[Merged] XRoad G-Map -- Turn-by-Turn Navigation Available Via the App Store

[needthephone]

A pre loaded database of maps using the GPS is NOT the same as Google maps.

IF it was equivalent then all the real GPS turn by turn car sytems would use it.

They don't because
a) It can't track accurately enough to be used for turn by turn voice activated or not.

I have some of these track my trail Navigation apps and when you actually look at your route on the google map I guarantee that on more than one occasion you will be walking across rivers, through buildings, hills or trees. This is JUST WALKING. It's far worse if you are driving. Iv'e tested it repeatedly and everytime I use it I always saw myself driving through houses or trees.

I don't know if this Xroad will do better but I suspect the weak link is Google maps not keeping up as its a standard GPS chip. BUT if apple are so worried about it being used for Turn by Turn then maybe the apple hardware is only capable of being used as a non serious parlour game. (I don't think so though, apple are just paranoid about being sued.)

b) If you don't have a cell phone signal 3g. Edge or whatever your stuffed.

This is a serious limitation for any serious navigation system.

From the pictures it looks far superior anyway to the google maps offering.

Look I'm not having a go at apple here. I just think my iphone is incredible and I love it. BUT all the other competitors Nokia, Samsung, LG, Blackberry have a TRUE built in maps GPS offering. So apple is risking making the iphone less competitive than it should be.

This sounds like it will be turn by turn but without voice as the emails published say apple is stopping them do it.

 

[Ashyukun]

As for people always turning away and looking at the "bright side" of things, I know, it's ultimately bad for the product. It's this type of complacency that leads to stagnation. However, a bunch of bitching on a fan forum isn't going to amount to much. That said, this shouldn't stop us from leaving feedback on Apple's iPhone feedback page (I do it on a weekly basis). If you haven't done this yet, then keep the complaining to yourself. It's sort of like people who don't vote talking politics.

I'm not about to disagree that a full-blown turn-by-turn application would be ideal- but at the same time, I disagree that this particular application doesn't serve a purpose. Apple should allow turn-by-turn GPS in the store- it's stupid for them on a number of levels not to, not least of which is that they'd likely make a good bit on their cut of the sales of it- but for whatever reason, they're not yet. This application manages to skirt around the rules and get as close to it as it seems is possible under the current restrictions, so I say good on them.

Believe me- there's plenty I think that the iPhone should be capable of doing and that I've complained about on the feedback page in hopes of Apple letting the device do what it really should be capable of...

 

[kas23]

I'm not about to disagree that a full-blown turn-by-turn application would be ideal- but at the same time, I disagree that this particular application doesn't serve a purpose. Apple should allow turn-by-turn GPS in the store- it's stupid for them on a number of levels not to, not least of which is that they'd likely make a good bit on their cut of the sales of it- but for whatever reason, they're not yet. This application manages to skirt around the rules and get as close to it as it seems is possible under the current restrictions, so I say good on them.

Believe me- there's plenty I think that the iPhone should be capable of doing and that I've complained about on the feedback page in hopes of Apple letting the device do what it really should be capable of...

No, I'm not saying this app will be useless. In fact I'll probably buy it. That is, if it, not ridiculously over priced. If it's not offering re-routing or turn by turn directions, then it's no better than Google maps and this the developer should not demand a high price for it.

 

[neilp4453]

Not to get too off topic but it amazes me to think that people complain about this stuff, remember Apple is a company that is trying to make money and they do things and more the company in the direction that will make them MORE money! Apple researches every move and if they are not releasing things that means there is not a demand for them...just because a few people on forums bitch about not having a feature or being "locked down by Apple" doesn't mean the majority(what Apple caters too) does.

Anyways, I have hopes for this app but we wont know until it hits the store.

You know, I am going to guarantee you that over 90% of the people want the features that should have been on the device natively. I guarantee the majority wants it.

I guarantee that a majority of people wouldn't mind a voice activated feature on this app.

People don't complain when it comes to Apple. That is the problem. Complaining is not a bad thing and it puts companies such as Apple under pressure. For Apple and At&t, it is simple as lottery. Easy bank.

Don't want to call you out...but this is precisely what I am talking about. Talk crap about Apple and it brings out madness. I have heard the same thing everytime..."You knew what you were getting when you bought the device." "The shortest distance is....um...going around the circle to get what I want."

The jailbreaking community is huge..and not to mention those that are just to scared/new/conservative to try it...but they want it.

Steve Jobs sucks.

 

[kas23]

I really wonder what happens to all the feedback comments people leave on the Apple website. Probably just swept under the rug, out of the public's eye, right where Steve wants them to be.

 

[sseelman]

I really wonder what happens to all the feedback comments people leave on the Apple website. Probably just swept under the rug, out of the public's eye, right where Steve wants them to be.

Do you honestly believe that, or is it just something that you say when you are not willing to use your brain? Don't be so quick to judge what you obviously have no real information about.

 

[orrelse44]

Do you honestly believe that, or is it just something that you say when you are not willing to use your brain? Don't be so quick to judge what you obviously have no real information about.

So do you have knowledge about it? If not, the previous poster has every righ tto question Apple's lack of interest in fixing the problems.

If you know so much, why hasn't apple fixed the problems with the iphone then--despite over a year of "suggestions" of what people want? I can count on 3 fingers what this iphone serious lacks to be the top of the line phone and Apple refuses to fix it.

Please, clue us in on why they won't even throw us a bone that that are even working on these things. I'll bet my iphone that they don't give a rat's ass.

 

[MotionxxUSxx]

this thing is never going to come out. They just updated their release date on the website to mid December. It's strange because I received an email from them a day ago saying that it would be this week.

 

[kas23]

Do you honestly believe that, or is it just something that you say when you are not willing to use your brain? Don't be so quick to judge what you obviously have no real information about.

Ooooh, now we're resorting to caty name calling. What are you, a ten year old? Grow up. Do you have any information that they actually do use this feedback. Tell me, which feedback was left more often; I want Google Streetview or I want cut and paste?

 

[sseelman]

Ooooh, now we're resorting to caty name calling. What are you, a ten year old? Grow up. Do you have any information that they actually do use this feedback. Tell me, which feedback was left more often; I want Google Streetview or I want cut and paste?

I was responding to your original post, which has no basis in FACT. Why would Steve Jobs "want" (your word) to sweep all suggestions under the rug? Why? What possible motivation would he have? People wanted bugs fixed. Many, many have been fixed. People wanted new features. Many have been added. Have the ones from your pet list been added? I guess not. Should they be? Sure. I think copy/paste is a good idea. I use it on my Blackberry, so I know it has some value. Does Steve Jobs make more money because there is no copy/paste? No. Maybe there are some features they would rather not see for competitive reasons. If you were in BUSINESS - I bet you would too.

But, honestly, go back and examine your original statement and tell me if you can really defend that position with FACTS. I did NOT say that they do anything with suggestions. I was questioning your silly assumption and conspiracy-like statement about Steve Jobs.

 

[sseelman]

So do you have knowledge about it? If not, the previous poster has every righ tto question Apple's lack of interest in fixing the problems.

If you know so much, why hasn't apple fixed the problems with the iphone then--despite over a year of "suggestions" of what people want? I can count on 3 fingers what this iphone serious lacks to be the top of the line phone and Apple refuses to fix it.

Please, clue us in on why they won't even throw us a bone that that are even working on these things. I'll bet my iphone that they don't give a rat's ass.

Who said s/he did not have a right? Did I say that? I also never said they do anything with suggestions they get - did I? All I responded to was the poster's silly statement, which s/he made with ABSOLUTELY NO FACTS. I typically never respond to things the way I did, but I get so tired of the Steve Jobs is out to ruin the world comments. I am not defending all things Apple here. I am very frustrated, for example, by the fact that the new notification system has not been released. But, I have to make an ASSUMPTION (not a factual statement, but my opinion) that the reason is because they are having problems getting it to work really well - not because Steve is ignoring me and sweeping it under the rug.

 

[kas23]

I was responding to your original post, which has no basis in FACT. Why would Steve Jobs "want" (your word) to sweep all suggestions under the rug? Why? What possible motivation would he have? People wanted bugs fixed. Many, many have been fixed. People wanted new features. Many have been added. Have the ones from your pet list been added? I guess not. Should they be? Sure. I think copy/paste is a good idea. I use it on my Blackberry, so I know it has some value. Does Steve Jobs make more money because there is no copy/paste? No. Maybe there are some features they would rather not see for competitive reasons. If you were in BUSINESS - I bet you would too.

But, honestly, go back and examine your original statement and tell me if you can really defend that position with FACTS. I did NOT say that they do anything with suggestions. I was questioning your silly assumption and conspiracy-like statement about Steve Jobs.

Well, I believe people have suggested turn-by-turn GPS, cut and paste, MMS, and video recording ad nauseum on the feedback site. Yet, we see none of these recommendations. We see fluff to placate us. Apple has no other obvious reason for not implementing cut and paste. And don't say it's technically difficult. Apple is a multi-billion company employing the brightest professional programmers in the world. I highly doubt they are stumped on this problem. If it's not technically difficult, what's holding them back? As for withholding video recording, GPS, and MMS, these decisions have a firm financial basis.

People say; oh, don't whine, go post on the feedback page instead. In fact, I've been one of those people. But, now I just think its a sham now. I think that people shouldn't be posting on the feedback page anymore, but rather complaining on a open public forum, where visible complaints will be more likely to cause Apple to wake up due to wary customers.

 

[kas23]

All I responded to was the poster's silly statement, which s/he made with ABSOLUTELY NO FACTS.

Not true. The facts are there. Many, many people have written into this feedback site, but we are not getting the features we desire. If I don't have my facts right, send me an MMS. Or, better yet, text me a video recorded by your iPhone displaying its cut and paste ability.

Instead, all the latest firmware can do is show me Google Streetview and give me the ability to have Emoji ONLY IF I JAILBREAK (what a joke!). And the stability of my Safari has been drifting downwards over the last 2 weeks despite the update. So, yes, there are the facts.

Here, take this poll. You can see a lot of people have as much faith in Apple as I do:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/611036/

 

[Dorfdad]

WTF i just saw the 5.6GB needed thats crazy! How will apple even allow that large a file!? Seeing we can hardly get movies that large yet!!

 

[neilp4453]

I was responding to your original post, which has no basis in FACT. Why would Steve Jobs "want" (your word) to sweep all suggestions under the rug? Why? What possible motivation would he have? People wanted bugs fixed. Many, many have been fixed. People wanted new features. Many have been added. Have the ones from your pet list been added? I guess not. Should they be? Sure. I think copy/paste is a good idea. I use it on my Blackberry, so I know it has some value. Does Steve Jobs make more money because there is no copy/paste? No. Maybe there are some features they would rather not see for competitive reasons. If you were in BUSINESS - I bet you would too.

But, honestly, go back and examine your original statement and tell me if you can really defend that position with FACTS. I did NOT say that they do anything with suggestions. I was questioning your silly assumption and conspiracy-like statement about Steve Jobs.

My assertion here is that Steve Jobs can do whatever he wants at this point. People love Apple. Shiny and great looking. Of course, after Apple does something smart......they control the market. Companies like Microsoft (Zune) and MANY cell phone companies cannot compete.

Apple is not scared of people leaving the iPhone market for other phones. Good reason too...everything so far has been a bust. No competition at all.


Verizon is currently trying with their new (exclusive) blackberry.

I was banking on this Android phone to do something.....why? Competition.

Don't get me wrong...I am a fan of shiny and expensive products. But I also want a full experience.

 

[MikePA]

...but rather complaining on a open public forum, where visible complaints will be more likely to cause Apple to wake up due to wary customers.

Right, whining on MacRumors will make a big difference.

 

[kas23]

Right, whining on MacRumors will make a big difference.

Maybe not. But posting feedback on Apple's website has proved to be fruitless.

Now, the website posted below has gained quite a following judging by the number of people who have voted. And maybe it won't directly change Apple's attitudes, but it is making the public aware of the huge missing functions of the iPhone. If this website makes people thinks twice before buying, then it has done it's job. But right now, Apple is being more M$ than Microsoft.

http://pleasefixtheiphone.com/

 

[kas23]

Apple is not scared of people leaving the iPhone market for other phones. Good reason too...everything so far has been a bust. No competition at all.


Verizon is currently trying with their new (exclusive) blackberry.

I was banking on this Android phone to do something.....why? Competition.

Don't get me wrong...I am a fan of shiny and expensive products. But I also want a full experience.

Well, I don't know if these iPhone killers have been total busts. Sure, they are inferior phones (as judged by us), but people are buying them - and lots of them. For example, the Samsung Instinct is a very bad phone, but people bought them up at a record pace. It was the fastest selling phone in Sprint's history. Also, the Instinct is Best Buy's best selling cellphone over the last 2 year period.

I really think the concept of an "iPhone Killer" is just a perception held by Apple, the media, and cellphone enthusiasts. I don't think average people really care about what's going to be the next "iPhone Killer." Most people usually just buy the "hottest," "most fashionable" phone on their current carrier. And what's "hot" is usually decided by the store's salesman - and people listen to this hype.

The strongest iPhone that will likely never be killed by any other phone has yet to come out. This iPhone will just have average features (dumbed down for the average consumer and will include MMS), it will have an average price (say $99), there will be superficial changes - like it coming in many different colors, and it will be available on every carrier. If this phone was to come out, nothing would come close to touching it.

 

[Bernie-Mac]

WTF i just saw the 5.6GB needed thats crazy! How will apple even allow that large a file!? Seeing we can hardly get movies that large yet!!

Whoa.....nvm about this app then

 

[rocky19713]

Well, I don't know if these iPhone killers have been total busts. Sure, they are inferior phones (as judged by us), but people are buying them - and lots of them. For example, the Samsung Instinct is a very bad phone, but people bought them up at a record pace. It was the fastest selling phone in Sprint's history. Also, the Instinct is Best Buy's best selling cellphone over the last 2 year period.

I really think the concept of an "iPhone Killer" is just a perception held by Apple, the media, and cellphone enthusiasts. I don't think average people really care about what's going to be the next "iPhone Killer." Most people usually just buy the "hottest," "most fashionable" phone on their current carrier. And what's "hot" is usually decided by the store's salesman - and people listen to this hype.

The strongest iPhone that will likely never be killed by any other phone has yet to come out. This iPhone will just have average features (dumbed down for the average consumer and will include MMS), it will have an average price (say $99), there will be superficial changes - like it coming in many different colors, and it will be available on every carrier. If this phone was to come out, nothing would come close to touching it.

Actually, as of November, the hottest phone is the iPhone.

It will be very hard to beat this phone. It is ready to go but severely locked. Apple can unlock it as they please and wipe out competition (that is...affect the more casual user).

 

[kas23]

Actually, as of November, the hottest phone is the iPhone.

It will be very hard to beat this phone. It is ready to go but severely locked. Apple can unlock it as they please and wipe out competition (that is...affect the more casual user).

May be true, but you have to look at the big picture by not looking at individual phones - since almost all companies (except Apple) make money on their "stable" or product line of cellphones. For example, whose selling more phones right now, Apple or HTC? What about Motorola vs. Apple, or Nokia vs. Apple? You may say the hottest selling individual phone, but that doesn't necessarily equate to success in the cellphone market. Remember, in the business sense it's the companies that are competing, not the phones.

 

[ZiggyPastorius]

May be true, but you have to look at the big picture by not looking at individual phones - since almost all companies (except Apple) make money on their "stable" or product line of cellphones. For example, whose selling more phones right now, Apple or HTC? What about Motorola vs. Apple, or Nokia vs. Apple? You may say the hottest selling individual phone, but that doesn't necessarily equate to success in the cellphone market. Remember, in the business sense it's the companies that are competing, not the phones.

I think his point, though, was that Apple entered the market after all these companies, a non-phone company, with one phone and only one phone (the iPhone), yet they're beating out ALL the phone's of these other manufacturers alone. I think that's success in the cell phone market, whether it means Apple is the most powerful company in the cell phone market or not (I would say they most certainly aren't).

 

[kas23]

I think his point, though, was that Apple entered the market after all these companies, a non-phone company, with one phone and only one phone (the iPhone), yet they're beating out ALL the phone's of these other manufacturers alone. I think that's success in the cell phone market, whether it means Apple is the most powerful company in the cell phone market or not (I would say they most certainly aren't).

But, it's really not surprising the iPhone is doing so well. Apple just makes one phone, so it can pour all its resources into it. They are also a computer/software company that has been making the iPod for years. All they are doing is modifying this already existing product. And it only runs one OS too. It must be a nightmare for HTC to make all these different phones that have to run Win Mo, and then a phone for Android now.

 

[andyhargreaves]

Any news????

 

[MikePA]

Any news????

Did you visit the vendors website whose URL was posted in the first message? I imagine that'd be the place to go for up to date info.