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XROAD G-Maps (North America East)

A while back I received a copy of a new GPS mapping program called G-Map by a newcomer, XRoad. It was real GPS mapping software for the iPhone with one huge flaw. No turn-by-turn capability. That was not XRoad’s fault. Apple would not allow turn-by-turn on the iPhone, so G-Maps was little more than a pretty map program with not much more functionality than Google Maps which already came with the iPhone for free.

Then with Apple’s 3.0 software update, all that changed in a big way. Apple unlocked turn-by-turn capability and mapping software cropped up everywhere in the App Store. Except that G-Maps was already there. They immediately came out with an update that took full advantage of it’s true functionality by turning the iPhone into a Garmin/Tomtom like GPS device with true vocal turn-by-turn mapping in addition to real time tracking, continuously updated directions, POIs (points of interest), route customization and maps by Navteq.

Unfortunately, Tomtom grabbed all the spotlight and XRoad has had difficulty getting noticed in all the publicity noise. Thats too bad because this is a really nice, affordable mapping app that rivals a real GPS device.

I know this because I have a son in college.

Huh, you ask? Well, my son goes to a small college in northern Florida 5.5 hours away from my house and I make frequent trips there. Once I would get off the Interstate, I never could remember what turns to take to get to my destination. So when turn-by-turn became available, G-Maps afforded me a way to put it to the test. And to make it fun, I also used a dedicated Tomtom device for comparison’s sake.

Now most of the trip was Interstate, but when we got into small towns and on side streets, thats where G-Maps showed its stuff. The directions were accurate and in a couple of cases more accurate than the Tomtom, which put us on a dirt road completely confusing us (although it did get us to the destination). G-Maps avoided the dirt road altogether. And after using both, I think G-Map’s graphics just look better. The voice directions were clear and easy to understand.

The usual options are included; fastest vs. shortest route, avoidances, finding places by address, postal codes, coordinates, etc. You can personalize your POIs, routes and pretty much anything you want. One thing I appreciated was saving my routes once I entered in all the info.

The screen is broken up into sections that tell you your direction, speed, how many miles you have left, the name of your next exit as well as a little illustration of what your exit looks like to help avoid confusion. Your screen can show your map in daylight and night time  versions. Sometimes this can all be a bit tight due to the size of the iPhone screen. You can simulate your trip if you want at 5 times the route speed if you wish to find any possible glitches.

Gmaps will even show you your route in 3D space - they call it 3D Junction View -  of intersections in major cities. I don’t live in one of these areas, so I didn’t get to see how well this works. You can however, see your route in a 3D look as well as 2D if you wish, in much the same way as Garmin and Tomtom do.

Now there are some important things you need to consider if you are thinking of spending money on mapping software instead of a GPS device:

If you run G-Maps off your iPhone battery, it will be sucked dry in no time. The iPhone needs to be plugged into a charger for any lengthy trip.

You will hear the spoken directions much better if you hook the iPhone up to your car audio system. The iPhone speaker just doesn’t do well with road noise and other audible distractions. Also, spoken directions are not street specific.

Get a windshield mount (XRoad sells one made for the iPhone) if you don’t already have one. I tried using it without one and my iPhone just kept falling over or flying to the floor with every turn or stop. One I used the one made for GMaps, all was well. In fact, its a great holder for general use as well.

Sometimes the signal drags behind where you actually are and you can miss a turn if you are not careful. XRoad states that a GPS enabled cradle will be available soon which will boost the signal receiving capability significantly.

Here’s an important point: If your phone rings while using G-Maps (or any other mapping apps for that matter) you will need to restart the app after the call ends. It will not automatically pick up where it left off. Again, that’s Apple’s fault, not XRoad’s. The iPhone does not multitask. If you can, your best bet is to turn off the phone while driving.

Now if you looking into getting Tomtom’s mapping app which is still in version 1.0 or Navigon AG’s MobileNavigator, be prepared to shell out big bucks - $90 to $100. G-Map sells for $35 for the eastern US and $35 for the western US. Taken together, that’s still less that the competitors. And if you want just a single state, or in some cases adjoining states, its only $20 (16 states so far). Canada is only $20, too! What a deal.

G-Maps has had a head start in this arena and right now it shows. I’m sure GPS apps are only going to get better and better, so XRoad has their work cut out for them to stay competitive. But thats a win for us, the customer. Because time will eventually make GPS apps as good or better than the dedicated devices.

Yet one more reason to buy an iPhone.

G-Map North A for iPhone
Price: $34.99 Eastern or Western US; $19.99 Canada; $69.99 US and Canada

[Thanks: http://www.iphoneworld.ca]

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