Filed under: Software, iPhone, App Store
Live Traffic comes to Mobile Navigator
It's coming! Navigon, maker of the iPhone Mobile Navigator app [iTunes link], will announce a live traffic feature tomorrow that will be rolled out next month. The update is only for the North American version of the software.Our readers have absolutely lusted after this feature for iPhone navigation, and now, after already adding text to speech in an update earlier this month, Navigon has pulled ahead of the pack again.
According to the company:
Navigon has announced that the traffic info, which they call Traffic Live, will be available as an in-app purchase for US$19.99 for the first 4 weeks it is offered, then it will cost $24.99 as a one time purchase with no other month to month service fees.The system 'uses real-time speed data from over one million drivers across North America including commercial fleets such as trucks and taxis but also regular drivers with a GPS system. So if for example several vehicles on a road report slow speed, the system recognizes congestion and provides an alternate and faster route.
The feature also uses an intelligent fusion of information from traffic cameras, speed sensors and conventional traffic messages coming through a radio network. In addition, the system includes historic traffic data to assist with the prediction of road conditions when calculating a route. This includes information about traffic conditions on certain holidays or yearly events, allowing the driver to avoid taking routes that traditionally are congested on a regular basis.
The software, which will run inside the $89.99 Mobile Navigator software, requires iPhone OS version 3.0 or greater.
Navigon has been very aggressive with this product, raising the bar every couple of weeks with some substantial free updates, and now some significant optional services. It will be interesting to see how Tom-Tom and some of the other navigation providers respond. The AT&T Navigator [iTunes link] app already includes real time traffic, but it is available only with a $9.99 a month subscription fee.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Paul Mensah said 6:06PM on 9-16-2009
I think I'm going to just give in and buy the Mobile Navigator over TomTom.
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mr. Obsession said 6:13PM on 9-16-2009
You won't regret it - having tried both, Navigon is just plain better. The only area that Tom-Tom excels in is visual appeal (I like their color scheme much better).
But the Navigon feature set blows Tom-Tom out of the water. Look at their respective ratings in the App Store - Navigon is *killing* Tom-Tom. TTS (and now traffic) are must-haves - and Tom-Tom doesn't have either.
Navigon FTW.
John Houlihan said 6:10PM on 9-16-2009
I love this app and it keeps getting better. Now if they would just add a route itinerary feature it would be the ultimate nav app.
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josh said 6:14PM on 9-16-2009
Is there any indication that future versions of the iPhone will allow for background processes. The thing keeping me back from a navigation app is that my iPhone would exit the navigation app to receive a phone call, and then I would have to start it up again after.
Wouldn't it be great if the app were still running, and giving voice commands on top of the phone call or at least visual commands. It seems that I would get phone calls at really inopportune times and then miss an exit or something. How can that be avoided?
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mr. Obsession said 6:36PM on 9-16-2009
According to Walt Mossberg: "When the call is over, the apps will automatically resume and continue your route."
As for official background processes, Apple's been pretty consistent in their "No" position.
Jailbreak your phone and it won't be a problem - the applicable program is even called "Backgrounder". And it's free.
globalwidget said 11:48AM on 9-17-2009
When you get a call the app fades out and goes to the Phone app. When you hang up, the Navigator app comes back, right where you left off. I suppose you might miss your exit still but you don't have to restart the app at all.
And like Mr. O said, it's really easy to Jailbreak and just use Backgrounder for those apps you need to be running all the time. I use it for GPS track logging all the time.
josh said 11:54AM on 9-17-2009
So if jailbreaking allows it to run in the background, will it allow the voice directions to play while I'm on the phone somehow. I know it's a long shot, but that would be sweet.
heathsnow said 2:46PM on 9-17-2009
Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you talk and use an app at the same time? For instance, some calls me and I'm talking with them > hit the Home button > select the app I desire > Ta Da! I'm talking with someone and running an app at the same time.
Is this not correct? Am I missing something?
johnny said 6:24PM on 9-16-2009
just a month ago i was arguing with some guy on engadget who insisted tomtom is best. navigon is doing more than all other gps apps are doing combined. None of them have updated hardly anything since being released. he probably just regrets his purchase but its pretty obvious that even if tomtom adds something navigon doesnt have navigon will probably start working on something similar in a future update. anyway for those trying to decide i wouldnt go anywhere near the tomtom with the commitment navigon has shown!!
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Duncan said 8:06PM on 9-20-2009
oh yes, argue with someone about which personal navigation app is better and then rant about that argument on another site.
Ah, how I do love those interwebs.
Jimbo said 6:24PM on 9-16-2009
I have to say Navigon have done it. I am now officially done with TomTom. The Navigon app is visually smoother, TTS and now traffic. Well done Navigon!
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Daniel said 6:28PM on 9-16-2009
How accurate is this service? Who is the data provider? How many cities is this
available in? I know XM Nav Traffic uses NavTeq and is very accurate how does thIs compare?
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Larry said 7:09PM on 9-16-2009
It's pretty accurate and seems to cover a wide range of cities. Driving through Indiana and Kentucky recently it seemed to pull up correct maps for even small towns.
Just keep in mind that the GPS signal is sort of connected to your cell signal. Get into an area with no service and you'll have no GPS (this is true of all Nav Programs). Mostly this hasn't been a problem for me. And I doubt it would be a problem for most people who use a GPS for in-city or even interstate commuting. But if you are doing serious off-roading or camping or "treking" of any sort you'll probably want to invest in a standalone Garmin unit.
dnakamura1 said 7:26PM on 9-16-2009
Pretty sure that TomTom and Navigon are stand alone apps meaning that all maps are already downloaded into the iPhone and are NOT tied to a data connection so they should work fine when out of cell coverage. I think AT&T downloads data on the fly and will not work, however. Someone please clarify.
CaptCaveman said 8:54PM on 9-16-2009
Both TomTom and Navigon are stand alone GPS apps. All of the maps. All of the POIs are on your phone already. You do *not* need a cell signal to operate these apps.
The cell assisted GPS is only there to lock in a position quicker when you start up the GPS. Other then that the GPS gets its location the same way every other GPS does. From the satellites giving out the signals.
I don't have to travel far from my house to no longer have cell service and Navigon works just fine for me.
The ATT app on the other hand needs cell service to work. As well as the much touted "free Sprint navigation app" that gets brought up every time the price of navigation gets brought up.
I'm not sure how this rumor keeps popping up in every thread that contains anything about the iPhone and GPS...
Startled Gnu said 10:53PM on 9-16-2009
@Larry says "the GPS signal is sort of connected to your cell signal".
Not true at all. I just spent a week traveling in the more remote parts of the mid-west with no cell signal for most of the time and Navigon always worked flawlessly. The cell signal and GPS signal are independent and you *do not* need a cell signal to get a GPS lock.
globalwidget said 11:56AM on 9-17-2009
@Larry
I concur with Startled, the GPS function in the iPhone does not need a cell signal. I use the GPS while flying gliders and there are no cell signals above 5000' ever. The GPS still tracks my path just works fine.
(The GPS is 'assisted' by cell tower triangulation though, which is helpful in getting quick fixes when cold starting it.)
I think the earlier phones might not have GPS and do just use cell tower triangulation. Can those be used to navigate reliably though?
Mystic said 6:37PM on 9-16-2009
I have to say that unless you use a GPS at least once a month, then the AT&T program is the best deal.
Also you should take into consideration where the map data comes from. Navteq (Navigon) is HORRIBLE compared to TeleAtlas (TomTom, Google maps) from my experience.
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YodaMac said 7:08PM on 9-16-2009
Wait... clarify please. Are you saying if you use your GPS more than once a month - then AT&T is the way to go?
Or are you saying that if you use GPS more than once a month - don't go with AT&T?...
Larry said 7:09PM on 9-16-2009
The maps don't seem to be much different from TomTom to Navigon to be honest.
And how is AT&T's program (where you have to pay a monthly fee) a better value than just paying once?