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Google Maps Navigation review

January 19, 2010 By 20 Comments

satelliteNot the nav app you’re looking for

Google Maps Navigation (referred to hereafter as GMN) is a free navigation app for Android version 1.6+ phones in the U.S. I bought the Motorola Droid recently (which I absolutely love BTW), so I thought I’d share my experiences with this much discussed free navigation app.

One important thing to be aware of — this is a beta application. Google has been known to keep their products in beta for a long time, but this one is pretty new and the beta label definitely applies.

The first part of my review is basically a tutorial, walking you through the interface, and offering useful tips. For my overall take, head on down to the conclusion.

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Filed Under: Android, Android apps, Location based services, Mobile, Mobile apps, Software Reviews Tagged With: , ,

Two free apps help name that peak

January 14, 2010 By 3 Comments

Peak-AR Hey What’s That goes mobile

It’s been quite a while since I wrote about Hey What’s That?, a website that helps you identify mountains on the horizon. Well, today comes news that they have a mobile app for Android and iPhone (here is their mobile FAQ). So I tweeted about it and @CompeGPS turned me onto…

Peak.AR

Peak.AR icon(iTunes link) is a free augmented reality app that looks much better. There’s a screenshot at the top of this post (note that both English and German languages are supported). It’s limited to the iPhone now, but an Android app is expected by the end of February.

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Filed Under: Android apps, iPhone, iPhone apps, Location based services, Mobile, Mobile apps Tagged With: , , ,

Garmin discontinues nuvi x85 series

December 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment

MSeNd Garmin has discontinued their nuvi x85 series, the only current models with MSN Direct service, which is scheduled to end on January 1, 2012. Most units will be retired by then, or people will have lost interest in the service, but I have to wonder how many were sold to unsuspecting buyers over the holidays. As I write this, the nuvi 285WT is still the number 11 bestseller in electronics at Amazon, currently discounted to $134.99. Amazon has a small notice buried deep in their nuvi x85 pages, but I’m sure there are other online merchants who haven’t even done that:

Notice: MSN Direct service will be available only until January 1, 2012. Activate a subscription between November 19, 2009, and March 31, 2010, and receive 9 months of MSN Direct service for free.

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Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, Location based services, The business of GPS Tagged With:

MSN Direct to end January 1, 2012

October 27, 2009 By 8 Comments

MSN logo on end MSN Direct has announced that they will cease operations on January 1, 2012. This will effect owners of Garmin nuvi x8x units, although with plenty of lead time, I doubt that it will be a huge issue for them. Garmin however, may have trouble marketing any backlog of these units they have on hand. You can read all the gory details here.

Via gpsreview.net.

Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, Location based services, The business of GPS Tagged With:

Garmin nuvi 1690 and nuLink! announced

September 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Garmin-nuvi-1690-nuLink

UPDATE: Read my hands on Garmin nuvi 1690 review.

We first learned of the Garmin nüvi 1690 from the FCC a month ago, and today it’s official. As expected, the unit will sport a built-in wireless connection to a new service, dubbed nuLink!, which will provide access to Google™ local search, traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local events, white page telephone listings, and the Ciao!™ location-based social networking system. A nuLink! services coverage map is shown at the end of this post.

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Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, Location based services, The business of GPS Tagged With:

iPhone OS 3.0 and turn-by-turn navigation

March 18, 2009 By 3 Comments

iPhone-OS-3-0

Apple unveiled the iPhone 3.0 operating system yesterday and there were a couple of interesting mapping and navigation announcements as part of the show.

Turn-by-turn navigation

First of all, they opened the door to turn-by-turn navigation apps, as long as the developer uses their own maps. Expect to see application announcements soon from TomTom / Tele Atlas and also from TeleNav.

Garmin will be faced with an interesting dilemma. Do they develop an iPhone app, which would be quite the revenue generator if it became the top navigation app (not a high bar for Garmin). Or would that just encourage Garmin-lovers to skip the nuvifone and get an iPhone instead?

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Filed Under: iPhone, Location based services, Mobile, The business of GPS

MSN Direct improvements for 2009

January 8, 2009 By 15 Comments
MSN Direct Doppler

MSN Direct has announced some nice improvements for 2009, including Doppler radar, flight status information and faster downloads. All services are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2009.

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Filed Under: Auto, Location based services

Garmin switches from annual to lifetime traffic renewal

November 26, 2008 By 1 Comment
Garmin lifetime traffic

Garmin's FM TMC traffic service (Clear Channel) has changed from an annual $60 fee to a $60 lifetime fee. This applies to older units only, not the 2x5T and 7x5T units with ad-supported NAVTEQ traffic.

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Filed Under: Auto, Garmin, Garmin auto GPS, Location based services, The business of GPS

TeleNav Shotgun connected GPS

November 10, 2008 By Leave a Comment
TeleNav Shotgun

Despite the demise of Dash and the suspension of Magellan's connected GPS, another entry into the market appeared this weekend — the TeleNav Shotgun. Known more for their cell phone navigation product, TeleNav has jumped fully into the PND market with a product that costs $299 and comes with a three month trial subscription. After that, connection fees run from $11.99 a month to $239 for two years.

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Filed Under: Hardware, Location based services

Garmin nuvifone strategy vindicated?

November 4, 2008 By 4 Comments

Garmin_nuvifone

Following yesterday’s announcements by Dash and Magellan that seemed to herald the demise of the connected PND, Garmin’s nuvifone strategy is looking downright prescient.The truth is, most of us don’t want another monthly bill. Garmin’s decision to place its bet on connected navigation succeeding only when it’s bundled with your cell phone plan seems pretty good today.

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Filed Under: Garmin, Garmin-Asus, Location based services, Mobile, The business of GPS
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