First iPhone nav app, but not from TomTom

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CNET Editor

Derek loves nothing more than punching a remote location into a GPS, queuing up some music and heading out on a long drive, so it's a good thing he's in charge of CNET Australia's Car Tech channel.

The first navigation app with turn-by-turn instructions has hit iPhone's App Store and — guess what? — it's not the TomTom app that was revealed at this year's Apple developer's conference to such fanfare.

Called Sygic Mobile Maps Australia, it's available now on the store for AU$79.99. The Aussie version features local maps from Whereis, in addition to a set of Kiwi maps, that are stored on the device. According to Sygic, Mobile Maps for the iPhone features turn-by-turn voice guidance, automatic re-routing, lane guidance and speed limit info, as well as red and speed light cameras. So, essentially, it's an iPhone-ised version of the company's Mobile Maps app that's already available on Symbian and Windows Mobile devices.

Also available is a pricier US$79.99 (AU$100) version branded as Sygic Mobile Maps South East Asia that features Tele Atlas maps for Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Two other versions are being worked on, one for Europe, including up to 44 countries, and one for the US, Canada and Mexico, although a release date for those versions has yet to be set.

We hope to have a copy of the app shortly, with a review to follow. Until then, check out the photo gallery below.



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Yomamma posted a comment   

If you think about it, it's saving a lot of
money, usually tomtom units
cost around $160au but this is much cheaper because u r only payig for the maps not the unit, also, they will probably charge a set price ($1.19) then just charge for the maps from within the app, they usually charge $80 for all of Australia map on the pc software so look for it around that price

 

Johnny44 posted a comment   

Wonder how many other spellings are mispelt on this app.

 

DoUrResearch posted a comment   

That highway exist. Not everything revolves around 'American' English.

 

Felipe posted a comment   

I'll wait till tomtom thanks...

 

Johnny44 posted a comment   

Wonder how many other spellings are mispelt on this app.

 

doucheydouchedouche posted a comment   

far out i hope the tom tom app isn't so expensive!

 

Johnny44 posted a comment   

Wonder how many other spellings are mispelt on this app.

 

cluey posted a comment   

anyone else notice the spelling on the map screen image? Not a great sign...

 

Johnny44 posted a comment   

Forgot to mention in the earlier post that xGPS works without the need for a Wi Fi or 3G network connection ie it uses GPS signals. Obviously, it doesn't provide all the bells and whistles of turn by turn voice guidance but, hey, for a mobile phone, its still pretty good. And of course, its not going to affect your data allowance (once you've downloaded the app and installed it).

 

Johnny44 posted a comment   

If you have jailbroken your iPhone, you can download from Cydia xGPS that uses the GPS built into the iPhone and it doesn't cost a cent! It works with Google Maps and it works brilliantly. I'm tempted to think that Apple didn't provide full GPS in the iPhone to prevent Garmin and Tom Tom going broke (and to keep the mobile phone carriers happy).


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