GPS Software

[stockcerts]

I'm still waiting for turn by turn software. I know, it may not be coming any time soon, but quite honestly the GPS chip in my new phone is useless until the software becomes available.

[bbplayer5]

Thank you for informing us?

[Sky Blue]

I had a cheese sandwich for lunch.

[Niiro13]

Originally Posted by stockcerts

I'm still waiting for turn by turn software. I know, it may not be coming any time soon, but quite honestly the GPS chip in my new phone is useless until the software becomes available.

Before I get an iPhone 3G...

Are you able to plot a route, then track your location with the route already there?

If that's the case, then that's all I need (as heavily as I depend on my GPS, I don't require the turn by turn directions...just route and live tracking)

[bbplayer5]

Originally Posted by Niiro13

Before I get an iPhone 3G...

Are you able to plot a route, then track your location with the route already there?

If that's the case, then that's all I need (as heavily as I depend on my GPS, I don't require the turn by turn directions...just route and live tracking)

yes, quite well.

[hawkryger]

I'm still waiting for telepathy to become commonplace. That way, the forums will be much more concise. Without telepathy, our mind chips are pretty well useless...

[stockcerts]

Hmmmm. I was just stating some frustration. Thanks for your thoughtful replies.

[cenetti]

if you're in the passenger seat giving directions to the driver, it's as useful as a regular gps device BUT trying to get directions and drive at the same time, it's harder to use because the map doesn't follow you. You have to move the map with your fingers. Since you need to zoom in to see the street names and such, it gets quite troublesome.....

but again I wouldn't say useless, it's just harder to use...that's all...

[i-John]

If turn by turn is all you're worried about, then your imagination is very limited. Turn by turn is nice, but I have never been that lost that I didn't know you where I was going.

I love location aware apps.

[mdragoni1]

Originally Posted by cenetti

if you're in the passenger seat giving directions to the driver, it's as useful as a regular gps device BUT trying to get directions and drive at the same time, it's harder to use because the map doesn't follow you. You have to move the map with your fingers. Since you need to zoom in to see the street names and such, it gets quite troublesome.....

but again I wouldn't say useless, it's just harder to use...that's all...

Unless your referring to the arrow keys, you don't have to use your fingers to zoom in. You just have to make sure the location button is blue. It'll follow you till the end of the earth as long as that bugger stays blue. Of course you still have to hit the arrows. Your best to tap the arrow for your next turn and then tap on the location button so it goes back to you. Once you can see the little purple turn radius on the map you know that's your turn. Its still a pain and I agree that we need software but there are some pluses to Google Maps that I feel haven't been mentioned.

Pros:
The location software is much better than it was with the GPS
With Google you don't have to pay for annual updates like other GPS software
Live traffic

I won't bother with the cons since we all know them. Its something to keep in mind though, while it lacks some basic GPS features we're not paying the hundred dollar fee that Garmin charges for new maps. Its likely that any GPS software that is released may offer similar fees.

[CKtoph]

Originally Posted by Niiro13

Are you able to plot a route, then track your location with the route already there?

If that's the case, then that's all I need (as heavily as I depend on my GPS, I don't require the turn by turn directions...just route and live tracking)

This is a no. You can plan your route, and it will give you the same turn by turn directions as if you printed it out on google maps.

As for TRACKING, the blue dot will track your progress, but it will not automatically forward you to the next step in your directions once you've reached that point. You need to press the right arrow button in order to see the next instruction. Also, it will not adjust your route if you were to travel off the plotted course, the blue dot will only track your position and leave you to figure out how to get back on course.

At least this has been my experience so far with the GPS google maps system.