AT&T Navigator comes to iPhone, Pre says "sounds expensive"

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 24th 2009 at 4:57PM

The launch of AT&T Navigator on the iPhone this week is likely the highest-profile turn-by-turn navigation launch to hit the platform to date, notably becoming the first "premium" AT&T-offered service to be made available through the phone -- which, until now, has generally (and uncharacteristically) remained free of carrier crapware since day one. Reviews are mixed, with one of the big complaints being that maps are pulled down over your network connection in real time -- then again, this is common to virtually every carrier-branded nav solution, so we can't fault the iPhone version there. The app itself is free, but using it will run $9.95 a month on top of your regular bill -- a far cry from the goose egg Sprint is charging Pre customers for the use of Sprint Navigation which offers essentially the same level of functionality. Add in the fact that TomTom's got a much sexier (albeit bulkier and more expensive) solution in the works for this, and frankly, we're not sure this thing's going to see much success; probably worth a try, though, right? [Warning: iTunes link]

[Via AppleInsider]

Filed under: Software, ATT, Apple, iPhone OS

Tags: apple, att, att navigator, AttNavigator, iphone, nav, navigation

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

beckhams777 @ Jun 24th 2009 5:11PM

Yea... but good luck pulling the maps on a gprs connection for some roads

Neutral

your mom @ Jun 24th 2009 5:11PM

AT&T Navi + 9.99/month = FAIL!!!! Sprint Nav + Included with everything plan = FTW!!!

Neutral

JackBauer @ Jun 25th 2009 4:05PM

This is just a rebranded version of Telenav. I have it on my BB Storm and it looks exactly the same.

It works pretty good, but it does suck when you get a phone call or lose your internet connection.

Highest Ranked

Veraxus @ Jun 24th 2009 5:36PM

1) I will never, ever, EVER use a navigation app that requires a monthly fee.
2) I will never, ever, EVER use a navigation app that doesn't have a local data file/map cache (for when those times when 3G is is unavailable or otherwise craps out).

This is epic fail in the making. GJ AT&T.

Neutral

JimboJones @ Jun 28th 2009 6:49PM

I totally agree with the caching, there are too many small roads with no coverage, but I kinda disagree with monthly fee

if you buy decent GPS with traffic you will end up paying a bit under $200, with $10/month subscription you break even in 1.5 years. Now you might say that your GPS will last longer, but

1. you will probably not get free maps updates for life
2. you will be having another device in your pocket which needs another charging cable
3. the chance some as*s is going to steal it from your car is very very high

personally, I would rather pay $10/month for good cached maps than $200 Garmin GPS

Neutral

iroq321 @ Jun 24th 2009 5:35PM

oh, great, because i didn't think the iphone's plan wasn't expensive enough already. sheesh.

Neutral

Periks19 @ Jun 24th 2009 5:42PM

So really engadget? is Sprint charging extra for the navigation? all i see is that Sprint GPS Navigation is included in the everything plans from the cheapest $69.99 to the highest and the everything family plan not charging any additional fee.

Why don't you guys mention how the cheapest plan for the iphone is $69.99 with no unlimited text included and no Navigation included because The Pre plans do included it and also the free night and weekend minutes don't start until 9:00pm unlike Sprint at 7:00pm another $8.99 in savings.

Neutral

bdenglish @ Jun 24th 2009 6:34PM

what exactly are you complaining about?

Neutral

Periks19 @ Jun 24th 2009 6:59PM

@bdenglish The only complain is that the article by engadget is informing readers that the Pre also has this app but is being charged less when clearly any compatible plan for the Pre already has navigation included with no additional charge.

Why doesn't engadget clearly says upfront that the pre has this service included at no additional pricing instead of letting readers to believe or assume that Pre customers are getting charged for the same navigation service but a less amount then Iphone customers.

Highly Ranked

Marc0387 @ Jun 24th 2009 9:16PM

Periks19. First off you are retarded for being such a cry baby to begin with, so shut up. Second they did say there is no cost. " a far cry from the goose egg Sprint is charging Pre customers for the use of Sprint". Goose egg means zero! If you didn't get that then the sharp corners of your pre are probably a hazard for you. Go back to your safety scissors you tard.

Neutral

Ant @ Jun 24th 2009 5:52PM

AT&T strikes again, finding ways to charge their customers even more money! If I only didnt love GSM as much as I do

Neutral

JimboJones @ Jun 28th 2009 6:52PM

dude, almost everybody is charging for turn-by-turn navigation, the only free is Sprint on PRE because they try to get customers in

Neutral

Bill @ Jun 24th 2009 5:58PM

AT$T FTW!!!!

oh wait, my nose is growing longer and longer again. Say it with me people, F AT$T!

Neutral

andonemorething @ Jun 24th 2009 6:04PM

If the only service that the iPhone received was cheap-ass WAP, AT&T could afford to fold Nav into its data pricing .. just like some bottomfeeding carriers currently do.

Neutral

periks19 @ Jun 24th 2009 6:23PM

Well buddy Sprint uses Evdo Rev-A and it includes it in in all everything plans. Sprint's has better data network and faster speeds it doesn't justify paying almost twice as much for slow data and hardly 3g coverage at all with ATT.

Only rich people and I-diots would pay extra for this but if they already paying a way overpriced plan with the iphone $10 won't make a dent. I never understand why ATT prices are so ridiculous high, I mean I understand Verizon high prices since they do have a great voice network and great 3g network, but ATT is horrible at both specially 3g.

Neutral

whatever! @ Jun 24th 2009 6:54PM

WTF!!! are they insane!!! the iphone data plan has GPS included why would the charge more ?......AT&T is getting out of hand 1st they short hand there employees with the iphone launch once againe! so they cant sell! and then charging for the gps option and know on top of that turn by turn for onther $10.00 they have to be out of there god dam minds!

Neutral

Adam @ Jun 24th 2009 8:05PM

I think we'll see more competition for this. The new GPS hardware on the 3gs phone is FAR superior to the older models. I can get solid and reliable locks in places I wouldn't have even tried before. There are other GPS apps (some which include 800+ mb of maps) out there before I don't think they take advantage of the new hardware which will open doors to new street by street directions.

Neutral

andonemorething @ Jun 24th 2009 9:19PM

Your claim that approx 175,000,000 Americans are idiots for remaining with their carriers is duly noted. As is the consistently dwindling numbers of your preferred carrier. Classy!

Paying 'extra' for real internet access vs the watered-down WAP service [which you confuse with RevA) your preferred carrier supplies? Outside of that "lauded" 3-City test that Gizmodo laughably put on, there is no proof to support your claim of data speed across-the-board, nor do your repeated claims change that fact, your hyperbole notwithstanding.

Oh, and ummm ... I'm not your buddy.

Neutral

Riz @ Jun 24th 2009 9:58PM

whoa buddy,

AT&T is trying to charge $10/month EXTRA, ON TOP of what iPhone users are already paying for your so called "real internet," all for the luxury of using something that you can get for *free* on Sprint.

If it makes you feel privileged to pay extra for these things then more power to you. I'd imagine it would make most people feel ROBBED.

So tell me more about the fake internet Sprint uses...

Highly Ranked

andonemorething @ Jun 24th 2009 10:46PM

This has nothing to do with the iPhone, genius, as EVERY carrier who supplies full HTML internet [VS watered-down WAP} also charges $10/Mo for TeleNav or whatever their rebranded name is called by the carrier. Those 175,000,000 already know this. Why don't you? Buddy.

It's very simple, really. You can get a dumbphone with WAP service from AT&T for $15-20/Mo just like the value of what Sprint supplies. You can do the math, can't you? When one bothers to actually do their homework, the math does not exactly favor your favorite red-headed stepchild of a carrier. Besides, it's a business which doesn't give a shit about you or you life. A wise person does not treat the subject as if it were their alma mater they were defending.

Low Ranked

Bill @ Jun 24th 2009 11:11PM

andonemorething sounds like a at$t executive. just saying. hey who are we to stop you if you want to pay more? but if there are other companies can give the standard turn by turn gps for free. I don't see why can't at$t.

and at$t's "real internet" is as real as GW trying to say he is working really hard as the president during his term. just a bunch of lies really.

Neutral

Roach @ Jun 25th 2009 1:53PM

andonemorething : "This has nothing to do with the iPhone, " Really? I mean really? Did you even look at the headline of the story or read the article or is your head so far up Steve's rectum that you missed the article? This is a comparison of 2 smartphones, not feature phones.

Neutral

sweet greggo @ Jun 26th 2009 2:55AM

@andonemorething

Do you know the difference between HTML and WAP? Your posts suggest you don't.

There are phones Sprint sells that only allow WAP browsing, but all of the smartphones (including the Pre) utilize full HTML. It's weird you don't understand this.

Neutral

dreamcastdcdc @ Jun 24th 2009 11:53PM

I hate Telenav, I will just wait for Tomtom and just pay a one time fee with no maps updates.

Neutral

L3 @ Jun 25th 2009 2:22AM

I'm hoping for an update to my voiceless X-GPS turn by turn app that I paid $19 for last Fall...

Neutral

Kaspar @ Jun 25th 2009 4:18AM

There are much better onboard alternatives, if you're in europe. For example:

Navigon:
http://www.navigon.com/site/de/de/products/navigation_software/iphone;jsessionid=63A02D037F1ED6ED46188068718AFB65.navigon-website-1?utm_source=KeyVisual_Homepage&utm_medium=Banner&utm_campaign=0906_iphone_keyvisual
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=320279293

IGo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymdZGw74V_I&fmt=22
www.igomyway.com/

Highly Ranked

Evilhomer @ Jun 25th 2009 10:00AM

Why do you guys hammer on AT&T about this for the cost? They have nothing to do with what Telenav charges. I bought the service directly from Telenav's website and they bill me directly. Has nothing to do with my AT&T bill.

This app has been around for years, and available on multiple devices for exactly the same price and it's only when it shows on the iPhone that people start griping about it.

Neutral

Brandon @ Jun 25th 2009 11:49AM

Of course they have something to do with the charges. If Sprint can make it so it doesn't cost their customers anything extra, then so can AT&T. However I won't hold it against AT&T since Sprint is the anomaly and every other carrier besides them charges extra for navigation on top of data plans.

Highly Ranked

PoisonEye @ Jun 25th 2009 10:19AM

@andonemorething
WAP..."you keep saying this word, but I don't think it means what you think it means"

Sry, just didn't realize that Opera Mobile, Skyfire, IE Mobile 6, WebOS browser, Opera Mini (for dumbphones BTW) didn't provide "real HTML" access. I *can* however use Flash on my phone.

I apologize, but I don't know where I'm going with this comment...if only my phone had a compass!

Low Ranked

troy @ Jun 25th 2009 11:08PM

I for one dont get the watered down "wap" you speak of on Sprint. I receive full html on my Sprint phones browser. So I cant use my phone abroad.....and I dont give a flying fuck....,but I get free Telenav navigation, fast internet/data, superior 3g data and voice coverage that AT&T cant touch.......and its all unlimited (including texts) for $99.00 per month here at home in the good ole USA.

Highest Ranked

andonemorething @ Jun 26th 2009 10:09AM

Why do you think Sprint has always offered so few smartphones at a time? The overpriced WAP service subsidizes what little full html service Sprint makes available. You can't defy the laws of economic physics. However, not all of the few "smartphones" that Sprint offers have full html capability. Can you say "proxy" [vs ISP] service? LoL