Engadget does Smartphone GPS shootout: Google, Ovi, and Verizon go head-to-head

[Gunner]

From Engadget:

It wasn't long ago that getting somewhere required a map on paper. You know, something you bought or that came groaning out of your tired old printer. GPS navigation units made those maps obsolete, but now they too are under threat. With smartphones invading pockets everywhere it's no surprise that their next assault would be on the dashboard, early volleys shaking up financial markets worldwide. That was just the beginning of a shock and awe campaign that will leave no automotive interior untouched -- and hopefully no driver unsure how many miles until the next Dunkin' Donuts. Google Navigation was the first to really shake things up, while Nokia's Ovi Maps is a more recent addition to the battlefield and the latest VZ Navigator, 5.0, lets Windows Mobile and BlackBerry users join the fray. We've taken this sampling of the best built-in smartphone navigation options (the set of paid add-on options for iPhone is a beast we'll be taming later), learning which you should trust to get you to where you're going and to dodge construction and traffic on the way there. Read on for a turn-by-turn exploration of each option's highs and lows.

Smartphone GPS shootout: Google, Ovi, and Verizon go head-to-head -- Engadget

...but when we had all three phones charged and we needed one to get us where we're going, the one packing Android was what we reached for.

 

[colnago]

Ovi Maps "3.0" is only a month old?

 

[cruud]

Ovi Maps is coming to android.

 

[colnago]

Android running on Nokia n900.




Even if Ovi doesn't come to Android, I bet there are better apps for NAV, such as Sygic.

http://www.sygic.com/

 

[anjoga]

Ovi Maps is coming to android.

No, it's not. Nokia's Ovi Maps headed to Windows Mobile and Android? (update: no way) -- Engadget

 

[xjestersdeadx]

So why wasn't the iphone included here?

 

[get quad]

.

 

[istolvampire]

The public transportation part of google maps is one major reason why I really enjoy my Droid.

 

[kennyidaho]

Ovi Maps "3.0" is only a month old?

Don't know about Ovi Maps but just wanted to point out that version numbers are completely arbitrary.

 

[QrafTee]

because iPhone GPS is pay-to-play?

Isn't there a monthly fee associated with VZ Navigator?

 

[dys07]

why would you pay for sygic when u got nav for free?

 

[colnago]

why would you pay for sygic when u got nav for free?

Some people may want to use maps "without" a data connection, or NAV "outside" of North America.

 

[colnago]

Don't know about Ovi Maps but just wanted to point out that version numbers are completely arbitrary.

 

[MrClean]

Isn't there a monthly fee associated with VZ Navigator?

Motorola Droid doesn't use VZ Navigator, it uses Google Maps Nav. Not sure about other android phones but I would think it is the same situation.

 

[dmodert66]

Well, some phones are still running Android 1.5 (Eris) and can not use Google Maps Nav. They can't use VZ Nav either...

The only reason I can think of is that they where testing Verizon Nav options. I'm not sure if there are any phones on VZW that use Ovi though, so that may not be the case...