Comments on: Hidden Gems: 3.0 Apps To Download, Wait For Or Avoid

By: DrFooMod2

DrFooMod2 — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 17:13:21 +0000

I purchased my 3GS last week. Prior, I was on a Verizon BlackBerry Curve. I was paying $9.95/mo for VZnavigator, which BTW, works great. So, I’m accustomed to paying the monthly fee. As an added not, VZnavigator is a NIM app.

By: iName

iName — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 03:18:40 +0000

the moment apple announced instore purchases i knew there would just be a massive amount of developers just ripping customers off. its really a blessing and a curse.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:30:53 +0000

Another point worth considering for these subscription turn-by-turn apps is that they must have a cellular connection to operate as the mapping data is received from the network connection. This would not work too well when traveling in rural places. Other navigation apps will load the maps onto your iPhone and ONLY a GPS connection will be needed.

By: marv08

marv08 — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:24:25 +0000

Well, the Navigon app is in the top ten of paid apps in every single European country, it is number one in Germany since it has been released. You have to consider that the 94 USD price is fully in-line with the pricing of the same app on Symbian and Windows Mobile phones, and it is actually a little better on the iPhone. Navigon offers the best maps and the best software for Europe and people do pay for it. Also, the app contains all maps for all of Europe. No need for a data connection and roaming charges when traveling in a foreign country. AT&T’s and most other apps mentioned do download maps on demand. If you are without reception you have no maps and if you are outside your own country, you might pay a fortune on top of what you have paid already.

I am not sure if the author is right. Navigon has not adjusted pricing on any other platform for ages and, forseeing TomTom as the only relevant contender, we can not expect to see them with a discount offer either. Most mobile phones (e.g. a lot of Nokias) come with subscription based navigation solutions costing up to 150 USD per year, and people do pay for it. The price comparison to navigation hardware does not help either. I want navigation software on my iPhone, because I do not want to lug two devices around when I park my car. Even if the software is as expensive as a whole device with the software, I will still get the software.

By: Elina Greenberg

Elina Greenberg — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:27:04 +0000

I’m definitely downgrading mine. AIM is good for me, but I have to admit… Push Notifications are sooooo annoying. Half the time I have to turn it off.

By: thelmeltree

thelmeltree — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:23:23 +0000

“Stupidity is no excuse for that – if your smart enough to write software, I assume you are smart enough to know that customers would have no way of knowing there would be an extra charge.”

that’s exactly what i said. they knew exactly what they were doing and now they are paying the consequences

By: thelmeltree

thelmeltree — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:20:26 +0000

im kicking my text plan the minute all the kinks are worked out with beejive.

i already pay through the roof for my basic iphone service. i agree entirely. there is no way im paying an additional $10 a month for something that the phone already does minus the visual turns. ill wait for a onetime pay app until then.

By: dburr

dburr — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:16:13 +0000

Amen – it’s about time I hear the truth. $94 for just GPS software that doesn’t include traffic?? I can save another $50 anc buy a stand-alone. Heck – every year for Black Friday, Navigon had been selling their units w/ traffic for $99. I know all the reasons I’ll hear for a $94 price point – I’ve already read Gizmodo’s article, but you can still only charge what people will pay (how’s Navigon doing in the app store?)

Gokivo – you got my $.99. Thanks for opening up the 3.0 software with the hidden fee crap as soon as you could. According to Apple, about 1million new strong got a chance to see what you are about. Stupidity is no excuse for that – if your smart enough to write software, I assume you are smart enough to know that customers would have no way of knowing there would be an extra charge.