Live Traffic (Finally) Comes to Navigon GPS

[Michael Essany]

Image via CNET


Big news tonight for those of us who have long bemoaned the lack of live traffic updates on our GPS mobile apps.

Our friends at CNET have been all over this breaking announcement:

Navigon AG, the developer of the Navigon MobileNavigator app, announced Wednesday that live traffic capability, called Traffic Live, for its GPS phone application is coming soon. This feature will be available in October for the North American version of the application.

It's almost as though the holiday season has come early. Indeed, the new Traffic Live feature - which offers real-time traffic updates for the GPS app - is like a present we've been waiting an eternity for. With this latest update, MobileNavigator's journey (pun intended) has come full circle.

From the initial bare bones app, which didn't offer the ability to access points of interest from inside the app or the now much-loved text-to-speech component, the polished app is arguably now the most practical, well-versed, and functional GPS app for any mobile device.

However, there's a catch. As expected, this upcoming update will not be free, rather it will cost another $25 via an in-app purchase, on top of the current $90 price tag for the app itself.

That one time fee, however, will be worth it. Navigon says the update is made possible from live traffic information provided by the ultimate source for traffic news - people who are either stuck in it or avoiding it altogether. Real-time data and information from more than one million drivers across North America will be the service's heart and soul.

When the new feature is available, the Navigon GPS app will automatically include the traffic information when calculating a route, and provide onscreen alerts indicating new incidents and congestion along the current route.

This huge improvement will likely prompt competing navigation apps to either step up their game right away or get out of the way altogether.

[blkcadi]

This app just keeps getting better, I'm lovin' the recent update and can't wait for this.

[angiepangie]

Sweeettt

[hollow0]

maybe i should invest in one of these navigation apps. I just don't know which is the best. Also, navigon used to be like $60 right?

[lild7hina]

I can't wait for this update... i already love navigon and it just keeps getting better and better. If only i had a window dock in my car *sighs*

[StealthBravo]

Sweet. Well this cements Navigon has the best navi app

[angiepangie]

Navigon was always the best navigation app for the iPhone

[StealthBravo]

^ I agree.

[cpotoso]

Indeed. I tried TomTom and it is HORRIBLE. Navigon is much better.

[blkcadi]

^^ gotta agree. Now with street names too, love it.

[StealthBravo]

This is going to rock!

[angiepangie]

Can't wait for new features.. Navigon just keeps getting better and better..
the only bad part is downloading the updates.. ughhh...

[StealthBravo]

yea, for sure

[koreanmasters99]

Navigon = Hands up

TomTOm = hands down...

can't wait till this comes out!

[thu6]

Navigon has escalated to 'untouchable' status!

[thetoothfairy]

I bought this app and just love it! I am excited that they are updating this app once again... As for the price to upgrade this will depend on each individual. I really don't want to spend anymore money on the app but really want the update... so looks like I will have to fork out more for the update....

[StealthBravo]

I cant wait!

[reddawg]

Has anyone looked at the 2nd top grossing app is in the AppStore? Yep, it is Navigon and the ratings went up from four stars to four and a half. Nuff said!

I sold my Garmin Nuvi 750 GPS for $150 last weekend and I am not missing it.

[angiepangie]

Nice. Plenty to buy the app and some left over

[confucious]

Live traffic has been available in CoPilot since the last update but you Navigon fanboys made no mention of that.

One day Navigon might catch up with CoPilot - but I doubt it