Telmap taps NAVTEQ for iPhone GPS solution, understands the inevitable

Man, talk about awful timing. At least TomTom and Navigon were able to sell a few rounds of their pricey iPhone GPS application before Google went and ruined everyone's day (at least in the GPS biz), and now that Google Maps Navigation is but an approval away from hitting iPhone users for free, we've got serious doubts about Telmap's ability to market its newest product. Utilizing NAVTEQ maps and familiar shells like MapQuest Navigation (in the US) and Orange Maps (in France), the company seems quite proud of its newest routing solutions. Oh sure -- there's live traffic, turn-by-turn guidance, in-car and pedestrian modes, etc., but is anyone really doling out cash for a phone-based routing system right now with Google at the wheel? Exactly.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 30th 2009 10:34AM]

Yes we are.

GPS solutions that require a constant data connection to download maps are completely useless for those of us that travel internationally and don't want to come home to a $500 roaming charge on our bill. We need maps loaded locally on our device and a GPS that can work with the cell phone radio turned off.

It is also useless for rural navigation in the US where cell phone coverage is bad, or for hiking in a national park where no connection exists. Etc.

Web based GPS only is reliable in metro US cities. Not a good solution for the rest of us.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 30th 2009 1:30PM]

And that is exactly why software navigators for cell phones will contunue to sell, but dedicated ones will always be around, adding new features, and making those who dont want all-in-one devices happy.

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 30th 2009 11:25AM]

I totally agree,
Even if I live in a city I would rather spend ~80 once and get the maps/software and use my iPhone GPS (which BTW is without a data plan right now- using Wifi only) than spend $30 a month or $360 a year to get Googlr navigation.
I think Google navigation can only and only be successful if Google allow the maps to be downloaded to phones which they will never do :-)

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 30th 2009 2:37PM]

WOW... Cupertino represent. First that Cal vs ASU game shot, and now a hometown shot. De Anza and Homestead! Where I gas up!

[(Unverified) Posted Oct 30th 2009 9:08PM]

Came to say something in support of non-data plan based Nav solutions. Found I didn't need to. Great, more folks that get that Google's offering isn't going to kill Nav apps, like iPhone made all other cell phones obsolete....oh wait, Android will make all other cell phones obsolete.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 12th 2009 4:41AM]

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