[NPMUG] REVIEW: Navigon's MobileNavigator for iPhone vs. TomTom for the iPhone ( a GPS winner emerges ! )

[Dave Sevick]

Navigon's MobileNavigator for iPhone  http://www.navigon.com/site/us/en

( 10 minute video review ) that I found very helpful - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4dPnlL16V8

Cost: $69.95

Features:

Features and range of functions:
Reality View Pro (realistic display of motorway interchanges and exits)
Lane Assistant Pro
Speed Assistant with adjustable audio-visual warning
Direct Access allows to navigate to contacts saved in the iPhone's  
address book
Quick access to user-defined POIs in the area and along the route
2D and 3D map displays
Can be used in portrait and landscape format
Precise voice announcements
Intelligent address entry
Real signpost display
Day and night mode for map display
The latest NAVTEQ map material (onboard navigation, no subscription  
fees)
Take Me Home function with a single click
Automatic language selection to match the iPhone's user language
Navigation is automatically resumed after an incoming phone call
Additional languages: US English, Spanish and French (GUI and Audio


========== vs. ==========


TomTom for iPhone  http://iphone.tomtom.com/

1 minute promo  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YskygegTjAU
2 minute promo  http://www.engadgetmobile.com/2009/08/22/tomtoms-iphone-car-kit-promo-video-is-enticing-but-still-no-me/

British reviews:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTmWA8-7DHg
http://mashable.com/2009/08/17/tomtom-iphone-2/

Cost: $99.99

Features:

AWARD-WINNING TURN-BY-TURN NAVIGATION SOFTWARE, INCLUDING SUPERIOR  
ROUTING WITH IQ ROUTESTM, NOW AVAILABLE IN APPLE'S APP STORE

Concord, MA - August, 17, 2009 – TomTom announces that the TomTom for  
iPhone navigation application can be purchased in the Apple iTunes App  
Store starting today.

“With TomTom for iPhone, millions of iPhone users can now benefit from  
the same easy-to-use and intuitive interface, turn-by-turn spoken  
navigation and unique routing technology that our 30 million portable  
navigation device users rely on every day,” said Corinne Vigreux,  
Managing Director of TomTom. “As the world’s leading provider of  
navigation solutions and digital maps, TomTom is the most natural fit  
for an advanced navigation application on the iPhone.”

The TomTom app for iPhone 3G and 3GS users includes a map of the US  
and Canada from Tele Atlas, and is available to download through http://www.tomtom.com/tomtom-app 
  for $99.99 USD.

TomTom app for iPhone key features
TomTom app for iPhone includes the exclusive IQ Routes™ technology.  
Instead of using travel time assumptions, IQ Routes bases its routes  
on the actual experience of millions of TomTom drivers to calculate  
the fastest route and generate the most accurate arrival times in the  
industry. TomTom IQ Routes empowers drivers to reach their destination  
faster up to 35% of the time.

Additional TomTom app for iPhone features include:

Best routing and maps

Navigation software including fast route planning and clear voice  
instructions
Automatic re-routing if a turn is missed
Route demo or map of route when trip planning
Alternative route options if avoiding roadblocks, toll ways or looking  
for high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes along route
Latest Tele Atlas maps of the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New  
Zealand
6 million Points of Interest included
Easy to use and personalize

User interface fully optimized with iPhone
Multiple display options including landscape and portrait navigation  
view
Night and day color mode for optimized screen visibility in varying  
light conditions
User interface available in 18 languages
Change view settings (2D or 3D map display)
Easy to download from iTunes App Store
Complete phone and map integration

Multi-touch gestures such as tap, swipe, pinch and zoom to operate the  
application and zoom in and out of the map
Navigation to contacts in address book
Points-of-interest search and call capabilities from iPhone
Pricing and Availability
The TomTom app for iPhone including full maps of the US and Canada  
will be available for $99.99 USD on the Apple App Store.http://www.tomtom.com/tomtom-app 
.

Compatibility with iPod touch and other iPhone models coming soon.

Requirements for use on the iPhone 3G or 3GS include phone  
installation of OS3.0 and installation of iTunes on the PC or Mac.


Ad 1. About TomTom IQ Routes™
TomTom IQ Routes applies the historical travel time experience of  
millions of drivers to calculate the best route possible. The  
technology is based on historical speed measurements for every time of  
day, one for every road segment, from large motorways to small local  
roads. In up to 35% of all cases, the use of IQ Routes results in  
driving a faster route, saving significant travel time as well as  
money and fuel.

Ad 2. Included user interface languages: Catalan, Czech, Dutch,  
Danish, English UK, English US, Finnish, French, German, Italian,  
Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese BR, Slovak, Spanish, Spanish  
LA, Swedish and Turkish.


==================

My evaluation so far , buying both,  and running both of the apps side  
by side:

1. Navigon is as accurate at TomTom ( and I am a long time dedicated  
TomTom user) and uses the NAVTEQ system.

2. Navigon handles music and incoming calls much smoother than TomTom.

3. Navigon does not require a special car kit and works with my  
current $49  Apple Composite AV cable ( MB129LL/A) installed by the  
good folks at Best Buy.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8551097&type=product&id=1188561003671

The car-installer-guys connected the Apple Composite AV cable to my  
after-market radio.  I have had this for over a year. This allows for  
one connection for power, USB, video   :-)  In addition I mount  my  
iPhone (and current TomTom XL)  to my dash with the very rugged  
ProClipUSA system:

http://www.proclipusa.com/

4. Navigon can also search my Kerio based over the air synced address  
book .... EXCELLENT !!!  .... as well as my Apple Address Book

5. Navigon costs $69.99 ( 30% off until Aug 31 )

===============


1.  TomTom requires a very cool ( yet not available yet ) "car kit" to  
get fully integrated functionality with iTunes.

2.  TomTom still has all the cool  features  of the TomTom XL  
unit ...... ported over nicely.

3. TomTom can only search contacts in my Apple Address Book, not my  
Kerio Address Book  :-(  ..... not good !!!!

4.  TomTom costs $99.99

Dave Sevick


P.S.  I love you guys at TomTom ..... but the folks at Navigon have  
you beat hands down !  I will continue to use both and wait for  
improvements.  But ease-of-use is squarely in Navigon's court.







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