If you are on the market for a navigation software for your iPhone, give NDrive a chance and try its full featured US map system demo. But be quick, as the trial expires March 27.

NDrive will honor the 25th edition of the CTIA convention that will be held at Las Vegas (March 23 – 25, 2010)with a free full-featured edition of the new NDrive 10 version for the iPhone.

We are talking about a turn-by turn software solution available for many platform, that will allow you to enjoy CTIA, and that will also be equipped with a complete map of the USA,

The software will be available through the iTunes App Store from March 20 until March 27.

Here is the press release:

Porto, 18 March 2010 — official information from NDrive

NDrive announces that it will offer a free and full-featured edition of NDrive 10 during the CTIA. NDrive 10 is the new version of its successful turn-by turn software solution for the iPhone and comes with the most recent technology available for navigation systems. This special application for the CTIA will be equipped with a complete map of the USA and available to download through the Apple App Store from March 20^th until the 27^th. The software will be able to use until March 27^th, giving users the option to test NDrive 10 in a daily environment during those days.

This App was tailored for all CTIA visitors to enable them navigating in and around the exhibition in the best way possible. For this purpose we have included CTIA personalized POIs like parking lots, entrances, exits etc. inside our NDrive Communities. This information can be received by any NDrive user and therefore helps them finding their target easily and quickly. But as it is free and available in all the App Stores around the world and includes a complete map of the US, we believe that this will be a good moment for anybody to test NDrive 10 software.

NDrive is a well-recognized and innovative software developer, working with the biggest map providers and operating in more than 70 countries. The iPhone navigation developed by NDrive is the leading GPS application in more than 15 major Apple App Stores around the world, including Germany, Mexico, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Brazil, Norway, Turkey, Portugal or South Africa.

Main features:

• Fully functional  TTS, SignPosts and InfoLanes;
• Actual and complete map of the USA;
• Store inside NDrive for customizing the users navigation system;
• Multi-touch technology with gesture recognition;
• Presentation of the most important buildings and landmarks in 3D;
• Over 1.500.000 POIs representing the most useful places;
• Access to a global NDrive Community for sharing information.

NDrive already offer a 7 days trial for Android, Windows Mobile and Symbian devices, but this is a first for the iPhone version, so hurry up, as the demo will end March 27.

Via: NDrive

For all of you relying on standalone GPS devices, TomTom could have really good news.

Here is the press release:

Concord, MA – 7 January 2010 – TomTom, the world’s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps, today announces that it will offer Lifetime Map Updates, a feature that allows customers to automatically receive map updates as they become available. This feature will be incorporated into a range of TomTom products in 2010.

“Roads are continually changing– from new street names to closed bridges – so it’s important for users to always have the most up-to-date maps,” said Jocelyn Vigreux, president of TomTom Inc. “With the introduction of Lifetime Map Updates, customers can rest assured that the directions their TomTom device provides will always be the most accurate and efficient available.”

Highest Quality Maps

TomTom Lifetime Map Updates utilize Tele Atlas maps, which are continually updated to include improvements on 6.5 million miles of roads, millions of Points of Interest and map updates and speed profile data generated by the millions of drivers in the TomTom US user community.  Tele Atlas’ comprehensive network of global resources – ranging from government documents to satellite and aerial imagery, in conjunction with continuous input from TomTom’s user community enable TomTom to deliver the highest quality maps to its users.

Availability

In order to download TomTom’s Lifetime Map Updates, TomTom users need to simply connect their device to TomTom HOME, TomTom’s free desktop software, and if map updates are available, they can be downloaded to the device. Registered TomTom users will be notified of new map updates as they become available. Typically, Tele Atlas releases maps on a quarterly basis.

The new Lifetime Map Updates will be bundled with a wide range of TomTom devices starting in early Q2, 2010.

These are really good news, but after the October announcement of Google’s free turn-by-turn navigation all major GPS devices producers have been obliged to make a move to fight the aggressive behavior of Big G. Thus the choice to offer Lifetime Map Update bundled on some selected devices starting Q2, 2010, is not a surprise.

No details are available until now on the range selected devices and their price, but I expect them to be the mid to high specs ones.

I hope TomTom will carefully study the price tag of its new offer, as many smartphones with a built-in GPS will be preferred by consumers, even if a data connection is needed.

You can’t get enough of all the Droid coverage, and you are waiting for one more reason to jump onto the Android? OK, look at this: free turn by turn navigation app from Google, on v 2.0 Android devices only.

The Official Google Blog has today revealed the new “Google Maps Navigation for Android 2.0”, which, in brief, will give the Droids an always updated, 3G driven, turn by turn navigation software. The benefits of such a system are highlighted by Google in its blog post:

Since 2005, millions of people have relied on Google Maps for mobile to get directions on the go. However, there’s always been one problem: Once you’re behind the wheel, a list of driving directions just isn’t that easy to use. It doesn’t tell you when your turn is coming up. And if you miss a turn? Forget it, you’re on your own.
Today we’re excited to announce the next step for Google Maps for mobile: Google Maps Navigation (Beta) for Android 2.0 devices.
This new feature comes with everything you’d expect to find in a GPS navigation system, like 3D views, turn-by-turn voice guidance and automatic rerouting. But unlike most navigation systems, Google Maps Navigation was built from the ground up to take advantage of your phone’s Internet connection.
Here are seven features that are possible because Google Maps Navigation is connected to the Internet:

The most recent map and business data
When you use Google Maps Navigation, your phone automatically gets the most up-to-date maps and business listings from Google Maps — you never need to buy map upgrades or update your device. And this data is continuously improving, thanks to users who report maps issues and businesses who activate their listings with Google Local Business Center.
Search in plain English
Google Maps Navigation brings the speed, power and simplicity of Google search to your car. If you don’t know the address you’re looking for, don’t worry. Simply enter the name of a business, a landmark or just about anything into the search box, and Google will find it for you. Then press “Navigate”, and you’re on your way.
Search by voice
Typing on a phone can be difficult, especially in the car, so with Google Maps Navigation, you can say your destination instead. Hold down the search button to activate voice search, then tell your phone what you want to do (like “Navigate to Pike Place in Seattle”), and navigation will start automatically.
Traffic view
Google Maps Navigation gets live traffic data over the Internet. A traffic indicator light in the corner of the screen glows green, yellow or red, depending on the current traffic conditions along your route. If there’s a jam ahead of you, you’ll know. To get more details, tap the light to zoom out to an aerial view showing traffic speeds and incidents ahead. And if the traffic doesn’t look good, you can choose an alternate route.
Search along route
For those times when you’re already on the road and need to find a business, Google Maps Navigation searches along your route to give you results that won’t take you far from your path. You can search for a specific business by name or by type, or you can turn on popular layers, such as gas stations, restaurants or parking.
Satellite view
Google Maps Navigation uses the same satellite imagery as Google Maps on the desktop to help you get to your destination. Turn on the satellite layer for a high-resolution, 3D view of your upcoming route. Besides looking cool, satellite view can help you make sense of complicated maneuvers.
Street View
If you want to know what your next turn looks like, double-tap the map to zoom into Street View, which shows the turn as you’ll see it, with your route overlaid. And since locating an address can sometimes be tricky, we’ll show you a picture of your destination as you approach the end of your route, so you’ll know exactly what to look for.

[…]

The first phone to have Google Maps Navigation and Android 2.0 is the Droid from Verizon. Google Maps Navigation is initially available in the United States. And like other Google Maps features, Navigation is free.
Visit google.com/navigation to learn more and browse a gallery of product screenshots. Take Google Maps Navigation for a spin, and bring Internet-connected GPS navigation with you in your car.

To recap:

• The most recent map and business data
• Search in plain English
• Search by voice
• Traffic view
• Search along route
• Satellite view
• Street view

… not too bad for a free app!

If you are hurrying up to a Verizon local store, calm down, and give a look at the video below instead. Then, after a good cup of the beverage you like, you are allowed to evaluate your next smartphone purchase.

Via: Official Google Blog

First is the worst, second is the best, …you know how that school yard rhyme goes. And there certainly is some truth to it. It’s not always good to be first – as Navigon clearly demonstrates to TomTom with its own GPS iPhone app. Full featured with text-to-speech and now with live traffic, it’s sure to give TomTom a run for it’s money as MobileNavigator users who purchase the app for $89.99 can now pay a paltry $24.99 for lifetime traffic. But wait…there’s more! Get it within the first month that it goes on sale and you’ll get an extra $5 off. I’ve tasted what Navigon can make – and I’m pretty excited even though I don’t have an iPhone. If Navigon’s program is as good as the actual 2200T that I had my hands on then it would be well worth it. My favorite part about Navigon’s GPS systems is pictured below – the which lanes are safe to take to get out on your exit. Well, the iPhone sure is becoming a portable computer of a platform which makes it even more valuable as a multi purpose tool.

Technorati Tags: GPS devices, IPhone, Navigon, App, Tjchan, Just Another Mobile Monday, JAMM

For several years now, GPS devices and GPS enabled phones have been a part of our lives.  It all started out with having a GPS navigation device in our automobiles to help us get from here to there.  Now, we have smartphones and dumbphones that incorporate this technology in the palm of our hands.  We use it to navigate around, sure; but we also use it for other things as well.  We use it for tagging our photographs, our tweets, and other things.  Take a look at the iTunes App Store at how many apps rely on pinpointing your location with the GPS.  It truly has become a technology that has far exceeded its original purpose.

Now, the company that makes the chips for GPS devices, SiRF Technology has came out with a brand new chip: the SiRFstar IV, which touts many improvements that could help all of us that utilize this fantastic technology.  According to the manufacturer, this new chip consumes 20 times less power than its previous model.  The updated chip will also take less time to get a lock on its position, due to a lower power state.  The new chip is also cheaper than its predecessor, which makes it very attractive.

All of these new features make it seem like this new chip is a perfect fit for a smartphone, which is exactly what SiRF Technology wants.    Recently, phone manufacturers have moved away from a dedicated GPS chip to an AGPS setup, which relies on cell tower triangulation to fix your position.  This new chip appears to be a response to this trend, and an attempt by SiRF Technology to reintigrate true GPS into smartphones.

I believe that SiRF Technology’s new chip is a step in the right direction.  Assisted GPS is okay; but if a dedicated chip with these specs was placed in a smartphone, it would offer a quite an improvement.   This new chip would signfiicantly cut those times down, if not out.  That would be so nice!   The right direction is faster locking, less battery, and dedicated chip.  Hopefully we will start seeing this one make its way into some of the upcoming smart phones soon.  What do you think?