Comments on: AT&T Navigator

By: narayan

narayan — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 20:31:36 +0000

i found this forum when i searched the web for reviews/discussions that would confirm my suspicions regarding the effect of running the navigator while charging my iphone 3g. the first time i suspected that i had a problem was when it ran out of charge within an hour of use even though it was connected to a charger (and all i was using was a pair of wired headphones to listen to the driving instructions)! if it had happened a few minutes sooner, i’d have been stranded.

i called apple about this. the guy i spoke to seemed unaware of this problem. yet, as i read this discussion, this appears to be a basic design problem.

is there a mode in which i’m guaranteed not to run out of battery while using the navigator (e.g., no bluetooth, no music)? are chargers sold by apple/at&t any better than the charger i bought at fry’s? is the GPS chip in the iphone 3gs more sparing in its battery consumption?

By: Dave Windsor

Dave Windsor — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:21:59 +0000

I got a free month of service so I figured I’d try it out. My car already has a built in NAV but I wanted to test this out because I travel and like the convenience of not bringing all my gadgets with me. I am a gadget freak and YES, I have a Tom Tom and a Garmin NUVI (all lower end models but they do the trick). I have to agree with the author on his analysis of this program. It really isn’t that bad. You also have to factor in the cost of new maps if you were to update your PND anyway. Those maps sometimes cost close to $100, though I would never buy yearly updates as that is overkill. Another plus is the live traffic updates which is some instances can cost $10 alone for other nav devices. I’m still undecided as to whether I am going to keep it but I just love the fact that I have a phone, iPod, movie viewer, web surfer, and now a navigator in one instrument that weighs less than 5 ounces.

As an aside with reference to battery life. Here is the key. Make sure you have close to a FULL charge when you begin to use the navigation application. I’ve noticed that the phone gets a little warm when running the app. Even if you’re charging the unit, it will still have a net loss of power during your journey. This is normal and you should monitor the battery during your trip. If you start with a low battery, I do not suggest you do so as it will deplete fairly quickly.

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:29:29 +0000

Lynda,

This will only work in the 3G or 3GS since the original iPhone does not have GPS built in. If the route is loaded BEFORE you leave cell service, it will route you to the destination. After a certain period of time with no coverage, the maps won’t load in real time, and you will just get large turning arrows with distance until next turn. You can’t begin a route in a no-service situation.

By: Lynda

Lynda — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:29:45 +0000

Will the navigation work in areas where there isn’t reliable cell phone service? Does it matter if you have the original iPhone?

By: Scalpel

Scalpel — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:40:44 +0000

Also; rerouting required several times U turn instead of alternative route

Better than crash with Maps but my $ 120 GPS works better

By: Scalpel

Scalpel — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 15:29:15 +0000

Terrible sound level
Wrong destination , two blocks away and in the other side of the street
Optimizing traffic? It took me 10 minutes more to reach my destination in DC through recommended route (Georgia Av) than my daughter w/o ATT nav ( Connecticut Av)
ATT cancelled two days later at no charge

By: Eric

Eric — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:03:53 +0000

Awesome! Can’t wait to try it today. I smell a GPS showdown coming soon!

By: Swain Valasek

Swain Valasek — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:33:34 +0000

G-Map US West just got updated with voice prompting so the competition can begin in full force. Great to see this feature open to all developers. Now where’s that US East update…

By: steven

steven — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:36:46 +0000

The ATT service has a 30-day free trial. It’s okay, but I hope TomTom is better!

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:57:34 +0000

That is good to hear Eric. I will probably snap the ATT one for the first month or so and then switch over later. Im hoping for a non subcription app, even if it means paying more up front for it.

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:02:42 +0000

Sean,

I wouldn’t worry about voice guided directions being locked out by Apple. The upcoming Tom Tom app will definatelty support it, and I am sure we will see quite a few apps with in the next 90 days with turn by turn voice.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 23:35:14 +0000

My concern is that ATT and Apple are going to or at least try to lock out other developers from turn by turn voice prompts. Allowing it will only hurt them.

I dont mind the $10 fee but being a 3 iPhone family I cannot see paying an additional $30 a month.