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Navigon Offers Full-Featured iPhone GPS Navigation for a Single Upfront Fee

German GPS firm Navigon has finally released MobileNavigator North America [App Store, $69.99 through August 15th and $99.99 thereafter], one of the first full-featured turn-by-turn GPS navigation applications for the iPhone. While several subscription-based GPS applications, including AT&T's own service have appeared since the release of iPhone OS 3.0, MobileNavigator represents the first full-featured GPS application bearing a single upfront cost to reach North America, beating out the much-anticipated hardware/software combination coming from TomTom. Navigon released a European version of MobileNavigator late last month.

The new North American package contains maps for the United States (including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands) and Canada from NAVTEQ. Features include:

- Reality View Pro displays photo-realistic 3D views with actual road signs and lane guidance for virtually every highway interchange and exit drivers will encounter.
- Lane Assistant Pro helps drivers prepare to make an upcoming exit or turn by providing a lane map complete with arrows and actual road geometry.
- Speed Assistant with adjustable audio-visual warning.
- Day & Night Mode for map display.
- Direct Access allows navigation to contacts saved in the iPhone's address book.
- Branded POIs and POIs along the route
- 2D and 3D map view.
- Automatic switch between portrait and landscape format.
- Intelligent address entry.
- Real signpost display.

Navigon promises a free update coming soon to add such features as multiple-destination routing, additional view options, integration of points of interest entries with the iPhone's phone and address book features, and optimized volume control when using iPod functionality. Navigon has also released a video preview the new North American application.


The application requires an iPhone 3G or 3GS running iPhone OS 3.0 and weighs in at 1.29 GB.

Top Rated Comments

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33 months ago
Can't wait to see the reviews. The GPS on my iPhone 3G S doesn't seem accurate enough to use while driving.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
33 months ago
It's progress.

Hopefully TomTom will follow suit. I am keeping my cash for TomTom's release though.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
33 months ago
This looks pretty sweet. If they hold true to their word about free updates, then this is a bargain at $70.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
33 months ago
I'd be curious to know how they're planning on handling map updates. If map updates are costly or too infrequent, it would be a negative for me.

I love my Garmin but with only a two year old unit the cost of a map update is about the same as buying the same unit as a refurb from a reseller.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
33 months ago
Will there be a UK or international version?
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
33 months ago
How do I use it safely while I'm driving?

My question isn't specific to this application, but to iPhone navigation apps in general.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
33 months ago
One time flat fee. I can get behind that.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
33 months ago

Will there be a UK or international version?


Country specific map material first for Europe, then "DACH" (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), UK (first step), BeNeLux, Nordics, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy (second step), later on: North America and then Australia.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
33 months ago
Just wondered: is it likely that there will be a big difference between this application and other navigation apps like TomTom. I use an old but reliable Tomtom in my car and i am pleased with it so i don't need on right now.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
33 months ago

Can't wait to see the reviews. The GPS on my iPhone 3G S doesn't seem accurate enough to use while driving.


Have you tried it in other cars? Once mine locks on the sat it is very accurarte and quick with the direction of travel as well. Just as fast and accurate as the iDrive in my 650I.

Do you possibly have metalic tint blocking the signal? I have ceramic tint and have no issues with cell or GPS signal in the car.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives

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