MarcForrest.com

Category: iPhone GPS App

  • XDrive & Mix Mobile

    A couple of weeks ago I got an email from the guys at Mix Telematics letting me know about a new South African iPhone app they had developed, called Mix Mobile. Essentially what the app does, is that it allows you to connect to an XDrive device in your car, and then allows you to track various aspects of the vehicle. The XDrive unit is a simple GSM/GPS device which connects to your car’s battery, and tracks the vehicle’s movements. These alerts can be sent to you via email or SMS, and the awesome thing about the product is that there is no Monthly subscription fee. Everything is based on a Pre Paid system, and you buy credits through the XDrive website.

    You can log into the XDrive website, or into the iPhone app, which allows you to see the current location of the car, you can also follow the car. You can also set up alerts through the website to detect Impact Detection, Over Speeding, Low Battery, Harsh Braking as well as specified Acceleration.

    Some of the other features of the device are:

  • Real-time Vehicle Tracking
  • Historic Trip Replay
  • Movement Reports
  • SMS & Email Event Notifications
  • Cell Phone Location Requests
  • Street / Google Satellite mapping
  • Remote Panic Button
  • Automatic Theft Detect
  • Geofencing
  • Impact detect
  • Harsh braking and acceleration
  • Simple and Non-invasive Installation
  • >Voice Prompts
  • Backup Battery
  • Task Scheduling

    • The iPhone app is really simple to use, and you can control all the features from the app, as well as an up to date status on the vehicle.

    I received a test unit yesterday, from the chaps at Mix Telematics, and installed it in about 10 minutes. The installation is really simple, and you only need to connect 2 wires. Once the unit has been installed and secured, it goes through a simple self install routine, and downloads the latest firmware over the air. The unit has a sim card built into it, and uses a combination of GSM & GPS to detect and report your location and stats.

    You can purchase the XDrive unit from , and you can download the iPhone app for free from the app store. The app has a demo mode which allows you to see 2 vehicles in action, and allows you to get an idea of how it all fits together.

    So far, I am very impressed with how the whole system works, and I am looking forward to seeing how it all shapes up over the next couple of months.

  • NDrive South Africa iPhone 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

  • South African GPS Navigational iPhone Apps

    Earlier this year when Apple hosted WWDC one of the apps that was featured during the Keynote was the TomTom navigational app. Everyone was wowed by the app and what it could offer users as opposed to a separate GPS device in your car. You now had the opportunity for an all in 1 Device. GPS+Phone+Supercomputer all in one. There was a long silence after that, and then suddenly the app appeared on the app store at $99, and a further $99 for the cradle kit. It seemed a bit steep for both of them put together given that GPS devices are now round about the same price as that.

    South Africa had to wait a bit for their mapsets to appear on the app store, but eventually they arrived with Navigon making its entrance first. TomTom was available sneaky sneaky, but has since made it debut in the app store. Finally NDrive, a relatively unknown GPS provider also came onto the scene with their app. So far NDrive seems to be the most popular in terms of reviews from users on the South African app store, because both Navigon & TomTom mapsets in the app are hugely outdated. With road name changes taking place in South Africa daily, and all the road upgrades & changes being made for next years World Cup, the mapsets need to be fully up to date and upgraded regularly.

    I thought I would take a quick look at the 3 apps on offer as well as provide some links to the reviews to see what the people are saying. Most of the reviews I have found have been on the South African app store.

    Mobile Navigator Southern Africa (Opens iTunes)

    Price: $99.99 (±R770)

    Size: 128MB

    Mapset: Navteq

    iTunes Rating: 3.5 stars – Comments Link

    Comments: Reading through most of the reviews online people are really upset by the fact on how outdated the maps are, and how slow the app is.  The mapset seems to be from around 2007, which doesn’t really cut it given the changes to the roads since then. This is the most expensive app out of the lot, and has received a number of 1 star reviews in the app store.

    Tom Tom Southern Africa (Opens iTunes)

    Price: $79.99 (±R620)

    Size: 140MB

    Mapset: TomTom Mapset

    iTunes Rating: 3.5  – Comments Link

    Comments: Again, reading through the comments the maps seem very out of date. I have seen a version of this app on a mates phone, and being TomTom fan, I wasn’t hugely impressed. The app seems really slow and “clunky”. I expected a bit more out the TomTom app given the hype that surrounded it at WWDC. Hopefully they can redeem themselves by bringing out an update to see the new road changes in South Africa. Out of the 3, it also looks the most “basic” to me.

    NDrive South Africa (Opens iTunes)

    Price: $69.99 (±R540)

    Size: 144 MB

    Mapset: Mapit (Q3 2009)

    iTunes Rating: 4.5 – Comments Link

    Comments: Judging by the comments on the review in the app store, it would seem that this is the best GPS navigational app in South Africa so far. The fact that they are using a local company for the mapset, Mapit, and it is the latest version, says something about the app. It is also the cheapest of the 3. I also saw a really cool option in the screenshots that allows you to see some of the buildings in 3D. It also has a built in Adventure mode, which allows you to use it while walking or geocaching.

    By the looks of things NDrive takes the cake with this one, but I am really hoping that TomTom & Navigon comes to the party and updates the mapsets. We have fantastic mapping companies in South Africa, and they should be using them. I still wonder why the likes of Garmin haven’t come to the party. Added to the fact that there is talk of the Google Maps app becoming a fully fledged navigational app, it is sure going to be an interesting few months ahead.

  • Navigon Mobile iPhone app

    Here is the official press release of the Navigon iPhone app. Stay tuned for a review (and maybe, maybe a little surprise ;)) coming soon…

    NAVIGON Launches First Professional GPS Navigation for iPhone in South Africa – App From Europe’s Fastest Growing GPS Company Now Available

    NAVIGON AG, Europe’s fastest growing GPS brand, today announced the availability of a South African version of its on-board navigation software in the iPhone App Store. The MobileNavigator transforms the iPhone into a complete navigation device with turn-by-turn voice directions and unique features such as adjustable audio-visual speed warnings, branded point of interest icons along the route, direct navigation to contacts saved in the address book, full integration of the iPod control and much more.

    JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, 28 September 2009 — NAVIGON is a world-leading manufacturer of navigation solutions and the first top-tier provider to launch an iPhone navigation app for South Africa. The Germany-based company is a navigation expert across all platforms standing for high-quality GPS navigation on pocket PCs, PNDs and mobile phones. NAVIGON’s iPhone solution has already been extremely successful in Europe, North America and Australia. It quickly reached top positions in the local App Stores. The software features a very easy to use interface that is seamlessly integrated into the overall iPhone experience. It is packed with NAVIGON’s hallmark navigation features such as Speed Assistant providing audio warnings when exceeding speed limits to an adjustable degree, a handy Take Me Home button and sophisticated and elegant map views including branded POIs along the route. Taking advantage of the iPhone’s own functionalities, the app even allows navigating to contacts saved on the phone’s address book, to directly call the number of a point of interest such as a hotel or restaurant, share a location or destination with friends via email or listen to music from the iPod while navigating.

    The MobileNavigator transforms any iPhone 3G, equipped with at least Apple OS 3.0 operating system, or iPhone 3G S into a complete navigation device. After downloading the GPS application, the software and map data is saved directly on the device. This means that users don’t have to pay subscription fees or wait for map downloads during the navigation.

    “By making the MobileNavigator for the iPhone available for users in South Africa, we are taking another step towards the future market of GPS navigation on mobile phones,” said Gerhard Mayr, Vice President World-Wide Mobile Phone & New Markets of NAVIGON AG. “The combination of NAVIGON’s signature navigation features with typical functions from the iPhone creates an integrated and unique experience.”

    The NAVIGON solution sells for $99.99 and is equipped with maps of South Africa from NAVTEQ. It will be available for a promotional price of $74.99 until October 15.

    Key features of the NAVIGON MobileNavigator for the iPhone:

    • Speed Assistant with adjustable audio-visual warning.
    • Direct Access allows navigation to contacts saved in the iPhone’s address book.
    • Location Sharing. This feature makes it easier to meet-up with friends and acquaintances. Users can share their own location, an address or a point of interest such as a restaurant or museum with other people via email.
    • Route Planning. NAVIGON’s route planning function enables users to plan a route with different destinations ahead of a trip.
    • Call POI’s. The call POI function allows to directly call the number of a POI such as a restaurant or hotel by simply clicking on the number.
    • Seamless integration of the iPod control. Users can access the iPod functions while navigating. During voice announcements, the volume of the music smoothly fades out.
    • Automatic Day and Night Mode. Depending on the time and location, the map colors change for optimal display visibility at all times.
    • Branded POIs and POIs along the route
    • Take Me Home Button
    • 2D and 3D map view.
    • Automatic switch between portrait and landscape format.
    • Intelligent address entry.
    • Real signpost display.

    For more information and FAQs, please visit: www.navigon.com/iphone.

    You will also find NAVIGON on the following platforms:

    Twitter: www.twitter.com/NAVIGON_.
    YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/NAVIGONcom
    Facebook: http://facebook.twi.bz/Ob

  • Navigon MobileNavigator South Africa

    Screen shot 2009-09-21 at 4.47.04 PMWell, this isn’t technically a South African developed iPhone app, but it is designed primarily for South African’s. Navigon brings you their GPS navigational software, Mobilenavigator, with South African Maps.appstore_button

    After Tom Tom announced they would be bringing their software to the iPhone earlier this year, everyone has been hanging on waiting for it. They have released the software around the world, but South Africa have yet to feature.

    I haven’t yet downloaded the new Software from Navigon, because I just can’t seem to justify the $74.99 (±R560) price tag, when all I need to do is get to work and back. Sure I have my GPS lying in my car but it hardly gets used. This app will be fantastic for visitors to South Africa, and I’m glad to see we cracking the nod ahead of other countries round the world.

    Screen shot 2009-09-21 at 4.55.01 PMScreen shot 2009-09-21 at 4.55.16 PM

    You can download the software from the iTunes store here. If anyone does take the plunge be sure to let us know, by leaving a comment below, what you think of the software