Apple iPad GPS Applications

 

Well, there is discussion on the web today due to the official announcement of the forthcoming Apple iPad. I know that sooner or later it is going to be discussed, so I may just as well bring it up now. The Apple website lists: "Assisted GPS (Wi-Fi + 3G model)" While it is a pretty large display for automobile navigating in most cars, could this be just the ticket for trucks, buses, motor homes, etc? In as much as I like stand alone GPS, I am interested in devices that will also have the ability to surf the web via wifi. While I don't own any Apple devices, my two sons each have an iPod Touch. Despite my reservations about them, such as no means for the end user to replace the battery or add memory, etc., it is a slick device. It will be interesting to see what GPS applications become available for this in the future. Also, do you guys think there may be another iPad in the works, perhaps a size between the existing iPod Touch and forthcoming iPad? Would say a 5 inch screen iPad be a better platform for GPS for automobile navigation in the future?

Iphone

Applications are supposed to work on the Ipad. The problem is the cost. About $630 for a 3G enabled device plus monthly fees to AT&T brings the first year cost to over $1300. As with the Iphone I think the GPS will not work out of cell phone coverage.

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:260W, 50LM

Why do you say that?

The 3G iPhones have a GPS chip and don't need cell phone coverage to work. How well, I'm not sure however.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13557_7-9963860-31.html

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If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else. - Yogi Berra

.

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Currently have: SP3, GPSMAP 276c, Nuvi 760T, Nuvi 3790LMT, Zumo 660T

Most do, some don't

Last Mrk wrote:

The 3G iPhones have a GPS chip and don't need cell phone coverage to work. How well, I'm not sure however.

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13557_7-9963860-31.html

Actually, most of the phone apps require cell signal, so they can access the maps. Some of the phone apps permanently store the maps on the device, but most do not. So wherever there is no cell reception, the GPS won't work because it can't access the maps.

As for how well, that really depends on the acceptance level of the user. The iPhone TomTom app includes maps that are stored on the device, but they recommend buying a separate dock for the iPhone which has a built-in GPS receiver that bypasses the phone's GPS receiver. This adds $100 to the package cost.

This is because due to size and space constraints, a lot of compromises have to be made with internal antenna size and placement. Think about that for a minute. What amazing technology! They have crammed a cell transceiver and antenna, a WiFi transceiver and antenna, a BlueTooth transceiver and antenna, and a GPS receiver and antenna - all in that tiny package.

The iPhone section on the Tom Tom forums has quite a few folks reporting poor GPS signal reception even though it has adequate cell reception. Add the $100 external antenna/dock, and it works about as well as a dedicated GPS. I suspect we will find the same thing with the iPad. It sure does look interesting, though! Mrs. johnc has expressed great interest in the iPad, so there might be one in our future. wink

iPad

I saw another review of the iPad today. They said that unlike the 3G iPhone, the iPad does not have a GPS chip. I guess the large size of the iPad makes it too big for that application.

http://www.marketwatch.com/video

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:260W, 50LM

Iphone and Ipad

Would you have to buy the application again for the ipad if you got it for the iphone already?

Sharing iphone apps

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:260W, 50LM

Hahaha!

bramfrank wrote:

Here's a rather biased iPad review:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQnT0zp8Ya4&feature=youtu.be

That's pretty funny. I agree with Hitler.

2nd that. Looked very

2nd that. Looked very interesting until I realized it was a cumbersome oversized ipod touch.

Damn thing would block a good portion of your windshield as a GPS. =)

iPad is on the way

I have an iPhone 3GS but haven't tried anything except Google Maps.

I have an iPad 3G on the way and I am interested in GPS apps for it. I have a Garmin Nuvi 750, but it does not show county lines (only state lines) and one of my hobbies is county collecting. To verify that I have crossed a county line in places where there is no signage, I use a DeLorme Blue Logger linked to an old Palm Tungsten running DeLorme Street Atlas. It would be nice to find an iPad software package that has county lines included so I could scrap the Palm and save some space on my windshield, where I already have mounts for the Palm, my Garmin, my radar detector and my iPhone. wink

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H.B. Elkins Garmin Nuvi 750 • http://www.millenniumhwy.net

Wrong market

mldorsey wrote:

I saw another review of the iPad today. They said that unlike the 3G iPhone, the iPad does not have a GPS chip. I guess the large size of the iPad makes it too big for that application.

No, I think it is just aimed at a different market. It could be done, with a USB external GPS antenna, such as is supplied for laptop use with Delorme and MS Streets. Maybe TomTom will make a GPS dock for the iPad, too. That large screen would be really nice.

The iPad

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If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else. - Yogi Berra

3G models only

Last Mrk wrote:

The iPad 3G has a GPS chip.

http://www.apple.com/ipad/specs/

http://www.gpsreview.net/ipad-gps-navigation-preview/

$629, $729, $829. Ouch.
Just means I'll need a little bigger piggy bank before I get one. grin