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Google Nexus-S vs. iPhone-4 Anybody?

err404 said:
There are a lot of options for Nav on the iPhone. Mapquest is a good free option. This is a double edged sword for Android. The stock Map app is "good enough" to kill the market for premium Nav apps.

blocked on most handsets/carriers on stock ROM so rooting is required. JB your iPhone to get the same functionality.
Click to expand...

Regarding these two points, it was announced yesterday that offline caching of maps is going to be added to the Google Maps app on Android which makes it at parity with most (it not all) GPS apps. The update for that is due in a few days.

The Wifi hotspot feature is a stock Android 2.2/2.3 and will not be blocked at all on the Nexus S (just as it isn't blocked on the nexus one) so it will never be a requirement to root for Wifi tethering on either of the nexus phones.

Of course carriers block or charge for the feature on carrier locked/branded phones but the Nexus S isn't in any way modified by any carrier.
 
Looks like a good phone, my previous phone was a Nexus One. Always go for the phone released by Google under the Nexus range.

I hate the other phones with their crappy skins on drives me up the wall. Full vanilla Android endorsed fully by Google is the best Android experience in my view. Always the first to receive updates, better support, and easier to root.
 
ChazUK said:
Regarding these two points, it was announced yesterday that offline caching of maps is going to be added to the Google Maps app on Android which makes it at parity with most (it not all) GPS apps. The update for that is due in a few days.
Click to expand...
Sorry, but no. Google Maps is a great basic Nav app, but is not at the same level as TomTom, Navigon or Magellan.

ChazUK said:
The Wifi hotspot feature is a stock Android 2.2/2.3 and will not be blocked at all on the Nexus S (just as it isn't blocked on the nexus one) so it will never be a requirement to root for Wifi tethering on either of the nexus phones.

Of course carriers block or charge for the feature on carrier locked/branded phones but the Nexus S isn't in any way modified by any carrier.
Click to expand...
My response was to a post about Android OS in general, not a specific handset.
 
err404 said:
Sorry, but no. Google Maps is a great basic Nav app, but is not at the same level as TomTom, Navigon or Magellan.
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im sorry but Google Maps on Android destroys TomTom/Navigon out of the water. And now with vector support, offline cache mode, and better UI overhaul, its now even better.

EDIT: I don't think you've used 'Navigation' on Android. Its by far a superior navigation application than TomTom/Magellan. Hands down.

gmaps-mobile-usnyccp5land-rm-eng_600x332.jpg
 
aohus said:
im sorry but Google Maps on Android destroys TomTom/Navigon out of the water. And now with vector support, offline cache mode, and better UI overhaul, its now even better.

EDIT: I don't think you've used 'Navigation' on Android. Its by far a superior navigation application than TomTom/Magellan. Hands down.

gmaps-mobile-usnyccp5land-rm-eng_600x332.jpg
Click to expand...

And the good news is that it will arrive in the very near future. :D
 
aohus said:
I don't think you've used 'Navigation' on Android. Its by far a superior navigation application than TomTom/Magellan. Hands down.
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Obviously I haven't used the upcoming version, but I was less then impress with the current one. Routing seems to ignore traffic congestion (not accidents), resulting in less efficient routes and optimistic ETA's.
It doesn't matter how pretty it is if the routing is worse.
 
err404 said:
Obviously I haven't used the upcoming version, but I was less then impress with the current one. Routing seems to ignore traffic congestion (not accidents), resulting in less efficient routes and optimistic ETA's.
It doesn't matter how pretty it is if the routing is worse.
Click to expand...

I don't think you've used 'Navigation' enough as it clearly reroutes if there is oncoming congestion. Furthermore, the user is able to switch between alternate routes with ease. FYI, I'm talking about Android's native 'Navigation' application, not the Google Maps that is available on iOS.

google_maps_navigation_alternate_routes.jpg
 
aohus said:
im sorry but Google Maps on Android destroys TomTom/Navigon out of the water. And now with vector support, offline cache mode, and better UI overhaul, its now even better.

EDIT: I don't think you've used 'Navigation' on Android. Its by far a superior navigation application than TomTom/Magellan. Hands down.

gmaps-mobile-usnyccp5land-rm-eng_600x332.jpg
Click to expand...

Google Maps on Android is indeed a great Navigation app, but what makes it blow Navigon out the water? When I actually need guided GPS I use Navigon on my iPhone 4. I fail to see how Google is so much better besides fact the it's free.

Now don't misunderstand me. Google maps is the best mapping software period. Street view, Satellite view, etc: is awesome for viewing/searching the map(which is also on the iPhone). But I found it's not anymore of a help when using Guided GPS on street view VS a regular 3D map view. I'm not knocking it at all and do wish the iPhone will get it, but I fail to see how Google navigation knocks Navigon out the water as you said when it comes to Guided GPS.

Have you even tried Navigon?
 
LIVEFRMNYC said:
Google Maps on Android is indeed a great Navigation app, but what makes it blow Navigon out the water? When I actually need guided GPS I use Navigon on my iPhone 4. I fail to see how Google is so much better besides fact the it's free.

Now don't misunderstand me. Google maps is the best mapping software period. Street view, Satellite view, etc: is awesome for viewing/searching the map(which is also on the iPhone). But I found it's not anymore of a help when using Guided GPS on street view VS a regular 3D map view. I'm not knocking it at all and do wish the iPhone will get it, but I fail to see how Google navigation knocks Navigon out the water as you said when it comes to Guided GPS.

Have you even tried Navigon?
Click to expand...

Navigation on Android does do Guided GPS. It knows exactly where I am to the closest 3 meters. The main thing is that its free, and theres no other free application thats comparable to it.
 
aohus said:
Navigation on Android does do Guided GPS. It knows exactly where I am to the closest 3 meters. The main thing is that its free, and theres no other free application thats comparable to it.
Click to expand...

Please reread my post.
 
LIVEFRMNYC said:
Google Maps on Android is indeed a great Navigation app, but what makes it blow Navigon out the water? When I actually need guided GPS I use Navigon on my iPhone 4. I fail to see how Google is so much better besides fact the it's free.

Now don't misunderstand me. Google maps is the best mapping software period. Street view, Satellite view, etc: is awesome for viewing/searching the map(which is also on the iPhone). But I found it's not anymore of a help when using Guided GPS on street view VS a regular 3D map view. I'm not knocking it at all and do wish the iPhone will get it, but I fail to see how Google navigation knocks Navigon out the water as you said when it comes to Guided GPS.

Have you even tried Navigon?
Click to expand...

You are confusing Google Maps with Navigation; they are two distinct apps. Navigation is free GPS app with live traffic information.
 
err404 said:
Sorry, but no. Google Maps is a great basic Nav app, but is not at the same level as TomTom, Navigon or Magellan.


My response was to a post about Android OS in general, not a specific handset.
Click to expand...

That's your opinion, the fact is that Google Navigation is comprable even better to any PAID navigation app for iPhone. It's NOT a basic app, it's integrated into the OS and other Google services to make it more functional than, Tom Tom, Navigon or Magellan.
 
kenypowa said:
You are confusing Google Maps with Navigation; they are two distinct apps. Navigation is free GPS app with live traffic information.
Click to expand...

Yes I know that. Just referring to it the same way as the user I was replying too. ;)
 
err404 said:
Obviously I haven't used the upcoming version, but I was less then impress with the current one. Routing seems to ignore traffic congestion (not accidents), resulting in less efficient routes and optimistic ETA's.
It doesn't matter how pretty it is if the routing is worse.
Click to expand...

Wow! You're a wealth of misinformation. It's obvious that you don't own an Android device and haven't used Google Navigation at all. :rolleyes:
 
As mentioned, there is some confusion going on here.

Google Maps is the overhead / satellite map we've all known on mobile devices since early 2006 (2007 on iPhone). The new update... so far just for Android... adds vector graphics, intelligent caching, buildings and 3D views controlled by tilting the phone and using the compass or two fingers to rotate direction.

Google Navigation is the Android built-in navigation program, which is easily the match of any standalone navigation app. Traffic, voice input and output, POIs taken even from current events, etc.

Here's one comparison of Google Navigation vs iPhone Navigation apps (TomTom, Navigon, ATT Navigator, CoPilot Live, Sygic) done by iPhone fans.

As they said, "While there is no denying that there are some great iPhone GPS apps available, [none] can hold a candle to the Google Maps Navigation Beta. "
 
what new GoogleMap? who needs that?
the first gen iPhone GoogleMap is much better than any other map apps made by Google anyway.
 
ericlin0122 said:
what new GoogleMap? who needs that?
the first gen iPhone GoogleMap is much better than any other map apps made by Google anyway.
Click to expand...

... thanks for complimenting Google. And you're saying that the 1st generation version of maps on iPhone is better than the current latest build of google maps on mobile. You're trolling without making any sense.
 
aohus said:
... thanks for complimenting Google. And you're saying that the 1st generation version of maps on iPhone is better than the current latest build of google maps on mobile. You're trolling without making any sense.
Click to expand...

You seem to have a habit of not reading a post correctly before replying. ;)
 
Small White Car said:
I don't know much about Android phones but I DO know that the best and most exciting new phones these days seem to come from companies controlling everything from top to bottom. For example: Apple, RIM, and poor old Palm. Based on that alone I would say that the one Android phone I'd be interested in would be a Google-designed Android phone.

And if that's your deal then this is gonna be your only choice for now.

So forget the tech specs. If anyone comes to me and says "What Android should I buy?" I'll be pointing them to the Nexus S.

(And, of course, an iPhone would still be my first advice, but if someone already has their mind made up, I'm not going to change it.)
Click to expand...

The Nexus S as mentioned is just like the other Galaxy S devices EXCEPT that it is straight up Android UI with no bloatware from any carriers. Also as mentioned it is mostly for development purposes which means it will get the OS upgrades first over any other devices.

So when Honeycomb comes out, this phone will get it first.


I wont be getting one though. The only thing that interests me is Gingerbread and the FFC and it lacks the Micro SD expansion. I already have a Vibrant which is rumored to possibly get GB before it gets Froyo but even if it doesnt, i already have Froyo and also as mentioned, i can get Gingerbread soon after from Devs.
My next Android will be the next Gens with Dual Core processors.
 
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