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'Podmaps' to Provide Mobile Maps and Directions
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Another added feature for my GPS-less iPhone, I'll take it! Google maps (now enhanced) is very nice though I must say. I use it quite a bit. I wish I could get a nice GPS-like stand for my car that'll play tunes/hands-free talk/give directions thorugh my car speakers.
Yet another great idea from Apple. The tech is already there for this. Just look at Google Maps and how they give you snapshots of streets. Seems like 'Podmaps' could just be a slideshow of these screenshots with some annoying audio to tell you when you've made a wrong turn. Rather use my assortment of iPods than those expensive GPS systems.
This will drive lots of commercial sales of ipods to Museums, City Tours, Arboretums, Botanical Gardens, etc.....Where you or I might go through an iPod every two years or so, these types of institutions will be lucky to get 3-6 months out of one. Lots of sales for Apple.
Useful for driving?....maybe.
Useful for driving?....maybe.
Give me A BREAK!
You are telling me that google maps is better than a living, breathing full blooded sat navagation like in the ATT Tilt....................
I can punch in an address, I can use voice commands, I have three D maps, with constant updates from the web at 3G speeds, What, we are going to take slient google maps with their crazy road directions. Half the time google does not even make sense. If you are an Apple fan boy, just say so. I have a Macbook Pro and use it every day, I had two Iphones...............
I will take GPS over the worthless google map app any day of the week!
I'd love to see an iPod or podcast recipe card kinda thing. Configures it perfectly for your iPod screen with a minimum of scrolling, maybe with audio. Don't want to have to touch the iPod too much, because you know how a cookbook starts to look after a while.
Of course, this might be better suited to a Kindle. Or, i could just print it out.
Of course, this might be better suited to a Kindle. Or, i could just print it out.
Seems like a pain, if you already have the maps application! What if they just incorporated speech into the maps app. This way you could still tap your way through the trip, and have the verbal directions too.
EDIT: with an option to turn the audio off (obviously)
EDIT: with an option to turn the audio off (obviously)
Offtopic? perhaps...
I've got to say it! Your signature indicates the following:
Mac Pro 3.2GHz Quad/8GB/500HD x 4/2 23" Cinema Displays
MacBook Pro 15"/2.33 GHz/3GB/120HD
MacBook Air 1.8Ghz/2GB/64SSD
8GB iPhone
If you have an assortment of iPods, a Mac Pro, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, and an iPhone - isn't it a bit of a stretch to classify a $200 GPS device as 'expensive'?
I've got to say it! Your signature indicates the following:
Mac Pro 3.2GHz Quad/8GB/500HD x 4/2 23" Cinema Displays
MacBook Pro 15"/2.33 GHz/3GB/120HD
MacBook Air 1.8Ghz/2GB/64SSD
8GB iPhone
If you have an assortment of iPods, a Mac Pro, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, and an iPhone - isn't it a bit of a stretch to classify a $200 GPS device as 'expensive'?
Next step
While this does seem to be a poor GPS substitute, imagine the next step. Why bother with this audio stuff? Because it could have something much more to say than turn right at the gas station.
What if people could record tracks and images associated with specific locations? These could then be added to your path during the construction of the route. An obvious application would be a tourist board recording descriptions and providing interior pictures of, say, Frank Lloyd Wright houses as you cruise around Oak Park.
But why not also have an indicator/chapter that highlights the fact that you can "hear Larry's favorite song" as you drive past Larry's house (assuming that Larry has loaded this information to the appropriate Apple website and made it public).
On second thought, I could see people linking all kinds of stuff to this structure. Stalker's delight, exhibitionist's paradise.
While this does seem to be a poor GPS substitute, imagine the next step. Why bother with this audio stuff? Because it could have something much more to say than turn right at the gas station.
What if people could record tracks and images associated with specific locations? These could then be added to your path during the construction of the route. An obvious application would be a tourist board recording descriptions and providing interior pictures of, say, Frank Lloyd Wright houses as you cruise around Oak Park.
But why not also have an indicator/chapter that highlights the fact that you can "hear Larry's favorite song" as you drive past Larry's house (assuming that Larry has loaded this information to the appropriate Apple website and made it public).
On second thought, I could see people linking all kinds of stuff to this structure. Stalker's delight, exhibitionist's paradise.
Does Apple actually consult with users outside the company before coming up with these "ideas"? I guess it's an ok feature and all, but I can't really see myself using it. Of course, Apple will have to charge iPod users $5 for this new app and you'll never get rid of the nag screen until you knuckle under and buy it.
This sounds like an O.K. thing but I hope it evolves into being able to download specific google maps areas for viewing off line. This would easily become the most important thing I use my Ipod touch for. I can't imagine it would take up that much space to have a 100 or so mile radius on google maps downloaded to the touch.
Valentine
Happy valentine day for all MacLover ... and for every's mac lover Users
Joyeuse Saint VALENTIN a tou ceux qui aime leur mac ... et au mac qui aime leur utilisateurs....
Moi j'ai pas de mec mais j ai un mac !....
n'oubliez pas de prendre une serviette....on se fume un....
Happy valentine day for all MacLover ... and for every's mac lover Users
Joyeuse Saint VALENTIN a tou ceux qui aime leur mac ... et au mac qui aime leur utilisateurs....
Moi j'ai pas de mec mais j ai un mac !....
n'oubliez pas de prendre une serviette....on se fume un....
interesting idea, if not terribly unique
This would work especially well for subway and other mass transit maps, since they are not covered well by many mapping services, and often don't have GPS satellite reception. The DC Metro has been doing something similar for several months with segmented system maps formatted for viewing on photo-capable iPods. For driving, the only edge it might have over standard navigation systems would be if it incorporated google-esque "street view" photos (and covered more than just a few major cities). Also, lacking that ability to recalculate routes on-the-fly is a serious liability.
Considering the huge HD capacities on classic iPods these days, I think I'd rather see a browseable Google Maps "snapshot". Without the satellite photos, I can't imagine North America would take up more than a couple gigs.
This would work especially well for subway and other mass transit maps, since they are not covered well by many mapping services, and often don't have GPS satellite reception. The DC Metro has been doing something similar for several months with segmented system maps formatted for viewing on photo-capable iPods. For driving, the only edge it might have over standard navigation systems would be if it incorporated google-esque "street view" photos (and covered more than just a few major cities). Also, lacking that ability to recalculate routes on-the-fly is a serious liability.
Considering the huge HD capacities on classic iPods these days, I think I'd rather see a browseable Google Maps "snapshot". Without the satellite photos, I can't imagine North America would take up more than a couple gigs.
Back to my mac
What if you can have an application on your Mac that calculates and creates the podmap for you.
Push locate me on your phone, type destination address, your mac at home will go on google, create the turn by turn voice and pictures and send it back to your phone.
No real need for GPS, you could push locate me from time to time and your mac would send you updated info.
These are the kind of applications I see happening more and more in the future. Offload the heavy lifting to your main computer and see, hear or feel the results on your handheld
What if you can have an application on your Mac that calculates and creates the podmap for you.
Push locate me on your phone, type destination address, your mac at home will go on google, create the turn by turn voice and pictures and send it back to your phone.
No real need for GPS, you could push locate me from time to time and your mac would send you updated info.
These are the kind of applications I see happening more and more in the future. Offload the heavy lifting to your main computer and see, hear or feel the results on your handheld
Not to me. What are we supposed to do while driving? Get out your ipod touch, plug in our earphones while driving? Forget about listening to traffic etc? You know there is no external spkr on the touch?
Not for me.
I'll stick to my Tom Tom TYVM!--))
Most people have an output of some kind for their Ipod otherwise why even have it in the car? As for this Google map downloading anyone know why this isn't available? Someone must have thought to be able to download an area of Google Maps to the touch or whatnot. Licensing problems maybe? Would it be possible to create a sort of cache/memory program to automatically cache viewed areas for the touch?
GPS is just one way to skin a cat. Granted, I like my GPS system in my car. I couldn't get around half of the DFW metroplex without it.
But it's also an inelegant piece of trash. The UI is incorigible and a potential death trap as you're trying to type directions in the slower-than-molasses damned near unresponsive touchscreen. And nine times out of ten if I type in "Starbucks" it'll pull up all the Starbucks for 1200 miles surrounding Dallas, but I'll have to go back through umpteen subcategories before I discover there's one a block away... by which time with enough driving I would have already passed five of them.
Lastly, how big do you want the iPhone to be? How short do you want the battery to last?
Ok so there are plenty of phones with GPS out there. How many of them also have a CPU with computer-grade firepower, a hi-res immediately-responsive multitouch screen, a full-blown operating system with an elegantly designed user interface (your features are only as usable as your user interface makes them), 16 gigabytes of memory AND all in a package 0.46 inches (11.68mm) thick?
Good luck finding a true comparable. If you start making compromises to squeeze in that GPS, then people will complain about the battery, or the bulk, or something else you had to rip out of the phone.
Honestly, GPS systems are vastly more useful in car consoles than they are in phones. You know why? Because I don't walk 25 miles across town. If the place is within walking distance, are you seriously telling me that there is a sizable demographic of people so inept they need GPS to look up a place they can find faster with their feet and eyes? Ok, some people are just that inept... but are they a large enough contingent that it'll make or break the iPhone?
iPhone market share growth thus far suggests the answer is "No."
As a sidenote that might be of interest to you, Apple is talking with BMW and Mercedes about developing their navigation/entertainment systems...
No they won't. The small, hysterical minority for whom lack of GPS is a deal-breaker will throw a tantrum, and everyone else will just buy an iPhone, because GPS isn't a big deal for them and they'll be quite happy with everything else the phone does.
Wasn't the iPhone supposed to fail because it didn't have 3G on launch?
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it would also be nice if apple integrated google's new (and still devolping) street view imaging. Imagine with everything listed in this patent along with corresponding street level images. Amazing.
it would also be nice if apple integrated google's new (and still devolping) street view imaging. Imagine with everything listed in this patent along with corresponding street level images. Amazing.