Enter traffic circle and keep left?
Okay, maybe it’s unfair to call out Google Maps Navigation for this error. After all, every GPS can give you faulty directions, no matter what database they are using for road data. But I’ve never seen this type of error on a unit using NAVTEQ or TeleAtlas maps. Fail!
Google Maps Navigation to use onboard maps?
According to All About Phones, a Dutch website, Google Maps Navigation will soon have a full-blown offline mode. Late last year, with the introduction of Google Maps 5.0 for Android, GMN moved to vector graphics and improved route caching. But this new capability would allow you to plug in a destination while outside of cell [...]
Preserving cellphone battery life in the backcountry
I imagine that a lot of our readers are trying out their smartphones in the backcountry, using mapping applications for navigation. One of the problems with this (and there are several), is that few things will drain your battery faster than your phone searching for a signal where there is none, or where reception is [...]
Will Magellan enter the tablet wars?
Magellan has had quite a bit of success with their 7” models; I’m currently testing the RoadMate 9055 and “tablet” popped into my head when I first held it. My second thought was, how are they going to compete against tablets? Sure, price is one way, but I suspect that we will quickly see Android [...]
Navigon MobileNavigator for Android comes to US
Wow, how much can the mobile navigation market change in just a couple of days? Following Garmin’s announcement yesterday that they will develop navigation apps for multiple platforms, Navigon reveals that they are bringing MobileNavigator to the US Android marketplace. I thought perhaps that TomTom had decided to take on the free Google Maps Navigation [...]
TomTom comes to Android; battles free navigation
TomTom is attempting to crack the free navigation roadblock thrown up by Google, sealing a deal to provide maps to HTC, one of the most popular manufacturers of Android phones. Initially available on the HTC Desire HD (shown at left) and Desire Z in Europe and Asia, HTC promises to extend the partnership to “a [...]
CoPilot Live USA for Android launches at $4.99
ALK Technologies has announced CoPilot Live USA for Android for $4.99. I would say it will test whether consumers are willing to pay for an alternative to Google Maps Navigation, but it is currently ranked #48 in iPhone navigation apps with an average three star review, far below much pricier apps.
T-Mobile Garminfone review
Hands on with the T-Mobile Garminfone The T-Moble Garminfone is Garmin’s first Android smartphone released in North America. Produced by the Garmin-Asus partnership, it includes many of the goodies you would find on a nuvi, including North American maps, junction view, lane assist, Where am I?, tracklogs and multi-destination routing.
My Tracks for Android
My Tracks is a free Android app that allows you to record and share GPS tracks. Incredibly easy to use, it layers your track onto Google Maps or satellite view (as shown above). Getting the track off your phone is as simple as saving the track, selecting the drop down More button and then Share [...]
Coming to the US (eventually)
There were a couple of major announcements made yesterday by TomTom and Garmin-Asus; unfortunately they didn’t involve products for the US, at least not yet. I do expect that all will be making it to our shores eventually. The Garmin-Asus team will need to romance a carrier first, while TomTom just seems to have a [...]
