Navigon sneaks text-to-speech, iPod controls and location sharing into MobileNavigator app

TomTom's much-ballyhooed iPhone GPS app best step its game up, else it'll get left in the dust by none other than Navigon. The lesser-known nav company today introduced the second major update for its MobileNavigator iPhone app (our impressions are here), and the feature additions aren't anything to scoff at. For starters, the program has become the first on-board navigation app for the iPhone to gain text-to-speech functionality, and just in case hearing street names belted out through a robotic voice ain't good enough for your high standards, the inclusion of iPod control should win you over. At long last, drivers can access the full range of iPod functionalities with a single click from map access, and it even recognizes the shuffle feature to keep you guessing. Finally, a location sharing function has been added to make stalking your pals that much easier; to close, Navigon has knocked $10 off the purchase price, bringing it down to a nearly-palatable $89.99 -- and yes, those who already own it can download the update gratis.

[Via HotHardware]

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 10th 2009 12:46PM]

"For starters, the program has become the first on-board navigation app for the iPhone to gain text-to-speech functionality..."

AT&T Navigator had text to speech first, but you are correct in saying that Navigon is the first TO GAIN text to speech.
I don't know if you were playing with semantics or just didn't know any better.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 10th 2009 1:11PM]

I think by "On-Board" he is refering to the fact that there are really two classes of Nav apps, ones that need a data connection, and ones that don't. By association, AT&T Nav requires a subscription. This is the first "On-Board" Navigation App for the iPhone to have TTS, and honestly. At only $89, there is absolutely no reason to get AT&T Navigator. This App just run's that app over, if not simply for the fact you do not need to rely on AT&T's dismal network for it to work. 9 months of AT&T's nav service, or an incredible Nav app that is up there with standalone units? It's a tough one.