Navigon AG has announced the availability of the fourth free update (1.4.0) for its successful iPhone navigation App, MobileNavigator. The comprehensive update focuses on streamlining and accelerating navigation on the iPhone offering key components such as the integration of online Google Local Search into the application, an industry first among on-board navigation Apps for the iPhone. The update includes many new functions such as an enhanced pedestrian navigation, an audiobook mode, directions in a turn-by-turn list format, an Emergency Help function, geographic Coordinate Input and more. In order to introduce this major update to the market, Navigon reduces the price of the App from $89.99 to $59.99 until January 11, 2010.
The latest version makes use of the iPhone connectivity capabilities, enhancing the navigation experience with Internet connected services such as recently launched Traffic Live, and now the integration of Google Local Search. Users have instant access to the most up to date point of interest (POI) search results. Simply entering “steak”, for example, provides a comprehensive list of steak restaurants nearby. It is also possible to search for places in a certain area by just adding, for example, the name of the city to the search.
“This comprehensive update once again provides many sought-after features to our customers,” said Gerhard Mayr, NAVIGON vice-president worldwide mobile phones & new markets. “It shows that we are committed to providing our customers the best navigation experience available for the iPhone.” According to the latest market data from Canalys, NAVIGON is the industry leader of on-board/perpetual navigation solutions for mobile phones in the U.S. with a market share of 23 percent.
Version 1.4.0 further extends the efficiency and precision of the iPhone’s built in capabilities with additional enhancements such as a versatile pedestrian mode transforming the iPhone into a device not only excellent for navigating by car, but also on foot. Pedestrian mode is equipped with the iPhone compass, with in the application and an option for a 3D map with automatic orientation in the direction the walker is headed (3G S only), so users can at a glance know which direction they are moving. Rounding out pedestrian mode includes instant re-route and aerial direction display is only a tap away.
Features and Enhancements of Version 1.4.0:
- Google Local Search
- Enhanced pedestrian mode
- Turn-by-Turn Route List Provides a detailed list of directions, which update automatically during navigation; eliminating each maneuvers in real-time.
- Audiobook Mode Drivers can now enjoy even more of their iPod while in-route music and audiobooks without missing MobileNavigator’s clear text-to-speech navigation announcements. In music mode the volume is automatically reduced during the voice announcement. Now while listening to audiobooks and navigation, playback is automatically paused and rewound for one second while directions are given, and resumes playing when the directions stop.
- Coordinate Input Employ longitude and latitude coordinates as a destination as an alternative to traditional input like an address or POI by name. Email geographical coordinates for precise location identification.
- Emergency Help Tapping one of the predefined categories such as Police, Hospital, Pharmacy or Gas Station provides detailed textual description of current position sorted by distance. Includes list with the street name, zip, city, distance to next big intersection, and geographic location. Emergency Help tells you exactly where you are, so you can tell other how to get to you.
- Favorites displayed in map Destinations marked as favorites by the user are now displayed on the map in a named flag icon.
- Swipe Screen integration for Traffic Messages Users can browse Traffic Live messages with the flick of a finger.
- Contacts as interim destinations One-tap sets contacts as an interim destination. Using contact groups in the phonebook as interim destinations is now also possible.
- GPS display enhancements If the iPhone GPS signal becomes too weak during navigation, indicated by a red bar on the top of the display, MobileNavigator now calculates the approximate position and shows the estimated position in the map (grey positioning indicator) to provide better orientation. Active route guidance remains switched off but continues normal navigation until a valid signal is available.
- 3D map zooming As they navigate, users can now zoom in on the map section both in the 2D and 3D display using the iPhone’s intuitive fingertip control.
- Country Info When the user crosses a country border, pointing out the country’s most important traffic regulations -“ such as the maximum permissible speeds or alcohol limits.
- Faster start-up
Availability
The Navigon solution is available in the Apple App Store and is equipped with maps of North America (USA, Canada, Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands) from NAVTEQ. Besides being available for the iPhone 3G and 3GS, the NAVIGON App also runs on first-generation iPhone or an iPod Touch. Additional accessories are required for GPS navigation on these devices. For more information, please visit: www.navigon.com/iphone.
