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iPhone OS 3.0 and turn-by-turn navigation

Apple unveiled the iPhone 3.0 operating system yesterday and there were a couple of interesting mapping and navigation announcements as part of the show.

Turn-by-turn navigation

First of all, they opened the door to turn-by-turn navigation apps, as long as the developer uses their own maps. Expect to see application announcements soon from TomTom / Tele Atlas and also from TeleNav.

Garmin will be faced with an interesting dilemma. Do they develop an iPhone app, which would be quite the revenue generator if it became the top navigation app (not a high bar for Garmin). Or would that just encourage Garmin-lovers to skip the nuvifone and get an iPhone instead?

MSN Direct improvements for 2009

MSN Direct has announced some nice improvements for 2009, including Doppler radar, flight status information and faster downloads. All services are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2009.

Garmin switches from annual to lifetime traffic renewal

Garmin's FM TMC traffic service (Clear Channel) has changed from an annual $60 fee to a $60 lifetime fee. This applies to older units only, not the 2x5T and 7x5T units with ad-supported NAVTEQ traffic.

TeleNav Shotgun connected GPS

Despite the demise of Dash and the suspension of Magellan's connected GPS, another entry into the market appeared this weekend -- the TeleNav Shotgun. Known more for their cell phone navigation product, TeleNav has jumped fully into the PND market with a product that costs $299 and comes with a three month trial subscription. After that, connection fees run from $11.99 a month to $239 for two years.

Garmin nuvifone strategy vindicated?

Following yesterday's announcements by Dash and Magellan that seemed to herald the demise of the connected PND, Garmin's nuvifone strategy is looking downright prescient.The truth is, most of us don't want another monthly bill. Garmin's decision to place its bet on connected navigation succeeding only when it's bundled with your cell phone plan seems pretty good today.

Magellan suspends development of 5340 connected GPS

According to TWICE, Magellan has suspended development of the connected Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS:

The device had been slated for March shipment. “Although Magellan believes there is great promise in connected navigation, in the near term, consumers have shown an unwillingness to pay a steep price for PNDs, especially with the recent economic downturns,” the company said. “We have suspended our development on this device and will re-examine the market potential when the climate changes.”

Dash gives up on hardware to become application service provider

Dash Navigation has pulled the plug on the Dash Express, ceding the hardware market to others. Instead, they will focus on licensing all that real time traffic data and the great deal of knowledge they've gained developing their network.

While this is bound to sting for existing Dash Express owners (and how much continued support Dash will offer is unknown at this time), the move definitely makes business sense. Who knows, maybe Dash will end up supplying the 3G iPhone's navigation app.

GPS traffic coverage maps

With NAVTEQ traffic coming to the Garmin nuvi 2x5T and 7x5 series, it's a good time to look at the coverage of the five major traffic providers in the U.S. Live traffic information is far from perfect, though it can save your bacon occasionally. But first you have to be in an area with reception. So let's look at their coverage maps, and then I'll turn it over to you, our readers, to hear about how accurate these maps are (or not!).

Voice commands for Dash via cell phone

The Dash Express is getting a couple of voice applications this morning -- free services provided by Tellme and Dial Directions. The only configuration required with either is to register your mobile phone numbers with Dash Navigation at my.dash.net.