AT&T Unleashes Turn-by-Turn GPS App

[MacRumors]

Yesterday, we profiled several turn-by-turn GPS applications that have appeared in the App Store over the past few days. Today sees the addition of a new GPS app for U.S. customers, this time from AT&T. AT&T Navigator [App Store, Free plus $9.99/month subscription] offers full-featured turn-by-turn GPS navigation with traffic data, automatic map updates, and advanced search functions. Features include:

- Voice-guided and 3D onscreen GPS navigation keeps your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road
- Automatic rerouting will get you there even if you miss a turn
- Regular map updates are automatic and included so you never have to purchase updates.
- Real-time traffic updates and one click rerouting saves you time on your daily commute
- Searching for gas by price saves you money at the pump
- Enter an address from your iPhone or from the convenience of your computer before leaving home. Search AT&T Navigator for the closest coffee house, ATM or Wi-Fi hotspot along with ratings from a listing of over 10 million business listings.

AT&T Navigator is unique in that, rather than utilizing in-app purchasing via the iTunes Store, the subscription is automatically added to the user's monthly AT&T wireless bill. The technique sidesteps Apple's policy of taking a 30% cut of sales taken through the in-app purchasing method. While users may appreciate that the monthly charge is included on their AT&T bill, they should also be aware that simply deleting the application does not cancel the monthly subscription. Users will need to contact AT&T directly in order to end their subscription to AT&T Navigator.

Article Link: AT&T Unleashes Turn-by-Turn GPS App

[Speedracer04]

Monthly subscriptions blow.

I would much rather pay a 1 time $90-$100 fee. Thats what I did for my TomTom, why should this be different...

[bbplayer5]

So how can they support this and not MMS? This would take FAR more bandwidth than MMS. Ohhhh thats right, they wont make any more money on MMS since its already included in text plans.

Once again, AT&T showing its greed. Does it even run landscape mode?!

[NightStorm]

Originally Posted by Speedracer04

Monthly subscriptions blow.

I would much rather pay a 1 time $90-$100 fee. Thats what I did for my TomTom, why should this be different...

The monthly subscription plan is a common model for cell phone provided turn-by-turn GPS applications. That said, Navigon and TomTom will likely continue to use their single payment approach (Navigon has already confirmed this with the release of MobileNavigator Europe).

[co.ag.2005]

Originally Posted by bbplayer5

So how can they support this and not MMS? This would take FAR more bandwidth than MMS. Ohhhh thats right, they wont make any more money on MMS since its already included in text plans.

Once again, AT&T showing its greed.

damnit, a capitalistic company wants to make money

I'm glad Apple are a fair company and give their products away instead of trying to make money. I hear Verizon even wishes they didn't make money, stupid ATT...

I think monthly subscription based navigation apps are dumb and would rather pay a one time fee. I wonder if ATT's app would keep maps on the phone or download them in real time over the cell network. I hope not...

[bbplayer5]

Originally Posted by co.ag.2005

damnit, a capitalistic company wants to make money

I'm glad Apple are a fair company and give their products away instead of trying to make money. I hear Verizon even wishes they didn't make money, stupid ATT...

I think monthly subscription based navigation apps are dumb and would rather pay a one time fee. I wonder if ATT's app would keep maps on the phone or download them in real time over the cell network. I hope not...

Your reply makes no sense at all. First you ridicule me for saying they are greedy, then you make your argument by showing their greed. How are they giving their product away exactly? You have to PAY TO USE IT!!!!! Not to mention, you have to pay MORE to use it than other apps that GIVE YOU their maps, and dont stream them. Ya you lost cell coverage.. there goes your navigation!

[zapbryann]

has anyone bought this/given it a try? i start my delivery job today in a newer town i dont know as well, so this would be perfect.

[reckless2k2]

$120 PER YEAR for this?!?!?!?!

I hope and pray that TomTom will not charge for a subscription service especially considering they will be charging for hardware as well (gotta have the dock!).

[bbplayer5]

Originally Posted by zapbryann

has anyone bought this/given it a try? i start my delivery job today in a newer town i dont know as well, so this would be perfect.

The description of the product is horrible. Does it work in landscape? Does it download the maps and keep them on your phone or erase them - streaming maps is HORRIBLE.

[bbplayer5]

Originally Posted by reckless2k2

$120 PER YEAR for this?!?!?!?!

I hope and pray that TomTom will not charge for a subscription service especially considering they will be charging for hardware as well (gotta have the dock!).

Not having to stream maps is worth the money. I dont get why cell providers want you streaming maps for navigation, then come on the other hand and whine about MMS bandwidth.

Unreal.

[co.ag.2005]

Originally Posted by bbplayer5

Your reply makes no sense at all. First you ridicule me for saying they are greedy, then you make your argument by showing their greed. How are they giving their product away exactly? You have to PAY TO USE IT!!!!!

I was being very sarcastic. Every company wants to make money, so why is ATT greedy for making its customers pay for a navigation app? If it strengthens their bottom line, they will do it. Verizon and Sprint offer the same thing... ~$10 / month navigation applications on their phones.

Friends?

[Auzburner]

Do I have to pay $10/mon for all of my iPhones? I hate monthly subscriptions. I want to pay a good amount to allow Turn-by-turn on ALL of my four iPhones on my family plan. First one in the App store, that's quality wins!

[bbplayer5]

Originally Posted by Auzburner

Do I have to pay $10/mon for all of my iPhones? I hate monthly subscriptions. I want to pay a good amount to allow Turn-by-turn on ALL of my four iPhones on my family plan. First one in the App store, that's quality wins!

Pretty sure you will have to yes.

[mdgolom]

Originally Posted by bbplayer5

So how can they support this and not MMS? This would take FAR more bandwidth than MMS. Ohhhh thats right, they wont make any more money on MMS since its already included in text plans.

Once again, AT&T showing its greed. Does it even run landscape mode?!

MMS = No Revenue
GPS = Revenue $$$

At this price ($9.99/month), I would rather just buy a stand alone GPS. Most of them for a nominal fee offer updated maps and such.

[mattwolfmatt]

Originally Posted by co.ag.2005

I was being very sarcastic. Every company wants to make money, so why is ATT greedy for making its customers pay for a navigation app? If it strengthens their bottom line, they will do it. Verizon and Sprint offer the same thing... ~$10 / month navigation applications on their phones.

Friends?

I agree. $10/month for turn by turn GPS is standard. Sarcasm doesn't come through well through forums.

If you think it's a bad app or don't want to use it, don't! Nothing is forcing you to buy it. It's the beauty of capitalism, the government doesn't force companies or citizens to do anything. Capitalism weeds out the winners and the losers naturally. Just look at the car companies.

[dkhenkin]

Someone post a review if they get it!

[maconspace]

The AT&T navigation looks far better than Verizons navigation (former Blackberry Storm user here - don't even think about switching to a Storm, you'll be sorry). I love my iPhone 3Gs.

I have no problem with paying for the service.

[mattster16]

Looks like a fairly decent app, too bad it has monthly fee pricing. I'm not a fan of that. I'll be waiting for Garmin's app (unless it turns out to suck and tomtom is way better).

[FSUSem1noles]

Is this why MMS got delayed to who knows when? because they were too busy coming up with this?

[iGary]

Not interested in a "subscription" model myself. I'll wait for TomTom with a bottle of Lube™ at the ready.

[btcutter]

Should probably allow customers to order the ATT GPS services on $0.99 per 24 hrs. It would go down easier.

If I were AT&T, I would even say that there will not be roaming charges for GPS data services or something like that to attract customers using it internationally. This would attract some people who may only need the services in Canada or Europe for a few day and won't need to buy the entire package.

[mattwolfmatt]

So THIS is what they were doing instead of writing the tethering software!

[Master Atrus]

The first thought I had when I read this was ... "and that explains why we don't have MMS or tethering yet." Wow!

Of course I know this was handled by a different department ... but that really takes the fun out of my complaining doesn't it?!?!?!?

[d21mike]

Absolutely no way will I pay $10 per month. I will pay a one time charge and then maybe a periodic charge to get new maps. Hopefully TomTom or Garmin do this as they have done with other phones.

[Seamaster]

Originally Posted by mdgolom

At this price I would rather just buy a stand alone GPS.

That's why AT&T's business model for this app is doomed.