Home ›

Turn-By-Turn GPS Navigation Apps Already In App Store

Submitted by Edward Kirk on February 19, 2009 - 1:07pm.
in

It was found just recently that two apps for turn-by-turn GPS navigation are already available in the App Store. G-Map U.S. West [$19.99] and G-Map U.S. East [$19.99], which were released in October and January respectively, both offer turn-by-turn directions using GPS. Neither app included turn-by-turn GPS when they were launched. The original version only had maps, and was very buggy. Version 1.2 of the apps were released on February 7th, fixing most of the major bugs and adding turn-by-turn directions and real time turn tracking.

The developer created this video demonstrating the app:

As good as this sounds, the apps still lack voice directions, which the developer's FAQs explains as being due to Apple's "strict strategy which prohibits any real time guidance". The app even warns "not operate this device while driving".

[via MacRumors]

You are wrong!

Submitted by tabaks on February 19, 2009 - 1:33pm.
It does NOT say that the app has AUTOMATIC turn-by-turn directions (that would mean: different than already existing Gmaps app). The only thing you can tell form a crooked Chinese translation on their website is that it is: expensive, with only half-included maps and that it does preview, NOT directions which require no interaction with the phone and are real-time.

Submitted by bruss147 on February 19, 2009 - 2:26pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tabaks View Post
It does NOT say that the app has AUTOMATIC turn-by-turn directions (that would mean: different than already existing Gmaps app). The only thing you can tell form a crooked Chinese translation on their website is that it is: expensive, with only half-included maps and that it does preview, NOT directions which require no interaction with the phone and are real-time.
No, you're wrong. It DOES say that it is automatic turn-by-turn. It also says that it auto corrects the route if you go off course. It is NOT expensive, it's $20. Much cheaper than the usual $80 or so for a GPS map software for other devices. They split it into West and East so that each are under 1 GB and under what apple seems to restrict in a single app.

Submitted by tabaks on February 19, 2009 - 3:43pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bruss147 View Post
No, you're wrong. It DOES say that it is automatic turn-by-turn. It also says that it auto corrects the route if you go off course. It is NOT expensive, it's $20. Much cheaper than the usual $80 or so for a GPS map software for other devices. They split it into West and East so that each are under 1 GB and under what apple seems to restrict in a single app.
OK, I'll keep my eyes on this. I'd like this to be true SO much! But, I found the lack of clear language confirming this on their website suspicious. In the past, their website also lacked the DENIAL it didn't do the real-time directions, when the app didn't have them for sure. I was left with the "we'd like people to believe we do have it so we don't deny it" feeling then.

Submitted by fractured on February 19, 2009 - 6:22pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tabaks View Post
It does NOT say that the app has AUTOMATIC turn-by-turn directions (that would mean: different than already existing Gmaps app). The only thing you can tell form a crooked Chinese translation on their website is that it is: expensive, with only half-included maps and that it does preview, NOT directions which require no interaction with the phone and are real-time.
Umm... how about an apology to the writer of the article. You used some rather strongly worded language with your title and first sentence, only to be wrong yourself.

Submitted by bruss147 on February 19, 2009 - 8:20pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tabaks View Post
But, I found the lack of clear language ... on their website ...
Yes, I very much agree with that. They seem pretty willing to answer questions though. I've sent them questions since this first came out to try and get things clarified. With this last update, I think I'm ready to buy it.

Yes, how about it

Submitted by tabaks on February 19, 2009 - 10:38pm.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fractured View Post
Umm... how about an apology to the writer of the article. You used some rather strongly worded language with your title and first sentence, only to be wrong yourself.
Quite frankly, I'm still going to hold off on that one. Until I actually see this in action and read a writeup which wasn't copied across the net almost unchanged/edited. I don't know where it originated but I'm sure as heck I'm both still not convinced this app is for real and that this same writeup could not have been authored by at least two people on different sites and still sound almost the same. Unless something was copied...

So, how about it? Not yet, I'm afraid. But, thanks for asking.

Submitted by bruss147 on February 20, 2009 - 9:55am.
Quote:
Originally Posted by tabaks View Post
... I'm sure as heck I'm both still not convinced this app is for real ...
Uh... The links to the app in the App Store are in the article. You can see right there the app is real. If you're not going to believe what the the developer of the program says, any of the reviews in the app store, or reviews on other sites, I'm not sure there's much helping you unless you just buy it and find out. All reviews that have come out since the update that adds turn-by-turn directions say they're there. So...