GPS navigation systems like Google Maps, TeleNav, Smart2go, VZ Navigator and Buddy Beacon are all gaining popularity, but how do they all perform?
Quite a few phones come equipped with GPS navigation systems nowadays, and we've tested pretty much every "out-of-box" solution there is. We're not going to delve into each of them, but rather focus on the solutions that have impressed us the most so far. It's also worth noting that this story does not delve into the number of free GPS services that are now appearing. If you enjoy experimenting with your phone, you should pay more attention to the GPS radio performance for each of the phones below than the overall offering that we've ranked as follows:
Smart2go on the Nokia N95: 85%
Though it takes a moment to warm up and find your location, once the GPS sensor on the Nokia N95 is tracking you, it can be tenacious. The sensor and included software are easily the best we've seen on a phone, even with the additional subscription fee for navigation and voice directions.
The map works as a 2D top-down or 3D map, and it tracked our location quickly and accurately, turning with us as we went through intersections. The zooming globe map clearly takes advantage of the graphical firepower of the N95, as visual effects are smooth, and the map zooms better than any map we've seen.
TeleNav on the AT&T Tilt: 80%
The Tilt comes loaded with TeleNav. At no cost, users can get simple, static directions, but do not have access to the onboard GPS. For GPS navigation, you need to pay $10 a month, which is a trend among the carriers these days, and one we don't appreciate. It seems like the price of the hardware is included with the device, so charging extra for software to support the GPS hardware would be like charging extra if you want to talk during a phone call, instead of just listen.
That being said, TeleNav worked very well for us with the GPS navigation active. It wasn't nearly as quick to find us as a standalone unit, but the device had good, strong reception compared to other phone's we've tested. TeleNav's software is fine, nothing too outstanding. We were happy to see that pedestrian direction really were for pedestrians, directing us the wrong way down one way streets, as it should, but this is more a comment on the sorry state of some of the other navigators than a compliment to TeleNav.
VZ Navigator on the RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130: 80%
The BlackBerry Pearl 8130 features GPS navigation, and Verizon Wireless makes their own VZ Navigator available for the device. VZ Navigator worked fairly well. It found us quickly, even in our cubicles, which don't have a direct view of the sky. VZ Navigator does a poor job of recalculating directions when you fall off the proscribed path, and it's interface is starting to look a bit long in the tooth.
Still, it loaded our initial route quickly, and its route suggestions were usually good. RIM also includes the BlackBerry Maps program. Maps links to address on the phone, so that you can quickly navigate to an address on a Web page or in your address book, using the maps program. It lacks the advanced navigation features, like spoken, turn-by-turn directions, of VZ Navigator, though.
TeleNav on the LG Rumor: 75%
With all of the pitfalls we found in the LG Rumor, we were pleasantly surprised with its GPS performance. Not only did TeleNav's software run smoothly on the device, the GPS sensor seemed to track us very well. It held our position without freaking out as we entered the Holland tunnel, and it tracked us smoothly through most turns. Once or twice it lost us on a nice straightaway in the city, but we blame the tall buildings nearby, and not the phone.
TeleNav on the Samsung BlackJack II: 70%
GPS is new to the BlackJack II family, and it is a welcome addition, although we weren't completely satisfied with the navigation experience. The sensor seemed a bit sluggish to us. It took a few minutes to find our initial position, and it took some time to register that we had made some wrong turns. Once it had us on our route, it generally tracked well, though. Maps loaded very quickly, probably thanks to the speedy networking. We used TeleNav for navigation, though it costs a monthly fee, and it worked just as it should, with a fine points-of-interest database.
VZ Navigator on the LG Voyager: 70%
The GPS sensor was satisfyingly strong, even finding us indoors with only a small window-view of the sky. Navigation also loaded quickly, and the maps were readable, though they could have been much nicer (maybe even a 3D-view option, perhaps?). Unfortunately, when we got lost from the directions, VZ Navigator didn't automatically reroute and find us. We had to start over and reload directions from our current location, which was annoying, though not terminal.
Google Maps/Buddy Beacon on the Helio Ocean: 70%
The GPS sensor on the phone was very strong, often able to find us indoors. We're waiting for a second device to really give the Buddy Beacon app a run for its money, but until then, we're still intrigued by the possibilities. Google Maps is still the wrong application for driving directions, as it doesn't handle live turn-by-turn navigation and it won't speak your directions to you, both necessities while driving.
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
» Top 15
|
|
|
» Search (New!)
Search by cell phone features
|
|
|
» Manual comparison (New!)
Select up to 4 cell phones side-by-side
|
|
|
» By release
May 2008, June 2008, Q3 2008
|
|
|
» Top 15 by carrier
Unlocked, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Helio, Alltel
|
|
|
|
» Top 15 by user type
Average Joe, Business users, Calling addicts, Fashion conscious users, Globetrotters, High-res addicts, Internet addicts, Multimedia enthusiasts, Music aficionados, Outdoor enthusiasts, TV addicts, Video lovers, More...
|
|
|
» Top 15 by brand
Apple, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia,
BlackBerry, Samsung, Sony Ericsson Other
|
|
|
» Top 15 by platform
Palm OS, Symbian S60, Symbian UIQ, Windows Mobile
|
|
|
|
» Top 15 by cell phone type
Business smartphones, Multimedia smartphones
Consumer QWERTY phones, Multimedia phones
Concept phones
|
|
|
|
_it00.jpg)
_it00.jpg)
|
Archive