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

[cenetti]

no heading up?? lol...
well google maps is better way better then. At least we know they update their maps and POIs...

Why garmin or tomtom don't push theirs without the voice..Looks like apple have no problem approving these types of applications...??

Just put a 'ding' , 'ding ding' sound for the turns...I can live with that..

ya hear garmin?
ya hear tomtom?

 

[liuping]

G-Map is back up in the App store (West coast only for now).

Unfortunatly, the reviews look pretty bad. I'm not sure how many are from the original 1.0 version that was pulled, or the new 1.1 version.

 

[jediknight0]

There's another thread on it here.

Basically, I bought it and it's missing features detailed on thier website. I asked for my money back and they didn't respond but took down the features in question from thier website and hid the videos showing those features.

Avoid the app. It's useless.

Anyone know how I get my money back from Apple because of the false advertising and dishonest tactics of this developer?

 

[needthephone]

Basically, I bought it and it's missing features detailed on thier website. I asked for my money back and they didn't respond but took down the features in question from thier website and hid the videos showing those features.

Avoid the app. It's useless.

Anyone know how I get my money back from Apple because of the false advertising and dishonest tactics of this developer?

Umm, maybe I built my hopes up too early then?
Does anyone else have similar experiences with this?

IF this was the turn by turn app we have been waiting for then surely apple would have been shouting about it everywhere, on their apple website and featuring it in the app store.

But it seems to have been buried somewhat and this leads me to believe apple:

A) aren't too impressed with it or
B) have promised one of the big guys (Tom Tom, Garmn etc) that they will promote their app heavily when it comes out.

I tend to think it's 60% A + 40% B
oh well guess we will keep waiting and have to make do with google maps - I have got used to driving through buildings now, you meet some interesting, but surprised people as you drive through their living rooms.

 

[dZp]

Umm, is this true what features have been left out?

You've missed post #20

 

[LiveForever]

On their website (front page) they show this picture.

Is this how it actually looks then ?

http://www.xroadgps.com/Portals/61/gmapiphone3d.jpg

 

[DreamPod]

IF this was the turn by turn app we have been waiting for then surely apple would have been shouting about it everywhere, on their apple website and featuring it in the app store.

But it seems to have been buried somewhat and this leads me to believe apple:

A) aren't too impressed with it or
B) have promised one of the big guys (Tom Tom, Garmn etc) that they will promote their app heavily when it comes out.

That doesn't really mean anything, except the company didn't pay Apple for special advertising on the App Store site.

On their website (front page) they show this picture.

Is this how it actually looks then ?

It only shows a 3D view like that when at an intersection which may confuse the driver as to which direction to go in. There are a number of set locations where that happens.

 

[LiveForever]

So is the app any good?
Is it accurate?

 

[cenetti]

Yea they took the videos off on their site...lol

I wouldn't waste 1gb space UNLESS it's a fully working GPS navigation software.... and this one is far from it....

Show me one navigation device/software without the heading up feature!
or one without any kind of audio warning for the turns (not talking about voice)...

Save that $20...you can find tons of REAL gps devices on ebay below $100 today... and I mean REAL GPS NAVIGATION!

pffft!

'

 

[DreamPod]

I just noticed something - G-Map is NOT advertised as a GPS navigation app at all. Just read the description on the App Store page: "G-Map is an on-board electronic map." Its whole point is for use as a map when you don't have access to Google Maps. They probably made a similar deal as Google did with their map provider: to never add realtime turn-by-turn instructions, and never point the map anywhere but north. By doing this they can keep the map licensing fee cheap.

They probably originally planned on going full-on GPS nav unit, but were alerted to the licensing issue (thus the videos and the aborted early release)

 

[kas23]

They probably originally planned on going dull-on GPS nav unit, but were alerted to the licensing issue (thus the videos and the aborted early release)

Or, more likely, Apple blocked it.

 

[severe]

If you have 3G it's not different at all. iPhone 3G does that anyway..

The purple line, maybe. The not having to pan forward, no. Google maps doesn't do that automatically. Have we gotten confirmation that G-Map does yet?

They probably originally planned on going dull-on GPS nav unit,...)

Freudian slip?

[bold added]

 

[severe]

The purple line, maybe. The not having to pan forward, no. Google maps doesn't do that automatically. Have we gotten confirmation that G-Map does yet?

Found confirmation.

Click on Map Operation.


EDIT: Actually, that link is to a "Route Preview" type thing that the app has, not simulated live action.

Seriously, WTF?

Why are there no videos of this app in action? Like, while actually traveling, so we can see what this thing can really do.

Do these guys deserve to fail for charging $20 w/o coming clean? That, my friends, is a problem. Charge what ya want, it's not my business, but be clear about what you're selling here. Searches don't reveal much either.

And no landscape?

Anyone?

Bueller?

 

[DreamPod]

The purple line, maybe. The not having to pan forward, no. Google maps doesn't do that automatically. Have we gotten confirmation that G-Map does yet?

Eh? Yes Google Maps does. I've used it driving all the time. Just make sure you hit the "current location" button, and the map will scroll with you wherever you go without you ever touching the screen. If you don't mind looking away from the road, and have a good 3G signal in your area, you can use Google Maps as a simple nav unit - you just have to look down and see if you are coming up to a big blob (turn point), turn that direction and then touch the button for the next turn point and touch the "current location" again to bring it back to scrolling.

 

[severe]

Eh? Yes Google Maps does. I've used it driving all the time. Just make sure you hit the "current location" button, and the map will scroll with you wherever you go without you ever touching the screen. If you don't mind looking away from the road, and have a good 3G signal in your area, you can use Google Maps as a simple nav unit - you just have to look down and see if you are coming up to a big blob (turn point), turn that direction and then touch the button for the next turn point and touch the "current location" again to bring it back to scrolling.

Ahh.. I see. I stand partly corrected.

I'm about to head out, in a minute. Looking forward to checking it out, DreamPod. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[neilp4453]

Eh? Yes Google Maps does. I've used it driving all the time. Just make sure you hit the "current location" button, and the map will scroll with you wherever you go without you ever touching the screen. If you don't mind looking away from the road, and have a good 3G signal in your area, you can use Google Maps as a simple nav unit - you just have to look down and see if you are coming up to a big blob (turn point), turn that direction and then touch the button for the next turn point and touch the "current location" again to bring it back to scrolling.

This actually works pretty well (but I haven't tried it in unknown areas yet). I am thinking about getting a holder for navigation.

When on hybrid/satellite, it works well from the default zoom but if you zoom in, it takes a bried period of time to load if you are zoomed in too much. To fix this, I just use map. It shows the roads only so it loads quick when zoomed in.

Only thing missing from Google maps is voice and a better layout while driving. It shows where you are going relative to the cardinal points so it isn't optimal.

I can suffice to going new old-school and follow directions layed out as they are until Apple lets some nice through.

 

[severe]

The Google Maps app worked as DreamPod described while I was traveling this evening, and worked well. Though on my way home I used Trapster, an app I've had but rarely use. (works well too)

I discovered Trapster does automatically follow you (w/o touching). So, I got to thinking. Why doesn't Google Maps? The maps seem similar. Also, Trapster's main function is to alert you of speed traps, etc. What it doesn't do is give directions. Why couldn't there be some combination of these two applications?

I've just found NMobil which seems like a slicker, fuller featured version of Trapster. And, apparently, it works in landscape? Add simple directions, a' la Google Maps, and I'm sold.

Just a heads-up.

 

[eplchamps0304]

The Google Maps app worked as DreamPod described while I was traveling this evening, and worked well. Though on my way home I used Trapster, an app I've had but rarely use. (works well too)

I discovered Trapster does automatically follow you (w/o touching). So, I got to thinking. Why doesn't Google Maps? The maps seem similar. Also, Trapster's main function is to alert you of speed traps, etc. What it doesn't do is give directions. Why couldn't there be some combination of these two applications?

I've just found NMobil which seems like a slicker, fuller featured version of Trapster. And, apparently, it works in landscape? Add simple directions, a' la Google Maps, and I'm sold.

Just a heads-up.

google maps does follow you while driving. Get yor facts right before posting.

 

[severe]

google maps does follow you while driving. Get yor facts right before posting.

Why don't you read the thread before posting your BS opinion? You may want to discover what we're posting in or about before spouting off. You also may notice I'm trying to help here. I'm one helping to find the facts.

And since when has this forum, or any other, been based on facts? You must be a busy guy.

Look-out friends, they've arrived.

 

[kas23]

google maps does follow you while driving. Get yor facts right before posting.

He stated this very fact in his very first sentence. Did you even bother to read his post?

 

[firewood]

No, $23 will doom this app into obscurity.

Apps over $25 still sell. Just not in huge unit volumes. The fact that there is no competition will keep any desirable app from becoming obscure.

The cost of full rights to complete map data alone may exceed $25. If so, that will certainly get passed on to the buyer, as Apple won't allow an app in the store unless all appropriate rights are cleared by the developer.

.

 

[firewood]

Iphone gps chipset. Tomtom uses the same in certain models...

TomTom likely uses a real-time OS that includes full access to the GPS chip data. Not so for SDK apps running under the iPhone OS.

Dedicated GPS units also falsely put you on a road even when the real GPS data (which isn't always accurate) indicates that you are off the road. When I drive though a parking lot with a TomTom, it says that I'm on a nearby road instead. The iPhone OS and Google maps include no such false "correction" of the data.

.

 

[Artofilm]

XRoad G-Map app brings real GPS to iPhone

I'm thinking most people would be pretty excited about this new app to be coming out soon.

It's an app that contains all of the maps and guides turn-by-turn directions the way real GPS units do.

Take a look:
http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/23/xroad-g-map-app-brings-bona-fide-navigation-to-the-iphone/

The app is also available for in the iTunes store for $19.99 this is for the US West version, I'm thinking they will be making different version based on your area.

 

[Aurial]

Good, even if it turns out to be rubbish I hope this is opening the gate.

So has something changed with the SDK then or was that all something over nothing?

 

[Artofilm]

No, I think the rules of the SDK still apply, but they found a route around rules.

From what I heard, it is apparently illegal to use turn by turn with the google maps on iPhone, but if you supply your own maps, it isn't. That's what this company has apparently done.

Yah, just like you said, even if the app isn't so great, its an awesome starting point that will open the door to tons of other GPS apps!