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Can we talk about Google GPS?

S

solideliquid

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 8, 2008
376
146
I haven't seen this discussed (sorry if it already is), but why can't the iPhone get an updated Maps app with Google's Turn by Turn GPS which is being offered FREE on the new Droid?

WTF do we have to pay $100 for a GPS app, and another $120 for the stand when the Droid gets the app for free, and the stand for $30??
 
You sound angry.

Were you this angry when Google unveiled Streetview for Android with compass view? Google wants its Navigation software used by everyone. It's up to Apple. Isn't this around the same time of year Streetview for Android was released? We should have an iPhone update in January. Patience. Maybe GearLive will break that story too.

~ CB
 
solideliquid said:
I haven't seen this discussed (sorry if it already is), but why can't the iPhone get an updated Maps app with Google's Turn by Turn GPS which is being offered FREE on the new Droid?

WTF do we have to pay $100 for a GPS app, and another $120 for the stand when the Droid gets the app for free, and the stand for $30??
Click to expand...

Google already implied and technically said, they are working on an iPhone application or working to enhance the current iPhone Maps application.
 
Cleverboy said:
You sound angry.

Were you this angry when Google unveiled Streetview for Android with compass view? Google wants its Navigation software used by everyone. It's up to Apple. Isn't this around the same time of year Streetview for Android was released? We should have an iPhone update in January. Patience. Maybe GearLive will break that story too.

~ CB
Click to expand...

Calmer than you are.
 
yes you can talk about google GPS.

im fine with the maps app that is currently present with only a few problems that it sometimes cannot find me exactly and shows that i am driving in a lake or in some forestry :p
 
Acronym said:
yes you can talk about google GPS.

im fine with the maps app that is currently present with only a few problems that it sometimes cannot find me exactly and shows that i am driving in a lake or in some forestry :p
Click to expand...

That may be more of an alcohol problem than a GPS accuracy problem. ;)
 
Here's a little secret I'm gonna let you in on, but then we have to kill you: Google is behind Android.

*GASP*

Now put this blindfold on and stand against that brick wall, please...
 
1) Calm down.

2) Calm down.

3) Calm down.

4) Calm down just a bit more.

Okay, let's talk.

Google just unveiled this new toy. It'll be coming to the iPhone too, but it was released in Android 2.0 as a new feature of Google's own phone OS.

Google makes money from advertising (they give the Android OS away with virtually no profit made from it) so they have every incentive to have their services built into the iPhone too.

Just sit back and wait. Android got it first because that is Google's own platform. It'll be coming to the iPhone too if Apple allows it (just remember Google Voice).
 
I'm sure it'll make its way to the iPhone. To be fair, though, Google deserves a bit of exclusivity for its own platform, and a big addition to the Maps app on the iPhone would probably come along with other features in a future software update (early 2010 maybe?).

This is the disadvantage of having a closed platform, but chances are Google wouldn't have immediately released their Navigation app on the iPhone anyway.
 
Don't forget

Google GPS may be nice and free in your own country, but is useless overeseas unless you want to pay hundreds in roaming data charges.
 
solideliquid said:
I haven't seen this discussed (sorry if it already is), but why can't the iPhone get an updated Maps app with Google's Turn by Turn GPS which is being offered FREE on the new Droid?

WTF do we have to pay $100 for a GPS app, and another $120 for the stand when the Droid gets the app for free, and the stand for $30??
Click to expand...

As many other said before, Google gets its revenue from ads, so probably they will propose this app to Apple. And why would Apple refuse an app which adds value to the Iphone ?

Regarding the difference with paid apps, at the moment the only thing that is sure is that most of these paid apps have onboard maps (so no communication required and no risk of getting lost if you loose connectivity). Google GPS seem pretty good in the demo, but only a test in real conditions will allow to compare with other GPSs.

At least 2 functions of Google GPS on which I have some doubts :
- I doubt that the voice recognition work so well
- If, as Google says, the maps and streetviews are downloaded at the beginning of the trip in order to avoid being lost if you loose connectivity, it means that you will have to wait a certain time before you can start. And in the worst case, you could have no connectivity at your starting point !
 
Tiffy said:
- If, as Google says, the maps and streetviews are downloaded at the beginning of the trip in order to avoid being lost if you loose connectivity, it means that you will have to wait a certain time before you can start. And in the worst case, you could have no connectivity at your starting point !
Click to expand...

Let's hope you don't get lost then, because you may not have a connection to download further maps so that you can find yourself again!
 
solideliquid said:
Calmer than you are.
Click to expand...

mstier09 said:
+1 for Big Lebowski reference

on a side note, i hope that we get the free google nav app. but that is ultimately less important that a good Big Lebowski quote
Click to expand...

Awesome. :D

And on topic now...

I think it'd dubious that this would even be allowed to be in the app store and less likely a part of Maps.

You all realize Apple makes money every time a GPS app is sold in the app store? How about free apps? Apple makes nothing. I'm sure they'd find some rule to block Google's app. Also, I wouldn't be suprised if Google does this KNOWING Apple is going to block it.

Think of all the bad press Apple has gotten about Google Voice or Latitude. If they blocked this too what do you think that's going to do for Android phone sales?

Follow the money. :D
 
Then when we talk about the Android Market, how does Google having a free GPS application impact that? Companies like Tom Tom, Navigon, etc are going to be immediately blocked from the Android Market because their product is essentially free.
 
Has anyone in the uk actually tried using the built in maps app to plan a route? It's bloody awful.

1, you have to have a live connection.
2, it really dosnt understand one way streets and I'm talking streets that have been one way since horse and cart days.
3, it seems to like going miles out of it's way to get you somewhere.
 
uberamd said:
Then when we talk about the Android Market, how does Google having a free GPS application impact that? Companies like Tom Tom, Navigon, etc are going to be immediately blocked from the Android Market because their product is essentially free.
Click to expand...

They won't be blocked... They can still release it if they want to compete with Google Nav.

The consumer wins. If TomTom really thinks their product is better than GNav then they'll release it anyway. Some peopel will probably prefer it and buy it. The vast majority will be happy with GNav.
 
ViViDboarder said:
They won't be blocked... They can still release it if they want to compete with Google Nav.

The consumer wins. If TomTom really thinks their product is better than GNav then they'll release it anyway. Some peopel will probably prefer it and buy it. The vast majority will be happy with GNav.
Click to expand...

Based on the video, it seems like it would be a waste to introduce a product that has duplicate functionality and a $50+ price tag. I can't see any GPS company developing for Android when an amazing, free GPS is available at no cost.
 
uberamd said:
Based on the video, it seems like it would be a waste to introduce a product that has duplicate functionality and a $50+ price tag. I can't see any GPS company developing for Android when an amazing, free GPS is available at no cost.
Click to expand...

While I agree that I wouldn't buy it...

There are plenty of companies that feel like they offer a better product than free versions. TomTom has a userbase already and many people would pay to have the same product on their phones.

People buy Windows and OSX when Ubuntu has been free and runs just as well. People will stay pay for familiarity. People buy plenty of apps when there are free or cheaper versions in the App store already too.
 
ViViDboarder said:
While I agree that I wouldn't buy it...

There are plenty of companies that feel like they offer a better product than free versions. TomTom has a userbase already and many people would pay to have the same product on their phones.
Click to expand...
This is true.

ViViDboarder said:
People buy Windows and OSX when Ubuntu has been free and runs just as well.
Click to expand...

This isn't true at all. I use Linux all the time (heck I sysadmin many Linux servers), and it isn't nearly as friendly as Windows or OS X. It simply isn't there yet.
 
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