TeleNav GPS Navigator coming to T-Mobile G1 on February 24th
T-Mobile G1 owners had long wondered who would be the first to offer true navigation services for Android handsets and today we have our answer. Later this month, Android users will be able to begin testing out TeleNav GPS Navigator, the brand new navigation application that will surely be as usable and feature-rich as its BlackBerry cousin – actually, even more so. The app features 3D turn-by-turn GPS navigation with voice guidance on top of nationwide maps and a business listing directory of over 10 million POIs. It will also provide traffic alerts, gas prices, weather forecasts and even direct access to restaurant reviews. TeleNav co-founder Sal Dhanani had this to say:
TeleNav has become synonymous with mobile phone GPS navigation. It is relied upon by millions of mobile customers. It was important to us that we build a great application for Android and the G1 so that customers with this phone would have a remarkable experience. The device’s large, beautiful touch screen creates an incredible navigation experience when combined with our software.
TeleNav GPS Navigator will become available as a free 30-day trial beginning Tuesday February 24, and will run $9.99 per month for those who find it useful enough to hold on to. Unlike some bigger navigation companies building nav software for mobiles such as Garmin and Tom Tom, TeleNav still opts for the monthly subscription model as opposed to a one-time fee. The idea behind a one-time fee of course — make mobile navigation purchases akin to buying a dedicated navigation unit. Buy the hardware, get the service forever, pay a subscription if you want advanced features. Different users have different preferences of course but we wonder how TeleNav would fair with a one-time fee option as well. Which pricing model do you guys prefer?
When will companies understand that a monthly fee for GPS is ridiculous and stupid. At least Garmin offers the option (with their Garmin mobile for blackberry, they have a $10/month program and also a one-time $100 fee for lifetime service).
When will companies understand that a monthly fee for GPS is ridiculous and stupid. At least Garmin offers the option (with their Garmin mobile for blackberry, they have a $10/month program and also a one-time $100 fee for lifetime service).
Umm I use blackberry maps/ google maps. Traffic is Push dedicated on my blackberry. And its free!
I just have a Garmin Nuvi 760 in my car, for the Price of Free monthly
Have a one time fee for most of the features (turn by turn directions, POI lookup), but charge a subscription for “premium” features (traffice, gas, etc). It’s stupid to just have one subscription pricing model.
Agree with what everyone is saying here… I’ve been using Google Maps, Live, TomTom, and whatever else I choose on my WM phones (first Titan, now Touch Pro) for the past year and I pay no monthly charge. Only time I spent any money was to buy TomTom software but that was a one-time thing. I know Sprint sells a branded Telenav for a monthly fee but it’s included if you have the $69.99 unlimited plan. I don’t use it myself but there is no way I would unless it already came with my data plan. Paying a monthly fee for GPS software is just silly if you already have a GPS radio and already pay for data.
I think the one thing you guys are missing is that Telenav is offboard navigation. Meaning, not on the device. That requires a service, and hence the monthly fee. However, like everyone else, I’d prefer an onboard navigation product, but I don’t think Telenav is going to make one. I’ll have to do some digging, but I thought there was already a nav product for Android? I think it was only Europe for now, but they wanted to bring it to the US…
Any navigation software that gets its data over the air and doesn’t store maps on the phone is worthless, since the places you need it the most (in the middle of nowhere) are least likely to have data coverage, especially with T-Mobile’s awful 3G network.
There is an advantage to devices that get maps online. They are always more up to date than the ones that store data locally. I have a TomTom and my friend has a Garmin. When we can’t find something on EITHER we always turn to Google Maps or Telenav. And around here where construction happens like crazy, my TomTom is worthless in certain areas. Queen Creek is almost void on my TomTom … and forget about the new freeway system. All of which, is seen perfectly on Google maps and Telenav.
The disadvantage of online maps is when you get out of coverage area … which has happened. But directions still work because your route is cached. As long as you don’t deviate from the cached route you are fine.
One time fee is so much better.
Posted from BGR Mobile (iPhone).
G1? That sounds vaguely familiar. . .
I have a Garmin for about 3 years. Still is 99% accurate. So I don’t see why I should pay a monthly fee for the 1% update.
just use google map its uptodate and very free. pay for gps has to have rocks in there head.
Exactly! I’m running around all of europe with my US phone. I can see my gps coordinates in the phone info but I don’t any internet because I don’t have a euro SIM card with data plan. I can only see where I am when I stop near a Wi-Fi point. Stupid!! Is there anything that stores maps in the g1???
$10/month? What are they smoking?
They’re going exactly nowhere with that sort of pricing.
“Have a one time fee for most of the features (turn by turn directions, POI lookup), but charge a subscription for “premium” features (traffice, gas, etc). It’s stupid to just have one subscription pricing model.”
Adam, I couldn’t have said it better myself. There’s really no point in having only one price model.