TomTom's iPhone app SUCKS! Plus, could Google/Verizon provide an alternative to my iPhone addiction?!
In the midst of the clustereff that is the GPS ecosystem, today's Google Navigation announcement (Android 2.0) seems like a ray of hope.
Let me explain: I purchased TomTom's iPhone app software for ~$100 (It was an impulse buy that I regret). But the dang thing DOES NOT WORK in San Francisco (much like AT&T doesn't offer cell phone reception in my apartment complex). Now, TomTom charges ~$120 for the car dock alone that is supposed to make it work?! (and speaking of clustereff's their dock doesn't work for the iPod touch - http://bit.ly/12cL41 - doesn't impact me but I'm sure it impacts a bunch of their other users).
Anyhoo... Enter Google and their proprietary Navigation software. Just watch the above video and see your wishlist for a SMART navigation system come to life. And, then compare that to your existing GPS system. Compare the costs involved: $200 to $300 + GPS upgrade software alone costs another $100 (i know that's true for my old Garmin GPS. Long story).
And, Google's far more superior, easier-to-use software (see above video) is (yes, you guessed right) - FREE.
Android (Gmail + GNavigation / Maps + GVoice) + Verizon sounds like a decent alternative in my mind to the iPhone (which I LOVE), but which is dragged down by AT&T's AWFUL service (I still can't believe I don't get reception in my apartment complex) + Apple banning Google Voice on the iPhone + TomTom forcing me to waste another $225 on an old-school GPS system. I could go on...
Hmm...
End Rant.
