Roundup: GPS Nav Apps for G1/Android

[f4phantomii]

Seems like every few weeks someone asks about a GPS app that offers realtime turn-by-turn navigation. I thought I'd go ahead and post a quick summary of those I've been keeping up with since the Android/G1 launch in the US market.

AndNav2: 2-man dev team, available for Europe and as of June 2009 available for the US in "beta" testing. Still some bugs and routing issues to be worked out, at least on the US version. Improvements coming (hopefully!). POI database is unremarkable and not as good as commerically provided databases.

amAzeGPS: Will be free, most likely funded by advertisement. Android version in the works but no announced release date. Already runs on a variety of handsets. Screenshots and video available on website.

nav4all: Supports Android and is adding refinements to the UI for Android here and there. It works, and works pretty well, but the enroute UI and maps are not nearly as nice as other. POI database is unremarkable and not as good as commercially provided databases.

Garmin: Part of the Open Handset Alliance supporting Android. Reportedly developing their own line of Android-powered GPS smartphones. They have not announced any plans to release standalone GPS software (Garmin Mobile) to run on Android. Something to keep an eye on, but unlikely given it would compete with their own NuviPhone line due out this year. Still...one can remain hopeful, although it's likely *if* Garmin brings such a product to market, by then it will be simpler and cheaper just to buy a NuviPhone as the G1 will be ancient in electronics years.

Copilot Live: From Alk Technologies. Announced at CES 2009 that they have a version available for the T-Mobile G1. Available on the Android Market in late June 2009 for $34.99 one time fee. A standalone GPS solution that does not require a network connection for maps or routing. Free map download separately from application from OEM website. Works great. Not as polished as a typical Garmin or Tom-Tom standalone unit, but well worth the price. Works very well and continues to be upgraded by Alk. Probably the only real standalone GPS solution for Android at the moment.

TeleNav GPS Service: Available Feb. 24th for the G1. Pricing to be $10/month subscription. Should be comparable to the same service already available on other T-Mobile handsets.

[beabert]

copilot it is then as its the only one with maps for sd card?

Good post.

[tjhart85]

copilot it is then as its the only one with maps for sd card?

Good post.

Considering there are only 2 options listed in the US that actually exist, it's no wonder you chose the one time fee of $99 vs $120/year!

[kitsunisan]

Everyone is saying there is no way Garmin will develop an app for the G1 because they're coming out with their own device in the near future, do these people expect Garmin to pull all mobile apps from every smartphone out there, since these would all be competing platforms? If they provide it on a WinMo device, such as the Blackjack 2, then this would be in direct competition with their mobile device in development.
Yes, I understand the argument that it's going to be an Android device, just like the G1, but I'm guessing there will be a vast number of differences between the phones. If Android takes off as a platform, there will be a wide range of mobile devices out there running it, and there will be a huge loss of revenue for Garmin if they decide to make it for every phone but the Android line.

[HTC-G1]

id rather pay a lump sum - one time fee
than a monthly fee.

[jmejiaa]

if android apps will tie to my gmail account I will pay the 100 bucks one time fee, then if I stick with android for my next phone it will work.

Mapquest has a great for for blackberry for 50 bucks a year.

[jmejiaa]

Also, if Andnav 2 was something like a 30-40 buck one time fee with advertisements I would not mind, the guys look like they are passoniate about there work and if they continue to support it then it would be awesome.

[f4phantomii]

If Android takes off as a platform, there will be a wide range of mobile devices out there running it, and there will be a huge loss of revenue for Garmin if they decide to make it for every phone but the Android line.

And this is precisely what it would take for Garmin to make a business case to port their software to it. Right now, and even likely by the end of 2009, it's unlikely there will be enough phones running Android out there to make a go of it for Garmin.

So in the short term, don't hold your breath for a Garmin solution. Don't get me wrong, I'm a huge supporter of Garmin and have used their devices both personally and professionally for years. I'd be happy to see them put something out there. Their customer service should be the poster child for every business in existence!

[beabert]

http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2009/02...oid-shown-off/

[ukwinsi]

Seems like every few weeks someone asks about a GPS app that offers realtime turn-by-turn navigation. I thought I'd go ahead and post a quick summary of those I've been keeping up with since the Android/G1 launch in the US market.

AndNav2: 2-man dev team, available for Europe and as of June 2009 available for the US in "beta" testing. Still some bugs and routing issues to be worked out, at least on the US version. Improvements coming (hopefully!). POI database is unremarkable and not as good as commerically provided databases.

amAzeGPS: Will be free, most likely funded by advertisement. Android version in the works but no announced release date. Already runs on a variety of handsets. Screenshots and video available on website.

nav4all: Supports Android and is adding refinements to the UI for Android here and there. It works, and works pretty well, but the enroute UI and maps are not nearly as nice as other. POI database is unremarkable and not as good as commercially provided databases.

Garmin: Part of the Open Handset Alliance supporting Android. Reportedly developing their own line of Android-powered GPS smartphones. They have not announced any plans to release standalone GPS software (Garmin Mobile) to run on Android. Something to keep an eye on, but unlikely given it would compete with their own NuviPhone line due out this year. Still...one can remain hopeful, although it's likely *if* Garmin brings such a product to market, by then it will be simpler and cheaper just to buy a NuviPhone as the G1 will be ancient in electronics years.

Copilot Live: From Alk Technologies. Announced at CES 2009 that they have a version available for the T-Mobile G1. Available on the Android Market in late June 2009 for $34.99 one time fee. Appears to be a standalone GPS solution that does not require a network connection for maps or routing. Free map download separately from application from OEM website. Early reports some minor issues getting the licensing to work to download the maps and/or still reporting trial version after purchase. Search for threads here for updated info.

TeleNav GPS Service: Available Feb. 24th for the G1. Pricing to be $10/month subscription. Should be comparable to the same service already available on other T-Mobile handsets.

Absolutely lovely, telenav, the best GPS-Nav for mobile, not the cheapest one though, but definitely worth it excellent android UI tried on a Pulse and on a Touch. Free 30 day trial available in the UK too.. Thanks phantom!!