Travel Tech: The Second Coming of GPS in Smartphones
A new wave of smartphone apps is changing the way we get around.
Text by Steve Casimiro; Photograph by Joshua Scott
After a long day of shooting in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, I was heading back into Durango, starving. Where to go and how to get there? My buddy’s car didn’t have GPS, so I pulled out my iPhone and fired up Navigon’s GPS application. Within minutes, voice commands were guiding us toward Zia Taqueria, home to killer fish tacos. As we pulled into the parking lot it struck me that, without a second thought, I’d been party to a sea change in personal navigation.
Just two years ago, sales of portable auto GPS units were growing almost exponentially, but in the past six months, a boom in navigational software has stolen the show. Every major smartphone platform now has at least one GPS application, sometimes more. In its first two months alone, TomTom’s iPhone app was downloaded 80,000 times at $100 a pop. Google’s highly anticipated Navigation app, which hit the market in November, promises to reshape the category completely—it’s free. Indeed, market research firm Forrester predicts that GPS software will outpace dedicated devices within three years.
Actually, I’d be surprised if it took that long. Compared to portable GPS units, smartphones often cost less and do far more. And after testing all the major phone platforms, I’m convinced that full-featured mobile applications like those from Navigon, TeleNav, TomTom, and Magellan are equal to their stand-alone units. They have exactly the navigation functions you need—including spoken directions, traffic reports, and even simulated views of upcoming intersections—without the extraneous junk that device makers like to cram in. Why bother with anything else?
Phone: Motorola Droid
Software: Google Maps Navigation
There’s just one drawback to Google Maps Navigation: Until more Android 2.0 phones are released, you can find it only on the phone featured here. Otherwise, Google’s GPS entrée is a winner. Mapping, ease of use, and directions are on par with established apps, but the interface (voice recognition) is faster and more accurate, and the points of interest (POI) database is deeper and fresher (free; google.com).
Phone: T-Mobile Mytouch 3G
Software: TeleNav GPS Navigator
At 65 mph, an easy-to-read interface is more than a convenience—it’s a necessity. TeleNav, which also builds the software driving AT&T and Sprint navigators, has a home screen with just four options: directions, search, maps, and extras. Looking for food? It’s just one more tap of the screen (the competition requires four). Or better yet, tell the device what you want—it has speech recognition too ($10/month; telenav.com).
Phone: Apple iPhone
Software: Navigon MobileNavigator
Navigon and TomTom have been neck and neck in popularity since they put phone-optimized versions of their software on Apple’s App Store in mid-2009. Both have text-to-speech, which announces street names when telling you to turn (“Go left on Broadway”). But Navigon pulls slightly ahead thanks to live traffic reports, which combine historical data with real-time updates from drivers on the road ($115; navigon.com).
Related Topics
Go Further
Animals
- These 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animalsThese 'trash fish' are among Earth's most primitive animals
- These photos are works of art—and the artists are bugsThese photos are works of art—and the artists are bugs
- The epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfishThe epic migration of a 6-foot long, 200-pound catfish
- Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75Frans de Waal, biologist who studied animal emotion, dies at 75
Environment
- Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.Are synthetic diamonds really better for the planet? The answer isn't clear-cut.
- This year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning signThis year's cherry blossom peak bloom was a warning sign
- The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?The U.S. just announced an asbestos ban. What took so long?
- The most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater weldersThe most dangerous job? Inside the world of underwater welders
- The harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to surviveThe harrowing flight that wild whooping cranes make to survive
History & Culture
- Why Swedish children celebrate Easter by dressing up as witchesWhy Swedish children celebrate Easter by dressing up as witches
- Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’Meet the powerful yokai that inspired the demon king in ‘Demon Slayer’
- A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.A surprising must-wear for European monarchs? Weasels.
- Meet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural iconMeet the woman who made Polaroid into a cultural icon
Science
- LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?LED light treatments for skin are trendy—but do they actually work?
- NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.NASA smashed an asteroid. The debris could hit Mars.
- Humans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying themHumans really can have superpowers—scientists are studying them
- Why engineers are concerned about aging infrastructureWhy engineers are concerned about aging infrastructure
Travel
- Why you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, GreeceWhy you should try beach-hopping by boat around Paxos, Greece
- Mansion museums show visitors the gritty side of the Gilded AgeMansion museums show visitors the gritty side of the Gilded Age
- 2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip2024 will be huge for astrotourism—here’s how to plan your trip