Will the GPS market last forever?

It probably won't be too long now (20 years?) when you won't even drive your car anymore. You'll either tell your car, or input via some other means, where you want to go and the car will take you there.

The idea of a smart phone, along with stand alone GPSrs will be a quaint memory by then.

The GPS market will always exist. I think the real question is what form will it take and how will it be used.

What does it cost you per month? The fact is soon you won't have a car to use it in. You won't be able to afford the cost of fuel to run it.

Another thing to watch for is the local laws. A lot of laws, though sadly enforced, read that there should be no video device, except navigation devices, visible to the driver. This is why most stock DVD players in the dash do not work when the vehicle is put into drive.

Now depending on the officer, if it is enforced, even though the phone is being used as a navigational device it is still a phone and can be considered to be illegal to use while driving.

Also I have yet to see a phone that has a screen that is as easily read as a GPS screen.

My Blackberry has navigational capability also. For walking or a quick reference as a passenger I would not want to try and use it while driving.

With apologies to Sir Alec Guinness, "It's the cost Luke, it's the cost."

Like others have stated, the $1200 US per year on average for the voice and data plan is prohibitive for a lot of people. My Nuvi was $400 new, traffic was another $60 or so for a life-time, and the maps I bought on sale for $70 lifetime. Add my mount, another $40 and I'm set for at least 3 to 5 years for about the cost of 6 months of your toy.

Now, if you want to say "But you carry a phone" I'll concede that, my phone only plan runs about $42 per month with all fees and taxes. That still puts me at the break even after a year. For year 2 and later, I'm putting that $700 per year back into my pocket rather than adding to the bottom line of a cell carrier.

Yes, your "Jack-of-all-trades and master of none cell phone has it's place, but what happens when one of its features quits functioning?

Jjen & a_user got it right and besides for cost it's the loss of a major feature, such as custom poi's. Now I know the Droid's of the future will correct this but for now the market it safe.

I'm sure that your new phone is really fun to play with and gives you good info. Do you use it while driving in heavy traffic? If so, then how can you read the screen?

How much does it cost per month? I bought my 750 about 3 years ago for around $500. Last year at Christmas time, I bought a lifetime map update from Amazon.com for about $80. My expenses to use my 750 are over, everything is now free. The screen is plenty big enough to read while in heavy traffic and it has features your phone doesn't have like POIs and user loaded POIs

Nothing last forever and the GPS market is no exception. Something will come along that will make GPS devices obsolete. I just wish I knew what it was so I could buy stock in it now!

Glad to hear you are happy with your new phone, but is it as interactive as a GPS device? When you pass a tavern will Emily invite you in for a cold one with a torrid British accent? It's the little things that will keep the GPS around.

I don't believe the coverage issue has been mentioned. I use a gps in many areas where my wireless phone will not work. I know that a phone with gps could be preloaded with maps, poi's, etc. but I'd need to see that issue more fully addressed before abandoning my dedicated units.

Those here that think the stand alone GPS is not doomed are the direct descendants of the people that kept building horse barns in big cities and buggy whip factories.

I am on Sprint and I like Sprint navigation. When the new Android 2.1 update come to the Samsung Moment, Google maps will have text to voice. I never use the visual map on my Nuvi 350 only audio so the Google Maps will be perfect for me. Oh I forgot there is no extra charge for navigation on Sprint with the everything data plans.

So glad you are happy with your everything data plan.

A lot of the replies were on the defensive needlessly. The post was really about rather or not technology would outpace the standalone market and asked what others thought the future may bring? Instead it turned into pricing talk and rather or not Google's live navigation was a fad or fancy or basically gimmick... this is Google folks, Google earth, Google streets (view) , Google voice (which I have BTW), Google maps, Google, they know just a little about satellite technology (maybe you've heard of them?). Feel free to continue to use ur GPS, I prefer the world streamed to my GPS and poi's that are 100% current myself.... and its beta, its only gonna get better and better. I still have my 680, will keep it for emergencies, but for the most part its retired.

Kerry

isnt technology great ?
mike

Just saying, better technology is upon us...

I like the way you think!

Good points! Thanks for some on topic input sir!

But I wasn't really looking for a speculation regarding my income and/or spending power.

Kerry

Actually, my GPS can give me an approval rating of that tavern based on consumer reviews, their hours, ask me if I want to call them hands free, list events, bands etc.. its called Google buzz, its integrated... oh did I mention it can give me a 360 degree street view before I get there so I know what I'm looking for? Yeah, its interactive.

Kerry

The simple fact is that most folks here are die-hard gps fans. So most will not concede that their beloved dedicated gps device will soon be a thing of the past. Heck, even Garmin sees the writing on the wall and has developed the Nuviphone series.

And your point is..... what!?

"Most folks here are die-hard gps fans."

Doesn't that seem logical considering the fact that this is a web site pertaining to GPS's. I don't see anyone here talking about knitting pot holders.

"Most will not concede that their beloved dedicated gps device will soon be a thing of the past."

Well yeah. At some point in time EVERYTHING becomes a thing of the past. So what else is new!?

"Heck, even Garmin sees the writing on the wall and has developed the Nuviphone series."

You ever thought it wasn't that they "saw the writing on the wall", but rather they saw another viable way to make more money.. thus more profit?

That's like saying the reason why a heating/furnace company decided to start selling and installing solar heating (in addition to their regular economical and enviromentally friendly furnaces), was because they "saw the writing on the wall". I doubt that seriously.

Nuvi1300WTGPS

It is a site pertaining to GPS Navigation is it not? That would certainly include more than just the Garmin product correct? And if I remember correctly I did post it in the "other GPS" forum? So I think the discussion is valid and within guidelines so why the hostilities and crass replies? This is the place to consider other gps's and other technologies and share some hopes, I hope mine mimics a few things of garmins in future updates and it would be nice if garmins developers broadened their horizons as well.

Kerry

I agree with your post. Think is that almost none of those people think about long term costs. Most of them just "must have" new gizmo, that can do "everything". People are to lazy to carry "so many heavy devices that you can forget". I have friend like that. He bought one of those modern phones that can substitute for pda, phone, radio, gps etc. He was so happy until he realized how much it cost through contract time. But real problem started when phone broke down and all his business info get lost. Of course, as i was "unbreakable" and so new he never thought about making backup on computer. Today he has separate gps unit, phone with pda and is making backups on computer. Some people just has to learn the hardest way possible.

I don't see anybody being defensive but you. They are rather logically pointed out costs of your solution. Not everybody can spend money without limits and not everybody "must have" or "must like" something because it's new and "everybody has it". It may work in high school, but when you start paying for those thinks yourself you start looking at price tags.
So far it is beta, and personally I'm rather skeptical about promises they make. So far I learn to believe them when they actually deliver what they promise.

This has been discussed in several other threads with the same results. Yes the GPS may slowly go away. As an off topic example. How long has DVD/CD's been around now. I have still seen cassettes and VHS tapes sold. Granted not as much anymore but you can still get them.

Myself the main point is screen size. There is not many smartphones out there that can compete with screen size and therefore ease of use. Granted the phone may be voice activated but so are some higher end GPS units. As for more accurate POI's, on the smart phone. I must beg to differ on that. Most POI files are built using the address and location shown from Google maps and Google Earth. So you essentially wind up with the same location.

Not saying the the smartphone cannot replace the standalone GPS unit eventually but for now the standalone will be the safer and preferred item for now.

I do have a Blackberry as stated before with the GPS goodies loaded. In light traffic I may pull it out and try on the local roads. Never at highway speeds and always while at a stop sign or stop light. Never while moving. Same with the GPS.

One thing for sure as long as they have the stand along gps that is what I plan to use.Once the phones dominate the gps market then I will move with the times.I do believe Google is setting the bench mark for now.We can only look forward to more improved technology.

in terms of technology, nothing is forever, including the cell phone.
I like to use GPSr for driving, regardless brand. All what I need is simple, tell me where to turn. Keep it simple.

Amen to that.. I was waiting for that!

verrykerry, I came across this short article on Wired.com just beforing seeing your post here. It seems to touch on a few of your comments as well as other posts. For what it's worth, here it is--

GPS Power-Up
• By Mario Aguilar
• April 19, 2010 |
• 12:00 pm |
• Wired May 2010
"The global positioning system works fine if you’re trying to persuade your phone to point you to the nearest bar or untangle a freeway interchange. But it’s not exactly accurate — GPS can be off by 15 feet or more, and the signal degrades when confronted with tall buildings and trees. It even gets screwed up by the slightest electromagnetic interference, like stray radio waves or storms in the ionosphere.

Hopefully this will soon be a distant memory. In May the Air Force will begin launching the so-called IIF generation of GPS satellites, which will eventually replace half the existing armada. The new birds each transmit three civilian GPS signals — we’ve typically been making do with just one for years — including a military-strength transmission that should enable autopilots to land with zero visibility. A three-signal world will mean always-on GPS that’s accurate to within 3 feet, even indoors and in concrete urban canyons. Forget finding the bar; you’ll be able to geolocate your stool."

What is a Cassette? What is a VHS tapes???
Ah!! But I do remember the 8 Track while riding in my 1973 Firethorn red Cutlass Supreme with Tee-Tops.

Yes the old 8 track.Had to stick them every where because they take up so much space in the car.I still have a home stero unit with the 8 track and cassette combo.Use it when I pull out the real oldies.

I agree. Pricing has a lot to do with this new GPS technology succeeding the old school portable GPSr devices.

One thing for sure is that we must have data plan on our phone or else Google maps won't work. As it is now, like it or not, we must sign up for an unlimited data plan if we purchase a smartphone. I for one don't want to be forced into spending an extra $30/month for unlimited web access just to get my Google maps to work on my phone. That's $360 extra spending every year. I can get a very good GPSr device in about a year or so.

It's a whole different story if they drop pricing to affordable level (eg. $5/month).

Don't you just imagine that somebody asked that question in our not to distant past?

While Garmin wasted years on their long delayed Nuviphone, both Navigon and Tom Tom were developing iPhone apps that include all their maps and if you purchase the car kit which has an internal ant. making it completly independent of the cell system.
It is not just GPS. As cellphones come equipped with 5 to 8 mpixel cameras we are seeing point and shoot camera sales drop.
Why carry around a seperate MP3 player, camera, GPS, when you can get an iPhone or Driod that fits in one pocket and you are far less likely to have to say "Darn I wish I had a (fill in the blank). When all of them are almost always be right in one pocket when you need them.

The Droid phones using google Android 2.1 OS have a draw back, loading custom POI's. Once they work the wrinkles out that should open the door to a new generation of people using the phones for GPSr's and put stand the alone to sleep, their screens are bigger than some stand alone units now.

I have done a reverse on this technology!

Norm mentioned it. Barb & I have been to many places where cell phone coverage is non-existent, even with Verizon. The GPS keeps on truckin.

Google thought of that with google sync... they keep all my contacts backed up online for me, as well as photos, settings, etc. If i have to get another google based operating system phone due to failure, water damage, theft or loss it's as simple as activating it and it all comes back to my new phone.

Kerry

I don't think the gps portion of my phone is reliant on cell coverage? Not sure? Turn that around, your Garmin isn't reliant on cell coverage either and it "keeps on truckin"... I'll have to check in on that. I am able to comment on the finer points and features of a system or progam but the actual technology behind it is not my forte'. Curiousity...

Kerry

There is a work around for that issue... I posted it above somewhere... you're right... it's going to be great when it's integrated... How did they miss such a fundamental feature? lol

Kerry

" It may work in high school, but when you start paying for those thinks yourself you start looking at price tags."

Whomever you are, fyi, 40 years old... don't follow fads, merely intelligent enough to recognize a good piece of technology when I see it.

Oh, and unless you're on welfare or living on a fixed income for some reason, a $100 a month cell phone bill is standard fare in 2010, the phone was less than 200 with a 2 year contract and recently verizon was doing a buy one get free on the motorola droid, hardly a spending money without limits scenario.

Kerry

PS. if your comment is specific to the google nav system I think they are delivering what they promise, that's why it's tagged "beta". admittedly it's getting late and I may be missing the finer points of the thread...

Point taken if buying a data plan bothers you... but to be fair to the price point, a data plan is for a lot more than just the nav system on a phone. Being connected to the web at all times has a million useful functions in addition to GPS. So yes, if you want a cell phone that's just a cell phone you can save $360 a year and buy a unit. Many of us (especially us folks in large metropolitan areas) demand much more from our cell phones. I consider mine a very portable laptop that happens to have a cell phone built in.

Kerry

My thoughts exactly!

I have never liked all in one devices. I have used multiple phones with navigation bult-in and I always go for the stand alone when using gps. I don't even pay for phone service so I get unlimited voice and data. Price is not the issue for me.

I don't think anyone has stated it isn't a neat piece of tech. It has its place and does multiple functions. What a lot of people have pointed out though is the single point of failure for the converged device affecting so many functions at the same time with no recovery options.

I'm the one that first brought up the cost factor and I don't think a $100/mo. cell bill is standard for a great many people. We are playing with a relativity issue here. Your use, and therefore value of the service is relative to my use. I carry a phone that I use for both business and personal. I have a voice only plan. I had a smart phone with all the bells and whistles and I got rid of it. It became intrusive on my time for my personal enjoyment and the time I spent with my family. If something truly urgent happened that needed immediate attention from me, I can be reached with a phone call. You know what, over 95% of the "urgent" email traffic isn't really urgent. It can be handled the next business day. And just what do you expect me to do about your problem at 9:00 PM?

No, the Google nav package operates on stored data so a cell connection isn't needed to keep on route. You do need coverage to do the web look-ups and other phone oriented items. But the lack of being able to customize the unit by loading favorite POI files is, to me and it sounds many others, a show stopper that relegates the phone to an overpriced toy status.

Sure it works, has neat features, and can function on many levels in a pinch. But my stand-alone also has neat features with no recurring monthly charges required for it to function. It all goes back to perceived value. If you perceive the unit has the value you need, then it is the right unit - for you. It isn't the right unit for me.

This will take care of your problem in the very near future:

Dallas - AT&T will market a hybrid satellite/cellular smartphone beginning in the first quarter of 2010 to corporations, government agencies and small businesses, followed sometime later by a hybrid phone for consumers, the carrier announced.
The 3G smartphone will send and receive calls via TerreStar's voice-and-data communications satellite when terrestrial cellular coverage is unavailable in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and their territorial waters. The phone will use the same phone number whether connected to AT&T's cellular network or TerreStar's satellite, which launched earlier this year.

Read more:
http://www.twice.com/article/356039-AT_T_Plans_Hybrid_Satell...

Before I go on a trip I check online Google Maps to be sure my GPS get's it right. Although sometimes Google hasn't been correct.

I like my smartphone for directions I might need when I'm out of the car looking for something, but rely on the GPS for auto usage because of the screen size.

At a glance, on the lower left of the screen my GPS will give me an up to the second speed limit, on the upper left is the direction and mileage of the next turn, and it shows the lane I need to be in if there are multiple lanes on the highway (pretty handy for when there is a left hand exit). It'll remind me when there is an upcoming speed camera, I'm always careful not to drive over the limit, but this gives me a chance to glance down at the speedometer.

I don't think my phone could do any of the above as well. For me screen size and the features will keep me a GPS user.

This law will be impossible to enforce, as many car displays will move to the video presentation. That law will have to be taken off the books.

Ok, I'm ready to dump my dedicated gps's and phone for an all-in-one solution if a suitable replacement is available. My handheld is waterproof, floats, uses easily changed generic batteries, is loaded with US street detail, several states worth of topo maps, some trail map overlays, major waterway nav aids, my waypoints and a bunch of poi's (thanks to poifactory). It keeps a complete track history and works as well when I'm not in cell phone range (which is typical). These are not gee-whiz features, I've used them all.

I agree that phone-as-gps will change the gps market and meet the gps needs of many but I just don't think the standalone unit is ready to be put on display in the museum beside the buggy whip.

nay... not until when you are involved in multi-vehicles accident, and your counter-part lawyer will check if you are watching video, talking on the phone...
that is what I would find out first.

Verizon's App sounds great. Now, when they start offering their 3/4G services FREE, I will junk my Garmin 660 and signup.

wboyce

As I see it, the major problem with "Multi-Function" anythings is this: "what do you do if one of the functions goes belly up"?

In a lot of cases (especially when it comes to electronics), when one function breaks it also disables some (if not all), of the other functions.

Some years ago I had a multi-function printer that printed, copied, scanned and faxed. The scanner function decided (for what ever reason), to buy the farm.

Sure I was able to get it fixed free under warranty.. but I paid the price in NOT having a up-to-date printer available for use. Instead I was chugging along with a old dot matrix (ribbon typewriter type) mechanical unit until I got my ink jet back.

Nope..!! I'll stick with single use units. I don't need any more problems than I already have.

Nuvi1300WTGPS

A friend of mine got rear-ended by a moron who didn't even try to brake when the red light was on at the intersection (caused a multi-vehicle accident). I reminded my friend to tell his lawyer to subpoena the cell phone records of that guy so they can add more to the case. It is illegal to talk on the phone while driving (without a hands free device) in NY state and there were witnesses. His car is a total loss, as they had to cut the metal mess to get him out.

My friend got a spinal fracture as a result of the distracted driver. He won't be able to go to work (he is a bus driver) for 5 months and has to wear a cast. This is going to be expensive for the guy who caused the accident, as my friend will pursue him legally all the way.

Too many times I see people texting and talking on the phone, while checking papers on the side (car swerving all over the place). The car is not an office. Wait until you are parked to do those things. People who cause accidents this way should be pursued to the full extent of the law, and then some.

On topic: I like my Garmin and don't mind carrying it all the time. It fits in my shirt pocket together with my cell phone. About the cell phone, it has built in GPS, but ATT disables it unless you pay a data plan (which I don't care to have). I don't like it when a company has control over the hardware I paid for. My only concern is that navigation systems get cheap enough that every car will have one from the factory and that may replace stand-alone units. Having self-driving cars in the near future is probably what the government wants (watch insurance "discounts" for those who buy one and then mandatory hikes for those who don't once they are common--takes conspiracy hat off) but I don't think will happen that soon.

As long as stand alone units are better than the factory installed units and are more customizable (I like my custom POIs and Star Trek ships ) I'll be buying them.