iPhone with GPS and Google Maps

I have a Moto Q with google maps and GPS functionality. At this point it is not a substitue for a full fledged GPS. It has helped me but at this point I have found the functionality too thin and bought a Garmin 760. I travel to different cities for work every week and after my first week of having this I wonder how I ever lived without it. Phone GPS users will realize they have to put their phone in the window and if they need to make a call, bye bye GPS.

I have wondered how google will affect Garmin (hometown company) but Garmin keeps making cool products that are better than Google's...at this point.

Has Apple ever made a product same as everyone else?

I have never known Garmin to produce any cool product, just functional ones. If one compares the first Nuvi model to the latest one, not much have changed. Now look at the first iPod and the latest one.

I don't think the new iPhone will have true navigation. The GPSr is probably use to locate current position more accurately. Unless Apple can make one that's better than everyone else, we'll not see one. Anyway we'll know on Monday.

Just a few more days and it will all be revealed!!!

Even if the new iPhone does have a true GPS built-in, I'll still use my Garmin c340 when I'm driving. Besides, how would it work if you wanted to talk on the phone and use the GPS at the same time?

I don't know how the apple will work and I’m sure I won't purchase one, but when my blackberry is coupled to my 760 via Bluetooth, when I get or make a call the 760 continues to function as a gps...

I just got the new ATT Tilt on Tuesday. It also has Tel Nav system. It's $10 per month (plus taxes) but I have it for one month trial. I'm going to try it out today.

When reading the consumer reviews on this phone on CNET, they mention there is a free GPS service out there. I might give that a try after my free trial of Tel Nav.

Don't think it would replace my C340 Garmin, but the phone nav would be less cumbersome for use in the pedestrian mode.

You can also click this link for past conversations:

http://www.poi-factory.com/node/13582

Bob

ever notice combo devices never do the job that the seperate pieces specifically designed for taht purpose do? so I think Garmin is solid

But I still like the Bluetooth/hands free phone with my 760. I also have an mp3 player that I used to play through my cars audio system, it has better features (like playlists, etc.) than the 760, but I now use the 760's mp3 because it's now attached to the aux outlet...

I can't imagine trying to use a tiny cell phone screen for navigation for very long. I think a dedicated GPS is the way to go.

Does anyone know if there is an extra charge to the phone service if you do use the GPS function or does that come automatically with the purchase of the iphone

For those with the AT&T Blackberry GPS service, I understand it costs another $10./month. The new 3G data plan is $30/month for non-business users (versus $20/month with first iphone) but, I don't know if that includes the GPS function. (Does anyone know if it does include the GPS function?) My supervisor has the Blackberry Curve with GPS and she is very happy with it as she needs to navigate around California. The all-in-one device is pretty convenient for her needs.

I may have to look at the new iphone, even though I have a Nuvi. It would be pretty cool to have the internet surfing capability with me all the time.

Henry

This will depend entirely on if Apple opens to third party software, or it ties users down to the carrier's (i.e. Telenav).

That is the big IF for me, as far as changing platforms. I just don't agree with paying on a per- route/monthly basis to the cell carrier in order to use the hardware I own.

TomTom already has software ready to launch:

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSB46553120080609

And I'm sure others will follow, given the chunk of the market that Apple holds, but if Apple decides not to open the iPhone to developers, then I'll stay on Windows Mobile. Buggy as it may be, it lets you to shop for the software you prefer, and most importantly, be a power-user if you like.

Otherwise, we can always wish for Google to come up with a free, turn-by-turn solution!

Krieger

Personally, I'm hoping that the nuvifone will be be all it's cracked up to be:
http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2008/02/05/nuviphone-fir...

A phone, a gps, a camera, an mp3 player and a browser... I can't wait!

Initial reviews of GPS funtion on the iPhone have not been very complimentary...

I thought the GPS enabled iPhone was not shipping until July. All I have seen so far is the promotional stuff and press releases haven't seen any actual hands on reviews, have you?

The current iPhone has a faux GPS function. Is that what you are talking about?

I don't have much hopes for it. Any cell phone feature seems to be designed to bleed you dry for a monthly service charge.

I want unlimited use for a fixed price up front. If their GPS requires a cell signal or monthly or per-use charge, forget it. I have more hopes for the nuvifone!

The iPhone in its current itteration has a $20/month fixed charge for unlimited data. I haven't heard that it is scheduled for a change.

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/specials/iPho...

# Add a Consumer Data Plan for iPhone 3G to a qualified voice plan for $30 per month.
# Add an Enterprise Data Plan for iPhone 3G to a qualified voice plan for $45 per month.

from http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,365347,00.html

I've been doing some poking around myself, and it doesn't look like the new iphone is totally worth scrapping my old one. Reasons?

The price cut to me seems like nothing more than bait since the negatives (or at least laterals) to getting a new one are manifold.

First, the AT&T price increase that's been mentioned. I.E. it's gonna cost you more to keep your iphone. Second? You've got to sign yet another two-year cell agreement. So, there you've got more expensive for even longer. Third, so what if the model is a little slimmer? My old iphone is slim enough, I think. Fourth, all iphone users get the iphone 2.0 software update for free anyway, so that's not really a benefit. Fifth, 3G isn't everywhere yet, and wi-fi hotspots are becoming more and more plentiful by the day, perhaps even quicker than 3G coverage, and I only use EDGE to browse if I'm in a lurch, so even the greater speed at a greater cost just isn't necessary for me.

And finally, the GPS functionality is attractive, but for we who already have GPS devices, which we've already paid for, which we can update POI info from great sites like this, which we DON'T have to pay an ongoing $30 data plan fee MONTHLY to use, just renders the 3G iphone as kind of....well... unnecessary.

Nice to meet everyone btw. Can't wait to get into poi-factory more!

The unlimited data plan for the new iPhone will be $30 instead of the $20 for the current iPhone. That is still $10 cheaper than the data plan for my Palm Treo and the iPhone is much more useful for me.

3G is about 2.8 times faster than Edge so you do get more for the $10 than you get today with Edge.

The location feature (GPS?) is driven by a combination of cell sites, WiFi hotspots and enhanced by GPS satellite to improve accuracy. There is no additional cost for the "GPS" function, unlike the Tilt. Google maps on the iPhone has always had turn by turn instructions. The iPhone will never replace my GPS. My phone is not a good GPS and my GPS is not a good phone, but they work well together.

Like any other piece of technology, it's not for everyone, but for me, it is the best phone I have owned. It does not have the most features, but is by far the easiest to use and all of the functions work well.

I will be getting two more 16GB iPhones on July 11, if the line is not too long. That will bring our iPhone count to four on our family plan.

The reason that you have to buy the iPhone in person now is because a third to half of the first iPhones were purchased and never activated with at&t. They were taken to other countries, unlocked and used on other GSM systems. The cheaper service agreement with Apple was based on getting all of the phones on at&t service. Now you don't leave the store without service. You get a cheaper phone cost up front by $200, but pay it back, +$40 over the two year contract with the $10 additional data cost. The new iPhone will release in 22 countries and will be available in 70 countries by the end of the year.

I don't take too much stock in "reviews" written by those using hype and advertising as their source of "facts". I think it only fair to actually use one before trying to evaluate anything. It's OK with me if people hate the iPhone; they won't be ahead of me in line to get one.

Bill

My phone also has a fixed charge for data, however the
Navigator is another 10.00 per month. Don't count on anything for free from AT&T.

Bob

I have AT&T and everything is extra, unless want to have a huge phone bill each month. GPS for a blackberry is an extra...

Then Garmin is going to have a tough time selling their Nuvifone.

http://gizmodo.com/tag/nuvi-phone/

Paul, don't dispair about any iphone using GPS. If they are as hard to operate/use/maintain as their 2 previous models(8 & 16 Meg Mem)I think Garmin's probably going to be O.K. I run the IT dept where i work, and several of my people have/had an iphone first generation. after a year only one of my people still has theirs. the rest had so many issues, they sold theirs on ebay or just put it drawer and got another device--mostly blackberry curves, which I believe offer a Garmin GPS optional add on .

i'm an apple user and will get an iphone 3g, and still think that iphone gps or other phone w/ gps will never replace the full garmin gps units. They just easy to mount, turn it on and you are on your way to your destination.

Where an atm, coffee shop, etc is and you have your phone, it'll be a handy, if expensive way to find one... but I doubt if anyone will use it the same way a true gps is used....