NAVIGON 2.0 Navigation App for iPhone

A couple of months ago, Garmin acquired Germany-based navigation provider NAVIGON to extend ther footprint in Europe and in the mobile applications space. Just like Garmin, these guys develop great products and we’re excited to work with their team.
Now, NAVIGON announced a broad overhaul of its popular iPhone navigation app that includes a couple of major improvements, so we wanted to make sure you’ll be able to check out the details.

Like Garmin’s StreetPilot OnBoard app, NAVIGON for iPhone is an onboard navigation app that saves the maps on the device to stay independent of cell phone coverage. This is really helpful when you lose your data connection, since you’ll still be able to navigate and calculate new routes. But it also means that you have to save large amounts of map data on your phone. NAVIGON 2.0 is the first onboard navigation app that solves this issue by allowing users to download maps by state. You can simply pick the maps you need and download additional ones at a later point (WIFI connection required).

Navigation systems have become more complex over the last years, so NAVIGON has also rethought the way the app interface is structured. As a result, the new version is more intuitive and easier to use than ever before. In addition, NAVIGON 2.0 also includes an in-app purchase option for quarterly map updates.

Watch the video below to see the new features in action.

Garmin vs TomTom for iPhone Comparison Video – App Review

Garmin StreetPilot vs TomTom USA for iPhone/iPod Touch is compared using two iPhone 4’s, one with the Magellan Premium Car Kit and the other with the TomTom Car Kit. We test both GPS apps on the road and look at things such as TTS voice guidance and traffic. Garmin StreetPilot (v6.5.3) TomTom USA (v1.6) Garmin StreetPilot is available in the App Store for $39.99 TomTom USA is available in the App Store for $49.99

http://www.youtube.com/v/NAdYtnQK3-I?f=videos&app=youtube_gdata

Offline GPS navigation to Windows Phone by Navigon

Using the Bing Maps navigation functionality in Windows Phone Mango is really decent. However, the fact that you have to tap to hear each turn is lame. I look forward to seeing what Nokia brings to the table with their navigation solution, but at this time that is a big unknown on Windows Phone. One new application we do know will provide an excellent navigation experience, with offline mapping support, is NAVIGON for WP7 that is coming soon.

I’ve used NAVIGON in Android device and thoroughly enjoyed it. WPCentral has a few details on this new version that runs on Mango and takes advantage of the new Mango features. The following statement appears in their press release:

NAVIGON’s premium navigation app soon will be available for Windows Phone 7 users. The app includes many signature features that have made NAVIGON’s apps successful on Android devices and the iPhone, including on-board maps, spoken turn-by-turn directions, visual lane guidance, live traffic information and rerouting, among many other features. NAVIGON’s new app runs on Windows Phone 7.5 and also takes advantage of new features made available to developers with this new release. These features include the augmented reality function Reality Scanner, which provides an instant and effortless way of identifying nearby destinations while on foot; an option to select address information directly from the phone’s contact list; and the ability to save a favorite or home address as a shortcut on the start screen.

It is good that they are offering full support for a walking mode with their Reality Scanner too since I often use GPS navigation solutions when traveling in new cities and often that is on foot. Their lane assistant is also one of my favorite features since there are some confusing highways out there. I plan to get this on my Windows Phone Mango device as soon as it is released.

They also announced updates to their Android and iPhone apps that include new map management from a web browser, redesigned user interface, and much more so if you have the app on those platforms go check for the free update.

by zdnet