AT&T Navigator turn-by-turn nav now in App Store

macgirl · 06-23-2009, 07:22 AM

Unfortunately, it's like Gokivo and requires a $9.99/month charge that will appear on your AT&T bill. You can find it here.

I really hope TomTom and Navigon don't make their turn-by-turn apps like this and just charge a flat fee instead, even if it's $100. I don't want a subscription and I won't mind paying for a map upgrade as long as I get to do it when and if I want to.

termleech · 06-23-2009, 08:39 AM

<sarcasm>Gee it's quite shocking to me that Apple let AT&T be the first in the US to have turn by turn in the app store.</sarcasm> Who wants to be they do something like make TomTom and Navigon only work over Wifi or something stupid like that

termleech · 06-23-2009, 08:40 AM

It does include regular map updates and live traffic though. I'd be willing to bet that in order to get those on TomTom or Navigon you'll pay some kind of subscription fee.

JoeT · 06-23-2009, 08:44 AM

IME (and things may be different here), the one-time fee software companies usually charge a hefty fee for their yearly map updates (which are stored on the device and thus don't need Internet) while the subscription model gets maps from the Internet but it's all included in the price.

TomTom under PalmOS and WM were sold as a one time purchase with a Bluetooth GPS for $250, map updates were $99 IIRC. Celebrity voices were extra (and if they have the Ozzy voice, that alone is worth going TomTom - it is hilarious!).

dcom · 06-23-2009, 08:48 AM

I'm confused about the various turn-by-turn apps that are starting to show up, particularly the ones that charge a monthly fee. Apart from keeping up with where you are and announcing the next turn as you navigate a course, what else sets them apart from the current direction list that the Maps app produces and what is the justification for a monthly fee?

termleech · 06-23-2009, 08:50 AM

Yea, I agree with that. When I saw constant updates and traffic the monthly subscription suddenly because something more I could stomach. However I was hoping more for like $5/month not $10/month. But I'm thinking about giving it a whirl for a month to see how I like it.

termleech · 06-23-2009, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by dcom

I'm confused about the various turn-by-turn apps that are starting to show up, particularly the ones that charge a monthly fee. Apart from keeping up with where you are and announcing the next turn as you navigate a course, what else sets them apart from the current direction list that the Maps app produces and what is the justification for a monthly fee?

Keeping up with where you are and announcing the next turn is pretty much what sets them apart. Live traffic reports are probably going to be better on monthly subscription ones that offer it but it's hard to say. The traffic in google maps from what I've seen is usually based on average traffic flows and doesn't report real time events (which is seems like the AT&T nagivator does). For someone who travels in a city or long distances this can be a huge help in getting someone in a decent time frame (495 and 66 near DC can be a PITA).

nyc_rock · 06-23-2009, 09:05 AM

Tomtom products have traditionally been not over the air. You download maps and use them independent of the network. I am hoping that is going to be the case. I would expect a retail of 125-150 bucks for the maps and software. You would then purchase new maps as they become available.

I dont like turn by turn done OTA. If you dont have a good signal it can become a problem. When the maps are on your device you dont have to worry about that.

dcom · 06-23-2009, 09:06 AM

Ok, that helps to clear things up. I would probably get one of those apps if it were maybe a one-time cost of a normal app, like $9.99 but I can't see paying a monthly fee for traffic updates. I usually carry a Garmin 60CSx with me when I'm on vacation or going somewhere I've never been so any GPS app on the phone, apart from Maps is not a must-have.

termleech · 06-23-2009, 09:13 AM

I just took the plunge and downloading the app to give it a whirl for a month. Tomorrow afternoon I'll be making my normal travel from MD to VA through all the fun roads in DC and VA so I'm going to really give it a run for it's money and how traffic on it really works. I also run through a deadspot on the trip so I'll see how it works going through the dead spot. I'll report back and let everyone know how it worked for me.