Garmin Releases New 'Onboard' Turn-By-Turn GPS Apps for iOS

[MacRumors]

Earlier this year, major GPS navigation firm Garmin released its first turn-by-turn navigation app for iOS. But rather than having all map data included within the application, Garmin StreetPilot relied on data access to download maps as needed. Garmin touted the decision as offering smaller and quicker downloads with the most up-to-date mapping data, but it also required users to tap into their data plan to use the application and could result in poor navigation in areas of poor or no cell coverage.

To address those issues, Garmin today announced the release of several "StreetPilot Onboard" apps offering full map data bundled within the apps to allow for offline navigation.

Garmin StreetPilot Onboard puts the vast preloaded database and intuitive interface of a Garmin nüvi into the iPhone you use everyday - without tapping into your dataplan. With ultra-fast map drawing, panning and zooming, the preloaded maps and Points of Interest offer peace of mind in knowing that wireless coverage and dataplan usage are not required to access maps or calculate routes. So just as with a nüvi, the maps and directions are always there when you need them most - especially when you can't get cell or Wi-Fi signals or your dataplan is running low.

Three versions of StreetPilot Onboard are available:

- Garmin U.S.A. ($39.99): Lower 49 states plus a number of Caribbean islands
- Garmin N. America ($49.99): United States, Canada, Mexico, and a number of Caribbean islands
- Garmin UK & Ireland (£44.99): Full maps of Great Britain, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands, with coverage of major cities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Real-time traffic and fuel price data are also available as separate in-app purchases.

Just last week, Garmin announced that it had completed its acquisition of German GPS firm Navigon, which itself offers a full suite of two dozen GPS applications for iOS covering various countries and regions.

Article Link: Garmin Releases New 'Onboard' Turn-By-Turn GPS Apps for iOS

 

[eklof]

Seems a bit strange. Not that they own Navigon, i think they should focus all resources on that app.

 

[xUKHCx]

Seems a bit strange. Not that they own Navigon, i think they should focus all resources on that app.

Probably brand recognition and loyalty.

If I didn't read these forums I wouldn't know about Navigon and when I would go to buy a GPS app I'd probably search for Garmin as I know and trust their phyical gps'.

 

[malnar]

So rather than FIX the current app and make it work the way it should, they're just going to screw everyone who bought it and hope they pay AGAIN for new apps by a company that has shown they don't know how to do apps and don't care about their company. Smart thinking there, Garmin. I'll stick with Magellan, thanks, jerk faces.

 

[Samuriajackon]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_9 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8E501 Safari/6533.18.5)

50$. I will keep using the streets and maps app on my iphone

 

[BC2009]

I wonder if this moves spells a "new" set of apps to merge the Navigon and Garmin apps into one. I love Garmin from back in the day, but they failed to show up to the iOS app party because they got focused on the "nuvifone" (big mistake). Navigon quickly became the leader in the iOS marketplace by being first and providing the most comprehensive features. In time I have come to prefer Navigon to my old Garmin. Now I am a bit worried about what direction Garmin is going to take.

The best thing Garmin could do for iOS is offer the same app under two names. Keep the Navigon app, and do a rebranding of it as "Garmin Mobile Navigator" so folks who know the "Garmin" name will find it, but folks who have become loyal "Navigon" users are not turned away.

If they attempt to pull the rug out from under the Navigon app, then they have been foolish in acquiring Navigon -- they could lose a large portion of the customer base they just acquired.

 

[itsalexaye]

Pretty interesting that Garmin now owns Navigon. I have a Garmin GPS for my car and I love it.

 

[stisdal]

The best thing Garmin could do for iOS is offer the same app under two names. Keep the Navigon app, and do a rebranding of it as "Garmin Mobile Navigator" so folks who know the "Garmin" name will find it, but folks who have become loyal "Navigon" users are not turned away.

If they attempt to pull the rug out from under the Navigon app, then they have been foolish in acquiring Navigon -- they could lose a large portion of the customer base they just acquired.

I still have a Navigon stand alone GPS unit in my car, and was not happy when the company pulled out of the stand alone market to focus on the smart phone market. (pulling support for my stand alone unit, which was supposed to have 3 years of free map updates)

I did purchase the iPhone Navigon app as I do like the UI, but if support is pulled again I don't think I would put any tru$t in Garmin either...

 

[tirk]

- Garmin U.S.A. ($39.99): Lower 49 states plus a number of Caribbean islands
- Garmin N. America ($49.99): United States, Canada, Mexico, and a number of Caribbean islands
- Garmin UK & Ireland (£44.99): Full maps of Great Britain, Isle of Man, and Channel Islands, with coverage of major cities in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Considering the exchange rate is currently USD1.63 = UKL1, even allowing for 20% VAT in the UK that's a pretty shocking mark up.

 

[erohloff]

I guess this just proves that if you're late to the party, buy the leader and your all good.

Seriously, my first comment when reading this was "NOOOOO!!!!" I had a Garmin stand along GPS, but fell in love with Navigon when I bought my iPhone. It was one of the first apps I purchased (Tom Tom suggested the stupid $100 car kit, WHY!!!). Navigon isn't perfect but it's damn close. Let's hope and pray that Garmin expands on the app, not destroy it like Adobe destroyed GoLive, PageMaker and Dreamweaver (but I'm not bitter, hehe)

 

[samwise]

Considering the exchange rate is currently USD1.63 = UKL1, even allowing for 20% VAT in the UK that's a pretty shocking mark up.

Garmin charges $59.99, $79.99 and £33.99 respectively for the City Navigator NT maps for their standalone sat navs.

So the standalone unit mapping is more for US customers, but the iPhone mapping is more for UK customers...

 

[BigPrince]

how many "lower states" are there?

 

[kdarling]

how many "lower states" are there?

They said it covered the "lower 49", which leaves out Alaska.

They could've said "lower 48" and left out Hawaii as well.

 

[Krevnik]

So the new apps have an updated (likely improved) UI, and StreetPilot doesn't have that.

But now StreetPilot is 60$, priced higher than any of the new apps. What the hell are they thinking? If it is because of the upcoming update, don't you release the update with the features before asking for more money? Really, Garmin?

 

[*LTD*]

So rather than FIX the current app and make it work the way it should, they're just going to screw everyone who bought it and hope they pay AGAIN for new apps by a company that has shown they don't know how to do apps and don't care about their company. Smart thinking there, Garmin. I'll stick with Magellan, thanks, jerk faces.

THIS. This 1000x.

IMHO here's nothing wrong with Street Pilot. It works very well. HOWEVER, why not simply fix it? Does this mean that Street Pilot will be left to rot?

Gamin . . . So much potential and they're half-assing it.

I might switch back to TomTom and be done with Garmin. We'll see.

 

[GaryMumford]

I guess this just proves that if you're late to the party, buy the leader and your all good.

Seriously, my first comment when reading this was "NOOOOO!!!!" I had a Garmin stand along GPS, but fell in love with Navigon when I bought my iPhone. It was one of the first apps I purchased (Tom Tom suggested the stupid $100 car kit, WHY!!!). Navigon isn't perfect but it's damn close. Let's hope and pray that Garmin expands on the app, not destroy it like Adobe destroyed GoLive, PageMaker and Dreamweaver (but I'm not bitter, hehe)

I know this is off Topic, But Seriously... IMHO GoLive and PageMaker needed killing off as soon as possible. Especially PageMaker!!! It was a god awful application. As for dreamweaver, I still use it on a daily basis and I'm really happy with it. Ive tried many other HTML editors like Coda, Hype and BBE but still end up going back to Dreamweaver... Then again, I still use Quark Xpress, so who am I to comment!

So bac to topic, Carry on...

 

[malnar]

THIS. This 1000x.

IMHO here's nothing wrong with Street Pilot. It works very well. HOWEVER, why not simply fix it? Does this mean that Street Pilot will be left to rot?

I guess I should have qualified my comment - the original Garmin Streetpilot app does work, and I've even defended it that way, but it doesn't work the way people want, which is with onboard maps. I liked the interface, its routing, etc. I think it was the best when it comes to that. But it EATS data - if you're on a 200mb plan, absolutely DO NOT get that app! I don't see why they couldn't have swallowed their pride, and a little profit, and made and all-new app to replace and update the old version with rather than just make a second app all together. This is just yet another bad business move that makes Garmin look awful. Imagine the good will they could have generated if they'd replaced everyone's old version with this new app that does what everyone had been asking for? It would be all over the place. Now, I'm betting there will be a lot of complaints like mine.

 

[malnar]

I know this is off Topic, But Seriously... IMHO GoLive and PageMaker needed killing off as soon as possible. Especially PageMaker!!! It was a god awful application. As for dreamweaver, I still use it on a daily basis and I'm really happy with it. Ive tried many other HTML editors like Coda, Hype and BBE but still end up going back to Dreamweaver... Then again, I still use Quark Xpress, so who am I to comment!

So bac to topic, Carry on...

Staying off topic, sorry... I used to use PageMaker and completely agree. InDesign isn't perfect either but it's a huge improvement over RageMaker.

 

[hexonxonx]

I may be giving this a try today. I had bought the Street Pilot app a few months back and was disappointed in the fact that it looked identical to the version I once ran on a Blackberry.

This version appears to look like a full featured stand alone GPS that I have.

 

[lobsterkatie]

I know, none of you care, but that shot is like a mile from the house where I grew up! And the road really does look exactly like that!

 

[Dizzler]

I hate the Garmin maps. They are sooooo ugly. The best thing Garmin can do is use Google maps, which are far easier to read. I have a stand-alone Garmin Nuvi in my car and I hate the darn thing. the navigation is not intuitive and the maps are just plain hard to read.

 

[rhp2424]

I know, none of you care, but that shot is like a mile from the house where I grew up! And the road really does look exactly like that!

Actually, I care! I used to frequently take that route and I had the same thought.

 

[nagromme]

Another huge fan of the Navigon apps here! I hope it thrives and grows under Garmin’s ownership. Great app, great features, reliable, and I love the iOS-like yet unique UI. Awesome on the iPad too. But for now I’m a bit nervous about its fate...

At the same time, I’m glad the platform has yet another non-network-dependent option now. Google-style network-dependent navigation is a terrible idea. You could write a sitcom about the people I’ve seen using the Android’s built in guidance (which, I’ll admit, is nice for the price of free—unless you get lost somewhere you don’t want to be). And that’s in a major city. Out in the boonies, navigation is even more vital, and cell coverage is even more sparse.

 

[Keebler]

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I just hope they keep that hot australian girl's voice for giving directions . Lol

 

[*LTD*]

I haven't tried Navigon.

Would any of you recommend it?

I've already tried TomTom, MotionX GPS Drive, and StreetPilot. StreetPilot is my preference at the moment, given its great UI. It's a bit of a resource hog, but I don't really mind.