With incremental updates for HERE maps on Nokia devices, the company takes away the pain of downloading the entire massive bulk of an offline map and makes it tiny. An update to Nokia’s offline maps system this week makes updating an offline map to your phone as simple as updating any normal app. Just as […]
When your iPhone comes preloaded with multiple types of maps, you might wonder why you’d ever need a dedicated navigation app. Yet there they are in the App Store, at astronomical prices, like a digital clone of the GPS unit your dad had suction-cupped to his windshield. More »
A new set of two API releases for developers will soon have 3rd party apps working with Google Maps features that will allow them to be location aware – with location information not just relegated to GPS. The first of two releases is the Google Maps Tracks API, this allowing developers to integrate the display and analyzation of GPS data on a map, with this API being built on top of Google’s own cloud infrastructure for reliability that’s unmatched. The second of two releases today works with Google Maps Geolocation API, this enabling developers the ability to integrate location data found by looking up said information on nearby wifi access points and cell towers.
With these two new API releases, 3rd party app developers will be able to take the massive beast of a dataset that Google has in their Google Maps archive and integrate it into their own apps at a whole new level. With this information, apps of all kinds will be able to map their own location – that being the device they’re being run on, of course – and help people find the locations they’re aiming at. Should a bakery have an app, for example, Google Maps integration would be able to lead the user of said app to the physical location of the bakery, even if they don’t have GPS switched on.
If you run a business – or work for a business as a developer – you can also pay for support from Google to make this system work for you. You’ll be able to work with Google’s own set of advanced features such as geo-fencing. With geo-fencing, a company can create a virtual space on a map that’ll be able to send notifications if a device enters or exist its bounds. This system could certainly be automated and do away with a central dispatcher – if that’s your kind of business, of course.
Have a peek at a timeline of recent Google Maps related stories and see how the system has been evolving of late. It’s Google that’s still in the limelight here in the GPS maps universe as the rest of the brands fight for glory against such a titan as the big G. Stay tuned for more on the iPhone Google Maps story specifically, where a re-release of Google Maps app data in app form constitutes a giant news release.
[via Google]
While all the talk of late is about Cupertino’s newfangled Maps application, Nokia’s currently keeping busy by doing some behind-the-scenes legwork, including signing new deals with car and navigation system manufacturers. Most recently, the Finnish company announced it’s partnering with BMW to power the “next-generation” navigation system in the upcoming 7-series, which will bring features like Enhanced 3D City Models and an Eco Pro Route that chooses the most fuel-efficient way to get you to your destination. In addition to the BMW alliance, though, Nokia has also teamed up with Garmin to bring Transit and Pedestrian maps in the form of an Urban Guidance feature that will be available on iOS and Android devices. For those interested in learning more, the pressers below will fill you in on all the nitty-gritty.
Filed under: Transportation, Software
Nokia inks deals to be maps force behind BMW 7-series, bring guidance to new Garmin apps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Navigon’s gearing up for tomorrow’s big day by updating its, erm, Navigon and StreetPilot Onboard apps. The refreshed software adds support for the iPhone 5‘s new 4-inch display as well as baking in public transport listings to Cupertino’s presently underwhelming mapping offering. It’s also gaining the promised “last mile” function to record the location of your car when finishing your journey on foot, sparing you the embarrassment of getting lost in the multi-storey lot when you return. The company’s offering a $10 discount on its apps if you pick ’em up before October 3rd, while the in-app purchase of Urban Guidance has been reduced from $5 to $3 for the same period.
Update: We’ve had a note from Garmin to say that while Navigon update is now available, StreetPilot Onboard has been slightly delayed.
Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Mobile
Navigon and StreetPilot Onboard update adds public transport, Apple Maps and iPhone 5 support originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 20 Sep 2012 10:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Garmin announced at IFA today that it’s gearing up to roll out a set of updates for its smartphone apps on both iOS and Android. These updates will be adding a number of helpful tools for Garmin users, including in-depth details on public transportation routes and support for Google Street View. Get ready to hand over some extra cash if you want these features though, because some of them will only be offered as in-app purchases
It would seem that Garmin’s “Urban Guidance” system is the main star of these updates. After these updates hit, the app will begin considering various public transportation routes – including water taxis – when trying to plot the most efficient pedestrian route. If public transportation is suggested as part of your route, the app can guide you to where you need to be on foot, and you can even look up schedules and stops to know precisely where you need to hop on and off. To make things easier, the update will also allow for color-coded public transportation routes, matching the transportation lines in your city – something that will undoubtedly be appreciated by tourists.
Urban Guidance will be coming to StreetPilot Onboard for iPhone and NAVIGON for iPhone and Android. You won’t be getting it for free, however, as it will cost $4.99 as an in-app purchase. Those who act quick after the update hits can get the feature on the cheap though, with Garmin bringing the price down to $2.99 for its first two weeks of availability.
Next up we have Garmin’s “Last Mile Navigation” feature, which gives users a “streamlined navigation experience when continuing by foot after parking the car.” When you’re getting close to your destination, the feature will suggest nearby parking lots and structures for you to park in. After you’ve picked one and parked your car, the app will switch to pedestrian navigation mode, saving the location of your car so you can easily find it once you’re ready to leave again. Android users should already be familiar with this feature, as it’s currently available in their version of NAVIGON. It’ll be coming to NAVIGON for iPhone with this update, but sadly it will be giving StreetPilot Onboard a pass for the time being.
Finally, we come to the integration of Google Street View and Panorama View 3D, which are both being included to give users a better understanding of their surroundings. Features like these will obviously come in handy when visiting an unfamiliar face, as Google Street View can show you what the area surrounding your destination looks like. Both of these features are already available in NAVIGON for Android and iPhone, and will be added to StreetPilot Onboard once these updates land. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay extra for Panorama View 3D, which Garmin is charging $9.99 for.
We don’t have a solid release date for these updates yet. In its announcement, Garmin only said that they would be coming in fall 2012, so they should be arriving relatively soon. Keep it tuned here to SlashGear and we’ll have more information for you once Garmin releases it.
Garmin smartphone apps getting public transportation features soon is written by Eric Abent & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Third-party navigation apps still tend to fall apart when the keys are out of the ignition — try to cut back on car use and you’re often kicked over to another app with its own set of rules. Both Garmin’s StreetPilot Onboard app and its Navigon equivalent are getting a much more holistic experience through respective upgrades due this fall. Android and iOS users alike can soon buy an Urban Guidance pack that factors buses, subways and other forms of public transportation into their on-foot routes. The playing field is leveling off for drivers willing to stretch their legs, too: iPhone owners with Navigon’s app get the same last-mile walking directions and parking finder as their Android counterparts. StreetPilot iPhone app users are left out of this last addition, but they’ll see compensation in the form of an optional Panorama View 3D mode and the Google Street View they’re about to lose from Maps in iOS 6. The updated titles will still cost $30 for Navigon-only regional packs, $50 for editions with US-wide maps and $60 for all of North America, although you’ll need to spend $5 more ($3 during the first two weeks) for Urban Guidance and $10 for the Panorama View 3D pack.
Continue reading Garmin, Navigon GPS apps now consider mass transit, remember where we parked
Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Software, Mobile
Garmin, Navigon GPS apps now consider mass transit, remember where we parked originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 04:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Garmin StreetPilot Onboard (iOS), Navigon (Android), (iOS) | Email this | Comments
German GPS hardware/ software manufacturer Navigon has just announced a nifty update to its app for the iPhone. The Navigon app version 2.1 now features Google Street View, NAVIGON Cockpit (in app purchase), manual route blocking and other functions. Essentially, the Google Street View feature will give users a street-level image of their destination before starting a route. (more…)
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: iTranslate Voice provides real-time translation between languages, Find my Facebook Friend hits the App Store,
If you need better navigation from your iPhone than Maps can provide (until iOS 6, anyway), then Navigon’s software might be a good fit. The company has updated its iPhone app today to add new features, and will be reducing the cost of the app and in-app purchases for a limited time. New features include Google’s Street View, Cockpit, manual route blocking, and performance enhancements.
The use of Street View is the major new feature. It allows users to keep an eye on the street level images just in case they’re having difficulty finding the right building, and Street View will automatically pop up as users approach their destination. Drivers will also be able to jump into a full-screen 360 degree view if they want to scope out the surrounding area.
Cockpit displays various stats about your travel, such as gForce, speed, horizontal and vertical position relative to the ground, plus adjustable speeds and altitude graphs. On top of that, there’s compass and altitude options for off-road drivers.
Finally, manual route blocking allows drivers to look at their current routes and tell the navigation software to ignore certain paths using a simple tap. The app then programs an alternative route automatically. In addition to all of that, Navigon says that the startup time and map rendering of the app should be much faster.
The updated app is available today, and Navigon is also running some discounts until July 16th. Navigon North America will cost $39.99, down from $59.99, and Cockpit will see a reduction to $3.99. Other in-app purchases will also see discounts.
[via Engadget]
Navigon iPhone update adds Street View is written by Ben Kersey & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.
Navigon’s hitting those holiday roads a day early, releasing version 2.1 of its iPhone app. The free update adds Google Street View, which pops up as you approach a destination, along with a Cockpit display, which includes G-force, speed and compass information for an additional $6. There’s also a new Manual Route Blocking feature, enabling you to force the app to offer an alternate path after identifying a section of road that you’d prefer to skip, along with improved start-up and map rendering performance, and Retina iPad compatibility. The USA version of the app is available for $30 (a $20 discount), while the North America version is also 20 bucks off, at $40, and regional flavors will be available for $20 ($10 off). In-app purchases are also discounted, including FreshMaps USA for $15 (normally $40), FreshMaps North America for $10 (down from $20), FreshMaps MyRegion for $20 (instead of $50) and the aforementioned Cockpit for $4 (regularly $6). All of the discounts run through July 16th, so hit up the App Store and get your download on now.
Continue reading Navigon boosts iPhone app to version 2.1, discounts purchases through July 16th
Navigon boosts iPhone app to version 2.1, discounts purchases through July 16th originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Jul 2012 08:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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