What to look for

Offline as much as possible. Companies are putting a lot of bells and whistles into their navigation apps these days, but their real value boils down to being able to find your way without an active network connection. Even if you are travelling in well-connected areas, carriers are cutting back on unlimited bandwidth, and having to download map tiles along your route certainly eats up your limits.

MotionX GPS Drive is a favorite for many, but the way it handles map downloads might not please some.

Pre-installed or downloadable maps. No navigation app will work without a map, but there are different strategies for getting maps on your device. Many include the maps in a very large initial download.  Others are starting to include ways for the user to pre-select which maps they want to download before a trip. MotionX GPS Drive, for example, allows users to download relevant maps along a particular route, whereas ForeverMap allows the user to select maps on a state-by-state basis for downloading. Each strategy has its advantages, but apps that pre-load all maps at once are less dependent on Internet connections.

Multi-point vs. preferred routes. This is a tricky feature that’s often misunderstood. Most apps allow you to plan a multiple destination road trip by adding several stops along a given route. But this doesn’t necessarily allow you to select a preferred route from a selection of many options. Many have implemented a way to choose the fastest over the shortest route, or a way to avoid toll roads, but ALK’s CoPilot Live Premium understands that users might have other reasons to want to avoid some areas and veer towards others. With its Drag Route feature, you can drag the route line to change how you get to your destination with more finesse.

Offline routes and POI database. Some apps have maps located on the device, but still need to be online in order to perform a route calculation. This may be because the route itself is calculated online, but more often, it’s because a GPS reverse lookup requires Internet access to turn a contact’s address into a format the routing system understands. This basically renders the app useless in a situation where network connection isn’t possible. Good navigation apps also include local points of interest (POI) databases alongside their installed maps that can be accessed and used to generate a route without connecting to the Internet.

iPad and iPhone versions. Having an iPad version of the app available is key to route planning for serious travellers. The iPad allows for easier review of the route, and while some may be using their iPhone as the only turn-by-turn navigation device while driving, but the iPad’s larger screen may be better for older eyes or co-pilots providing directions. This is more crucial if you have the 3G or CDMA version of the iPad, so you can use the device’s GPS  to keep you on track.

Here’s a chart of how the various apps I compared stacked up in these and a few other important categories. The apps are listed according to my order of preference, from left to right:

Leading the pack — CoPilot Live Premium

CoPilot Live Premium HD adds lots of value on the iPad.

After spending countless hours both on and off the road with more navigation apps than I care to remember, I would have to say that ALK’s CoPilot is currently the navigation app to beat. I particularly liked the way I could alter the calculated route by dragging the route line, that all the maps were included in the initial download, and that I had no difficulties creating new routes on the device at times when there was no Internet connection at all. The user interface is streamlined and easy to navigate, and there’s an iPad version that makes it even easier to find your way around the app. Route generation is quick, and browsing the maps renders the roads and street names very fast even when panning and zooming around. For road warriors and frequent travellers, CoPilot is the app to get.

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Both location data gathering and traffic information collection seem to be in service of improving Apple’s built-in Maps app and on-device location services. Apple took over the management of Maps location databases in June 2010. Devices running iPhone OS 1.1.3 to 3.1 had (and still do) rely on Skyhook Wireless’ databases of Wi-Fi and cellular tower locations. Apple also acquired mapping companies Placebase and Poly9 last year, and posted job ads looking for individuals to “take Maps to the next level” in 2009, and to “radically improve how people interact with maps and location-based services” just last month.

Apple revealed last year in its letter to Congressmen Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Joe Barton (R-Tex.) that it “used [location] data to analyze traffic patterns and density,” so presumably that’s the same thing it’s doing in order to improve its traffic service. The Maps app currently has a traffic layer that can be enabled and disabled, but the info appears to currently be supplied by Google, since it matches traffic pattens displayed on the web-based version of Google Maps. Apple seems to be intent on either supplementing that information, or replacing the Google-sourced data with its own.

Some are speculating this means Apple is keen to introduce turn-by-turn navigation to the onboard iOS Maps app, and that’s a definite possibility. But since Apple only claims “an improved traffic service” as part of its plans, it’s not the only logical conclusion one can draw. Apple has been steadily decreasing its reliance on outside service providers (and even components, thanks to its in-house designed A4 and A5 mobile chips), and a new traffic service might just be that, and not representative of any attempt to leapfrog into navigation.

Apple’s assertion that any improved service will come “in the next couple of years” hints at the long development tail it has for new products and software offerings. The Mac-maker would never release a product to market that pales in comparison to what it’s replacing, and that’s no less true of the iOS Maps app. Until it can ensure a better user experience itself than is provided by Google, it’ll stick with the Mountain View, Calif.-sourced option, because unlike its competitors, Apple seldom, if ever, rushes anything to market.

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A new job posting went up at Apple, suggesting the company is continuing to move towards its own mobile map plans, separate from Google. According to the posting, an iOS Maps Application Developer in Cupertino would help “radically improve how people interact with maps and location-based services.” User interface design is a must, as well as a “passion” for location-based technologies.

Certainly, there’s room for improvement in the current Maps app, which has seen relatively few outward updates since introduced with the original iPhone back in 2007. Despite being powered by Google Maps, iOS Maps does not compare well with the latest on Android. Missing features including turn-by-turn directions, 3-D maps, topography, offline maps, and information about places. While Apple is clearly behind Google in map app development, it wouldn’t be totally accurate to say the company has been ignoring map services.

In 2009, Apple acquired PlaceBase, a mapping data service provider, and in 2010, it also purchased another mapping company, Poly9. In both instances, employees as well as software went to Apple. Also, last year, Apple made  a major internal change to the Maps program. Starting with iOS 3.2 on the iPad, and with iOS 4 on all devices, Apple began using its own databases instead of those belonging to Skyhook Wireless and Google for location information.

With an iOS 5 preview expected next month, we may not have to wait long to find out if Apple plans on taking over full control of the iOS map app this year. Rumors of MobileMe development suggests new location-based services like Find My Friends are in store. It’s not hard to imagine maps of friends and recommended places overlaid as layers on the built-in Apple Maps app and dynamically updated. Social networking features, combined with more map services, would be a welcome update in iOS 5, and one that would gain Apple some ground over the competition.

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For developers, the Core Location Framework in iOS can use the onboard GPS, cell, or Wi-Fi radios to find the user’s current longitude and latitude. Each one has a different degree of accuracy and uses a different amount of battery life.  This abstraction allows developers to write code without exactly knowing what capabilities the iOS device has available to it.  So, for the most part, developers don’t always have strict requirements where GPS capabilities are concerned.  But as a consumer, you want to know exactly what you’re getting for your money.

Wi-Fi iPad 2 and iPod Touch’s Wi-Fi Database

According to the tech specs for the iPod touch, this iOS device has what is referred to as “Maps location-based service”.  This means that the user’s longitude and latitude are determined based on their proximity to known Wi-Fi networks.  Since iOS 3.2, Apple has claimed to be using its own databases to provide such location-based services.  So we know that the iPod touch and the Wi-Fi only iPad 2 aren’t using GPS, but what about the iPhone 4 and 3G-capable iPad 2?

Wi-Fi + 3G iPad 2 and iPhone 4′s Assisted GPS

With GPS devices, the assisted terminology refers to the fact that the resulting GPS data is enhanced.  Under certain conditions, this enhancement can speed the start-up time to get an initial location fix faster.  So the same technology that’s used in the iPod touch to determine a user’s location based on Wi-Fi proximity is being used on the iPhone and the Wi-Fi + 3G iPad 2 to assist these devices in getting that initial fix.  The tech specs for the iPad 2 claim that only the Wi-Fi + 3G model has this “Assisted GPS” feature, and this is the same feature found on the iPhone.  The Wi-Fi only model of the iPad 2 does not have this feature.

What Good is GPS on an iPad Beyond Online Maps?

While it is certainly true that the built-in Maps App is pretty much useless without data connectivity, there are an increasing number of apps that will either cache, install or download maps for offline access.  MotionX GPS HD for US $2.99 in the App Store has what is likely to be one of the better implementations of downloading maps at a very reasonable price.  GPS also means you’ll have more accurate results when using location-based recommendation or social networking apps. It’s not something that everyone needs, but as it becomes more and more popular, it could represent a significant upside to owning an iPad, so consider the benefits of assisted GPS when making your choice.

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But hey, maybe it isn’t so bad for you, GPS industry. Maybe people will still want to pay way too much for single-purpose devices instead of installing a free app on the cell phone they already have, that works with the Google Maps and Google Search they already use.

According to CNET’s Tom Krazit, Google’s new app, appropriately dubbed Google Maps Navigation, was demoed Tuesday for reporters, and will be officially announced sometime today. The Google demo had the app running on an unidentified black Motorola Android 2.0 phone, believed to be the upcoming Droid device.

The good news for us Apple faithful is that Google announced at the event that it is working with Apple on bringing the game-changing software to the iPhone platform. The words “working with” are well chosen, because Maps Navigation requires a slightly different approach than the standard App Store approval process, since it won’t be a standalone application, but will instead work directly out of the built-in Google Maps app.

Direct Google Maps integration means that the new navigation app will be uniquely positioned among its competitors to deliver some really cool features, including Google Search for nearby points of interest (POI). Google Street View will also play a part, allowing you to see the actual street at upcoming turning points along your trip route, so that you’ll recognize exactly where you should turn. That should eliminate a lot of confusion in dense, layered urban areas where freeways and streets overlap, and many route divergences and convergences are subtle.

The version for Android 2.0 demoed also had a feature that recognized when the device was placed in a cradle or cupholder, and enlarged on-screen buttons to make it easier to work with while driving. The only feature not mentioned that is already present in many other GPS devices and apps is voice guidance, but even if not currently present, it’ll probably make an appearance down the road.

While I can’t see why Apple would reject or hamstring the introduction of this exciting, new feature, we’ve seen in the past that the relationship between it and Google can be tricky. I think Cupertino will realize, though, that in this case, the ability to market built-in, free-of-charge navigation is a great way to move more hardware, even if Navigon and TomTom won’t be too pleased with the decision.

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Late Wednesday, augmented reality (subscription required) app Layar finally hit the App Store. It received a lot of buzz early on in the days of AR on mobile devices, and was released long ago for devices running Google’s Android OS.

The idea behind the browser is that multiple points of interest (POI) are displayed on top of a live feed from your camera. The POI information is drawn from multiple sources, which you can select from using the the menu at the bottom of the app. Each source provides different kinds of information, about transit, for instance, or about general tourist destinations, etc.

Fast Company can barely contain its enthusiasm for the new app, as is evident from the following quote:

The marriage between useful/fun/vital/helpful location-based data offered by Layar, the GPS and digital compass built into the iPhone 3GS (a 3G version is coming, Layar promises), and the legion of developers building new code for the platform give it a good shot at becoming the most popular AR browser on the market, if not a genuine killer app. Especially since it’s free.

While I admit that AR and its various applications are fairly exciting, and something that I’ve keyed in on in the past, I can’t seem to bring myself to apply the term “killer app” to this particular offering from Layar (subscription required). Not that it doesn’t do what it claims to. It does, and it does so for free, as Fast Company points out.

My problem is that it does it without much grace, or flair, or without anything to make it feel particularly well-suited to the iPhone platform. Admittedly, it was an Android app first, and maybe that’s why it doesn’t feel like it necessarily belongs on the iPhone, but I think it’s more than that.

For reference, compare Yelp’s “Monocle” AR feature to Layar’s implementation. Layar features a weird horizon plane grid that seems to be more distracting than anything else. Plus, with the cramped UI which tries to do too much on a single screen, I feel like I’m not actual getting as much usable information as I am with Yelp.

In short, despite the multiple filters it offers, and neat features like having those filters specially selected based on your geographical location, I don’t think I’ll ever be using Layar again. A ho-hum interface, and some odd usability quirks make this app feel like a tech demo that showed up at the party way too late. If you’re looking for usable AR, try Yelp’s Monocle mode, or just sit tight and wait for the next generation of AR apps.

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It was set to ship in about two or three weeks, according to Apple’s web site. I say “was,” because it isn’t there anymore. At all. The device has been pulled from the product listings for the time being, and Apple isn’t saying why.

Many suspect that the real reason Apple has temporarily stopped taking pre-orders is because TomTom was offering the car mount and GPS signal booster bundled with its actual navigation app, the one that was released awhile ago with its own nearly $100 price tag — the one which many people already purchased, not suspecting that TomTom would offer the software free with purchase of this new hardware. This was apparently generating complaints.

So alienating your No. 1 target user base for a product at launch probably isn’t the best possible marketing strategy. How TomTom and Apple decide to get around this is going to be interesting to see. On the one hand, they could offer rebate vouchers towards the hardware to any customers who’ve already purchased the navigation app on its own. But that would probably result in them taking a huge bath on at least this round of mount sales.

On the other hand, they could simply remove the part in the blurb about the Car Kit including software, and not bundle anything with the device. It’s the solution that makes the most fiscal sense, but as I’m sure TomTom is painfully aware, the cat’s already out of the bag, so it’ll look like the company’s just backpedaling, with customers losing out in the end.

My advice to TomTom: Take the hit and offer the hardware with a discount for existing navigation app customers. Sure, it’ll probably result in a fair size loss until the market of people who already have your app are sated, but you’ll retain customer confidence and good will, and it won’t make you look incompetent and dishonest, which is what will happen if you try to say the bit about the app being included was just a typo.

Those interested in the hardware itself, regardless of selling conditions, will be interested to find that while the Car Kit dock is said to be compatible with all iPhone models, the navigation app only works with the 3G and the 3GS. Looks like the brave claims of iPod touch compatibility have yet to be substantiated. We’ll see if TomTom redacts that particular claim, too.

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While the iPhone app doesn’t provide iPod control without a hardware cable connection, it does allow you to search for points of interest or trip destinations on the iPhone, which then communicates said information to the navigation unit. Basically, it’s like having an advanced, user-friendly remote for your GPS unit instead of having to fumble with clumsy on-device controls.

You can also access any POI information on the nav system over Bluetooth via your iPhone, so it’s a two-way conversation. Also, the app automatically searches your device for geotagged photos taken with the iPhone’s camera and uses those as custom POI entries. I can see this becoming annoying, since every photo I take with my iPhone has geographic information associated with it. The neat spider I saw when we stopped at that roadside diner isn’t a POI, cool though it might have been.

If you’re in the market for an in-dash nav system, and you already own an iPhone, then there’s really not much of a downside to going with these Pioneer models. The entry-level AVIC-U310BT will set you back $699, while the much snazzier AVIC-Z110BT has a $1,799 price tag. The more expensive model will get you a motorized screen, rear cam readiness, voice control, and A2DP stereo Bluetooth support. Forgive me for also wanting it to drive the car for me at that price.

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In my opinion, TomTom is a little over the top in its app description write-up, proclaiming, “Turn-by-turn car navigation for the iPhone is here.” Well, in fact, it’s also here, and here and here (all iTunes links). It might not have beat everyone out of the gate, but I suppose this is TomTom we’re talking about, and none of its rivals have quite as much brand power.

A couple caveats before you go rushing out to buy the new app. First, it’s a bit on the expensive side. $99.99 for the U.S. and Canada edition (iTunes link), for example, and $149.99 for Western Europe (iTunes link). Also, New Zealand (iTunes link) costs $94.99 while Australia (iTunes link) is only $79.99? Maybe I’m just being naive, but isn’t New Zealand a whole lot smaller and less difficult to navigate? Maybe you pay extra for live sheep traffic updates.

In addition, the accompanying iPhone GPS mount is nowhere to be seen, at least not yet. The device, which is meant to augment the iPhone’s own GPS abilities, as well as provide a line out for car stereo use and take advantage of iPhone OS 3.0 hardware access features, won’t be released until later this year. The good news is that when it does arrive, there will also be an iPod touch-specific model, so you won’t need an iPhone to use the app.

Anyone taking the plunge on this WWDC keynote star? If so, we’d be glad to hear your impressions.

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How’s your reality? Blasé, run-of-the-mill, so-so? Fear not — an augmented reality is right around the corner, so long as you own an iPhone 3GS. Yes, Android is well ahead of the game in this particular area, but at least one app is already awaiting Apple’s approval that makes use of this exciting, new technology. It’s called Nearest Tube, and it tells you where to find the nearest tube (station) in London.

Now, I’m not in London, and most of you probably aren’t either (though a few of you are), so what’s the big deal? The big deal is that this app shows off what the new iPhone 3GS is really capable of in terms of augmented reality, and also what it specifically isn’t, which may be more important in the long run.

First, the good. According to the developer’s tech demo (see video below), and CNET UK‘s own trial of the software, it works as advertised, displaying a color-coded heads-up display of floating tube station markers with distance and station name superimposed on the live feed from your iPhone’s camera. Laid flat, the iPhone displays arrows pointing to each of London’s tube lines.

It uses GPS information and the 3GS’ built-in compass to determine your location and orientation. When you hold the phone up, it arranges individual stations by their proximity to you. CNET points out that that proximity is based on a straight-line distance, so it isn’t always entirely accurate, but it’s close enough to be practically useful. The usual compass caveats apply, including steering clear of magnetic interference. Making a similar app for any major metropolis, including U.S. ones, shouldn’t present that much of a challenge. Thanks to the Maps API, even more advanced directional abilities should be possible, too, including built-in walking and transit directions.

Now, the bad. The Nearest Tube app has to make do with images from the iPhone’s camera, instead of the preferable live video feed. This means that it’s basically just using GPS and compass features, and then pasting that info on top of the camera images. It can’t interact with the pictures themselves, as apps can on Android. That means no fancy image-recognition tricks involving famous landmarks for the time being.

Nearest Tube developer Acrossair has joined up with 14 other iPhone software companies to petition Apple to grant access to the video API in the same way that they have the device’s camera to make this possible. Hopefully, Apple listens and includes this in an upcoming firmware revision, or else we’ll still be playing catch-up with Google’s mobile OS for the foreseeable future.

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