iPhone 3G and 3GS turn-by- turn GPS apps come in two basic flavors. Subscription apps that you pay monthly for that the maps are downloaded as needed over the cellular network or pay once apps that load all the maps and info directly onto your device.

The subscription apps usually run about $10 a month and can suffer in performance if you are in a bad cellular data area. The pay once apps, since they download all the needed maps only need GPS signal and usually perform better. The downside is a large download to your iPhone weighing in at over 1GB in most cases. Updates on the iPhone usually means downloading the entire app again.

You would think the map data would be more up to date on the subscription apps, but in practice they are usually not. So it comes down to how you want to pay for the app – every month or once. Personally, I have tried both and prefer to own the app instead of subscribe. Luckily for iPhone 3G and 3GS owners there is plenty of choice.

I am a bit of a GPS junkie and have tried most all of the turn-by- turn GPS navigation apps on my iPhone 3G and 3GS. Plus I own Garmin nuvi and my Toyota has a built-in factory GPS. I have no excuse for getting lost, but it still happens once in awhile.

Here is my mini-review for all the major turn-by-turn GPS navigation apps available on the iPhone.

Pay Once Apps

CoPilot Live North America

CoPilot Live North America, $34.99 – Recently released. Complete street maps of USA and Canada. It’s your personal traveling assistant that’s always at your side, ready to guide you with voice directions and keep you better informed with useful live information about your route.

KEY FEATURES (according to developer):

• Turn-by-turn voice directions
• Detailed street maps of USA and Canada (stored on your iPhone)
• Clear 3D and 2D driving views with speed-variable zoom and street names
• Navigate to a zip code, house number, street, intersection or address book contact
• Portrait/landscape display auto-switching
• MyPlaces provides instant access to your most common destinations
• Comprehensive pre-trip planning and preview
• Route optimizer for multi stop trips
• Continued guidance in tunnels and underpasses
• Automatic day/night mode
• Navigate to thousands of Points of Interest
• LiveLink™ location sharing and messaging: keep track of your CoPilot friends, live on-screen!
• Live weather info for your location/destination
• RV mode provides guidance for larger vehicles
• Huge range of customization options
• Easy to use fluid menus, pinch zoom and shortcut buttons

They also offer a United Kingdom version for $42.99.

MY TAKE:
CoPilot is a nice start, but it breaks so many iPhone UI standards. The input and keyboard it uses is not the standard iPhone keyboard and is NOT even a QWERTY keyboard. Input stinks. Especially if you are used to the standard iPhone UI. You can get use you contacts on the iPhone, but the way it does it very unlike the iPhone.

They were is such a hurry to get this to the iPhone it shows in many ways. Example in the POI section (called Quick Stop) they have the Hotels and Restaurants buttons swapped! When pressing Hotels you get Restaurants and vice-versa. The EULA you are forced to accept to use the app, claims that you ONLY have the right to install this on one device! Apps in the App Store can usually be loaded on as many devices you own (iPhones and iPod touch) as long as it is YOUR account. The Quick Stop calls Gas Stations, Petrol Stations so it is all very British to be in the US App Store. You can not dial any of the phone numbers for any of the POIs the app displays. Lacks any real iPod integration.

Although the $34.99 price is a bargain as compared to some of the others. There is no “price” on Live Traffic and other services that are claimed to be coming. I suspect that these will be have monthly charges if you want them, as there is a place to even put in a license or serial number!

Not all is bad however, the maps are quite nice and the navigation seems good. The maps and graphics are better than most of the other iPhone GPS apps I have tried. The GPS seems to lock up pretty fast. I have not used it enough to judge accuracy. It is NOT AT ALL as polished as Navigon MobileNavigator app, but I guess you get what you pay for as it is half the price. Overall it is a very decent app, just needs updates. Some are promised already. The company offers several other GPS mapping products for laptops and other mobile phones.

G-Map U.S. East

G-Map U.S. East, $34.99 – First on-board GPS navigation solution to be made available for iPhone. Dynamic POI search and text directions capabilities allow users to find destinations and start their journeys, while a self-tracking feature monitors progression along the specified route. Further enhancing the application are a personal notes ability that allows user to change the information of the location searched, as well as 3-D imaging for interchanges in 28 metro areas in the U.S. including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Diego, Dallas, San Jose, Detroit, Indianapolis, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, Las Vegas, Portland, Tucson, Long Beach, Mesa, Miami, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, Chandler, Orlando, Worcester, Providence, Seattle and Tampa. Check area covered. Includes voice-prompted real time turn-by-turn route guidance.

KEY FEATURES (according to developer):

• New: Real-time guidance to the destination with turn-by-turn on the map screen and voice guidance
• On-board GPS navigation solution that needs no internet or Wi-Fi connection
• Large-capacity map data enable easy search of desired location and route
• Real 3D View of intricate major urban intersections and highway junctions 185 metro areas
• Smart location search similar to internet search, using keyword search
• Automatic current location update through GPS tracking
• Full PND features with POIs, cool graphics and UI
• Location search can be made by Favorites, Address, Phone Number, POI, and Coordinate.
• POI editing and memo capability for personalized POI
• Phone number dial by POI (for iPhone)
• Flexible trip planning by adding as many waypoints as possible when creating route
• Detailed information appear when touching any point of the map screen
• 3-Way Map view mode setting (North-up/Heading-up/3D view)
• Map data from Navteq

They also offer G-Map U.S. West, $34.99 and several other regional apps.

MY TAKE:
I bought this app when it first arrived paying $19.99 and got some good use from it. The app was the first to add any sort of turn-by-turn GPS functions, but now lags behind some of the competing apps. G-Maps lacks a landscape mode and does not allow you to use addresses in your Contacts. Since XROAD splits the country into two different apps you would need two G-Maps apps just to cover the entire US. If you happen to live in a state near where the split occurs this can be not only expensive, but a pain switching back and forth between apps. With the recent added competition and higher pricing, I really would no longer recommend this app. G-Map needs a seriously update to stay in line with the other offerings.

UPDATE: The developer has informed me that the next G-Map version is due in mid September, including full map coverage for North America, voice TTS and traffic info. They have posted a press release. I will look forward to reviewing the new version.

iGO My Way 2009 – North America Edition

iGO My Way 2009 – North America Edition, $79.99 – Beautifully rendered maps provide instant orientation. Complex junctions are displayed in 3D to provide rapid understanding of your next maneuver while true to life 3D models of famous landmarks and display of the terrain around you – such as valleys, hills and mountains – combine to provide superior door to door, turn by turn navigation.

iGO My way guides you to any address in the USA and Canada with the help of outstanding 3D graphics, clear visual cues and precise voice instructions.

KEY FEATURES (according to developer):

• Free map updates
• No Gaps In Coverage – maps stored on iPhone
• Voice Guidance in Various Languages
• Better Data, Better Navigation – uses Navteq maps

They also offer version for Europe $119.99 and Western Europe $89.99.

MY TAKE:
Cannot use iPhone contacts for addresses. Developer has announced this will come in an update as well as some iPod integration and QWERTY keyboard. Also claimed to be in the “pipeline” is TTS (street names announced), Reduced battery consumption, Startup time optimization, Traffic, Speed camera support and Usage of light sensor. Graphics and maps look pretty good. For a first release on the iPhone seems to be a nice start.

Navigon MobileNavigator North America

Navigon MobileNavigator North America, $69.99 (sale) – Includes the latest map material from the market leader NAVTEQ and can be used without an Internet connection, which is of enormous benefit abroad, for example, as no extra charges are incurred. Thanks to a faithful adaptation of the menu functions, the NAVIGON MobileNavigator fits in seamlessly with the operating concept of the iPhone. MAPS: USA (incl. Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands), Canada.

KEY FEATURES (according to developer):

• Simple, intuitive user interface
• Can be used in portrait and landscape format
• Precise voice announcements
• Intelligent address entry
• Reality View Pro (realistic display of motorway interchanges and exits)
• Lane Assistant Pro
• Real signpost display
• Speed Assistant with adjustable audio-visual warning
• Day and night mode for map display
• Direct access and navigation to contacts saved in the iPhone’s address book
• The latest NAVTEQ map material
• Navigation is automatically resumed after an incoming phone call
• 2D and 3D map displays (bird’s-eye view)
• Quick access to user-defined POIs in the area and along the route
• Take Me Home function with a single click
• Automatic language selection to match the iPhone’s user language
• NAVIGON’s route planning function known from the companies PND line that enables users to plan a route with several destinations
• Call POI function (call the number of a point of interest or save it to your contacts)
• POI Filter (allows you to manage the POIs shown on the map)
• Optimized volume control when using the NAVIGON navigation and the integrated iPod function of the iPhone at the same time

They also offer versions for Europe, $99.99 and Australia, $54.99.

MY TAKE:
I think this is the probably the best GPS turn-by-turn app on the iPhone so far. The recent update fixed several issues improving an already great start. As compared to CoPilot Live and Sygic, the Navigon MobileNavigator follows and fits well into the iPhone UI perfectly. Most everything works exactly as you might expect. The POIs are not perfect, but far better than some of the others. This app has basically replaced my Garmin nuvi, which I almost never carry anymore.

Sygic Mobile Maps America

Sygic Mobile Maps America, $79.99 now $39.99 (sale) – Includes the latest maps from Tele Atlas, the leading map provider. There are no monthly fees or hidden charges. The license has unlimited validity, it will never expire. The application adapts to landscape or portrait view in real time. Colors change when it gets dark. MAPS: US, Canada, Mexico.

KEY FEATURES (according to developer):

• NOW with text-to-speech – voice guidance announcing the name of the next street or road
• Choose addresses straight from your iPhone contacts and navigate to
• Easy scrolling leverageing the unique iPhone interface
• Improved GPS lock, now faster than ever
• Smoother position display as you follow your route
• No disclaimer warning message after completion of phone call
• Click on the point of interest and call directly from the application
• Navigation resumes automatically after incoming call
• Save it to your custom points of interest and navigate to it easily
• Define what you want to see on the main information bar
• Choose your destination address easily from history or search
  quickly, even with typos

They also offer many other versions versions for US ONLY $39.99, SE Asia $69.99, Australia & New Zealand $64.99, Europe $94.99, Brazil $99.99, Russia $99.99 and UK and Ireland $49.99.

MY TAKE:
Sygic has an amazing amount of version for countries all over the world. The UI is quite different than most iPhone apps and takes a bit of getting used to. Sygic, like CoPilot Live does not use the Apple keyboard using its own QWERTY keyboard that is quite inferior. A big limitation for an app that costs so much is that you can use addresses in your iPhone Contacts. Other UI mistakes is that when you back out of the POI screen it takes back to the map instead of the previous POI screen. Standard iPhone gestures do not work. Searching POIs does not seem to work. Maps seem to be dated.

TomTom US & Canada

TomTom US & Canada, $99.99 – puts award-winning technology at your fingertips, like IQ Routes™ which gives you the smartest, most efficient route any time of day.

KEY FEATURES (according to developer):

• Landscape and portrait modes & pinch to zoom take full advantage of the iPhone interface.
• Tap and go – Using iPhone’s innovative technology, the TomTom app lets you tap your way from A to B – putting you in touch with all the best routes. Scroll through the menu, or pinch to zoom in and out on a map using the iPhone’s multi-touch display.
• Go your own way – Why follow the rest? See your route, your way. Simply rotate from portrait to landscape to get an easier view of the road ahead.
• Meet up with friends – Find an entry in your iPhone contacts list, and the TomTom app will find the way there. It’s that simple.
• Find a place to eat – Thinking of stopping for lunch on the way? Choose a restaurant, call to reserve your table, then find your way there – the TomTom app does it all.
• The smartest routes – Is the shortest route really the fastest? TomTom IQ Routes™ will always calculate the smartest, most efficient route – saving you time, fuel and money. Only IQ Routes™ uses the driving experiences of millions of drivers to work out your route based on actual road speed data.
• The world at your fingertips – Always be prepared for what’s around the corner. The TomTom app comes with an up-to-date, detailed map – and you can add worldwide locations to suit you.

You can also make the most of your navigation experience with the TomTom car kit for iPhone. Check it out on iphone.tomtom.com

TomTom Western Europe, TomTom New Zealand and TomTom Australia are also available.

MY TAKE:
TomTom has delivered a solid performing solution to the iPhone. The maps are a bit plain, but the navigation and GPS lockup operate well. First of all TomTom did not make the same mistake as many of the other first generation GPS apps for the iPhone, it allows you to use your Contacts on the iPhone to add addresses to navigate to. Also it allows you to dial the many POIs listed in the applications. Navigation works OK with your iPod, pausing your tunes for the directions. There needs to be a separate volume control as the directions tended to be much louder than your iPod. Plenty of POIs and most seemed more up to date than some of the other applications in this list.

GPS lock up was fast and redirection was excellent. The UI is pretty decent, but does not follow the iPhone UI and operation as closely as Navigon MobileNavigator does. Overall, a solid first release, but pricer than the rest right now.

xGPS

xGPS (Cydia), free – must have a jailbroken iPhone. Many powerful features including: turn-by-turn directions, vocal instructions, offline maps support and more. A utility called xGPS Manager can be used to download maps on to your computer, and upload them wirelessly to your iPod Touch or iPhone. xGPS currently uses Google Maps for maps and the routing data, meaning xGPS will work wherever there is Google Maps support.

KEY FEATURES (according to developer):

• Offline maps support (no need to have an Internet connection to display maps)
• Multiple maps type (normal maps and terrain maps)
• Online routing functionality using Google Maps
• Turn-by-turn directions following your GPS position
• Voice instructions (only in English, using a synthesized voice)
• GPX Logging support
• Wireless managing mode using xGPS Manager
• Night mode (for better night time visibility)
• Support for multiple GPS devices (xGPS Module, iPhone 3G internal GPS, iGPSD cable for Holux GPS, iGPS360, G-Fi GPS)

MY TAKE:
This app is available for iPhone users that have jailbroken. For a while it was one of the few turn-by-turn apps for the iPhone until Apple opened the App Store up for better navigation. This app has a very robotic voice. Uses maps loaded over the cellular network, but does offer a way to download the local maps directly to your iPhone. Not the best as compared to the others. Since it is free and not available to all iPhones, it is not a fair comparison.

Subscription Apps

AT&T Navigator

AT&T Navigator (powered by Telnav) – download the app for free and subscribe. You will be charged $9.99 per moth charged to your AT&T bill. Cancel at any time. Existing AT&T Navigator customers can use it on iPhone simply by downloading the application.

KEY FEATURES (according to developer):

• Voice-guided and 3D onscreen GPS navigation keeps your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road
• Automatic rerouting will get you there even if you miss a turn
• Automatic map updates – no costly map upgrades to purchase like with in-car navigation systems
• Real-time traffic updates and one click rerouting saves you time on your daily commute
• Searching for gas by price saves you money at the pump
• Enter an address from your iPhone or from the convenience of your computer before leaving home.
• Search AT&T Navigator for the closest coffee house, ATM or Wi-Fi hotspot along with ratings from a listing of over 10 million business listings.

MY TAKE:
As with all most of the subscription apps, it drains your battery faster as it needs to constantly download the maps from the cellular network. Also paying $10 a month did not feel worth it. I would rather pay once. You can not use the addresses in your iPhone Contacts. No iPod integration. Announces street names, but the audio is pretty poor. Does not have Lane assist. No landscape mode. While in an EDGE or bad cellular data area, maps are slow or gone leaving you stuck. My opinion is most any of the pay once apps are better than this or just stay with the built-in Google Map app on the iPhone.

Gokivo + Yahoo Local Search

Gokivo + Yahoo Local Search, $0.99 one time fee allows you to only use Yahoo Local Search. or an additional $9.99/month “in-application” purchase, Gokivo frees you from paper maps and printed directions by allowing you to easily find your way with real-time turn-by-turn visual and voice-prompted GPS navigation when driving.

Easily purchase the real-time turn-by-turn one-month navigation option from within the application and use it right away.

KEY FEATURES (according to developer):

• Better than your traditional PNDs with real-time connected content, including live traffic and real-time points of interest provided by Yahoo! Local
• Maps are updated in real-time with over 6 million miles of road changes to the US Maps every quarter
• Real-time Traffic alerts warn you about delays along your route, allowing you to easily detour around traffic as needed including the ability to simply shake to detour
• Traffic Data includes more than one million miles of roads in the United States
• View estimated time of arrival and distance to destination right on the map
• Enjoy your music while navigating! Before directions are announced, the music volume automatically lowers for upcoming voice notifications
• Easily navigate to anyone in your Contacts address book

MY TAKE:
Like AT&T Navigator this app will run your battery down fast if not on a power adaptor as maps need to be downloaded over cell network. A bit better than AT&T Navigator as it has iPod integration and allows you to use contacts stored on your iPhone. As with most GPS apps the live traffic is not useful in all cities.

UPDATE: Gokivo has a major upgrade coming and pricing changes. See the details on their blog.

Summary

This category of apps has sure heated up since the iPhone 3.0 update and Apple’s changed stance on turn-by-turn GPS apps. I sure love the choices. I think the iPhone probably has more choices for navigation apps than any other mobile platform.

I have to wonder where Garmin is? I know they are pushing their own NuviPhone, but we have not seen any offerings from Garmin on the iPhone. The iPhone platform is certainly competing with Garmin’s offerings and I have to wonder if they are making a similar mistake that TiVO made years ago – they think they are a hardware maker, when they are really a software maker! I love my Garmin nuvi, but hardly use it anymore as my iPhone is always in my pocket.

Choice and competition is a great thing. We should see all these apps improve fast and drop in price due to all these choices.

Right now if I had to pick just one app for the iPhone I would choose Navigon MobileNavigator North America. TomTom is a very close second and my only reason for this is price. This is a fast changing target, so ask me in a month and I may have a different choice.

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