Sygic demos turn-by-turn nav app for iPhone
updated 03:15 pm EST, Wed February 18, 2009
Sygic iPhone app
Slovakian company Sygic at the Mobile World Congress demoed an iPhone app that provides turn-by-turn directions, according to The iPhone blog. The native app also provides voice prompts, points of interest, international support and local map storage on the device. Content for Europe weighed in around 2GB, using Tele Atlas data for the map information and points of interest. The interface is very similar to stand-alone navigation systems, with options to enter multiple route points, view text directions, search POIs, choose alternative routes and browse the map.
The company plans to submit the app to Apple for review and approval, although it could run into several problems. The iPhone SDK explicitly prohibits applications that are designed for real-time route guidance. The iPhone 2.1 firmware beta included the groundwork for turn-by-turn functionality, although it was excluded from the public release.
Additionally, TomTom owns Tele Atlas and has claimed that it is creating its own navigation app. Apple could also be working on a real-time navigation app for future iPhone firmware.
Sygic has not yet announced potential pricing information.
[Images courtesy of The iPhone blog]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2008
good news
Any development in this area is good. Even if Apple rejects this particular app from the AppStore they will be hard pressured by developers and users to deliver something of their own or allow 3rd-party products soon.
I can't wait to have fully functional navigation system running on my iPhone.