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NDrive South Africa iPhone app

November 12, 2009 12:00 by Marc in iPhone, iPhone GPS App

A couple of days ago, I did a couple of gps reviews and ratings for the iPhone, that are available for South African iPhone users. Out of the 3, NDrive seemed to be the most user-friendly and had the most up to date maps.  I got in touch with the guys from NDrive, and agreed to do a review for them on the app.

The NDrive app is fairly simple to use. The use of the app is super easy to use, and the layout of the buttons are quite big, which makes it a whole lot easier when trying to drive at a 160km/h 60km/h. The GPS locations seems to happen relatively fast, given that you need to have an accurate reading for the map to work. There are quite a few customisable settings which allow you to make the app easier to use. One of the cool things for South African’s is there are 2 alternative languages, Afrikaans & Zulu, which should help appeal to a greater audience.

The app has “Saftey Camera”  alerts built into the app, so when you are going a 160km/h 121km/h, a friendly little warning will alert you to slow down. You can also have a choice between a 3D display and a 2D display, which should put things into a clearer perspective. One of the things I have noticed between this and the TomTom app, is that NDrive shows you the roads around you, whereas TomTom only shows you the road you are travelling on.

The maps in the app are fully up to date, and I have yet to have any issues of finding a road which isn’t on the map. I also took quite a drive this past weekend and NDrive was fantastic on the long trip.

There is 1 issue in this app which does bug me though, which doesn’t break the deal, but I think, would make it that much better. The keyboard in the app, is a custom keyboard and not the standard qwerty iPhone keyboard. This makes it a mission to type when driving, as we not used to the keyboard. I think if this had to change, it would make a lot more people smile :) Other than that, I can’t see anything else that needs to change dramatically. I know that the guys at NDrive are working on the app all the time to improve it, and that the maps are being updated as we speak.

Now,  for the cool part. The guys at NDrive have offered to give away 2 copies of NDrive to readers of this blog. The app is valued at $69 which is a fair amount to be giving away, so I need to make it a bit of a challenge to give away.

Below are 4 images from around South Africa taken off Google Maps Satellite images. I need you to identify the 4 places, from around South Africa, and you will be entered into a draw for a copy of NDrive. The places in the images are quite tricky to find, so you may need to put the thinking cap on.   There is a little clue below each pic to get you going :)

The rules for the competition are as follows:

  • To enter the competition, you need to submit your answers using the contact page
  • You need to leave a comment below on this post to say you have entered.
  • Competition will close on Friday 20th November at 12pm, and winners will be announced shortly thereafter
  • Follow me on Twitter for a few clues throughout the week
  • The winner will be chosen using Random.org, should there be more than 2 correct answers
  • You NEED to have a US iTunes account in order to redeem the promo code should you win

One of South Africa's top Tourist destinations

1. One of South Africa's TOP tourist destinations – click image for bigger view

Bordering GP & FS

2. Bordering GP & FS- click image for bigger view

Splash with Gambit

3. Splash with Gambit – click image for bigger view

Longest runway in Africa

Longest runway in Africa- click image for bigger view


About the Author

Written by Marc

iPhone Guru//Gadget freak//Triple dad//Top KZN Blogger//TweetAddic//Macboy//Sports fundi//Beer drinker//A little bit of everything for everyone :)


49 Responses to NDrive South Africa iPhone app

  1. Peter Lindstrom November 12, 2009 at 13:06

    I entered the competition.

  2. Dave Gale November 12, 2009 at 13:15

    I entered the competition.

  3. Steph November 12, 2009 at 13:26

    I entered the competition

  4. Stephen Ballot November 12, 2009 at 13:56

    I entered the competition

  5. Peter Matthaei November 12, 2009 at 14:20

    I entered the competition.

  6. talhah November 12, 2009 at 14:37

    I entered the competition.

  8. Andrew Au November 12, 2009 at 17:51

    Entered the competition!

  9. MikeCTZA November 12, 2009 at 18:31

    Those weren’t too hard. Entered. Thanks for the chance.

  10. Andries November 13, 2009 at 11:48

    My entry is in

  11. Rapidblue November 13, 2009 at 14:10

    Just entered the competition :-) Thanx man!!

  12. Ashley November 13, 2009 at 15:04

    Entered the competition
    :)

  13. Rapidblue November 13, 2009 at 15:10

    @Ashley – not very clever – posting the answers for everyone who hasn’t entered yet hey. Think you should read the instructions carefully again ;-)
    @Marc – can you delete that comment?

  14. ahmed November 13, 2009 at 15:19

    Entered the competition

  15. yumna November 13, 2009 at 15:23

    i have entered

  16. NeilH November 13, 2009 at 15:28

    I’ve entered

  17. Timothy November 15, 2009 at 10:13

    Entered the competition

  20. Marc November 20, 2009 at 12:36

    Thank you to EVERYONE for entering. Very bleak that I only have 2 copies to give away. NDrive is an awesome app, wish everyone could use it :)
    The winners have been drawn using Random.org. There were 18 entries, and the 2 winners are:

    Steph & Timothy :) Congrats.
    I hhave taken a screenshot of the draw to show the winners :)

  21. MikeCTZA November 20, 2009 at 12:43

    Congrats to the winners !!!

  22. talhah November 20, 2009 at 14:20

    Congrats Guys!!! Wish it were me tho hehehe…Enjoy!

  23. Steph November 21, 2009 at 10:28

    Love it! so much better than the other options available
    As for the keyboard I agree with Marc. You have in the setting the option to switch to QWERTY but the “OEM” keyboard is missing a bit.
    Altogether – faster, better, and more complete …..

  24. Ilan December 10, 2009 at 11:02

    Hi – Thanks for the review. Do you know if the voice over will work through my car speakers through the blue tooth system?

  25. Steph December 10, 2009 at 11:24

    @ Ilan – Voice guidance will go thru normal headset-out or 30 pins connector to you car audio (BMW, AUDI, and other ipod compatible car as well most of the Dension ice link after market) For Bluetooth it depends what services your car kit supports but to my knowledge no car kit support HSP (headset profile)
    Since OS3.0 Apple has un-crippled A2DP bluetooth service – so in theory it should work if car kit has the service

  26. Steph December 10, 2009 at 11:32

    To add to my last post – any FM transmitters (iPhone compatible) will do the trick as well

  27. Ilan December 10, 2009 at 12:54

    Great thanks Steph – much appreciated!

  28. Lolee ofa December 21, 2009 at 20:09

    Thank u, for ur review, I subsequently bought the ndrive for iPhone …big mistake!.I used the app for 3 wks,after first automatic update the map suddenly expired……3wks use only. No local support,only Austrian website/phone, even then they do not respond to my call/email. IT IS FRAUD. Ndrive indeed, more like no drive.lolee

  29. Lolee ofa December 21, 2009 at 20:11

    I bought the NDrive southAfrica

  30. Marc December 21, 2009 at 20:26

    Hey Lolee. The app should still work. I am in contact with the guys from ndrive and I will let them know asap. Sure it will get sorted :)

  31. Steph December 21, 2009 at 23:02

    @Lolee – they are aware of the problem and fixing it the new version has been submitted for approval by Apple

    They have posted a warning & a workaround in the meantime on iTunes store

  32. Ilan December 22, 2009 at 12:54

    I bought the Ndrive yesterday to receive an error stating that all my maps have expired. Do you have any advice? Please help!

  33. Steph December 22, 2009 at 15:36

    @Ilan please see my previous post

  34. Ilan December 22, 2009 at 16:59

    Thanks! Ndrive should be paying you as you seem to be the only real local support.

  35. Steph December 22, 2009 at 17:06

    @Ilan :) Marc is actually in contact with them I understand. I have used the 3 Nav apps available to ZA and this one is definitely far ahead of the others.

  36. Marc December 22, 2009 at 17:42

    Just got a response back from the guys at NDrive:

    We are well aware of this problem. A very silly bug indeed.
    We have already published an update that will fix the problem, but it will take some time for Apple to approve it and put it on the store.

    In the meantime users can get around the expired maps issue by setting their system clock to some day before December 15th (the expiry date of the maps). It certainly isnt an ideal work around but its all we can do for now.

    Hope this helps for now. We should hopefully see an update in the next couple of days :)

  37. Marc December 23, 2009 at 17:21

    Hey guys. Just got a mail from the guys at Ndrive. Update to resolve the maps issue has just been approved.

    Heya Marc,

    Wanted to let you know that the new version for NDrive SA was approved just now.  It should be available to update within a few hours.

  38. Steph December 23, 2009 at 17:26

    Thanks Marc,
    Beside the fact that I am happy that the bug has been squashed, I am quite impressed with Apple approval speed.

  39. James December 25, 2009 at 19:15

    Ndrive is rubbish. They have not fixed the problem and the maps have expired. What a rip off.

  40. Steph December 25, 2009 at 19:21

    @James -sorry to contradict but it has been fixed. Latest version is 9.3.06 available for download

  41. James December 25, 2009 at 19:32

    The most up to date version on iTunes is 9.3.05

  42. Steph December 25, 2009 at 19:36

    @James here’s a screenshot http://emberapp.com/divemasterza/images/itunes
    That’s US store might need another day or so for it to be available in most stores

  43. James December 25, 2009 at 19:40

    I see the new version in the South African store but its not offered as an update

  44. Steph December 25, 2009 at 19:47

    I suppose on your iphone appstore the update does not show sometimes it tend to be a bit lethargic. Just cut corners download again from itunes if it is the 9.3.06 you won’t be charged for it, is a free update! (that’s if you bought from the SA store, if you bought from another store you’ll need to login to that store to get the free update) then just sync

  45. James December 25, 2009 at 19:52

    How do you do that? The only option is to click on the BUY button again.

  46. Steph December 25, 2009 at 19:58

    It might sound scary but that’s the button you will have first that

    http://emberapp.com/divemasterza/images/itunes-1

    click on buy then you’ll have that

    http://emberapp.com/divemasterza/images/itunes-2

    Again only from the store you have purchased the app

  47. Steph December 25, 2009 at 20:10

    The Buy Button is fine as long as you are in the shop were you have purchased the app you won’t be charged.
    You will have that before even entering your password for purchase
    http://bit.ly/5jMfHW

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