G-Map U.S. 1.3 - It just keeps on truckin'.

A month ago, we reviewed version 1.2 of the G-Map GPS navigation system for the iPhone. We immediately fell in love with it. While not 100% perfect (what GPS is) we loved the app's feature of storing all map data locally, the 3D junction view and the general speed of the app. Then G-Map disappeared from the app store. The reason for the brief disappearance? Speaking with the developer, G-Map needed to comply with some of Apple's terms and conditions for GPS apps.

Well, we are happy to say, G-Map 1.3 is back better than ever.

PART 1

[Video Review by Mr. Pence]

PART 2

[Video Review by Mr. Pence]

OK, so what's makes G-Map so awesome?

While other navigation applications are Google-based ones requiring a constant wireless network service, G-Map is the first on-board turn-by-turn street navigation application for the iPhone 3G.

The menu layout is easiy to navigate.

It has intuitive road map data that enable you to find the street of the next turn anytime and anywhere with ease. The display of the next turn street is very quick unlike other applications depending on wireless network speed that takes 5-10 minutes sometimes in deciding your next turn. The next time you're out in the middle of nowhere, with no cell phone service, you'll be happy that G-Map stores all the map data locally.

Not only does the 3D junction view look cool, it's a VERY useful tool when you are at a MAJOR intersection. I don't know how many times I have missed a turn with my old Mio Digiwalker. The 3D junction view is something I would expect to see in $300 GPS, kudo's to X-Road for putting this feature in G-Map.

The 3D junction view combines eye-candy with functionality.

The AI route option is an incredible feature, it calculates routes based on your driving habits. This feature can be enabled or disabled. Pretty awesome feature.

NAVTEQ map data. Need I say more? As I mentioned in the 1.2 Review, GPS enthusiasts feel that NAVTEQ has better mapping data than its competitors.

The Traffic Pattern feature is AWESOME as well. This feature provides NAVTEQ’s traffic statistics data in holidays or with date and time. This option is used preclude expected traffic jam zones.

For example, although traffic condition on the highway is good at the route search time 4:00 PM, your car is expected to enter the highway at about 5:00 and the driving speed would slow down due to traffic jam at rush hour. However, if the ‘Consider Traffic Patterns’ option is applied, a route precluding the highway will be searched by avoiding expected traffic jam zone.

What's new in 1.3?

One of the features we wanted to see  when we reviewed 1.2 was some kind of audible noise alerting turns in your route.

Audible turn prompts are a welcome addition to G-Map.

X-Road listened to us and other users and has implemented this feature cleverly. This feature will suffice until OS 3.0 is released and allows G-Map to use voice prompts.

G-Map now provides a preview map on the screen for the next intersection, Traffic Patterns in route option, now displays total remaining time and distance to the destination while driving, a feature deactivating auto-lock mode and the previous route can be loaded when restarting G-Map.

All of these added features make G-Map THE navigational app for the iPhone.

For those wanting more, keep in mind, X-Road is currently working within the confines of Apple's current terms and conditions.

G-Map's OS 3.0 future.

We've been in close contact with X-Road since G-Map's launch and some promising new features will be upcoming with the iPhone's 3.0 OS release.

A couple of new features include voice prompts for turn-by-turn with street names also spoken and very cool landscape view.

X-Road has sent us a hardware demo unit that contains the features above, we'll have a breaking video posted shortly.

I'm still hoping X-Road will add the ability to route from your contacts and to give you some kind of GPS strength icon. This would make this device complete.

Conclusion.


I've personally been using G-Map since I reviewed it back in March. It has performed exceeding well as a GPS.

It's easy to find what you are looking for.

I don't find myself wanting to buy a replacement to my fried Digi MioWalker. G-Map has the features and stability that I need and would expect to find in a more expensive dedicated GPS.

G-Map does NOT require monthly usage fee unlike other mobile GPS navigation services such as TeleNav. You pay for the G-Map application and once it is downloaded to your iPhone, you can use it whenever you want and get continuous updates free of charge.

Once again, don't freak out when you install this application to your iPhone. It takes about 20 minutes for G-Map East and about 24 minutes for G-Map West.

Believe me, it's worth the wait.

You can buy G-Map U.S. East HERE for $24.99 or G-Map U.S. West HERE for $24.99.

Comments

[skstyle81]

i have this app. This is pretty good navi app.
It has wonderful graghics and image, and on;y 24.99 $ a lot cheaper than TOMTOM's navigation.
iI love this so far.
Thank you

[cool _han]

v 1.3 is much better than v 1.2. This app is now practical and functional and soooo cool gadget. It works very well. Much easier to use while driving than Google map. I’m happy with app. one thing missing is voice guidance.

[redbull]

wow. its cooooool~
i will go get one.

[manny]

Its worth $24.99!!!
This is what i was looking for.
They need to work out more to make perfect map but It looks great so far.
They need to add voice prompts and guide route fast and accurately.

[BeSweeet]

In the description, it says that the routing map screen has changed. How much has it changed?