Apple Announces Turn By Turn Navigation Capabilities For iPhones. Game Over For Garmin Et Al?

lol when I read "The Spies have a history of making some pretty long term predictions and being right" I knew it had to be 001, also, with the majority of computers being windows based, and with fords strong tech push with microsoft, Apple still has a lot of crumbs to chew before they dominate. My guess is that within the next few years you will see all of the major automotive manufacturers branch off for supporting either company. Which in itself is kinda strange, society is fast turning into mac people and win people.

— Joe_Limon (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 3:00:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

Over game for $2000 onboard nav system.

— Brembo (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 3:00:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Wow 001, thats about as stupid of a posting as I have ever seen.

While neat...there are far more people out there without iPhones, than with. Besides Garmin owns the GPS market lock stock and barrel.

Last time I checked you can't certify your Cessna or Boeing 747 to fly via iPhone or hand held TomTom...but you can fly it with your installed and certified Garmin unit.

— Spectator (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 3:12:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

I don't think its game over for the other gps makers either. Although its a pretty cool app for the phone, it more than likely means most iphone owners (and them only) won't have to shop for an additional portable gps system. The rest of the world and portable gps buyers will move on with their lives.

— PlanB (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 3:59:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

There is one fatal flaw to this prediction, most people do not want to pay the $80.00 a month plan for an iphone when a Tom tom or Garmin can be boght and used right out of the box for years next to nothing besides the once a year update.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 4:00:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Garmin has a position that is strong. Sure you can add the application to your iPhone if you have one. But this is cool for the time. Many other companies will have like options so no. Garmins can be had for $100 now without a fee.

— inspirion7 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 4:04:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Sure you get GPS on your iphone, but too bad your iphone does not get service everywhere. AT&T is one of the worst service providers around where I live in CT, NY, NJ, New England in general. 90% of the people have Verizon which is 1000x more reliable.

Now that the iphone has been defeated in terms of service (comparing my friends new 3G iphone to my BB Storm). Let's talk battery life. I can guarantee a Garmin on full battery as a portable will get much longer life than the iphone during a road trip. The batteries on cell phones when using a streaming/broadcasting radio or the GPS locator ON option destroys battery life. You can kill the device in probably 2-3 hours easily.

Remember that when your taking that long trip without the charger.

Sorry I fail to see devices replacing an internal computer. Your iphone won't be able to change the climate controls, accept voice commands for navi or any other options they offer (think Sync from Microsoft). Instead these devices will sync up and work with the system instead of controlling it.

Wrong again 001.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 4:06:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Garmin is not going anywhere. Just bought the new 535i xDrive, but didn't want to pay $2000+ for the navigation when I already have the old, but tried and tested Garmin 350. Still works like a charm, and can be had for less than $150 now everywhere.

— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 5:14:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I meant to say Garmin 360, not 350.

— investor27 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 5:15:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Sorry but Apple is late on this one. The smart phone that I purchased back in November has the turn by turn Nav application. On top of that the smart phone can run google maps. which gives you real satelite pictures of the maps showing your loctation and it also has street view. Apple still has a way to go in that regard.

— LexSucks (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 5:30:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Don't forget about the iPOD Touch. Runs iphone apps and doesn't require a monthly service fee.

Does the ipod touch run this new app?

— Invisible (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 6:24:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Ahh, my children.

You are only looking at today but 001 sees the future.

5 years from today, they will be a fond memory or like quartz watches being sold for $29.99.

Your iPhone will be your mobile life in many more ways than you can all imagine.

And things will move so fast, the only way for the car guys to keep up is to put a screen (dumb terminal) and a plug that will allow whatever device you have to give you the features you want.

Take my words 2 the bank.

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 6:31:38 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

GPS was in nokia years ago ! why it's a big deal only when it comes in iPhone ?

— alsarea3 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 6:47:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

iPhone GPS suffers from guidance interruptions such as
- phone call comes in during guidance
- signal drop during guidance (poor reception)
When either happens, it takes a while for iPhone to come back and relocate where you are. It is no fun and no comparison to portable GPS. Use it for a long trip, and you will see the usage flaws.

Sure, it will get better. Reading out street name is not a major issue from what I see.

— ceric (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 7:17:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Don't really care too much about GPS manufacturers but I believe this article is a tad premature.

In 5 years, Garmin will still be around, will Steve Jobs? When Jobs expires, Apple pretty much dies.

Let's see, my GPS was $125 with turn by turn (aren't they all?), my cell phone was free and is $15/month (I admit, I might as well not have one) and an MP3 player is probably $50 now. What's an iPhone cost, $300 now plus $100 a month?

Just my opinion but the people I see who buy iPhones aren't exactly the ones buying $50,000 cars, or even $30,000 cars.

My brother's A6's Bluetooth gets by just fine with his Blackberry. Apple is trying to be everything to everyone which is a mistake.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/8/2009 11:39:23 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Lets not forget another thing limiting the iphone is Apple/ATT will not insure the handset ($400) like most other phones can be repalced if lost or stolen for about $50.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 12:59:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Agent004,
I don't think so, but thats just me. It seems iPhone buyers are more concerned with techgeek status than anything else. Same group as the gamers who spend money on games and internet but not much else (i.e. friends).

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 7:40:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I'm a big iPhone fan, and this is great. But to be perfectly honest I wish I could get of my Garmin and NOT replace it the iPhone, but with an AFFORDABLE factory navigation system on my next car. I detest having to hook up devices to the cigarette lighter, windshield, etc., having to wait for the system to find satelites, and needing to stash it away to prevent your car from being broken into.

C'mon manufacturers. Give us GPS as a $400 option, or even better just make it stock on everything.

— t_bone (View Profile)

Posted on 6/9/2009 9:52:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2