit every 6 months for what a data plan costs to put maps on my phone.
The author failed to mention sprint navigation by telenav. It comes included on all everything plans, or for a $10 per month fee if you buy the app on your blackberry from another carier. It is feature packed and works amazingly well. The user interface is simple to use, import a address from your contacts, type it in call in the address from the app and sprint will send the info directly to your phone so you can drive instead of trying to type and drive. The spoken turn by turn directions rock with distances and the names of the streets . I set my blackberry in a cup holder and seldom have to look at it. Makes it a waste of cash buying a dedicated gps unit, when i always have my phone in my pocket.
I have to admit, this is pretty old news for everyone except iPhone users. I can remember using Mapopolis on Windows Mobile for exactly this as long ago as 2004 (with the maps downloaded, so you could use it offline). I can't speak for other companies, but I know pretty much all Sprint phones already have the very good Sprint Navigation already included. It works extremely well on my Palm Pre.
Be careful. If you use your smartphone as a GPS device and hold it in your hand you are violating the law in NJ and perhaps other states with laws banning hand held electronic communication devices.
TOMTOM, MOBILE NAVIGATOR and SYGIC does not require data connection or cell phone signal. The maps are included with the apps. SYGIC can include Canada and Mexico. I have tested all three. TOMTOM routing is the best by far, especially rural areas. Sygic has the worst route engine I have ever used. Mobile Navigator has cool options, such as text to speech. Sygic does too, but it spells out c o u n t y r d instead of just saying the word. TomTom and Sygic have nice gui's. Mobile Navigator is hard to navigate. However, Mobile Navigator does a nice job of displaying POI as you drive. Tomtom allows the user to quickly change routing type. Tomtom has a bit of a lag turning corners and before it gets a chance to update, it calculates a new route. But in a few seconds it is back on track with the correct route. If you purchase the TomTom car cradle, that problem doesn't occur. Tomtom on windows smart phones is really smooth and also doesn't have that issue. Mobile Navigator seems to not have that problem as bad, but still some Lag. The most important feature is reliable, efficient and accurate routing which TomTom wins hands down. Mobile Navigator has cool features that I wish TomTom had and Sygic seemed to have the smoothest display with nice gui but the routing was horrible. Wasn't uncommon for Sygic to add 30 miles to a 120 mile trip and have rural roads missing. All three lacked important POI's. Sygic was the worst.
My two cents.
The iPhone is amazing, and standard with it is GPS for those of you who don't comprehend whats included with iPhone. Also standard is Maps which can also navigate and provide directions and a map that is totally useful in so many ways. I use an app called GPS Drive which costs a fraction and works very well but with out speaking street names. It does provide turn by turn and excedingly well. His app is top of the line and yes, you only have to have one applicance; isn't the world of technology amazing. A phone, A GPS, IPod, fun, video, so many more all in one device that is the most intuitive device around still.
The app includes built in maps! If you have a GPS signal you can navigate. G-maps uses the GPS for location but the maps require data signal.
HW
The app includes built in maps! If you have a GPS signal you can navigate. G-maps uses the GPS for location but the maps require data signal.
HW
This clown doesn't even realize that garmin has a phone/PND on the market. what a waste of bandwidth.
Google's Android software is not free to Motorola. The maps are said to be "free" because they are not in the phone. The user must download the desired map segment by way of the internet browser in the phone. The user pays a $30 monthly fee to Verizon for the internet data connection so that he can download the "free" maps. But you can't get to those "free" maps without paying the $30 dollar data fee to Verizon.
Garmin can say that their maps are "free" too as they are included in the PND at purchase. There is no need for a data connection to view the maps.
It won't be long before GPS mapping is a standard feature on almost all cell phones, just as cameras are a standard feature now.. In the next year, we will begin seeing many phone's with Google's Android operating system includes free GPS mapping with spoken directions and speech recognition. There really isn't any reason to buy a stand-along GPS device anymore, or even to pay to download an app.
What if you don't get any cell phone reception …??? Meaning when you need directions the most and you are in the middle of fre*ng nowhere?
Hm.
I can do all of this for free on my Instinct phone. Say a place, tap the "drive to" button and off I go. $70 is insane for something you can do for free… I will agree it's a wonderful tool to have. I use mine constantly!
wow. a lot of angry non-iphone users out there. I had the "been around a long time navigation" on a Smartphone and it was lame. Took forever to get a GPS signal. The iphone is almost instant. The iPhone does not come with navigation that updates. That is why this apps exist to give GPS updateable directions, The iphone app gives you point to point directions not on-going navigation.
The iPhone was and still is a game changer. Why are all the others scrambling, and usually failing, to create "iPhone killer"? if something better comes along, i'll buy it. have not seen anything yet.