Navigon can already make a strong case for its GPS app, in that they have been consistent in adding new features (and fairly frequently as well). Well, they're about to tack on some more according to CNET.
The company announced yet another major update yesterday, version 1.5.0, which will add in-app connections to Facebook and Twitter. The new update will also feature Panorama View 3D with 3D terrain views being powered by NASA data, and personalized routes via the Navigon MyRoutes feature.
The connection to the social media sites will allow users to report their current position, destination, and estimated time of arrival via a tap on an icon on the phone's screen. The company said that the reporting would not interrupt one's navigation. Certainly helpful if one needs to report to friends and family about where they're at for event planning and safety. But, the feature will need the phone's data connection. So if you're out in "NoWhere Land," you could be out of luck.
But the Panorama 3D view will be integrated with the already built-in maps and won't require a data connection. Navigon says it offers true 3D in-map views that are obtained from NASA's height and terrain data, and shows intuitive orientation of surrounding environments, in addition to what may be coming up with digital landscape elevations, shadows, and geographic images.
Lastly, Navigon MyRoutes will analyze driving habits, patterns, locations, etc. to provide users with up to three routes clearly displayed in-map with ETA, distance and driving times that will be provided for each. In doing so, it will give drivers easy access to obtaining the most efficient route at any time.
The update is expected to be available sometime in the spring. While the Panorama View 3D feature will cost $9.99 via an in-app purchase, the other two features will be free. For those not currently using Navigon, they have started a promotion in which the price for the MobileNavigator app is $69.99 (versus $89.99) until February 15. Also the Traffic Live feature on-time cost is $19.99 versus $24.99.
One can run MobileNavigator on GPS-ready iPhones such as the 3G and 3GS. It will also work on first-gen iPhones and iPod Touches, but a user will need an additional GPS accessory.
Image courtesy of Ubergizmo.com
