Is $9.99 Per MONTH Too Expensive For The AT&T iPhone Nav System?

Constant monthly fees are just plain annoying and can end up being quite troublesome. Anything with a monthly fee feels expensive to me no matter what. (I really hate the constant change in monthly rates.)

The GPS in my vehicle is functional for as long as I live, and the GPS systems at Costco are just the same.
I use a GPS pretty often, and I learn to map out a 3D map in my mind with the help of those little screens. If I were to buy a GPS for $1000, I'd still be the winner when compared with those with iPhones since I'm always using it in my car, and I have been using the GPS in my Lexus for over 10 years now. ($1000 divided by $10 monthly fee and then divided by 12 months per year is only 8 years and 4 months.)

— WorldofLuxury (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2009 2:11:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

It really is a "service" not a product. As a result, a monthly fee is probably the way to go. As far as the original question; yes, $9.99 is to expensive to reach the masses. However, I'm sure those fees will come down as the service gets more popular and the customer base grows. Sounds like a catch 22, but that's normally what happens with emerging products and markets. I'm guessing it will settle down to a few dollars a month in a few years.

— SpicyMikey (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2009 8:50:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Verizon has the same thing....$9.99/mo. for navigation on the BlackBerry. I'll take my chances with a paper printout from googlemaps or mapquest.

— Bmw8ter (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2009 8:57:31 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

A picture of a NAV screen on your center console does not count UAW

— veyron1001 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/4/2009 6:02:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Agree: it's just slowing the transition to using phones as navigation devices. There's no particular reason a navigation service should cost an ongoing service fee, unless the software is being updated with new features, and in that case, updates should be "optional" (like new versions of other software apps). The service model is great for publishers, and eventually all software might be sold like that, but at this point (especially in a deep recession) it's probably not going to take off.

— sigmabody (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2009 2:22:05 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

If 2 people sign up for it, I'll be shocked. Subscription for navigation is just plain dumb.

— Agent004 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/3/2009 7:05:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Boycott any subscription GPS service! This makes no sense at all. Because after one year of $9.99 a month (119.88 yearly + tax ) + the original price of the iPhone + data plan monthly you could have a really great Tom Tom or Garmin for your vehicle. AT&T and all other cell service providers must think their customers are complete idiots.

— mashbu (View Profile)

Posted on 7/4/2009 1:53:25 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

just download google maps to your iphone or blackberry. its free! you dont have to go through their app store to download anything.

— 2ndbimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 7/4/2009 10:12:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Who needs computer generated turn by turn directions when you have a wife that NEVER shuts up? I just hand her the map to give her something useful to talk about rather than the continuous blather about her mom and sisters that is usually coming from her mouth.

— thstone (View Profile)

Posted on 7/6/2009 5:44:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Get a Palm-Pre and the Nav for Free!

— BlackM45 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/9/2009 10:26:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1