Filed under: Software, iPhone, App Store, SDK, Jailbreak/pwnage
Sygic demos turn-by-turn GPS app at MWC09
Since Apple says a) jailbreaking may be illegal and b) the terms of the SDK prohibit "real time route guidance," it seems like it may be a long time before we see legal turn-by-turn on the iPhone. This week, though, there was some light at the end of the GPS tunnel.
At Mobile World Congress 2009 (MWC09) in Barcelona, Spain, Sygic is demoing a version of their namesake GPS navigation software running on an iPhone 3G. According to a post on The iPhone Blog, the Sygic software uses maps from TeleAtlas, the same company that supplies map data for Google Maps. Sygic produces similar software for Windows Mobile and Symbian devices.
From the screenshots in the post, the app appears to be similar to what many of us are used to with our TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan car navigation systems. Whether or not Sygic will be lucky enough to get this one into the App Store is unknown, but this app is definitely worth watching.
Thanks to Topper for the tip!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Plasmanut said 5:23PM on 2-18-2009
It's pretty safe to assume that if the SDK prohibits real-time route guidance, it's because Apple is working on it for its own benefit, and I'm guessing they will include it in the next major upgrade (3.0, let's hope). I just hope they don't charge a subscription for it, or worse, I hope they don't save the feature for the next incarnation of the iPhone and shut us 3G users out to force an upgrade.
If this happens, it would be great if this could appear as a jailbreak app. I already have my eye on xGPS, so it ilooks like this may happen on the iPhone 3G after all. Whether it comes from Apple, from Sygic, from the makers of xGPS or any other GPS manufacturer, I want turn-by-turn navigation.
My wife is extremely frustrated with the limited usability of maps as a replacement for an actual GPS, and I have to say I agree with hr 100%. Maps is not user friendly or intuitive AT ALL.
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David said 4:48AM on 2-19-2009
"I just hope they don't charge a subscription for it"
Just like Apple don't charge a subscription for MobileMe? My bet is Apple will charge a subscription for it, just like Nokia Maps.
drumthrasher109 said 6:06PM on 2-18-2009
For the time being, I highly recommend xGPS. The next update, that is coming out this Friday, will have voice navigation as well as turn by turn directions.
And if you havent jailbroken your iphone yet, you dont know what you're missing.
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Kento Ito said 6:20PM on 2-18-2009
You do know why Apple does not want any GPStirn by turn app on the phone.
Apple does not want their reputation damaged if car accident was blamed by faulty GPS map app ok the iPhone.
Boy, how big the damage Apple will recieve if the GPS device was an iPhone. Everyone will think iPhone GPS is faulty.
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Kyle Derouen said 7:22PM on 2-18-2009
That's a really silly argument. You could say the same of a tom-tom, so why would they even bother making one in your mentality?
jimmy said 11:05PM on 2-18-2009
reminds me of "The Office" episode where Michael drives into the lake because the GPS told him to take a right. GPS's don't cause collisions. Period. Any idiot who will take a turn because some machine told them to and not look at the surroundings shouldn't have a driver's license. You should be watching the road and taking cues from the GPS, not the other way around.
It seems if the GPS companies are legally liable for collisions (notice I say collision, not "accident"... accidents imply they could not be avoided.) then so should be companies that make cell phones, car stereos, MP3 players, dogs, co-workers, fast food, children, shiny things and sunsets. All of these things cause drivers to get distracted and lose control once in a while. The trick is to pay attention and not hit other things...
Andrea Trasatti said 4:09PM on 2-19-2009
I'm in Barcelona for the MWC. I saw the app and spoke to a rep. They don't have a clue if and when the app will be approved. It's iPhone 3G only and looks OK. Reminds me a lot of TomTom. I should say they UI is not perfect but does it's job. At the show they had maps for all Europe.
They could not even tell me the price. From the look of the face of the salesguy he was expecting a visit from Apple as he was very disappointed when he heard the company I worked for
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Kelmon said 3:18AM on 2-19-2009
The lack of turn-by-turn GPS applications for the iPhone is the #1 reason why I have not bought one. I'm looking for a "do it all" device that the iPhone is so close to achieving but it's not there enough yet for me to pay the rather large amounts of money required to buy one in Belgium. The wait continues...
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Motorola 3G Victim said 5:22AM on 2-19-2009
OK I'm confused, what is G-Map? I used it this week for turn-by-turn navigation to the SonyStyle store and it did a fantastic job. I bought it out of the App Store and everything. I loved the "HUD view" that gives a little 3D view of the turns and lane changes on top of the route map view. The person actually driving was so impressed they're asking their wife for permission to buy an iPhone 3G so they can have it too.
It has full POI live on the map so you see where Starbucks etc are as you're driving along. It does everything I've ever seen Tom Tom or Garmin do. The map data is built in so no network connection is required during navigation.
It's $20 and comes in East Coast and West Coast flavors.
http://www.xroadgps.com/Maps/GMapforiPhone/tabid/2463/Default.aspx
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Tristan said 7:52PM on 2-19-2009
Ummmm.... How long has this been out for? And why has nobody covered it yet?
And most importantly - WHEN IS IT AVAILABLE FOR AUSTRALIA?
P.S. Everyone talking about the real-time guidance not being allowed by Apple, wasn't this discussed some time ago that it is just Google not allowing THEIR maps to be used for realtime guidance? And maybe Core Location?
So if people can use other people's map data for their programs... everything should be okay? G-Map have seemed to have done it! And Apple have approved it!
Patriks7 said 12:04PM on 2-19-2009
I really like how the demonstration is from Bratislava pretty close to my house, while it's presented in Barcelona.
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