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Author	Topic: Apple, Google Just Killed Portable GPS Devices	Post a Reply Back to Topics

Tacodan Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,301 Points:650,985 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:23:35 AM Ignore Tacodan Report Abuse If it wasn’t obvious before, it’s crystal clear today. The dedicated portable GPS device is dead, with Apple and Google playing pallbearer to Garmin, Magellan and TomTom. Between last week’s hastily organized Google Maps event, where the search giant showed off a new interface, new features and — most importantly for Android users – offline map downloading, and Apple’s new Maps app announcement at WWDC, a dedicated device for mapping and navigation comes across as superfluous. Or even worse, incredibly low-tech. Smartphone adoption continues unabated, and with it, built-in, carrier-installed and third-party mapping apps are flourishing Visit Wired - for full article

Tacodan

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Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:23:35 AM

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If it wasn’t obvious before, it’s crystal clear today. The dedicated portable GPS device is dead, with Apple and Google playing pallbearer to Garmin, Magellan and TomTom.

Between last week’s hastily organized Google Maps event, where the search giant showed off a new interface, new features and — most importantly for Android users – offline map downloading, and Apple’s new Maps app announcement at WWDC, a dedicated device for mapping and navigation comes across as superfluous. Or even worse, incredibly low-tech.

Smartphone adoption continues unabated, and with it, built-in, carrier-installed and third-party mapping apps are flourishing
Visit Wired - for full article

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werich44 Champion Author California Posts:1,838 Points:465,200 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Jun 13, 2012 1:37:14 AM Ignore werich44 Report Abuse These devices still have some advantages over the smartphone, but it won't be much longer before that is no longer true.
physed Champion Author Lancaster Posts:4,582 Points:370,685 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:30:09 PM Ignore physed Report Abuse I need my DeLorme PN-60 handheld GPS for geocaching. As long as that still works I'm good.
bwatchingu Champion Author Arkansas Posts:1,735 Points:598,795 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 6:37:06 PM Ignore bwatchingu Report Abuse interesting comments
TripleHs Champion Author Austin Posts:3,355 Points:915,140 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 12:03:37 PM Ignore TripleHs Report Abuse not yet, but certainly the market share is shrinking
Van_Halen Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,839 Points:639,180 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 11:46:51 AM Ignore Van_Halen Report Abuse . Where did this idiot reporter come from? Most Smart Phones DO NOT have true GPS! They use signal strength detection to figure distance from three known tower locations. Just take your smart phone and drive into any national forest and see if your Google or Apple map shows your position! Most do not because their are no towers and your phone doesn't have service. True GPS works anywhere there is clear sky no matter where the nearest cell tower is! I was riding the "Dragon" the other day on my Interceptor and wanted to mark a specific corner (there are so many, they start running together after awhile) on the built in Google Map App in my iPhone. The App opened up, but it had no idea where I was much less allow me to drop a pin to mark the corner I was at! Again, most smart phones do not have true GPS! Apple's aGPS does not always work properly without network contact. I have been in many locations where my iPhone 4 has been clueless to my location even after 2 hours and my trusty Garmin III told me where I was in 5 seconds! If one buys a T-Mobile Garminfone or a SatNav phone then you have true GPS that does not need to be in contact with the cellular network to show your position! Some brands of Android Phone now have built in true GPS that will work without aGPS. For the US, ALL phones are required to have true GPS by 2018 by FCC mandate. And this just shows how stupid the Government is. The reason for the mandate is if you are lost and 911 can not get your position by tower fix, you can tell them where you are. Well if the phone can't get a tower fix, then you can't call 911 because you are out of coverage, Doh! All phones are digital now and have to have two towers to work where as old analog phones worked as long as there was a tower it could see, but a single tower will not give location. Well there will be no analog phones to have GPS in them because they are no longer made, so the mandate is moot!
doctorindyj Champion Author Santa Fe Posts:3,438 Points:836,785 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 11:25:26 AM Ignore doctorindyj Report Abuse I would like to see them get a 3G signal into some of the places I go. Heck I've got dead spots just around my neighborhood where I can't even get a signal for my phone much less a 3g signal for a tablet. I think there is still a need for satellite based GPS. If your are just going to stick to the highway you should be fine but for some of us we need something else. Although I have to admit that they probably can't continue to justify the price of maintaining the system for a smaller group.
Sparky19038 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,027 Points:576,240 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 11:24:43 AM Ignore Sparky19038 Report Abuse The interfaces on all of the dedicated GPS devices that I've used have been horrible. They are too structured and restrictive. Granted, I have only used about 6 different brands and models, but they were all equally aggravating to use. Using either Android or iPhone, you can simply select, type, or say an address or destination and get a useful response. Are there any stand-alone sat-nav's that are as easy to use?
MontanaMac Champion Author Washington Posts:1,736 Points:410,050 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 11:10:42 AM Ignore MontanaMac Report Abuse Adapt and improve or die? Maybe.
jorobins538 Champion Author Chicago Posts:4,722 Points:636,270 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 11:08:07 AM Ignore jorobins538 Report Abuse oh, well . . .
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,534 Points:745,120 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 11:04:45 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse No, they did not. Many people still do not have a Smart Phone, so a PND is still needed out there.
lxandrthegr8 Sophomore Author Toronto Posts:165 Points:193,825 Joined:May 2012	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 10:31:03 AM Ignore lxandrthegr8 Report Abuse we rely too heavily on navigation devices, what was or brain designed for?
GetMaxCashBack Veteran Author Trenton Posts:386 Points:161,925 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 10:15:50 AM Ignore GetMaxCashBack Report Abuse GPS navigation apps like Copilot Live have been on smart phones for a while now. But I guess now that more people know about the possibility, they will drop their GPS devices. PNDs will still be around for those who don't want to pay for data (ie me), but I imagine it will die as more people switch to smart phones.
gbs1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,986 Points:739,225 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 10:10:48 AM Ignore gbs1 Report Abuse If you have a smartphone, it doesn't make sense to have a separate GPS device.
Jkent1953 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:1,976 Points:438,010 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 10:06:13 AM Ignore Jkent1953 Report Abuse navigation system still works better for now.
CartelBuster Veteran Author Detroit Posts:418 Points:1,578,060 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 9:58:02 AM Ignore CartelBuster Report Abuse I can't afford a smartphone data plan, so I'll keep my Garmin, thank-you!
Night Owl Champion Author Toronto Posts:7,535 Points:1,783,575 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 9:34:18 AM Ignore Night Owl Report Abuse Gas_Eyes is right, GPS devices have nice large screens. But many people will think if they've got a great GPS system on their phone why should they buy a separate GPS device?
Skunk63 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,546 Points:555,550 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 9:21:37 AM Ignore Skunk63 Report Abuse I never had delusions that devices like Garmins or TomToms were true market disrupters. Garmin at least has other market segments it excels in. TomTom, I am afraid, may become the forgotten second cousin to Siri.
WeasleyOC Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,134 Points:799,400 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 9:21:16 AM Ignore WeasleyOC Report Abuse Though I hate putting people out of work, I do like using my phone for multiple purposes.
Eugene_C Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,299 Points:155,995 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 9:18:21 AM Ignore Eugene_C Report Abuse I still prefer a dedicated GPS device for navigation, and will continue to use one as long as they're available. Also, businesses use plenty of GPS devices.
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:8,929 Points:749,935 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 9:10:18 AM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse BIG GREED Apple and Google are putting Garmin, Magellan and TomTom out of business, should be the headline!!!
Gas_Eyes Champion Author Dallas Posts:2,662 Points:641,935 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 9:08:40 AM Ignore Gas_Eyes Report Abuse With all the drivers distracted by the phone, using the phone as a navigation device may cause more problems for distracted drivers. The phone screen is to small and cluttered with too much information.
cheap59 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,240 Points:960,020 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:56:22 AM Ignore cheap59 Report Abuse Just because Apple is pouting because they don't have better apps than Google.
qwerty17 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,640 Points:1,114,975 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:49:05 AM Ignore qwerty17 Report Abuse knew it was imminent.
dgerst Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,691 Points:553,000 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:40:29 AM Ignore dgerst Report Abuse And integrate it with your gas gauge, so it alerts you to the lowest priced gas just before you need it.
dgerst Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,691 Points:553,000 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:38:20 AM Ignore dgerst Report Abuse I do like the way the iPhone has built gasbuddy.com into their phone, so you can see how far it is to the lowest priced gas. They need to come up with a way to integrate it with the route on your GPS, so it will find the lowest price gas on the route to your destination.
dgerst Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,691 Points:553,000 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:34:21 AM Ignore dgerst Report Abuse No way are we going back to maps.
dgerst Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,691 Points:553,000 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:33:48 AM Ignore dgerst Report Abuse Navigation systems will need to come standard in every vehicle without an option price, before the GPS device market will fall apart. Its about ease of use, and a GPS device is still easier to use than a smartphone.
bojiway1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,034 Points:475,260 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:27:21 AM Ignore bojiway1 Report Abuse Back to maps?
mazdaboy Champion Author Portland Posts:7,873 Points:2,095,330 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:21:29 AM Ignore mazdaboy Report Abuse Smart phones are too expensive. I'd rather have the portable GPS.
bojiway1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,034 Points:475,260 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:21:12 AM Ignore bojiway1 Report Abuse Ugh,
lcleveland Champion Author San Antonio Posts:2,646 Points:647,275 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:15:53 AM Ignore lcleveland Report Abuse still using garmin....although I use my iphone also
RichardoB Champion Author Fayetteville Posts:7,987 Points:2,000,260 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:12:08 AM Ignore RichardoB Report Abuse I never have owned a dedicated GPS unit. I used a laptop with DeLorme software and a USB plugin GPS sensor for years and then, about 2 years ago, bought one of the first Droids which had Google Maps and GPS built in. Now use a RAZR MAXX. No need for dedicated GPS devices.
gandalfthegrey1 Champion Author Houston Posts:1,184 Points:384,685 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:07:19 AM Ignore gandalfthegrey1 Report Abuse Did I miss the part that has to do with gas prices?
amoshins Champion Author Trenton Posts:2,185 Points:638,095 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:05:41 AM Ignore amoshins Report Abuse You could see this coming...wish it could help me save on gas
1fuelish1 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:14,790 Points:1,849,695 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:05:11 AM Ignore 1fuelish1 Report Abuse On a recent trip to Nashville, I used Google Maps on my Android to get around, and found that, to my delight, I had door to door voice navigation. How cool is that?
GingoutMD Champion Author Maryland Posts:3,495 Points:713,305 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 8:01:33 AM Ignore GingoutMD Report Abuse Dedicated devices are becoming ancient history. The smartphone and smaller tablets are becoming the "one device for all purposes" due to the miniaturization of technology. Watches don't just tell time, cell phones don't just make/take calls, calculators don't just add, subtract, multiply and divide... etc. Just ask any iPad user who carries that big lug around to take photos and video. I bet if the iPad had cell service, Apple-heads would be putting the iPad against their head to talk. Would't that be a photo op... hold on let me get my iPad.
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,170 Points:1,114,940 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:57:12 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse Never used them
Xavier80 Champion Author Victoria Posts:1,763 Points:376,265 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:56:33 AM Ignore Xavier80 Report Abuse Still using both
Evilmaddog Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,307 Points:954,625 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:54:07 AM Ignore Evilmaddog Report Abuse Still will use TomTom
hunter86 Champion Author Kansas Posts:1,373 Points:561,535 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:52:40 AM Ignore hunter86 Report Abuse I still see them on the shelves at prices equal to 5 years ago.
gasmad666 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,817 Points:389,145 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:49:30 AM Ignore gasmad666 Report Abuse If they can only make them do the driving
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,090 Points:2,368,445 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:47:50 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse like obama, they have killed jobs
johntxx Champion Author Texas Posts:2,766 Points:613,395 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:47:18 AM Ignore johntxx Report Abuse I still use my GPS for trips. I put it far to the left just off the dash near the inspection sticker so it's like another instrument on my dash--easy and safe to glance at while driving, unlike fumbling with a phone in my hand. Maybe someone will get smart and market a device that will hold a phone in a similar way.
Wally3023 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,014 Points:536,355 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:39:56 AM Ignore Wally3023 Report Abuse It's just more convenient. There is nothing better than searching for a place your not sure of on a Garmin and coming up with nothing. At least with Google maps you get choices.
angel4me Champion Author San Jose Posts:2,814 Points:793,045 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:35:08 AM Ignore angel4me Report Abuse can't txt and can't GPS
jethro5000 Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,862 Points:388,310 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:34:21 AM Ignore jethro5000 Report Abuse Forget Google, Apple's the one.
bluestang96 Veteran Author Ohio Posts:268 Points:107,865 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:34:10 AM Ignore bluestang96 Report Abuse I'm still rocking my Garmin GPS. I don't have a smartphone and don't have plans for one in the near future.
FocusST2 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:8,128 Points:1,376,000 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:33:50 AM Ignore FocusST2 Report Abuse I love my GPS but the map updates are getting a bit too pricey and will lead to its demise.
Norm10 Champion Author British Columbia Posts:3,332 Points:162,475 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:28:48 AM Ignore Norm10 Report Abuse I'm still using my GPS!
Tacodan Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,301 Points:650,985 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Jun 12, 2012 7:28:03 AM Ignore Tacodan Report Abuse its not surprising when they started out charging $80 for map updates