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AT&T Unleashes Turn-by-Turn GPS App

Tuesday June 23, 2009 7:26 am PDT by Eric Slivka
Yesterday, we profiled several turn-by-turn GPS applications that have appeared in the App Store over the past few days. Today sees the addition of a new GPS app for U.S. customers, this time from AT&T. AT&T Navigator [App Store, Free plus $9.99/month subscription] offers full-featured turn-by-turn GPS navigation with traffic data, automatic map updates, and advanced search functions. Features include:

- Voice-guided and 3D onscreen GPS navigation keeps your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road
- Automatic rerouting will get you there even if you miss a turn
- Regular map updates are automatic and included so you never have to purchase updates.
- Real-time traffic updates and one click rerouting saves you time on your daily commute
- Searching for gas by price saves you money at the pump
- Enter an address from your iPhone or from the convenience of your computer before leaving home. Search AT&T Navigator for the closest coffee house, ATM or Wi-Fi hotspot along with ratings from a listing of over 10 million business listings.

AT&T Navigator is unique in that, rather than utilizing in-app purchasing via the iTunes Store, the subscription is automatically added to the user's monthly AT&T wireless bill. The technique sidesteps Apple's policy of taking a 30% cut of sales taken through the in-app purchasing method. While users may appreciate that the monthly charge is included on their AT&T bill, they should also be aware that simply deleting the application does not cancel the monthly subscription. Users will need to contact AT&T directly in order to end their subscription to AT&T Navigator.
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Speedracer04
Posted: 35 months ago
Monthly subscriptions blow.

I would much rather pay a 1 time $90-$100 fee. Thats what I did for my TomTom, why should this be different...:mad:
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bbplayer5
Posted: 35 months ago
So how can they support this and not MMS? This would take FAR more bandwidth than MMS. Ohhhh thats right, they wont make any more money on MMS since its already included in text plans.

Once again, AT&T showing its greed. Does it even run landscape mode?!
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NightStorm
Posted: 35 months ago

Monthly subscriptions blow.

I would much rather pay a 1 time $90-$100 fee. Thats what I did for my TomTom, why should this be different...:mad:


The monthly subscription plan is a common model for cell phone provided turn-by-turn GPS applications. That said, Navigon and TomTom will likely continue to use their single payment approach (Navigon has already confirmed this with the release of MobileNavigator Europe).
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co.ag.2005
Posted: 35 months ago

So how can they support this and not MMS? This would take FAR more bandwidth than MMS. Ohhhh thats right, they wont make any more money on MMS since its already included in text plans.

Once again, AT&T showing its greed.


damnit, a capitalistic company wants to make money :eek:

I'm glad Apple are a fair company and give their products away instead of trying to make money. I hear Verizon even wishes they didn't make money, stupid ATT...

I think monthly subscription based navigation apps are dumb and would rather pay a one time fee. I wonder if ATT's app would keep maps on the phone or download them in real time over the cell network. I hope not...
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bbplayer5
Posted: 35 months ago

damnit, a capitalistic company wants to make money :eek:

I'm glad Apple are a fair company and give their products away instead of trying to make money. I hear Verizon even wishes they didn't make money, stupid ATT...

I think monthly subscription based navigation apps are dumb and would rather pay a one time fee. I wonder if ATT's app would keep maps on the phone or download them in real time over the cell network. I hope not...


Your reply makes no sense at all. First you ridicule me for saying they are greedy, then you make your argument by showing their greed. How are they giving their product away exactly? You have to PAY TO USE IT!!!!! Not to mention, you have to pay MORE to use it than other apps that GIVE YOU their maps, and dont stream them. Ya you lost cell coverage.. there goes your navigation!
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zapbryann
Posted: 35 months ago
has anyone bought this/given it a try? i start my delivery job today in a newer town i dont know as well, so this would be perfect.
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reckless2k2
Posted: 35 months ago
$120 PER YEAR for this?!?!?!?!

I hope and pray that TomTom will not charge for a subscription service especially considering they will be charging for hardware as well (gotta have the dock!).
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bbplayer5
Posted: 35 months ago

has anyone bought this/given it a try? i start my delivery job today in a newer town i dont know as well, so this would be perfect.


The description of the product is horrible. Does it work in landscape? Does it download the maps and keep them on your phone or erase them - streaming maps is HORRIBLE.
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bbplayer5
Posted: 35 months ago

$120 PER YEAR for this?!?!?!?!

I hope and pray that TomTom will not charge for a subscription service especially considering they will be charging for hardware as well (gotta have the dock!).


Not having to stream maps is worth the money. I dont get why cell providers want you streaming maps for navigation, then come on the other hand and whine about MMS bandwidth.

Unreal.
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co.ag.2005
Posted: 35 months ago

Your reply makes no sense at all. First you ridicule me for saying they are greedy, then you make your argument by showing their greed. How are they giving their product away exactly? You have to PAY TO USE IT!!!!!


I was being very sarcastic. Every company wants to make money, so why is ATT greedy for making its customers pay for a navigation app? If it strengthens their bottom line, they will do it. Verizon and Sprint offer the same thing... ~$10 / month navigation applications on their phones.

Friends?
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