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Garmin announces StreetPilot, its first iPhone navigation app

by Steven Sande Jan 4th 2011 at 10:40AM

Garmin International has been the leader in automobile GPS navigation for many years, but has been a no-show in the iPhone navigation app arena. Both TomTom and Magellan, also big players in the GPS nav field, have had iPhone apps for years.

In a "better late than never" move, Garmin today announced the availability of the Street Pilot (US$39.99) app for iPhone. The app takes advantage of many of the features of the Garmin nüvi navigators. Maps are always up to date, since they're downloaded directly from Garmin's servers, and the software includes real-time traffic updates, speed limit information for major roads, an integrated local search for points of interest, integration with the iPhone contact list and the ability to place calls directly from a search listing.

Street Pilot takes advantage of iOS multi-tasking and also includes controls for the iPod app. One nice feature is the ability to get current weather conditions and forecasts from the app. Maps are displayed in either 2D or 3D views, and the app switches easily between portrait and landscape orientations.

Having been the owner of a Garmin nüvi for several years, I've been waiting for the company to come out with a product to compete with the many other iPhone navigation apps on the market. It looks like the wait is over.

[via BGR]



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Garmin International has been the leader in automobile GPS navigation for many years, but has been a no-show in the iPhone navigation app...
 

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25 Comments

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mixercub

I'll stick with my Navigon. Its never steered me wrong and who wants a GPS app that relies on network coverage. Sure the less space taken up is good, but if you are in BFE youre screwed!

January 05 2011 at 10:04 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Geoff

Longtime Garmin fan here. Downloaded the app on a trip through rural Texas, left absolutely stranded by the unthinkable decision to (only) stream all maps to the device from Garmin's servers.

I'm all for optional realtime updates, but my capped data plan and the non-universal nature of the AT&T network make download-only maps a very foolish choice.

January 04 2011 at 11:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TomballTX

Can in import GPX files? I'd like to email myself a GPX file and open it in the app.

January 04 2011 at 5:19 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
TomballTX

No maps stored is a deal breaker. I ride 35K miles a year, mostly in BFE. I have a Garmin Zumo 550 - dedicated GPS - but I'd broken twice on long trips. The last time Garmin said they could and would get one to me the next day ... but didn't send it the next day. CS rep said "We don't have any control over what the warehouse does." Thanks, Garmin. I'd like a backup GPS so I'll probably get the Navigon App for my iPhone4.

January 04 2011 at 5:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
SIP

Appears to be US-only -- no current UK version.

Also, no maps stored on device.

Now that Navigon offers both iPhone & iPad versions (2-for-1 price) I use the iPad for navigation. I prefer Navigon to tomtom, only need a decent affordable holder for the car: the wife is getting fed-up having to be the holder!

January 04 2011 at 2:01 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to SIP's comment
OlsonBW

SIP - I agree with everything you said.

January 04 2011 at 2:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
donmontalvo

I won't touch this until Garmin releases an auto mount that includes a REAL GPS chip. iPhone uses A-GPS...TomTom and Magellan both offer it...

http://www.magellangps.com/Products/iPhone-Products/Magellan-Premium-Car-Kit-for-iPhone

http://www.tomtom.com/en_gb/products/mobile-navigation/tomtom-car-kit-for-iPhone/index.jsp

Don Montalvo
Dallas, TX

January 04 2011 at 1:57 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
4 replies to donmontalvo's comment
Justin

Sorry Garmin, but you're too late to the party. I owned a Nuvi 200 for a while, and then my car was broken into and the unit stolen. At that time I would have jumped at the chance to buy Garmin's app as a suitable replacement, but since they were so late to the game I went with Navigon's offerings instead. Even if it turns out that Garmin's offering is better, it's going to take a lot for me to cough up another $40 to buy another navigation app.

January 04 2011 at 1:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
OlsonBW

Update: I would love maps to be updated wirelessly but they have to be stored on the iPhone/iPad (with an iPad version or no go). Also, it can't update my map I am using but only update "offline" so it doesn't mess me up while I'm driving. It also needs a way to back out of an update of the update didn't work.

January 04 2011 at 1:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
barry

This will fail. Garmin, why do you make such foolish decisions? The maps have to be included.

January 04 2011 at 12:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to barry's comment
Tom

It won't fail, but Garmin will likely have to change it to include maps in the next update. Garmin is much too big of a name to be a failure - and their interface is what people tune in for anyway. I want to believe that Garmin has something up their sleeves here with the lack of stored maps. I'm hoping some good reviews start showing up soon that tell us what happens outside of coverage areas.

January 04 2011 at 1:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
MacDork

Until we hear some feedback on how it works out in the field, the lack of built-in maps is a real cause for concern. I have and like the TomTom app & have the optional 1 year traffic subscription ($20). If the Garmin can offer better navigational warnings (I'm always turning early!) and reasonable performance, I'll consider it, but no-maps-on-the-device is still likely to keep me from buying this.

January 04 2011 at 12:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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