I think you're right about the google maps. My understanding of it is that they can use the maps provided by Navteq and TeleAtlas and supply them for free so long as they're non-navigable. Like you say, I think this is what the whole SDK limitation was put in place to protect against.
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[Merged] XRoad G-Map -- Turn-by-Turn Navigation Available Via the App Store
- Thread starter streetkid
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From reading the reviews and from what people say on the "app store" forum, the SDK hasn't changed and XRoad has done nothing to really work around it's limitations. This app offers the same functionality as Google Maps except you don't need 3G to use it. There are no T-b-T directions and the maps are not forward facing, but always North facing (with a limited amount of tricky intersections where it will become forward facing). Therefore it appears this App didn't really do much in terms of bringing real gps to the iPhone.
As for not being able to use Google Maps for real gps, that's fine. However, it doesn't explain where the TomTom iPhone app is. TomTom has already developed a real gps app for the iPhone, using their own maps, and had it up and running on the iphone many months ago, but it is still missing in action. So the inability to use Google Maps for real gps is not the major problem - the SDK is the problem.
As for not being able to use Google Maps for real gps, that's fine. However, it doesn't explain where the TomTom iPhone app is. TomTom has already developed a real gps app for the iPhone, using their own maps, and had it up and running on the iphone many months ago, but it is still missing in action. So the inability to use Google Maps for real gps is not the major problem - the SDK is the problem.
My personal feeling is that the SDK isn't the problem, Apple is. I suspect that TomTom aren't too happy about having to pay 30% of the profits to Apple. Considering that TomTom Navigator 6 (which is about 3 years old now) is £90 (and was about £120 at release) they could either hike the prices up to cover the loss which would put a lot of people off as its already quite expensive, or potentially sell it at a loss (considering the price of the the maps licences).
Another problem I can see is that the iPhone only allows 1GB of space on which you can install apps (you can increase this by jailbreaking). Now consider the size of the maps. I think the UK map was over 300MB, and we're quite small compared to some other countries. Then the app itself was about 100MB on top of that. I can see space on the device being a problem too.
Another problem I can see is that the iPhone only allows 1GB of space on which you can install apps (you can increase this by jailbreaking). Now consider the size of the maps. I think the UK map was over 300MB, and we're quite small compared to some other countries. Then the app itself was about 100MB on top of that. I can see space on the device being a problem too.
This app is pure crap. I didnt buy, but i searched the net for reviews. A lot of people felt decieved, their web page stated that it had 3d maps and foward facing maps. Its a load of crap to get your money.
Apparently the SDK is part of the problem. The Apple SDK does not allow the streaming of NMEA data to the application; instead the application has to rely on a polling mechanism to obtain the position.This polling technique is non-real time and inadequate for a sophisticated navigation application. The space is not an issue; TTN6 North America is less than 1GB on other PDA applications.
Actually, the size limit for apps has been and is still 2GB according to Apple. So that should be plenty for TomTom (which, according to them, it is.)
And no, they (TomTom) do not have a problem with giving up only 30% of their profits. All developers knew that was the deal well before the app store was even open; it's a great deal for the distribution model and I seriously doubt Tom Tom is trying to get around that, so it's just pure unsubstantiated speculation on your part to say "Apple is the problem" because "TomTom aren't too happy about having to pay 30% of the profits to Apple." Come on, if that was the case, then why did they bother making the app for the iPhone in the first place!? You really thought they were going to try to sneak a deal with Apple and have them somehow waive the 30% just for them!?
I agree. Aurial's post should have just said "Apple is the problem," period.
That would have been the most accurate and to-the-point statement.
ok so let me re-cap...
correct me if im wrong.
This app does NOT have turn by turn navigation.
No 3D maps.
No Voice navigation.
and costs $20?
It doesnt do anything that it says it does then. The sceenshots on the appstore show some cool looking 3D maps.
I really would like a full, self contained, turn by turn gps app.
Whoever makes one will become filthy rich lol
correct me if im wrong.
This app does NOT have turn by turn navigation.
No 3D maps.
No Voice navigation.
and costs $20?
It doesnt do anything that it says it does then. The sceenshots on the appstore show some cool looking 3D maps.
I really would like a full, self contained, turn by turn gps app.
Whoever makes one will become filthy rich lol
You are correct in all accounts. Forward-facing guidance (3D), although they showcase this as a screenshot, only appears for some intersections - it is not a full time feature. You'll have to contact the developer for them to tell you exactly how much of their content is 3D. Otherwise, the driving view is the same as Google Maps (always facing North).
so no turn by turn directions? that sucks.
Does it even show you your location real-time? cuz thats pretty usefull but not worth $20
Does it even show you your location real-time? cuz thats pretty usefull but not worth $20
yeah but you need wi-fi for google maps
Hopefully you're not referring to the local Maps app that the iPhone has by default..
The Maps app on your iPhone doesn't need wifi to show your location real-time.
i've been looking for a way to have offline maps on an ipod touch. would this be good for that? my favorite part of the iphone over the ipod touch is the maps feature (i don't need constant email checking) and i really want to find a way to get that on the touch. is this as good as googlemaps?
im on an iPod Touch
then you dont have gps and your location cant be found anyway.
I'm pretty sure the 2g ipod touch has gps....because for some apps it says "allow use of gps to find your current location?"
well i'm not so interested in the gps aspect as the directions and search. could i still use this if i wanted to find directions from one address to another and i don't have wifi? or if i know what area i'm in could i find the nearest coffee shop by inputting the general area?
My Google Maps will pan the map if I enable the "find my location" feature (the little button in the bottom right corner).
EDIT: Oops, already answered
Regarding the iPod Touch and location services, it is using the locations of known wifi access points to get a general idea of your location, not GPS.
That's just software. On the touch, it's going to attempt to use Wifi hotspots to determine your location. Not at all accurate. This program is basically useless on the touch.
It sounds like you can definitely get directions with this thing without any connectivity, which is helpful albeit minimally.
No idea about other search items though. Doubt it has much in the way of landmarks stored and searchable.
Need some help from a newbie on this x road gps
Im going to visit the soon to be wife to be in nyc, and ill be taking my new iphone with me oh and i live in the Uk. I was thinking of adding the x road gps to my ihone to help me get around, but i dont want a huge bill so how do i use the x road gps without racking up a huge bill as it will make travelling around nyc and long island easier and also will there be one for the uk and europe.
Im going to visit the soon to be wife to be in nyc, and ill be taking my new iphone with me oh and i live in the Uk. I was thinking of adding the x road gps to my ihone to help me get around, but i dont want a huge bill so how do i use the x road gps without racking up a huge bill as it will make travelling around nyc and long island easier and also will there be one for the uk and europe.
Im going to visit the soon to be wife to be in nyc, and ill be taking my new iphone with me oh and i live in the Uk. I was thinking of adding the x road gps to my ihone to help me get around, but i dont want a huge bill so how do i use the x road gps without racking up a huge bill as it will make travelling around nyc and long island easier and also will there be one for the uk and europe.
bri... It works without a connection to the internet. The maps and points of interest are installed on the phone. The rest works via GPS, for which there is no added charge.